Finish

Synopsis

A review of and quotes from Catch-22 by American author Joseph Heller (May 1, 1923 – December 12, 1999)

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew:  Burn 🔥

A review of and quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by English author Douglas Adams (March 11, 1952 – May 11, 2001)

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew: 

A review of and quotes from Do The Work by Gary John Bishop

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew: 

A review of and quotes from The Enneagram:  A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr & Andreas Ebert

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew: 

A Bible Study on Finish

Introduction

By Paul Anderson

Well, I thought I would finish out the year on the topic of "finish" since I was having a hard time finishing things.  Even in my chess games, I noticed that I was losing games not because of mistakes in the opening or missed tactics in the middle game, but rather because I was running into time trouble and not finishing the endgames correctly.  I have always known that the end of a chess game is far more important that the beginning.

A good beginning is half the task.
Photo by Paul Anderson

It seems to me that books are the same way.  An interesting story that starts well can just leave a sour taste in your mouth if you don't like the ending.

I had high hopes for Catch-22 as it started with a chess reference.

The captain was a good chess player, and the games were always interesting. Yossarian had stopped playing chess with him because the games were so interesting they were foolish.

And the writing seemed like it was going to be witty and clever throughout.

He was going to live forever, or die in the attempt.

However, the 1961 satirical war novel by Joseph Heller soon became tiresome and repetitive.  The story is about a World War II, B-25 bombardier, Captain John Yossarian, who is trying to get out of his service alive and as soon as possible.  I didn't care for the unique approach of having the same story told over and over again by the different characters.  Especially since none of the characters are likeable.

"Women just don’t seem to like you. I think they think you’re a bad influence.”

“Women are crazy,” Yossarian answered, and waited grimly for what he knew was coming next."

In the beginning, the mystery of the Catch-22 was enough to hold my attention.  I was eager to discover how the Catch-22 was different from just a regular catch.  The best description occurs early in the book.

 There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane, he had to fly them. If he flew them, he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to, he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.

"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.

However, over time the repeated use of the Catch-22 to highlight all the absurdities of war and the government bureaucracy surrounding it began to muddy the waters.  The phrase lost all meaning, and I soon began to think that a Catch-22 was any idea that everyone understands mentally, but no one can explain verbally. 

You know it's a burn 🔥 when you turn the audio speed up just to finish the 20 hours of listening material in a month.  I couldn't help thinking that I should have just watched an half-hour episode of M*A*S*H (with Colonel Flag) to get the humor, without all the rape and murder.  Although, I may have to watch the movie.  My favorite comedian, Bob Newhart, is in the film version.  But I may have to burn 🔥 that, too.

Another book for which I had high hopes was The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  It is a comedy science fiction story adapted from a radio series in 1979 about the only man to survive the destruction of Earth.  It sounds like literary Monty Python. 

"One Thursday, nearly two thousand years after one man had been nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be to be nice to people for a change, a girl sitting on her own in a small café in Rickmansworth suddenly realized what it was that had been going wrong all this time, and she finally knew how the world could be made a good and happy place. This time it was right, it would work, and no one would have to get nailed to anything.

Sadly, however, before she could get to a phone to tell anyone about it, the Earth was unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass, and so the idea was lost, seemingly for ever."

But it also sounds like a theological Catch-22 set in space.

Now it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mindbogglingly useful could have evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen it to see it as a final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God.

The argument goes something like this: "I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."

"But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED."

"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

After finishing this book, I understand how it came from a spoken, radio broadcast.  Douglas Adams must have been  reciting this story, as he seems to have put little thought into the ending.

If they don't keep on exercising their lips, he thought, their brains start working.

Actually, I finished this book twice because I had missed the ending the first time when I was cutting down a tree.  So, I re-listened to the last 30 minutes, and it turns out there is no ending, but, at least, I caught this humorous line the second time: 

"Well, I mean, yes idealism, yes the dignity of pure research, yes the pursuit of truth in all its forms, but there comes a point I'm afraid where you begin to suspect that the entire multidimensional infinity of the Universe is almost certainly being run by a bunch of maniacs. And if it comes to a choice between spending yet another ten million years finding that out, and on the other hand just taking the money and running, then I for one could do with the exercise."

Of course, worse than finishing bad is starting bad and finishing worse.  This describes how I felt after listening to Gary John Bishop's Do The Work.  Its only redeeming quality is that it is short.  It is one-tenth the length of Catch-22.  Thank God.  He reminds me of the Mike Myers character, "If it not Scottish, IT'S CRAP!"  He offers a lot of platitudes but gives few details.  Thirty years ago, I got the advice that a relationship is not 50/50; it's 100/100.  I finally realized 100% + 100% would make the relationship 200% or 2 people.  The Bible has it just the opposite where the 2 become 1 (Matthew 19:6).  Definite Burn. 🔥 "Debrief: what have you learned about yourself from this assignment?" Nothing!

