Faithful Writers

Today we begin our study of Genesis Chapter 9. For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here . For the King James Version, click here. This chapter starts off with God’s first post-flood speech to Noah in the Bible. This is also the first time Scripture has God addressing someone in narrative form using the phrase “ And God said…. ” Immediately, we are introduced to a major change that has occurred. The vegetarian man of the Garden of Eden is now allowed a carnivores’ diet… And as a result, the animal kingdom that once had a harmonious relationship with man will now live in fear of him. Why do you think it was so easy for Noah to get the animals to cooperate with him prior to the flood? The answer is because before the flood man had a different relationship with the animal kingdom. “Every moving thing that lives will be food for you; just as I gave you green plants before, so now I give you everything — only flesh with its life, which is its blood, you are not to eat.” -Genesis 9:3–4 Based on the above verse, at this stage, it seems like no living creature was off-limits for food. However, there was a very strict rule placed on the eating of meat, and it was that man was NOT allowed to eat the blood from an animal. The reason is because blood carries the life essence in it. We will see that moving forward blood is only to be used for sacrifices. Blood is way too holy for man to partake of! We see the importance of blood also being applied to human beings. The taking of human blood ( in other words murder ) is strictly prohibited and if it happens, the person guilty as charged will have his or her life taken from her. He or she will be subjected to the death penalty. “Whoever sheds human blood, by a human being will his own blood be shed; for God made human beings in his image. ” -Genesis 9:6 Notice in verse 6 that God assigns the responsibility of meting out justice for murder over to man now. Up until now, God had dealt with it Himself. What’s interesting is that when God dealt with Cain, the punishment meted out was banishment from His presence. The mere separation from God’s presence was sufficient punishment. However, in the post-flood age, when man murders man, he will incur the death penalty. Honestly, if I was a murderer and had to choose between the death penalty and eternal separation from God’s presence, I would choose the death penalty any day. (I mean, we’re going to die anyway right.) Concerning this portion of the Scripture, the ancient Jewish sages have pointed out that here God is establishing the principle of earthly government. Actually, this is the beginning of what would eventually come to be called the 7 Noachide Laws. The 7 Noachide Laws are the most fundamental principles of justice that God gave to Noah and from these basic laws will come all the other civil laws that will eventually comprise the Torah. The seven laws are as follows: 1) No idol worship. 2) No taking God’s name in vain. 3) No murder. 4) No incest. 5) No robbing and stealing. 6) No eating blood nor meat of strangled animals. 7) Man must submit to government authority. Thousands of years later after Yeshua’s ascension, these Noachide Laws were brought up by the Jerusalem Council of 49 AD as the minimum behavioral requirements for Gentiles who wanted to fellowship with Jewish believers in Messiah. CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT Instead, we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood . For from the earliest times, Moshe has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Shabbat .”-Acts 15:20–21 © Richoka

The incredible trauma of the flood would’ve undoubtedly left Noah quite battered. Think about it. Besides him and his family, every human being on earth had been destroyed. Once the waters burst forth from both the heavens and the ground, Noah would have heard the screams of his neighbors, men, women, and children, as they cried out for help. Many of them would have been banging on the ark doors and walls, their fingernails piercing into the gopher wood as they futilely attempted to gain entrance to the only means of salvation that God had provided to mankind. I am sure there was much sorrow in his heart because he knew there was nothing he could do at that point. It was too late. Noah wanted to reach out and save those who were perishing but could not. However, we still have that chance that Noah didn’t. We still have a chance to lead others to salvation by sharing the good news of Yeshua. Remember, Yeshua said his second return would be just as it was in the days of Noah. NOW is the chance to reach out to that cynical neighbor or that elderly relative of yours whom you so dearly love and tell them about Yeshua. Given that the flood was the most terrifying experience that Noah had ever been through… He probably needed extra reassurance that the world would never again be subjected to another flood of such cataclysmic proportions. God not only verbally reassures Noah… But he announces that he will place a rainbow in the sky as a physical sign and reminder to Noah and his descendants that never again will He ever destroy the world by flood. This is the FIRST COVENANT that God made between Himself and man. Actually, this particular covenant was made between God and ALL living creatures (both man and beasts). One important point you should recognize. This covenant with Noah was unilateral. In other words, this covenant did NOT depend on man’s response nor man’s behavior……it was all on God. Later, we will see that with other covenants, there will be mutual requirements that both God and man must fulfill for the covenants to remain valid. © Richoka

