Betrothal: A Better Way

I wish I had a copy of this documentary to share with every young person I know!  It is the story of a couple who did it right. Who found a different way...a better way.  They followed the biblical model of marriage and took their covenant seriously as it was designed to be honored.  What a beautiful example of Christ's love and commitment to His Bride, the church. 
 You are going to want a copy of this to share with your sons and daughters - BEFORE they get lost in the dating game. 
Just click on the photo for a link to the website to purchase a copy!!

Episode 1: Beginnings - An Honest Review

Did You Watch The History Channel's "The Bible"? Are you wondering if the god portrayed in this mini-series is really the God of the Holy Bible? Well, let's compare notes:

 

This is what you watched on the History Channel:

I’m God. I just made a world. I made some people too. I thought I told them not to eat that fruit. Hmm…they killed each other with a rock. Guess I’ll just drown everybody. But, I’ll save this Scottish guy and his family. Oh no, the boat is leaking…who designed this thing anyway? Hey look, Abraham is on a mountain, I’ll make him a bunch of promises and see if he bites. Oh, good…he conned his nephew in to tagging along. Oops! Guess I should have given them more land. Well, Lot will figure it out. Uh-oh. That Sodom place is getting a little wild. I should send my ninja angels to deceive Lot and kill a bunch of innocent city dwellers. Brimstone. Brimstone. Fire. Explosion. Hmm…Lot’s wife looked back, I think I’ll turn her in to salt. I never liked her anyway. Back to Abraham. He has two sons. I’ll tell him to sacrifice one of them for no good reason at all…but, then I’ll change my mind. Well, I guess that backfired. Now Isaac is mad and running back to Mommy. Well, I’ll just send a famine and abandon everyone for 400 years and see how that works out. Oh, no. Now they are slaves and they forgot about me. Well, I’ll just tell that runaway murderer who doesn’t know anything about me to go set his people free…to clear his conscience. Then he can get revenge on his old nemesis and everyone wins. Go, Moses. Go set your people free. I’ll be with you. Plagues. Plagues. Plagues. Death Angel. Hmm…Pharaoh is finally letting Moses and Moses’ people free. Moses is such a hero! All 100 of Moses’ people are safe and free of bondage...and they took their two camels and a goat. I wonder where they’re going to go now. What? Moses’ people are trapped against the Red Sea and Pharaoh is in pursuit? No biggie. Moses will get them across. He has a stick. Whew. That was a close call with the water and the torches and the chariots and all. Wish I could have helped some. Well, here are some laws. The end.

These are some of the questions you might have after viewing such chaos:

Who is God? How did He create the world? Why did He create us? He cleansed the earth because Cain killed Abel? Who are they? Why did he save this Scottish guy(Noah) and his family? Who is Abraham? Why did God promise him all that stuff? What did Lot have to do with any of it? Why was Sodom so bad? God doesn’t like cities? What happened to Lot’s wife? Do angels really know Judo? Why would he ask Abraham to sacrifice his son and then change his mind? What about the other kid? How did everyone end up in slavery in Egypt? Why was Moses raised by the pharaoh’s daughter? How did Moses know what to do? Where to go? What to say? Why did the death angel kill all the first born? How did Moses part the waters with that stick? What were they supposed to do once they got across the water? What did any of this have to do with God?

Here are the answers:

The god of the Hollywood Bible is NOT the God of the Holy Bible.

(Genesis 1) The God of the Holy Bible is NOT arbitrary, absent, or powerless. He is unchanging. He is everlasting. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last...the Great I AM. He created the Heavens and the earth and everything in, on, and under, and around it with his omnipotent power. There is no limit to his power. It is beyond our human comprehension.

(Genesis 2) He created us to fellowship with him. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden in sinless perfection, enjoying spiritual fellowship with God.

(Genesis 3) Eve was deceived by the serpent (Satan, who began as God’s most beautiful and powerful cherubim, but was cast out of Heaven for his wicked rebellion) and she and Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because sin had entered the world, and the wages of sin are death, the spirit of mankind died. That meant the spiritual fellowship they had enjoyed with God was no more. They had transferred their loyalty to “their father, the liar” (the devil) and taken all of mankind with them. God covered their shame with clothes of skin….providing a picture for them that blood (the death of the animal to obtain the skin) was required in payment for sin. The fig leaves (their own works) would not suffice. He was grieved by their sin, and in his perfect holiness, could not condone it, but even so, God is merciful. And as He justly cast them from the garden and revealed the curse they had earned, He also made a promise of redemption: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This promise was fulfilled in Christ’s victory at the cross.

(Genesis 4) Cain and Abel were the first offspring on earth. They were also the first to be born at enmity with God, conceived in sin, and bearing the curse earned by their parents. Cain acted out his sinful nature with anger, pride, arrogance, and eventually violence. He rejected God’s standard of blood and demanded His approval (we’re a sinful, complacent country who has no reverence for you- but, you better bless us anyway! – sound familiar?). God is unchanging and warned Cain that the bending would have to be on his back, not God’s. Cain rejected God, killed his brother in a jealous rage, and then arrogantly denied responsibility. This was the first manifestation of our new nature in action. It isn’t pretty, is it?

