Why the Apocrypha Isn't in the Bible.

What is the Apocrypha? Apocrypha is a collection of uninspired, spurious books written by various individuals. The Catholic religion considers these books as scripture just like a Bible-believer believes that our 66 books are the word of God, i.e., Genesis to Revelation. We are going to examine some verses from the Apocrypha later in our discussion. At the Council of Trent (1546) the Roman Catholic religion pronounced the following apocryphal books sacred.  So now you have the Bible, the Apocrypha and Catholic Tradition as co-equal sources of truth for the Catholic. The  Apocrypha  Tobit Judith Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Baruch First and Second Maccabees Additions to Esther and Daniel Apocryphal Books rejected by the Catholic Religion: First and Second Esdras Prayer of Manasses Susanna* *A reader says: "Susanna is in the Roman Catholic canon. It is Daniel 13."

Some facts about the Bible

The Bible is unique among “Holy Books;” it is rooted in and intertwined with actual human history.

The Bible claims to be “the word of God.” It records the interaction of God with historical people and nations. It reveals the meaning of life and the responsibility of human beings to their Creator.

books—The Bible is actually a collection of books, some long, some short. This book of books is the world’s all-time best seller and the world’s most translated book.

Two major sections

The Bible’s two major sections are the Old Testament and the New Testament. (What’s so new about the New Testament?) (Answer also available in Hungarian, Spanish)

Who Was Jesus?

Article originally posted in everystudent.com/wires/whowas.html

The following gives you a quick look at the life of Jesus Christ. These are excerpts straight from the Gospel of John, in the Bible. No comments added. They will give you an accurate and fast read of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection...and why his life is significant for you.

John 3
There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you."

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."

"What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"

If you are feeling suicidal now, please stop long enough to read this.

If you are feeling suicidal now, please stop long enough to read this. It will only take about five minutes. I do not want to talk you out of your bad feelings. I am not a therapist or other mental health professional - only someone who knows what it is like to be in pain. I don't know who you are, or why you are reading this page. I only know that for the moment, you're reading it, and that is good. I can assume that you are here because you are troubled and considering ending your life. If it were possible, I would prefer to be there with you at this moment, to sit with you and talk, face to face and heart to heart. But since that is not possible, we will have to make do with this.

Please read the shocking story of this boy!

Originally Posted by  

Enchong Dee

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy who would follow this route to school everyday: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from.
Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He was faithfully being watched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning,

"Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?"
"Opo padre ... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. He was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy.
"From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road...that way I can see that you are home safe...."
"Thank you father ... "
"Why don't you go home ... why do you stay in this church right after school?"
"I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and the priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER.

"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat although my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker.
Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry.
Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot next week, you see this is about to be broken... but it is okay....at least I am still going to school.... Some say we will have a hard season this month, some of my classmates have already stopped going to school .... please help them get to school again, please God?

....Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them.... Here... here and .... oh ...blood ....I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay, she is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!! Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you . but it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stood up and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend ....
youcan accompany me to the other side of the road now"

This routine happens everyday. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negative situations.
One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in the Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and would always find fault in what you do, they were also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party,playfully dashed in.
"Hello God! I ......"
"P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal!! Alis!!"

Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street ... and to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by the back door of this church .not only that, I have to greet Jesus. It is His birthday, I have a gift right here....

" Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!!
So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in.
There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time. Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless young boy ...
Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked,
"Excuse me sir, are you related to this child?
Do you know this child?"
The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up and answered,
"He was my best friend . " was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart.
He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight.
The crowd was curious ...
On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visited the house, and wanted to verify about the man in white. He consulted the parents of Andoy.

"How did you know that your son died?"
"A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?"
The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him.
He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whispered something..."
"What did he say?"
"He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift .... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt so
wonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is I cried tears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense
of love inside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart, I knew my boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my son talks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there ... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with
trembling knees, he murmurred, " ... He was talking to no one ......
but .. GOD...."
If you love this story, please. share this on to your friends. So you can touch others too.

'The song of songs - divine romance between God and man

Posted By Suja Jacob

"The voice of my Beloved!behold he comes leaping upon the mountains ,skipping upon the mountains,skipping upon the hills".

