Seven AM.
Breakfast bell.
Communal kitchen.
Communal life.
Hutterite.
Plain garb and dress.
No worldliness.
Simple life.
Hutterite.
Black 10X hat.
Beard to match.
Suspender attached.
Home-sewn pants.
Long dress.
Happiness.
Head covering.
Submitting.
Nine AM.
Church service.
Hear the Word.
Honor God.
Sonntag.
Mittag.
Enten fleisch.
Dank speiss.
Mittag schlaff.
Shlaffe fest.
Das ist best.
Sunday school.
Learn the rules.
Christ set up.
Follow up.
Obey.
Day of rest.
Reflection.
God's grace.
God's love.
For us.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Runaway.
What was you thinking that fateful day.
When you made up your mind to runaway.
Do you know that you broke your mama's heart.
That she prays and cries for you in the dark.
And you ran away.
She never goes to sleep without thinking of you.
And prays with all her might that her wish will come true.
That the good Lord will keep you safe and trust.
That when you come home, it won't be in a box.
Her runaway.
What's keeping him out there, she don't know.
Is it the bright lights, the city or the dough?
Cause his bloodline speaks of a simple life.
To raise what he needs, to care for his wife.
Bring up his children to what's right and good.
Not in some slimy neighborhood.
Away from the anger, the greed and crime.
Where you get killed for a nickel or even a dime.
Where its booze and drugs and shady girls.
A dog eat dog kinda crazy world
Its sleeze and slime, every kinda sin.
Where a hutterite really never can fit in.
So why can't he do what his heart longs for.
When nights comes around and he locks his door.
His mind goes back to days gone by.
And all he does is wonder why..
He ranaway.
For his sibs are growing up and his parents getting old.
When he thinks about that his blood runs cold.
If he'd listen to his heart in the dead of the night.
He knows he'd come running back with all of his might.
And the welcome would be with open arms.
Can always use another hand on the farm.
The only thing that can turn him aside.
Is that terrible thing in us called pride.
That never admits that we can do wrong.
And if pride wins out, you can say so-long.
And stay runaway.
When you made up your mind to runaway.
Do you know that you broke your mama's heart.
That she prays and cries for you in the dark.
And you ran away.
She never goes to sleep without thinking of you.
And prays with all her might that her wish will come true.
That the good Lord will keep you safe and trust.
That when you come home, it won't be in a box.
Her runaway.
What's keeping him out there, she don't know.
Is it the bright lights, the city or the dough?
Cause his bloodline speaks of a simple life.
To raise what he needs, to care for his wife.
Bring up his children to what's right and good.
Not in some slimy neighborhood.
Away from the anger, the greed and crime.
Where you get killed for a nickel or even a dime.
Where its booze and drugs and shady girls.
A dog eat dog kinda crazy world
Its sleeze and slime, every kinda sin.
Where a hutterite really never can fit in.
So why can't he do what his heart longs for.
When nights comes around and he locks his door.
His mind goes back to days gone by.
And all he does is wonder why..
He ranaway.
For his sibs are growing up and his parents getting old.
When he thinks about that his blood runs cold.
If he'd listen to his heart in the dead of the night.
He knows he'd come running back with all of his might.
And the welcome would be with open arms.
Can always use another hand on the farm.
The only thing that can turn him aside.
Is that terrible thing in us called pride.
That never admits that we can do wrong.
And if pride wins out, you can say so-long.
And stay runaway.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Hutterite Cowboy.
I'm just a hutterite cowboy
That's what I love to be
Up on that well worn saddle
Sure feels like home to me
When riding down that dusty trail
My cow-dog by my side
There's nothing better in this world
Then doing this cowboy ride
Yee-haw here we go
Feeling that wind blow by
Letting loose with a cowpoke yell
Oh, isn't this the life
Getting up before the sunrise
Sure feels good to me
Breathing in that cool fresh air
Feels like harmony
Before those city folk get up
Before they start to stir
I'm out under that morning sky
Singing with all the birds
But hey, it isn't all just fun
As you already know
We cowboys have to work so hard
To bring in a little dough
Its hey, go fix that barbwire fence
And hey, go move those cows
And then, go clean the old corral
Good thing we got knowhow
So when you city folk sit down
At your fancy eating place
And start out with a little wine
(We hope you first say grace)
But don't that menu look so good
When the feature is on steak
The cowboy was a hutterite
That raised it for your plate
Yee-haw here we go
So happy, wild and free
Away from all the smoke and noise
They call the big city
Yee-haw let's head out
Let's turn that baby loose
Let's saddle up and start to ride
This country is my home
And when I see you passing by
That four lane, fancy car
Don't wonder why I wave to you
When I see you from afar
Because I'm under Gods big sky
Under his clouds 'n sun
I'm kinda feeling sorry guys
For having all the fun
For you see I love this simple life
Out on the open range
Just me, the cow, the horse, the bull
And please don't think me strange
And do not try to wipe that smile
That's plastered on my face
This is my life: my hopes n dreams
This is my special place
That's what I love to be
Up on that well worn saddle
Sure feels like home to me
When riding down that dusty trail
My cow-dog by my side
There's nothing better in this world
Then doing this cowboy ride
Yee-haw here we go
Feeling that wind blow by
Letting loose with a cowpoke yell
Oh, isn't this the life
Getting up before the sunrise
Sure feels good to me
Breathing in that cool fresh air
Feels like harmony
Before those city folk get up
Before they start to stir
I'm out under that morning sky
Singing with all the birds
But hey, it isn't all just fun
As you already know
We cowboys have to work so hard
To bring in a little dough
Its hey, go fix that barbwire fence
And hey, go move those cows
And then, go clean the old corral
Good thing we got knowhow
So when you city folk sit down
At your fancy eating place
And start out with a little wine
(We hope you first say grace)
But don't that menu look so good
When the feature is on steak
The cowboy was a hutterite
That raised it for your plate
Yee-haw here we go
So happy, wild and free
Away from all the smoke and noise
They call the big city
Yee-haw let's head out
Let's turn that baby loose
Let's saddle up and start to ride
This country is my home
And when I see you passing by
That four lane, fancy car
Don't wonder why I wave to you
When I see you from afar
Because I'm under Gods big sky
Under his clouds 'n sun
I'm kinda feeling sorry guys
For having all the fun
For you see I love this simple life
Out on the open range
Just me, the cow, the horse, the bull
And please don't think me strange
And do not try to wipe that smile
That's plastered on my face
This is my life: my hopes n dreams
This is my special place
Monday, February 21, 2011
Jesus du allein
Jesus only ye.
