Dumb Idols - Spiritual Thoughts of Daniel J. Clausen

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is, being interpreted is, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' . . .  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." - Mark 15:34, 37 The last words of Christ dying on the cross are disturbing to many. They look and say, "See? Even Jesus despaired in that great hour," or "See? Even Jesus felt like God had abandoned Him."  No doubt, the travail of the crucifixion would be enough to break even the best of us, however, there is a more likely, and I daresay, a more encouraging understanding on these pained words.  First, some cultural context Back in first century Jewish culture, and even in some communities in the present day, it was the standard practice of all children to memorize Scripture, that is, the Old Testament. Scribes and scrolls were scarce in those days - not everyone had more books than they know...

"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?"  I don't use the word "miracle" lightly. Discover God's faithfulness in every step of this story. Our daughter Ariel was born at home Nov. 29, 2012. She was 12 lbs. 15 oz.  We had a planned home birth with two midwives, my pastor's faithful wife, and my mother-in-law. Her name means "Lioness of God." I want to tell this story to extol the great glory that belongs to our God through the name of Jesus Christ.  I don't have any great interest in just "sharing" our experience. All glory, honor, power and strength belongs to God. The Lord is faithful, and speaks to us in diverse ways and manners. Through prayer, through His Word, His people, and prophecy. There is a daily prophetic word that we pay attention to, namely because it has been so clear, directive, timely and accurate, I have read it often over the past seven years...

Perhaps you've seen the sensational articles releases a few days ago due to the release of a new papyrus by the Harvard Divinity School, which on it, contains the name "Jesus" and the word, "wife." Let me treat this plainly, and straightforwardly, not out of religious dogmatism, where I say childishly, "He did not!!!", but where I can readily nip this in the bud. If Jesus did have a wife, it is not as earthshattering as some make it to be - but then again, we want the fact not a speculation. First, some facts. 1. The contents of the fragment read thus: "And Jesus said to them,"My wife..." (yes, that's it.) 2. The Papyrus is a 4th Century Gnostic text, written in Coptic, an Egyptian dialect. 3. Although released from Harvard Divinity School, said school does not endorse the "conclusion" that Jesus had a wife. Now some contentions. 1. Being that the fragment only contains the statement "My wife......