Are We Facing The Truth Or A Lie? Adobe Stock As we look closely at the various political movements within Christianity seeking to influence, there must be a deep dive into human nature to appreciate what’s at stake. This is critical for aggressive movements such as Christian Nationalism, the New Christianity, the various denominations in Protestant faiths, and the Orthodox/Roman Catholic views. The core of these issues is what drives or motivates human actions. People in general liked to be liked, to be popular, to have fun! This is simply human nature. Preachers and prophets alike want to be loved, adored, and respected. Church leaders count their quality by the number of new members they can add to the church. The larger the church, the more glory to the leaders — and money! Even as believers, we have a hard time escaping our internal discord and desires. So much so, we even read within the words of God what we prefer to see, not necessarily what is really there. Case in point: What does God mean when he provides escape for His people? We know the last days will be terrible, full of strife and hatred. No Christian in their right mind would want to be involved with that carnage. It would be much easier to see a way out of tribulation than to face it head-on. In fact, the most popular Bible teachers have embraced a way of escape from troubles and difficulties — they call in the pretribulation rapture. Teaching this, while very little Biblical evidence backs this perspective, is still preferred and indeed much more popular. However, did you know that God doesn’t see rapture as more preferred an escape plan than death itself? God doesn’t see death as an ending but simply resting from our labors. The apostle Paul sees death as a gain. [1] God even tells his people to hide in the ground, in their closets, until His wrath is past. [2] We, however, desire to escape death, and the rapture is a convenient and enticing way to avoid the unpleasantness of dying for the faith. But are we doing the Church harm by teaching a pre-tribulation rapture? YES! To do so leaves the saints unprepared to face tribulation and even death if God should allow it. This is the very thing that sets up many to fall away when times get hard, when their faith is tested to the point of dying for it. When they finally realize that dying for Jesus truly means dying to self. None of what I propose is popular, and I suspect few will ever read these words. Indeed, I do not blame you! I truly hope we escape the coming tribulation, being swept away by the Spirit before the antichrist is revealed and his wrath is poured out. Sadly, the poor post-tribulation believers will get all the pain and suffering during the tribulation as we escape to play harps on clouds in heaven. Indeed, I do hope this is true; but I would be wrong to depend on that view and mislead many by assuring no risk, no pain, enjoy the American life, and simply get whisked away when it gets hot. Revelation 7: 9–17 shows a wonderful scene of a multitude of saints dressed in white robes praising God. John is told, these are those that come out of the great ordeal (tribulation), having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Now, seriously notice, “coming out of the great ordeal.” This is not coming out before the great ordeal, but during, and the implications of having washed their robes in blood may truly mean those murdered, martyred during the great ordeal. This is even hinted at in the following verses in Revelation 7: 15–17 where it is said that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. This is a sign of the past suffering that these saints emerged from. Some will simply say, that’s the tribulation saints' problem , we’ll be safely tucked away watching them come out of the great suffering — yet no description of those that were spared the suffering is seen or described. There is nothing in Scripture describing two sets of saints coming out of the earth, the pre-trib group and the post-trib group. All are coming out of the tribulation with the exception of those already dead. We are also called for endurance during the terrible reign of antichrist as seen in Revelation 14:12–13, and even a salutation to the dead again assuring rest from their labors. The one passage pre-tribulation teachers hold firmly to is Revelation 3:10, the message to the church at Philadelphia. However, reading closely, there isn’t an indication of not facing or enduring persecution, but a firm acclamation to those having already endured, “Because you have kept my commands to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” The difficulty with the above passage is that there are two separate periods that apply; the tribulation and the antichrist, or the wrath of Jesus when he returns. Truly, the saints will be spared Jesus’ wrath that comes upon the whole earth — it’s a terrible period and much more severe than the tribulation. (see Revelation 6:17) Absolutely, a pre-Wrath Rapture is scriptural. (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10) This is not an escape story, this is facing danger head-on and surviving through it with faith intact — no matter what it takes. To simply say, that’s for those tribulation saints to face, those converted after the real church is raptured — does that even sound like something a follower of Jesus would say? Look within deeply, see if it “feels” right, or does it seem…worldly, self-preserving? These events are governed by the unseen; the supernatural realm that influenced the Bible’s creation. The test each believer must ultimately answer is — why do I do what I do? What motivates my point of view? When asked, many give canned answers or what they perceive as expected answers. These often include the following: “I know it’s right”, or “I feel it’s right.” Worse, “I was told it is right.” But deep down, we’re afraid to be wrong. What if America isn’t a chosen nation? What if our works are evil and not good? What if America was never designed to be a Christian nation? What do I do if I have to face the tribulation? What if America the Great falls? This is precisely why there is such a wide web of discord and disagreement. Many voices, both without and within, are chatting in our psyches. But rarely are they from God. I can go into many examples in the Old Testament when so-called prophets of high reputation were, in fact, not speaking from God. I favor one example found in the book of Jeremiah in chapter 28. It’s appropriately titled - “Hananiah Opposes Jeremiah and Dies.” This was a royal battle between two prophets, acclaimed for their abilities, but only one heard God’s word. Hananiah spoke that God had broken Babylon’s yoke and that the threat of attack from Babylon would not happen to the nation of Judah. His prophecies were of comfort and support of the status quo. Any articles that Babylon previously stole would be returned to Judah, including re-establishing the king’s son on the throne. The effect of these prophecies was that no other views would be considered, and everyone’s guards would be down. Jeremiah, in contrast, started out hoping Hananiah’s words proved true, but he told Hananiah that when the word of a prophet comes true, only then will it be known that the prophet’s words came from the