So, I thought I would see if the finish was just as important in the Bible.

Here are my top 12 verses on Finish:

Jesus On Finish

Matthew 28:18-20 King James Version

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 13:13 King James Version

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 14:28-30 King James Version

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

John 19:28-30 King James Version

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Finish In The New Testament

2 Timothy 4:7 King James Version

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Hebrews 12:1-2 King James Version

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:12-15 King James Version

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

2 Peter 2:20-22 King James Version

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Finish In The Old Testament

Genesis 2:1-3 King James Version

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

1 Kings 6:11-14 King James Version

11 And the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying,

12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 King James Version

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Daniel 9:24 King James Version

24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

The word "finish" occurs 54 times in the Bible while the word "end" occurs 474 times.  However, many of the occurrences of "end" come other words that have the same first three letters.  So, the actual total is closer to 300.  In either case, the topic is clearly well developed in the Bible, and I tried to choose verses from each category to highlight the importance of finishing in the Bible.  From God finishing creation, to Solomon finishing the temple, to Jesus finishing His work on the cross, it seems that there couldn't be a more important topic.

Just like chess, the end is better than the beginning.  So, even though your faith may not start strong or may waiver from time to time, all that matters is how you finish.  

Finish strong.

To help me finish strong, I read The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective.  The book is similar to the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, but instead of 16, it has 9 personality types.  I was thinking I should steal this idea for my chess book and create 6 personality types from the different chess pieces.  By understanding your personality type, you can supposedly overcome your vices and focus on improving your virtues.

The first part of the book is a lot of selling the Enneagram and not explaining it.  The main author, Richard Rohr, warns about many people having suffered damage from its improper application.  Richard Rohr is a former Catholic turned new age, psychologist.  I was surprised when he said Jesus never told the Jews your father is the devil.  So, he hasn't sold me.

The Enneagram has three centers - head, gut, and heart with 3 types in each center.  I thought I would be a type 5,6, or 7 since they reside in the head center, and as a chess player, I tend to be lead by my mind.  However, the book doesn't actually offer a test for your type, but rather leaves it up to you to figure out which type you are.  

It is easier to rule out the types to which you don't relate.  As I listened to the chapters, I said to myself, "I am not a One.  I am not a Two.  I am not a Four.  I am not an Eight."  Although, I liked the Biblical recaps from the chapter on Eights, especially the one where Samson "escapes the attempts by the Philistines to checkmate him."  I thought my son might be a Five as this type identifies with Great Britain, likes the color blue, and has a spirit-animal of a hamster 🐹.  The problem was is that Fives usually wear glasses, but my son doesn't!

I thought I might be a Seven with a preference for avoiding pain and a vice of gluttony (although I have lost 130 pounds), including a head center, but the optimism took a wrong turn for fitting with me.  I might be a little 7 since this type identifies with Ireland, and I am one-sixteenth Irish (just a wee bit Irish).  However, I decided to rule out a Seven since Mozart is an example of a Seven, and Sevens are supposed to be lighthearted.

I guess I could be a Nine. I like the type's animal and color:  Elephant & Gold.  The vice is sloth, which I see as my greatest weakness.  The virtue is action according to the Enneagram, but fortitude is the counterpart from Augustine.  I am not sure I am strong with either of those.

This book reminds me of a placemat at a Chinese restaurant:  entertaining but no real meaning.  I guess there is more wisdom in a fortune cookie than on a placemat. 

A soulless theology and a godless psychology are nothing.

54 Bible results for “finish” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (33)
• Genesis (2)
• Exodus (2)
• Deuteronomy (1)
• Joshua (1)
• Ruth (1)
• 1 Kings (8)
• 1 Chronicles (2)
• 2 Chronicles (8)
• Ezra (3)
• Nehemiah (1)
• Daniel (3)
• Zechariah (1)
• New Testament (21)
• Matthew (3)
• Luke (3)
• John (4)
• Acts (2)
• Romans (1)
• 2 Corinthians (1)
• 2 Timothy (1)
• Hebrews (2)
• James (1)
• Revelation (3)

474 Bible results for “end” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (377)
• Genesis (13)
• Exodus (25)
• Leviticus (3)
• Numbers (4)
• Deuteronomy (20)
• Joshua (11)
• Judges (5)
• Ruth (4)
• 1 Samuel (10)
• 2 Samuel (8)
• 1 Kings (8)
• 2 Kings (5)
• 1 Chronicles (3)
• 2 Chronicles (19)
• Ezra (4)
• Nehemiah (2)
• Esther (1)
• Job (14)
• Psalm (83)
• Proverbs (11)
• Ecclesiastes (9)
• Isaiah (28)
• Jeremiah (27)
• Lamentations (2)
• Ezekiel (20)
• Daniel (25)
• Amos (5)
• Obadiah (1)
• Micah (1)
• Nahum (4)
• Habakkuk (1)
• Zechariah (1)
• New Testament (97)
• Matthew (14)
• Mark (4)
• Luke (8)
• John (4)
• Acts (5)
• Romans (8)
• 1 Corinthians (4)
• 2 Corinthians (5)
• Ephesians (2)
• Philippians (1)
• 1 Thessalonians (2)
• 2 Thessalonians (1)
• 1 Timothy (2)
• 2 Timothy (5)
• Hebrews (17)
• James (3)
• 1 Peter (6)
• 2 Peter (2)
• Revelation (4)

