Lives 1st

  In my previous email, Is Forgiven of All Sins Like the Enron Loophole? , I asked readers to think about that question. For me, the first thought that came to me were the “ Get Out of Jail Free Cards ” of a game I loved to play, Monopoly . They were basically “ Break the Law Without Paying Penalties ” cards. I didn’t become a saint after being saved. I sinned but without any fear that those sins would keep me from going to Heaven and spending eternity there! Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/5afcaf65b588/how-can-we-identify-a-sin-or-enron-loophole

  My family went to a church that had a “ once saved always saved doctrine .” This meant that when I was “saved” – “ my past, present, and future sins were all forgiven .” Because of my background in banking and business, “ once saved always saved ” always reminds me of the “ Enron Loophole .” Next time you buy groceries, pay your mortgage, pay your electricity bill, etc. – remember the Enron Loophole. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/8c2269ba302b/is-forgiven-of-all-sins-like-the-enron-loophole

  A defining behavior of the members of the original Jesus Movement was something they prayed everyday: “ Forgive us the debt of our sins as we forgive the debt of those who sin against us .” The words of Jesus are linked to Leviticus 19:17-18: “ Do not hate your brother in your heart; you shall reprimand (educate) your neighbor.” We are not born to be loners. Loss of self-control is part of being human. Continue reading at: https://mailchi.mp/1a150630c22f/the-original-jesus-movement-the-forgivers

  In the first story in Genesis, when Elohim spoke, a new hierarchy of natural differentiations separated the old order of the other cultures. Elohim is distinct from nature, humans, and the world. Elohim is never a human, and a human is never Elohim. Elohim is unnamed and beyond the capacity of humans to describe. Humans are created to do Elohim’s will in the world, and they can communicate with Elohim through prayer. Humans are creatures with the freedom to do or not to do Elohim’s will. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/ef634db70ffb/do-tzedaqah-and-keep-theologies-out-of-government

  Jesus taught his followers this prayer so they could cross the chasm between them and Elohim. But simply by praying “ His will be done on earth ,” demands were placed on those praying to fulfill those obligations . Jesus used each line of this prayer to teach his followers how to fulfill those demands . He did it by “ hinting at specific portions of Hebrew Scripture .” Even this simple line – Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread – is part of a wisdom lesson. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/b833d766a49b/give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread

  The shared biblical-based wisdom principle and Lives 1 st Value -- “all humans are created as equals” -- of the United States of America and the State of Israel is under the most serious attacks in both of their histories (1776 & 1948). The moment Ike, Jeffrey, and I realized that the original Jesus was neither the Jesus described by modern Christian institutions, nor the Jesus described by institutions of Rabbinic Judaism – all of our ingroup vs. outgroup barriers collapsed. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/800fa1f3f5b4/a-way-two-christians-and-a-jew-found-to-stand-shoulder-to-shoulder

  The Creator of the Skies and the Earth is our Father and the Father of all Humankind. See Our Father’s Will in the Skies and on the Earth. Continue reading by clicking here - https://mailchi.mp/d697d6e21f02/may-your-will-be-done-in-the-skies-and-on-the-earth

  The traditional translation of this line of the Disciple’s Prayer is, “ May Your Kingdom Come .” That creates two possible images in the minds of most readers: This kingdom is somewhere else, and it is going to come here. Or, this kingdom does not exist now, but it will exist in the future. It is one of the most important lines in the Lord’s Prayer. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/0caa3ea59c7f/may-you-continue-establishing-your-kingdom

  Most Christians have never read the correct translation of the verse below bcause they have been taught – and believe -- this doctrine: “ God set and established the laws, but since the laws cannot save a man, He had to destroy them to bring salvation to humanity .” Here is a reconstruction of the Hebrew words of Jesus - “ Do not even begin to think that I came to destroy the Torah .” English translations have the word “ law ” instead of “ Torah .” Continue reading at – https://mailchi.mp/3b0d0bda1423/jesus-did-not-do-away-with-you-shall-not-lie-to-one-another

  This is the second Exploration of the Lord’s Prayer . We will focus on the second line of the prayer. “Our Father, the Creator, Who is above the heavens, May Your Name be sanctified . . . .” A popular Christian doctrine makes it impossible for many Christians to understand the words they pray. The second line is found in Leviticus 19:1-18. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/407585bd7428/may-your-name-be-sanctified

  Christians may be divided by any number of theological conflicts at other times, but if you go to any of their funeral services you will probably hear “ The Lord’s Prayer .” Death is real and people seem to change when someone they know is the one being remembered. I believe that helping people better understand the ancient words Jesus taught his disciples has the power to bring people with biblical heritages together. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/1b6d07e8ed0e/who-is-our-father-in-the-lords-prayer

  The next election is coming soon in one year, and the next Presidential Election in three years. That’s how fast everything could change again. This time our heads and hearts need to be sync and this is how we can do it! Ancient wisdom teachers of the Hebrew Scriptures taught, “There is a wisdom in living life.” Unless we have mastered it, we are vulnerable to serious disasters. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/8d6faedb6116/the-wisdom-of-counting-your-blessings

  Different teachings of Jesus focus on a variety people who loved “ riches and wealth ” instead of the God of Israel – the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth . At the top of the list, were the “ money lenders .” Interestingly, even though almost every Christian I know is familiar with this teaching, it isn’t part of the usual discussions about the “Will of God.” Having been educated in banking before I became an ordained minister, I was able to see things that other ministers wouldn’t understand . Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/848f505b7ed8/make-money-a-matter-for-your-heart-and-head-asap

  The parable of Jesus about the Great Day Judgment in Matthew reflect the “ Jewish culture and an emerging rabbinic style of writing ” more than the others. But Matthew’s inclusion of the Parable of the Great Day of Judgment has another meaning most people never see! Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/f02dfd516e0b/a-traitorous-betrayal-of-an-entire-land

  When I talk to Christians about the beginning of their religion the story usually begins with something like this – “ Jesus was born, and he founded Christianity – a new Gentile religion.” When I talk to Jews about the beginning of Christianity, they often say the same thing – “Jesus was born, and he founded Christianity – a new Gentile religion.” It is clear that neither group has a story that begins with “ Jesus was a Jew born . . . .” Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/50b98edd7c14/building-a-bridge-across-a-time-gap-that-separates-christians-and-jews