WOODEN NICKELS AND THREE DOLLAR BILLS...

                                                               FABULOUS FAKE
Having been a coin collector for many years, I have accumulated some knowledge and experience in this area, mostly the hard way. At 63, it still seems to be my primary method of learning. Many years ago I bought a beautiful 1909s VDB Lincoln penny to complete my collection of all Lincoln pennies minted in US history. This particular penny had several things going for it:

1. It was beautiful to the naked eye. All of the features in the face of Mr. Lincoln were clear and distinct, including his hair and beard. It was bright and shinny. It just had to be genuine!
2. The date on the front of the coin was perfect, and so was the coveted mint mark, the letter, (s). The San Francisco Mint (s) has produced some of the rarest coins from any denomination, but the 1909s is at the top, depending on condition.
3. VDB was inscribed on the very bottom of the back of the coin. It's the only coin that bears the designer's initials, Victor David Brenner. 
4. The coin was kept in a plastic casing by the owner, that I had to break into to check the coin under a microscope, because I had just spent $1,800 dollars on this coin, and when professionally graded could be worth more than $50,000. 

I fully expected my new treasure to come back graded MS60 or PF 60 based on my inspection. This coin was breath-taking to behold for this connoisseur of Lincoln pennies. When I got it back, I almost cried, because the coin had been meticulously cleaned and professionally polished by the previous owner, according to grading company. I called down to their Florida office to complain, so they overnighted me pictures of my coin under intense magnification.

There was this gorgeous rare coin microscopically destroyed by the handy-work of the worst type of craftsman. This person found this coin and decided took make the perfect FAKE. It got past my 5x to 30x microscope. It got past my weight test. It got past my eyeball with or without the microscope. The edges were perfect and so on...Unfortunately, I broke my own rules that prohibit falling in love with any coin and thereby sacrificing objectivity. (The EXACT same thing can happen in your choice of spiritual leader or mentor.) None of us is perfect, just like this coin, but when a pastor, priest or politician suggests or implies that you sacrifice your personal values gleaned from the Word of God with the Spirit of God, you have found a "FABULOUS FAKE." 

                                        A BETTER MICROSCOPE

As I continue my reading and study of the Book of Isaiah, I remain moved...

1. Depending on the day and time I begin reading, one of two things happens within the first 10-15 verses. Either I feel like a drone by reading without divine comprehension or feel as though the Spirit of God opens my mind and soul as He teaches me.
2. Just last night, I was a drone...It's been a tough week, the weather is poor, the wife is sick and my kids have issues. In my depressed state, I decided to pick up Isaiah and read anyway. After a couple of chapters, I knew I had done the Word of God an injustice, so I quit. In these instances I can usually play with the dog, listen to music, surf the Internet, watch TV or eat something. 
3. As I mulled this over I began eliminating things that I know are not good for me. Eating, TV and Internet had to go, so I played with our Chihuahua, "ManchoMan", for about 10 minutes, before going back to the Bible. This time I asked God for some help, and explained myself.
4. When I went back to Isaiah, where I began earlier, I was dumbfounded. Suddenly, I could see, I could hear and more importantly, I was listening to "that still small voice."

                                        INSPIRATION OF ISAIAH

This series of events might not be BIG to you, but it was GIGANTIC for me, and here is why. Isaiah is the genuine article. He is the 1909s VDB of his time with no blemishes or distortion. He holds up under the only microscope that counts, the Almighty. Their is nothing FAKE about the way our Lord used him to tell his world for most of his 75 years about the future. He repeatedly told of things to come, and in some cases lived to see the prophecy fulfilled. Listen to what he says:

1. He predicted the fall of Damascus and Israel in Chapter 1.
2. He predicted the rise and fall of Assyria.
3. He predicted the day of the Nazarene; his first prediction of Jesus of Nazareth.
4. He predicted the fall of the Babylonian Empire.
5. He admonished Israel for trusting the Egyptians and Ethiopians instead of God, before they did it.
6. He predicted the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib.
7. He predicted the future Kingdom of Zion.
8. He predicted the suffering of the Messiah.
9. He predicted Christ's mission in coming to live among us and die for our sin.