Scripture contributions for December 2023 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson

Shine

Synopsis

A review of  Paradise Lost by English poet John Milton (1608-1674)

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew:  

A review of  The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is To Come by English author John Bunyan (1628-1688)

• Paul:   Steal 📚
• Matthew:  

A Bible Study on Shine

Introduction

By Paul Anderson

This study was supposed to motivate me to move the Matthew's Clubhouse website to another host.  Well, it did not.  It seems that the older I get, the harder it is to get stuff done, especially when the stuff that needs getting done involves learning something new. 

Since my reading habit isn't new and is already ingrained into my lifestyle, I did finish a couple of books for the month of November.  Since it was the month of Thanksgiving, I decided to pick something that related to the pilgrims.  My 11th great-grandfather, John Howland, came over on the Mayflower, despite falling off the boat in the middle of the voyage.  You see, it is in my genetics to have a hard time finishing things.  So, I chose The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is To Come by John Bunyan.

When I noticed that the book was only 12 hours long, I decided to save it for the end of the month, when I could listen to it over Thanksgiving.  So, I started the month with Paradise Lost by John Milton.

Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse published in 1667 about the biblical story of Satan's attempt to persuade Adam and Eve into rebelling against God.

Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven

Perhaps it was Milton who created the myth that the fruit of knowledge was an apple 🤔.  He has the Serpent 🐍 trick Eve into eating an apple by convincing her that a talking snake got his knowledge of speaking from the fruit.  In addition, he reassure her that she won't suffer from eating the apple, as he ate and didn't die. Of course, this is all just a ploy to get Adam and Eve expelled from the Garden of Eden.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die

Milton had a hard time finishing the poem, as he had to rely solely on dictation after going blind in 1652.  In addition, he suffered from gout and was about 60 years old when it was published.  It is supposed to be Milton's masterpiece.  

I didn't care for it.  I am not a big fan of poetry to start.  Prose is so much easier to follow.  I prefer the Proverbs to the Psalms in the Bible, but I guess there is a purpose for each.  If I have to read poetry, I like it to rhyme.  This poem made it official:  I hate poetry! 😤    I didn't understand why Adam and Eve were talking about medieval knights.  You might as well just read the Bible, it makes more sense and has less poetry. 

The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is To Come by John Bunyan is a Christian allegory published in 1678, which has never been out of print since.  It is the story of a wife who finally admits her husband was right all-along, a classic! 

"When the song and music were ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana what it was that

at first did move her thus to betake herself to a pilgrim’s life.  Christiana answered, First, the

loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was but

natural affection.  Then after that came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my

mind, and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that."   

Bunyan had a hard time finishing what some consider the first English novel, as he was in prison for worshiping outside the Church of England.  The first part was completed in 1677, but the second part didn't appear until 1684.   

I give it a steal 📚, even though it seems like he was talked into doing a sequel with nothing more to say.  The first part is clearly better.  Perhaps, Bunyan had too much to drink before writing the second part.

I will give you a further discovery of him:  This man is for any company, and for any talk; as he talketh now with you, so he will talk when he is on the Ale-bench; and the more drink he hath in his crown, the more of these things he hath in his mouth

Even though the book starts with poetry, it switches to prose quickly.  A little poetry goes a long way.  It uses a lot of language that has fallen by the wayside.  Who knew timorous (timid) was a word?  And wicket (small door)?  I thought he was saying "wicked gate," which makes no sense for the entrance to the path of righteousness.  I gained some new vocabulary, like slough.  Supposedly, Bunyan created the Pilgrim's world based on his own walks, which I found amusing as I passed by my Slough Of Despond on my walks to Kum & Go while listening to his story.  Even his ancient customs are similar to modern customs, like knocking.

"Timorous: Neighbors, having had little to do this morning, I went to give Christiana a visit; and when I came at the door I knocked, as you know it is our custom; and she answered, If you come in God’s name, come in."

Bunyan seems to be sharing his life and struggles as an encouragement to fellow Pilgrims to continue their Christian walk.  He knows that everyone who sets out through the wicket gate will face hardships and obstacles.  He must of had a bad neighbor who owned a dog, as he even has Satan as a dog owner, using it to scare pilgrims. What a churl! 

So, just by letting his light shine a little bit, Bunyan created one of the most significant works of theological fiction.

