Truth Be Told

Compared to Old Testament and First Century Israel, celebration of God's Holy Days have diminished significantly. Even those who keep the Holy Days often have a hard time genuinely celebrating them. With this decrease in outward festivity and joy has come a complete dissolving of some of the lesser biblical observances and traditions that occurred during the Holy Days themselves in antiquity.

One of these observances that probably wasn't taken too much notice of even in biblical times that has almost become devoid of meaning to the average biblical Christian is the Wave Sheaf Offering that took place between the Days of Unleavened Bread outlined in Leviticus 23. 

If we carry the symbolism of this Wave Sheaf Offering through to the New Testament (as is common with all the rest of the Holy Day observances) to see what its purpose might have been as time went on, we just might be awestruck at how immensely important this small ritual actually is. 

The Wave Sheaf offering was an armload of barley grain that was taken into the tabernacle/temple and waved "before the LORD," as a firstfruit offering of the new harvest. In this episode we explore how this ties to the ascension of Jesus Christ to the Father and why this was even an important thing.

While most people know that Jesus did ascend to the Father, few know what the need for this was and how greatly this symbolism should enhance our celebration of what God has done on our behalf.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

The things that run rampant in the culture of the world inevitably filter into the Church though, hopefully, to a lesser degree. One of these unfortunate things is the seeming desire to make division out of differences. Even in local church congregations where people, generally, have a lot in common, we find ways to divide ourselves contrary to Christ's prayer for us at the end of His physical life. 

One of the biggest differences turned division in the Christian church is that of age. Younger people who have grown up seeing the mistakes of older people lose respect for them over time and the older people, sensing this, lose trust in the younger. 

In this message (specifically given to my home congregation in Columbus, Ohio where this problem is honestly not one we struggle with, though applicable to everyone whether they struggle with it or not) we go over one story that takes place at the end of King David's life that outlines appropriate attitudes from both younger and older generations towards each other.

Hopefully we can take this as an example on how to overcome the generational divide by refusing to make it a thing worth being divided over.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

The argument between science and God is finally put to rest here!

The idea that we need to take an either or approach to these two topics is a false dichotomy often leveled at Christians, so that antagonistic skeptics, atheists, and extreme naturalists can pretend like God isn't real just because He isn't hemmed in by their isolated field of study. A biblical approach to things allows for God, science, philosophy, history, morality, etc. to be unified under the banner of reality.

Christians - refuse to be made to feel as if taking the biblical approach is the more narrow view because it simply isn't.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

*NOTE: throughout this episode I refer to Moses as a "murderer." I'd like it to be clear that I, personally, view Moses' action of killing the Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave as a justified act not worthy of the title of murder. Modern Torah readers, and even first century Christians (see Stephen's statement on this event) seem to view Moses' actions as appropriate, heroic social justice, and I agree that this is an appropriate interpretation. This being said, my use of the term "murderer" is meant to reflect the attitudes that, clearly, both the Egyptians and Hebrews in his time reflected back to him which created extremely unpleasant circumstances for him. Guilt and perceived guilt are not the same but they can both cause issues.*

While most wouldn't think of Moses as a cautionary figure, the events of his life and his life itself is summed up in one event that characterizes all of it, and it is certainly a cautionary story. Though Moses accomplished much in his life, ultimately, it ended in a failure to lead the children of Israel into the promised land on account of the sin he committed the second time God brought water from the rock.

In this episode we walk through the life of Moses to analyze his preexisting conditions that became a part of who he was, and the condition of that particular sin itself realizing that the entirety of Moses' life acted as a primer for that specific sin. Though this read through, initially, seems as if Moses was predisposed to fail in nearly everything he was asked to do, and his story cries out for justice and mercy and hope - it is also this very hole in the story that is perfectly filled by Jesus Christ.

In the cautionary tale of Moses we should gain an appropriate fear of committing the sins that often plague us, but with the hope that it points to in the person of Jesus Christ, we should also be filled with relief and gratitude for what he did that neither Moses, or we, could accomplish on our own.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

Discussing our faith opens us up for criticism, critique, and antagonism from some and might alienate us from others. Talking about our beliefs is fine in some circles but uncomfortable in most others. This can put a Christian who believes they're supposed to be unashamed about their relationship with God at odds with themselves and create a lot of unease. Don't worry - you're not the only one!

How do we balance the understanding that Christians should be ready, willing, and able to share their faith with the paralyzing fear that inevitably crops up when we're actually faced with the opportunity (or predicament) to do so.

