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Reveration Blog

6/6/2022 1 Comment

Is Triscuits Healthy?

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I was shopping for food recently and noticed a box of Triscuits on the shelf. I like Triscuits. So, I put a box in my shopping cart, but I decided to do some Google research before leaving the aisle. I typed in the search box, “Is Triscuits healthy?” and the response was not positive. The article approved by Dr. Thomas Dwan (not sure who he is) gave Triscuits a D+.  Wheat Thins did not fare any better, so my cart gained no new members.   

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4/13/2022 1 Comment

Protecting Boundaries

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Jed, Samantha, and Rob work for a nonprofit organization that helps military veterans.  They mostly love what they do, but they struggle immensely with the poor manner in which their organization is run. Their leader flips from one project to the next, often pulling them to work on a new requirement with no advance notice. They feel jerked around by the tyranny of what is most urgent—a reoccurring pattern that is not well thought through. Decisions are sometimes made for them in areas where they are subject matter experts without seeking their input or advice. They feel unheard and underappreciated. They are emotionally and physically exhausted because there are no work boundaries or protected times for them to rest and relax.

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3/13/2022 0 Comments

Understanding Wisdom

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What is the source of wisdom? Is it academic institutions?  If we want to be wise is the best method to gain the highest degree and be immersed in learning institutions, listening to teachers and professors?  Or is it experience?  Do we agree with Confucius? “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Will Rogers had a more colorful adaptation, “There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.”

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2/17/2022 0 Comments

Life

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Satan shrewdly deceived Eve in the garden. Just eat the forbidden fruit and you will be like God and know the difference between good and evil (Genesis 3:5). The deeper implication behind his temptation was that Eve was somehow deprived.  At this point in her existence, she had no knowledge of evil. What Satan did not tell Eve was that it was her relationship with God that was most important. Having her eyes opened would make her like him—a fallen creature out of God’s favor. His intent was to sever Adam and Eve’s relationship with their Creator by cunningly convincing them to disobey His command. ​

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2/13/2022 0 Comments

Explain This

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​Meditation
Proverbs 30:2-3--I am more stupid than any other man, and I lack man’s ability to understand. I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.

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12/31/2021 0 Comments

Finding Stasis

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​Meditation
Daniel 5:26-28--This is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed in the balance and found deficient.PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

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12/1/2021 1 Comment

Fire

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When was the last time you sat beside a fire, alone, and able to think and meditate? The previous home owners left me a gift of numerous piles of dead branches all over the property. I guess they didn’t have time to burn anything but I still would label their actions a gift because they gave me plenty of reason to clear away brush piles and, in the process, burn.  There is something mesmerizing (and therapeutic) about sitting next to a fire and watching it reduce large masses to smoldering ashes. No branch escapes. All that feel the hot fury of flame are engulfed and reduced to residue. 

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11/13/2021 0 Comments

Why I Value Theology

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One would think that with the uncertainties of life and certainty of death, people would be intrigued, perhaps even obsessed, with knowing if there is a Creator and, if He in fact, has a plan for His creation. It amazes me how many people I meet who seem uninterested in what happens to them when they die. Yet, this is THE MOST IMPORTANT question everyone should want to know the answer to because one second after death will be too late to decide.  For this reason, among many, I value theology.

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10/20/2021 0 Comments

Virtue Above Values

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         Dr. Gary Bredfeldt, author of Great Leader, Great Teacher, has some poignant observations to share about the character of leaders.[1] He notes that values are valuable as principles, qualities or standards. Values represent leader beliefs that come from heartfelt commitment—that indicate emotional investment. They can be morally neutral and subjective and, as society increasingly becomes relativistic, values (which are not moral absolutes) gain greater favor. Values can be personalized and tied to race, gender or class.  ​

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8/21/2021 0 Comments

Necessitarianism

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Necessitarianism is “the doctrine that all events, including acts of the will, are determined by antecedent causes; determinism.”[1]  The word first came into usage in 1825.[2]  The philosopher Spinoza was the most famous defender of this metaphysical principle (the key groundwork of his Ethics[3]), considered as the strongest form of hard determinism which disputes the libertarian’s concept of free will.[4]

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10/26/2020 1 Comment

Don't Be Exploited

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Alicia listened with rapt attention as Brother Berrie* encouraged his listeners to send as large a gift as possible to his ministry.  She was amazed at the number of people healed by Berrie’s touch and their stirring testimonies.  He was a magnificent speaker and she was certain he carried the blessing of heaven. Berrie told his listeners that by giving to him they would ensure themselves health—no sickness would overcome them. He said that God personally told him that the larger the gift his donors sent him guaranteed them a higher rewarded position in the afterlife because of the impact of his ministry.  Though she was barely managing to keep her home together as a single mom, Alicia eagerly went online and gave $150 hard-earned dollars.