Here are my top 12 verses on Shine:

Jesus On Shine

Matthew 5:14-16 King James Version

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mark 9:1-3 King James Version

1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Luke 17:22-24 King James Version

22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

John 1:4-5 King James Version

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Shine In The New Testament

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 King James Version

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:19-21 King James Version

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 John 2:8-11 King James Version

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Revelation 21:23-25 King James Version

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Shine In The Old Testament

Numbers 6:24-26 King James Version

24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

2 Samuel 23:1-4 King James Version

1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 King James Version

8 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

Isaiah 60:1 King James Version

1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

The word "shine" occurs 49 times in the Bible and seems to appear in the Old Testament and New Testament proportionally.  It is always used in a positive context.  Jesus uses the term for being open with one's life or to reveal secret things, but also there is the idea of wisdom and knowledge in the way Jesus uses the word, along with the New Testament and the Old Testament authors.  In addition, the word is used as a quality of God, as in Revelations where the sun and moon are no longer needed to shine for us.

49 Bible results for “shine” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (33)
• Numbers (1)
• Deuteronomy (1)
• Job (12)
• Psalm (10)
• Proverbs (1)
• Ecclesiastes (1)
• Isaiah (3)
• Jeremiah (1)
• Ezekiel (1)
• Daniel (2)
• New Testament (16)
• Matthew (4)
• Luke (1)
• John (1)
• Acts (2)
• 2 Corinthians (2)
• Philippians (1)
• 2 Peter (1)
• 1 John (1)
• Revelation (3)

Scripture contributions for November 2023 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson

Ghosts

Synopsis

A review of  Permanent Record by American author Edward Snowden (b. 1983)

• Paul:   Steal 📚
• Matthew:  Steal 📚

A review of  Frankenstein by English author Mary Shelley (1797–1851)

• Paul:   Steal 📚
• Matthew:  Steal 📚

A review of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow by American author Washington Irving (1783–1859)

• Paul:   Steal 📚
• Matthew: 

A review of Henrietta & Eleanor: A Retelling Of Jekyll and Hyde adapted by Libby Spurrier from Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew:  

A Bible Study on Ghosts

Introduction

By Paul Anderson

Grandma Ghost by Paul Anderson

It all started in August 2023.  My son was having me read Permanent Record.  Edward Snowden wrote his 2019 autobiography about how his life lead up to the leaking of highly classified information in 2013 that revealed government-run, computer-surveillance programs.

The generations to come would have to get used to a world in which surveillance wasn’t something occasional and directed in legally justified circumstances, but a constant and indiscriminate presence: the ear that always hears, the eye that always sees, a memory that is sleepless and permanent.

He painted a picture of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four come to life, where the government finally spent the money and gather the people to make Big Brother possible. 

But listen: It’s one thing to casually say, in a science-fiction dystopic type of way, that a government can theoretically see and hear everything that all of its citizens are doing. It’s a very different thing for a

government to actually try to implement such a system. What a science-fiction writer can describe in a sentence might take the concerted work of thousands of technologists and millions of dollars of equipment.

I guess I liked his story since we had a lot in common.  He grew up in the 1980s, a time before the internet.  He fought with his older sister and his dad was an engineer.  I remember typing in the transfer protocols 😵‍💫 to email chess moves to my dad and sister.  He liked his burger without vegetables.  A burger is always better minus veggies! 🚫🍅🧅 I got mine ketchup only.

"Ultimately, the only head of state that proved sympathetic to my cause was Burger King, who never denied me a Whopper (hold the tomato and onion)."

It was an enjoyable read, but there was a price to pay.  Now, I am in the system! 👁 

"If at any point during your journey through this book you paused for a moment over a term you wanted to clarify or investigate further and typed it into a search engine—and if that term happened to be in some way suspicious, a term like XKEYSCORE, for example—then congrats: you’re in the system, a victim of your own curiosity."

What is XKEYSCORE?  Edward Snowden describes it this way:

My ultimate destination, I knew, was the exact point of this interface—the exact point where the state cast its eye on the human and the human remained unaware.  The program that enabled this access was called XKEYSCORE, which is perhaps best understood as a search engine that lets an analyst search through all the records of your life. Imagine a kind of Google that instead of showing pages from the public Internet returns results from your private email, your private chats, your private files, everything.

I regret nothing.  Being in the system is a small price to pay to be able to warn my readers about the dangers of downloading his book.  Of course, even reading this blog has already put you in jeopardy.  Be sure to burn this blog after reading, and I promise not to tell anyone you were here.

In addition, Permanent Record gave me a couple of ideas for my reading list.  One was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Courtship Of Miles Standish since we are both grandchildren of pilgrims.  The other was Frankenstein.

In the Intelligence Community, the “Frankenstein effect” is widely cited, though the more popular military term for it is “blowback”: situations in which policy decisions intended to advance American interests end up harming them irreparably.

