[holy convocation]

Hi y'all -

Ollie you said -

There are not any holy days in Christ. There can be the day one is made holy in Christ.

My question for you is who authored the Bible? I think we can both agree that God is the author. And Jesus being One with God is the author of the Bible, which contains this verse: Gensis 2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it (made it holy), because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."

Here are some other references to days made Holy by the Lord:

Le 23:3 For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings.

Le 23:7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.

Le 23:8 But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.' "

Le 23:21 On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations.

Le 23:24 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing {of trumpets,} a holy convocation.

Le 23:27 On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD.

Le 23:35 On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind.

Le 23:36  For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the LORD; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work.

Nu 28:18 On the first day {shall be} a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.

Nu 28:25 On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.

Nu 28:26 Also on the day of the first fruits, when you present a new grain offering to the LORD in your {Feast of} Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.

Nu 29:1 - Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets.

Nu 29:7 Then on the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall humble yourselves; you shall not do any work.

Nu 29:12 Then on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days.
 
***


So Jesus the Messiah, who authored the Bible declared holy days. When Jesus was on earth He kept these Holy days.

What was Jesus doing when He said, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me (Lu 22:19)."
He was partaking in the Passover. The "this" in the sentence refers to a specific part of the Passover meal.

Paul also says, (Corinthians 5:7-8) Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

The Biblical Festivals have everything to do with God's plan of redemption through Messiah. We have every reason to enjoy them. Christmas and easter are so comercialized. When I celebrated them as a child, it was hard to focus on Messiah and His life, death and resurrection. It was all about Santa Claus, Chocolates, presents, presents and more presents!

My pastor says, "You will never see a Passover edition of Playboy magazine."

Dear Hurting -

I agree that we need to be careful about labeling women who have abortions as murderers. I am against abortion and I believe it should be illegal. I must admit I can somewhat understand if a women wants to have an abortion when she conceived out of an act of rape. It doesn't mean that I condone abortion in this case, but being human and being a woman, I can understand how a woman would feel carrying a child conceived by rape.

However, for me when I was pregnant both times I was very sick. It was like the flu for at least 4 months straight, only keeping down one meal a day. The expectation and joy of having a child at the end of ordeal was the only thing that got me through those awful months. I couldn't imagine going through all that I did and not have something to show for it at the end of it all.

My older sister concieved a child when she was unmarried and decided not to marry the father. She told me that if there had been an abortion clinic next door, she probably would have gone in to have an abortion. Now she has a wonderful 13 year old daughter and she can't imagine ever thinking that she could have aborted her.

Statistically, only approx. 3% of abortions are the result of rape - that's a very small percent. 2 years ago I heard a statistic about abortion that shocked me, but the majority of women who had an abortion in the year 2002 had this in common: they had living children. Over 60% of these women had children of their own. These are not teenagers whose parents are going to throw them out of the house, these are older women who have all the children they want and are using abortion as birth control. It's sickening.

I graduated high school with a girl whose mother was encouraged to have an abortion while pregnant with her because of a heart defect. The doctor predicted that the baby would only live a short while and be a "vegetable." The mother didn't listen to her doctor and had her baby. She graduated with honors and now works for NASA. Her heart "problem" turned out to be very minor.

You seem to be very tender-hearted and I think your heart is in the right place, not being able to stand to see children suffer. However you should consider that an abortion is a very painful process for an unborn child - a very gruesome way to die. (I won't go into details for you unless you want me too.)

So why do you call yourself "Hurting."  Would you like us to pray for you? My heart really goes out to you and I hope you will find comfort from your pain.

Psalm  42:1 For the leader. A maskil of the descendants of Korach: Just as a deer longs for running streams, God, I long for you. 2 I am thirsty for God, for the living God! When can I come and appear before God? 3 My tears are my food, day and night, while all day people ask me, "Where is your God?" 4 I recall, as my feelings well up within me, how I'd go with the crowd to the house of God, with sounds of joy and praise from the throngs observing the festival. 5 My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for the salvation that comes from his presence.