Shall my leader be.
Show to me your holy pathways.
All your truth and narrow walkways.
Stay with strength by me.
That I follow thee.
While you came for those.
That you saw were lost.
To lead them back to salvation.
Losing no lambs to perdition.
As a knave I plead.
To you Lord me lead.
True and good shepherd.
When you see I've have erred.
Lost little sheep out in the wild-earth.
Take me to your fold and safe-hearth.
Lead me back please do.
That I am with you.
When time comes to die.
Please be by my side.
Lead me on through deaths dark valley.
And prepare me for great glory.
That I see me stand.
Near at your right hand.
Shall my leader be.
Show to me your holy pathways.
All your truth and narrow walkways.
Stay with strength by me.
That I follow thee.
While you came for those.
That you saw were lost.
To lead them back to salvation.
Losing no lambs to perdition.
As a knave I plead.
To you Lord me lead.
True and good shepherd.
When you see I've have erred.
Lost little sheep out in the wild-earth.
Take me to your fold and safe-hearth.
Lead me back please do.
That I am with you.
When time comes to die.
Please be by my side.
Lead me on through deaths dark valley.
And prepare me for great glory.
That I see me stand.
Near at your right hand.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Ye Größer Kreutz, Ye Näher Himmel.
Ye greater cross, Ye better Christians.
God puts on on the proving grounds.
Just like a garden becomes wasted.
When from heaven no rains comes down.
As gold is purified by fire.
So a Christian in time of trial.
Ye greater Cross, Stronger believers.
Palm-trees thrive near the oasis.
The grapes surrenders all their sweetness.
After they have been all pressed out.
In troubled times, our faith builds up.
Like pearls after a salty flood.
Ye greater Cross, Ye stronger Godlove.
A wind just makes the fire burn.
And even if the skies are cloudy.
The sun is shining up above.
The Cross it multiplies our love.
As pouring oil on fire does.
Ye greater Cross, Greater believers.
Crushed leaves of herbs,smell all the more.
If on the sea, the winds were quiet.
No one would ask which way the pole.
And where did Davids Psalms come from?. Had he not trials overcome.
Ye greater Cross, Ye more the longing.
From the valley we climb the hill.
And when the desert has been travelled.
The longing is for Canaan.
The dove is finding here no rest.
Back to the Ark it flees to then.
Ye greater Cross, Ye sweeter dying.
Man is at terms with coming death.
Soon no more troubles, no more crying.
And all his troubles come to an end.
The Cross that maketh death so sweet.
It proves that man has triumphed here.
Ye greater Cross, Ye greater crown-jewels.
A treasure that God laid on us.
That crown we'll bring and lay before him.
It'll prove that we have conquered all.
Oh how this precious crown-jewel makes.
That we our greatest Cross forsake.
O Crucified, O let your Cross be.
So lovelier and sweeter be.
Help that no impatience may sway me.
And plant a such good heart in me.
That loves and hopes, believes in you.
Till my Cross takes its crown to you.
God puts on on the proving grounds.
Just like a garden becomes wasted.
When from heaven no rains comes down.
As gold is purified by fire.
So a Christian in time of trial.
Ye greater Cross, Stronger believers.
Palm-trees thrive near the oasis.
The grapes surrenders all their sweetness.
After they have been all pressed out.
In troubled times, our faith builds up.
Like pearls after a salty flood.
Ye greater Cross, Ye stronger Godlove.
A wind just makes the fire burn.
And even if the skies are cloudy.
The sun is shining up above.
The Cross it multiplies our love.
As pouring oil on fire does.
Ye greater Cross, Greater believers.
Crushed leaves of herbs,smell all the more.
If on the sea, the winds were quiet.
No one would ask which way the pole.
And where did Davids Psalms come from?. Had he not trials overcome.
Ye greater Cross, Ye more the longing.
From the valley we climb the hill.
And when the desert has been travelled.
The longing is for Canaan.
The dove is finding here no rest.
Back to the Ark it flees to then.
Ye greater Cross, Ye sweeter dying.
Man is at terms with coming death.
Soon no more troubles, no more crying.
And all his troubles come to an end.
The Cross that maketh death so sweet.
It proves that man has triumphed here.
Ye greater Cross, Ye greater crown-jewels.
A treasure that God laid on us.
That crown we'll bring and lay before him.
It'll prove that we have conquered all.
Oh how this precious crown-jewel makes.
That we our greatest Cross forsake.
O Crucified, O let your Cross be.
So lovelier and sweeter be.
Help that no impatience may sway me.
And plant a such good heart in me.
That loves and hopes, believes in you.
Till my Cross takes its crown to you.
Friday, February 18, 2011
"Pride"
What is Pride?
Well, in it's lowest form, it's probably satisfaction on a job well done, in it's average form it's most often a high sense of one's personal status or ego, and in it's highest form it is self-idolatry, in which one rejects God for one's self image and therefore thinks of himself as God, as we can see with the example of Lucifer.
Ezekiel 28:12 says Lucifer was "The seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." He was one of the most powerful archangels. Verse 17 says it was Pride that did him in: "Your heart was Proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor, I cast you to the ground." And believe it or not he took a third of all the angels with him.
We've all had Pride of some sort, but it seems Pride does not want to stay at it's lowest form. It's a very competitive and greedy emotion that's never satisfied and needs to be fed and wants to grow. You also cannot start at the top. You have to start at the bottom with Pride and work your way up. Pride does not like when its growth or progress is hindered.
Pride is a haughty emotion. It does not like to see pride in other people because it sees that pride as competition. Pride is the opposite of humility and hates humility with a passion. It will often get in the way when you know in your heart you should do this or you should do that. For example if you wrong someone and want to undo that wrong, pride will stand in the way.
CS Lewis writes that pride is the one vice of which there is no man in the world is free; and the more we have it ourselves, the more we loathe when we see it in someone else.
Also Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.
Lewis also states that "Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind."
Still, Pride in it's lowest form such as seeing a job well done, receiving well deserved praise, or seeing one's children meet or exceed expectations, is probably a useful and healthy emotion.
But the question is: Can we keep Pride to it's lowest form? Can we handle Pride when it decides to grow and expand like a tare?