He accomplished all this and more while serving under four (4) different Kings of Israel, some good and some very bad. In the end King Hezekiah had a son, Manasseh.  In Manasseh's first year Jewish tradition says that Isaiah hid in a hollowed tree from the soldiers of the King. With a wooden saw they cut the trunk of the tree in half, along with this amazing prophet. 

Sometimes the difference between a "false prophet," cannot be seen with the naked eye or heard with divine discernment. Satan is so good at producing replicas that it is easy for those of us who fear our Creator to be led astray. Usually you begin to compromise small things, and before you know it, you have been duped. In the Book of Isaiah devout Jews, including members of the Sanhedrin, were led astray by impostors. Today we can clone. Today we can duplicate. Today we can replicate. Isaiah knew it back then and with God's help says in Chapter 60: "God's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. For your hands and your fingers are defiled with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has uttered perverseness. None calls for justice, or stands up for the truth: rather they trust in vanity, speak lies, pursue mischief and nurture iniquity."

My grandfather used to say to me regularly, "Jimmy, don't take any wooden nickels or three-dollar bills." Do not be fooled by imitation that is full of pride and arrogance. Do not be fooled by those who only inspire, and never tell you the truth. Do not be fooled by apparent riches, the voice of a songbird or the hand in your pocket. God rarely uses those bathed in this world's signs of wealth and success. He uses the humble, the humbled, the weak, the thankful, the poor, the lame, the sick and the weary. Beneath these saints is built the foundation that will never crumble in good times and in bad, in this life or the next. They have a pure heart and will stand for their Lord and Saviour whenever and wherever necessary. May you be able to do the same.

May God bless you according to those riches stored up for you in the next life...

TDD

                    ISAIAH HOLDING THE ONLY MICROSCOPE THAT MATTERS!!

THE FEAR OF GOD...WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?

If you have read much in the OT, you have come across the "fear of God" many times. The study of fear, as used in scripture has provided me with an amazing journey from my own scottish Crest  to Catholic doctrine, Islamic doctrine, Jewish doctrine, and of course the various forms of Christian doctrine. Since my last name is "MONRO," I can trace my family history to the mountains of northeastern Scotland. Yes, Clan Monro sprouted from the hills. They were sort of Gaelic hillbillies, if you will...Their accents were thick with a tribal language that was native to that area. It was passed down for many generations, and in some of the hinterlands way up North, they still prefer Gaelic over the King's English. My grandfather hailed from a transitional generation that spoke both Gaelic and English with a thick brogue. It was and honor to hear him speak because our family heritage just oozed out of every pore in his body. Long ago he showed our family the Monro Crest for the first time, along with his kilts, bagpipes and special plaid. To this day, I remember that the Crest said, "DREAD GOD," in big bold letters. Back then and quite frankly right now, I still wonder why they chose to "dread" our Creator. Well now I know, and soon you will too.

Dreading or Fearing our Lord seems quite paradoxical at first blush, because how can you love and fear Him at the same time? The NT mentions this fear, but spends much more time on the subject of love. The OT is quite the opposite and here are examples of both:

1. And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to FEAR the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your HEART and SOUL."
2. He will be a sure foundation FOR YOUR TIMES, a rich store of Salvation and Wisdom and Knowledge. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE KEY TO THIS TREASURE.
3. His mercy extends to those who FEAR Him from generation to generation.
4. I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should FEAR; FEAR him who, after killing the body, has the power to through you into Hell.
5. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, FEAR God, honor the king.
6. Their are no books listed on purpose...Just read though these and select which ones you think are from the the OT or the NT. This word fear is used 74 times in the KJV, so it is very important for us to understand it completely. 

