My Blog has Moved to http://shawnbumpers.com

Hey all,
As of early this morning, my blog has been relocated to http://shawnbumpers.com. Please update the address in your favorites. I also have a new post up there ... Psalm 119 Hey Stanza ... check it out and leave comments. Let me know if you like the new design and/or what improvements you would like to see. Thanks!

Psalm 119:25-32 Dalet Stanza

This is the fourth letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Beth and it is called dalet (dah-let).  The sound of this letter is like the "d" in door.  Dalet is the first letter of the Hebrew word Davar and Derek.  Davar means "word or thing" and Derek means "way."  Like Beth and Gimel, the Dalet may also contain a dagesh mark, making it have a hard "th" sound, but still very much resembling the sound of "d".  It has the numeric value of 4 (Aleph=1, Beth=2, Gimel=3) and the pictograph meaning is that of a tent door.  As I explained before in the Gimel stanza, it is also thought of as a poor or needy person. The word dalet comes from the word dalah (to make needy or impoverished) and the word dalut (poor or impoverished).  As a door, Dalet symobolizes our choice to go forward through the door or to wait outside the door.  Interestingly, the word for religion is dat (composed of a dalet and a tav), which means "the door of the cross."

Each one of us faces the choice of what we will do with Jesus.  Will we accept what He did for us or reject Him?  This stanza of Psalm 119 is all about God's way and man's way.  Taking either path requires the choice to take that path.  We can choose to take the path of the world and that will lead in the end to "my soul clings to the dust,""my soul melts with heaviness", "the way of lying" and shame.  The way of Jesus (HaDavar - The Word - see John 1) leads to revival, answers, understanding, strength, truth, and life.  The point is that there is a choice to be made.  God gives us the choice to accept or deny Yeshua - the Way, the Truth, and the Life or to reject Him and go the way of the world.  As in the pictograph of the Dalet, we have before us a door and thus a choice.  Romans 13:1 tells us that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  Have you made that decision?  In Luke chapter 9, Jesus said, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."  Friend, nobody can make the decision for you.  Jesus.  Yes or no?

Soul Wow

So ... what about:
1 Tim 2:1-7
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle -- I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying -- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
NKJV



Creativity-wise ... ok.  doctrinally - Anyone else see a problem here?

How to Pose Like This

Came across this on Twitter and had to share.  By the way, if you are not twittering, you are missing out.

Psalm 119:17-24 Gimel Stanza

Continuing our look at Psalm 119, we arrive at verses 17-24, which is the Gimel stanza.  The Hebrew letter Gimel has the sound of the English letter "G."  It carries several meanings - camel, riches, and lifting up (as a camel lifts the rider who sits on it).  The Talmud states that the Gimel is a rich man running after the poor man (the next letter, Dalet) to give him Tzedakah (charity).  Gimel is the first letter of the Hebrew words Goel and Goyim.  Goel is the word for kinsman redeemer and Goyim is the word for gentile and nations.  Gimel can also be seen as a picture of grace in this way - the letter is made up of two other letters ... the Yod and the Zayin.  The Yod is a "hand" in which is carried the Zayin "sword." In the picture of Tzedakah that I described above, the sword of the Zayin is facing away from the Dalet who is the object of the charity.

Reading this stanza of Psalm 119, it strikes me that we in no way merit the right to receive God's instruction.  By no means have we received God's instruction because we are righteous enough.  We are but Dalet's - poor men - in every respect before the Lord.  We are poor in spirit and poor in righteousness.  Yet God has brought His Word to us in the ultimate act of grace and charity.  Though we should be destroyed in His righteous presence, we can yet come before His throne of grace boldly to receive mercy (Hebrews 4:16).  Whereas God could have come to us with sword to avenge and destroy, He instead turned his sword away and came to us in charity that we may call upon the name of Yeshua/Jesus and be saved.  He even delays judgement, that many more may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:9).  Indeed El Shaddai has dealt bountifully with us.  Let us delight in His testimonies, seek His counsel, and meditate on His chesed (loving-kindness.)

