Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego

Hello good evening Br **.

17 years ago it was hard for me to adjust to new life in Ireland. I hope you are well in new environment. Although I started a new life here..anyway,

>In the Hebrew scriptures(or the Tevrat)we are told that when an important matter must be established,there should be more than one witness. Deuteronomy 19:15 says "...At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good"
I'm not sure it was here though, I recall Bible says one mustn't be guilty from only one witness. I have never noticed this can apply to Gospels.
>You might say though:"Suppose these 4 witnesses contradict eachother?"

I read carefully four gospels at age 15 and I found no contradictions among these.
Today I found minor 'contradictions' as in who carried the torture stake, or the date Jesus was executed, etc.

Remember difference is natural if a different author describes someone's life independently, so it's natural there's a difference between first three synoptic gospels and the fourth one.
I don't believe we normally say them contradictions.

Rather what I found strange was that the first three gospels are very similar, almost the same and I recall I just wondered why similar books had to be written and still this question remains to be my enigma.

I learned from what I read that Mark was written first then Matthew and Luke were written based on Mark with reference to another lost document. John was written from completely different point of view.

All books started being written after at least 30 years passed from the death of Jesus.

I suppose three synoptic gospels were written and used independently in different congregations among early Christians. Three similar gospels were taken as canonical Bible intending for followers to believe God gave similar accounts of Jesus in three different evangelists, which itself is a work done by God.

Probably early editors of Bible knew what Deuteronomy 19:15 says and applied in most effective way.

My next question is were really Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego saved from furnace?

Thank you very much for taking your time.

Best wishes,

Mer

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Four Gospels

Hello, good evening Br **..

I was unable to attend the meeting regularly for about a year. Today I felt very happy, I met many friends there. In Kingdom Hall, almost all people are Jehovah's Witnesses, while I am not. Yet I am where I'm supposed to be. I feel very happy. I started attending English congregation three years ago.

>Furthermore, 1 corinthians 3:19 says "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God"...

In today's world we find more and more secular people, but still we have many people who have faith but without accurate knowledge. Jehovah's Witnesses are one of rare exceptions who have faith and accurate knowledge. That's why I like to attend the meeting.

Our wisdom is ignorable in comparison with Almighty God Jehovah, that's why we like to get closer to him through everyday Bible study.


>Infact it is only from the time of Israel having been chosen as Gods people in the book of EXODUS to the book of MALACHI that its written mainly for the Jewish nation. From MATTHEW to REVELATION in our Bibles..this is for any people regardless of race ..it is for those to examine the truth and choose whether they too want to become followers of Jesus.
Greek Scriptures consist of mainly four parts, that is Gospels, Acts, Letters, Revelations.

Gospels describe the life of Jesus four times. Acts describes Paul's journeys, almost all letters were thought to be written by Paul, and Revelations are full of metaphoric scenes.

All are written in fifty or sixty years time. In comparison with the very lengthy time Hebrew Scriptures were written, both the portion and period are significantly small and short.

Hebrew Scriptures were written in State sponsorship, while Greek Scriptures were actually a work done by each individuals. What I mean is Christianity was probably a new religion started by Johns the Baptizer. At that time it had been quite a long since Jewish people lost their independence. They had needed a new religion.

I don't disagree with you as to this point - Greek Scriptures were not only for Jewish people, but Gentile, too. But I mean all writers must be Jewish.


>Their health was perfect ,their food was perfect, they were both perfect in everyway. yet they sinned or missed the mark.


Here lies an eternal riddle -why perfect humans made a mistake.

The answer is Jehovah gave humans both freedom to do good as well as freedom to do evil.
Some say humans were made with free will. Therefore humans are perfect.

We can choose good or bad freely. Only mistake we made was we chose to do evil. But it's not a sign of imperfection. If we can only do evil or do good, we must be imperfect.

What I mean here is we'd better affirm human nature more positively. I feel very pessimistic when they say humans are imperfect.
Thank, Br Carlos..my query this time is why the life of Jesus was written four times by different authors.