Isaiah deals with biblical fear in Chapter 29, but comes at it from a completely different angle that certainly has helped me understand a deeper meaning of "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and discipline." This is completely different from being afraid of  things like, spiders, snakes, needles or flying. It is more like being afraid of failure, rejection, death or intimacy. It has more to do with how you think, feel and react internally rather than externally. This is one major distinction in my mind that begins to unravel this enigma called fear.

God requires a level of respect or reverence that transcends our use of the word, fear...Fear from our vantage point is a very negative emotion. Enough of the detrimental type of fear, and our minds and bodies begin to break down...This is NOT the fear of our Lord. Not having the fear of God in your heart and soul, eliminates growth in righteousness, wisdom and knowledge simply because  fear is the beginning of these gifts from God. Without genuine respect and reverence, you end up hollow where is counts the most, in your heart. Additionally, as Isaiah points out that discipline and/or discretion also is an important feature in the fear of our Lord.

In Isaiah 20:13, He says, "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near to me with their MOUTH, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart from FAR from me, and their FEAR toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
Continuing Isaiah says that God's people know the Word of God, precept by precept, line by line, a little here and a little there. In other words their belief in God has been reduced to rote memorization and mechanical doctrine. We know it and can recite it, but we don't feel it!! On the outside we draw near with our mouths only!! Wow, this is powerful scripture...God draws a clear line in the sands of time between stark, barren and rote HYPOCRISY pushed on saints throughout the ages. LOVE of our God begins with righteous fear, reverence and respect for our Creator. 

Further, the love of God always starts and stays internal, no matter your religious persuasion. I write mostly for Christian believers, but this same concept is exactly, and I mean exactly the same for Christian, Jew, Muslim or Catholic. It is the very reason we all seek the one true God. It has been instilled in all humanity with their first breathe of life. Everyone claims to have the ONLY path to God. Everyone has studied precept on precept, line by line in a church, mosque or synagogue somewhere. Some pray, some chant, some sing and some dance, but know this; anything you do externally without divine Love in your heart and soul is hollow.

I question my belief system all the time. I ask God to teach me how not to be hollow, because there are times I feel empty and alone. Understanding, Wisdom and Discernment only come from our Heavenly Father. Memorize, legalize, and chant from dawn to dusk, the precepts of God, but remember this...If your heart and soul don't biblically fear your Maker, you are nothing but a well educated and gifted hypocrite.

God Bless,

TDD

SENNACHERIB AND THE VISION OF ISAIAH...

                                                                  SENNACHERIB
Today I am writing about Isaiah 22, but before I begin I have to share some information tweeted to me, and I quote, "hey, someone is spreading horrible rumors about you."

The Internet is a two-edged sword. I brings some great global abilities to communicate about the Word of God, but it brings a commensurate risk because you put yourself out there, in the light for all to see... My task is simple, so I take my God-given talent to write and use it for His glory. Anyone who knows me, also knows that I come with baggage from a life of sin, as I have clearly articulated in prior posts. Normally I listen to God first and my readers, a distant second. I take accolades with the criticism and lay them both at the feet of my God. 

My approach is unique, because of several things:

1. I believe in a Triune God. God the Father is the creator of our world, our species and every other species. My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, became one of us, so that He could provide the ultimate and only sacrifice that has meaning in this world and the next. God the Holy Spirit was given to me at birth, along with my eternal soul. What I have done with that gift for most of my life is baggage that I am not proud of, but it's my baggage and my responsibility.
2. I believe that all people of all nations, colors and creeds need to know about my God. My approach to all is the same, as taught by the Almighty Himself. I hate the sin and disbelief, but love the sinner, because he or she has been given the same gift of life at birth that I was given. 
3. I believe in second chances and so does my God. He will take genuine repentance at any time, anywhere. Salvation is another gift from God that requires belief in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, coupled with genuine repentance. Is it permanent, you ask? Unequivocally and Absolutely, YES...
4. I believe that even the saints sin everyday, just like the rest of humanity; however, a true believer will admit that sin to God, again and again, if need be, until he is able to conquer it with the help of his God. 
5. I believe that God can use anyone willing to lay down his pride and his desire for wealth, trading it in on the study of the Word of God, while enlisting in God's service with whatever your particular talent might be...Mine is writing. I was born with this ability, but never used it for God until now. 
6. I believe in dying for only three (3) causes in exactly this order:

• MY GOD
• MY FAMILY
• MY COUNTY

      All else is just noise meant for distraction. When it is so loud that you forget about anyone of these six (6) items, you have a problem, not only with me, but with God himself.