For we all know Pride is not content in it's lowest form. Pride wants to grow and include self-importance, arrogance, self-conceit, haughtiness, self-love, boasting and bragging, etc.
For you see Pride has no room for God or even a fellow man. Pride is all about one's self. Even the word Pride itself has centered in it's middle the letter "i".
"When you're running on empty spiritually, Pride will keep you going." - louie.
Well, in it's lowest form, it's probably satisfaction on a job well done, in it's average form it's most often a high sense of one's personal status or ego, and in it's highest form it is self-idolatry, in which one rejects God for one's self image and therefore thinks of himself as God, as we can see with the example of Lucifer.
Ezekiel 28:12 says Lucifer was "The seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." He was one of the most powerful archangels. Verse 17 says it was Pride that did him in: "Your heart was Proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor, I cast you to the ground." And believe it or not he took a third of all the angels with him.
We've all had Pride of some sort, but it seems Pride does not want to stay at it's lowest form. It's a very competitive and greedy emotion that's never satisfied and needs to be fed and wants to grow. You also cannot start at the top. You have to start at the bottom with Pride and work your way up. Pride does not like when its growth or progress is hindered.
Pride is a haughty emotion. It does not like to see pride in other people because it sees that pride as competition. Pride is the opposite of humility and hates humility with a passion. It will often get in the way when you know in your heart you should do this or you should do that. For example if you wrong someone and want to undo that wrong, pride will stand in the way.
CS Lewis writes that pride is the one vice of which there is no man in the world is free; and the more we have it ourselves, the more we loathe when we see it in someone else.
Also Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.
Lewis also states that "Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind."
Still, Pride in it's lowest form such as seeing a job well done, receiving well deserved praise, or seeing one's children meet or exceed expectations, is probably a useful and healthy emotion.
But the question is: Can we keep Pride to it's lowest form? Can we handle Pride when it decides to grow and expand like a tare?
For we all know Pride is not content in it's lowest form. Pride wants to grow and include self-importance, arrogance, self-conceit, haughtiness, self-love, boasting and bragging, etc.
For you see Pride has no room for God or even a fellow man. Pride is all about one's self. Even the word Pride itself has centered in it's middle the letter "i".
"When you're running on empty spiritually, Pride will keep you going." - louie.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Fake It 'Til You Make It.
The first time I heard this catchphrase was a few years ago from a recovering alcoholic. It was something he had learned from Alcoholics Anonymous, and he firmly believed it. My reaction to him was something like 'Why would you want to fake anything, don't you know that you're only fooling yourself?'
But for some reason that phrase, as foolish as it sounded at the time, has always stayed in the back of my mind, and one day as I was reading C.S Lewis when it finally made sense.
CS Lewis wrote "When you are not feeling particularly friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were. Very often the only way to get a quality is to start behaving as if you had it already."
Jesus said the exact same thing in Luke 6:27-31. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
Now we all know actions like turning the other cheek, doing good to those that hate you, blessing those who curse you and even praying for those that mistreat you are not actions that come naturally to us humans, for we would far rather retaliate and seek revenge. For more than anything it's our "PRIDE" that needs to be satisfied (but that's a topic for a whole new discussion).
So in a way we have to go against our nature and feelings and "fake it" to a certain degree.
There is even an ancient Buddha saying from around 500BC that goes "What you think, you become."
Hence the phrase "Fake it 'til you make it."
But for some reason that phrase, as foolish as it sounded at the time, has always stayed in the back of my mind, and one day as I was reading C.S Lewis when it finally made sense.
CS Lewis wrote "When you are not feeling particularly friendly but know you ought to be, the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are. And in a few minutes, as we have all noticed, you will be really feeling friendlier than you were. Very often the only way to get a quality is to start behaving as if you had it already."
Jesus said the exact same thing in Luke 6:27-31. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
Now we all know actions like turning the other cheek, doing good to those that hate you, blessing those who curse you and even praying for those that mistreat you are not actions that come naturally to us humans, for we would far rather retaliate and seek revenge. For more than anything it's our "PRIDE" that needs to be satisfied (but that's a topic for a whole new discussion).
So in a way we have to go against our nature and feelings and "fake it" to a certain degree.
There is even an ancient Buddha saying from around 500BC that goes "What you think, you become."
Hence the phrase "Fake it 'til you make it."
Salvation and Born again - Ivan and louie at the coffee shop
Ivan you once asked me my views on being born again, so as we haven't been able to meet for coffee, these are my thoughts: After thinking about being saved or born again, about salvation and our relationship with God this is what I came up with.
Our relationship with God is amazingly similar with the relationship we have with our spouse, and I think God designed it so that we have an everyday reminder on how we should live and behave. Like when you read the Old Testament, there are so many parts that though they where written literally, we can take them spiritually, and take examples and guidance from them.
So here we go: Once we reach a certain age, we are drawn to the opposite sex, and we start looking for a mate. After we get a little older we start looking a little more seriously and earnestly for that one soul-mate. And once we spy that certain special someone, we try to woo him/her
and if it's the right one, things click, if not- keep on looking. And after a certain period of time and courtship , if we fall in love with our future spouse, then we marry. Marriage is like a contract, vows-where we promise to be faithful and love each other when the going gets rough and never forsake till death do us part. And once we are married then the work begins, it's never all roses (as we all know) there are ups and downs, but we have to work them out, we can't just quit and leave. And it seems it's those tough and hard times that strenghtens our love.
So how are we drawn to God? It seems that when all is well we do not yearn for a God. It is when we go through our darkest hour and toughest trials and tribulations, when we see that we are nothing and powerless is that we look skyward. When unexplained tragedies hit, or death of loved ones. And hence the aphorism: "There are no atheists in foxholes".
So what has all that got to do with being born again? Let me explain. Being born again is like the falling in love part. There are many ways to fall in love; There is the love at first sight that hits you like a ton of bricks that you can physically feel (that is the born again moment that some people can name a certain day and hour), or there is the high school sweetheart love where you've known each other for a number of years and have fallen in love in stages, or the girl next door love where you've known each other all your life and all of a sudden realize you've been in love all along, you just can't define one moment. Thats what I think most Hutterites can relate to as they've known Jesus from kindergarten on and are exposed to His teachings almost daily for all of their life. Or there is the arranged marriage love where the marriage is arranged and you work on the love later (for example in the Old Testament Isaac and Rebekah).