Lord. Hananiah reacted angrily towards Jeremiah, reaffirming that his words were valid. Jeremiah then predicted that all the bad things he and former prophets had said regarding Judah and the pending captivity by Babylon would happen. But he had a more chilling word for Hananiah — that he would be dead within less than one year. Hananiah died within seven months. My point is that many prophets are not speaking on behalf of the Lord, although they may be highly regarded or even famous. The real test of prophecy is within the prophet’s heart, what drives the prophet to make predictions. Is there gain, greed, personal protection, or a desire for change? Are their old grievances stirring in the heart that blind the prophet? Is it the desire for a specific national agenda, a vision of a new order, or even a prediction of bloodshed if the prophet’s vision isn’t followed? I have written about the fruits of the Spirit versus the instinctual desires of people. It can be said very clearly that no one speaking from the Spirit of God incites violence, war, hateful speech, or attempts to conceal “hidden agendas” to convince the ignorant of their true intentions. No one living under the control of the Spirit of God agitates anger and rage or seeks to enflame old grievances or to divide a nation. No spiritual person wants revolution or the enforcement of strict laws to control freedoms. No one led by the Spirit of Jesus seeks to escape trials and tribulations. We pray for God’s deliverance, but we submit to His will, not ours. These acts are not compatible in any way with the Spirit of Jesus. It is not my purpose to be a downer, and prophet of gloom and doom. I, too, wish for deliverance other than death. I welcome the pre-tribulation escape plan — if it were true. However, it doesn’t feel right, and the scriptures do not really support it without a lot of reading gymnastics and puzzle solving. The saints must be prepared to face the future, and not simply ignore where things are going. Hananiah was much more popular than Jeremiah, as he spoke what people wanted to hear. Jeremiah was despised, as he said what no one wanted to hear. Today, now, God will put a Jeremiah out there to tell the truth- and be despised. I only pray those with an ear will hear. Will America face the fate of Judah during the days of Jeremiah? Will our pride and resistance to confess our sins and reconcile to God result in our doom? [1] Philippians 1:21 [2] Isaiah 26:20 © Bob Russell

Powers and Principalities that are invisible but work to place discord in Americans' eyes. The current American administration describes a Deep State that undermines governance and promotes a liberal agenda. The complaint is that a hidden cabal of wealthy and well-connected liberals has formed a shadow government in which the new administration swears to stamp out, to drain the swamp. This agenda seeks to get rid of career workers within the federal government and replace them with a smaller, more loyal workforce that upholds the policies of the American President. There is a certain truth to the idea of a deep state. In fact, there is a deep state that is extremely deep as to be utterly unseen. A powerful cabal of Powers and Principalities that are invisible to most people but work to mastermind American and world history. This deep state works inside our minds and feeds on our emotions. The Book of Daniel provides a rare vision of the deepest state in action . [1] He sees signs and visions of heavenly beings, some called “Princes” that have dominion over the nations. These princes fight to dominate and rule over others and spread their territory and influence. Every nation and boundary is governed by such a prince, even America. These principalities on earth are under the authority of their chief prince, Satan. We see such a transaction taking place in Daniel 10:10–21 & 11:1–6. We see transitions of power taking place, from Babylon, to Persia, from Persia to Greece, from Greece to Rome, and even the alliance between Cleopatra of Egypt, and Caesar of Rome. Kingdoms in transition and pushed by the dominance of powerful princes at war with the princes of heaven. Satan, the chief of worldly princes actively trying to foul the purposes of God. Satan, for a period, walked in wisdom and perfection before God until he stopped. His guile and dark characteristics start to show. Among the angels and heavenly beings, Satan assumed a role of spreading doubt. His target was God Almighty, as he wanted to move his own throne above God. Satan stirred up deception and even rebellion in heavenly places as well as here on earth. His role while in the heavenlies was to target humankind and identify our weaknesses and sins. He prosecuted humankind before the throne of God for many millennia. We see him at work in the Old Testament book of Job. It’s one thing to accuse humankind of sin, but Satan encourages and places temptation right before us, and encourages us to fail along with his minions. I discuss more about this in Free Will: The Origins of Satan and Sin As mentioned, for a time, Satan had the face of God and could accuse us before the very throne of God. All humanity was in a very vulnerable state while he was before the throne, complaining of our trespasses. All were destined to face the judgment of God. Some wonder why God didn’t just throw Satan in Hell early on and be done with it. I believe that as long as Satan had humanity to accuse of sin, his judgment was delayed. How could the righteous judge condemn Satan and his followers and allow humanity a pass? It would be unrighteous and lower God’s glory before all the heavenly hosts. Indeed, God is being watched in the affairs of humankind on the earth. God must be perfect and always judge correctly. Satan is so intelligent that he seeks to expose all potential weaknesses in God’s judgment. With this background, we better understand why judgment has been delayed, as the most righteous God had to devise a way to save humankind from sin, while moving forward to condemn Satan and his followers. That is exactly what the gospel message is all about — the saving of humankind from our fallen state and to stop the accusations of Satan seeking our condemnation. The gospel requires us each to look plainly at our shame, our past actions, and confess our sins and repent. Only then can the Lord wash away our past and open a new righteous chapter in our history. [2] However, that is not the direction America is taking. Americans