Having been stuck on Isaiah 22 for several weeks now, I have resorted to the "pilpul," process of the Jews. Tearing apart each verse, reviewing etymology, sentence structure and other more educated thoughts on the subject is, in fact, fun for me. Every time I chisel my way through to a deeper meaning and understanding, it is like finding GOLD in Alaska during the gold rush. Each time I connect new dots that reveal hidden meaning for the 21st century, I am humbled that God would share his knowledge and wisdom with me.

                                                     INVASION OF SENNACHERIB

The destruction of the Hebrew nation happens repeatedly throughout the OT. God's grace has  allowed the nation to survive each time they were virtually annihilated. He dispensed judgement in the process of helping a remnant learn to love, respect and rely on the Almighty. All through their history God has given his chosen people second chances to become a permanent, loyal example to all others without success, despite all the miracles, the incredible leaders and his written Word. 

Ostensibly, the beginning of Chapter 22 has set the stage for yet another invasion, and virtual destruction of the race. God in his wrath has set up Jerusalem for the invasion by the powerful and  mighty Sennacherib. God starts out saying, "What do you want from me now?" If you have kids, how many times did you either think this or actually say it to your ungrateful munchkins? The Israelites chose to ignore God and worship elsewhere. They also broke the laws of Moses without regard, while basking in their time of peace and wealth. 

Long before Sennacherib was even close the people of Israel got wind of their impending demise. Today it would be tweeted or emailed, but back then it took days to get information in the desert. So now imagine you are in the middle of the walled city of Jerusalem as one of the chosen race. What do you do? Well here is what the Israelites did:

• Chaos broke out in the streets. People were being killed, "without swords or arrows," because there was mass panic. Basically, it was every man, woman or child for themselves.
• People went to the top of their homes and buildings screaming and yelling to avoid the mob rage.
• Filled with terror, they trampled each other trying to get out of Jerusalem in time to avoid the Assyrian army. 
• The first ones safely out of the city were those in power. The King and the commanders. They fled immediately leaving the people behind to be slaughtered.

                                                             JUDAH & JERUSALEM

Some were trying to call on God, I am sure, but He had already decided their fate. Everyone that fled was captured or killed. The people did everything in there power to protect themselves by "moving the water supply to a lower pool," so that the enemy had none to drink.  They tore down their houses to strengthen the walls of the city. God said, "but you never looked to the One who made it (the city) or have any regard for the One who planned it long ago." Rather than begging God for assistance, "tearing out your hair, wearing sackcloth or weeping for forgiveness," they chose to throw a party!! They got drunk, ate all the best food and chanted, "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we may die!"

Isaiah then tells the people, "Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for." What a troubling story for them centuries ago, and for us right now. How many of us have a huge problem, maybe not the size of Sennacherib, but huge to you, in your life before God. What do we all do? We are conditioned to try to fix it ourselves. Sometimes we enlist the support of others, sometimes we are so ashamed, we keep it buried deep while it destroys our soul a tiny bit more each day. These are big, physical and emotional problems including huge debt, unfaithfulness, killing, lying, stealing and cheating. We batten down the hatches, just like the Israelites and try to hid in a dark corner until the storm is over. God can and will help with all of these and many not mentioned. When you turn away from God, he stays permanently in place and waits while you destroy yourself trying to gain redemption or forgiveness somewhere else. When will all of us learn that the only way is to look God square in the eyes (figuratively), and humbly tell him the painful truth. No matter how long you have ignored Him and worshipped money, power, wealth and all that they have attached to them, HE NEVER MOVED OR FLINCHED ONE IOTA!

