Wednesday: Predictions and Sinners

 Happy Happy Wednesday!!  I hope you all have had a great day!   SAT testing for me, but it is all over now :) :) :) :)))))


***If you read yesterday's post, I just updated it because I left out a couple of facts.  Click HERE to read the rest***


Onto Wednesday.....

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On this Wednesday 2000 years ago......

Please read the following......




Mark 13



 ³⁸ As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, ³⁹and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Mark 14

¹⁴ “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’^[a] standing where it^[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁵ Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. ¹⁶ Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. ¹⁷ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ¹⁸ Pray that this will not take place in winter, ¹⁹ because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. ²⁰ If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.²¹ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ^[c]!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. ²² For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. ²³ So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

   

²⁴ “But in those days, following that distress,

   “‘the sun will be darkened,
   and the moon will not give its light;
²⁵ the stars will fall from the sky, 

   and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’^[d]

First of all, he talks about the teachers of law trying to seem very important.  And holy.  And  everything in between.  These teachers were as much of a sinner as a murderer.  The way they flaunt themselves around taking important seats and "devouring widows houses" disgusted Jesus and disgusts me too.  Jesus called them hypocrites and snakes and he had every right too.  He was also teaching this to a crowd of people.  A crowd of people who probably supported and looked up to the priests but also probably didn't like them.  So this probably spread like wildfire, and only made the priests dislike him [ttttttttttttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssssss] much more. And helped his chances of getting killed.  Ouch.  Jesus also spoke to his disciples in Mark 14 about the end of the age.  I only posted a portion of it here, but you can check the rest of it out in Mark 14. Jesus mourns Jerusalem's destruction and is pending destruction for them.  But on top of all this heavy stuff, he still knows that at that time tomorrow, he will be betrayed after praying so hard DROPS OF BLOOD roll down his face.  Not only is Jerusalem pending destruction but so is he.  And the disciples barely know anything.  And they are trying to take this all in: stars falling from the sky?  The sun will be dark????






And Thursday will be a big day indeed..... but not as big as Friday......... :)


Until tomorrow dear friends..........

Tuesday's Learning and Questions

Tuesday we didn't talk about as much in class, so we'll see how this goes :)

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On this Tuesday approximately 2000 years ago........

(this section happened the day before)
¹² The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. ¹³ Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.


(this happened on that Tuesday)

The Withered Fig Tree

 ²⁰ In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ²¹ Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

   ²² “Have^[f] faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.^[g]”

......and then......

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

 ²⁷ They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. ²⁸ “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

 ²⁹ Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ³⁰ John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”

 ³¹ They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ³² But if we say, ‘From men’…” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

 ³³ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

   Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Okay then.... wow!  He actually was questioned several more times after this, but I figured you may not want or have time to read them (if you want to, go to Mark 12).  Do you hear the wisdom rolling out of him?  I think it's amazing how he says it it seems without having to think about it, while the Priests thought for a while, contemplating these things.  Ha :)

So the disciples are standing there while Jesus says, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!".   This was probably seen by them as just an expression of being frustrated, kinda like of us saying "Darn it" or, in Jesus' case "Stupid fig tree.  It won't have fruit for anyone else again.".  So when the disciples heard that, they probably didn't think much about it.  But when they walk by again the next day and it is withered, they are thinking,  as my youngest brother would say, "We are messing with the real deal."  

And, if I trust God enough, I could tell a mountain to jump in the ocean and it would do it.  That's ridiculous and would take an amazing amount faith.  Wow.  I don't feel like that faith is even fathomable to me.  Later on, he is questioned about his authority which was really a trick question.  And he replies with something I could, of  course, never come up with: another question.  Not only another question, but a good one.  And again, it just comes out of him, straight from God.  I think this really shows how close he is to God and God to him: they and the Holy Spirit are ONE.  So then people are in awe of Jesus, and the Priests are shamed and walk away quietly, probably afraid to do anything else for fear of embarrassment.  But secretly, they are plotting to kill Jesus: they want an end to this blasphemy-er.  