I read Frankenstein to my son as a child (while listening to Pink Floyd) since I bought the book for an English Literature class I took in college but never read.  Mary Shelley wrote what can be called the first science-fiction novel in 1818 about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made when the creature rebels against and seeks revenge on his maker for abandoning him.  The title page includes a quote from John Milton's (1608–1674) Paradise Lost:

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay

To mold me man? Did I solicit thee

From darkness to promote me?”

Now that I have read it a second time, I realize Frankenstein is basically the story of someone writing a story of someone telling a story of someone else telling a story.  These nested narratives cover Mary Shelley telling Captain Walton's narrative, who tells Victor Frankenstein's narrative who, in turn, tells the Creature's narrative.

Victor Frankenstein is the mad-scientist with an honorable intention.  He wanted to help mankind by being able to restore the ghost to a man rather just giving it up (Job 14:10).  Unfortunately, he only was able to raise one devil before he realized his ambitions were mad.

What glory would attend the discovery if I could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death!  Nor were these my only visions. The raising of ghosts or devils was a promise liberally accorded by my favourite authors, the fulfilment of which I most eagerly sought.

Another example of good intentions gone horribly wrong is when my mom needed some rain protection to watch her grand-daughter's college soccer game.  Her vision was to have a device that would shed water, allow her to view the game, and breathe freely.  Talk about the Frankenstein Effect, her creation nearly killed her daughter with laughter!

Since Frankenstein didn't last the entire month of October, I decided to finish the month with a couple more ghost stories.  One was good; one was bad.  

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is an entertaining short story about Ichabod Crane, who likes to read about the history of witches by Cotton Mathers.  Ichabod tries to court the farmer's daughter, but he is sent home alone for his fateful encounter with the Headless Horseman, who was decapitated by a cannonball, and is never seen again.

For, as she sagely observed, ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves.

Henrietta & Eleanor: A Retelling Of Jekyll and Hyde is more like a radio play than a story, and it does little service to Robert Louis Stevenson original.  The book is much better.  However, I did learn from the British cast that "Not a sausage," was an expression. 

All these stories made me wonder if there are any ghosts stories in the Bible.

Here are my top 12 verses on Ghost:

Jesus On Ghost

Matthew 14:25-29 King James Version

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Mark 15:37-39 King James Version

37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Luke 24:33-39 King James Version

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

John 14:26 King James Version

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Ghost In The New Testament

Acts 2:38 King James Version

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 King James Version

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

2 Peter 1:21 King James Version

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 John 5:7-8 King James Version

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Ghost In The Old Testament

Genesis 25:8 King James Version

8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

1 Samuel 28:8-19 King James Version

8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

10 And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17 And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day.

19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

Job 14:10 King James Version

10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

Isaiah 29:4 King James Version

4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

Yes, indeed, there are ghost stories in the Bible.  In the Old Testament, King Saul goes to a spirit medium to raise up the ghost of the prophet Samuel.  And she does!  Although the ghost is not happy to have be rousted from his slumber.  In the New Testament, the disciples think Jesus is a ghost when he comes to them walking on water and when he appears to them after the resurrection.

The word "ghost" is often used in the expression "gave up the ghost" to mean death.  It occurs in both the Old and New Testament.  The word is also translated familiar spirit, which might imply that ghosts are the spirits of people that are known to the observer.

However, the most common use of "ghost" in the King James Version is Holy Ghost.  Holy Ghost occurs 89 times of the 97 times ghost is used in the New Testament, but is not used once in the Old Testament.  Although, the occurrence in 1 John 5:8 does not appear in manuscripts before the fourteenth century.  The reason that the Holy Ghost is only a New Testament phenomenon is that it was also known as the Comforter and was not received until after Jesus was glorified (John 7:39).

108 Bible results for “ghost” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (11)
• Genesis (4)
• Job (5)
• Jeremiah (1)
• Lamentations (1)
• New Testament (97)
• Matthew (7)
• Mark (6)
• Luke (12)
• John (5)
• Acts (44)
• Romans (5)
• 1 Corinthians (3)
• 2 Corinthians (2)
• 1 Thessalonians (2)
• 2 Timothy (1)
• Titus (1)
• Hebrews (5)
• 1 Peter (1)
• 2 Peter (1)
• 1 John (1)
• Jude (1)

Scripture contributions for October 2023 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson

War

Synopsis

A review of Antietam National Battlefield

A review of The Red Badge of Courage by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900)

• Paul:   Burn 🔥
• Matthew:  Burn 🔥

A Bible Study on War

Introduction

By Paul Anderson

My son and I have a goal of spending a night in all 50 states.  In September 2023, we checked off a couple more states:  West Virginia and Pennsylvania.  This brought my total to 39 states and his to 26 states.  West Virginia and Pennsylvania are the home to a couple of famous, Civil War battlefields:  Antietam and Gettysburg.  Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862, and Gettysburg was a three-day battle between July 1 and July 3, 1863.

We didn't have enough time to see both.  So, if you had to pick one, which would you pick?

