Recent content by Deacon

I once visited Jawacdah Farm (a cottage farm in Indiana owned by a manufacturer of hospital beds). The name was coined by using the initials of her husband and sons. It sounded "Indian" so the theme of the decoration uses Indian symbols. Should all insulting street names be banned? How about...

Arguing that Scripture (particularly Psalm 12) is the final word regarding Scripture’s preservation is an informal fallacy; a circular argument. The preservation of God’s word to mankind is deduced from the character of God himself. God is truthful, faithful, and purposeful. God has revealed...

The Lord gently guided Kylie into his kingdom early this morning. Rob

Regarding the dilution of wine. it appears we are mirroring an ancient debate. Babylonian Talmud, b. Shabb. 8:1 [link] MISHNA I.: The prescribed quantities (of victuals and beverages) prohibited to be carried about on the Sabbath (are as follows): Sufficient wine in a goblet, which with the...

It's not to hard to search for "drunk birds." It occurs when the berries have fully ripened. Around here it's Robin's eating ripened mulberries... but it happens with crab apples, cherries, holly berries, ...any fruit. ...leaving anything that eats em (even squirrels) flopping around, flying...

Google the wrong question and you can get any answer you desire. Try: Does ripe fruit ferment? Ripe fruit is high in sugar content - the higher the sugar content, the greater the potential for alcohol production. "Several conditions influence natural fermentation in fruit. The ripeness and...

So is the conclusion that large pastors should spend more time serving tables and less time studying God's word? (Acts 6) Rob

Fermentation can begin even on the vine. ...ever see birds that had feasted on ripe berries in the summer? Quite a sight seeing them flopping around on the ground! Isaiah 62:8–9 (ESV) The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for...

Recently there was a discovery of hundreds of second or first century B.C. amphorae (wine and oil containers) off the coast of Sicily [LINK] (1) Wine was a common trade good in the region in an era when sterility of the product could not be maintained. (2) Six, large stone containers held the...

I was recently reminded that many of you have been praying for Kylie, thanks so much for your prayers! This summer has been filled with bucket list adventures for the family - many organizations have sponsored trips and events in support of Kylie and her family. She has weekly visits with her...

There’s a lot of back-and-forth contrasts in this portion of Scripture. Samuel, the last judge - Saul, the first king Saul (timid leader - king) / David (leader - shepherd) Anointed Saul (15:17) /Anointed David (16:13) Saul - rejected king (15:23) / David - chosen, anointed king (16:13)...

There's and interesting introduction to David told in 1 Samuel 16. Did God tell Samuel to lie? (vss. 1-4a) The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the...

The promise in Genesis 17:4 to Abraham was that he would become “the father of many nations." Abraham's biological descendants included Isaac and Ishmael, the descendants of Abraham’s concubine Keturah, (Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah (Genesis 25:1-4). Ishmael, (Abraham's...

The Bible they use in the congregation he will worship with. Rob

Sometimes names can be used for multiple locations. For example, I live about 50 miles from both Bethlehem and Nazareth... (PA). When asked where Uz was, Scholars are a buzz, because, All answers are fuzz. The northern view, called the “Hauran theory,” places Uz in Trachonitis, in the district...