Then comes the marriage part which would be baptism, where you vow and promise yourself to God.
Then comes the being married part which is then the hardest part and is the rest of our life. We all know that we just can't fall in love, get married and live happily ever after, that only works in fairy tales, not in real life. It is through the rough patches in marriage that we have to work through that increases our love and respect for our spouse. It's about keeping our promise to love, honor, and obey. Through good times and bad, never to forsake...We all know how it is when we withhold secrets and wrongdoings from our spouse, there is tension in the air till we come clean, and if (forbid) we have an argument how uneasy both partners are till that gets reconciled and forgiven. And we won't even talk about breaking our marriage vows and being unfaithful.....
So in thinking about our salvation this way, the whole concept about faith and works and grace gets a lot clearer. Grace being our spouses love, faith being the belief in our love and marriage, and works being whatever we have to do to initially earn and then keep our spouses love and respect.
And lets be clear here, we can never earn true love. But we have do our part or we will never find that true love. And once we have that true love, we have to work to keep and grow that love.......
Over to you Ivan, 'wow' I've talked so long my coffees gone cold, better get me a fresh one...
Our relationship with God is amazingly similar with the relationship we have with our spouse, and I think God designed it so that we have an everyday reminder on how we should live and behave. Like when you read the Old Testament, there are so many parts that though they where written literally, we can take them spiritually, and take examples and guidance from them.
So here we go: Once we reach a certain age, we are drawn to the opposite sex, and we start looking for a mate. After we get a little older we start looking a little more seriously and earnestly for that one soul-mate. And once we spy that certain special someone, we try to woo him/her
and if it's the right one, things click, if not- keep on looking. And after a certain period of time and courtship , if we fall in love with our future spouse, then we marry. Marriage is like a contract, vows-where we promise to be faithful and love each other when the going gets rough and never forsake till death do us part. And once we are married then the work begins, it's never all roses (as we all know) there are ups and downs, but we have to work them out, we can't just quit and leave. And it seems it's those tough and hard times that strenghtens our love.
So how are we drawn to God? It seems that when all is well we do not yearn for a God. It is when we go through our darkest hour and toughest trials and tribulations, when we see that we are nothing and powerless is that we look skyward. When unexplained tragedies hit, or death of loved ones. And hence the aphorism: "There are no atheists in foxholes".
So what has all that got to do with being born again? Let me explain. Being born again is like the falling in love part. There are many ways to fall in love; There is the love at first sight that hits you like a ton of bricks that you can physically feel (that is the born again moment that some people can name a certain day and hour), or there is the high school sweetheart love where you've known each other for a number of years and have fallen in love in stages, or the girl next door love where you've known each other all your life and all of a sudden realize you've been in love all along, you just can't define one moment. Thats what I think most Hutterites can relate to as they've known Jesus from kindergarten on and are exposed to His teachings almost daily for all of their life. Or there is the arranged marriage love where the marriage is arranged and you work on the love later (for example in the Old Testament Isaac and Rebekah).
Then comes the marriage part which would be baptism, where you vow and promise yourself to God.
Then comes the being married part which is then the hardest part and is the rest of our life. We all know that we just can't fall in love, get married and live happily ever after, that only works in fairy tales, not in real life. It is through the rough patches in marriage that we have to work through that increases our love and respect for our spouse. It's about keeping our promise to love, honor, and obey. Through good times and bad, never to forsake...We all know how it is when we withhold secrets and wrongdoings from our spouse, there is tension in the air till we come clean, and if (forbid) we have an argument how uneasy both partners are till that gets reconciled and forgiven. And we won't even talk about breaking our marriage vows and being unfaithful.....
So in thinking about our salvation this way, the whole concept about faith and works and grace gets a lot clearer. Grace being our spouses love, faith being the belief in our love and marriage, and works being whatever we have to do to initially earn and then keep our spouses love and respect.
And lets be clear here, we can never earn true love. But we have do our part or we will never find that true love. And once we have that true love, we have to work to keep and grow that love.......
Over to you Ivan, 'wow' I've talked so long my coffees gone cold, better get me a fresh one...
Answer to why do you think the Christian God is the creator of the universe?
I would say "Mr. Stranger" the reason I believe the Christian God is the creator is of the universe is this:
First of all Mr. Stranger I refuse to believe such an exquisitely beautiful planet and such a precisely tuned universe could happen by mere chance. I also refuse to believe that we were created by some vague power that just plopped us here as to say "here u go, run along and when u die too bad so sad".
So Mr. Stranger I believe that we were created by a loving and caring God. And that when he created this universe he left his signature behind for us somewhere if we only cared to look. He would have also provided us with some clues as to how and why he created earth and everything in it and on it, I also believe our creator would also tell us how and why he created mankind and I believe he would also tell us what is expected of us and how we should act. He would also "hard wire" our brains so that we look and crave for our creator. He would make us feel good when we do right and he would make us feel bad when we do wrong.
For example Mr. Stranger have you ever felt so unexplainably good and uplifted when you let's say held the door open for an older lady or stopped your busy schedule to help out a total stranger or any random act of kindness? He would design us so that if we would only listen to our heart we would live our life pretty well exactly like he'd want us to.
He would leave behind details on the history of planet earth and would tell us exactly what will happen in the future. He would give us exact instructions as to how we should live and the consequences we face if we choose to ignore them. He would make sure that his instructions are available on every corner of the earth. He would also make sure that his instructions are handed down from generation to generation as accurate as they were on the day he wrote them. He would put all his instructions into the best-selling book of all time and he would call it the Bible.
And that book Mr. Stranger is the signature of God our Creator.
First of all Mr. Stranger I refuse to believe such an exquisitely beautiful planet and such a precisely tuned universe could happen by mere chance. I also refuse to believe that we were created by some vague power that just plopped us here as to say "here u go, run along and when u die too bad so sad".
So Mr. Stranger I believe that we were created by a loving and caring God. And that when he created this universe he left his signature behind for us somewhere if we only cared to look. He would have also provided us with some clues as to how and why he created earth and everything in it and on it, I also believe our creator would also tell us how and why he created mankind and I believe he would also tell us what is expected of us and how we should act. He would also "hard wire" our brains so that we look and crave for our creator. He would make us feel good when we do right and he would make us feel bad when we do wrong.
For example Mr. Stranger have you ever felt so unexplainably good and uplifted when you let's say held the door open for an older lady or stopped your busy schedule to help out a total stranger or any random act of kindness? He would design us so that if we would only listen to our heart we would live our life pretty well exactly like he'd want us to.
He would leave behind details on the history of planet earth and would tell us exactly what will happen in the future. He would give us exact instructions as to how we should live and the consequences we face if we choose to ignore them. He would make sure that his instructions are available on every corner of the earth. He would also make sure that his instructions are handed down from generation to generation as accurate as they were on the day he wrote them. He would put all his instructions into the best-selling book of all time and he would call it the Bible.
And that book Mr. Stranger is the signature of God our Creator.
Conscience - Our Direct Line To God?
Here's my theory and argument. When Adam and Eve picked the fruit from the tree of knowledge (good and evil) that was essentially their conscience. The voice of God in our hearts. So when we do whats wrong for God, our conscience twitches and makes us feel uneasy and not right, but when we do something that's pleasing to God, for example helping an old lady across the street, we get a warm and wholesome feeling and glow that can last for days, unlike the almost unholy glee that only lasts for a short time when we do something bad. So can we tune out this conscience? Absolutely, but never all the way. When we listen and obey this conscience our "line to God" gets stronger and clearer, but if we choose to override it and it can get fainter and fainter. So why do I believe this? I believe in a loving and compassionate God, one who doesn't want to see one of his creations in hell and will give them every chance, if they so choose to follow him and not their free will. So I believe he "hard wired" each and everyone of us with a "fail-safe" (called our conscience) so that even if we get born in Africa in the bush, and have never heard the word of God that if we only listen to our conscience, we will know right from wrong.
So my questions to you are: Is our conscience from God? Is it a product of our environment? Or is it something we get after we are born again?
So my questions to you are: Is our conscience from God? Is it a product of our environment? Or is it something we get after we are born again?
Answer to why are you dressed that way?
I would say "Mr. Stranger I dress this way because I am a member of a very humble and christian Anabaptist group called the Hutterian Brethren and was baptized on the following articles of faith. 1.I believe in God the Father,the almighty creator of heaven and earth. 2.And on Jesus Christ,his only begotten son.3.Begotten out of the Holy Spirit and born to Mary who was a virgin. 4.Suffered under Pontius Pilatus, crucified,died and laid in the grave. 5.Journeyed down to hell and on the third day was resurrected from death. 6.Ascended to heaven,sitting at the right hand of God,the almighty Father. 7.From whence he will come to judge the living and dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit. 9. I believe a Holy Christian Church-the community of believers. 10. Forgiveness of sin. 11 Resurrection of mankind. 12 And on life everlasting. And by dressing this way my dress is telling you that i still believe these 12 articles of faith (the apostolic creed) and that I'm proud of my heritage that was started over 400 years ago. My dress is also telling you that I fully support and am in good standing with my church.
But Mr.Stranger if we should ever meet and you would fail to recognize me as a member of the hutterian brethren then you would know that I am now ashamed of my heritage and that I no longer support or agree with the some or all of the beliefs of my previous generations and you will know its the beginning of the end for the hutterian church. For now i am "enlightened" and know better than the founders of our church, I want to blend in so I don't have to face uncomfortable questions like this.
So Mr.Stranger I am very humbled and feel very fortunate that I can carry on the beliefs and traditions that were born out of blood and fire and deemed so important by my hutterite ancestor. For you see Mr. Stranger we now carry the torch that was handed to us from our forefathers and it's our responsibility to tend it then to pass it on to our children and grandchildren pure and untarnished
But Mr.Stranger if we should ever meet and you would fail to recognize me as a member of the hutterian brethren then you would know that I am now ashamed of my heritage and that I no longer support or agree with the some or all of the beliefs of my previous generations and you will know its the beginning of the end for the hutterian church. For now i am "enlightened" and know better than the founders of our church, I want to blend in so I don't have to face uncomfortable questions like this.
So Mr.Stranger I am very humbled and feel very fortunate that I can carry on the beliefs and traditions that were born out of blood and fire and deemed so important by my hutterite ancestor. For you see Mr. Stranger we now carry the torch that was handed to us from our forefathers and it's our responsibility to tend it then to pass it on to our children and grandchildren pure and untarnished
UFO's. Is there life out there?
Do you believe in life out there? Are UFO's proof of life out there? Do UFO's disprove the validity of the bible? Here are some thoughts from louieville.
It is my theory that there are no little green men out there. I think Lucifer is in the big cigar shaped ufo, and his demons are driving the smaller ones. And here's why I think that way. Lucifer doesn't want anybody to get to heaven so if he can create doubt amongst us earthlings, that's half his battle. If we really believe there's life on other planets then we get to doubt the bible, so what better way to create that doubt than to zip around in his unearthly UFO's and make us wonder who really is in control of the universe.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic.
It is my theory that there are no little green men out there. I think Lucifer is in the big cigar shaped ufo, and his demons are driving the smaller ones. And here's why I think that way. Lucifer doesn't want anybody to get to heaven so if he can create doubt amongst us earthlings, that's half his battle. If we really believe there's life on other planets then we get to doubt the bible, so what better way to create that doubt than to zip around in his unearthly UFO's and make us wonder who really is in control of the universe.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic.
Respect
"The most significant change is the loss of respect for the forefathers, and for what the older people hold dear. In my later years, I have observed that the young people treat the older people with much disrespect. When I was growing up, we quietly listened to our elders. If an older person was talking, we would listen until he had finished talking. Now days, the young people interrupt right when older people are talking. They do not regard what older people are saying. "
Peter V. Janzen (1889-1989) when he was asked what he considered to be the most significant change that occurred in the Mennonite church in his lifetime. -Jerald Hiebert-
Peter V. Janzen (1889-1989) when he was asked what he considered to be the most significant change that occurred in the Mennonite church in his lifetime. -Jerald Hiebert-
Genesis 1-6
The first 1656 years of earth's history has always held my fascination as there is very limited information on it. All we know for certain is that God created earth and the heavens in 6 working days. He created a mature solar system, with light from millions of light years away instantly reaching earth. He created a mature earth with everything in it we will ever need, gold, copper, silver, oil, coal, gas, etc.
It was a very different earth than we know today. One of the important features was the layer of water around the earth which turned the earth into a greenhouse with stable tropical temperatures all over the globe.
