Exciting News: A renowned piece of antiquity will be coming to Minnesota.

 The "Dead Sea Scrolls" will be on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota in early 2010.

Significant?
Oh yeah, I would say so.
Known to be the oldest written record of the Old Testament. They were discovered in 1950’s and are very significant as they take us all back from our own biblical history study by a 1000 years.

The ancient Hebrew text will pose some challenges to get them to the Museum of Minnesota, as each piece needs to be transferred very carefully one by one.
Each crate inside contains the exact temperature, lighting, and humidity it needs to provide the TLC these babies need.  After all, they were written over 2000 years on goat skins. 
Security of course is also a main concern.

Israel has done a wonderful job in keeping them preserved and for those of you who would like a closer look can do so at the Minnesota Museum April of 2010.

Hummm wonder what kind of fountain pen they used back then?

Update on Thursday, March 10, 2007 at 12:24AM by Angie A

THE SPY THAT LOVED ME

 Ever think of Jesus as being a secret agent? 

He live a “double life” you know. He supposedly was a carpenter, but He did have another secret. The most notable is what is referred to as “ The Messianic Secret” in Mark 8:27-30. 

Jesus instructs his disciples and even the people that he performed miracles on NOT to reveal to anyone that He is the Messiah. He also commands demons to be quiet and not speak His name. (Mark 1:34 & Mark 3:12). The demons knew who he was and started speaking out loud to him and he told them to be quiet. There are many explanations for why Jesus would desire secrecy. I believe mostly b/c the people during that time just wouldn’t of understood it.
And really it’s also written that a prophet is known by many except those of his own kind.

  Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. It came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and kill Him.
But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
Then entered Satan into Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
And he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
But they said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” They were glad, and agreed to give him money, and counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.

So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

 

Like having a spy in their midst, the disciples and friends of Jesus had assembled in the palace of Caiaphus, the high priest. Jesus had already told them that He was to be singled out for crucifixion, but He was not trying to hide. In fact He was intentionally providing the occasion for this to be brought about. Unknown to himself, Judas had already been selected by Jesus to get the chain of events started. You know the rest of Judas' betrayal.

Update on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:11AM by Angie A

The Trinity

Basically all 3 of them execute their role in perfect unity.
To better understand it, let me compare it in today’s modern business world. God is the CEO, Jesus as Son is the MD who executes the business plan; and the Holy Spirit is the firm’s Representative who markets the product - eternal citizenship in the kingdom of God. I always imagine the "Holy Spirit" holding up signs up high pointing towards the "MD" and they read in huge big neon leters with big arrows saying: -----→>> COUSOULER RULER, HEALER, AND TRUTH, WALK THIS WAY.
------→> LOOK THIS WAY!!!

Anyway, they work in perfect unity to achieve the united goal, even though each has His own function.
BTW - It was also all 3 of them that planned the eternal kingdom of God. Even before the beginning of time. (Titus 1:2). As CEO, the Father gave the “WORD” the go ahead for the creation of the universe. Jesus Christ did the actual creating {what the heck am I talking about} just read the book. (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) and the Holy Spirit was present to breathe the life of God into man (Genesis 1:1-2 & 2:7). The earth then became the dwelling place of human beings. God wanted only loyal subjects in his kingdom, people who would live according to His constitution. (Which country doesn’t?) This constitution demanded absolute peace - No hatred or killing or rape, stealing or jealousy, etc. To test man’s allegiance he was given choice. Man not being perfect and of nature of his ruler {another story for another day} chooses evil and disobeys God. Which is why God himself, as Jesus (Colossians 2:9), would come and die for man’s sin other wise it would be hopeless for us to get into his perfect kingdom that does last forever. Executing this plan, Jesus became a man and died on the cross. (He was God & man. The abolition of the crime record of man demanded that only a person without any criminal record could pay the penalty - Jesus had to be God - 2 Corinthians 5:19 & 21.) Jesus’ resurrection from the dead proved His mission was successful and He returned to headquarters in heaven to be with His Father.

One consideration:
Consider the Human Brain

Constantly processing an amazing amount of information all at the same time.
Over a million messages in one single second. Our brain takes in colors and objects, sound, taste, and even smells all around us, and all at the same time.
We take in just about everything that is around us, with what we might be feeling with emotions that provides us with movements and even memories. It weighs out all of the information its taking in, filters it out by putting aside what it believes is most important to us, and then stores is away with what’s not that important to us.
Does all of this come by chance? Our brain is made to function differently than any of our other organs. There is an intelligence to it, it gives us the ability to reason, to produce feelings, the capability to dream, and yes even "love".
We can make plans, take action, and relate to other people in a way we ourselves choose to.
How then can one explain the human brain? Chance? I think not.

There are much larger issues here to consider.
Throughout history billions of people in the world have stood firm in their beliefs, about God, and have given testimonies of their own personal relationship with God.
Millions today give detailed account of their experience with God. They speak of answered prayer and specific, amazing ways God has met their own needs, and how he guides them through important personal decisions. They would offer, not only a description of their beliefs, but detailed reports of how they have felt the presents of Gods spirit upon them. Many are sure that a loving God exists and has shown himself to be faithful and true. If you are a skeptic, can you say with certainty: "I am absolutely right and they all are wrong about God"?
Chance people:

Ever notice that people who are non-believers are usually very bothered by people who speak to them about God?
But why then would these same people spend so much time and energy refuting something that they don't believe in or even exists? What causes them to do that? To be honest I believe it’s their way of challenging us, as they are curious to see if we can convince them otherwise. Why? B/C it becomes more of a quest to become free from the question of God. If they could conclusively prove to us we are wrong, then the issue of God is no longer needed and they can go on with their lives. They do not realize that the reason the subject of God comes up so much around them, is not so much that we are trying to convert them but more that the topic is usually weighing heavily on their minds. It’s not us so much. It’s God trying to reach them. Though I am sure we are the bad guys in most of their eyes. At least until the scales come off and the truth sets them free.
The truth is that God is pursing them, and he has placed evidence all around us that exist, so that you cannot escape from acknowledging him. When the truth sets them free, I believe it also opens up a whole entire different meaning of the word “love”. How to love, with out fear or guilt. But that’s another subject for another day. ☺

When that day does come, there will be no more wondering as it becomes all believing with understanding. It just might be the underline reason why non-believers are bothered so much by believing people as God is actively pursuing them.
I happen to know a few people that are non-believers or at least claim to be.
It always amazes me that they are the first ones to ask you to pray for something they want or need.
If I call them on it, their answer is usually, (“I don’t believe, but your my insurance”).

"SHA-ALU SHALOM YIRUSHALAYIM"

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!!

“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people. Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.”  
                    Psalms 53:6

 

The beginning word, 'SHA-ALU' means 'TO ASK', that is, ask The Owner, Protector and Redeemer of The City of Jerusalem, that He would bring Shalom (Peace) to the Place, the People, through The Prince of Peace (Our LORD Jesus Christ).

BUT WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?

Why should you "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem", and what benefit is there in so doing ?
First of all because we find that The LORD has promised, that (you and I) shall "prosper" that love thee (Jerusalem).

The Hebrew word for 'Prosper' is SHALAV ( to be at rest ) !!!
I have had the pleasure of visiting Israel and here is what I saw.

The City ....

The Temple Up Close

Just like our navel is set in the centre of the human body,
so is the land of Israel the navel of the world...
situated in the centre of the world,
and Jerusalem is in the centre of the land of Israel,
and the sanctuary in the centre of Jerusalem,
and the holy place is in the centre of the sanctuary,
and the ark in the centre of the holy place, and the foundation stone before the holy place,
because from it the world was founded. "

 Millions of people come from around the world to visit Israel as a spiritual home. No other country in the world has such meaning for so many people. Three major religions trace back their roots to this land.
For Jews it is The Promised Land. To the Christians it’s the home of Jesus Christ as Jesus was born in Bethlehem; became a “fisher of men” in Galilee; was crucified and resurrected in Jerusalem and it became the foundation of one of the most widespread religions in history.

For the Muslims, it’s the 3rd holies city as they believe that Mohammed ascended to heaven in Jerusalem.

The power of so many beliefs holds this land and have nourished it for thousands of years and significantly shaped the course of history. As incredible as it sounds, millions of spiritual and historical events have taken place here along with dramatic and sometimes-bizarre historical events.

Imagine all of the ancient voices that once cried out hanging over valleys, deserts, canyons, caves, and rushing rivers and seas that took place in this land.
Imagine the crying voices that are still yet to come in the near future in the name of peace, and L O V E.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is actually a big inland lake 76 KM long, up to 18 KM wide and it is 400 meters deep at the deepest point.
The name "Dead Sea" for the Hebrew "Yam Hamelach" (Salt Sea) was attributed by Christian Monks, astonished by the apparent absence of any form of life in the sea water.

 Near the Dead Sea lies Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, and the important Israeli national monument of Masada.

A few Friends of mine when we went to Israel.


Pictures were taken at the Dead Sea

NEXT....  An amazing place. "MASADA"

Here is what it looks like from the top of "Masada", which is a mountain complete with ancient ruins, located in the Negev desert near the Dead Sea.

The word Masada means "fortress" in Hebrew. The cliff's remoteness from human habitation and difficult approach made it an ideal location for a fortress. Two fortified palaces were built there in the 1st century BC by the Judean king Herod the Great. After Herod's death, Masada was occupied by a Roman garrison. Jewish zealots captured it in AD 66

From AD 66-70, Masada became a refuge for Jewish zealots revolting against Roman rule. After the Romans conquered Jerusalem in AD 70, about 1000 men, women, and children escaped to Masada.

The view really is just like this right behind me. :)

At the end of AD 72, the Romans set out to conquer Masada, the last point of Jewish insurrection. The Roman camp consisted of some 10,000-15,000 Roman soldiers and Jewish prisoners. Eight Roman army camps, linked by an earthen wall, were built in a circle around the base of Masada. The Jewish zealots fought the approaching army off with stones. When the Romans finally succeeded to breach the wall at the top of the mountain, the Jewish zealots knew they had lost the fight.
Click here to see more pics.