Monthly Archives: February 2014

Sunday Brunch! Giants On The Earth – Part Two

Did you know that giants lived on this earth during Biblical times?

I blogged about the Nephilim awhile back. I wanted to add to that blog post by mentioning some other giants mentioned in the Old Testament.

I was having a conversation with somebody at my church about the Nephilim, and he told me to read:

2 Samuel 21:20-22

NIV

20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.

22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

This huge, giant man had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each hand. A descendent of Rapha – the Rephaites were a race of giants in the old testament. I’m not sure if all of them had extra digits on their fingers and toes. When I read this scripture, I wondered about these people. Was this whole race of giants doomed? Were they even considered human?

When I asked about the Nephilim on Facebook, somebody pointed out that some churches don’t talk about them because they can’t agree on what they were. Although they’re not mentioned much in church – I want to talk about them.

What are your thoughts concerning this race of people during Old Testament times? I feel weird and confused when I think about them. Why? Because, they seem so other-worldly, non-human, that I almost feel like I’m reading a science fiction novel – only, I’m not – I’m reading the Bible.

In Deuteronomy, Og, a king, was the last of the Rephaites and he slept in a bed that was nine cubits long – which equals about fourteen feet!

Does that mean these giants were about fourteen feet tall and had extra digits on their fingers and toes?  Was this entire race of people doomed since they were born of sin? Please comment about these huge, thought-provoking people! 🙂

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Deuteronomy 2:11

New International Version (NIV)

11 Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites.

Deuteronomy 3:11

New International Version (NIV)

11 (Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide.[a] It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)

 

The Calling Of Emily Evans by Janette Oake

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The Calling of Emily Evans by Janette Oake

Do you think women should be allowed to preach, leading their own church?

I enjoyed this book. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Janette Oake book.

After Emily Evans is finished with her Bible school training, she feels called to start a church. As a young woman, her options are limited – how can a female be chosen to start a church. The church committee sends Emily to a remote town to start her church – alone. I thought the premise of this story was extremely interesting – it’s a historical story, yet, there’s a woman leading a church. I loved seeing Emily trying to fit into the small town life, attempting to share the gospel with the town’s inhabitants.

This story also shows how the people in Emily’s town struggle with their faith. There’s a battered wife who struggles to raise her children and another woman who is raising her children alone.

I loved reading about Emily leading her small church, writing her sermons each Saturday, sharing her faith in God. I also loved her title – Emily was known as a deaconess. I’d never heard that term until I read this story.

So, what do you think about women in the pulpit? Do you think women should be able allowed to start their own churches?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

My romance collection is on sale for 99 cents each.

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/johns-quest.jpg26525EBBittersweet Memories

– See more at: http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/#sthash.NaONHmWr.dpuf

 

Sunday Brunch – Have You Ever Seen An Angel?

Have you ever seen an angel?

Hebrews 13:2

New International Version (NIV)

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

When I read that scripture, I think about the old TV series, Touched By An Angel. Remember that show? The angels were on earth, helping people with their problems. Near the end of each show, the angel announced to their assigned charge(s), “I’m an angel, sent by God.”

Have you ever had an experience where you saw an angel? Perhaps you were going through a tough time, or you received a mysterious warning from a person and before you could thank this person, they’d miraculously disappeared? Have you encountered people or a person in your everyday life whom you thought may have been an angel?

I haven’t, but, I’d be interested in hearing about your experience. So, have you ever encountered an angel?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber

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The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Photo
courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Would you pay $30,000 for a husband?

Cassie Beaumont did. When her best friend, Angie, recommends Cassie make an appointment to see Simon, a matchmaker, Cassie agrees to do so. Her biological clock is ticking, and she just can’t seem to meet new men. Although Simon’s fee is steep, Cassie agrees to pay because Simon has an outstanding success rate with his matches.

However, Simon won’t allow Cassie to meet John, her perfect match. First, she has to do some unusual Christmas tasks to prove her worth. Cassie continues to meet with Simon as she completes her assignments, and then things take an interesting twist in the novel.

This was a light, holiday read. I enjoyed it, but, wondered if very many young women would have that sort of nest egg, $30,000.00, to spend on a matchmaker. Cassie said that she has the money saved up for her wedding. She spends it on matchmaking because, if she doesn’t meet someone soon, there won’t be a wedding.

So, would you pay a $30,000.00 fee to match yourself up with the perfect husband?