(Genesis 5) Wickedness, selfishness, anger, violence, perversion, deceit, callousness, greed, and envy flourished in the hearts of men through the generations. The Bible tells us of one man, who is called to build a boat (in the desert). Why Noah? The Bible says “Noah had found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He was a just man, was perfect in all his generations, and walked with God.” This is something really amazing…. Here are the meanings of the names given to each man in the lineage from Adam to Noah:

Adam - Man
Seth - Appointed
Enosh – Mortal
Kenan – Sorrow
Mahalalel – The blessed God
Jared – Shall come down
Enoch – Teaching
Methuselah – His death shall bring
Lamech – Despairing
Noah – Comfort and rest

Now, in chronological order: Man appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring despairing comfort and rest. This was fulfilled in Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Genesis 6) Noah lived in a time of corruption and depravity, and yet, he walked with God. He faithfully took 100 years to carefully craft the ark to God’s exact specifications.

(Genesis 7) His wife, his three sons, and their wives were the ONLY people on board the ark when the door was closed. And therefore, the ONLY people to survive the flood.

(Genesis 8) When they unloaded over a year later, God commanded Noah and his son’s to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth.

(Genesis 9)Ham’s descendants were fruitful in Africa and Asia. Shem’s descendants were fruitful in Persia and Arabia. And Ham’s descendants were fruitful in Europe. And that, my friend…is where you and I came from.

Through the unavoidable sin nature of Noah’s descendants, the world was once again filled with wickedness and rebellion. The people had created new gods to worship and it was time for God to act on his promise. (Ps. Time is a physical property and God is a spiritual being. So, God is not governed by time, but outside of it….so, our perception of time is ours only. God is eternal and everlasting).

(Genesis 12) The Lord called a man named Abram (9 generations from Shem) and commanded him to “get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” He was promised that he would be made in to a great nation. Abram was the first patriarch of this great nation…God’s chosen people (Israel).

(Genesis 13) Abram was a wealthy man. His flocks of cattle were numerous. And he had many workers, herdsman, and trained servants to manage and protect his possessions. God blessed his nephew Lot with abundance as well. When they dwelt together, the herdsman quarreled over grazing territories. Abram was a wise diplomat and a selfless patriarch. He approached Lot with this altruistic offer,“ Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” Lot lifted his eyes to survey the land, chose the more lush abundant land (the eastern cities of the plain), and foolishly pitched his tent toward Sodom. After Lot’s departure, God told Abram to lift his eyes and survey the land. Then He promised him everything his eyes could see…to him and to his seed after him (keep in mind, Abraham didn’t have any children yet).

(Genesis 14) When war broke out and Lot was captured, Abram took his 300 trained servants and slaughtered the enemy and rescued his nephew. Lot returned to Sodom…only this time he resided within the city and sat at the city wall (playing with fire).

(Genesis 15) Since Abraham obeyed God’s command to leave his country and kindred, he then asks God about His promise to bless his seed (considering he was 75 years old and had no heir). God confirms his promise and cuts a covenant with Abraham, and with his seed (God’s chosen people). But, instead of a gentleman’s handshake like you would expect, Abraham slept through it (God put Abraham in a deep sleep). God performed both halves of the agreement. Which means this covenant was a one-sided, unconditional, guaranteed promise from God. Abraham (or his descendants – Israel) couldn’t break the covenant if they tried. This was a picture of our salvation. A one-sided redemption that was paid for in full by Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Genesis 16) Abram’s wife Sarai was beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that Abram asked her to lie about her relation to him, so dignitaries would not kill him and take her for their own bride. Sin nature. But, despite her outward beauty, she was a perpetual skeptic. She doubted God’s promise of decedents to Abram and convinced him to create a legal heir (through the cultural law of the time) through her handmaiden (which backfired when God followed through on His promise). Years later, Abram reverently welcomed a pre-incarnate Christ (Jesus is God….God is everlasting. I know it’s hard to wrap our minds around, but Jesus was Jesus before the manger) and two angels to his camp. He asked Sarai to prepare a meal for them to display respect and hospitality. During their visit, the Lord promised Sarai a son. (ever the skeptic) She laughed in disbelief and is confronted for her doubt. God makes his promise clear(and then delivers on it the next year).

(Genesis 18) As the two lesser visitors depart, the Lord remains with Abram (who recieves the title “friend of God”). The Lord reveals to Abram the fate of the cities of the plain (5 in total). He declares the sins of these cities to be very grievous and severely offensive to God. Abram knew God had the divine right to destroy evil, and yet, concerned for his nephew Lot, he petitioned for mercy. He asked that the righteous not be destroyed with the wicked. The Lord was willing to spare the cities for the sake of a few righteous people, but He knew there were not even 10 righteous among them(out of 5 cities!). For Abram’s sake, God sent his angels to save Lot and his family from the impending destruction.

