An Opportunity to Help!

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"
(Matthew 25.35-40 ESV)

Hi All,

I'm training for the Chicago Triathlon this summer with The Team to End AIDS (T2).

I'm raising money for T2 in exchange for their training services and I need everyones help to continue with training.  I'm asking for help from my readers in raising funds to help this great organization.

T2 uses this money to provide services to those with HIV/AIDS and support research to look for a cure.

HIV/AIDS used to be a death sentence to those afflicted, but because of research and the tireless efforts of people around the world, HIV and even AIDS are controllable and those afflicted have a longer brighter future.  

I've met a lot of great people on this blog.  We all have different beliefs and opinions, we have different ideas on how we should be living this life on this planet.  But I think one thing we can all agree on is that we should help those in need.  We, as human beings have a need and an obligation to help the sick and needy.  The quote above should ring true regardless of your belief.

As an Atheist I believe in it's message.  Not for helping man in the name of Jesus but in the name of humanity.

If you've enjoyed this blog, and maybe even feel that it has helped you understand the Bible and others beliefs a little better, please consider clicking on the link below and making a donation in any amount you feel appropriate.

Thank you,

Bruce

TEAM TO END AIDS (T2) - Chicago

Book of Psalms 12-22 Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Wrath

Psalms 12-22

Psalm 13 is what I was expecting when reading this book.
Unfortunately, Psalms 14 brings us back to the negative.  Telling us that not one has done good.  Not one.

For the most part, these Psalms are positive and uplifting.  I much more pleasant read then the first 11.
Except for Psalm 18.  Long and harsh.

Psalm 22 is the money psalm.  Does it predict the crucifixion of Jesus?  Did Jesus really quote the opening line while on the cross?

Book of Psalms 1-11

Psalms 1-11

I had a totally different expectation of what the book of Psalms would be.  I imagined a more pleasant, joyous praising of God, not this vengeful, "God's gonna get you sinner" stuff.
Only four of the 11 chapters in this section are violence free and even most of those chapters ask or proclaim that God should punish the wicked.

Why do I keep thinking the Bible is going to get nicer?

Also, the LORD doesn't like leasing?  Purchase only.

Did You Find...

The limerick in the titles of the Job posts?

There once was a man from Uz

who thought that his life was a snooze

"Satan", quoth the LORD

"You seem rather bored

I've a man you might like to abuse."

A big thank you to my wife for coming up with this clever poem.  She actually came up with two.

There once was a man from Uz

who thought that his life was a snooze

Then God killed his brood

and ruined his mood

Yet he had so much much more to lose 

Anyone else care to take a shot at it?

Book of Job 36-42 God, You got some 'splainin' to do

Job 36-42

God returns.  Will his excuse satisfy Job?

I find it interesting that the Bible references the Pleiades (the seven sisters) and Orion, two entities of ancient Greece.  I had no idea that greek gods had entered into mythology this early.

So, God comes back and gets angry (at least that's the voice I read it in) that Job and friends were getting all philosophical.

God:  Did you create the heaven and earth?
Job: No
God: Can you pull up the corners of the Earth and shake off the evil people?
Eliphaz: You can do that?  Then why did you destroy all life with a great flood then?
God: Shut up Eli!  You owe Job a bunch of cows and sheep for questioning me!
Eliphaz: sorry
God: Can you catch sea serpents with a hook thru the nose?  No, you can't,  so don't question my actions when I do horrible things for no apparent reason.  Job, I'm going to make it up to you by bringing your kids and slaves back to life.  And they're all going to give you money.  And if you act now I'll throw in an extra three really hot daughters.  What do you say?
Job:  Thanks, but I kind of enjoyed the peace and quite.  Can you just remove the boils from my body?  And maybe kill my wife?
God:  No.  Take it or leave it.  I'm busy, I have to create some songs about how great me and my people are and then get people to write them down for future generations.  I think I'll call it Rap.
Job: Rap sounds so harsh.  It fits your personality but you should call it something that rolls off the tongue, like... salms.
God: I like that.  Except we have to spell it funky so I look hip.  We'll spell it Psalms.  We cool Job?
Job: For shizzle ma nizzle!

Happy Gay Pride Day to Jonathan and David

A

Book of Job 29-37 - I've a man you might like to abuse

Job 29-37
This is a long read but I wanted to read Elihu's rebuttal to Job as a whole.
I mentioned earlier that I liked the writing in this book.  Can I take that back?  It's still rather poetic but man does it drag.

A few interesting bits:
-Job is quite boastful in chapter 29.  Would God approve?

-Is this a reference to heaven?
30:23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.


-It takes Elihu and entire chapter just to let us know he's going to speak his mind.

This book would be more interesting if it were 25 chapters shorter.  Seems the writers didn't learn about something called storyline, plot or getting to the point.

Relavent part starts at 1:08 in.