See you soon,

With Christian Agape,

Mer

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Common sense

Other queries
Saturday, April 25, 2009 4:58 PM

Hello, good afternoon, Br **..

I read whole Bible five years ago as a secular person. Still I am secular, but I evaluate Christian values a lot. In my impression Bible is basically a book of historic record of Jewish people and their activities, so faith is very different from what this record says. Faith is a matter of our mind, not knowledge.

Christianity in general starts from one premise which is humans are imperfect. This thought derives from what Adam did, so-called an original sin. But every time I hear humans are imperfect, I feel very dubious if they are.

I think humans are perfect. Yes, they often make a mistake. But making a mistake is not a sign of imperfection, rather a hope to further development in future.

Everlasting life doesn't mean individual's immortality at all. Rather it means humans' prosperity will last forever. In today's world our life expectancy is expanding thanks to a development in medicine and organ transplant, etc. , but immortal is nothing but a fear. We live limited lives, therefore we strive.

So here's my questions. Are really humans imperfect? and what is the real meaning of everlasting life?

Best wishes,

Mer

In reply to --- On Sat, 4/25/09, Carlos wrote

Dear Mer,

Yes sometimes I find things in the Bible that I never knew were there.

But I guess part of education and learning is finding new points to add to our already existing knowledge.

In fact, a scripture you might know very well is recorded at John 17:3...these words are Jesus' words, and he said :"
This means everlasting life, there taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one you sent forth, Jesus Christ".

So Bible knowledge through study and APPLICATION of what we learn equates to everlasting life for us individually in the future.

Thus I implore you to carry on your studies of the Bible with a view of applying what you learn.

Please ask me any other question at anytime that you may have in your mind.

Carlos

Friday, April 24, 2009

Hello, Br **..
Thank you very much.

There are many prophecies in Bible. I hadn't noticed Isaiah predicted the downfall of Babylon by God's annointed one.

See you soon,

Mer

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Aim of prophesies

Hello good afternoon, Br **..

I was in Kokura for one year and three months. I started attending the meeting for the first time in more than one year last night. My former partner left Japan for America, so he is unable to resume our Bible study as we promised before.

I read almost all publications the society issued in the past and I don't want to use such publications in our Bible study. In the past we didn't use any books, everytime I raised a question as I asked last night and he answered the question from quoting verses in Bible, so no particular day and time is needed, just twenty minutes after the meeting, that'll be fine.

And now we are in Bible study already. We can use on line in effective way for it. Please send me attachments, etc. you want me to read. I will read and examine them.

My question last night was..History tells Cyrus conquered Babylon and released Jewish people from Babylonian captivity. He allowed them to rebuild Palace in Jerusalem. In yesterday's meeting they said this was predicted in Bible.

Ummm, many prophecies were written in lots of metaphoric words, but is there any description as ' A king in Persia will conquer Babylon and release Jewish people there.'

At that time prophets were in Babylon. Did Daniel prophesy so?

Sure I recall lots of prophecies that predicted Jerusalem's downfall by Nebuchadnezzar. Prophesies were often issured from the point of view of warning to rulers or as just a fabourable future many people hope.

Best regards,
Mer

Irma:
hello eiko
Me:
Hi, how are you?
Irma:
i'm fine thank you
how's your church service last night?
Me:
The contents are how important to have a good friend. I agreed with that. I met a lot of good people, especially a guy from London who started living in Fukuoka -my home town few days ago. We will see in other occasions.
Irma:
oh ok
did you take your lunch?
Me:
It was two hours service, all were held in English. Lunch? No, not yet..
Irma:
its lunch time already
Me:
Will you make sandwiches on line?
Irma:
hahahaha how is that?
lunch just sandwich?
Me:
Difficult.. what are you going to have at lunch?
Irma:
i will cook first
because we just have our lunch at 10am
rice and fish
talk to you later eiko i will cook lunch first
Me:
Ok, I'll be on line, see you again!