Proverbs 10:3 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." ESV

Psalm 119:9-16 Beth Stanza

In the next of the 22 Psalm 119 stanzas is the Beth stanza.  The sound of the letter is "b" as in bait.  This letter can acutally have two sounds.  If there is a dot in the middle of the letter (called a dagesh) then the letter has the hard "b" sound.  Without the dagesh, the letter has a soft sound like the "v" in vet.  The Hebrew letter Beth carries the meaning of house, home or more widely, dwelling place.  It's interesting to note that the Tanakh (The Hebrew Scriptures) starts with the letter Beth (Bereshith - means "in the beginning.")  Why doesn't it start with Aleph, the first letter?  Well, Yeshua said He was the beginning and the end, the Aleph and the Tav.  God existed before His creation.
In Psalm 119:9-16, each verse starts with the letter Beth.

This stanza deals with three things ... the heart (ha-lev), God's Word (Yeshua Ha-Mashiach - Jesus, the Messiah [see John 1]) and the overflow of God's blessing out of our hearts.  Jesus occupying the dwelling place of our hearts means we are righteous in the eyes of God.  What occupies the dwelling place of your heart?  Is it money, your job, possessions?  Each one of us has only one thing that truly belongs to us.  That one thing is our heart.  What will you give your heart to?  Will you give it to the things of this world or will you give it to HaShem - to God?  Whatever occupies that dwelling place, will flow out into the things of our lives ... you will become like that thing (see Tehilim [Psalms] 115:4-8).
In the Psalm 119, what is the outflow of God's Word in the dwelling place of your heart?  The outflow is rejoicing, righteousness, blessing and delight.  Let the Word of God dwell in your heart and these things will inhabit your days and will be the joy of your family.  Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  Normally, I don't quote The Message as it's just someone's paraphrase of God's Word and not a literal translation, but I really like the way it puts Colossians 3:16 "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
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Mythbusters Vaporize Car

This is just awesome.  To blow up a car is cool.  To sandwich a car between two speeding trucks is pretty cool.  To hit a car so hard the paint flies off and only a couple of pieces are left is just wicked awesome.  If you have not seen this, check it out.

Psalm 119:1-8 Aleph Stanza

As I discussed in my post yesterday, the Hebrew letter Aleph (as seen at left) carries the meaning of strength.  The original pictorgraph version of the letter closely resembled the horns and outline of an oxen's head and in conjuction with this letters place as the first letter of the Aleph-Beth carries the meaning first, strength and leadership.

In verse 1, we learn that the undefiled in the way walk in the law of the Lord.  What is the Hebrew word for law used here?  It is Torah.  Yes, the Torah.  I know ... the Torah is "the old way" and now we live in liberty.  I think we need to remember that all good things are from God (James 1:17).   God gave the Torah, so it's not Torah/bad and Jesus/good.  It's Torah/good, Jesus/better as the fulfillment of the Torah.
What are the rewards of living according to the instructions God has given?  The rewards are:
1. Be blessed (Asher - happy)
2. Walk in the way of righteousness
3. No shame
Keeping all of the instruction of God is no easy thing for people with a sin nature.  In fact, it's impossible.  Todah a El that Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled the Torah - lived a life without sin and bore the penalty for our sin so that we may be saved.  Where we fall short, Jesus is strong.  He is our High Priest who can sympathize with our weakness and intercede on our behalf because of the work that He did on the cross.  He is our Melech Tzedek - our King of Righteousness; our Melech Shalom - our King of Peace.
In this day many use "Christian"as a social moniker for advancement instead of what it is meant to mean - follower of Jesus.  I'm moving from even calling myself a Christian anymore, but rather Follow of Jesus.  Jesus is our leader.  He is our strength.  Blessed and happy are those who are followers of Jesus.  I have committed myself to walk in His ways.  When I fail?  I will look to Him who Saves.  Todah Yeshua!

