The Emmaus Journal ~ What Kingdom Are You Looking For?
July 6, 2007
The Emmaus Journal
What Kingdom Are You Looking For?
The awe inspiring chapters in Hebrews which we have fondly labeled the Hall of Faith tells a wonderful tale of past history all for our encouragement and edification.
Hebrews 11: 13- 16, quotes …”These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Verse 14 … for they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Verse 15 … And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Verse 16 … But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly: wherefore YaHWeH (God) is not ashamed to be called their Elohim (God): for he hath prepared for them a city.”
Mars, the Mighty and Marvelous
July 5, 2007
Martius, the month of March, is named after him. So is the fourth planet from the sun and a bar of chocolate, but we know him mainly as the god of war.
If you lived in ancient Rome, his name would be as familiar to you as your own, especially at this time of year with all of the holidays and festivals dedicated to the City’s favourite son. You would be choosing your prettiest ribbons, studying the form of the newest racehorse or bargaining for the best seats at a track and field meet. Or perhaps preparing for war overseas, for Spring was the beginning of the Roman campaign season.
There is a common belief that depictions of Mars show him as a warrior, but look a little closer and you see that he is no savage attacker but a disicplined soldier in regulation battle dress bearing regulation arms. As Mars Gradivus, he was the patron of the legions and a fitting role model for the highly trained Roman infantryman. It is his Greek equivalent, Ares, who has the character traits of the wild warrior.
The Emmaus Journal ~ The Standards Of This World Are Not Our Standards
July 4, 2007
The Emmaus Journal
The Standards Of This World Are Not Our Standards
How often do we hear this righteous phrase and how often do we really heed this righteous phrase? “The standards of this World are not our standards.” As Believers these few words should mold our very existence from day to day. I would dare say in the day and age we live in; from moment to moment and from choice to choice.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Believing Christians in Rome that they should not be conformed to this World (the influences of pagan Rome), but be transformed by the renewing of their minds (the influences of the Gospel of Yahshua), that they would prove in their demonstration of living in a Roman society; what is good and acceptable (right standing in judgments and actions) and perfected will of YaHWeH (keeping His standards first-most in everything). Paraphrased from Romans 12: 2. If Paul had to admonish his fellow brethren over 2000 years ago, how much more so you and I today? We, who now live in a world full of deceitful pollutants that have escalated from Paul’s time onward! We don’t even have to go out our own homes to be effected by our Romanistic society. Its intolerable presence looms at us from our televisions, our stereos, our CD’s, our videos, our computers, our movies, and most entertainments that would try to occupy our lives. Such dark paganism has literally infiltrated, on a global scale now, into businesses, schools, universities, governments, and even religious institutions. There is little reprieve from such and less solace to find within such realms.
Stop Sickies and Make People Happy At Work
July 4, 2007
If you’re an employer or a manager then work place absence is costing you money, inconvenience, and upsetting your customers. And as we all know, not all days taken off work are due to genuine sickness. Many employees “take a sickie” because their morale is low and they just don’t like or can’t do their work.
The challenge for employers and managers is to make people happier at work. And if people are happy at work then they are less likely to take a day off every time they wake up with a stuffy nose. Some bosses think that paying more money, improving job security or working conditions is the answer. It isn’t and it’s also something that can be very hard to achieve.
People who employ or supervise other people need to become more tuned to their employees’ emotional needs and find out what really motivates them. This is also much easier to achieve than paying more money or improving job security, however there is no quick fix. Some years ago I inherited a tele-sales operation with low staff morale and poor sales results. It took nearly a year to fix. The long-term benefits were of course worth it in terms of fewer days lost due to sickness and an increase in business.
The Emmaus Journal ~ Strangers In A Strange Land
July 3, 2007
The Emmaus Journal
Strangers In A Strange Land
Do you often feel like an Alien? In fact, have you recently inquired if you were really still on Planet Earth? Do the things of this World just seem more and more foreign to you?
Well, Dear Friend, you are in good company! Our Apostolic Brother Paul felt the same way and said the same things. Perhaps in a different language, but it is still relative for today. In fact, Paul went one step further. He said you were suppose to feel and speak the same way. In fact, if you didn’t, Paul again took it one step further! Paul questioned your so called “born again” experience.
It is quite apparent within our global society today that ANYTHING GOES. We are living in the day and age of pure lasciviousness. Modesty, integrity, morals, discipline, and accountability are rejected values. Our so called human rights and personal ethics have degenerated on an over all scale leaving common sense to fly the coop. Both, rarely to be seen anymore like an extinct species. All the while our acute intelligence in academia is at its highest peak within our quantum race toward prideful superiority. Leaving dysfunctional disorders to coagulate into heart attacks and obesity. If it takes a “village to raise a child” nowadays, that village has seemingly been swept away by a deluge of universal disrespect and idolatrous arrogance.
The Monsters Mother
July 2, 2007
Somewhere in the world, every eight seconds, a mother is throwing her hands in the air and declaring that her child is a little monster. But for Echidna it was the literal truth.
Echidna was called the mother of all monsters, although her children numbered no more than a dozen or so, and many were exemplary offspring and a pride to any parent. They may still roam the earth in the quiet unseen places, waiting the day when a new Hero will come to challenge them.
There are many arguments about Echidna’s exact lineage, but who amongst us can vouch for every union in our own background ? Suffice to say she was the daughter of powerful mythical beings. Sources agree, though, on her appearance…
” half fair-cheeked and bright-eyed nymph and half huge and monstrous snake, a snake that strikes swiftly and feeds on living flesh.” (Hesiod, Theogony, 295-303)
As an arresting combination of beautiful woman and deadly serpent, it was to be expected that her children were also unusual. Her first born was Orthus, a hard-working cattle dog on an island beyond the pillars of Hercules. Orthus guarded these unique red cattle for Geryon, the strongest man alive at that time.
Christs Dependability: Count on It!
July 1, 2007
Heb. 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” What does this mean? It can’t mean that Jesus Christ has never changed.
As the Logos He was co-eternal, enjoying equality with Father and Spirit (Phil. 2:6; John 1:1). Was His incarnation a change? Was it! It was an emptying of cosmic dimensions (Phil. 2:7). But more change was ahead: “Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him….” (Heb. 5:8-9). “He learned… He suffered… He became…” all involved change. But that’s not all. “He suffered death” (Heb. 2:9). Then, God raised Him and exalted Him (Acts 2:32-33; Phil. 2:9).
Sounds like a lot of change. So what does it mean that Jesus Christ is timelessly the same? The context provides the answer. In verses 5 and 6 the author says we must keep free of the love of money because God is dependable, always trustworthy to help us when we’re in need. Then he turns to the local church leaders, holding them up as models worthy of our trust. Finally, he focuses attention on Christ’s dependability.
