Reach out and touch... a lilly.

Here's a funny headline from WRTV:

Boy Sticks Gum On $1.5 Million Painting At Museum

I could not help but be reminded of a time when my wife and I were at the art museum in St. Louis looking at the Monet paintings. I was walking in front of the largest one on display, which was probably fourteen feet long, when I heard a scraping noise. I turned around, and in horror, saw all three of my boys (the youngest was two at the time) walking with their hands stretched out, dragging their hands on the painting as they were walking by it.

...and she wants to go on another vacation.

Nipped in the Bud.

Not to overshadow the great loss of the legendary Don Knots,

but Dennis Weaver just died too.

You heard it here first.

The Da Vinci Code of Ethics

I have read my share of ridiculous statements in the news, but this one just about made my head hurt.
It seems that two authors are suing Dan Brown (The Da Vince Code)for stealing 'their idea’ revolving around Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene, and having a blood line that still survives today. As silly as all of that sounds, that isn’t what made my head hurt this morning. It was Dan Brown’s comments, and the comments of the Associated Press article I read on MSNBC.
Here goes…

“Suggesting a married Jesus is one thing, but questioning the Resurrection undermines the very heart of Christian belief,” said Brown, who described himself as a committed Christian.

"Committed" in a debasing, slandering, falsifying, unethical, belittling, disgusting kind of way...

If any of you feel the urge to vomit, you are not alone.

We need your feedback...

Please let us know if all of the links are slowing the download time, OK?

-Management

Introducing: Kaf through Samech

Also, we will be having a discussion on the Book "Night" by Elie Wiesel sometime in the next couple weeks at Hebrew class. Please feel free to post your comments on the book or the discussion!

A Prayer Request

An old friend of ours is struggling with alcohol. He recently has tried to quit, and is becoming very ill in the process. I can tell you from first hand experience that this is not a fun place to be, and I would like to ask you to keep him in your prayers.

Miss Piggy, you never looked so good.

If you have never checked out CoxandForkum, this would be the perfect time to do so... before the world goes insane over this one...

OOPS!

Yesterday, I signed up for an AdSmart account. If you happened to visit MangDiddles Tuesday, you probably noticed that there were advertisements where the Google Search Bar is now. If you were paying attention, you would have also noticed that the advertisements included adds from the Jehovah Witness, Seventh Day Adventists and a number of other assorted groups that I do not care to be advertising for. Needless to say, they are gone.

...sorry about that.

MangDiddles Logo

Key word; Former

Just when you think it is safe to read the news without hearing from this guy

(Jimmy is able to get under my skin at a level only shared by Katie Couric and Cindy Sheehan), Y-net has a headline like this:

Carter: "Don't punish Palestinians"

Both Jimmy Carter and Kofi Anon hosted Sesame Street at one time

(appealing to those of their own intellect), which left me wondering if their performances ever reached the television sets of Hamas’ kids like these:

So, lets all sing along, shall we?

Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet

Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street...

UN- seeing, UN- real, UN- believable.

Hey, hey... lets not get radical here! We realize that those people hate you, and we certainly realize that their intent is to destroy your land, people, and right to Liberty... but ... you really need to pump millions of dollars into their economy. How do you expect these people to eat when every dollar that they have is set aside for weapons and bomb making equipment? How dare you take away their right to kill your innocent women and children at the coffee shops and restaurants!?U.N. demands that Israel: "Transfer funds to Palistian Authority"

Messianic Focus for today...

Our God calls the Sabbath (Shabbat) "His Holy Day" in Isa 58:13
In 321 CE, while a Pagan sun-worshiper, the Emperor Constantine declared that Sunday was to be a day of rest throughout the Roman Empire:
"On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."
The Church Council of Laodicea circa 364 CE ordered that religious observances were to be conducted on Sunday, not Saturday. Sunday became the new Sabbath. They ruled: "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day."
There are many indicators in the historical record that some Christians ignored the Church's ruling. Sabbath observance was noted in Wales as late as 1115 CE. Francis Xavier was concerned about Sabbath worship in Goa, India in 1560 CE; he called for the Inquisition to set up an office there to stamp out what he called "Jewish wickedness". A Catholic Provincial Council suppressed the practice in Norway in 1435 CE. (emphasis mine)

Lets put all that we have learned about the Sabbath aside for a moment and ask ourselves one obvious question; Does any man have the authority to change what God has called ‘His Holy Day’ to another day? Who’s day is it?

What are you Zayin?

More on this week's five Hebrew letters from "In His Own Words".

Disclaimer: Remember, these are the views of sages past, and are not necessarily the views of God Himself. To my knowledge, there are no references to the meaning of each individual letter of the Hebraic alphabet in the Bible. Though these things may provide a little insight, and are extremely interesting to the diligent 'Borean', they must be taken with a grain of proverbial salt. -Aaron

Will the next five letters please step forward...

I am going to assume that we moved on to the the next five letters in our Hebrew class Thursday. If anyone that was there has a different list to study this week, please contact me...