Observation Tower and Bloody Lane by Paul Anderson

We chose Antietam.  It was closer to our primary goal of seeing my niece, Taylor Schuck, play soccer for Shepard University.  It turned out to be a good choice, as the entrance fee ($20 per vehicle or $10 per person) was waived since they were commemorating the 161st Battle Anniversary.  So, we got to visit the gift shop, see 26-minute movie, and drive the self-guided 8 1/2 mile auto tour for free.  The driving tour is especially nice during inclement weather (like we had) and the 10 stops covers most of the battlefield, beginning with the Dunker Church and ending at the Antietam National Cemetery.  We added an extra stop to climb the observation tower, which overlooks Bloody Lane (and slide down the pole!).

Antietam involves some of the more famous Civil War Generals.  The Confederate leadership included General Robert E. Lee and General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, while the US Army leadership included General George McClellan and Joseph Hooker.  Both sides included an Ambrose:  Ambrose P. Hill (Confederate) and a blood-relation of mine, Ambrose E. Burnside.  I grew out my sideburns just for the occasion.  

The Generals liked to use the flanking maneuver to get the advantage in Civil War battles, similar to how I like to use the fianchetto (little flank) in chess.  Union General Ambrose Burnside’s IX Corps held the east side of Antietam creek.  Burnside’s men spent hours attempting to cross Lower Bridge (stop 8) in the hopes of flanking the Confederate line on the western bank. 

Antietam is called The Bloodiest Day in American History, where 23,000 casualties occurred during a span of twelve hours.  Casualties include three categories:  dead, wounded, and missing or captured.  Antietam suffered 21% dead versus 79% wounded, which is similar to the average casualties of Civil War battles.  In time, one out of seven died would from his wounds.  However, battlefield deaths were the minority, as over 2/3 of the 622,000 men who gave their lives in the Civil War died from disease, not from battle.

Status	Union	Confederate	Total
Killed	2,100	1,550	3,650
Wounded	9,550	7,750	17,300
Missing/Captured	750	1,020	1,770
Total	12,400	10,320	22,720

Since it was my first visit to a Civil War battlefield, it seemed only fitting to read The Red Badge of Courage (1895), a war novel by Stephen Crane set during the American Civil War.  Although Crane was born after the war, he wrote about the battles with realism and naturalism, despite no experience of battle first-hand.  The story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming.  He debates his comrades about their ability to face their fear of battle.

"The tall private waved his hand. "Well," said he profoundly, "I've thought it might get too hot for Jim Conklin in some of them scrimmages, and if a whole lot of boys started and run, why, I s'pose I'd start and run.  And if I once started to run, I'd run like the devil, and no mistake.  But if everybody was a-standing and a-fighting, why, I'd stand and fight.  Be jiminey, I would. I'll bet on it.""

During his first battle Henry flees from the field believing it a lost cause.  However, he discovers his error in assuming the outcome and regrets his decision.  Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound of his own. 

At times he regarded the wounded soldiers in an envious way.  He conceived persons with torn bodies to be peculiarly happy. He wished that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage.

Henry does get his wound.  However, it comes from a retreating, fellow soldier who accidently hits him in the head with his rifle, which his comrades mistake for a battle wound.  This incident seems to be the turning point for Henry, who is finally able to muster the courage to face fire in the final battle.  I guess you can add a soldier to what must have been a common saying back then:

A dog, a woman, an' a walnut tree, Th' more yeh beat 'em, th' better they be!

This was a book I remember reading in school.  If I liked it back then, it did not stand the test of time.  It was a enjoyable precursor to visiting the Antietam National Battlefield, but I would probably not read it again.  However, it made me think about what is The Bloodiest Day in The Bible.

Here are my top 12 verses on War:

Jesus On War

Luke 12:51-53 King James Version

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Luke 14:31-32 King James Version

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Luke 21:8-11 King James Version

8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 22:35-38 King James Version

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

War In The New Testament

1 Timothy 1:18 King James Version

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare

James 4:1-3 King James Version

4 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Revelation 16:14-16 King James Version

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Revelation 19:11 King James Version

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

War In The Old Testament

Exodus 15:3 King James Version

3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

2 Chronicles 13:16-18 King James Version

16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.

17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.

Proverbs 20:18 King James Version

18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Joel 2:4-8 King James Version

4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

The War study does contain some of my favorite verses: Luke 12:51-53, Proverbs 20:18, Luke 14:31-32 & 1 Timothy 6:12 (https://acts512.blogspot.com/2013/04/favorites.html).  However, I couldn't get them all in the study since there were a lot of other good ones from which to choose.  Many have to with chess since it is a war game.  Luke 14:31-32 has 2 Kings like chess, and Joel 2:4-8 has the Knights jumping and the Rooks moving in their Ranks just like the actual chess pieces.

Clearly, God is not opposed to war. 