are rejecting Jesus and placing discord and retribution in their sights. The desire for revenge, to get even, to control the world! There lies the pathway towards death — not once, but twice! The second death is as described by John. [3] We are rapidly running out-of-control, like a train going full speed heading towards a curve within a populated area. Unfortunately, there is sleep in America’s eyes, we see a delusion of grandeur so powerful, the spell cannot be broken. We have no eyes or ears to see anything but what we desire. We as a society are drifting away from God, from truth, from history, from reality. If we continue this path, it will become impossible to redeem our nation, and its downfall will be assured. There seems to be no end to the reach and influence of evil. An influence built on years of unaddressed grievances, lusts, jealousies, resentments, and selfish interests that have stewed in the global background. This includes the underbelly of American and Western societies. These grievances now serve as a gigantic battery of power for a regime that seems destined and incredibly determined to end democracy, general decency, and unity in American society. Daily, America’s new government slashes and cuts with their sword of vengeance, wildly cutting anything in their sights without regard for those hurt and damaged by each stroke. There is no coherent vision, no unifying greater goal, and what of the American Christian church? Some actually cheer them on in their harsh pattern of destruction and dominance. Image from thriftbooks.com While atrocities mount, there is a deafening sound of silence. Sure, some small groups do show their anger against the changes taking place. Some do march, gather, and shout in resistance. Some, and perhaps a growing number, are starting to take a stand. This may, in time, become the nation’s temporary delay of destruction, or it may become the very catalyst evil seeks to become violent, causing greater harm. Right now, the vast majority look at both sides of the divide with approval or dread. Why dread? There is a strong, unspoken understanding that to speak out will eventually lead to punishment. Once the web of deceit has solidified its power and control, once the invisible wall is built around the American people, there will be no further options to speak out then. That door is rapidly closing. What is revealing is how easy complacency is shown. Even corporations, educational institutions, and people of faith appeared to be caught off guard. However, there is a small awakening starting to occur in diverse areas. Still, it’s easy it seems when a tyrant lashes out, the majority easily capitulate and settle in with the changes. I see this is mostly not having a concern as it does not directly affect the majority of people. With no skin in the game, there is little concern. This, too, is historical and rather cyclical in occurrence, but the risks are far greater today! It’s really revealing that when military, police, and enforcers of the various laws are so empowered, they can become especially mean and vindictive seemingly overnight. Tough enforcement becomes terrorizing and cruel. © Jane Isley Sadly, it is getting easier to understand Germany of the 1930s and why the majority of the German people simply ignored the signs of growing tyranny — until it was too late! Like the grievances of the 1930’s the presence of foreigners created a breeding ground for discontent, much as it is doing today, just more broadly. Immigration has changed the shade and culture of Western societies to the point that many grievances have arisen with the desire to return to the old days of purity, a single mind, a single language, and a single culture. Where everyone knew their place. A Reminder of Slavery in America’s Past There is no longer any room for “others,” and of the few that remain, they are destined to erasure, confined to lower status and positions in service to the majority, those who actually think they rule America and its destiny. This, however, is a delusion. We have to come to an understanding that those in power are not the absolute rulers or authorities. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:12 [4] So, it isn’t the liberals or the conservatives that are the ultimate enemies. Each actually love America, but differ on how they think our nation should be governed. The real deep state desires the destruction of unity that keeps America strong. The real culprits are not seen, and indeed are the true deep state seeking to destroy our nation and the world. © Bob Russell Sources & References - [1] Daniel chapters 10, 11,and 12 — the Princes behind the conflict [2] James 5:16; Acts 3:19–21 [3] Revelation 2:11; 20:6; 20:14; 21:8 [4] Revelation 16:14; Ephesians 6: 11–13; 1 Peter 5:8

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash Let’s be honest. Most of us were taught how to pray to God. But few of us were ever taught how to talk with Him. Like, actually have a conversation. Back and forth. Real. Relational. Less like a monologue. More like real talk with a friend. The Bible is more than an ancient book of rules or comfort verses stuck on fridge magnets. It’s a conversation starter. A way in. A way back. A way through. So let’s explore how to have a living, breathing, two-way conversation with God using Scripture — not just reading it but talking through it. 1. Start with Listening, Not Talking “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” — 1 Samuel 3:9 We usually come to God ready to unload.But good conversation starts with listening. Scripture gives us God’s side of the conversation — His tone, His heart, His repeated themes of mercy, justice, presence, and love. Instead of jumping in with “Dear God, please fix everything,” try opening the Psalms and listening . Psalm 139, for instance, reminds you that He already knows your words before you speak them. That’s not to shut you up — it’s to invite you deeper. Ask questions like: What are You, Lord, revealing about Yourself here? What might You be saying to me right now through this passage? As the conversation continues, more questions will come to mind, and a sense of His answers will arise from your heart. Listening to Scripture this way tunes your ears to a frequency deeper than your own anxieties. It’s also very important to remember what God’s voice will sound like as He answers. They’ll sound like love. I don’t mean Hallmark Card sayings love. I mean, 