My Beloved is like a roe or a young hart ,behold ,he stands behind our wall,he looks forth at the windows,showing himself through the lattice." (song of songs 2:8-9)

They speak of the vitality of Christ's resurrection..He leaps over the hills and mountains.Nothing is too high or great to stop Him.

The Lord is the Lord of resurrection.He has overcome all difficulties and barriers.The minute He leaps all barriers are under Him.

But there is an obvious problem.

A wall exist between the Lord and the maiden.It encloses her and keeps the Lord out.Yet she sees nothing wrong with the wall.She calls it 'our' wall.

meaning that it belongs to her and the Lord.

She intends to enclose herself and him and to keep the world and everything else out.

She only knows the sweetness of fellowship ,but does not know the power of work and the fierceness of warfare.

There is only this thought of making 3 tents on the mountain ,but no thought given to the mass of sinners at the base of the mountain.

She is always turning inward to seek the joy of the Lords presence.

This is her wall.

The Lord is standing ,not sitting.He is ready to make a move.

Sitting leads to rest,standing leads to work.

He is outside.

Therefore the maiden must let go of the Lord within and allow Him to lead her out.

She must trust in His word and follow Him by exercising her faith to leap over mountains and hills.

Though she puts up a wall,He can yet make windows(lattice) for Himself,to get through to her.

The wall is her wall of introspection and feelings.

verse 2:11-"for lo the winter is past ,the rain is over and gone".

He calls her to come away with Him.

Winter depicts dryness,coldness ,lack of growth and testing.

He has driven winter away and the winter rain too.

Winter rain keeps man inside the house ,also refer to trials,which stop him from doing any work.

Verses 12 and 13-signify the arrival of spring,accompanied by flowers,singing of birds and voice of the turtle in the land.the vines are in blossom 

and give a lovely fragrance.

Fruit bearing is certain.

Everything dead is over,the future is full of assurance.

Verse 5-"Take us the foxes,the little foxes,that spoil the vines ;for our vines have tender grapes."

Foxes take away the fruit ;so there is a chance of fruit bearing.

But the little foxes break the branches whenever they can ,making it impossible to bear fruit.

What are little foxes?

They are the small habits,manifestations of our carnal life.Not big sins,but can hinder our fruitfulness.

The maiden cannot deal with them by herself.Hence the Lord says "take US the little foxes" meaning they must be dealt with in cooperation between the king and the maiden.

Killing which Baby? One in hand or one in womb?

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.

So th e doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?' 

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

 The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.' 

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. 

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

Peril of Pride

Posted by Suja Jacob

"But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown to him." (2 chronicles 32:25)
We can put it like this. “he grew proud”.

Hezekiah forgot to give god credit for his success.  Even though he knew it was He who fought on his side against the mighty Assyrians

Hezekiah started out well.

·          He sought God wholeheartedly in his early years as king.

·          He smashed idols,

·          Repaired the Temple,

·          Restored worship.

·          He made double walls around the city.

·          Dared to defy the Assyrian king, refusing to pay him tribute.

But something happened some years later.

Sennacherib attacked Judah. Hezekiah apologized to him and tore off the gold from the temple doors and treasuries to pay him tribute.

Why did he change his mind?

He compromised with his enemy, having probably backtracked from his original unwavering trust in his God.  God surely delivered him from mighty Sennacherib later, but Hezekiah was already on his downward journey spiritually.

Crowned with success, riches and accolades pouring in from all sides. He forgot it was God who did it. So sickness set in to try him. He prayed a self-centered prayer ,focusing on all he was and he had done ,rather than dwelling on His mercies.

Yet God relented.

But later withdrew from Hezekiah to test what was in his heart.

Pride.
Loaded with it.

He then shows off his immense wealth to his future enemy Babylon.  Notice his response when reprimanded by God though prophet Isaiah.  He was "happy" it wouldn’t happen in 'his' lifetime.

How selfish.

He who built double walls around his kingdom ,failed to detect an even deadlier enemy lurking within his own walls.

His Pride.

Beloved friends, let us be careful, lest we too fall in the same trap.

God deserves our glory.

He alone