My Plan for the Next 22 Weeks

I love the Hebrew language and am on a quest to learn it and comprehend it.  What do I mean by that?  Well, Hebrew is a deep, rich language.  To learn it is one thing ... to really comprehend it is another.  Did you know that all languages of the world point to Jerusalem? West of Jerusalem, we read from the left to the right and east of Jerusalem, they read from the right to the left. Hebrew itself is read from right to left. The Hebrew aleph-beth (first two letters - where we get our term alphabet) contains 22 consonants and no vowels. There are vowel sounds in the language, but they are not written. The Hebrew reader knows what the word is based on the surrounding context. (Modern Hebrew does have vowel markers, but again, they are not always written.) Another interesting aspect of the Hebrew language is that each individual character has meaning. When combined into what we recognize as a word, the meaning of the word is derived from the combination of the meanings of the letters. Take for instance the Hebrew word for father - Ab (pronounced like Av - the "b" is soft and the a as the "a" in father).

The Aleph (a gutteral with no sound.)  The unwritten vowel sound is what you hear.



The Beth (pronounced: Bait) can have a hard (b) and soft sound (v).

The Aleph means "strength" and the Beth means "house."  So when you combine the Aleph and the Beth to make the Hebrew word Ab it carries the meaning, "strength of the house."


Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm as well as the longest chapter in the Bible. It is also what is called an acrostic Psalm with the first letter of each verse within each stanza starting with a successive letter of the Hebrew aleph-beth. If you open your Bible and look at this Psalm, you will see the way it is divided up - there is an Aleph section of 8 verses followed by a Beth section of 8 verses and so on.  All 176 verses are divided into stanzas of eight verses each. In each of these 8 verse sections, each verse starts with a letter of the Hebrew aleph-beth. So, for instance, in verse 161, which is the beginning of the "Shin" stanza, the first word is Sarim (saw-reem) - Hebrew for Princes.  Nothing in the Bible is there by accident and coincidence is not a kosher word.  Over the next 22 weeks, I'm going to commit myself to sharing brief devotionals on this blog from Psalm 119 taking into consideration the underlying meaning of each letter.  So stay tuned ... much more to come.

Matisyahu

Matisyahu (Matthew) is quickly becoming a musical favorite of mine ... check out his Rap/Reggae styling in the video below. Keep in mind that he is a Chasidic Jew - not Messianic. He does not believe that Yeshua ha-Meshiach - that Jesus is the Messiah.

No More Christians

I was looking through the news this morning and saw this article.

Christians do some pretty silly things to get people into the church and often overlook the key thing ... simply teach the Word.  Topicals can be great and dynamic and I enjoy a good topical teaching.  However, nothing feeds me and teaches me like a verse by verse buffet of scripture.  At one time it was commonplace for a pastor to teach verse by verse and chapter by chapter.  Now, it's rare.  Why?  What do you think about this?

Florida Church Seeks Attention With 'No More Christians' Campaign

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Fox News

A Florida church is trying to persuade people to return to worship with a provocative campaign that has raised a few eyebrows around town.

The Mosaic Church of Crestview, a non-denominational Christian church, used the slogan "No More Christians" to spark conversation and attract the attention of people who have grown lackadaisical in their religious practice, the Crestview News Bulletin reported.

The campaign advertises a series of discussions with names like "Why you should be an atheist instead of a Christian" and "Why you should be a Muslim instead of a Christian."

Mosaic Church Pastor James Ross said the discussions are meant to "creatively and aggressively try to show (people) that God loves them so much that even though they are still sinners, Christ died for them," the News Bulletin reported.

"We were really trying to catch the attention of people who are searching," Ross told the newspaper.

Unfortunately, Ross told the newspaper, the signs have also drawn negative attention.

What's in a Name?