6 My God, when I feel so downcast, I remind myself of you from the land of Yarden, from the peaks of Hermon, from the hill Mizar. 7 Deep is calling to deep at the thunder of your waterfalls; all your surging rapids and waves are sweeping over me. 8 By day ADONAI commands his grace, and at night his song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, under pressure by the enemy? 10 My adversaries' taunts make me feel as if my bones were crushed, as they ask me all day long, 'Where is your God?'" 11 My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for being my Savior and God.

Take care -

Oompa Loompa Doopity Doo...

Florida Catholic -

Being a Catholic, do you allign yourself with the Catholic Church regarding the Church's views on abortion? How do you feel about Kerry's position on abortion? I believe that last I heard (he may have changed his mind by now) that he won't legislate against abortion. He would appoint Supreme Court justices who support abortion. I believe he would be against partial-birth infanticide, where doctors suck the brains out of a living baby after the head has passed through the gotcha11l canal. Many people don't realize this gruesome fact about partial birth abortion (infanticide). It is a medical procedure that is often used on babies that are found out to be down syndrome or other similar problems. It cannot be justified as saving the life of the mother, because the mother has to go through most of the birth anyway. It is infanticide. It should be banned.

you said,

It also shows some interesting facts, like you are much more likely to have these misconceptions if you primarily watch Fox News.

So you think we will be more informed watching Dan Rather of CBS (See BS)? Get real. Talk about lying, forging documents... could Fox be worse than this?

And about Iraq -

Did you know that when Kerry was asked if he would have still voted for the Iraq war, even knowing what we know now that they didn't have WMD that he said he would!!!! He realizes like many other Americans do that Saddam and the US is better off where he is now.

Yes, I agree that the US was misinformed about WMD, but we had every reason to believe they were there. (I would not be at all suprised if we end up finding that Saddam moved them to Syria.) Both Pres. Clinton and Senator Kerry believed Saddam had WMD. And Saddam DID have them, and used them on the Kurds.

I don't believe Bush lied about WMD, there is a difference between LYING and being MISINFORMED.

Speaking about being misinformed, I wouldn't treat Michael Moore's movie as fact. Many "facts" he presented in his movie have been disproved by the bi-partisan 911 commission. You can buy the report for $10. Maybe you should read it.

And let's talk about lying....

John Kerry says he is for the "little guy." I assume he means me. I'm part of a middle class household. John and Teresa Kerry make a combined income of 6.8 million a year. Guess how much they paid in taxes last year? 12 % !!!! How much did George and Laura Bush pay in taxes last year? 30 %. How much does the average "little guy" pay in taxes? 20 %. When John Kerry says he wants to tax more the "wealthy 1 %" obviously he doesn't mean himself, as he can hire tax attorneys and CPA's to get out of paying his fair share.

Well, you should be proud to be voting for the "more intellectual" candidate. He would have to be intellectual because he must have 2 brains, one for each position on an issue.

You said,

Numerous Americans think most people in the world were not opposed to the US going into Iraq even w/o UN approval.

So what's so great about the UN anyway? Why do you think they would help us? This is one sKerry thing I find about Kerry, he wants to give UN more soverignty over us. Who runs the UN? Arabs. Who are the terrorists trying to destroy us? Arabs. (Not to say that all arabs are terrorists, but it is disconcerting, isn't it? )  Aside from this, the UN wants the US to be weaker, both militarily and monitarily. Doesn't this concern you? It should.

You said,  

God willing, I will vote for Kerry on election day.

God willing? You sound unsure. Of course you are voting in Florida, no wonder. May you get confused by your ballot and mark the wrong box

Take care,
Chesed

(PS, did you know that they changed the voting day to Nov. 3rd? They're doing it to trick the terrorists, pass it on to your other friends voting for Kerry.)

Homeskillet -

Well, I'm not a bearded lady - and I'm very thankful that I don't have facial hair to contend with... lol My husband, however, does have a beard/mustache.

I interpret that the same way many scholars do--that we aren't to make cuttings or tattoo for the dead. (This was a pagan ritual in those times) So, if we're not doing it 'for the dead' then how does this verse really apply to us?