He created mature trees, plants, also fish, birds, animals. He also gave them their instincts so they would know how to take care of their young, how to build nests or dig holes for shelter, and everything else they needed to know for survival.
He also created mature human beings with pre-programmed wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We can be certain that they were the most intelligent humans that ever existed. Original man designed in God's image used 100% of his brain, not the fraction we use today. From Adam's time on, knowledge decreased as we can see in the builders of the tower of Babel, in the pyramids, even the Mayans all possessed knowledge that we even now don't have. In Biblical times people could even read the stars for prophecy.
But as pointed out in Daniel 12:4 at the time of the end "knowledge shall be increased". It has been said that 80% of the worlds current knowledge has been bought forth in the last few decades or so.
Which makes us wonder what could original man do that we now can't. Louie's theory is: the part of the brain that is dormant now was the part that controlled communication (Telepathy, and other powers of the mind). If you think about it, a lot of our current technology consists of communication, and all this technology would look primitive and useless compared to the communication original man had. All humans at that time had one language, and with the long life span and memory they had there would have been little need for the written word. As knowledge and lifespan decreased they had to then develop the written word to archive knowledge. Also their understanding of medicine would have been far superior.
A formula for calculating preflood population was published by Henry Morris and according to his calculations with 6 or 7 children per family and 18 to 20 generations it worked out to a rough average of 10 billion. We can read in Genesis 4 that Cain built a city and named it after his first son Enoch. Also Cains descendant Jubal was the ancestor of all those that played the lyre and pipe, and Tubel-cain made all kinds of bronze and iron tools, so that tells us there was some mining going on.
The continents were not divided yet (that happened after the tower of Babel in Pelegs day, according to Genesis 10:25 and 1 Chronicles 1:19) so the need for cross-ocean travel wasn't there and since there was a global tropical climate with no deserts or polar icecaps food could be grown everywhere.
So these are the thoughts out of louieville today, and you are all welcome to comment or voice your opinion of earth's first 1656 years.
It was a very different earth than we know today. One of the important features was the layer of water around the earth which turned the earth into a greenhouse with stable tropical temperatures all over the globe.
He created mature trees, plants, also fish, birds, animals. He also gave them their instincts so they would know how to take care of their young, how to build nests or dig holes for shelter, and everything else they needed to know for survival.
He also created mature human beings with pre-programmed wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We can be certain that they were the most intelligent humans that ever existed. Original man designed in God's image used 100% of his brain, not the fraction we use today. From Adam's time on, knowledge decreased as we can see in the builders of the tower of Babel, in the pyramids, even the Mayans all possessed knowledge that we even now don't have. In Biblical times people could even read the stars for prophecy.
But as pointed out in Daniel 12:4 at the time of the end "knowledge shall be increased". It has been said that 80% of the worlds current knowledge has been bought forth in the last few decades or so.
Which makes us wonder what could original man do that we now can't. Louie's theory is: the part of the brain that is dormant now was the part that controlled communication (Telepathy, and other powers of the mind). If you think about it, a lot of our current technology consists of communication, and all this technology would look primitive and useless compared to the communication original man had. All humans at that time had one language, and with the long life span and memory they had there would have been little need for the written word. As knowledge and lifespan decreased they had to then develop the written word to archive knowledge. Also their understanding of medicine would have been far superior.
A formula for calculating preflood population was published by Henry Morris and according to his calculations with 6 or 7 children per family and 18 to 20 generations it worked out to a rough average of 10 billion. We can read in Genesis 4 that Cain built a city and named it after his first son Enoch. Also Cains descendant Jubal was the ancestor of all those that played the lyre and pipe, and Tubel-cain made all kinds of bronze and iron tools, so that tells us there was some mining going on.
The continents were not divided yet (that happened after the tower of Babel in Pelegs day, according to Genesis 10:25 and 1 Chronicles 1:19) so the need for cross-ocean travel wasn't there and since there was a global tropical climate with no deserts or polar icecaps food could be grown everywhere.
So these are the thoughts out of louieville today, and you are all welcome to comment or voice your opinion of earth's first 1656 years.
Fate
Fate: destiny: an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future.
Do you believe in fate? Louie does. And here are some thoughts from louieville.
My theory on fate is that we are all fated to be born on a certain day and fated to die a certain day. We are also all fated to go to heaven because I think that’s how our Creator would have wanted it and I think he already knows and has always known who will make it there because He is omnipotent. And the only one with the power to change that fate is ourselves. And we can do that with our own free will, namely by our own selfish desires, decisions and choices.
What are your thoughts on fate, or is there no such a thing as fate?
Do you believe in fate? Louie does. And here are some thoughts from louieville.
My theory on fate is that we are all fated to be born on a certain day and fated to die a certain day. We are also all fated to go to heaven because I think that’s how our Creator would have wanted it and I think he already knows and has always known who will make it there because He is omnipotent. And the only one with the power to change that fate is ourselves. And we can do that with our own free will, namely by our own selfish desires, decisions and choices.
What are your thoughts on fate, or is there no such a thing as fate?
Does poverty, pain and suffering disprove God?
On the contrary I think it proves God. For we can reason this way, and reason that way but we have to remember that our ability to reason has been given to us from God. We will only ever figure out as much of the mystery and ways of God as he wants us to figure out. He does not want us to have all the facts and answers because then faith becomes obsolete. We have to believe; as Jesus told Thomas in John 21:29 "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed."
Now lets take my fictional home town of louieville for example. On one side of the tracks is the poor side, dirty walks and rundown houses but the people here are happy for the most part. Little Billy with his gimpy leg is playing ball as well as he can with the kids, his family doesn't have the money for the operation. Grandpa Caleb is starting to get forgetful and his daughters and daughters in law are taking turns helping Grandma out. In the evenings since nobody can afford TV's family's get together to sing, visit, play board games and socialize. On Sundays and church holidays the little local one-room church is always full and everyone always got their same seats reserved, so if someone is missing you know and try to find out if he/she is sick or away. And the preacher is a throwback to the old "hellfire and brimstone" days and sorta reminds you of the dolly parton song "daddy was an old time preacher man". Theres no fancy programmes in this church, just the pure straightforward word of God.