1 Kings 8:28-30 "Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said,'My name shall be there,' that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place." NKJV 

Teaching through the book to the Hebrews on Saturdays for Reach and Teach Bible College has been a blast because it's like being in a gold mine. Everywhere you turn, there's a nugget you didn't notice before. From the Rabbinical teaching method of Remez to Melech Tzedek and the Cohen vay Melech to the things that aren't even technically in the text, but you end up discussing in class. Totally Holy Spirit led - there have been many "moments" through the class where we have entered into discussion on something that technically isn't directly from the text, but touches someone's heart because it is a response to some situation in their lives.

Last week I was talking about how God has placed certain things right in front of us to be seen as faith builders (I think we were at the end of chapter 3 moving into chapter 4 discussing belief.) One of those things that I mentioned is from the 1 Kings scripture above where God says that He will write His name on the land. Orthodox Jews and even some more liberal Jews will not speak the name of God or even write God ... instead they write something like G_d or say Ha Shem - which means The Name in Hebrew. Sometimes, they will even use the first letter of Shem to refer to God, which in Hebrew looks like a rounded "W"and is called the Shin (sheen) - see below:

Now, and this is really cool, look at an Aerial map of Jerusalem or visualize based on the topographical representation below.  There are three valleys that run through the land.  On the eastern side of the temple mount is the Kidron Valley.  Running up right next to the western side of the temple mount and under what is known as "Robbinson's Arch" and seperating Mount Moriah from Mount Zion is the Tyropoeon valley.  Just a little further off to the west on the other side of Mount Zion is the Gehenna Valley.  These three valleys join together at south just under the old City of David, forming a letter Shin - Ha Shem - The Name - the name of God written on the land.

Awesome.  There is no god like our God Most High.  Baruk Ha Shem!

The Crisis of Credit Explained

This is perhaps one of the best explanations of why the economy has taken the plunge that I have seen. Check it out. It's originally from here: http://jonathanjarvis.com/.

Better than the Original?

OK, so I've never been a huge fan of Matallica, but I can certainly be a fan of four guys doing a Metallica tune on Kazoos. Usually re-makes are pretty lame, but this rocks.



Do you think it's better than the original?

Around Here Everything Screams in Silence

Tuesday, April 21 is Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. On the 21st starting at 7pm, Calvary Chapel of the Triad will be showing The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in remembrance of the 6 million Jews who were murdered during this horrible moment in history. I don't know if you are aware, but the church at large sat idly by during the Holocaust.  Not long ago, I was in Yad Vashem - the Holocaust Museum in Israel.  I was blogging this trip as we went and I thought it would be appropriate to share the portion about Yad Vashem ...

From there we travel to Yad VaShem - the holocaust Museum.

I’ve just been through a portion of the holocaust museum. I feel I can hardly breathe. I’m trying not to just break down in tears but have already done so several times. The images are horrifying but it’s the realization that people can do this to one another that really hits hard. There was a quote inscribed on a wall that made me stop dead. It said, “Around here everything screams in silence.” I don’t know who’s quote it was. Another wall was the picture of a soldier with his rifle aimed at the back of a woman trying to run away with a small child in her arms. I’m about to enter the children’s memorial but I really don’t want to. I don’t know if I can handle it. 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust and 1.5 million were children. Inside the memorial it’s not what I expected. The room is round an dark with mirrors and candles reflecting countless spots of light. The names of children an their ages are being read aloud. I’m not in there long … couldn’t. It’s horrible and I want to push it out of my brain but I cannot and should not. Quite frankly now I just want to be alone to sob. I’m going to stop writing for a little while.

- shawn

Little Wing on the Chapman Stick

Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorite tunes. The Chapman Stick is an instrument I wished I had taken the time to mess around with. It's a crazy axe with six bass strings and six guitar strings and you play it by hammering on and sliding. Found this combo video of someone playing Little Wing with an acoustic Chapman Stick and had to post it.