Having a chat with a good friend

Irma is Available
Irma:
hello eiko
Me:
Did you finish working today?
Irma:
i'm not working anymore
i just resigned last feb 15
Me:
Not working now?
Irma:
no i'm at home
Me:
I see. You must be looking for a new job.
Irma:
yes i am looking for abroad
Me:
abroad? For example in which country?
Irma:
like canada or china
Me:
What type of job, nursing?
Irma:
no any job related to my job experience
Me:
Accounting, etc..
Irma:
yes
Me:
Was there any job offering in these countries?
Irma:
yes there is
Me:
I see. Do you hope to work in Hongkong or Shanghai?
Irma:
If there is an apportunity there why not
?
Me:
By bthe way.. I'm going to evening service today on Thusday from 8pm to 10.
Irma:
on what service?
Me:
Church
Irma:
what church are attending?
Me:
Christian church service, what denomination is not sure or I don't care.
Irma:
oh oh
ok
Me:
I read whole Bible, many denominations are based on its interpretation. Interpretation is different in each individual. I enjoy getting together in a place.
I just moved to a bigger city, so I can attend. I hope you find a job in Tokyo, how about the cases in Japan?
Irma:
i think i could go there only if i will marry a japanese my sister told me
Me:
I see.
Is your sister in Tokyo?
Irma:
thats why its difficult..i have to find my prince charming first hahahaha..joke
yes my sister is in tokyo
Me:
I hope I marry pretty Philipina as you. Serious..
Irma:
hahaha i thought you don't want to marry?
Me:
Did I say so? It depends...
Irma:
oh ok
i will ask my sister's address and maybe you can visit them there..she is married to a japanese
i think the name of his husband is hide
Me:
Hide is first name, what's their surname?
Irma:
i will check first her email
miyokawa
they are in Hanasaki
Me:
I want to marry a woman who has similar mental quality as me. I like to have a chat with you more so that we can see one another. I think if you don't smoke, drink and like Bible study, that'll be fabulous!!
Irma:
yes
beacause my parents raised un going to church
us*
Me:
Is Hanasaki in Tokyo? I've never heard the name.
Irma:
yes Narashito City Chiba ken
Me:
I see. Is he a cook? How did they know each other?
Irma:
yes he is a cook
my sister husband is a cook
sister's
*
Me:
Was your sister working in Tokyo?
Irma:
yes
Me:
I see. I'm going to prepare for the evening service, I'll check email later tonight, talk about what church service had later tonight. Thanks for sparing your precious time for me!
Irma:
ok thanks too..take care!

Thanks Irma..

I intend to enjoy chatting with you whenever possible at night. Talk to you later..

Eiko

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Hi, Irma..

How are you?

Let's have a chat every now and then.

My best,
Eiko

Juth is Available
Me:
How are you, Juth?
Juth :
hi
Me:
Is today off?
Juth :
im fine thank u
yah
Me:
How's Omuta? Is it fine now?
Juth :
always same
im not working the night
Me:
Are you working daytime now?I understand Omuta has lots of factories, is that correct?
Juth :
yes
right
Me:
So you are working in a boutique or something?
Juth :
kaishiya
a company
dress maker
Me:
Fantastic!
It's better to work in daytime.
Juth :
yess
Me:
What do you plan to do in holidays, I mean 'Golden Week'?
Juth :
n u hows ur life?
i dont have a rest time day
Me:
I see. I have no girl to go with right now, so I feel very lonely.
Juth :
ohhh
lonely
Me:
Preferably I'd like to see you either in Omuta or Hakata.
Juth is Offline
Juth will receive your Chat message after signing in.

mercedo wrote today at 6:17 PM
Pretty woman!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

don is Available
Me:
Hi, Br Don I got back successfully in Fukuoka on 16th of April.
I start using internet as of today. See you very soon!.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

To Juth

Juth; How are you?
Me; Thank you Juth.
I'm fine and nothing to do right now.
It's hot today. I'm going on a beach for evening airing.

I like a woman who wears a T shirt which reads 'New York'.

Giving off a noble ambience.

Hey, Melissa...

I'm fine and I just started a new life in Fukuoka.

Happy Easter!! Hope to see you again.

Will you send me your recent pictures so that I can confirm your beauty.

Best wishes,
Mer