Remember to read from right to left! I'll be posting their meanings sometime today or tomorow...

...that the nations may know Me...

I can remember reading about how "Communism is dead" and how Reagan "won the Cold War" and so on, but the more I read the news, it seems obvious to me that they were just resting for a while, and I think they might be waking up.

From the Jerusalem Newswire:

"Moscow readies arms sales to PA, increases dominance in region"

I think they are waking up but not fully awake; there is alot that has to happen before Scripture can be fulfilled on this one, and I'll show you why:

Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you... You will come up against My people Israel... It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:14-16)

Did you notice the first sentence? "...when My people Israel dwell safely..."

I'm not sure they have "dwelt safely" for the last three years. There must be some sort of treaty that would bring a temporary (maybe 7 years?) 'peace' for a while or something...

Ridiculous.

This is too predictable.

"Deaths reported in Mohammed cartoons protest"

ouch.

I had to miss the Hebrew lesson for this week because I pulled a muscle (or perhaps several) in my back while cutting wood, and have ear infections in both ears. I will post this week's five letters tomorrow morning while I am studying before work. If anybody from the class is reading this, I apologize.

It's about time.

The US House has voted to withhold aid to the "Palestinian" government (?) after the recent election of the Hamas party. Lets look at a few reasons this should have happened a long time ago...

1. They danced in the streets and passed out candy after 9/11.











2. They openly and proudly hate America and Israel (no links necessary, just watch the news long enough and you're sure to see a flag burning).

3. They are raising up an entire generation to be just like themselves.


(Notice the "toy" AK47s that they are holding, the 'Hamas green' head bands, and the kid sized Israeli flag they are burning.)

Dittos

It's not too often you hear a great joke at the moment of it's conception, but today I had the oppertunity.

"I would rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than be in a car with Ted Kennedy while it's crossing a bridge." -Rush Limbaugh

Who is this King of Righteousness?

At Bible study, we were looking at Melchizedek, because we are in Hebrews, chapter 7. I was doing some studying on him this morning, and found that there are heaps of insinuations, speculations and mistranslations connected to his name, along with a few interesting facts.

Here is what we know for sure about him:

1. His name literally translates: Melek (king) and Zadok (righteous).

2. His first appearance in Scripture is Genesis 14:18, where Abraham pays tithes to him.

3. He was the King of Salem (Genesis 14:18) It should be noted that If Salem is Jerusalem, although that is not certain, it is not on the expected return route from Damascus to Sodom.

4. He blessed Abraham and brought him bread and wine – Genesis 14:18

5. Messiah will be “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalms 110:4) (Yeshua quotes Psalms 110:1 in Mat 22:44 and in Luk 20:42

6. He was King of Peace, King of Salem, and King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:2)
7. He was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Hebrews7:3)

7. Levi, who receives tithes according to the Law paid tithes through Abraham (not being born yet), (Hebrews 7:9)

8. Messiah will hold a Priesthood similar to Melchizedek’s (Hebrews 7:15,16)

As for extra biblical writings about Melchizedek (this list includes some pretty outrages claims, see disclaimer on previous post):

One historian believes that that he was crucified in Jerusalem as a false messiah.

The Dead Sea Scroll, 11QMelch from Qumran, calls him the agent of the future jubilee salvation, and even substitutes Melchizedek for YHVH.

Melchizedek is said to atone for the sins of the righteous and to execute judgment upon the wicked (11QMelch)

In the so-called “War Scroll” (1QM 13:10; 16:6-8; 17:7), Melchizedek appears to be the archangel Michael, who is “the prince of light” (1QM 13:10-11; cf. 1QS 2:20-22; CD 5:17-19) and “the angel of [God's] truth” (1QS 3:24).

He is called the Heavenly Prince (11QMelch) (often seen as related to the Prince in Eekiel.45:17)

...and the Sages say...

These come from Grant Luton's book, In His Own Words:

Disclaimer: Remember, these are the views of sages past, and are not necessarily the views of God Himself. To my knowledge, there are no references to the meaning of each individual letter in the Hebraic alphabet in the Bible. Though these things may provide a little insight, and are extremely interesting to the diligent 'Borean', they must be taken with a grain of proverbial salt. -Aaron

would you like Pommes Frites with that?

When I posted the Iranian soccer team cartoon story yesterday I couldn't find any pictures of the 'sinister cartoon of hate', but Charles of LittleGreenFootballs has it on his site today.
Iran, of course, had to take a stab at Israel in the process, saying that Germany had
"...lowered themselves" to become the Zionist' scarecrows."

Yes, if there is one thing that Germany is known for the whole world over, it has to be their cowering down to the strong arm of the Israeli Zionists.

Meanwhile, Muslims in Pakistan worked up such a frenzy durring their own 'cartoon riots', that they were filled with the insatiable urge to destroy something American. After all, it was a Dutch newspaper the first time, and a German paper the second time (?). You know what that means, kids? ...time to torch the local McDonalds.