The word "war" dominates the Old Testament with 205 of the 220 occurrences in the Bible, with most of the references having to do with the actual battles the nation of Israel had to fight.  The Bloodiest Day in Old Testament is a Civil War contest, during the Battle of Mount Zemaraim, between Judah and Israel (2 Chronicles 13:16-18) when "there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men."

However, the 500,000 dead could be just a drop in the bucket compared to the coming wars found in the New Testament.  Jesus said He did not come to bring peace but division, He used war in his parables, He predicted wars to come, and He recommended those who didn't have a sword, get one.  

The New Testament writers were more symbolic in their use of the word  "war."  I was familiar with fighting the good fight, but the King James Version uses the translation "war a good warfare" for keeping the faith.  But, by the time we get to Revelation, we are back to the real wars to come and what could be the The Bloodiest Day ever:  The Battle of Armageddon

220 Bible results for “war” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (205)
• Genesis (1)
• Exodus (5)
• Numbers (30)
• Deuteronomy (10)
• Joshua (17)
• Judges (11)
• 1 Samuel (8)
• 2 Samuel (9)
• 1 Kings (9)
• 2 Kings (8)
• 1 Chronicles (22)
• 2 Chronicles (18)
• Job (3)
• Psalm (7)
• Proverbs (2)
• Ecclesiastes (3)
• Song of Solomon (1)
• Isaiah (9)
• Jeremiah (19)
• Ezekiel (6)
• Daniel (2)
• Joel (2)
• Micah (3)
• New Testament (15)
• Luke (2)
• 2 Corinthians (1)
• 1 Timothy (1)
• James (2)
• 1 Peter (1)
• Revelation (8)

13 Bible results for “"wars"” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (9)
• Numbers (1)
• Judges (1)
• 2 Samuel (1)
• 1 Kings (1)
• 1 Chronicles (1)
• 2 Chronicles (3)
• Psalm (1)
• New Testament (4)
• Matthew (1)
• Mark (1)
• Luke (1)
• James (1)

Scripture contributions for September 2023 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson

Mountain

Introduction

By Paul Anderson

Since Dystopian did not turn out to be the quick study for which I had hoped, I will try to pick an easier topic for August.  Speaking of hope deferred, I was going to climb the Manitou Incline in August.  However, it did not work out due to a lack of planning.

Instead, a Colorado Springs Chess Club's fellow officer, Mark McGough, and I did a hike in Red Rock Canyon Open Space.  This park is just south of the Garden of the Gods and has similar rock formations, just smaller and less impressive.  However, I had not visited the park since moving to Colorado Springs in 1989.  So, it was nice to finally see it.

August 11, 2023.  Photo by Paul Anderson

The hike ended up being a little over five miles in 2.5 hours, which is more than I usually do all day!  My Fitbit doesn't track elevation, but we tried to hike up to the highest point (around the 3 mile mark) before heading back to the cars.  Fortunately, my Fitbit was able to track all the miles and make this map before it ran out of battery power.  I guess the GPS tracker takes a lot more battery power than I typically use.

While Mark and I were nervous about the strict parking rules and required reservations for the Manitou Incline that have been implemented after its closure during the pandemic, we are hopeful to return someday and conquer that hike without suffering fines and imprisonment.  If the Incline goes well, perhaps I will move on to the real Colorado experience:  hiking a mountain peak over 14,000 feet in elevation!

A mountain peak that rises above 14,000 feet is called a "14er."  There are fifty-eight "14ers" in Colorado.  Since I already have goals to spend a night in all 50 states and see 50 artists in concert, I might as well try to climb 50 peaks as well.  Who is with me?

Rank	Mountain
1	Handies Peak
2	Grays Peak
3	Torreys Peak
4	Quandary Peak
5	Mt. Elbert
6	Mt. Sherman
7	San Luis Peak
8	Pikes Peak
9	Mt. Bross
10	Mt. Cameron
11	Mt. Lincoln
12	Mt. Bierstadt
13	Mt. Democrat
14	Huron Peak
15	Culebra Peak
16	Mt. Princeton
17	Redcloud Peak
18	Mt. Evans
19	Mt. Belford
20	Uncompahgre Peak
21	Mt. Shavano
22	Humboldt Peak
23	Mt. Columbia
24	Mt. Yale
25	La Plata Peak
26	Sunshine Peak
27	Missouri Mountain
28	Mt. Massive
29	Mt. Oxford
30	Tabeguache Peak
31	Mt. Antero
32	Mt. Harvard
33	Mt. of the Holy Cross
34	Windom Peak
35	Conundrum Peak
36	Castle Peak
37	Ellingwood Point
38	Challenger Point
39	Blanca Peak
40	Mt. Sneffels
41	Mt. Lindsey
42	Kit Carson Peak
43	North Eolus
44	Wetterhorn Peak
45	Mt. Eolus
46	Longs Peak
47	Wilson Peak
48	El Diente Peak
49	Crestone Peak
50	Maroon Peak
51	Snowmass Mountain
52	North Maroon Peak
53	Crestone Needle
54	Sunlight Peak
55	Pyramid Peak
56	Mt. Wilson
57	Little Bear Peak
58	Capitol Peak

So, I thought I should do some research on tackling these mountains.

