Bible Readers: What About All Those "ites"?

Now that you know how to read you can read the Bible for yourself. That's what my momma said.

Most Bible readers (from my generation and the generations in the centuries before mine) will likely say what struck them when the first read the scriptures was all those "begats". Some people will skip over verses, even whole chapters if they see that word. The word "begat" usually connects a string of names that are very difficult to pronounce.

For me, one of things noted when turning the pages of the Old Testament starting with Genesis and working my way to the Revelation was all those "ites". The names for the inhabitants of different ancient nations.

Hittites, Asherites, Jebusites, Amorites, Amakelites, Girgashites, Moabites, Perizzites, Canaanites, and of course, Israelites.

Then it changed from "ites" to "ans".

Syrians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans.

Suffixes in the English language:

*  ite = follower or supporter

*  an = pertaining to

* ian = belonging to

Belonging to? Hmmm?  Like Christians?

Yes. Only Christ is not a nation. Christianity and the gospel message of peace and goodwill is not restricted by man-made boundaries. But it's an observation as to how the suffixes were used by the scholarly translators.

JAT. (Just a thought.) :)

glitter-graphics.com

Histomap: Visualizing the 4,000 Year History of Global Power

If my view were a "theory", the histomap would have thoroughly disproved it.  Alas.  It's not a theory.  It's just a thought.  :)

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Character Study: Bible Women | Mary: Full of Grace

MARY
The mother of Jesus. No one disputes this.

Almost everyone in a predominantly Christian society knows the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Mary is introduced in the Christian scriptures, she is living in Nazareth in Galilee and she is betrothed to be married to a man named Joseph, who discovers that she is pregnant. Knowing that child could not possibly be his child, Joseph agonizes over what to do about Mary. Under Jewish law, he has two options. Option 1: Shame Mary publicly and have her stoned for infidelity. Option 2: Put Mary away quietly. The scriptures state that an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him not to fear taking Mary as his wife. She had committed no sin and the child that she was carrying was the result of a miracle and the fulfillment of a prophecy that “a virgin would conceive and bring forth a son who would be named Emmanuel, meaning ‘God with us’.” 

Mary and Jesus - Image Credit: Paint According To The Number Set Paint Diy Children and Adult Oil Painting, Virgin Mary Jesus 

Some non-Christian sources say that Jesus was a bastard, an illegitimate child, the result of an unlawful union between Mary and someone other than her lawful husband. There is an ongoing debate as to whether the Qu’ran (Koran) states that Mary was a virgin who conceived and gave birth to Jesus, having never had sexual contact in any way with any man OR whether she was a virgin at the time the angel visited her and told her she would have a child.

Whether or not Christian and non-Christian sources agree Mary is the 5th woman mentioned by Matthew in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

• Bible References: MARY – MATT 1: 16, 18, 20; 2: 11; 13: 55; MK 6: 3; LK 1: 27, 30, 41, 56; 2: 5, 16, 19

A Lineage of Grace:Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

Most Beautiful Islands: Croatia-Dalmatian Islands (REBLOG)

So very pleased to share this link about the Croatia-Dalmatian Islands. Found the World's Most Beautiful Islands blog a couple of years back. It appears that neither the blog or the Facebook page has been updated since 2012, but no matter as the information provided about the most beautiful islands in the world is enough to whet your appetite and make you hunger and thirst for more. Never been to Dalmatia but one reference to this place in the New Testament and ever since it has been on my wish list of  "Places I'd Like to Go.

Most Beautiful Islands: Croatia-Dalmatian Islands

(Link previously supplied for reblog had to be replaced as domain name was not renewed.  See below.)

When the Apostle Paul* was preparing for his execution in Rome, he sent final instructions and words of encouragement to Timothy, a young man he referred to as his “son in the faith”. He told him what he expected of him and what needed to be done to carry on the missionary efforts. In what is believed to be one of his final letters to the young minister, he made mention of his “other son”, Titus. He said that Titus was on his way to Dalmatia to continue spreading the gospel message. Just that one mention of the place and my heart was captivated. 

(*REF:  Paul and Friends)

• If you have ever been to Dalmatia, please share some of your experiences?  Provide comments below or let's discuss a guest post.  Thanks!  Thanks!!  Thanks!!

Image credit: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Mobile phone photo by Pauline Galna ~ Flickr.com

Links supplied above for the reblog may be outdated, as the domain was not renewed as of Feb 2018.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - INTRO

Some think or believe that these Divine edicts were done away with via Christianity. This is false. In Christian Scriptures, these Commandments are restated in the gospels by Jesus Christ and in the epistles by His Apostles.

This is a somewhat complicated study which hopefully is presented in a simplified, easy-to-read and understand format. Blessings!

Scriptural references for the Ten Commandments are found in the Jewish scriptures: Exodus 20: 1 -17 and also Deuteronomy 5: 1 - 21.