(Genesis 19) When the angels reach Sodom they are greeted by Lot himself, who rose up from his post at the city gate and greeted the visitors. When they state their intention to stay that evening in the streets, Lot beckons them home with him and treats them to a meal with his family. Before bedtime the citizens of Sodom attack Lot’s home and demand access to his visitors, making violent and perverse threats against the men (displaying the sinful culture within these wicked cities). The angels respond by blinding the attackers and revealing the fate of the city to Lot. He is told to hastily fetch any brethren he has. But, when Lot tells his sons-in-laws (legally betrothed to his daughters) that God intends to destroy the city, they reject his warning with apathy. The next morning Lot, his wife, and their two daughters hesitate and linger in the city (unwilling to exchange the familiar corruption for the unknown).  They are eventually physically taken by the hand and ushered out by the angels (and the mercy of God).  Lot's wife turns back in nostalgia and longing for what she is losing.  She is turned to salt.  Once Lot and his daughters are out of the city, the angel warns Lot to remove himself completely from the plain and escape to the mountains. Lot instead asks for refuge in Zoar, describing it as “just a little city” and asks God to overlook it in His wrath. Although Zoar was scheduled for destruction, (it’s citizens as depraved as the 4 others) it is spared for Lot’s sake.  Lot ultimately determines that he “fears to dwell in Zoar” and carries on to the mountains where the results of raising his family in a morally depraved culture become evident. The wicked decisions of his daughters result in the birth of the Moabites and Ammonites (future enemies of Israel).

(Genesis 21) A year later, Abram was miraculously given his promised seed through Sarai (his almost 100 year old supposedly barren wife) and they had a son named Isaac (which means laughter-a clever play on the skepticism they showed). God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah (the definition of these new names define the promises of God in advance).

(Genesis 22) When Isaac was grown (somewhere between 25-30) God tells Abraham to take Isaac, his only son, whom he loves (the first time the word Love comes up in the Bible) to Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. Knowing that God had promised many nations through Isaac, he faithfully obeys, figuring God would work the details out (and He does). So, with two of his servants, Abraham and Isaac embark on a 3 day journey to the hills of Moriah. At the base of the mountain, Abraham tells his two servants to wait there, so he and Isaac can go up to worship God and promises they will (both) return to them afterward. This statement declares Abraham’s faith in God to preserve Isaac against all logic (God had promised Abraham a great nation through his son Isaac…and God always delivers on his promises). On the trek up, Isaac asks about the absence of the sacrifice. Abraham reassures him by saying, “The Lord will provide himself a lamb.” And sure enough, before Abraham takes his son’s life, God stops him and provides a replacement sacrifice in the form of a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham named that site “Jehovah Jireh”, which means “the Lord who provides.” Abraham obeyed in faith. This event was a foreshadowing of another Father who offered his Only Son, Whom He Loved to be sacrificed on that same mountain range two thousand years later. It was a picture of what was to be fulfilled in Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Genesis 23-50) God blessed Abraham’s son Isaac and uses him to reveal a picture of Christ as the bridegroom and the church as His bride. God blesses Isaac’s son Jacob (who’s name is changed to “Israel”) and uses him to reveal a picture of sanctification and the struggle of the flesh. God blesses Jacob’s son Joseph and uses him to reveal a picture of Christ…falsely accused, and yet glorified and in a position of judgment…and ultimately mercy. God blesses Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim and uses them to reveal a picture of adoption through salvation and a Christian’s position as a legal heir beside Christ.

Joseph uses his clout with the Pharaoh to move his father’s (Jacob) entire family (about 75 people) in to Egypt to endure a famine. The reigning Pharaoh allows them to move in to the land of Goshen and live peaceably. God blesses the little family unit and they multiply and flourish…and become a great nation (sound familiar?). On Joseph’s death bed he prophecies that God will bring them out of that land and lead them to the land promised to Abraham. He also commands that when they go, they are to take his body with them to bury it in the “promised land”.

(Exodus 1) The Israelites did not know it would be 400 years before they would journey out of Egypt (although that prophecy was in the original covenant with Abraham), but when a new Pharaoh assumes the throne, “who knew not Joseph”, he becomes intimidated by the their growing numbers and fears a revolt, so the Israelites are made slaves to the Egyptians and are used for the construction of their pagan towers, tombs, and structures. When that doesn’t slow them down, the Pharaoh orders the killing of Israelite baby boys.

(Exodus 2) A woman named Jachobed hides her baby away in the reeds of the Nile river. When he is discovered by the Pharaoh’s daughter, she keeps him and raises him as her own, naming him Moses (which means “drawn out” –of the water). Through the courageous acts of Moses’ sister Miriam, Jachobed is allowed to nurse him and teach him about God before he is weaned and sent back to grow up under the Pharaoh. When Moses is 40 years old, he acts in rage at the injustices he sees between the Egyptians and Israelites. He kills a slave master, hides the body, and runs away in fear. He lives in the desert for 40 years, where he marries, has children, and works as a shepherd for his father-in-law.

(Exodus 3) One day while tending to his father-in-law’s sheep at Mt. Horeb, he sees a bush that is on fire, but is not consumed (a picture of mercy). When he goes in to take a closer look, the Lord calls his name. Moses sheepishly answers, “Here I am.” God commands that he remove his shoes for he is standing on Holy ground, announcing himself as the God of “your father, and of Abraham and Isaac”. Moses puts his face to the ground in reverence and fear. God tells him that he has heard the cries of His people in Egypt and he is going to send Moses back to lead them out of bondage. Moses claims he is unworthy, incapable, and even ineloquent.

(Exodus 4) God becomes angry with Moses and outlines what is to take place. He tells Moses that his brother Aaron will accompany him to act as spokesman, he equips him with wonders to reveal, and warns him that the Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened and will not let God’s people go except by a mighty hand. God tells Moses to do as he is told and God will worry about the mighty hand. So, Moses returns to Egypt and stands before the Pharaoh with his brother Aaron, demanding the release of God’s people so they may go in to the desert and worship Him.