Yoyo Ma

I was just sitting here learning code, listening to Yoyo Ma, which made me think of my cello lesson that I blew off, which made me want to go in the living room, by the fire, and practice the Cello Suite I am learning, but my better half is sleeping, so I can’t.

It gives me a good reason to post a picture of it though.

What would Ray Ramano do in a time like this?

Cartoon Lunacy Rages on

What do you get when you cross Berlin, Iran, the game of soccer, and a cartoon artist? You guessed it! A whole lot of angry Muslims that think distasteful cartoons justify decapitation and hostage taking.

The latest example of mind-numbing absurdity stems from a cartoon depicting four Iranian soccer players with explosives strapped to their uniforms.

Evidently the blaspheming infidel responsible for this latest attack is part of the diabolical plot to destroy their god’s image... with cartoons.

Speaking of cartoons and such, I meant to add this earlier.

...and hey!

This week at the Badgley's we are learning the first five letters of the Hebrew Alphabet. They are: Aleph, Bet, Gimmel, Dalet and Hey. Remember, they are read from right to left. They look like this:

More on this later...

It's time to tear something up! ... or something.

Forget about the blizzard in the North East, never mind the Olympics. The real news story this evening is the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, saying:

"I am the Jesus Christ of politics... I am a patient victim, I put up with everyone, I sacrifice myself for everyone."

If I didn't have any sense, moral values, or self respect, I would gather up all of my Christian buddies and start a riot in front an Italian embassy or something... No, wait! Maybe I could just go burn my neighbor's car, then complain to him about how rough and unfairly I have been treated... No, that's ridiculous... I know, maybe I would graffiti on the side of every pizzeria in town...

Shake off the Dust...Arise!

Get ready all, I have the info for the Matisyahu concert at the Vogue.

Trevor Hall (?) is opening up for him, the doors open at 7:00 and the show is at 8:00

Tickets are $23 adv / $25 day of; on sale 12/20 (all info from the Vogue's site).

The minivan will be leaving my driveway at 6:00.

Main Stream Media is a JOKE.

While places like Worldnetdaily, Little Green Footballs (yesterday), and Watch.org are reporting today that the US is getting ready to perform an all out blitz on Iran's neuclear facilities, CNN's top headline is :

"Snowstorm pounds Northeast, closing airports"

I would call it 'dropping the ball', but is blatently obvious that they were never in posession of the ball to begin with.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Iran's lunatic leader Ahmadinejad stated Saturday that Israel 'Will Be Removed'.

In His Own Words

For anybody who is looking to learn more about the Hebrew alphabet, this book is a must. It is called "In His Own Words: Messianic Insights into the Hebrew Alphabet" by Grant Luton. You can find it on the author's site, and every now and then it shows up on Ebay (I paid about $7.00 for mine there).
I am in my second reading now, because we are taking the Hebrew class, and it is even better this time around. I had questions for Grant while I was reading it the first time so I emailed him, and we maintained corrospondance for a couple months. While you are at his site, check out the free audio downloads; they don't have very good sound quality, but the content more than makes up for it.

MangDoodles #1 - Mary Magdeleine (Mary Magdalene) & Lot's Wife...

A few months ago, I was looking for a new material with which to sculpt. While asking around, a friend of mine at work suggested chisseling a 50 lb. soft water salt block, so, here's what happened...


This is Mary Magdeleine (Magdalene) (I just used my imagination), looking up to Yeshua after annointing his feet with oil.
It is called "At the feet of Jesus". I did it in about 12 hours, split up into 2 days; she weighs around 40 lbs now.

This was my first; it's called simply, "Lot's Wife". If you don't know the story, Lot's wife looked back toward Sodam after the Angel told them not to, and she was turned into a piller of salt. She looks a little more haggard than Mary, as I was trying to make her look defiant and bitter. Lot's Wife took about 4 more hours than Mary because it was my first one. She weighs about 45lbs.
This picture was taken at Suzie Gibb's Art Studio in Lafayette, IN - it was my first sale.

I just got my first batch of sculpting clay, so I will be posting my results whenever I finish something...

Matisyahu concert coming up!

I will kick off my blogging career with the news of Matisyahu's upcoming concert at the Vogue in Broadripple Indianapolis. I have been told that it is on March 5th, but details are still sketchy - I heard it from my wife who was told by her best friend who is a hair stylist in Broadripple, so it should be taken with a few grains of salt. Stay tuned for the concert review...

Anymore, blogs are as readily available as bellybuttons, and this being my first stab at it, I should say up front that I was inspired to do this by the Badgley family (of First Fruits of Zion) and Littlegreenfootballs (hats off to you Charles), and that the name MangDiddles comes from my grossley obese cat, Mango.
I just got home from my first Hebrew class with the Badgleys, and I have to get up at 5 in the morning, so that's all I have for now.


...this is going to be fun.