70, 80 or 120 - You Choose!

photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com

Dear Friends,

Can I share one of my pet peeves with you?

I have a real problem with the repetition of bible verses that are being taken completely out of context.

This isn't an indictment of the people who do this because they are often just repeating something that they've been taught by a trusted source. I just see a need to break a very dangerous cycle.

Most of us have misquoted someone or taken something out of context at one time or another. However when people repeatedly state that "the bible states so and so" or "The Lord says so and so", and what they're repeating is inaccurate or out of context, they can unknowingly lead another person's faith astray.

Here's an example of what I'm referring to and, a little something to ponder during the week.

Why do so many people die around the ages of 70 - 80?

Could it be because they believe that people are supposed to die at that age?

Have you ever heard someone say:

"Well you know the bible says that man is only promised threescore and 10 (70) years".

or

"Well you know after 70, you're living on borrowed time".

Have you ever wondered if the Christian bible actually says that?

Well it really doesn't. But, for generations many Christians have been quoting, as fact, a bible verse Psalm 90:10 completely out of context.

In the King James Version of the bible the verse reads:

"The days of our years are threescore (60) 2years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore (80) years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

It sounds like man is only promised a lifespan of 70-80 years, right?

Not really.

Here is that same verse in the Amplified Bible (AMP), which is now recognized as a more accurate translation of the original Hebrew text, along with a footnote which places the version in its proper context:

Psalm 90:10

"The days of our years are ^[a]threescore years and ten (seventy years)--or even, if by reason of strength, fourscore years (eighty years); yet is their pride [in additional years] only labor and sorrow, for it is soon gone, and we fly away."

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 90:10 This psalm is credited to Moses, who is interceding with God to remove the curse which made it necessary for every Israelite over twenty years of age (when they rebelled against God at Kadesh-barnea) to die before reaching the promised land (Num. 14:26-35). Moses says most of them are dying at seventy years of age. This number has often been mistaken as a set span of life for all mankind. It was not intended to refer to anyone except those Israelites under the curse during that particular forty years. Seventy years never has been the average span of life for humanity. When Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes, had reached 130 years (Gen. 47:9), he complained that he had not attained to the years of his immediate ancestors. In fact, Moses himself lived to be 120 years old, Aaron 123, Miriam several years older, and Joshua 110 years of age. Note as well that in the Millennium a person dying at 100 will still be thought a child (Isa. 65:20).

You can read this verse in several bible translations at:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2090:10;
&version=31;65;45;51;50;#en-NIV-en-MSG-en-AMP-15389

When you get a chance, read the entire Psalm for yourself.

Then go read Genesis 6:1-3

In the KJV it reads:

"1And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."

In the Message version the same verses read as:

" 1-2 When the human race began to increase, with more and more daughters being born, the sons of God noticed that the daughters of men were beautiful. They looked them over and picked out wives for themselves.

3 Then God said, "I'm not going to breathe life into men and women endlessly. Eventually they're going to die; from now on they can expect a life span of 120 years."

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%206:1-3;
&version=45;65;31;50;9;

Again don't take my word for it, read the verses for yourself.

Now if you had to choose a verse to quote why would you choose a verse that offers you a lifespan of 70-80 years rather than one that offers you a lifespan of 120 years?

So why don't people live to to 120? Throughout the bible are numerous references to ways that we can lengthen or shorten our lives, ( check out Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Proverbs to start).

As I've said don't just take my word that this is true. In fact, don't just take anyone's word on what the bible says, Check it out for yourself.

Just a little something to think about.

Now for most of you, I'm preaching to the choir and this message isn't really for you. But if you know someone who might need it, pass it on. You just might help save their life.

Deuteronomy 30:19

"I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live"

Real Life, Real Questions, Real Answers

Warning: the following two videos may contain language that you may find offensive. They are used here not for their shock value but to present real people and their views of society.


How Would You Answer These Questions?

The next time that you look at that WWJD bracelet or tee-shirt think about these videos. How do you think Jesus would respond to these videos?

Hint: His first response wouldn't be to condemn their language or the smoking.

Can you answer their questions?

Need more hints? Click here

In Appreciation of Mothers

Mom's Journey

The young mother set her foot on the path of life.

"Is this the long way?" she asked.