(Exodus 5-10) When the Pharaoh refuses, God brings plagues upon the people of Egypt. Each plague representing an idol (of false god) of their culture (a painful irony for the Egyptians). The Pharaoh shows temporary remorse after each plague, but never true repentance. After the 9^th plague, God tells Moses to prepare for Passover.

(Exodus 12) He reveals the last plague which is to be the death of the first born (both animals and people). He gives specific instructions to the Israelites: Choose a lamb without spot or blemish (one for each household) on the 10^thday of the first month and slaughtered it three days later. The blood was to be drained in a basin and splattered on the door posts and lintels. The meat was to be roasted by fire and eaten the evening of the 14^th. The people were to have their shoes on, their bags packed, and eat with haste, burning any meat that was not consumed. This was to be known as Passover and was commanded to be commemorated “forever”. The Israelites that obeyed these commands (and any Egyptian visitors that were in the homes covered in the blood) were spared as God “passed over” their homes in judgment. The blood on the door represents the blood of Christ that covers a sinner from due judgment. This was a picture of Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Exodus 14) That night, when the Pharaoh’s first born son is found dead (along with the first born of every Egyptian family and animal), Moses is summoned (the same night) and told to take the Israelites out of Egypt to go serve the Lord. Since everyone was ready to go (all 2-3 million of them…along with their thousands of cattle, abundant herds, belongings, a mixed multitude that tagged along, and the treasures of Egypt as restitution -promised to them by God), they began their exodus (which means “going out”).

God’s presence (His Glory) acted as a shadow of protection (a pillar of cloud by day) and a guiding light (a pillar of fire by night) as He lead them out of Egypt and through the desert. When Pharaoh’s heart hardened (as foretold by God at the burning bush) he rallied 600 chariots and pursued the Israelites through the desert. God lead His people to a geographical dead end (not to create doubt and panic, but to gain glory through miraculous redemption). As the Pharaoh’s army caught up to them at the edge of the Red Sea, God (the pillar of fire) moved between Pharaoh’s army and His people and remained there for a night. During which time, He sent a supernatural wind to divide the waters of the Red Sea, making a dry path for the Israelites to cross on. When they reached the other side, God (the pillar of fire) moved out of the way and the Egyptians pursued them between the walls of water. Once the majority of the army was within the path, God caused the chariot wheels to fall off and commands Moses to stretch his hand out over the sea again. When Moses obeys, the waters collapse on Pharaoh’s army and “there remained not so much as one” that had entered the water. Those who survived, returned in shame (and a proper fear of God) to tell the tale (and people are still trembling 40 years later when Moses’ successor sends spies in to the land of Jericho). When the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore of the Red Sea, the Israelites broke out in to praises to God through songs lead by Miriam and Moses.

(Exodus 15-Numbers 19) The Lord lead His people in to the wilderness and they quickly lost faith. Murmuring began against Moses about the lack of food and water. God commanded Moses to strike a rock with his staff and enough fresh water poured forth for the millions of thirsty travelers and their animals. This is a picture of a sacrifice…the striking…or death of an animal to bring forth living water (blood for cleansing from sin). After much more murmuring and 40 years in the desert offering ritual sacrifice for their sins, Moses becomes frustrated and impatient with the Israelites and their perpetual unbelief. When the people once again require water, God brings them back to the rock. This time God commands Moses only to speak to the rock. The depiction Moses was supposed to reveal through his obedience was a picture prophecy of our redeemer, “the rock” (Jesus) and our access (through faith, not works) to forgiveness. Christ was struck (crucified)once and now all have access to the living water made available through Christ’s victory at the cross.

(Numbers 20) But instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff- in a rage (sin nature).  God considered this sin so treacherous that He forbade Moses from entering the promised land (after 80 years of leadership). Wondering what Moses did that was so bad?

The same thing the Roma Downey and Mark Burnett did when they presented a series called “The Bible”, but edited out the True, Glorious, Powerful, Living Word of God.

God declared that “the rock”(Jesus) would bring forth water through communion (and Christ's sacrifice). Moses brought forth water by force (and his own works of the flesh). When Moses misrepresented God to the people of Israel, he was guilty of slander.

His disobedience was an assault on the character of God......And so is the mini-series presented on the History Channel.

The god portrayed in this fictional mini-series is NOT the GOD of the HOLY BIBLE.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

For more about the heresy of The Bible Mini-series: Beloved, Be Not Ignorant

 

For a brief, but very thorough study: The Bible in 24 Hours

For a stiring sermon on the infallibility of God's Holy Word: Why I Choose to Believe the Bible

 

 

Train Up a Child - Bible Stories - *FREE* Audio Files

Desperate to surround my children with truth, I am constantly hunting for books or stories that are Biblically sound, or at least not grossly contradictory.  I am so grateful for the discoveries the Lord continues to lead me to. Sometimes a worn book on a shelf at Goodwill for 99 cents. Sometimes a whole series of books to add to my wishlist (the Lamplighter Books) worth their weight in gold. And sometimes overviews of the books of the Bible for children in Audio form....for FREE!!


Originally recorded by a Grandmother (and experienced Bible teacher) for her grandchildren in an effort to help them understand the chronology of the Bible, they are now available to download - for FREE!  Jolee Chamberlin  is a charming narrarator and careful to accurately approach each book of the Bible with reverance and thrill.  She engages the listener with passionate inflections and rhetorical questions like, "The people of Isreal walked through the Red Sea... on dry ground. Now, what do you think of that?"  She speaks boldly, willing to say: "Not only was that a silly thing to do (worshipping idols), it was also a very wicked thing to do."  An honesty I long for when searching through children's liturature.  Biblically accurate....straight-forward truth. Priceless! 