Some think or believe that these Divine edicts were done away with via Christianity. This is false. In Christian Scriptures, these Commandments are restated in the gospels by Jesus Christ and in the epistles by His Apostles.

* * *

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Summarily Restated by Jesus Christ as the 1st and 2nd Greatest Commandments:

MATT 22: 36 - 40 * * * * * 36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37) Jesus said unto him, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second is like unto it, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. 40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

THE 2nd COMMANDMENT Also Summarily Restated by Apostle Paul:

ROM 13: 8 - 10 * * * * * 8) Owe no man any thing but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9) For this, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, THOU SHALT NOT KILL, THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, THOU SHALT NOT COVET; and if there be any other commandment , it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. 10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

JESUS DID NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW OF MOSES:

MATT 5: 17 - 18 * * * * * 17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18) For verily I say unto you, Til heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, til all be fulfilled. MATT 16: 16 - 17 * * * * * 16) The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of heaven and preached, and every man presseth into it. 17) It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

♦
Read the Complete Post Series:

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 1st

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 2nd

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 3rd

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 4th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 5th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 6th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 7th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 8th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 9th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 10th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - Final Post


Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Humble King. Who rides a donkey on his way to die for his enemies.

The Kind Leader. Who enters our cities to serve us not to dominate us.

The Carpenter from Nazareth. Who builds a table of inclusion for all.

Let’s get off our high horses.
And follow him.#PalmSunday pic.twitter.com/hqOCM0ca45

— Carlos A. Rodríguez (@CarlosHappyNPO) April 5, 2020

It is Written … (Celebrate Book Lovers Day!)

If you have ever watched the movie “Lawrence of Arabia”, you will likely the remember the scene where Lawrence (played by Peter O' Toole) uttered the words: “Nothing! … is written.”  Evidently, it was a memorable scene because if you do an organic search, you will find several movie clips. 

The words of Lawrence, instantly called to my mind a contrast between words often uttered by Jesus Christ:
“It is written.”

Jesus spoke these words so confidently, and as a matter of fact, as if being literate was a given.

Of course, among the Jews, there were Scribes and their job was to write down the scriptures for future posterity. It was clear that many of the Jews could read and write. Although it is possible that some of the Apostles were not literate. In the book of Acts, they were referred to as men who had not “learned letters”.

But beyond the Jewish people, what about the Gentile world?

Many non-Jewish civilizations had a written language, but not all of the inhabitants could read and write.

But Lord!  The gospel message? Isn't it for ALL?

~ Did Jesus already know that in this world there would be many people who could read and write? At least enough people to spread the good news to all the world.

~ Did He already know that men would die in order for the Bible – both Old and New Testaments - to be printed in multiple languages and circulated so that people all around the world could read it?

~ Did He know that Google would partner with the Israel Museum to convert the Dead Sea Scrolls into a digital format?

* * *

* * *

Being illiterate is not a social matter these days. Right? At least, not in the USA. That may be a problem for undeveloped countries. Right?

One would think that in a country like America, literacy would not be an issue. Think again.

Both first ladies – Barbara Bush and Laura Bush – chose as their platform to focus on literacy and education.

* * *
Efforts to address the problem of illiteracy?

• World Over - 2016-07-28 – America's Literacy Crisis, Kyle Zimmer with Raymond Arroyo

• Integrating Technology in Early Literacy: A Snapshot of Community Innovation in Family Engagement

• NEA - Read Across America Partners and Supporters (“Reading Buddies”)

• National Coalition for Literacy (“... advancing adult education, family literacy”)

Those 3 words: "It is written."

It's really not a casual statement to be taken lightly, is it?

* * *
This post was inspired by a friend who published a post in a blogging community, Literacy Base, where I used to be an active member.

National Book Lovers Day isn’t the only book holiday. Each year on April 23, the day Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died in 1616, the United Nations holds World Book and Copyright Day. In 2017, Conakry, Guinea was the World Book Capital.

There is also World Book Day, which is sponsored by the U.K.’s National Book Tokens.

SOURCE:  Celebrate National Book Lovers Day 2017

National Book Lovers Day is always celebrated on August 9th.

* Entertainment trivia:

The film “Lawrence of Arabia” won 7 Academy Awards. Peter O'Toole did NOT get the award for Best Actor. (REF: Academy Awards, USA 1963 ) Hey! When he accepted the lead role, maybe he should have got it writing that the Oscar for Best Actor was going to be a given. :) Gregory Peck won that year for his portrayal of the lawyer, Atticus Finch, in “To Kill a Mockingbird”. (REF: The 35th Academy Awards | 1963 ) I say the decision of the Academy was fair. What say you?

Related articles

• THE DARING MISSION OF WILLIAM TYNDALE - Steven J. Lawson (2015)
• Sometimes I Babble - Can't You Tell?