So now we go to the other side of the tracks and it seems like a whole new world. Fancy two story houses with two car garages. Immaculately kept shrubs, freshly mowed lawns, beautiful yards, clean streets. Not too much action though, as everybody is either away at their jobs or at home watching their favorite program. The kids are so involved in their social networking or newest video games they don't have time to go and play. Very few know who their next door neighbor is or even seems to care, this is in stark contrast to the seemingly different world a few minutes away on the other side of the tracks. When Sunday comes around and whoever can make it does, they come in their fancy sedans to the brand new multi-million dollar church dressed to the tee, suits and ties for the men. The ladies immaculately dressed with hair and nails freshly done. The children dressed like little gentlemen/ladies with their perfect smiles and teeth. Everybody sits down, the lights dim and the service begins. The preacher is someone that was hired in and has a fairly entertaining sermon but is careful not to step on toes and evades touchy subjects, he has a job to keep after all. After the sermon everybody files out and all those with handicapped children or elderly parents in the local home care go visit.
So on which side of town do the people feel a greater need and desire for God? On the poor side where the pain, poverty and suffering is before their eyes daily or on the rich side of town where everything is esthetically clean and pleasing?
And yes, there are exceptions on both sides of town. Theres some God-fearing families in the nice part of town and some really bad people on the poor side of town.
So if you're trying to figure out what point I'm trying to make, its this; Our idea of how God should run this world, no poverty, no poor, no handicapped children, no diseases or cancer, or alzheimers and different ailments of the elderly. If everything runs perfectly and we are in control, when do we look to God? What will make us pray and search for answers? For it is written 'Seek and you shall find.'
If once we are dead and will look back at our life from the other side, won't things look a bit different? Won't we be glad of the trials and tribulations that we had here on earth? At what point in our life where we closest to Jesus, or more correctly was he closest to us?
Now lets take my fictional home town of louieville for example. On one side of the tracks is the poor side, dirty walks and rundown houses but the people here are happy for the most part. Little Billy with his gimpy leg is playing ball as well as he can with the kids, his family doesn't have the money for the operation. Grandpa Caleb is starting to get forgetful and his daughters and daughters in law are taking turns helping Grandma out. In the evenings since nobody can afford TV's family's get together to sing, visit, play board games and socialize. On Sundays and church holidays the little local one-room church is always full and everyone always got their same seats reserved, so if someone is missing you know and try to find out if he/she is sick or away. And the preacher is a throwback to the old "hellfire and brimstone" days and sorta reminds you of the dolly parton song "daddy was an old time preacher man". Theres no fancy programmes in this church, just the pure straightforward word of God.
So now we go to the other side of the tracks and it seems like a whole new world. Fancy two story houses with two car garages. Immaculately kept shrubs, freshly mowed lawns, beautiful yards, clean streets. Not too much action though, as everybody is either away at their jobs or at home watching their favorite program. The kids are so involved in their social networking or newest video games they don't have time to go and play. Very few know who their next door neighbor is or even seems to care, this is in stark contrast to the seemingly different world a few minutes away on the other side of the tracks. When Sunday comes around and whoever can make it does, they come in their fancy sedans to the brand new multi-million dollar church dressed to the tee, suits and ties for the men. The ladies immaculately dressed with hair and nails freshly done. The children dressed like little gentlemen/ladies with their perfect smiles and teeth. Everybody sits down, the lights dim and the service begins. The preacher is someone that was hired in and has a fairly entertaining sermon but is careful not to step on toes and evades touchy subjects, he has a job to keep after all. After the sermon everybody files out and all those with handicapped children or elderly parents in the local home care go visit.
So on which side of town do the people feel a greater need and desire for God? On the poor side where the pain, poverty and suffering is before their eyes daily or on the rich side of town where everything is esthetically clean and pleasing?
And yes, there are exceptions on both sides of town. Theres some God-fearing families in the nice part of town and some really bad people on the poor side of town.
So if you're trying to figure out what point I'm trying to make, its this; Our idea of how God should run this world, no poverty, no poor, no handicapped children, no diseases or cancer, or alzheimers and different ailments of the elderly. If everything runs perfectly and we are in control, when do we look to God? What will make us pray and search for answers? For it is written 'Seek and you shall find.'
If once we are dead and will look back at our life from the other side, won't things look a bit different? Won't we be glad of the trials and tribulations that we had here on earth? At what point in our life where we closest to Jesus, or more correctly was he closest to us?
Churches
After reading the National Geographics article about Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Church in Spain that is 128 years in the making and is projected to be completed in 2026, it makes a fellow wonder what does God really think to those mind-boggling extravagant churches? Do people really think they can build a house for God? Should we really be in awe of the architecture and the man made idolatry when we walk into a church? After hearing the wonderful Christmas sermons where our Savior was born in a barn in the smallish lowly town of Bethlehem and the shepherds that came to worship him there, it makes us think of how God really wants to be worshiped. Nowadays it almost seems as if the more elaborate the church, the further away is God...thoughts from louieville.
Love Is Like Fire. By Peter Riedeman
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink, for in so doing you will heap fiery coals on his head". Romans 12:20
Perhaps this kindness may affect him so that he considers deeply and turns over a new leaf. He will think, "I treat this man badly, and he repays me with kindness and does all he can to serve me and is my friend. Oh, what am I doing? I want to change and do as he does - leave the evil and pursue the good, for what does it help me to live in wickedness and oppose the will of God?"
When this takes place - when you move a human being to have a good conscience - you have helped a soul from death to life, which is sure to be rewarded by God... The evildoer will say in his heart (even though he does not let it be seen), "this man accepts everything patiently that I maliciously do to him, and is so ready to do good to me - he is truly better than I am." In this way your well-doing becomes a witness to him. Such love is a band of perfection. But if he does not better himself and repent after such a witness, he increases God's wrath upon him in the day of judgment.
Perhaps this kindness may affect him so that he considers deeply and turns over a new leaf. He will think, "I treat this man badly, and he repays me with kindness and does all he can to serve me and is my friend. Oh, what am I doing? I want to change and do as he does - leave the evil and pursue the good, for what does it help me to live in wickedness and oppose the will of God?"
When this takes place - when you move a human being to have a good conscience - you have helped a soul from death to life, which is sure to be rewarded by God... The evildoer will say in his heart (even though he does not let it be seen), "this man accepts everything patiently that I maliciously do to him, and is so ready to do good to me - he is truly better than I am." In this way your well-doing becomes a witness to him. Such love is a band of perfection. But if he does not better himself and repent after such a witness, he increases God's wrath upon him in the day of judgment.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Lost Tribes.