The longer you remain embroiled in sin, the more it will affect you mentally and of course, spiritually. Do not wait until our God has to end your existence, as the only choice. He is silently waiting for you now and has been there the entire time.

The destruction of Jerusalem by Sennacherib in Isaiah 22 is far from just a history lesson. Read it and learn from it. It is truly an amazing look at our Heavenly Father and our relationship with Him.

God Bless,

TDD

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TORAH...

Most of you who have read my blog for any length of time understand my fascination with Judaism. I have long been amazed at the way they micro-manage their study down to the smallest detail, trying to get what God had to say, correct. This Hebrew methodology is called, "PILPUL." Extraordinary amounts of time are spent in this diligent and fruitful task. It goes like this:

1. The Torah, both written and oral was given to Moses first and he delivered it to the people. Some came down directly from Mt. Sinai, as we have learned, but some to Moses in the tabernacle.
2. All of this is considered to be the actual instructions from Yahweh himself, and that is why they remain revered to this day by every Jew. Every Jew must read a portion from the Torah, every three days.
3. Torah actually means, "To guide or teach." This is the Jewish recipe for life, and it is literally dissected, chewed up and swallowed at least twice per week. Just like Christianity, many do not follow this plan and have created a non-orthodox system that does not require this allegiance or discipline. 

If you have been to a Jewish synagogue, shul, or temple for a bar-mitzvah, wedding or special holiday, you have seen 5000 years of history unfold right before your eyes. The retrieving, handling and opening of the Torah is sheer pageantry, founded on their utmost respect for the first five books of the Old Testament. I suggest you read some of the Torah interpretations, as I have, because they give Christians a fresh look at what Jewish Scholars have gleaned from it. 

Some have postulated that biblical history is a hoax and that most, if not all of it was made up by someone, somewhere, somehow. Recognizing that there are those who don't believe any of this history has sparked my interest in any historical corroboration of the accounts in the Bible. I follow the archeological digs in the middle east with enthusiasm, as much as I mentally dig through history myself. One of my personal interests since 9/11 has been Islam...I have read and reviewed the Al-Quran. All 114 Suras (chapters) have been read multiple times. Most of us know about the life of Muhammad and events subsequent, up to and including the latest attack against infidels by Muslim extremists somewhere in the world. Please note that the problem is with extremists, and not with the overwhelming majority of Muslims. Just like religous extremists from all religions, they are pulled from context some of the words from Muhammad to justify their violence. We know about there rules, their leaders, the Taliban, the Mullah's, and the Ayatollah's. In fact, Mullah Omar is said to have founded the Taliban, which by the way means, "students", in 1989 after the Soviets vacated.

But the history of their Islamic heritage closely parallels events in Old Testament. In fact, the Al-Quran discusses most of the OT prophets from Abrihim (Abraham) to Jesus (their prophet). Most OT stories from the Bible are so close to the Al-Quran, that one has to wonder where all the hatred began and why...My point here is simple. No one except God is going to cure the 5,000 years of bloodshed, but I can tell you that the similarities and simultaneousness of the stories of the Al-Quran provide us with another source of biblical corroboration. Over time they have splintered and fought with each other, just like Christianity. I will give you one amazing example. Moses is a critical person of God to all Muslims. Their account of the Israelites in the desert for 40 years is the same, as is the manna and "quail" from heaven to feed them. They recognize Moses as a Jew and that the Pharaoh's daughter rescues and raises him. Moses' name in Arabic means, "out of the water." But most amazingly they give credit to this Hebrew for the splitting of the Nile, the 10 Commandments and everything that happened on Mt. Sinai. So go figure...

I believe that their is much to be learned from a deeper understanding of the Old Testament. Yes, it is tedious sometimes. Yes, it is very hard to understand and yes, it takes commitment. In the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy), lies the foundation for Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam.

Fellow saints, God is our rock of ages, but understanding the history of our world, our law, and our God will provide you with renewed resolve for research  and a laser focus on what was revealed to us by God through Moses.

God Bless,

TDD