Yes, the context of this chapter and verse is related to the prohibition of pagan rituals. I think the reason the commandment not to tattoo is lumped together in the same sentence with cutting our flesh is because both are related to skin. In the verse before it, it gives 2 prohibitions regarding the head: "(1)You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads (2)nor harm the edges of your beard. " Then it gives 2 prohibitions regarding skin: "(1)You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead (2)nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves." Notice how the 2 verses read similarly.

Take care,
Chesed

Homeskillet -

Agree to disagree? Sure that's fine.

Hey that's a nice picture you posted of the tattoo. Can you get it as a press-on?

Take care,
Chesed  

Tom -

Your grandson sounds like such a character! I'm sure my son would love playing with him.   My son is five. It is so much fun to see the faith and zeal he has at such as young age. I know why the Lord asks us to be like children.

We live near a Mormon church and he has often asked me what it is. So I told him that they are good people, but the don't worship the same God we do; that they worship a fake god. So he said, "Well, we should tell them that they are worshipping a fake god. Then they will throw away their books about the fake god and read the books about the real God." I like the way he thinks. Next time we get some mormon missionaries at our door, I think I'll let my son tell them like it is...  

Take care,
Chesed

Luke O -

Yes, some people find the Bible offensive. I make no apologies. If you are offended by Christians believing their Bible, maybe you're on the wrong forum.

Homeskillet and Melody -

Because of your posts, I am convinced that I should rob my local bank and give the booty to God as an offering. I figure He won't mind my stealing as long as I'm doing it for Him, right?

Well, you know I am speaking in jest. I am using an extreme example to point out your error.

Melody, if we use your way of interpreting the Bible, we can manipulate it to say anything we want it to say.

I think that using tattoos as a witnessing tool, is like offering to God a "sacrifice" that He didn't want -- and "To obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22)

Take care,
Chesed

Melody -

I'm not judging you. I am judging the act of tattooing our bodies. The question was asked if it is a sin. The Bible clearly says it is - there is no need for "interpretation"  because it is obvious. If you happen to have a tattoo, I don't think the less of you. One of my best friends has a tattoo and got it while she was a Christian.

The Pharisees and Sadducees also tried to interpret God's law for His people rather than worrying about their own relationship with God

Jesus' contention with the Pharisees and Sadducees was not about their law keeping, but about their law breaking hypocrisy and traditions of men: Mark 7:13 "Thus, with your tradition which you had handed down to you, you nullify the Word of God! And you do other things like this."

We need to be careful that we don't nullify the Word of God by our traditions and interpretations. We should be cautious not to "turn the grace of God into licentiousness" (Jude 1:4).

I can understand if you don't want to discuss this further. I don't want to frustrate you. If you already have a butterfly tattoo on your ankle, I wouldn't even suggest you remove it. But Gheetam asked about tattooing and if it is a sin. Maybe she is considering getting one. I would try to convince her not to. That's all.

Take care,
Chesed

 

Melody -

Yes, you and I definately have a different understanding. I don't want you to misunderstand me, I don't think Christians who get tattoos are going to hell - but we shouldn't think about everything in terms of our salvation should we? Shouldn't we also think of things in terms of obeying and pleasing God?

You say "I try not to get tied up in "sins" and pray to the Lord for guidance in how to live my life."

Well, how do you know it is really the Lord who is guiding you if you don't use the Word as a standard to measure up the "guidance" you are getting? I have seen many people who said they had guidance to do many things. I have seen people who believed God guided them to have an extra marital affair, buy a really expensive corvette, all sorts of things! I think many people get confused between their emotions, and God's guidance. That's why we need to use God's Word as a standard, that is why He gave it to us.

I am saddened by your disdain for the Law God gave to us, when you say, "If I followed all of the laws in Leviticus, I could hold slaves and sell my children if they were disobedient. " It really shows how much you misunderstand God and His commandments.

Of this same Law, David said:

 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19)

What reason is there for getting a tattoo? What is at the heart of it? Is it not vanity? Proverbs 31:30 -Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, {But} a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Blessings -

Chesed

[instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires]

Melody -

...I seriously doubt whether a butterfly tattoo on your ankle is considered a sin.