They are officially reccommended for children ages 5-10, but my 3 year old ADORES them and practically has them memorized. I have burned them all to CD's and play them at rest time. She wakes from her nap time to tell me about Elijah, Saul, David, Moses....etc. with a genuine understanding of the history, characters, and lessons of each book. 


AUDIO BIBLE STORIES

Please listen to these....download them for your children....and share them freely!

Letting Go of Birthdays

 

 

 

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

 

When the Lord first led us to the truth behind the pagan traditions known as “Christmas”, we abandoned them without hesitation (Letting Go of Christmas).  Shocked that we would forgo participation in this “Christian season”, friends and family honored our stance last year, mostly believing we would “come to our senses” by this year and light up the old Christmas spirit! When that didn’t happen, we were encouraged to honor the season with a birthday party for Jesus by friends and church peers.

Well, we had already half-heartedly abandoned most of the traditions associated with birthdays anyway.  We rejected the idea of the “all about me” day, with “all about me” plates, napkins, and party favors.  We rejected gift giving and the expectations it fostered.  We rejected the world’s ideas of celebration, but we fell somewhere in the midst of a compromise.   We concluded that the best alternative to all the hoopla would be “a nice letter to the birthday person…praising their accomplishments for the year, showing affection and appreciation for your relationship with them, and wishing them well”…..yah, basically a Hallmark card.

This year, after the push to host or attend “birthday parties for Jesus”, we were drawn back to dig deeper on the subject.

Not surprisingly, the honoring of birthdays has its roots in pagan practice.   Birthdays were kept and celebrated surrounding astrology, mythology, and folklores.  So much has already been written about the history of these customs, it wouldn’t be prudent for me to try to rewrite it all.  Instead, I will use the information I have found to answer a few basic questions.  I encourage you to follow the links at the end of each quote to learn more for yourself.  These are some of the questions my husband and I asked in search of truth.

Does the Bible talk about birthdays?

“We find that there are birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible. The first account is Genesis 40:1-23. Here we read of the Pharaoh’s birthday which resulted in the baker’s death. Another time a birthday is mentioned is Herod’s birthday (Matthew 14:3-11) which resulted in the death of John the Baptist.– Should Christians Celebrate Birthdays?  

 Why/When did man begin to keep birthdays?

The introduction of the Egyptian calendar became linked to astrology and fortune-telling. The keeping of birthdays, then, was important in ancient times, essentially due to the fact that the date of one's birth was directly related to the casting of a person's horoscope (Linton, Ralph and Adelin, The Lore of Birthdays, p. 12).”  – History of the Birthday Celebration  

Why Wasn’t Anyone’s (Even Jesus’) ACTUAL Day of Birth Recorded in the Bible?

 "Our (Roman) calendar is not Christian in origin. It descends directly from the Egyptians, who originated the 12 month year, 365 day system. A pagan Egyptian scientist, Sosigenes, suggested this plan to the pagan Emperor Julius Caesar, who directed that it go into effect throughout the Roman Empire in 45 B.C. As adopted it indicated its pagan orgin by the names of the months-called after Janus, Maia, Juno, etc. The days were not named but numbered on a complicated system involving Ides, Nones, and Calends. It was not until 321 A.D that the seven-day-week feature was added, when the Emperor Constantine (supposedly) adopted Christianity. Oddly enough for his weekdays he chose pagan names which are still used (Sunday, Moonday, Tiwsday, Wodensday, Thorsday, Friggasday, Saturnsday.)" (From "Journal of Calendar Reform," Sept. 1953, footnote p. 128. Italics ours.)

God's sacred Calendar committed to the Jews for preservation to our time has three months that vary in length from 29 to 30 days after a rather complicated pattern.  God 's people certainly knew the date of their birth, but they kept track of their age by calendar years, not birth dates.” – Attached to This World 

What Traditions are Associated with Birthday Celebrations?

“Long ago, people believed that on a birthday a person could be helped by good spirits, or hurt by evil spirits. So, when a person had a birthday, friends and relatives gathered to protect him or her. And that's how birthday parties began.

The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes goes back to ancient Greece. Artemis was the goddess of the moon. The Greeks celebrated her birthday once each month by bringing special cakes to her temple. The cakes were round like a full moon. And, because the moon glows with light, the cakes were decorated with lighted candles.

The reason for birthday spanks is to spank away any evil spirits and send them scurrying far into the distance. Punches, thumps, and pinches, the harder the better, are supposed to do the very same thing.

Party snappers, horns, bursting balloons, firecrackers, and other noisemakers are just one more way of trying to scare off any bad-luck spirits that may be hovering about.” -The Surprising Origin of Birthday Celebrations 

 

Does it Matter to God if we Observe Cultural Traditions?

Here is what God commands: “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed by them. For the customs of the people are vain” (Jer. 10:2, 3).

After God freed Israel from slavery, He clearly instructed them, “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein you dwelt, shall you not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, shall you not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances” (Lev. 18:3). God commanded that they not defile themselves with the practices and customs of the surrounding nations (vs. 24-29). “Therefore shall you keep My ordinance, that you commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that you defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God” (vs. 30).