Lawrence of Arabia

© Photographer: Nadalinna | Agency: Dreamstime.com

The Adoration of the Magi

Thank you for visiting. Apologies. This content has been moved to my partner blog. Patience please. Just one more click.

What is Religion? (It's a Straight Forward Question with a Straight Forward Answer.)

Two topics they say people should never discuss because it will likely always end in a heated argument: politics and religion. 

- Hard not to discuss politics. The media does a good job of keeping it in your face.

- Hard not to discuss religion. It's close to one's heart. Atheists, wiccans, devout believers all have convictions. The media helps a little. Didn't you hear all those reports about pope Francis?

When it comes to religion, there is a definition that everybody can agree with and should not cause controversy.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1: 27)

How hard can it be to follow this guideline?


Content first shared at myLot.com, Sept 2015.

* * *
Similar content:

Restore Our Religious Freedom (Say what now?)

One World - Multiple Space Colonies 

Who Got Da Power? 

Yeah but … Religion and Refusal both start with the letter 'R' 

Is Turning the Other Cheek Really a Practical Solution? 

Difference Between Politics and Religion

Ten Commandments in Christianity - Final Post

This concludes my study of the Ten Commandments in Christianity. Hope others find it helpful.

 

NEW Testament Penalty for Violating the Commandments: +++ Scrip Ref(s): Matthew 5: 19; Hebrews 10: 28 - 31"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.""He that despised Moses' Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: --of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy , who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace? --For we know Him that hath said, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL RECOMPENSE, says the Lord. And again, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. --It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 10th

** 10th Commandment:

COVETOUSNESS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's." Penalty for Violating: NONE. Covetous is a sin of the heart. No one knows it is being committed except the person coveting. Whenever covetous is manifested, one of the other commandments is usually broken - theft, adultery, murder, etc. Examples of covetousness in the Bible: Achan (Joshua 7); Saul (1 Samuel 15:9, 19); Judas (Matthew 26:14, 15); Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11); Balaam (2 Peter 2:15 with Jude 1:11). 10th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 5: 3   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 9th

** 9th Commandment:

FALSE WITNESS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Deut 18: 16-21 9th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: COL 3: 9, 10   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 8th

** 8th Commandment:

THEFT FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 15 "Thou shalt not steal." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 21: 16 8th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 4: 28   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 7th

** 7th Commandment:

ADULTERY FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 14 "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Lev 20: 10 7th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 27 - 32 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if they right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, WHOSOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE HER A WRITING OF DIVORCEMENT. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery." READ also Mark 10: 2-12; and Luke 16: 18. ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 COR 6: 9, 10   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 6th

** 6th Commandment:

MURDER FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 13 "Thou shalt not kill." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 21: 12 6th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 21 - 26 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT KILL: and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time he deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, til thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 JOHN 3: 15 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 5th

** 5th Commandment:

DISOBEDIENCE TO PARENTS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 12 "Honor thy mother and thy father, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 1: 15-17 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Mark 7: 9 - 13 (and Matt 15: 4 - 6) "And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER; and, WHOSO CURSETH FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM DIE THE DEATH. But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban (that is to say, a gift), by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free (of his obligations and duties to his parents). And ye suffer him no more to do anything for his father or his mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition ..." ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 6: 1 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 4th

** 4th Commandment:

SABBATH DAY - WORK FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. --Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: --but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. --For in six days the Lord made the heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Num 15: 32-36 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 12: 5 - 8; 11 - 12; John 7: 21 - 24 "Or have ye not read in the law, how that on sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is One greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I WILL HAVE MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath day." "And He said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." "Jesus answered and said, I have done one work and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision: (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at Me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." ~ Restated in NEW Testament: COL 2: 16 nullifies The Sabbath was a day of rest. The first day of the week (Sunday) is a day of worship. NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 3rd

** 3rd Commandment:

SWEARING FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Lev 24: 15, 16 ~ Restated or application clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 33 - 37 "Again ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT FORSWEAR THYSELF, BUT SHALL PERFORM UNTO THE LORD THINE OATHS. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is God's footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Read also Matt 23: 16 - 23 The Jewish leaders, who were supposed to be the spiritual advisers to the people and interpreters of the Law, had so corrupted the interpretation and application of this commandment, Jesus angrily condemned their hypocrisy and iniquity and pronounced WOES upon them. ~ Restated in NEW Testament: JAMES 5: 12 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 2nd

** 2nd Commandment:

GRAVEN IMAGES FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 4 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. --Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate Me; --and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Deut 27: 15 2nd COMMANDMENT Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ. See MATT 22: 36 - 38 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 JOHN 5: 21 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 1st

** 1st Commandment:

POLYTHEISM FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 22:20; Deut 6: 13-15 1st COMMANDMENT Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ. See MATT 22: 36 - 38 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: ACTS 14: 15 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.