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8/16/2020 0 Comments

Understanding Language and Literature

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​British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in a speech given in 1988 said:
We are a nation whose ideals were founded on the Bible.  Also it is quite impossible to understand our literature without grasping this fact. That is the strong practical case for ensuring that children at school are given adequate instruction in the part which the Judaeo-Christian tradition has played in moulding our laws, manners and institutions.[1]

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8/8/2020 0 Comments

Understanding History

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Mike Courts purchased two books and sent them to me, The Book That Made Your World and This Book Changed Everything, both by Vishal Mangalwadi.  I’m more than half-way through the first book and am thrilled by the research, clear logic and superb writing by Vishal in establishing how the Bible created the soul of western civilization.   It is a potent testimony to why it is critical that we accurately understand history.  Furthermore, it gives a warning shout to what is happening today by liberals and radicals engaged in a concerted effort to revise and rewrite history to their own liking and agenda so as to undermine our nation’s constitution and way of governance founded on Biblical principles.   ​

Meditation
Ezra 4:19,20--I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.  Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. (NIV)
 
The word history, used in both Ezra 4:15 and 4:19, is translated by the combination of three Hebrew words, yôm, min, and ālam which when combined mean long history. The people who inhabited Israel during Judah’s time of exile, were not happy with the resettling of Jews and their rebuilding Jerusalem.  Therefore they sent a letter to King Artaxerxes from the “region west of the Euphrates River” (4:11), warning him of Jerusalem’s history of sedition hoping that he would issue a cease and desist order.  The king decreed that a search be conducted and, after hearing the city’s history, ordered that the rebuilding should stop until he issued a further decree.  It was a discouraging blow to the Jews that fortunately was overturned later by King Darius (6:8-12).

I cite this passage to show that even those who resist God understand the value of understanding history and to their credit at least were honest in applying it.  If we don’t know our true past or the role of the Bible in shaping who we are today and teach it to our children, we are doomed to fall to the ideology of those who reshape education and define values.  It would seem that very few people invest the time to truly research and understand history as Mr. Mangalwadi does.  Ironically, his book is dedicated to the “Honourable Arun Shourie, member of Parliament and Former Minister to the Government of India for his criticisms of the Bible which prompted Mangalwadi’s search for truth and the writing of his book.  

If history matters, clearly understanding history really matters!  Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day for not knowing and for not correctly understanding Scripture (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:24) as it related historically to Him and to God’s plan.  Our challenge is to know God’s Word and to understand it’s power yesterday and relevance today.  If we fail in this we lose the ability to shape tomorrow.  May we say with the Psalmist, “I consider days of old, years long past” (Psalm 77:5).  The Apostle Paul advised, “For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures” (Romans 15:4).
 
Inspiration
The people are the ultimate guardians of their own liberty. History, by apprising them of the past, will enable them to judge of the future. It will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them as judges of the actions and designs of men.—Thomas Jefferson
 
©2020 Daniel York ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)

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6/26/2020 4 Comments

Justice

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​Lately you can feel it in the very atmosphere - the weight, the tension, the sorrow, the accusation, the desperation, the flickering hope. In the course of a few weeks, pastors from pulpits around the country have turned their focus to themes of justice and the oppressed. Their message is all around us, and most people are desperate for change of some kind, desperate to do the right thing, or desperate just to survive another day. ​

I live in Atlanta, one of the current “hot” cities.  Justice is a buzzword, and I’ve increasingly wondered how many of us truly understand what it means. I know I’m just beginning to scratch the surface.  See, it’s easy in times that are hard to be quick to speak; to be quick to think that my perspective is right; my solutions are the ones everyone else needs to heed. But if everyone has the “answer,” surely that means no one does.