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 kind of love. His thoughts will also match the fruit of His Spirit found in Galatians 5:22–23. As well as the words of 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks about the qualities of prophecy. In other words, God’s communication with us will be of the same qualities. “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort.” — 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NIV) 2. Turn Verses into Questions “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.” — Matthew 7:7 Scripture was never meant to be studied like a science textbook. It’s more like a conversation starter or even a love letter, with lines that beg for interaction. Try this: Read a verse. Then turn it into a question. Example: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”Ask: What am I wanting right now? Am I letting Him shepherd that part of me? God’s Word is layered. Every verse can become a doorway to reflection, vulnerability, and unexpected answers. If you let it. 3. Insert Yourself Into the Story “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us…” — Romans 15:4 Jesus spoke in parables for a reason. Stories stick. They invite you in. Take a story like the woman at the well (John 4).Now imagine you’re her. You’re showing up tired and empty and carrying shame. And Jesus starts a conversation with you. What does He say? What do you say back? Don’t just study the story. Step into it. That’s how the Bible becomes alive. And that’s how prayer stops being a monologue and starts becoming a meaningful exchange. 4. Don’t Just Memorize Scripture — Respond to It “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” — Colossians 3:16 Memorizing verses is good. But even better? Answering them. When Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary…” (Matthew 11:28), you can pause and say: “Okay Lord… I am tired. I’m worn out. I don’t even know what kind of rest I need. But I’m coming. Here I am.”That’s not recitation.That’s relationship. Think of it like this: When someone tells you they love you, you don’t just quote them back. You respond. Scripture is God’s ongoing “I love you.” So talk back. Engage with it. 5. Let Lament Be Part of the Conversation “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” — Psalm 13:1 God can handle your hard questions.Your grief. Your confusion. Even your silence. The Psalms are filled with people yelling into the sky, doubting, weeping, cursing, and then circling back to trust. That’s not unspiritual. That’s honest . So if you’re mad at God, say so. If you’re confused, tell Him. If you’re numb, whisper that too. Use the Psalms to find your words when you have none. That’s still a conversation. And it’s some of the most sacred kind. 6. Pause and Ask, “God, What Do You Want Me to Notice?” Sometimes we come to the Bible looking for something we want to say. But what if God is trying to say something first? As you read, pause and ask: “What’s standing out to me?”“What emotion is surfacing?”“Is this a nudge, a comfort, a challenge?” Then write that down. Sit with it. Let that verse or phrase echo throughout your day. You’ll be surprised how often it circles back around at just the right time. 7. Don’t Just Quote Scripture. Let It Quote You. “The word of God is alive and active… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12 Have you ever read something in Scripture and thought, “Ouch. That hit a little too close”? Good. That means it’s working. Let the Bible read you . Let it call you out. Not in shame. But in that soul-level honesty that only God can get away with. You don’t have to pretend with Him. You don’t have to come polished. You just have to come open. And let His Word reflect what’s real. 8. Remember: Jesus is the Word — So You’re Never Just Reading a Book “The Word became flesh and dwelled among us…” — John 1:14 When you interact with Scripture, you’re interacting with the living Christ. This isn’t about Bible study methods or memory drills. This is about communion . A living, back-and-forth friendship with the One who already knows you and loves you through every chapter of your story. You’re not just talking about God.You ’re talking with Him.And He’s still speaking. To Sum It Up: Conversation, Not Performance If your “quiet time” feels more like a checklist than a connection, maybe it’s time to stop performing and start conversing. Scripture is not just the thing we study. It’s the table we sit at, across from a God who says, “Talk to me. I’m listening.” Questions for Your Journey: What verse could I read today as a personal invitation, not just a rule? Am I willing to sit with a passage long enough to hear something unexpected? Where might I be turning Scripture into a script, instead of a conversation? © Gary L Ellis

Breathing Through the Amazing, the Awful, and the Meh. “Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again…” That first line from L.R. Knost hits like a truth sandwich, doesn’t it — comforting, messy, and true all the way down to the final bite. Some days feel like standing barefoot in a cool stream, sunlight dancing on your shoulders. Other days feel like someone pulled the emergency brake on your life while you were sipping coffee. And then — sometimes— there are the “Meh Days.” Ordinary. Unremarkable. The kind of days that taste like lukewarm leftovers and feel like waiting in line at the DMV. But here’s the wild part: All of it is life. All of it is holy. All of it matters. The Breath Between the Highs and Lows Knost says it plainly: “Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary.” That rhythm is a sermon all by itself. Breathe in the joy — yes, celebrate when things go right. Let it soak in. Don’t just smile and move on. Sit with the good. Hold on through the awful — don’t pretend it’s not happening, but don’t unpack and build a condo in your suffering either. “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). That verse doesn’t promise we won’t cry. It promises that the crying doesn’t have to have the last word. And exhale during the ordinary — because it’s the in-between spaces, the “nothing special” days, that quietly shape who we’re becoming. You don’t always need a miracle. Sometimes, you just need a breath. Let the Mundane Teach You There’s something profoundly sacred about folding socks, waiting at stoplights, and fixing dinner for the umpteenth time. These are not wasted moments. They’re invitations. Brother Lawrence, the old monk who found God in doing dishes, once said, “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer.” He found sacredness in the scrub and rinse cycle of life. Why? Because he knew the ordinary wasn’t ordinary when God was near. Deuteronomy 6:7 talks about teaching your children “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In other words, God is present in the regular rhythm of living. If it’s true there are burning bush moments, it’s also true that some days the miracle is just getting out of bed and making a decent cup of coffee. Life Cycles The older I get, the less I believe life is a straight line. It’s more of a spiral. We come back around to the same joys, same griefs, same lessons — just at deeper levels each time. That’s what Knost captures so well. She doesn’t say life is awful and then it’s over. She says it’s awful — and then it’s amazing again. We spiral. We cycle. And if we’re paying attention, we grow through it. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us there’s a time for everything. A time to laugh. A time to mourn. A time to plant. A time to rip everything up and start again. On the surface, it sounds pretty raw and depressing. But, in reality, it’s practical. Life has seasons. And none of them are permanent. Ordinary Life Is a Miracle in Slow Motion A friend once told me, “I thought joy would look like fireworks, but it showed up looking like my dog’s head in my lap.” That’s it, isn’t it? The breathtaking parts of life sneak in through the cracks. We expect miracles to knock us over. But they usually whisper. “Give us this day our daily bread,” Jesus said (Matthew 6:11). Not weekly bread. Not monthly bread. Daily. Small. Sustaining. Just enough. Sometimes the miracle is that we made it through the day without falling apart. That we smiled at the cashier even when we felt hollow inside. That we showed up. That’s the stuff of life. Not the highlight reel. The real-life, blurry, behind-the-scenes footage. And it is, as Knost says, “breathtakingly beautiful.” Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Here’s what I’m learning: I don’t have to chase the mountaintop or dread the valley. I just need to show up. To breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and exhale during the ordinary. You’re not doing it wrong if you feel all three in a single day. That is life. And it’s not just okay. It’s holy. Takeaway If today feels amazing — inhale deeply. If it feels awful — just hold on. If it feels ordinary — relax into it. Every breath matters. Even the ones that just feel Meh. © Gary L Ellis

ChatGPT I  was mentally preparing myself upcoming doctor’s appointment for my daughter in the shower. ( Some people sing in the shower; well, I think in the shower.) For reference, our hospital system took a nosedive here a while back, and it’s been a nerve-wracking experience since, especially for anyone who has chronic conditions. Anyway, so there I am in the shower, thinking through the appointment, and I mentally threw two previous doctors under the bus. I thought some really not-so-nice things in my head. I was feeling this subtle, pressurized bitterness and anger inside me that wanted to keep building, so I fed it. I felt justification for the anger that started to seethe inside of me and those not-so-nice thoughts because there had been some horrific instances. Then, in a moment of bitterness and anger, I just became weary of it all. I made a conscious choice and whispered the words “take captive my thoughts.” A millisecond couldn’t have even slipped by before I heard, “Pray for the doctors who failed your daughter; they need it the most.”  My heart lurched, and everything went still for a moment. I felt a deep conviction that pulled me down, and I sat there on the shower floor crying. Without words, I sought His forgiveness for what I had done, then and in the past.  He knows what we’ve been through; He was there right beside us through it all. He acknowledged that yes, she was wronged, and He understood my hesitation and fear of doctors, but I  still need you  to pray for them. In that moment, I learned so many things. It’s easy for us to take something that happened and hold onto those past hurts without contemplating the situation. We then move on, believing we are fine, when in fact we are not. We need to acknowledge when we are hurt. None of what I’m saying means we aren’t allowed to do this or that we don’t experience emotions from whatever may have happened to us. But it is important to take time, think about it, and take it to God. Big or little, just take it to Him. Don’t be like me. Don’t let it all build up like that, after each crappy incident I would go home, be mad and vent but I didn’t really reached out to God about it. I never asked Him to help me with how I was feeling or what I should do with it. That’s why I became weary.  It all finally caught up with me at that moment, and I was so tired of trying to hold onto it all. God hugged me, and I felt that deep within my heart; I also didn’t feel He was angry at me, He just gently chided me and told me it was time that I switch my thinking and pray for them. It was a fresh start to a new way of thinking; a weight was lifted off my shoulders that I never realized was there. Since that day in the shower, I had my own experience where I left my doctor’s office hurt, and it was a justifiable situation with what happened. With this new awareness, though, I was able to be able to vent and talk about what happened, stay positive, thoughtful, and calmer, and actively take it to God. And yes, I prayed for this provider; in fact, I still do when I think about her. It’s been a couple of months now. I feel a calm, a gentleness now in me, and it’s been growing to the point that my fear and hesitation with anything involving a hospital and clinic are starting to get better. My thought of the day: Maybe if we all said a prayer every time we are hurt or we think of an old hurt and choose to start the process of forgiveness, we could change the world a little at a time. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 © Jane Isley First Published in Frontier Writers (Anya Praise) Thank you for taking the time to read, and please consider  supporting my work . Your gift helps keep this work going, blesses others, and means the world to me. You can visit me at Faithful Writers  on Medium, where other Christian writers have joined me in sharing the word of God. You can also find me on   Tumblr  and   Facebook.

Starting from Genesis 9:18, Noah and his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth emerge from the ark marking the beginning of a new era in human history. Unfortunately, in short order, we will soon see that man remains just as susceptible to falling into trouble and committing evil as he was before the flood. We’re told that Noah planted a vineyard, made some wine, and then drunk himself into a serious stupor. He then made his way back to his tent where he fell asleep sprawled out completely naked. Next, the Scriptures tell us that “ Ham the father of Canaan saw Noah’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside ." In response, the two brothers took a cloak, walked backward into the tent so that they wouldn’t see their father’s nakedness, and then covered him up. When Noah awoke, he realized what Ham had done to him and pronounced the following curse: “Cursed be Canaan, the lowliest slave shall he be to his brothers!” The first question that arises is what in the world did Ham do to his father Noah? Well, I can do know better than to quote the great Jewish Bible scholar Robert Alter . Here is his take on the matter: “No one has ever figured out what exactly what it is that Ham does to Noah.” There you go. Nobody knows. Nevertheless, theories abound. Some suggest that Ham possibly castrated Noah. Others suggest that he “penetrated” him sexually and so on. I think it’s important to remind ourselves that the Bible is a record of God’s interactions with a certain portion and culture of the human race at a particular point of time in history. When we superimpose our modern day thoughts onto the Scriptures which took place in a culture completely foreign to our own, it’s inevitable that misinterpretations are going to arise. In this case, we’re dealing with an ancient Middle Eastern culture. In such a culture, it’s entirely possible that the mere viewing of a father’s nakedness was a horrific taboo. Ham’s failure to turn his eyes away from his father’s nakedness in and of itself could have earned him the curse that was pronounced upon him. First, why didn’t Ham cover up his father’s nakedness himself? Why did he go “tattle on him?" I wonder what exactly he said to his brothers? Maybe something like this: “ Hey guys! You won’t believe what I saw! Pop is drunk out of his mind, sprawled out butt naked in his tent. ” Talking about your father’s nakedness to others is just downright disrespectful. Ham seems to have been guilty of two sins. One, he did not honor his father. Two, he committed what in Hebrew is know as LASHON HARA which means to speak evil or gossip about someone. The second question that confronts us is why Ham’s son Canaan was cursed instead of Ham himself. Again, I think we are dealing with an ancient middle eastern mindset whereby not just that person but also his ancestors are viewed as a collective whole. Biblically speaking, having a curse placed on just one individual would not be particularly efficacious as it would end at the death of that person. The Bible says that a curse was placed on all of Ham’s descendants. However, the reason that Canaan was targeted is because more than any other descendant of Ham, it will be Canaan who will be most directly involved with Israel. So Noah’s two other sons did the proper thing in averting their eyes from their father’s nakedness. They treated Noah with the proper respect and as a result earned his blessings, the contents of which we will examine carefully in a future post. © Richoka

One thing you need to know about names in the Bible is that they are much more than simple labels of identification. In Bible times, one’s name reflected a person’s reputation, nature, and character. Let’s take a look at the actual meanings of the names of Noah’s sons and in general who each one’s respective ancestors turned out to be. Shem : Glory, Name (in the sense of making a name for oneself, becoming a respected person of authority). The descendants of Shem are the Hebrews, the Arabs, and most of the Asian races. The Messiah and Savior of the world will come from this line. Ham: Hot, warm, burning heat. The descendants are primarily the dark-skinned races that came to populate Africa. Egypt and the Philistines also stem from this line. Japheth: to enlarge, to become fruitful. The descendants are the Romans, the Greeks, and most of the European nations. Now all we have to do is take an objective look at how history has unfolded since ancient times and we realize that the blessings and curses that Noah proclaimed was nothing less than a powerful prophetic pronouncement. Israel, from the line of Shem, introduced not only monotheism to the world but also brought the messiah into the world. Indeed history itself is measured by the birth and death of Yeshua (BC and AD) . In this spiritual sense, Israel has conquered the world. Now the Japhetic nations of Europe and her distant cousin the United States have indeed been fruitful (wealthy) and expanded their influence over the whole globe but have always been subservient to the spiritual authority of Shem. A fact that rankles white supremacists to no end. It is the spiritual authority of Shem represented by the Jewish people that Adolph Hitler attempted to defy. But he failed. He should have known that no man can subvert God’s established prophecy. Finally, when we look at the history of the Hamitic nations of Africa, in general we can see that these nations have for the most part been plagued by poverty, slavery and a child-like dependency on the other nations of the world for their survival. To me, this is as powerful evidence as any that God’s Word is true and cannot be broken. © Richoka