And the guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard.
And you will be old before you reach the end of it.
But the end will be better than the beginning.

But the young mother was happy,
and she would not believe that anything could be better than these
years.
So she played with her children, she fed them, and bathed them,
and taught them to tie their shoelaces and ride a bike
and do their homework and brush their teeth.

The sun shone on them, and the young mother cried,
"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the nights came, and the storms,
and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold,
and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the
children said,
"Mother, we are not afraid for you are near,
and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead,
and the children climbed and grew weary,
and the mother was weary too.
But at all times she said to the children,
"A little patience and we are there."
So the children climbed, and as they climbed,
they learned to weather the storms.
And with this, she gave them strength to face the world.

Year after year, she showed them compassion, understanding,
hope, but most of all...unconditional love.
And when they reached
the top they said,
"Mother, we could not have done it without you."

The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years,
and the mother grew old and she became little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage.
And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars
and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have
learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."

And when the way became rough for her,
they lifted her and gave her their strength,
just as she had given them hers.
One day they came to a hill,
and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road
and golden gates flung open.

And the mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey.
And now I know that the end is better than the beginning,
for my children can walk with dignity and pride,
with their heads held high, and so can their children after them."

And the children said,
"You will always walk with us, Mother,
even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone,
and the gates closed after her.
And they said,
"We cannot see her, but she is with us still.
A mother like ours is more than a memory.
She is a living presence."

View Flash Movie at
http://www.inspiringthots.net/movie/mom-journey.php

Blessings,
Sing Cher Kwek
InspiringThots.com;http://www.inspiringthots.com;

--
Originally posted to Pause For Thought on 5/11/2007

Be A Well Watered Garden

I recently heard a minister say that he was advising his partners not to take part in the recession. In other words choose not to let all of the news around you dictate your attitude and your actions.

I agree with this spiritual teaching. However, I would add this caveat. While we may refuse to let our individual lives be controlled by the changing winds and tides of the economy we must not ignore how these events are impacting our neighbors.

While some people are telling others to stop listening to the news, I encourage you to listen to more news, to listen closely -- listen and ask questions. And after you listen to the news, listen to The Holy Spirit, ask for discernment -- seek Wisdom.

Seek wisdom so you will not only have an answer for yourself but for your neighbor as well. It is not enough for us to know that we are flourishing. We are called to be fruitful ... to be "a well watered garden".

The Message (MSG)
Isaiah 58:6-12

"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.l
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'

A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places

"If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people's sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again."


photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com

Earth Day 2008

Prayer For The Planet

by Marianne Williamson from Illuminata

Please bless and protect this sacred jewel

Our vulnerable planet so besieged.

May the rivers and the oceans the sky and the land

All be repaired somehow, Dear Lord

May the barbarism end, which threatens to destroy our precious treasure.

For surely the earth has been our home.

The home of our parents unto all generations.

For the sake of our children, Lord

Save this earth.

Place in all minds a greater awe before her mysteries.

Shield her and heal her wounds,

Restore her to her former glory,

Save her, Lord, from us.

Amen

--
reposted from Pause For Thought at 4/22/2007 02:33:00 PM
photos courtesy of iStockphoto and Corbis.com

Experience Spring

It is so nice to have a real Spring season and not jump directly from Winter to Summer. Cool sunny days, birds singing and gentle rains.

If it's Spring where you live, let every blooming flower, budding branch, April shower and nesting bird bring you joy, renew your hope and remind you of God's enduring and limitless love for you.

Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV)

Do Not Worry

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Another John 3:16

Most people who are familiar with Christianity are familiar with the words found in the Gospel of John Chapter 3, verses 16 and 17:

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. "
John 3:16-17 (The MSG)

But there’s another John 3:16. It’s Chapter 3, verses 16 &17 of The First Epistle of John to the Church of Ephesus

“This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear" I John 3:16-17 (The MSG)


No one's life reflected this passage of scripture more than the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In remembrance of the 40th anniversary of his assassination, I’d like to share excerpts from one of his last sermons.

Excerpts from:
Remaining Awake Through A Great Revolution
Delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968. Congressional Record, 9 April 1968.