This is an emphatic command from God. He does not want His servants dabbling in the customs of this world.”  -Are Birthday Celebrations “Christian”? 

 

How Can Birthday Parties Help or Hurt our Spritual Growth?

 “If our purpose is to build godly and holy offspring and loving, giving, godly children, then we should want to do NOTHING that would hinder this godly purpose – put no temptations in their pathway – do nothing to encourage them to think too highly of themselves in pride and arrogance. Rather, we should teach them to give, to serve, to be humble, to revere God and His Word, and to love others and seek to help, serve, and honor them. “ -The Surprising Origin ofBirthday Celebrations 

IN CONCLUSION:

What About Jesus’ Birthday?

The Bible does not document the day of Jesus’ birth, nor does the Lord command that it be remembered and celebrated annually.  When the angels wondrously announced the Lord’s birth, it was in celebration of his arrival, prophetic fulfillment, and the hope He brought in to the world.  Making cupcakes with little nativity scenes and singing “Happy Birthday to Jesus” hardly evokes the reverence and understanding necessary to fully appreciate His miraculous birth.   The devil (originally assisted by the Catholic church and now by ignorant Christians) wants to keep Jesus as a baby…helpless…wrapped in swaddling cloth…and laying in a manger.  The world puts him there every year and calls it Christmas. They pull Him out of glory, back from victory, and lay him back in the manger – before the blood was shed- helpless and new. And if the nativity scene on a church lawn wasn’t already patronizing to an infinite and awesome God, the world wants us to don party hats and sing to a “baby” in a manger, while our true Lord and Savior watches from His throne.

What About Our Birthday?

Surely, if a day set apart to honor one’s birth was not commanded by scripture for the Lord himself, how could we partake in such self-worship.  The social expectations of gifts and praise, and the participation of left-over pagan customs seem to condemn the practice anyway.  Although, we must track our age and acknowledge the annual passing of time,  a day to “celebrate yourself” for a people called to “deny [yourself] and take up [your] cross daily” seems contradictory and smells suspiciously like the world.  As for our family, our consciences can only be cleared by walking away from birthdays all together. 

Wednesday's Words - Veggie Tales Nativity

Yesterday my husband and I were flipping through a cooking magazine to find some recipes and because it was a December issue, it was filled with "holiday gift ideas" and other novelties.  One of the pages had a picture of the Veggie Tales Nativity Set.  Our three year old daughter looked at the picture and turned to us with her nose scrunched up. With a dissapointed sigh she said, "Daddy....Jesus is NOT a carrot." 

"And said unto him, Hearest thouwhat these say ? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read , Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" - Matthew 21:16

READ MORE HERE: AN HONEST WORD ON THE VEGGIE TALES

A Desperate Search for Wholesome Stories, Righteous Heroes, and Biblical Truth

As a school teacher, I exposed my students to as much literature that I could get my hands on. I even made weekly visits to the city library to compensate for our small classroom library…and my students would sometimes choose to skip recess in order to hear “one more story, please!”  A desire to hear stories, to identify with colorful characters, and learn through the circumstances and choices of another seems to be universal among children…and maybe adults as well. Jesus spoke in parables, after all. My 3 year old loves when I tell her stories of when I was young.  No fancy illustrations required. Just, “then what happened, Mommy?”

Before our daughter was born, I was desperate to fill our family library with stories for her to enjoy, so I collected books from here and there and waited impatiently for her grow in to them.  But, the Lord rebuked my indiscretion, and has instead, given me a viscously discerning eye.  Things are no longer what they seem.  I now look over books I adored several years ago (and cluelessly read to my students) and think “I would NEVER let my child read this!” In reviewing some of the classics, I no longer see frivolous tales of fun and mischief….I see two very dangerous extremes: Brazen propaganda (humanism, evolution, rebellion, magic, fantasy) or Foolish amusement (nonsensical stories with no plot, no moral, and no point). I see the devil playing with our children’s minds while we dizzily rejoice that they are reading….But, WHAT are they reading?  I stand in the children's section of the bookstore and I see goofy, naughty, silly, busy, furry, funny, and pure evil.  I see the line between light and darkness and right and wrong being blurred beyond recognition.  Does anyone know if The Cat in the Hat is supposed to be the hero or the villain? I’m still trying to sort that one out!  And, why would anyone glamorize the life of a “wimpy kid”?  Or want to tell stories to kids to give them “goosebumps” (and nightmares)? This is the devil’s work. The scripture tells us to not to be “ignorant of the devil’s devices” (II Corinthians 2:11) So, I praised the Lord for the truth he had shown me and cleared my shelves to start anew. 


I made a list of what I was really looking for…what I thought would profit a developing mind…and turn it toward truth.  And I said, Lord, I would like books that engage the imagination without filling the mind with occult fantasy….books that challenge the reader with a broad vocabulary and proper use of the English language….books that inspire the reader to heroism rather than glamorizing the victim mentality...books that glorify You, teach humility, obedience, and integrity…books that won’t distract with silliness or detract with wickedness…books that contain adventure stories that captivate, challenge, and transform the reader….books that expose the reader to accurate, interesting, and appropriate accounts of history, and foreign cultures without bending their minds away from biblical truth...books that use adventure, misfortune, and adversity to teach children to be courageous, to fight for truth, to overcome.