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” — Psalm 119:105 Photo by Emmanuel Phaeton on Unsplash I grew up as a conservative, evangelical fundamentalist. When I read the verse or heard it from the pulpit, I thought it meant: Read your Bible. It’s the inherent, infallible Words from the mouth of God. And, in reality, the belief was intended to reinforce the notion that the preacher’s dogmas (called doctrines) represented God's word and will on the matter. But here’s the thing : this verse isn’t about the leatherbound book we were holding in our hands. In Psalm 119:105, King David was honoring a reality about something much bigger, deeper, older, and more alive than that. Not Ink on a Page, But Voice in the Dark The Hebrew word translated as “word” here is dābār (דָבָר). And boy, does it carry some weight. It doesn’t just mean a written sentence. It’s not “Bible” in the way we think of the Bible today. When Psalm 119 was written, the Scriptures were still being formed. There was no complete canon. No table of contents. Not even a New Testament. Dābār means “spoken word, utterance, message, command, or promise.” It’s what is said , not just what is written . Dābār is a revelation. A promise. A direction. God’s heartbeat. Think of it like this: If you’re walking a dark trail and someone hands you a flashlight, you’re not going to stop and analyze the flashlight’s owner’s manual. You’re going to use the light to take a step. That’s what the psalmist is getting at. God’s word isn’t just an instruction manual — it’s a presence that leads . What “Word” Really Meant Back Then To the original audience, “God’s word” would have meant everything from: The spoken commands of God The laws and promises passed down The stories and songs of His faithfulness The whispers of God’s voice in prayer and dreams It’s not limited to a scroll or a chapter-and-verse reference. It’s not confined to ancient ink. Does It Breathe? Today, we often ask: is the Bible literal or metaphorical? Is it fact or fiction? But maybe the better question is: does it breathe? When we read Scripture just to win arguments or prove our side, it becomes a dead thing. But when we read it like we’re sitting in a quiet room with a loving Presence just waiting to whisper through the pages — that’s when Scripture becomes alive again. It becomes more than words . It becomes something that lives inside you. Jesus Is the Word, Too Let’s fast-forward to the New Testament. John 1:1 says: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is called the Word (Logos in Greek). Which means the fullness of God’s message isn’t even a scroll — it’s a person . So when you read, “Your word is a lamp to my feet,” it could just as easily be understood to mean: Jesus is the one lighting my path. The Spirit’s whisper is showing me the next step. God’s presence is what keeps me from tripping over the rocks in the dark. Guidance, Not Control Let’s be real. Sometimes we want the Bible to be a GPS. Turn left in 400 feet. Forgive your ex. Reconcile by Thursday. But more often, it works like a lantern in the fog. It gives us enough light to take the next step , not the whole map. Brian Zahnd says: “God didn’t give us a road map. God gave us a traveling companion.” The Word of God is that companion. What This Means for You So when you open Psalm 119:105 now, read it with bigger eyes: Yes, read your Bible. But more than that, listen for God’s voice behind the words. Trust that God’s light shows up in more ways than just print. Know that you’re not walking alone. The same God who spoke stars into being still speaks into your dark places . Because the lamp isn’t a book. It’s a Presence. Not Just a Verse. A Lifeline. Psalm 119:105 isn’t decor or a particular doctrine. It’s survival. It’s what we cling to when we can’t see past the pain or fear or confusion. God’s word — spoken, written, whispered, felt — lights the next inch. And that’s enough. Richard Rohr puts it this way: “God comes to us disguised as our life.” So the path you’re on? The doubts you carry? The moment you need direction? God is speaking there. Right in the middle of it. Not just through chapter and verse, but through the flickering light of His nearness. Final Thought: Let the Word Be Bigger Let God’s word be bigger than the Bible , not instead of it, but beyond it . Let it be the whisper in the silence. The friend with wise words. The story that heals you. The nudge you can’t explain. The Jesus you meet when you least expect it. Because His word is more than pages. It’s the lamp that shows us how to take just one more step. And that, my friend, is enough light for the path. © Gary L Ellis