In Chapter ten of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, it has been 4 months since Babylon’s failed attempt to invade Egypt. Naaman is reviewing maps and planning strategy when Daniel comes to speak with him. Daniel talks to Naaman about creating a council of exiles to try to address the violence and riots happening in the streets of Babylon. The story then leads to a discussion of how different people really do think differently. I conclude the episode of a story from my own life dealing with some serious negotiations that had to take place, and then tie it together with a scene from the movie, Arrival. For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Nine of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Matthew and the other grandsons ask Grandpa if the meeting between Daniel and the Captain of the Babylonian Guard really took place. This conversation leads to a discussion about how a 1990s Science Fiction show, Babylon 5, inspired me to come up with some of the ideas that lead to the creation of a council headed by Daniel to try to quell the unrest among exile communities. I’ll conclude with a discussion of a statement by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6 that is echoed by one of the main characters in the TV show, Babylon 5. For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Eight of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Daniel meets Naaman, the Captain of the Babylonian Guard while breaking up a fight between a Hebrew and an Askelonite. The two trade stories about what they believe, and their different understandings of the Great Flood. In reading the story of how Daniel will later interpret a dream by King Nebuchadnezzar, it is clear that the two must have had a relationship before The Captain of the Guard was sent to find him (see Chapter 2 of the Book of Daniel). Daniel exhibits the quality of forgiving others – something that is demonstrated in the movie, Pay it Forward. I’ll use that movie, plus a story about the life of Corey Ten Boom, to help flesh out this episode’s Question for Reflection. For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Seven of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Daniel and his friends are entered into a training program which will allow them to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. One of the things they are told is that they must eat the food of the Babylonians. Daniel and his friends do not wish to violate the dietary laws of their faith, and so Daniel proposes an alternative to their Babylonian trainer, Potiphar. In this retelling of the story of Daniel and his meeting with Nebuchadnezzar, I share a story from my own life: Would I be willing to go to a Casino in London? What was God demanding of me – and what were the consequences of that small, seemingly insignificant decision? I’ll use the movie Pinocchio and the story of letting “your conscience be your guide” to help flesh out this episode’s Question for Reflection.

In Chapter Six of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar returns to Babylon with the exiles. The Chief Priest, Hamon, greets the King. We learn that Hamon is secretly plotting to cause riots and gang warfare among the rival Immigrant groups. The Chief Priest hopes that this will trigger a revolt against the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar – a revolt that will lead to the eventual crowning of himself as the new king. For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Five of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar reviews the list of Jews exiles and makes plans to take them back to Babylon. He wonders to himself if he is living up to his father’s expectations. Meanwhile, Daniel is bitter about the fact that he is being sent into exile. As he sees his parents for the last time, he thinks about a gift his father has given him. In that moment, he comes to realize that his father truly loves him. For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Four of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, the story switches to 600 B.C. and the life of the prophet Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, had defeated the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish. He has now come to the gates of Jerusalem and demands that Jehoiakim, King of Judah, surrender. He demands that King Jehoiakim prepare a list of people to send into exile to Babylon. For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Three of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, the boys gather with Grandpa in the Sun Room to begin the story of Belteshazzar – the Prophet Daniel’s Babylonian name. But just before he begins to tell his tale, Grandpa mysteriously leaves the room. I hope you’ll join me in the journey of telling the story as I read Chapter 3 titled “The Story Begins.” For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter Two of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Isaac asks grandpa what the phrase “separation between church and state” means when he has his bible taken from him by another student at school. Grandpa uses this question to introduce the story of Daniel and how he prayed to God when it was against the law in Babylon. I hope you’ll join me in the journey of telling the story as I read Chapter 2 titled “When Praying Was Against the Law.” For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar

In Chapter One of The Chronicles of Belteshazzar, Isaac has his bible taken from him by another student at school. This leads to a conversation about school prayer with Auntie Dr. Sarah. I hope you’ll join me in the journey of telling the story as I read Chapter 1 titled “Auntie Dr. Sarah”! For more information, please see this webpage and sign up for further information and notifications! https://mailchi.mp/6d2ba697aae9/chroniclesbelteshazzar