 
That list sounds pretty impossible, huh? A little too much to ask?  Maybe if I were looking at the public library - or even the “Christian” book store, for that matter.   But, with the Lord’s leading, I found them! And I want you to find them too.

 
Lamp Lighter Publishing is a non-profit ministry with the motto “Building Character…one story at a time….” These stories were originally written over 100 (some over 200) years ago.  When their copyrights expired they became public domain….and sat dormant until someone had the vision to bring them back to life.  Lampligher publishes these treasured tales with scrupulous discretion and helpful updates like translated words at the bottom of the page,  and scriptural references to accompany the stories.  The vivid vocabulary, culture, and history of the time of authorship are perfectly preserved and some stories include supplemental sketches and other artwork.  The lamplighter website is like the “Christian bookstore” we all wish Lifeway was.  Stories that uphold biblical truth and none of the “other stuff”.   They carry children stories, professionally recorded audio dramas, and missionary biographies. 

I would recommend signing up for the email discounts, because some of the collections are kind of pricey and it would be wise to wait for a good sale.  But, what better investment can you make?  We can’t wait to “collect them all” as the Lord allows.  For now, we have the Fireside Readings series (vol 1-3) and LOVE the short, adventure-filled stories.  As the Lord grows our family, we will delight in sharing them over and over with our children.   I hope they are a blessing to your family as well.

Searching Through Christianity to Find Christ - An Honest Word on St. Nicholas

 

Some Christians justify their annual mingling with the world during the holiday season with these false declarations: "Santa is harmless." "It's just good fun." "My kids know the difference between fantasy and reality." and, of course: "It's okay, because St. Nicholas was a Christian!"

*mounting soap box for official address*

 
St. Nicholas: 

Stories of a 3rd century born man named Nicholas have been carefully twisted in to nostalgia and magic over the last 16 centuries.  No recorded document holds the truth about this man. All we know (or have been convinced to believe) is based on legend and tradition: “According to tradition” Nicholas was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith. “According to tradition” he was released by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD. “According to tradition” he was a compassionate bishop who cared for the children. Sometime during the Middle Ages, Nicholas was canonized as the patron saint of charitable fraternities and children, and legends upon legends were perpetuated about him within the Catholic church. After the Reformation, these deviant legends of St. Nicholas were put to rest everywhere except in Holland. However, when the Dutch Reformed Christians immigrated to the United States, they brought the traditions of "Sinterklaas" with them….and round and round we go.    If Nicholas truly was a saint (a member of the body of Christ, a Christian) he would be disgusted with the idolatry and false traditions surrounding the legend of his deeds.   If his benevolence was truly wrought in humility and in submission to the Holy Spirit’s calling, he would want nothing more than to give glory to God and remind us of Jesus’ rebuke in Mark 7:9… "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."

 

Santa Claus: 

The acknowledgement of Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Pere Noel, Singerklaas, the Christkind, Kris Kringle, Joulupukki, Babbo Natale, Saint Basil, and Father Frost is no less brazen in its declaration than the worship of Mother Earth, Father Time, Mother Nature, or any other pagan deity. If we, as saints, are to teach our children about someone who is omniscient (knows if you’ve been naughty or nice, knows if you’re sleeping or awake), omnipotent (can get in to your house even if you don’t have a chimney, and can make animals fly) and omnipresent (can visit every child on earth in one night)….that someone should be GOD!

 

In Conclusion:

Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa…and he was concocted by Lucifer himself to become a distraction and idol to those seeking temporal delight.  Don’t fall prey to the devil’s devices.  Seek truth and focus wholly on Christ alone.  Flee from the ways (and traditions) of man and seek the kingdom of God. There is no Nice or Naughty List, Virginia. But, there is a Book of Life and I pray that your name will be written there.



READ MORE: Letting Go of Christmas
7 Questions Christian Parents Should Ask Before Putting an Elf on the Shelf

Holidays or Holy Days - Does it Matter Which We Celebrate?

7 Questions Christian Parents Should ask Before Putting an Elf on the Shelf:

 

 

1. Do I want my children to believe truth, know the importance of honesty, and have the blessed assurance of salvation someday?

2. Am I prepared to compromise that possibility with a lie about Jolly ole St. Nick and the promise of temporal joy for every girl and boy?

3. Am I prepared to cement that lie as I add a secondary falsehood (with a little felt hat) on my mantel piece?

4. Can I commit to perpetuating these lies daily by moving the doll around the house and encouraging the children to share their dreams and wishes with the enchanted tattle-tale?

5. How do I feel about teaching my children to conjure up magic through their own authority and action (naming the elf or touching the elf)?

6. Am I okay with persuading my children to “behave” through means of dishonesty and controlled paranoia rather than training them up in the way they should go?

7. What will happen to my children’s hearts (and all the the truths I shared about Christ) when they find out it was all a lie?