Ah, and this is where our story concludes for the evening.....

Until tomorrow....

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EDIT: i forgot a VERY important turn in the story: Tuesday is also the day that Judas contracts to betray Jesus.  So Judas, who was tempted with the amount of money offered, decided to betray Jesus 


Mark 14

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. ¹¹ They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Also, Tuesday (which apparently was a very busy day) was when the woman poured perfume on Jesus' feet, and it was very expensive perfume.  How did she know it was preparing him for his burial?? This puzzles me....  Anyways, right after this Judas went and betrayed Jesus :)

**If you are wondering why I put a happy face after that incredibly sad betrayal note, its because I'm very sad for Jesus and God, but very happy for his plan and my being saved :)  So I suppose I owe Judas a thank you....... but I think I may still be holding a grudge against him..... ;)**

Monday: The Turning of the Tables

Happy Monday everyone!

So approximately 2000 years ago today, Jesus turned over the tables AND in doing so, the tables turned for him.  Please read the following passage for today:

Jesus Clears the Temple

 ¹⁵ On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, ¹⁶ and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. ¹⁷And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written:

   “‘My house will be called
   a house of prayer for all nations’^[c]?

   But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’^[d]”

 ¹⁸ The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

 ¹⁹ When evening came, they^[e] went out of the city.

The section of the temple Jesus was in was called the Gentiles court (for gentiles- those that are not Jews).  The court was basically a mockery to God.  I mean, imagine this scene we were presented in class yesterday:  A quarter of a million lambs (that's just the lambs, not mentioning the other animals) and 3 times as many people as could fill the Bryant-Denny stadium all crowded in a court, shoulder to shoulder.  The place reeks of animals and waste, and its also getting near 100 degrees in the room.  People are shouting and yelling to, "Buy our lambs!  We've got the best!".  If this place is supposed to be the temple, place of worship to the almighty God.  You can kinda see why Jesus would be mad.  And he was really mad.  If you think about a fight at a college football game, everyone around them moves out of the way a little, but it doesn't disrupt the rest of the crowd or interrupt the game.  It usually only lasts a few seconds.  In the temple, where there were 2 to 3 times as many people as in the football stadium, he runs and turns the tables over, with doves and animals and people going everywhere, and actually scaring the people in the temple.  Actually scaring them away!  Its got to take a lot to do that.  Then he teaches to them the word of God.  The priests probably don't like this (1) They were probably making some money off the vendors (2) The people were amazed at Jesus, and they probably feared people following him and doing the same thing.  This is where the tables turned for Jesus: They started looking for a way to kill him. I don't blame him for trying to stop the whole thing, because without it, we wouldn't be here today.  On top of that, this is God's house and dwelling.  That's important.

And this part of the story is a bridge to the rest of the week.

Until tomorrow...

Palm Sunday and Easter week!!

NOTE: This is basically a replay of Sunday School class this morning.  Hope you enjoy!!

Happy Palm Sunday everyone!!!

I think we often misunderstand the importance of this day when I say that.  I mean, sure, Jesus walked into a city with leaves in front of him.  Cool.

No.  That's not the full details of the story.  In fact, this whole week 2000 years ago was just the prologue to the main story that's happening now.


Please read the following story behind Palm Sunday and reflect on it as you read my thoughts below it:

Mark 11

The Triumphal Entry

 ¹ As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

 ⁴ They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵ some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷ When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

   “Hosanna!^[a]”

   “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[b]

 ¹⁰ “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

   “Hosanna in the highest!”

These people were oppressed, having lost all family members, land, house and possessions all taken away from them.  They had, literally, nothing left, and were at the mercy of Rome.  When you hear Jesus is coming to town, (oh, yeah, he's kinda like the Messiah and Savior that's going to rescue them and save them from the Roman Empire), you take it seriously: like dancing in circles and shouting at the top of your lungs "Hosanna!!! Blessed is Jesus!!" and letting everyone hear it.  You take your cloak, (which is your shelter and warmth at night, protection from the sun, and your only possession left) and lay it down for a donkey to ride on.  You grab palm leaves and wave them to praise him, singing, shouting, so excited that your deliverer is here!   Your redeemer IS here: the humble king riding on a donkey.  This also says something: What does a great king ride on?  Probably a stallion, or in a carriage, or with people carrying him.  Never on a donkey.  Hmmm.

Now when I say this, it may have a different meaning:

Happy Palm Sunday, everyone!!


I think this week is very important.  I mean, like better than christmas.  But I thought nothing of it until hearing my youth minister talk about it and see how important this week really is, and also taught pretty much the same lesson (as in, my information and thoughts were taken/inspired from/ by him.  Thanks Scott! :)  I want to walk through this week with you, and post daily to tell you of what happened on this day 2000 years ago to lead up to the resurrection.  And yes, most of my notes will be from Scott and his awesome class.  But technically, its not from him.  Its from God, and he spoke through Scott to me and now (hopefully) to you.



Let me know what you think if you like :)

And get ready for monday.

Breaking News: Mission Trip

Hi there!  Hope you are all doing well!

I have been busy enough.

But I'm sure you all knew that :)


I have some very exciting news....... My family and I are going on a mission trip...... to......

THE BAHAMAS!!!!

yay, yay, yay, yay, YAY!!

I am so excited.  We are going on May 6 and  staying for the week!!  We are heading to Nassau, and going to help a small church down there with some things.  I can give you more details later, because I do not know exactly the details themselves... so..... :)  It will be my first time out of the country, as it will also be my siblings first time.


I can't wait. :D

I really would love to write more, but alas, the schoolbooks are calling.  And I'm trying to ignore them.  but its not really working out :)


SO i will hopefully write soon, but we will see how that goes....

have a great saturday listening to the blue angels!!

P.S.  My dear friend Shelby put a great post up.  Maybe you should go check it out ;)


P.P.S.  current money count is: $617.95.  i've got some cool new fundraising ideas so stay tuned :)


P.P.P.S.  if you want to hear more about annoying schoolbooks in a fun story from a great author, go check out this blog.

Confessions of a Bad Blogger

Wow.... its been a while, huh?

Sorry about that... I'm going to try to write more often, but its kind of hard to blog consistently and do schoolwork, play practice, church, and get some rest in between :)

I promise I didn't forget about you, I have, in fact, thought about all of you and my blog, everyday.  I have just been busy.... and maybe just lazy too (you have to have some of those days sometimes, don't you?).  But I definitely plan to let you all know what I've been up to and what's been on my mind...... which probably means this could be an interesting post ;)

Let me catch you up on some things.... this will probably best be done with pictures and explanations.

I told you guys I was headed out of town for the weekend a while ago, didn't I?  Well, I was blessed with the privilege to go to Panama City, Florida, to babysit some awesome kiddos.  My friends (more like family) the Dixons, were attending Gulf Coast Getaway, as Mr. Duane Dixon was a part of the committee and helped with the organization. I was to help babysit their three youngest children with my sweet, down-the-street friend, Morgan.  Let me just say, we had an amazing time!  Between mermaids, starfish, seashells, and sand, it was a fantabulous trip :) We were even able to go to some of the sessions, and hear the great things that were going on.

** i had some pics, but my computer is being cranky, so just check out this video we worked on down there, and ignore the sounds, I hope to put "inspiring" music to it**

After that, it was time to prepare for auditions for Willy Wonka, with the Tuscaloosa Children's Theater that I enjoy doing shows with. I am very blessed with the role of an Oompa-Loompa :))))) You will most  likely be hearing more about this, but for now, the following information is all I can give you:

Show: Willy Wonka
Place: Bama Theater
When: April 20-22, 2012 (these are only the public show dates; there are school show dates: April 19-20, 23.  There will be two school shows a day: one at 9:00 am and one at 12:00 am)

I would very much enjoy it if  you would come.

So I suppose I will have to drive you crazy talking about this amazing show until you decide it would be a good investment of your time to come if you happen to live here or be in town.   :)



Another thing I've been preparing for lately is Teen Pact, which is basically a government camp or conference for mostly home schooled teens.  We will go to Montgomery, stay at a YMCA camp, and attend the capitol for classes on government.  I have assigned homework to finish before I go, and I still seem to be working on it :/  The camp will be the last week of February for a whole school week.  I'm very excited.

**********************************************************************************
well, I started this blog post a week ago, before I attended Teen Pact actually (more notes on that in a moment :)

This past weekend (last weekend of February) was absolutely crazy for the Breedlove family.  Friday night we left my brothers with a friend so Brooks could attend his basketball game the next morning, and we left (with my wonderful sister mary helen who is not a biological sibling) for Memphis, Tennessee to go to Caroline's gymnastics meet.  We had a wonderful time.  Period.  ;)

Caroline's pretty scale on the beam :)

on floor

Vault

First Place!!!! :D Great job!

After the meet with Mary Helen, Caroline, and Me

Have you seen elf?? We were mimicking what he does on the escalator :) We love escalators!

on the trolley tracks

The marks our pennies made after the trolley drove over them

Our flattened pennies :)

I have to confess... I loved the cute trolleys and took at least 15 pictures of them :)

on the trolley :)))

If you are ever in downtown memphis, go to Huey's!!!!  This is such a fun place, and they have AMAZING burgers.  One unique thing about this place is that you can shoot straws up at the ceiling, and see if they stick.  Then once a year, they let people pay one dollar to guess how many are on the ceiling, and whoever is closest wins a prize (gift cards??) and all the money goes to the zoo, they take down the toothpicks and start over.  Its was sooo good, and a ton of fun!

shooting toothpicks at the ceiling :) 

refills, anyone?

this adorable carriage was going down main street on our way back to the car.  I thought it was so cute!

While we were in memphis, my great-grandfather passed away.  he was 92 years old, and could hardly hear or see, and upon losing his wife a year ago, had lost his soul mate, and was a shell of a man.  he was a farmer, and provided for 6 children, and loved his 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, with 2 more on the way.  He was  always a hard worker, and I will remember the trait he passed down to my father: a shiny bald head :)  We love you, Grandaddy.

so, while my family left sunday morning after we returned from memphis so they could go to the funeral, I stayed with some friends over night so I could go to teen pact!!!!

okay.... here's where I've been this past week...... TEENPACT!!!!!  If you are a homeschool student and
have not heard about this program or have not been go HERE to learn more about this amazing program!!!  I had an awesome time, with wonderful worship and devos, fun classes at the capitol, and great friends.  Now how does that sound for a memorable and awesome week?  i attended with my homeschool group here in Tuscaloosa, with my great friend, Caroline, and some other amazing friends.  I have some pictures, but sadly, my computer is being cranky right now, so I will have to show you later.

I hope I'm not overwhelming you with picture, but in case you haven't noticed, I love to take and post pictures.  It makes a story easier to tell :).  Just tell me if you're sick of pictures; I've just had a lot to share recently.

Really, these have been the biggest things going on in my life right now.  Plus school, which consumes a ton of time these days :P  I guess that's a busy, home-schooled, high-schooler's life for ya.

Well, I hope that i have caught you up on my life, and hope these are some good excuses for not writing :)

I'll post soon!!

Anna Leigh



P.S. don't forget the chip-in icon on the side!  i'm trying to get a fundraiser together, but we'll see how that works out.  The current count is about $550, but please pray and donate if you feel lead to do so.  Thanks so much!

Hmmm....

this video is about false religion... i don't think i agree with him about hating religion, but i see his points about living false religion....

will post soon, but headed out of town for the weekend.

love you all!

anna leigh