In August, I read a book called The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest.  It didn't help.  It was not about mountains, and the mountain metaphor was so limited that a better title would have been "The Obstacle Is You."  However, that title would point readers to a much better book The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday, who she quotes as saying her stuff better.

"Ryan Holiday says it best: "This moment is not my life. It is a moment in my life.""

"As writer and media strategist Ryan Holiday has noted, epiphanies are not life-altering. It’s not radical moments of action that give us long-lasting, permeating change—it’s the restructuring of our habits."

Brianna Wiest's book is 5 hours and 44 minutes of Stuart Smalley, "You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it, people like you."  She seems to speak out of both sides of her mouth, like when she says we are designed to evolve.  I am not sure if she believes in a Designer who wants us to change or if she believes in Evolution that forces humans to change.  But she doesn't change some of her arguments, I think she used the gut is connected to the brain speech three times verbatim.  She seems to have a target audience of people who wear pajamas at Walmart.  And, we do see them and think less of them.

This book just seemed to mock me because I am trying to understand this gobbledygook while I am cleaning the gutter.  And, I am getting nowhere with either.  Am I the reassured current self or the younger self that wants things to get better?  Whichever self I am now, neither is able to unclog the gutter! 🤬

With the benefit of being months or years removed from that experience, your current self can reassure your younger self that things will get better.  In fact, some good things will come from the experience in the form of new insights, opportunities, and relationships.  This reassurance allows your younger self to fully accept what they're experiencing and let it pass through them like rainwater flowing through a duct.

So, I am going to get away from this book and study the Bible.  It is something that makes more sense to me.

Here are my top 12 verses on Mountain:

Jesus On Mountain

Matthew 4:8 King James Version

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Mark 9:2 King James Version

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Luke 6:12-13 King James Version

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

John 4:20-24 King James Version

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Mountain In The New Testament

Luke 3:1-6 King James Version

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

1 Corinthians 13:2 King James Version

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Hebrews 12:18-24 King James Version

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Revelation 21:10 King James Version

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God...

Mountain In The Old Testament

Deuteronomy 4:10-13 King James Version

10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.

12 And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

2 Kings 6:15-17 King James Version

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Song of Solomon 4:6-8 King James Version

6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Isaiah 2:1-4 King James Version

1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

The word "mountain" is all over the Bible, occurring close to 300 times.  And even more if you add in a search for the word "mount."  The Old Testament has about six times as many verses as the New Testament.  However, I was able to use my favorite formula of pulling 4 verses from the main areas of the Old Testament (Torah, History, Prophets, and Wisdom), 4 from the Gospels, and 4 from the New Testament writers.

It was nice to see mountains use so often by God.  From the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai to the coming of the Kingdom at Mount Zion, the Old Testament places many significant events in the mountains.  Jesus continues that pattern when He is tempted by the Devil, names the apostles, is transfigured, and teaches his disciples.  And these aren't just your regular, old mountains.  These are great and high mountains.  I guess the mountain is not an obstacle to overcome, but rather a place to go to for inspiration.  

What to do I find it hard to know

Lord, the walk is not the one I chose

Lift me up and turn me over

Lead me on into the dawn

Take me to the highest mountain

Tie me up, love in a storm

Have you decided on my fortune?

Facing the future in your eyes

With your imperial behavior

We fight amidst the battle cries

Open doors

They may be closed to me

The fire's still burning in my heart

What to do I find it hard to know

I want to turn my life around

- Lift Me Up by Yes

And, yes, I finally did achieve a breakthrough.

Breakthrough! Finally got the snake 🐍 through the downspout.

294 Bible results for “mountain” from King James Version.

• Old Testament (253)
• Genesis (9)
• Exodus (6)
• Numbers (6)
• Deuteronomy (15)
• Joshua (16)
• Judges (10)
• 1 Samuel (4)
• 2 Samuel (1)
• 1 Kings (2)
• 2 Kings (3)
• 1 Chronicles (1)
• 2 Chronicles (6)
• Job (6)
• Psalm (24)
• Proverbs (2)
• Song of Solomon (5)
• Isaiah (41)
• Jeremiah (16)
• Lamentations (2)
• Ezekiel (38)
• Daniel (5)
• Hosea (2)
• Joel (5)
• Amos (5)
• Obadiah (1)
• Jonah (1)
• Micah (7)
• Nahum (3)
• Habakkuk (2)
• Zephaniah (1)
• Haggai (2)
• Zechariah (5)
• Malachi (1)
• New Testament (41)
• Matthew (12)
• Mark (8)
• Luke (7)
• John (4)
• 1 Corinthians (1)
• Hebrews (2)
• Revelation (7)

Scripture contributions for August 2023 by: Paul Anderson, Matthew Anderson