 

 

"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” – Proverbs 20:7

*READ MORE HERE:
Christmas and Cultural Paganism
An Honest Word on St. Nicholas

 

 

Searching Through Christianity to find Christ - An Honest Word on the Veggie Tales

So, you victoriously talk your child out of purchasing a Batman video by convincing him that these Veggie Tales DVD’s are “just as cool”…and “they’re Christian!”.  You sit contently in the other room, feeling all fluffy inside thinking, “at least he’s learning something good”, as your child watches, listens to, learns from, and instantly adores a concept, a creation, a carefully constructed cast of edible characters…harmless, right?  Over the next few weeks, your child talks endlessly about  Jim and Jerry Gourd or sings silly songs while he is supposed to be brushing his teeth…and you smile and think, “Oh, good...it’s sinking in.”  So, you let your child pick a few more Veggie Tales videos  like “St. Nicholas” (Which is full of subliminal Santa Claus propaganda) and “The League of Incredible Vegetables” (which promotes the modern world’s pagan deities: super heroes) and you let him watch them back to back before dinner. When your child sees Junior Asparagus on a commercial, in a toy store, or on a t-shirt, he beams with joy, as though seeing a long-lost friend…tied securely through heart strings and the genuine trust of a child.  You pat yourself on the back, proud that your parenting has led him to such a righteous bond and buy him a Veggie night light, lunch box, and underwear.  You stop reading Bible stories with him so often, because you figure Bob and Larry have that covered.  His Sunday School teacher explains that he interrupts her reading with confident interjections like, “No. That’s not how it goes. It was the French peas…” believing her version to be the mixed up tale, rather than the animated “truth” you lovingly allowed him to memorize every day during naptime, and you laugh, amused by his loyalty.   One day he sees a Veggie Tales pirate ship with all the movable characters.  His eyes glaze over and he stares longingly at the box (ignorant to the evil history associated with pirates and the demonic symbol displayed on the ship’s sail) he does not politely request the idol-adorned item as Laura Carrot would do, but instead demands it loudly.  When you refuse, he digs his heels in with the most logical argument he has, “but, Mom….it’s Christian.”

There is no greater opportunity for the devil to dress himself in sheep’s clothing than when we mindlessly accept something because “it’s Christian”.   The title “Christian” is defined in the book of Acts as a “follower or believer of Christ” and was used specifically and pointedly for those who chose to follow after Jesus.   “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” – Acts 11:26

According to this New Testament definition, our modern version of the word Christian seems to be way off base. If a Christian is a person (a soul) that chooses to follow Christ…then how can something (an inanimate object) BE Christian?  It can’t.  Just as a book can not BE Jewish.  It can clearly promote Jewish doctrine, but it can not BE Jewish.  And so, a cartoon (or bracelet, toy, t-shirt, or cd) can not BE Christian.  Only those who confess Christ, are saved by grace through faith, and submit to following Him, can be called Christian.  Those clever creations from Big Ideas Inc. are witty, amusing, entertaining, and catchy…but they are not “Christian”.    In fact they are a subtle indoctrination in to the wonderful world of lukewarm Christianity.

For those of you who believe your children get a lot of “Christian teaching” from Veggie Tales… you’re right.  Your children are taught much about Christianity through these talking vegetables (and fruits).  Mostly they learn the following:  Christianity is funny….it’s silly….sometimes it doesn’t make sense….Christianity has weird stories that sound similar to the ones from the Bible, except way better….Christianity keeps up with modern culture by doing witty spoofs of familiar worldly idols…Christianity uses humor to mask the seriousness of old testament truth ….it cares not for the gospel and the fundamentals regarding salvation…Christianity doesn’t have much to do with Jesus….but, it promotes consumerism and idol worship through the marketing of cleverly advertised merchandise at the Christianity store …you can even buy Christianity candy and Christianity T-shirts! 

And, really….what else could you possibly want your children to learn about Christianity?

Now, if your intentions are to make sure your children enjoy their childhood, are entertained rather than educated, are amused rather than convicted,  have no sense of biblical truth, but at least learn a little morality, then the Veggie tales (and other ridiculous “Christian” paraphernalia) are perfect for you…carry on and forget I mentioned anything at all. No sense getting in your way (or should I say the devil’s way).

But, if your intentions are to act in responsibility to the stewardship you have been given as a parent, to train your child up in the way they should go, to teach truth, to live faithfully, and to prayerfully guide your children to salvation…then you have no business mingling with the world’s idea of Christianity.  Your children, especially, who have not developed filters, discernment, or self-restraint…have no business amusing their flesh with Laodicean compromise.

There is only one gospel.  Paul did not sing, and dance, and announce, “Boy, have we got a show for you!” before speaking of salvation.  He very boldly, and very reverently spoke the truth.  Which is what we, as Christians (proper use of the word) are called to do.  And we, as parents have an obligation to protect our children from anything less than that.

Even Phil Vischer himself  - founder of Veggie Tales – has rebuked the use of these videos (books, cds, action figures, backpacks, socks…) for Christian education and has started a new ministry with videos called, "What's in the Bible" ( I have not reviewed these yet).  Knowing how closely he played with fire according to Proverbs 30:6 (“Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”) Phil gave this statement:

“I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, ‘Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so,’ or, ‘Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!’ But that isn’t Christianity, it’s morality.” –Phil Vischer, founder of Veggietales

But, what’s wrong with morality?  Nothing.  Morality is the fruit of the spirit.  Aesop’s Fables and the Brothers Grimm can teach morality….but  nobody is pretending they’re “Christian.”  The danger in Veggie Tales (and most of what is sold in a “Christianity Store”) is a false sense of security.  Don’t let the devil catch you with your guard down. This is warfare. Your children’s souls are the bounty.

Of course, one mystery still remains:  Before cartoons, illustrated Bible Stories, and talking vegetables, how did children ever learn that “God made them special and He loves them very much?” 

….Somebody must have read them the Bible.