Eye Opening Video - Did You Know?

Came across this video the other day.  First time I had seen it ... thought some of you guys might be interested in it.  Really eye opening.

I also want to share this ... I was driving down Mountain Street in Kernersville and saw a yellow poster board with "Rocking for Jesus" handwritten on it.  I expected to see a stage or something, but instead there were about 10 wooden rocking chairs lined up with people just sitting in them ... rocking.  I'm probably jumping to conclusions, but I hope there was more to this than sitting in a parking lot and relaxing.  It just looked funny from the perspective of someone driving by.  Anyone know what it was?

Crazy Tech, Exciting things ... and an opportunity for input

OK, so you guys know Calvary Chapel of the Triad has the Kernersville Campus and the Greensboro Campus. In addition, we stream all of the services live over the internet, which you can get to at http://www.reachthetriad.com. In addition, we stream the Cross the Bridge Outreach events live as they are happening.

Also, I "tweet"all the life lessons and the verse references during the service through @CCOT on Twitter. If you would like to receive these updates, you can do so by signing up for a Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com) and following CCOT. If you would like, you can receive the updates on your phone through texts by texting 40404 with Follow CCOT. Check your phone plan before you do that, though - if you have unlimited texting in your plan you should be fine. While your at it, follow me @solarcoast.

We are also working on some video Real Life Groups, which will be coming soon. (You will be able to attend a video RLG from your home, say if you are sick or can't get out, using your computer and a webcam - probably using TokBox.)

In addition, sometimes I turn on a live cam in my office (not during counseling sessions or meetings!) If you are following me on Twitter or facebook, you'll see me announce when the cam is on.

Here's where I'd like to have your input. What if we were to add an internet campus or an iCampus? Basically, enhancing the live stream of the services with some other features that make it more interactive. What features would you guys like to see? Live chat would rock. What else? I'm listening ...

Our Opportunistic Adversary

1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." NKJV

Most people think of lions as powerful hunters, bravely hunting their prey. That's not always the case. Yeah, lions are fierce hunters but they are also opportunistic. They have no qualms with munching on a carcass left behind by another killer.

I don't think followers of Jesus really understand just what satan is capable of. He's not a cartoon joke. He's deadly serious and biding his time, waiting for the opportunity to destroy you. He's waiting for you to put down your sword and your armor. He's waiting for you to decide that because you lost your job or because your marriage is in trouble God does not care. When the variables of life in a fallen world leave you a carcass, he's ready to feed.

Don't put down the armor. Don't put down the sword. During the harder times of life, press in. Don't forsake fellowship and church. Don't forsake serving. Don't forsake your own devotion and prayer time. In counseling I see it a lot and I've seen it happen too many times to too many followers of Jesus.

Catch Me Daddy!

This morning, my son was fearlessly jumping off the couch and into my arms saying, "Catch me, daddy!"

Rom 8:15-16
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father."
NKJV

With all abandon, jumping into the arms of my Heavenly Daddy.

Now, that's living!

Been Caught Sleeping

In order to remain fresh and true to my calling as a "second" man, I do several things daily. I pray, have devotions, read blogs, listen to the twittersphere, and read trade magazines such as Outreach, Collide and Relevant, etc. There are some books that I read over and over such as Second by L.E. Romaine and The Ministry of an Assisting Pastor by Larry Taylor.
This morning, while reading the latter, I was reminded of the importance of praying for my Pastor. I thought about Jesus in Matthew 26:36. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene, left most of the disciples except for three whom He brought with Him further into the garden. He then continued alone to a place within eyesight of Peter, James and John. While Jesus was agonizing, the three could have been praying, but what were they doing? Sleeping.
The Senior Pastor as spiritual leader, is in dire need of the prayers of his flock - especially the prayers of those whom he has chosen to allow into his direct sphere of influence. It can be so easy, however, to get caught up in other ministry stuff and neglect this extremely vital ministry.