Well, there are also those who seriously doubt that homosexuality is a sin too, but it plainly says so in the Bible. I'm not trying to equate tattooing to homosexuality, but the Bible is very clear about both.

Yes, Jesus died on the cross to save our souls, but also to create for Himself a holy people. What does it mean to be holy? Can we determine ourselves what it means to be holy? No. Should we look to the Bible that God Himself authored? Yes.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

I know you must think it's a silly commandment not to tattoo our bodies and that breaking this commandment would be a small sin if a sin at all, but Jesus said, (Lu 16:10) "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."

Blessings  -
Chesed

My son is always making us laugh. Here's another thing he did the other day:
 
He was talking to my husband and telling a story. Many times he tells a story that we know is not true but he tries to convince us its true. So we told him that he needs to tell us that he is "telling a story" if its something that is not true. So the other day my son told my husband that God told him to say something. Knowing that he was making it up, my husband asked him if it was a story and he said "no." So daddy told him that when God speaks through a person, that person is called a prophet. But when someone says that God says something He didn't say, that person is called a false prophet. And in the Bible people would throw rocks at a false prophet until he died.

Then my son started looking sad and said, "Daddy, I don't want you to throw rocks at me." Daddy said, "Why would I do that?" My son started crying and said, "Because I'm a false prophet!"

It's so hard not to laugh at that!!!  

Evangelist -

Do you have anything to say about what Dreamweaver has posted? It is also well documented.

I'd like to know what you think about this part of Dreamweavers post:

The month of Tishri (in the fall - normally our October) also fits with the season of shepherds being out with their flocks by night, as they were when Yeshua was born; during winter the lambs are kept indoors.  The shepherds were in the fields with their flocks at night when Jesus was born. This clearly indicates that Jesus was born during the warmer seasons. During the coldest months like December or January, the shepherds didn't sleep in the fields but would bring their flocks indoors, or in mangers next to their houses, or in caves next to their dwellings.

My husband lived in Israel for a while, it actually gets cold there during the winter. I believe it was last year or the year before that it snowed a good deal in Jerusalem in December.

Also, doesn't it just make sense that God arranged to have His son born on this Festival? It makes enough sense that Jesus died on Passover - I don't believe that to be a coincidence. How much farther of a stretch is it to say that Jesus was born on the Feast of Tabernacles? Or do you believe God just arbitrarily picked these strange holidays for Israel to follow for no particular reason, just to do away with them later? That doesn't make sense to me.

Take care,
Chesed

Hi Gheetam -

You asked:

Is it a sin to tattoo your body? If is is, why?

Yes, I do believe it is a sin. Here is the verse in Leviticus - Le 19:28 'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. '

In the context of this Leviticus passage is that God is commanding the Israelites not to adopt the practices of the pagan nations in the land that is now Israel.

The pagans and heathens of today still tattoo their bodies. The question is, does God still want us to be separate from "the world." Yes, He does.

The other question is why would you want to get a tattoo anyway? There really is no good reason why other than you probably think it's cool - and don't try to justify it by saying you want to get a "religious tattoo." Hey, you should get a tattoo that says the Leviticus 19:28 verse - hehehe  

Other then the book of Leviticus, is there any place where it says that it is a sin?

No, the Levitcus passage is the only place in the Bible where it says anything about tattoos. The reason the New Testament doesn't deal with it is because it is already addressed in Leviticus. C'mon, Jesus didn't die on the cross so that now we can tattoo our bodies! I know what you're thinkin'!  

Besides, aren't you relieved now? I heard getting a tattoo really hurts.

Blessings!
Chesed

Evangelist -

December 25, 2 BC

December 25th was Mythra's birthday. Mythra was a pagan god/fake messiah.

Yesterday was Yeshua's birthday. My son and I made a "Happy Birthday Yeshua" cake with a little toothpick sukkah on top and sang happy birthday Yeah! Yeshua came to this earth to create a people He could tabernacle with.