There can be no gainsaying of the fact that a great revolution is taking place in the world today. In a sense it is a triple revolution: that is, a technological revolution, with the impact of automation and cybernation; then there is a revolution in weaponry, with the emergence of atomic and nuclear weapons of warfare; then there is a human rights revolution, with the freedom explosion that is taking place all over the world. Yes, we do live in a period where changes are taking place. And there is still the voice crying through the vista of time saying, "Behold, I make all things new; former things are passed away."

Now whenever anything new comes into history it brings with it new challenges and new opportunities. And I would like to deal with the challenges that we face today as a result of this triple revolution that is taking place in the world today.

First, we are challenged to develop a world perspective. No individual can live alone, no nation can live alone, and anyone who feels that he can live alone is sleeping through a revolution. The world in which we live is geographically one. The challenge that we face today is to make it one in terms of brotherhood.

Secondly, we are challenged to eradicate the last vestiges of racial injustice from our nation.

The hour has come for everybody, for all institutions of the public sector and the private sector to work to get rid of racism. And now if we are to do it we must honestly admit certain things and get rid of certain myths that have constantly been disseminated all over our nation.

We must come to see that the roots of racism are very deep in our country, and there must be something positive and massive in order to get rid of all the effects of racism and the tragedies of racial injustice.

There is another thing closely related to racism that I would like to mention as another challenge. We are challenged to rid our nation and the world of poverty. Like a monstrous octopus, poverty spreads its nagging, prehensile tentacles into hamlets and villages all over our world. Two-thirds of the people of the world go to bed hungry tonight. They are ill-housed; they are ill-nourished; they are shabbily clad. I’ve seen it in Latin America; I’ve seen it in Africa; I’ve seen this poverty in Asia.

As I noticed these things, something within me cried out, "Can we in America stand idly by and not be concerned?" And an answer came: "Oh no!" Because the destiny of the United States is tied up with the destiny of India and every other nation. And I started thinking of the fact that we spend in America millions of dollars a day to store surplus food, and I said to myself, "I know where we can store that food free of charge—in the wrinkled stomachs of millions of God’s children all over the world who go to bed hungry at night." And maybe we spend far too much of our national budget establishing military bases around the world rather than bases of genuine concern and understanding.

Not only do we see poverty abroad, I would remind you that in our own nation there are about forty million people who are poverty-stricken. I have seen them here and there. I have seen them in the ghettos of the North; I have seen them in the rural areas of the South; I have seen them in Appalachia. I have just been in the process of touring many areas of our country and I must confess that in some situations I have literally found myself crying.

Jesus told a parable one day, and he reminded us that a man went to hell because he didn’t see the poor. His name was Dives. He was a rich man. And there was a man by the name of Lazarus who was a poor man, but not only was he poor, he was sick. Sores were all over his body, and he was so weak that he could hardly move. But he managed to get to the gate of Dives every day, wanting just to have the crumbs that would fall from his table. And Dives did nothing about it. And the parable ends saying, "Dives went to hell, and there were a fixed gulf now between Lazarus and Dives."

There is nothing in that parable that said Dives went to hell because he was rich. Jesus never made a universal indictment against all wealth. It is true that one day a rich young ruler came to him, and he advised him to sell all, but in that instance Jesus was prescribing individual surgery and not setting forth a universal diagnosis. And if you will look at that parable with all of its symbolism, you will remember that a conversation took place between heaven and hell, and on the other end of that long-distance call between heaven and hell was Abraham in heaven talking to Dives in hell.

Now Abraham was a very rich man. If you go back to the Old Testament, you see that he was the richest man of his day, so it was not a rich man in hell talking with a poor man in heaven; it was a little millionaire in hell talking with a multimillionaire in heaven. Dives didn’t go to hell because he was rich; Dives didn’t realize that his wealth was his opportunity. It was his opportunity to bridge the gulf that separated him from his brother Lazarus. Dives went to hell because he was passed by Lazarus every day and he never really saw him. He went to hell because he allowed his brother to become invisible. Dives went to hell because he maximized the minimum and minimized the maximum. Indeed, Dives went to hell because he sought to be a conscientious objector in the war against poverty.

And this can happen to America, the richest nation in the world—and nothing’s wrong with that—this is America’s opportunity to help bridge the gulf between the haves and the have-nots. The question is whether America will do it. There is nothing new about poverty. What is new is that we now have the techniques and the resources to get rid of poverty. The real question is whether we have the will.

© The Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr.