Unitarian Catholic Church
An Assembly of Faith (AOF) of the
Advancing Noah Movement (ANM)
CONTENTS:
About the UCC
The Rainbow Torah
The Gospel of Jesus
The Gospel of Tarcisius
Articles
Histories
About the UCC
The UCC are usually former members of Catholicism, but not always, who have an interest in continuing in Catholic tradition, yet do not believe that Jesus is either Christ or God, and accept that Torah is the teaching of God. Yet, due to tradtition as the primary motivation, Catholic tradition is continued with, in the light of the Unity of God, and an approach to a modified Gospel which is non-idolatrous and more in harmony with Torahic principle. There is much in traditional Catholicism which we may continue on the emblems of, and the rule is if it can continue let it continue, but if it must be let go of, let it go.
The Rainbow Torah
THE RAINBOW TORAH
1 In the beginning when God created[a] the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God[b] swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
6 And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8 God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
9 And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
20 And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind[c] in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth,[d] and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
27 So
God created humankind[e] in
his image,
in the image of God he created
them;[f]
male
and female he created them.
28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29 God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
In the day that the Lord[g] God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; 6 but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground,[h] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19 So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man[i] there was not found a helper as his partner. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This
at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of
my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,[j]
for
out of Man[k] this
one was taken.”
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.
3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,[l] knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because
you have done this,
cursed are you among
all animals
and among all wild
creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and
dust you shall eat
all the days of your
life.
15 I
will put enmity between you and the woman,
and
between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and
you will strike his heel.”
“I
will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing;
in
pain you shall bring forth children,
yet your desire shall be for
your husband,
and he shall rule over you.”
17 And to the man[m] he said,
“Because
you have listened to the voice of your wife,
and
have eaten of the tree
about which I commanded you,
‘You
shall not eat of it,’
cursed is the ground because of
you;
in toil you shall eat of it all the
days of your life;
18 thorns
and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
and
you shall eat the plants of the field.
19 By
the sweat of your face
you shall eat
bread
until you return to the ground,
for
out of it you were taken;
you are dust,
and
to dust you shall return.”
20 The man named his wife Eve,[n] because she was the mother of all living. 21 And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man[o] and for his wife, and clothed them.
22 Then the Lord God said, “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.
4 Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced[p] a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.”[q] And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! 14 Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so![r] Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod,[s] east of Eden.
17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city, and named it Enoch after his son Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael the father of Methushael, and Methushael the father of Lamech. 19 Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the ancestor of those who live in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
“Adah
and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of
Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding
me,
a young man for striking me.
24 If
Cain is avenged sevenfold,
truly Lamech
seventy-sevenfold.”
25 Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, for she said, “God has appointed[t] for me another child instead of Abel, because Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to invoke the name of the Lord.
5 This is the list of the descendants of Adam. When God created humankind,[u] he made them[v] in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them “Humankind”[w] when they were created.
3 When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years; and he died.
6 When Seth had lived one hundred five years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived after the birth of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years; and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived ninety years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after the birth of Kenan eight hundred fifteen years, and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years; and he died.
12 When Kenan had lived seventy years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after the birth of Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died.
15 When Mahalalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after the birth of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years; and he died.
18 When Jared had lived one hundred sixty-two years he became the father of Enoch. 19 Jared lived after the birth of Enoch eight hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years; and he died.
21 When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived one hundred eighty-seven years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after the birth of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years; and he died.
28 When Lamech had lived one hundred eighty-two years, he became the father of a son; 29 he named him Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after the birth of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years; and he died.
32 After Noah was five hundred years old, Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
6 When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My spirit shall not abide[x] in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out from the earth the human beings I have created—people together with animals and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord.
9 These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of cypress[y] wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 Make a roof[z] for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
7 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” 5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.
6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. 7 And Noah with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, 9 two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came on the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12 The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark, 14 they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind—every bird, every winged creature. 15 They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.
17 The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 The waters swelled so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; 20 the waters swelled above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all human beings; 22 everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, human beings and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred fifty days.
8 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; 2 the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, 3 and the waters gradually receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred fifty days the waters had abated; 4 and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 The waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared.
6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; 9 but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. 10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; 11 and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12 Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more.
13 In the six hundred first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. 15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” 18 So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19 And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.
22 As
long as the earth endures,
seedtime and
harvest, cold and heat,
summer and winter, day and
night,
shall not cease.”
9 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 Only, you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning: from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life.
6 Whoever
sheds the blood of a human,
by a human
shall that person’s blood be shed;
for in his own
image
God made humankind.
7 And you, be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and multiply in it.”
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.[aa] 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
18 The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah; and from these the whole earth was peopled.
20 Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. 21 He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,
“Cursed
be Canaan;
lowest of slaves shall he be to
his brothers.”
“Blessed
by the Lord my
God be Shem;
and let Canaan be his
slave.
27 May
God make space for[ab] Japheth,
and
let him live in the tents of Shem;
and let
Canaan be his slave.”
28 After the flood Noah lived three hundred fifty years. 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years; and he died.
10 These are the descendants of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth; children were born to them after the flood.
2 The descendants of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The descendants of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The descendants of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.[ac] 5 From these the coastland peoples spread. These are the descendants of Japheth[ad] in their lands, with their own language, by their families, in their nations.
6 The descendants of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. 7 The descendants of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod; he was the first on earth to become a mighty warrior. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, and Accad, all of them in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city. 13 Egypt became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim, from which the Philistines come.[ae]
15 Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, and Heth, 16 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. 19 And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. 20 These are the descendants of Ham, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
21 To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born. 22 The descendants of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The descendants of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg,[af] for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the descendants of Joktan. 30 The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar, the hill country of the east. 31 These are the descendants of Shem, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
32 These are the families of Noah’s sons, according to their genealogies, in their nations; and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.
11 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as they migrated from the east,[ag] they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused[ah] the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
The Gospel of Jesus
The book of the generation of Jesus, descendant of David, descendant of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadabbegat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zerubbabel; And Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliudbegat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Jesus are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things he thought better, and would honour being the father of the child.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born, the teacher of the Good News? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to pay respects to him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where the child should be. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and pay my respects also. When they had heard the king, they departed. And when they were come into the house were they found the child, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and were inspired by the child's presence: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, inspiration came upon Joseph in a dream to take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until Herod's wroth had passed. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: and in this way Jesus follows the scriptural pattenwhich was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. And in a way the scriptures were followed again in the life of Jesus, for it is written 'In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.' But when Herod was dead, behold Joseph had another dream which taught him to arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for those were dead which sought the young child's life.
And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth.
So having being born in a humble manger, the son of Mary and Joseph, Jesus grew up and was well known as a godfearing child of a holy Jewish family. Jesus was strong in the Lord and loved his father Joseph and his mother Mary with all his heart. He worked with his father as a Carpenter and carefully learned all the ways of the trade. He was quick to pay attention to even the most minor of details and would listen faithfully as Joseph instructed him in the ways of Jewish living and being holy towards God.
Jesus cried greatly when Joseph died, and when they were at the grave his mother Mary said 'Fear not, dear Jesus. For your father has gone to heaven to be with his heavenly father, the father of us all. Remember that dear son. God is your father, and he loves you greatly.'
'I will remember,' responded the boy Jesus.
As Jesus grew, he grew strong in the faith, and was full of courage. The Holy Spirit of God watched over him, instructing his mind and teaching him the proper ways of godly conduct and how to teach men the way of the Gospel of God. The Holy Spirit blazed in the young man Jesus' heart, and as he worked and grew everyone in Nazareth thought of him as a most special and gifted child of God. But there was something different about him. Something different his mother Mary noticed. He was special, was Jesus, as the Angel Gabriel had told her. He was special and had a gift - a gift for all men in Israel and, one day, to the ends of the world. And as he continued to grow in learning, wisdom and understanding, Mary knew she must share her son's message to be a Holy Mother to the world, to spread the message of God's beloved peacemakers, children of God, children of peace, bound together in bonds of love, and unity.
As he grew Jesus shared with his mother his dreams from what he had seen in the sacred scriptures. Dreams of forming a special community - a chosen community - one which would live forever, a sacred ecclesia of God - which throughout eternity would serve God in love and fidelity, knowing God loved them dearly and would forever be faithful to them. And Mary knew her son was wise and would share him in this vision, as she knew Joseph her husband would have, had he lived longer. Jesus grew and soon, one day, he spoke with his mother.
'It is time, mother. The Day of the Lord is upon us and I must preach the Gospel. For God my father wishes this of me.'
And Mary nodded solemnly, gave her son her blessing, and sent him on his way. And then she prayed this holy prayer.
'God of my fathers, God of my ancestors, I sing praise to your name. My dear son Jesus, descended from our champion King David, is truly a Son of David, a man after God's own heart. I thank you King of Eternity for the passion you have placed in my son's heart, and I ask you to keep your hand upon him all his days, until he has completed his sacred mission. Praise to you Lord God Almighty. I rejoice in your ways with quiet humility and grateful service. Alleluia.
And Jesus went off, and came to John. And was baptized. And the Holy Spirit of God alighted upon him and a voice from the heavenlies said 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.'
And immediately Jesus went to the desert, were the dark lord tested him, but Jesus came through this testing in his faith and the Gospel was preached.
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.
'God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted the same way.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, Theyhave their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Jesus continued his teaching. 'Judge not, less you are likewise judged. For the standard you use in your judgement may very well be applied to yourself in the way God decides to judge you. So what if there is a problem with your brother, like a little speck in his eye. You probably have a log in your own eye, so at least remove the log before you try getting the speck out of your brother's eye. Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.' Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?'
Jesus replied, 'The most important commandment is this: 'Shema Israel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Achud.' And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Secondly, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. These are the prime commandments.'
The teacher replied 'Well said Jesus of Nazareth. To love God with all of your being is the summation of our faith, so much more than just the sacrificial aspects.'
'You are not far from heaven,' Jesus responded to the teacher.
Jesus spoke to his disciples. 'There was a man, walking along a road, and he saw a man who had apparently been robbed, lying on the road, bleeding. He was a Pharisee this man, and looked at the bleeding man, but was too busy to help him so walked on. Later on a scribe came by, but was also just a little too busy to get involved, and passed on as well. Later that day, when it was starting to get cold and dark, a Samaritan came along, who the Pharisees and Scribes really don't approve of, looked at the man, and despite it being late and cold, troubled himself to put the man carefully on his donkey, take him to an inn, and pay for his healing. Now tell me, was it the Pharisee, scribe or Samaritan who did the right thing?'
Jesus spoke to his disciples. 'The younger son of a farmer wanted the good life, sick to death of work. He'd had enough, demanded his inheritance right there and then, and because the farmer loved his son, he gave him his share. The son went off, partied for quite a while, but ended up broke. He was working for a man, feeding the pigs, and eating very poorly, when he came to his senses. 'At home I'll get a better feed. I will ask for forgiveness. I have been an idiot, but hopefully dad will forgive me.' The son went home, and his father killed the fatted lamb in his son's honour. But the older brother, who had worked hard and not left, remaining faithful, complained. And then the father said to the older brother, 'I would have done so much for you as well, and more besides. But rejoice, for your brother was lost to the family, but is now found again.'
Jesus was chatting with Nicodemus one day.
'Why do your disciples call you the Son of God,' he asked Joseph's son.
Jesus replied 'Did not the prophet Malachi teach that we all have one God, the Father of us all?'
'Yes, yes he did,' responded Nicodemus.
'And did not Moses write in Exodus that Israel, as a people, are God's firstborn son?'
'Exodus 4:22 I believe,' responded the knowledgeable Nicodemus.
'So wherefore are the Pharisees so uppity in their defiance of a son of Israel who righteously claims his God-given inheritance? They and their holy Hashem. Does not scripture even degree God prefers to be called by his real name? Nay, the Pharisees distance the people from God and put him on a pedestal when he is all of ours loving heavenly father.'
'True,' responded Nicodemus.
'Yet I will say more than this. Are not the gentiles children of Noah, our father also, and is not the God of the Rainbow covenant also their God? For he is the heavenly father of all the children of men who seek his name and his glory. For a nation which does not know God shall drink new spiritual wine and likewise call upon the presence of the Almighty.'
And Nicodemus was amazed.
'Why do they call you Messiah?' Nicodemus asked Jesus.
'Have you read Jeremiah chapter 33?' asked Jesus in response.
'In younger years,' responded the member of the Sanhedrin.
'It is clear,' continued Jesus, that not just one King of Judah fulfilled the Messianic role. For after the prophet declares Zedekiah the Messiah, the one whose name means 'The LORD our righteousness', he reminds us that David shall never lack a man upon the throne. For their are many Messiahs, and the Governor of Judah, my ancestor Zerubbabel, likewise fulfilled the role of Isaiah 11. For did not God grant Zerubbabel his signet ring as Haggai reminds us. And did not the prophet Zechariah teach that Zerubbabel would prosper by the Spirit of the LORD? For God's anointing was verily upon him.'
'But why do they call you Messiah?' asked Nicodemus.
'Psalm 89 teaches us that David's house fell. For such was the warning from God to Solomon. And Zerubbabel could only aspire so high for his generation. Why should the son of Joseph think more highly of himself? For those who abase themselves shall be exalted and those who exalt themselves shall be abased. A son of David knows his own heart, and my Christhood is of love, for what more Glory can I seek than that?'
And Nicodemus considered his words.
'So, you know all things do you?'Peter asked Jesus cautiously.
'The Son of God is a revelation in and of himself. One day you may know what that means.'
'Why do you speak with Nicodemus in private, Rabbi?'
'A gentle heart has Nicodemus. And of the Sanhedrin he is. He is accustomed to special treatment.'
'Yet God respects no man?' queried Peter.
'And a wise heart knows when to go both with the grain...'
'And against it,' finished Peter.
'There will come a time my friend when the Sanhedrin will not always be so accommodating to the likes of us. Meekness is not unwise at the moment. A dark day approaches.'
'You say that. But what do you mean?'
'I have made it clear,' responded Jesus.
They continued on the road and they reached Emmaus. 'A place of retreat,' said Jesus softly, though Peter heard him.
Jesus turned to Peter. 'The church throughout the ages is special to me. Francis the First, who father speaks of, is the end of an era in many ways. The end of Christian zeal for the holy. By then the church has become what it will remain, and the liberties it allows it will allow and continue so and the strictness it maintains it will maintain and continue so. A prophet will teach an end of these High Priests with Francis.'
'Yet the line will go on?' asked Peter.
'Till the end of the age,' responded Jesus of Nazareth.
'How long will the church age last?' asked Peter.
'How long is a piece of string?' responded Jesus, a soft smile on his face.
'Very funny, master,' responded Peter.
'You are my first high priest in a very long line, Cephas. Upon your shoulders you must bear a nation.'
'Yet how will I carry them all?' asked Peter perplexed.
'You need not worry, for I will be carrying you.'
Peter smiled.
'Peter.'
'Yes master?'
'Feed my lambs.'
And they spake not again that afternoon.
'Worship the Son of Man if ye must, for I know ye will,' and his disciples took that as approval. Later Peter spoke with Jesus in private. 'What did you mean? Who then should we worship?'
'The Son of Man came to worship God, not himself.'
'But who then should we worship?' asked Peter.
'Is it not Jehovah the Father of Glory,' said Jesus coldly, yet he forbade Peter to speak of the matter with the other disciples.
A little later Jesus shared a parable with his disciples. 'The Son of a grand and glorious king was sent by his father on a mission to spread his message of a kingdom of love far and wide. Yet the Son was so successful they received him as their Glory rather than the heart of love which had commisioned him. Tell me, who deserves the glory?'
And they talked among themselves and, as one, praised the son for his great success. Yet Jesus looked at Peter, who nodded softly in response.
'And you really believe yourself the Christ?' asked Nicodemus.
'Do you know better than I?' responded Jesus.
'We know who our Christ is. God shows him to us.'
'Then you are mistaken,' said Jesus.
'And for that we will likely suffer, I suppose,' responded Nicodemus.
Jesus said nothing.
In a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
'He knows. He has been told,' said one.
'Deep down, perhaps,' said Nicodemus.
'He has authorized his own death,' said another. 'His claims of Sonship climb in his followers every day. To divine ideas. He must be rebuked.'
Nicodemus remained silent.
The High Priest spoke, 'This Jesus of Nazareth is also a child of Israel. Yet none of us, Nicodemus, is exempt from our proper respect for the holy one upon high. Not even this Jesus of Nazareth.
And Nicodemus silently agreed.
After that Jesus preached many, many things for a while until the day came - the day he feared, but the day which would bring life to countless people. And, as he walked the stations of the cross, he remembered in his heart the love he had for those he had chosen and the price that needed to be paid for their salvation. And with courage and the last of his passion he reached the cross and was raised so that he might inspire faith in his followers.
A while later, after Jesus had been taken up to heaven, Saul converted and became Paul. And writing to the Corinthian Church (Daniel's Translation), he wrote:
'If I spoke with the tongues of an Angel, in all his glory, and thought myself splendid, what would it matter if I didn't really love people very much. If I was the ultimate prophetical voice, and expounded the word of God with so much wisdom that people were amazed at me, but didn't practice love towards my friends and fellows, what kind of person am I really? If I had 7 university degrees, with PhD's, but lacked intelligence in how I showed love to people, perhaps not even loving them at all, is my life really worth living? Love suffers long and is kind and patient. It is not arrogant or rude or unforgiving. And it does not think highly of itself, puffing itself up in pride. Love is the true voice of prophecy, it is the true word of God. And love, knowledge of love itself, is what is eternal. You see, prophetical preachers come and go, but love will last forever. All that knowledge was part of our learning, but love is the completion of our journey, giving us a fulfilment in life which makes it all worthwhile. When I was younger I behaved in childish ways, but growing up and growing in love I have learned to put these ways behind me. While I am young and naïve what I know is not complete, but when I love completely my knowledge will be perfect. Faith will last forever, and is a great virtue. Hope will endure for all time, and is a wonderful truth. But love is special, greater than even faith and hope, yes love is the greatest of all.'
A while later Jude the Apostle wrote this:
Jude, the servant of Jesus, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus, and called:
Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Teacher Jesus.
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Teacher Jesus;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Jesus unto eternal life.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
The End
The Gospel of Tarcisius
Do you think there is a resurrection in the future, Nicodemus asked Jesus one day. Jesus looked at the Rabbi. Some say I am the Christ. I descend from Zerubbabel, who built the second temple. Surely my bloodline is messianic. What do you think? Nicodemus considered that. It is true. Zerubbabel has been considered a messianic figure. Art thou of the House of Christ, then? Jesus replied, It could well be. In my deeds and actions I follow the exmple of the prophets in their utterances. I attempt to be Christ-Like, and follow the figure the Son of God truly should. This has been the purpose of my Gospel ministry in many ways. A son of Israel, with God, who is our heavenly father, as Malachi the prophet teaches. If King David, as the psalm recalls, can be called the firstborn Son of God, should not I, Jesus of Nazareth, with a comprehensive ministry of Gospel truth, should not I, descendant of David, descendant of Zerubbabel,attempt to be Christ, if such a thing were available. I can not say with absolute truth that I am Christ, but I know my disciples often think this, and at times I do not disuade them from that, as I do like the glory of the idea. Who wouldn't? A Christ could be born in every generation, couldn't he? Jeremiah taught that there would always be available to the House of Israel someone to sit on the throne of King David, and for Levitical priests to offer sacrifices. I am attempting that idea – to be the Levitical Priest and Christ of David, and offer my own life in sacrifice. Is that noble? Or is it vanity? And the sacrifice I offer is my own life, and my own ministry, and my heart, flesh, blood and soul. I offer it for my followers, a dear bride to me, for such is my love and affection for them. It is birthed, these truths, in scriptural principles. In ideas of the Holy Torah. It may not be the purpose of the Torah in every way, but it has been a source of inspiration for these ideas none the less, even if in my own way and own understanding which I do pray is acceptable to God, as I pray the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart always will be. These words I say to you, they are inspired from the Covenant of God, the Rainbow itself is a heart of my words in my own way, for even in Holy Noah do I find inspiration and words of truth. But what can I say? Maybe I am a heretic, Nicodemus. A poor fool. A Christ complex perhaps, and nothing more. But, if in my foolishness I can draw men to God, and give them life and meaning, and be a holy way to the Father, perhaps such a fool I should become? How do you say? Nicodemus looked at him. Can we not all be holy fools at time, dear Jesus of Nazareth. We are only human, aren't we? Only human. Jesus stood there. A resurrection is a possibility. I can not say with absolute certainty, for the scriptures are the true word of God, but I sometimes ask how Isaiah came to his words, and whether his own heart had much of a say in the making of things. Perhaps resurrections of the dead in a future kingdom of Glory can not really, truly be. And life, this thing called life, just rolls on and on, through time, world without end. Amen. But maybe, just maybe, in the dim and distant future, at the end of the Age, maybe then there will be a resurrection of the dead. Maybe I will be received in glory that day, when God Almighty judges mankind, and the trumpet rings out and the holy angels call God's own chosen people home, who have served him throughout the age. It is something I shall teach, a second coming if you like, to my followers, and I think I shall, for I shall defend what the scriptures say, regardless, for verily they must be kosher, mustn't they? But of the truth of things, well, what is truth? What is truth? And they sat, and watched the Jordan flow on by, and were at peace in the heart of the Kingdom of God.
Caiaphas spoke to Nicodemus. This Jesus. He is not the Christ. He is a charlatan, parading his Israelite status as God's son with us, as if he was in Egypt itself under the wrath of Pharaoh. Nicodemus responded, yet, I think, Malachi and his teaching is true enough in our generation. Each generation does not always follow faithfully the righteousness of that before it, but at times we learn new ideas and our own truths. Perhaps this Gospelator, Perhaps this Gospelarian, this Jesus, has ideas which might suit us in time. Caiaphas shrugged. What of it? A man from Nazareth is hardly schooled in the wisdom of Jerusalem. Nicodemus replied, yet all Israel has its Torah and all Israel can learn the ways of the Mighty one upon high. Caiaphas said again, He is not Christ. He is a troublemaker, and we will make a sure end of him. Nicodemus replied, something tells me he is already aware of that, and provokes you to do as such. He fancies himself a sacrifice for sins, or an example of serving God for salvation of others to the very giving up of your own life, such being the dedication. Caiaphas thought on that. An interesting idea. Human sacrifice is not quite what God is looking for, but if the fool wishes to parade in front of Israel with his congregation for the next thousand years, then such will he do, I suppose. Nicodemus replied, it will go on? This Church? Caiaphas replied, we shall not be rid of his Gospel or message or followers any time soon at all. He has dug in deep. He has affected souls. He has taught his message with authority and power, and they shan't forget him any time soon. Nicodemus looked at Caiaphas. You don't like the man. Caiaphas replied, he is not to my taste of things. I find him arrogant. Conceited. He rubukes us pharisees and scribes as if he is the apple of God's eye. As if he is the font of all Torah knowledge, the Logos of God, I think they call him at times. Philo's message. If he had a bone of humility he would end his charade, repent, follow Torah, and leave the wisdom of God to Solomon and others properly trained. Nicodemus replied, so you say Caiaphas. So you say. Caiaphas spoke up. When this Prodigal Son of Israel finally acknowledges the wisdom of Torah, and gets over thinking he must be the one to set a new standard from his gospel, verily he doth say, to enter the Kingdom of God, then he will find his grounding and his truth. The Torah is the wisdom and stability of God in a world full of idolatry and hedonism. When our child Jesus finally realizes this truth, and abandons his vision of a Kingdom Divine, he will find his salvation. Nicodemus considered that. We have teachers, yet, who speak wisdom also in our generation, and the Torah can grow and can be enriched. Maybe Yeshua has something to say to us. A wine which is new really needs to be matured for many years, and it may take two thousand years or so before this gospel wine finally has enough wisdom to be understood by our community. Or it may take two thousand more. Maybe he shall be Christ in Glory, or fool supreme. But I will give the lad a chance to prove himself, and when I part this world, I will watch for any second coming of the glorious Jesus of Nazareth. Caiaphas smiled. Pigs will fly in the heavens before such occurs, I am sure. Nicodemus chuckled. So you say Rabbi. The Prodigal Son of Israel may be wasting his Gospel without refining it, if he doth verily face the cross of his fantasy, for if he had the patience to mature and wait till a greater age, say 40 or so, when deeper wisdom can be learned, and had children, he would be more revered than the miracle worker that he is known as. Yet, in the end, one day I think he will be one of us, and his Church will be with us in one way or the other, and then we may perchance drink of this spiritual wine of the Gospel, and verily find if there is wisdom indeed within. Caiaphas grinned. Getting drunk on the wine of Nazareth is not my style either, I will declare. In Judea they grow the best grapes, for who would drink from the vine of Galilee? Only a fool I tell you. Nicodemus replied, Yet we are one people, one Israel, with one God and father over us all. Even Nazareth must speak its mind on what it thinks wisdom divine. Even Nazareth must. Caiaphas poured himself a drink of wine and looked at Nicodemus. If you say so, Nicodemus. If you say so.
Jesus spoke with Peter. A rock is hard, Cephas. Don't let Satan delude you. Be hard. Be rock. Peter replied, I've served you this far. If I need to the foundation stone of your church itself, I will do the work, if that is what you want of me. But what do you want of me? Jesus replied, holiness. Purity. Goodness. Teaching modesty of behaviour to the church, for a husband to respect his wife, and a wife to serve her husband as Eve served Adam, in all godly humility. I do not say to you do not kill. I say this to you, why should you be so proud in yourself that you have refrained from murder. It is a rather basic code to boast I haven't killed anyone. Surely you can do better than that. Not, not only do not murder or kill somebody, but give them a break and forgive them, and help them in life. Be hospitable to them. It is a hard saying, charity, and it costs us of ourselves. And I want perfection, for God is perfect, perfect in his love, and perfect in his charity. I know, in my heart, you will be lukewarm at times, and I really should spit you out of my mouth because of it. But you know, when you ask for forgiveness I will give it to you. How can I not. You will feed my sheep, you will shepherd them, you will be faithful to them, and even in your cold and hard and dead times, one thing I do know, they will not kill very much at all. It shall be rare in the church. I know we will have a decent code of holiness in the end, and that the church will keep faith in truth and God and holiness, and not descend to sodomite behaviour, and refrain from murder and violence. Yet I know their humanity also, as God knew those destroyed in the flood. But shepherd them I say to you and when you teach them not to kill, teach them to love also, for that is the heart of the Gospel. It is the only rule, in many ways. Love. For it covers a multitude of sins. And those who love deeply and truly will not kill, and they would not covet and steal others cherished belongings, because they love them, and in the church we are family and we are one, and we share things because of that love. And if the church does sin I will pray to the Father to forgive you, for you are but sons of men, and not divine sons of God. And ensure you teach abstinence of things offered to idols, for we serve the true God, and not a dumb piece of wood or stone. And of blood, we should not partake of creatures strangled, and eating the blood of animals can not be good, for the heart of the covenant of Noah forbids such things. Do not abuse a man, and take him from his place in life, where God has his stationed with his family and his love, his work in life in serving the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, for kidnapping is no lawful or holy behaviour, and how can a man who is my follower ever think that I, in the standards of holiness I desire, how can he ever think I would allow such a vile thing as kidnapping, or other lawless behaviours. You and I know truly the law is holy and good, and there is so much wisdom therein, so much to be trusted and followed and a life built upon. And we should always study the scriptures and learn from them, and in loving God and your Neighbour, the very way you cherish your own soul, so much of the heart of the Torah is taught. And that is the new commandment I give you Peter. That you shall love others as I have loved you. Strive for the church, for salvation comes from Israel, and I send you into the world, with the commission of the gospel, to teach mankind and the fallen gentiles the way of God, and the light which God placed in Israel. For we proselytise and we missionize and we seek out the lost sheep of all the children of Adam and Eve, to build the Kingdom Divine, the Everlasting Kingdom of God, for the glory of Jehovah, for the glory of his love, and for the glory of everlasting life. Peter replied, I shall not fail you.
Why do you say you are wiser than Solomon? Asked Nicodemus to Jesus. Jesus replied, Solomon was a ninny. He was faithless. He knew the Lord, and his glory, yet went astray later in life. The proverbs of Israel are great wisdom, which can never be doubted, and all righteous Israelites do well to study and base their life on such truths of human nature and human society, but I know in the heart of my heart, I shan't stray from God this life. Torah is in me and Gospel has enriched me, and I know I serve the Father from heaven itself, and am truly one with him, for I seek the lost as God sends the prophets to seek the lost, and the Gospel has a heart for the poor and lost and downtrodden souls. These are the riches of love, and those who love God are known by God and know the riches of God's mercy and the riches of God's love, for God is love. And I have surrendered to this Gospel, and made my life empty of glory, abasing myself in humility, to teach those of Israel who hear my voice the Love of God, and search the heart of mankind for all who want and desire this love. And on this the Church will be built, and will endure, and the gates of hell shall not conquer it, for it is wiser than the wisdom of Solomon, even though his truths are equally as eternal. Nicodemus again asked, The Torah, the Law. Should we not obey this? Jesus replied, if you must observe all rules in legalism, then that is what you shall do, but I know the frailties of every heart, for who can ever say they have not sinned? Nay, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So strive for every rule, and obey every jot and tittle, and eternally justify yourself on this legalism if that is what ye must do, but have a perspective at least. You are not God, and you are not perfect Nicodemus, so which is easier to say, death to that soul for that sabbath violation, or I forgive you, and go and sin no more? Which is wiser to teach, I ask you? Nicodemus replied, I see your point, Jesus. I understand your teaching on this issue. Jesus replied, God desired mercy more than sacrifice, he did teach the prophets. Who am I to dispute the will of God? Are they not the very words of Jehovah himself. So why do the scribes and pharisees condemn me for teaching the heart of what God himself teaches? I charge them with hypocrisy time and time again for the miss so many of the points of the Torah, to justify their own legal codes, and their own legalistic ways of doing things, and they make their boast therein. The Church shall be truer to the Torah in the end, that is what my heart and soul and mind tell me, and what I attempt to justify. Nicodemus replied, And if you fail? Jesus looked at him. Well, I am only human, aren't I? I guess that God shall verily have to forgive me then, as I forgive others. But I see the heart of his will, which I serve, and the Kingdom of God will grow through the church on this truth.
Andrew was speaking with Thomas. You know, Andrew, Jesus is hard to believe. I think he really thinks he's the Christ. Andrew smiled. Well, isn't he Thomas? Thomas replied. I doubt it. Unless I saw some sort of sign, some irrefutable proof, I just would not believe it in the end. He calls me doubting Thomas, which is his quirky humor. I have been following him a while now, and still the Son of Man mocks me, and calls me little of faith. Andrew grinned, O ye of little faith Thomas. You'll work it out. Thomas replied. He took me aside, once. Last year. For a week. And he taught me a whole Gospel full of ideas. I will have that one day. The Gospel of Thomas, teaching the wisdom of Jesus. You other apostles will obviously reject it, for Jesus told me as such, but it also will go on forever, for heaven and earth may pass away, but the words of Jesus will never pass away. Andrew looked at him. The Gospel of Thomas? I doubt ye even call him Christ. Thomas replied, and maybe I shall not. He may end up the very Lord and God of my heart and faith, but he may never really be Christ to me regardless. To me, blessed are the solitary and the elect, for they are the ones who have their hearts in the Kingdom of God, like Jeremiah formed in the womb, and they shall return to it. My own dear Assembly, the Assembly of the Gospel of Thomas. That is our heart and spirit. Andrew replied, wise indeed. Almost as if they are verily predestined for such glory. Thomas replied, and perhaps they were, and perhaps God knows the end from the beginning, as the Prophet teaches, and perhaps Jesus knows that, for through my own studies I certainly do. Andrew replied, Jeremiah was called to plant Kingdoms and uproot Kingdoms, through the ministry of the Word of God, taught through the Holy Spirit. And Jehovah used Jeremiah to do as such in wisdom and truth, and I delight in studying that prophets words, as the Church likewise should always rejoice in studying, but I ask you, Thomas, will you plant Kingdoms and overthrow Kingdoms through your mighty Gospel? At first I doubt it, but maybe one day you shall. Maybe one day. Thomas smiled in response. Maybe one day, dear brother in the Lord. Maybe one day.
The End
ARTICLES
Use
Your Creative Talents
Even if its only basic to start with you
can work with your product in the next life. Life repeats in cycles
in eternity, and you have further opportunity in the next life to
develop basic and draft ideas with subsequent cycles towards a more
complete and polished work. Whatever you do, get something done,
because the work is a joy and it will give you something to show for
your life and something you can work further on in future cycles of
life. You only die once, but you are given your span in your
time of life in the centuries of the calendar, and every century
starts anew each new century in heaven, so as your lives come and go,
if you have a lot of rough material that you have worked upon, even
if just random notes and ideas, these can be gradually developed into
a finished product. Whatever else, DO SOMETHING.
Humour Template
COMEDY DOLLS SAVE THE WORLD
(Planned
Comedy Dolls Movie of about 15 or so minutes)
The
Mad Scientist Panda the Real Chinee has invented a Fission-Fusion
Perpetual Energy Generator (A Rubik's Cube), and it is being
presented at the United Comedy Dolls Nation (The Lounge Room).
However, Edgar Luthor the Goat steals the FFPEG and the Comedy Dolls
of Justice are called in to retrieve the device. Braving the robots
of madness on the back porch of Castle Merrima, the Comedy Dolls
ascend Castle Merriman and confront the evil Edgar Luthor on the
Antenna of Wrath, and reclaim the FFPEG, condemning Edgar to 'Under
the House' were he has to put up with smelly old magazines, and
possum poo, much to his chagrin. The Comedy Dolls of Justice are
celebrated by the Daly Family, and are granted a Watchtower in the
back seat of the Corona.
Catholic
School is not Cahtolic Church
I
grew up Catholic. I never really thought about it back then, but
obviously, while I attended church every Sunday with my family, not
everyone who I went to school with - my classmates - went to church
regularly. Some did - most probably didn't actually. And over the
years so many of them drift off to the world and enjoy the pleasures
of worldliness and sin. Sure, they were confirmed, but it didn't mean
they ended up taking that idea seriously. And there were so many of
those kids who were bullies and were just not Christians. I wasn't
that much of a believer myself, but did go every Sunday till 16, when
I too drifted off. In my late teens and early 20s I started searching
for God. I found him. I returned to Catholic church then, for a
while, bought a catechism, and took it seriously. And although I'm a
Karaite Noahide today, the bible is as strong as ever, I read it
every day and pray it every day, and my religious faith is alive and
well. I am gradually learning to be a saint, and be a better
religious person. But in all honesty many of my classmates just
aren't. Most will likely still be Catholics, but few will attend
church regularly. And, from what I make of all of this, Catholic
School does not make you Catholic Church. A Christian Catholic is the
one who attends church every week, follows the faith, reads the
literature in their own time, and takes religious life seriously.
Catholics all start in Catholic school - but believe me all those
kids Catholics go to school with - not all of them end up being
Catholic Church. Just the way it really is.
Histories
Maddy is tha shizz
By
MaddyBean
Part One
‘The Cooma Years’
Hello my name is Maddy Bridges , I was born in Cooma maternity hospital on the 10-01-95, Cooma NSW Australia, earth, milk way galaxy, universe and so on… my mother is Brigid bridges she was also born in Cooma maternity hospital as was my daddy David bridges. My mum was born on the 26-10-71 and my dad was born on the 11-04-71.
Some of my earliest memories were when I lived in Cooma on Faulkner Street at Zelka heights. The house was a medium sized and 1 story. Some things I remember were when me and Jayden used to play on the driveway and think that the moon was chasing us wherever we ran. I also remember the backyard and one day when I was playing on top of a rock and got attacked by these mofo ants, grr. Beyond our backyard fence was like a mini bush area with heaps of rocks that we could play on and one day I remember Greg took us to play there. I don’t remember many very detailed stories but I still remember them a little, like when Grandma Mary visited us she would usually take us up to the park at the top of the hill next to the big green water tank. I even remember one day when there was an echidna at the bottom of our street. I remember there was a blueberry bush at the side of our house and I loved picking them .
I sorta remember probably my 5th birthday party and we played pin the tail on the donkey and when we were having snacks Jayden was pissing me off because he kept on taking my pink fluffy love heart pillow which btw I still have. One night there was this massive spider. Well it probably wasn’t as massive as I thought cos I was little then.. Anyway this big daddy long legs spider was crawling on our wall and I was shit scared and got mum out of the bathroom just to kill it with a broom. Haha I remember talking about it for days. I remember I used to love school hahaha, I absolutely HATE it now, but back then I loved doing my work. I remember the names of my kindy and year 1 teachers when I went to St Patrick’s in Cooma. In kindy I had Mrs Read. She had pretty blonde hair and was nice . Omg I remember this one day when Reagan a boy in my class accused me of picking my nose the fricken rat. I always loved doing art in kindy and I hated the sub teacher cos she pick on me for drawing outside the lines the betch. But I liked drawling outside the lines. My first best friend was called Caitlin Devoruex (dunno how to spell it) at first I didn’t like her and was upset when I had to be her toilet buddy. But then we became friends and I remember playing with her on the playground and the spinny things which I remember we used to fall off heaps. One day I thought I was gonna get in to so much shit cos when you are little poking your tongue out at someone would be like abusing someone or giving them the finger, these days.
Anyway in line to go back to class I poked my tongue at some chick and begged her not to tell on me. Those day school felt like it was like 20 days cos it went by sooo quick. So year 1.. My teacher was called Mrs Banfield, she had dark brown long hair. I was always so scared of her cos well she looked like a bitch. I could never say her name because for some reason I thought she would be pissed at me? Yeh I dunno I was a weird child. I remember my friend Corey Stockton. He sat at the same desk as me and we would laugh when we looked at each other for some reason. He was nice and he always let me use his texters. I remember I hated this girl called tori shingles, I dunno why she just seemed stuck up.
There are too many stories at the farm that it is hard to remember them. Well dad me Jayden Georgia and sometimes mum spent a lot of time at our farm. I loved chasing sheep with dad and feeding them while driving the truck. I didn’t as much love dad gutting sheep, it was disgusting especially the smell, it would wanna make you vomit. Haha I remember one time the sheep after dad had cut its head off was making a face where it looked like it was still alive and trying to ‘maaaahhh’ wow I'm sick I shouldn’t be laughing, Hehe. Anyway yeh sooooo many memories from the farm. I remember going into the bush for fire wood and me and Jayden were on the back of the truck. As we mostly always were cos we loved getting bumped into the air because of all the bumps on the road. So yeh dad and someone else I think it was Dallas or someone but anyway I have this huge fear of spiders and in the wood that was chucked onto the truck was to massive and fat spiders that were really fast and were chasing me and Jayden. But of course dad didn’t help us the meany. I loved when like the whole family were down at the farm because I could play with all my cousins including Chiarda, Chel, and Renee. We would have heaps of fun being on a farm and all.. so much to explore. In the old sheering shed we would have heaps of fun cos we could jump on the wool bails and play tips in the sheep rooms. We also use to ride the sheep as horses and we were all kinda rough nuts so the sheep would ram us into the sides of the fences and we would laugh and keep riding. Out the back of the sheering shed were more sheep fence things were and we’d run around in them. Out the back of the farm house use to be these huge trees and when dad cut them down we made them into like cubby houses where we would put little things that we’d found around the farm into.
Other times on the farm was one day when dad me Jayden and Georgia went down to the river with dad’s video camera and we found a few tortoises so dad filmed them and us holding them. We went further down the river around the rail-way bridge, and looked around there for a while and I found the smallest tortoise about the size of a 50 cent piece. It was so cute.
Another story about a tortoise was one when we were driving to or from Canberra and there was a dry little tortoise on the middle of the highway, so we picked it up and took home and it was our pet for a while, we kept it in the sink in our laundry and I was so upset when mum and dad decided to take it back. But in the end it was ok because I think we put it in our farm river so I was a bit happier.
We have had a few animals on our farm. Well of course we had plenty of sheep, we also had dog’s chickens and a couple horses and grandma and pop had a cat or 2, and we also had a possum. we did have names for the many chickens we had but I cant remember them. We have had a few dogs but a lot of them have died. I still remember the old dog, jasper. I’m not sure how he died but I think he was run over or something. I remember our girl dog and I think her name was Tasha and she had puppies, I remember she had them under our house. We gave all of them away except for slick who is still alive. There was also biddy who died a few years ago because of old age. Silver who was my dads dog and he had him since he was a teenager and when silver was a pup his leg got run over which is why he has had a bad leg his whole life. Silver died only a couple years age and he had eaten a bone or something but he was really sick. Then we had floss and Wally. Floss was a cute little dog but she wasn’t the most obedient dog. Wally was a pretty good dog. She was heaps fast but pissed off dad heaps. I think floss and Wally were shot. Then we had jet and he was a dopey dog. But he was a lovely dog but he killed a sheep so had to be put down . The only 2 dogs that are alive now are slick and Jaffa. Jaffa is the ‘retard dog’ but we still love him even though he is a homosexual. Literally he is gay, always bumming other guy dogs. Something slick does not appreciate that much. There is also Sheree’s dogs cruiser and sharnie. Sharnie is out the back of the farm house she goes a bit crazy. And cruiser is the best dog. He will fetch anything you throw and can catch it in his mouth, but the only problem is he never gets tired of it.. Sheree got another dog called ace. Ace is probably one of the biggest dogs I know. But he is so dopey. He loves to jump up on you and also enjoys chewing on Maddy’s arm to wake her up. The bastard. Our possum was called blossom, hehe that rhymes. I remember taming her. I would let her cling around me and I would feed her and let her sleep on my shoulder. She was found because pop found a dead possum and under it was blossom. Pop took her home and I instantly fell in love with the little cute fur ball. We also had a joey called matildas. it was kind of the same story, the dead was found and with it was the joey. Matilda lived in a box with blankets and would jump around the house.
When I was little I had a joey but it got run over. Jayden and I owned potty lambs. I called mine catie and Jayden called his rosie. We have had a few special sheep, one was called bubsy he was the best sheep and wasn’t scared of us, he would follow us around. We also had a black sheep called… blacky. Yes we didn’t have to much thought into that name. Our horses were misty who had a bad hip from dislocating it when she was younger. Misty was a beautiful horse and was quite large. She died a few years ago. We also got spit-fire. He is a Shetland pony. We used to ride him when we were younger and I remember one time while I was riding him in the paddock he decided it was necessary to role over and send me flying onto the barb wired fence. Dad would take him to the daisy day care fetes. Where the kids would ride him around. Those fetes were fun. I remember getting our faces painted I think I got a butterfly, Jayden got a tiger. I remember the first time my baby tooth got loose. It was at home and I was eating cut oranges. I remember taking a bite and there was a seed that I bit on. Then my tooth started to wobble and I was so excited I ran to the loungeroom and told mum.
I miss living in Cooma sometimes, and I miss the older days going to the farm. So many child hood memories came from there and they are memories I am never going to forget.