Who are the lost tribes of Israel and where are they now? Let me explain.
The name Israel all started when the Lord told Jacob in Genesis 35:10 "Thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." Jacob was son of Isaac, who was son of Abraham, whom God promised to multiply his descendants as the stars in the sky and the sands in the seashore, and all this was when Abraham was 100 years of age.
Jacob had 12 sons, each to his own tribe, hence the name 'The 12 tribes of Isreal.'
At the time of Exodus from Egypt the Israelites numbered 600,000 without women and children, which would be roughly between 1.5 and 2.5 million people. What's amazing is that population grew from only 70 odd people in about 400 years starting when Jacob and his family moved to Egypt at the time of famine.
500 years after Exodus the 12 tribes of Israel were estimated 5 million strong, roughly 10% of the estimated 50 million world population. When they 'couldn't get along' they divided into 2 kingdoms: the northern tribe and the southern tribe. The southern tribe consisted of Judah and Benjamin. The northern tribes which are now known as the Lost Tribes where made up of the remaining 10 tribes. Joseph's tribe was actually split into 2 seperate tribes: Ephraim and Mannasah. Levi's tribe (the priests) were distributed into all tribes.
The southern tribe stayed and are now known as the Jews. The northern tribes were taken into captivity by the Assyrians (~722 BC) then moved north and west to the Caucasus area to then enter history as 'The Celts'.
Josephus, a Jewish historian, records that in the 1st century AD, "The 10 tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude". 2 Esdras 13:41 records the lost tribes moved "to a more distant region, where no human beings has ever lived." James addressed his Epistle to the 12 tribes who were dispersed abroad. James 1:1. They weren't lost then. These Celts also included the so-called Germanic tribes and are the rootstock of todays Europeans and Americans, the backbone of Global Christianity.
'Caucasian' actually means descended from the Caucasus region of central Europe/Asia.
According to the promises which Jacob gave to his sons in Genesis 49: 1-28 we can sort of figure out where they are now , "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days". (note the words 'last days')
Ruben: Switzerland. Neutral, 'will never be first again'
Simeon: Germany. "Cruel", "Wall". (Berlin Wall)
Levi: Divided amongst the other tribes. "I will divide Levi in Jacob and scatter them in Isreal."
Judah: The Jews. "Thy brothers shall praise you"
Zebulun: (Spain, Portugal) "Shall dwell at the haven of the sea, and his border shall be unto Zidon."
Isaacher: (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Slovakia) "a strong ass crouching between 2 burdens,(Germany, Russia) he saw the land was pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and pays tribute"
Dan: (Denmark, Greenland, Netherlands)
Gad: (Austria, Scotland?) "He shall overcome at last"
Asher: (France) "Thy food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a King". Ahh, those french chefs.
Naphtali: (Sweden, Norway, Finland) "Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns". These countries are known for their beautiful women.
Mannasah (Joseph): Great Britain "Multitude of nations"
Ephraim (Joseph): USA "The greatest nation"
Benjamin: "He shall devour his prey in the morning, at night they shall divide the spoils" With Judah they formed the southern tribe (Jews) which is Israel today.
This is louies theory on the "Lost tribes of Israel". What's yours?
*from various sources around the web
The name Israel all started when the Lord told Jacob in Genesis 35:10 "Thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." Jacob was son of Isaac, who was son of Abraham, whom God promised to multiply his descendants as the stars in the sky and the sands in the seashore, and all this was when Abraham was 100 years of age.
Jacob had 12 sons, each to his own tribe, hence the name 'The 12 tribes of Isreal.'
At the time of Exodus from Egypt the Israelites numbered 600,000 without women and children, which would be roughly between 1.5 and 2.5 million people. What's amazing is that population grew from only 70 odd people in about 400 years starting when Jacob and his family moved to Egypt at the time of famine.
500 years after Exodus the 12 tribes of Israel were estimated 5 million strong, roughly 10% of the estimated 50 million world population. When they 'couldn't get along' they divided into 2 kingdoms: the northern tribe and the southern tribe. The southern tribe consisted of Judah and Benjamin. The northern tribes which are now known as the Lost Tribes where made up of the remaining 10 tribes. Joseph's tribe was actually split into 2 seperate tribes: Ephraim and Mannasah. Levi's tribe (the priests) were distributed into all tribes.
The southern tribe stayed and are now known as the Jews. The northern tribes were taken into captivity by the Assyrians (~722 BC) then moved north and west to the Caucasus area to then enter history as 'The Celts'.
Josephus, a Jewish historian, records that in the 1st century AD, "The 10 tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude". 2 Esdras 13:41 records the lost tribes moved "to a more distant region, where no human beings has ever lived." James addressed his Epistle to the 12 tribes who were dispersed abroad. James 1:1. They weren't lost then. These Celts also included the so-called Germanic tribes and are the rootstock of todays Europeans and Americans, the backbone of Global Christianity.
'Caucasian' actually means descended from the Caucasus region of central Europe/Asia.
According to the promises which Jacob gave to his sons in Genesis 49: 1-28 we can sort of figure out where they are now , "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days". (note the words 'last days')
Ruben: Switzerland. Neutral, 'will never be first again'
Simeon: Germany. "Cruel", "Wall". (Berlin Wall)
Levi: Divided amongst the other tribes. "I will divide Levi in Jacob and scatter them in Isreal."
Judah: The Jews. "Thy brothers shall praise you"
Zebulun: (Spain, Portugal) "Shall dwell at the haven of the sea, and his border shall be unto Zidon."
Isaacher: (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Slovakia) "a strong ass crouching between 2 burdens,(Germany, Russia) he saw the land was pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and pays tribute"
Dan: (Denmark, Greenland, Netherlands)
Gad: (Austria, Scotland?) "He shall overcome at last"
Asher: (France) "Thy food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a King". Ahh, those french chefs.
Naphtali: (Sweden, Norway, Finland) "Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns". These countries are known for their beautiful women.
Mannasah (Joseph): Great Britain "Multitude of nations"
Ephraim (Joseph): USA "The greatest nation"
Benjamin: "He shall devour his prey in the morning, at night they shall divide the spoils" With Judah they formed the southern tribe (Jews) which is Israel today.
This is louies theory on the "Lost tribes of Israel". What's yours?
*from various sources around the web
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