ICEMANforChrist

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Genesis, Chapter 20, Verse 11

Abraham answered, “I thought there would be no fear of God in this place, and so they would kill me on account of my wife.

Sometimes it is hard to connect to a biblical fear as someone seeking your life for your wife. Yet, perhaps we could understand it a bit when we realize what a wife meant to the men of the bible nothing short of life, children and legacy.

In modern times perhaps we could connect with this type of fear with a more modern fear of ruthlessness that could take your life. That is the issue of organ harnessing. In some parts of the world people especially young men are seduced, drugged and then may wake up in a bathtub of ice. Having one or both kidneys harvested for profit. In Abraham's time losing a wife may have been akin to losing a kidney.

Organ harvesting is a growing threat. Even quasi legitimate business' are into making profit off the organs of aborted children i.e. Planned Parenthood. The fear is real.

So we must act wisely to threats just as Abraham did. One; make sure you and your friends and family are aware of the organ trafficking threat and two; avoid buying from companies that support abortion or organ harvesting.

Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

Friday, July 24, 2015

Genesis, Chapter 20, Verse 8

Early the next morning Abimelech called all his servants and informed them of everything that had happened, and the men were filled with fear.

Abimelech was a pagan King warned in a dream not to take Sarah; who by accounts in the scripture was a most beautiful and alluring woman, into his Harem because she was the wife of Abram (Abraham) a visitor to his kingdom. Abimelech even though a pagan was a righteous man; so righteous and good was he that he was warned in a dream from God about Sarah. Abimelech and his servants and men were righteous as they demonstrated holy fear when they realized how close the King came to culminating a grievous sin that surely would have caused the ruin of the entire kingdom. Being righteous men they may have listen to that small still voice of God’s spirit that calls men to right actions knowing instinctively the words God spoke on mount Sinai to Moses “I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.”(Exodus, 20:5-6)

Today is my youngest of five daughter’s birthday; so I would like to share something of why Sarah was one of the most beautiful women of all times.

The apparent implication is that Sarah was beautiful inside and out—and what’s more, that the inside and outside were interdependent. Her face was a transparent canvas from which emanated her inner radiance.

Chassidic philosophy demonstrates three ways in which the body and soul can interact:

·         The soul can try and mitigate the urges of the body. Things that look good, taste good and feel good are stimulating and addictive. Most of us live life with our body in the driver’s seat. The soul just can’t compete. And so the soul tries to negotiate reasonably, and encourages moderation.

·         Or, the soul can choose to reject the body and abhor anything associated with materialism. The soul-driven person would then rebel against society’s shallow and false veneers. Simplicity and ascetism become the ultimate goals of the soul.

·         The third scenario is not a compromise between the first two. It is an entirely new approach, where the body and soul learn to work together. The soul neither leans towards the body nor rejects it. It does not react; it pro-acts. In a proactive position, the soul directs and channels the body’s inclination in a constructive way.

In this last approach, instead of repressing the body’s needs, the soul views them as an opportunity to serve God in a whole new way. [1]

[1] http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/1027612/jewish/The-Beauty-of-Sarah.htm

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Lots fail trial

Genesis, Chapter 19, Verse 30

Since Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar, he and his two daughters went up from Zoar and settled in the hill country, where he lived with his two daughters in a cave.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Genesis, Chapter 9, Verse 2

Fear and dread of you shall come upon all the animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and all the fishes of the sea; into your power they are delivered.

After the Flood that killed all the earth God gives Noah all the animals of the earth for food. Before the flood animals and humans are depicted as vegetarians. In view of the human propensity to violence, God changes the original prohibition against eating meat. However, God did not remake our bodies and many doctors will recommend a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in meats.

In today’s readings we read about the grumbling of the Israelite's while they were in the desert with Moses and God. In the desert there are few things to eat and the Israelite's were hungry and they complained that they missed the fleshpots of Egypt. God provided for the Israelite's by giving them bread from heaven “manna” but told them only to collect enough for one day’s portion as a test of their will and trust in Him. He asks us to be content with one day’s portion.

Yet, God’s goodness to the Israelite's continues for in the evening he sends quail as meat to eat. Also knowing the human condition He asks the Israelite's to collect a double portion on the 6^th day to allow a day of rest. God gives them leisure time but leisure time is not idle time which creates lethargy and boredom. The seven day is a Holy Day that should be pleasurable because the rest is earned by hard work and earnest effort. Without the work the rest means nothing.

Today go out to work in the Lord’s vineyard: doing all things in moderation sharing your daily bread. Take only your portion and give thanks to God. After laboring six days rest on the seventh day; go to Mass and give glory to God.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Tuesday, July 20,2015

Revelation, Chapter 18, Verse 11-18

11 The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn for her, because there will be no more markets for their cargo: 12 their cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple silk, and scarlet cloth; fragrant wood of every kind, all articles of ivory and all articles of the most expensive wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human beings. 14“The fruit you craved has left you. All your luxury and splendor are gone; never again will one find them.”15 The merchants who deal in these goods, who grew rich from her, will keep their distance for fear of the torment inflicted on her. Weeping and mourning, 16 they cry out: “Alas, alas, great city, wearing fine linen, purple and scarlet, adorned [in] gold, precious stones, and pearls. 17 In one hour this great wealth has been ruined.” Every captain of a ship, every traveler at sea, sailors, and seafaring merchants stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her pyre, “What city could compare with the great city?”

Whew! There is a lot of stress here. Watch the video on how to de-stress by father.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Exodus, Chapter 14, Verse 30-31

³⁰ Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of Egypt. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore ³¹and saw the great power that the LORD had shown against Egypt, the people feared the LORD. They believed in the LORD and in Moses his servant.

The Hebrew’s after the crossing of the red sea and seeing Gods great power feared Him with human fear; but not Holy fear. There was no love towards God; only fear. God desires a spiritual union with us; therefore our belief must be mingled with great love and affection.

This is why later Israel would make the golden calf since their hearts were dead to God after 400 years in Egypt. What was it about Egypt that enslaved the Israelites even after they were freed by God? Egypt was rich, so rich that even the Israelites were as self-indulgent as the Egyptians. It meant a daily life of giving in to your desires and the brief enjoyments of this passing life. They only thought of satisfying themselves with no thought of He that Is. They made faint offerings to false gods to justify their behavior. Their minds became weak and confused. Their mistakes and sins robbed them of peace that only comes from doing the will of He that Is.

We only find peace and happiness when we are in union with God and doing His Holy will. We are created by God for eternal happiness with Him. Things cannot bring us happiness. Therefore we must think, speak and act every day the will of God: Living regularly in our lives the Shema Yisrael.

http://bcove.me/jh32kxd7

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind, and with all your strength.