My family and I participated in a march with a truly inspiring Christian organization committed to racial reconciliation in Jesus’ name here in Atlanta.  There was beautiful expression of unity and exhorting one another to put aside bias, humble ourselves, and love wholeheartedly. There was much good yet, even a noble march is not immune to the pointing of fingers and divisive statements.  Some demonized certain groups of people, others exalted human strength rather than trust in God. {These were not statements by the organization but rather that of the signage displayed by individuals}. I found myself encouraged by the expressions of unity, but also discouraged to see how far we still have to go to answering Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we would be one. How can there be unity/change when we can’t even agree on what “justice” looks like?
 
Meditation
Isaiah 40:13,14—Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? (ESV)
 
These verses leave me in awe. While I am wading through the sin and error of my culture and own human bias, I have communion with One who founded the very way of justice. As long as I look to the right or to the left, expecting politics or individuals to have the answer, I am missing looking up, into the eyes of the One who judges perfectly. I clearly see in the struggle around my city/nation, that we are all desperate for answers, for change, for hope. Yet, the vast majority of the time we are missing the One who actually sees rightly. 

No one taught God the “path of justice,” as Isaiah writes. The very idea is absurd! How foolish we humans must look when we are quick to speak, to assign blame, to tune into our news stations instead of poring over the Word of God, and crying out for wisdom and understanding. For God has not withheld understanding from us. Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely” (ESV).  We don’t have to flail about in confusion or arrogantly claim to have the answers. We know the One who does, and when we look to Him, He in turn is faithful and supplies wisdom and understanding.

I have hope that in these trying times, God is faithful to keep His promise. For too long, many of us have been apathetic about justice. I know I have been. God is not apathetic. He is zealous for His bride to be one. Let us not waste this hour, this opportunity to contend for true reconciliation in Jesus’ name! But may we be slow to speak, quick to humble ourselves, faithful to sit before God and to learn His way of Justice so that the prayer of Jesus may be answered!
 
Inspiration
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.—Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
©2020 Sarah Tegtmeier ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.     

​{Sarah is the daughter of Dan York} 



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2/6/2020 0 Comments

Genesis

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​Walt Henrichsen, a godly man now in heaven, once said, “For the Christian, the only reliable revelation of God is the Bible.”  Reading the Bible is a great adventure in the pursuit of wisdom.  And the first book, Genesis, is incredibly important.  If we study Genesis we learn amazing truths and this initial book helps explain the following 65 books.  Why is Genesis so important?  ​

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12/31/2019 0 Comments

Time and Chance

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It is the last day of the decade and a gazillion thoughts cascade through my mind: 
  • What did I learn the last ten years that brought growth and will help me be a better leader?  
  • What mistakes did I make that I dare not repeat? 
  • What were the significant milestones, blessings and joy-makers?
  • Did suffering and setbacks shape me to be even more in love with God than ever before?  
  • Does technology seem out of control? People spend so much time on their smart phones and devices that healthy social interaction is seriously diseased.

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12/18/2019 0 Comments

Futile or Fulfilled?

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​Ecclesiastes is a wisdom book written almost certainly by King Solomon.  The book title in Hebrew is Qōheleth and translates “Teacher.”  A predominant theme of Ecclesiastes is that “under the sun, all is futile.”  Futility comes from the Hebrew word hevel which stresses that which is empty and transitory.  This key word occurs 38 times and is used to describe outward, physical things as well as inward thoughts. [1]   It is often paired with the phrase “a pursuit of the wind.”  ​

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11/16/2019 0 Comments

Live Securely!

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​Meditation
Proverbs 1:32,33—For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.  But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.


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8/19/2019 0 Comments

Prospecting

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My friend Bruce and his son, Joe, took me out into the Colorado hills where they hoped to find topaz. Carrying tools we would need to dig, we crossed a shallow stream and hiked alongside a steep cliff.  According to Bruce, topaz is formed by fluorine-bearing vapors given off during the last stages of the crystallization of igneous rocks. This process typically occurs in cavities in rhyolites, granite, in pegmatite dikes, and in high-temperature veins.Despite several promising sites, we were not able to find any gems but our day of hunting was still enjoyable.  

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8/12/2019 1 Comment

Daniel

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If you have never read through the Old Testament, I would highly recommend you read the book of Daniel.  For one thing, the prophetic material found in the book of Revelation cannot be rightly interpreted without a general knowledge of Daniel’s writing. This small book of 12 chapters is highly organized and by its intricate arrangement reveals how incredibly wise Daniel was. Daniel’s ministry covered the length of the Babylonian exile with his last dated prophecy made around 536 B.C. when he was in his eighties.[1]


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Photo used under Creative Commons from Rachel Maxey Miles