In this episode we cover 3 tips for sharing our faith effectively and 3 tips for mitigating the fear that surrounds it. You might not always be met with encouragement and support when you decide to be open about what you believe, but it does NOT need to be as fearful as thing as we often imagine it is.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

With the topic of foot-washing entering the public eye with the "He Gets Us" campaign Super Bowl commercial, it felt appropriate to look into the topic to clear away some of the wrong ideas surrounding the practice. 

Who did it? To who? For What?

Often, the people that actively perform foot-washing as a Christian practice either think that it's a generic act to be done for anyone in order to show yourself a servant to all OR see it as some sort of rededication or recommitment to God.

This second mentality is closer to the truth but still glosses over the important fact that your commitment to God happened at baptism. Once you've entered into that relationship, you can recall, reflect, and refocus on that commitment, but you can't enter into it again. To quote Jesus, "the one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean."

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

Those who worship Jesus Christ have been called all kinds of derogatory things since biblical times. We're told this is expected to continue as we get closer and closer to the time of Jesus' return. 

In this episode we look at 4 names leveled against people of the faith during the time of the New Testament and the responses of the ones facing the criticism. Modern aggression towards Christianity hasn't changed all that much and some of the names are still in use today! By looking at what early believers did when they were called names, we can be informed about how we can handle some of the same attacks.

The 4 Names included here are: Nazarene, Seedpicker, Disturber of the Peace, and Christian.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

Russ Ramsey is a pastor and author from Tennessee with a vested interest in art and how it communicates to us on a fundamental level. In this interview we use his fantastic book, "Rembrandt Is In The Wind," as a jumping off point to discussing the broad topic of beauty.

In a world that is obsessed with image, are we overvaluing beauty or are we just using an improper definition? What is the balance a Christian might want to aim for when considering beauty versus aesthetic obsession?

We also discuss a few specific paintings and artists to reflect on a variety of questions. Idolatry and religious images, Catholic and Protestant tendencies, as well as the morality (or lack thereof) of some of the world's most well-known religious painters. 

If you love art or discussions on faith - you'll love this episode. If you hate art or hate discussions on faith - you'll love this episode. Russ Ramsey has an incredible way of analyzing some of the most polarizing topics (art and religion) through the universally loved language of story which is sure to increase your love and appreciation for art, artists, history, faith, and beauty itself.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn-rlo-ORHtatIPjGmtZm-w

Russ Ramsey Information:

Rembrandt Is In The Wind Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rembrandt-Wind-Learning-through-Faith/dp/0310129729

Instagram: @russramsey1

The phrase, "God works in mysterious ways," is so commonplace in Christian circles that it often gets mistaken for a Bible verse. Any time we perceive that God has worked in a way we don't expect, we might shrug our shoulders and say this. However, should His workings be mysterious to us?

Of course, God is all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, etc. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We're SUPPOSED to look at the work that God does and marvel at it, but this doesn't mean we should be surprised at it. 

God has given us a deep text FILLED with examples of the myriad of ways He can and has worked. If we study His word, not only will we begin to understand more clearly how God does and can work, but we'll feel much more free to ask for His guidance and blessing in our lives when we see just how unrestricted He is.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUkiQvCEF8Rc4TzjyBMsxg

The Bible is a complex series of books. It bears the marks of God in its cohesiveness across time, cultures, and personalities foretelling the end from the beginning and it bears the marks of humanity in its reflection of circumstances, periods in history, and perspectives. It wasn't perfectly understood at the times it was written and it isn't perfectly understood now because it is a book meant to gain clarity as times and seasons come into fulfillment.

As we continue to search the Scriptures to gain clarity, we can be faced with the predicament of not understanding how God's perfect Word was transmitted through His imperfect servants across imperfect media. Skeptics will raise interesting points about various perceived contradictions. Apologists will defend eyewitness discrepancy claiming that, if they were any more perfect they would be exhibiting signs of collusion. On top of this, we have the question of literary license by the authors. Sometimes the Bible seems TOO perfect almost as if it were fabricated by authors rather than recounted by historians.

If the Bible is TOO perfect - we feel we can't trust it. If the Bible is not perfect enough - we feel we can't trust it. 

Through this message we'll analyze three stories in the Bible that bear the marks of God's amazing work through imperfect people to bring about historical events in a symmetrical and poetic way and the marks of human perspective writing in such a way to impress a deeper truth behind the historical facts.

Hopefully, by the end, we'll see that while the biblical authors were exercising literary license in how they retold historical accounts, it doesn't negate the factual nature of their writings.

Rather than skepticism, through deeper study, this can become an incredible proof of God's sovereignty to preserve perfect truth through imperfect people.

Email: [email protected] 

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly