Category Archives: Biblical Musings

Earthquake!!!

Have you ever experienced an earthquake or a tremor? What did it feel like?

It was a scary day. I live in Maryland and we don’t really get earthquakes. But, I was sitting at my desk and I felt a slight tremor in the floor. The tremor got louder and louder and the building started to shake. I screamed and my coworkers and I wondered what was going on. We figured it was an earthquake and the building was evacuated. I’m still thinking about it. This scripture came to my mind when I was standing outside of the evacuated building:

Luke 21:10-11
10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Today’s earthquake made me wonder if Maryland would be seeing more earthquakes. So, have you ever experienced and earthquake or a tremor? What did it feel like?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch – Did Jesus Die On A Tree?

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Today’s mock menu – let’s pretend like we’ve just finished this meal before discussing today’s scriptures:

Grilled ham
Fluffy omelets stuffed with fragrant herbs, cheese and mushrooms
Fried potatoes seasoned with salt and herbs
Tuna fish sandwiches on whole wheat toast
Buttered toast
Iced latte
Coke

Did Jesus die on a tree?

You know I’ve been reading a lot about the early Christians lately, especially in the book of Acts. I’ve often wondered about the scriptures in Acts which reference that Jesus died on a tree. There are several references about Jesus dying on the cross throughout the Bible, but I was wondering if the tree reference was used simply because the cross was made of wood?

Here are the scriptures that refer to Jesus dying on a tree:

Acts 13:28-30
28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead,

Acts 10:39
39“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree,

This is one of the many references about Jesus dying on a cross:
Acts 2:23
23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

So, why do you think Acts mentions Jesus dying on a tree? Personally, I think He died on a cross, but I’ve often wondered about the tree reference. Leave a comment.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch – Cherubim!

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Mock Brunch Menu:
Creamy vanilla rice pudding with raisins and sprinkled with cinnamon
Fluffy blueberry pancakes slathered with real butter and homemade maple syrup
Crispy salty bacon
Tender link sausages
Hot coffee laced with cream and sugar
Cold, fresh-squeezed orange juice
Sweet apple juice

As usual, let’s pretend like we’ve just finished the tasty meal that I’ve outlined above and we’re ready to talk about some scriptures!

Today, I wanted to talk about the cherubim. For some reason, thoughts of the cherubim have been going through my mind over the last few weeks! I’ll talk about seraphim another week.

NOTE: I’M TALKING ABOUT CHERUBIM IN THE BIBLICAL SENSE. I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TERM CHERUB/CHERUBIM AS IT PERTAINS TO INFANTS/BABIES.

When you think about cherubim, what image comes to your mind?

The cherubim are mentioned in the Bible a number of times. After Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, the cherubim guarded the Garden so that Adam and Eve could not return:

Genesis 3:24
24After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Cherubim were also used numerous times in the design of the Ark of the Covenant as well as the temple built by Solomon. This leads me to believe that these are extremely holy and important creatures.

We also know that God is enthroned between the cherubim:
2 Kings 19:15
15And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

However, the Biblical image that I find most striking about the cherubim occurs in Ezekiel 10:12-14
12Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels. 13I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” 14Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

When I think of these Biblical creatures, I think about how amazing they are, and how scary they must look! God sits between these winged creatures and they appear to be of some importance in the Old Testament. I wonder what it would’ve been like to see these creatures? Just reading about them brings images to my mind, images that are really hard to grasp.

What do you think about when you read the scriptures about the cherubim?

As always, comments and questions are appreciated!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

No Sunday Brunch Today! :-(

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Time just got away from me and I didn’t get a chance to do a Sunday Brunch post today. I’ll do one next week. I thought my next Sunday Brunch post would focus on the cherubim and seraphim.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch – Why Did Jesus Spit?

Sunday Brunch – The Early Christians Raising People From The Dead!

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Here’s what’s on the brunch “menu” for today:
Scrambled eggs
Bagels and cream cheese
Toast
Bacon
Cinnamon rolls
Coffee
Non-alcoholic champagne punch

Let’s imagine we’ve just finished eating the tasty food listed above before we discuss the following scriptures.

Can you imagine what it would be like if your loved ones were raised from the dead? I wanted to talk about how some of the early Christians raised people from the dead through the power of Jesus. When you read these scriptures, what goes through your mind?

Acts 9:40-42
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas – Acts 20:9-12
9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Both Paul and Peter were able to raise someone from the dead through hte power of Jesus! I know we talk about Jesus healing people and raising people from the dead but, I don’t notice much discussion about Paul and Peter doing this. The two above-mentioned scriptures remind me of the scripture in Luke where Jesus raised a girl from the dead.

Luke 8:49-56
49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

It’s important to note that Jesus ordered them not to tell anybody about what had happened. I wonder why? I’m wondering if such miraculous resurrections may occur today, somewhere in the world, and people are keeping silent about it?

It’s almost as if, back then – in the book of Acts, the early saints were closer to Jesus, and could perform miracles that were similiar to what Jesus did while he was on the earth? Yes, I do believe people can be raised from the dead today, but, I feel that such happenings are extremely rare if/when they do occur. As I’ve stated on this blog before, I feel that the early Christians had a closer connection to Jesus than we have today. I think their faith was so strong…so strong that it’s almost hard for us to imagine or understand such a deep faith.

So, when you read these scriptures, what goes through your mind? When I read those scriptures, I’m just awed and amazed by the healing power of Jesus – the most profound power of all!

Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch – Did Philip Disappear?

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Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Did Philip Disappear – Podcast

This blog post is sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. Enjoy some of our wholesome, Amazon bestselling Christian fiction titles by visiting ceceliadowdy.com. The link is provided at the end of this blog post.

I’m ready to discuss another scripture on today’s Sunday Brunch. Like last week, we can pretend like we just finished eating the following menu before “discussing” the a scripture by leaving comments.

Today’s menu:

Orange Juice
Coffee
Blueberry Waffles with Syrup
Bacon
Hamburger Sliders with Fries

Today’s question:
What happened to Philip at the end of the eighth chapter in the book of Acts?

Wait a second. Do you like Christian fiction? Read my Amazon bestselling novels! Tell your friends! My books will make you laugh, cry, and praise God! Now, back to Philip…

I wanted to talk about the ending of the scripture involving the Ethiopian eunuch. After Philip has a life-changing conversation with the eunuch, Philip baptizes him. After the baptism, the following occurs:
Acts 8:39-40
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

What I’m wondering is, did the Lord’s Holy Spirit enable Philip to disappear and then re-appear in Azotus? I know some translations use the term “carried” Philip away instead of “took Philip away.” Either way you look at it, it appears to me that Philip literally disappeared from the scene of the eunuch and then reappeared in Azotus. I’m thinking Azotus was where the Lord felt was the greatest need for Philip to preach the gospel. So, that’s why He had to carry Philip away from the eunuch so suddenly – Philip had lots of preaching work to do.

Do you think that Philip literally disappeared and then re-appeared? If so, why?

Leave your responses in the comments! I’m anxious to hear what everybody has to say! I realize people will interpret this scripture in different ways and I think we can get a discussion going! I hope you “enjoyed” the meal! 🙂

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Enjoy other Sunday Brunch Biblical Blog Posts – don’t forget to share these posts with your friends, family, and church buddies!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch! – Should Christians Practice Magic?

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Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Should Christians dabble with magic?

I know some think that magic is harmless, but, the Bible clearly speaks against sorcery, witchcraft and magic (I’ve noticed the Bible uses these terms somewhat interchangeably at times).
I wanted to talk about a man named Simon who’s mentioned in the book of Acts. He was a magician/sorcerer.

Everybody thought he was so great and people followed him – I’m even led to believe that some may have worshiped him. However, Philip came, proclaiming the word of God, Simon “believed” and was baptized. However, after Simon noted Peter and John laying their hands on the baptized, to give them the Holy Spirit, Simon offered them money, wanting them to show him how he could have that very same talent (bestowing of the Holy Spirit by the laying of his hands).

Peter blasted Simon for his disbelief about the gospel, telling him he needed to repent. Simon obviously didn’t accept the gospel with a believing and humble heart, he still had that magic rooted in him, and I don’t think he really let go of his love of sorcery.

I think sorcerers do have power, but that power doesn’t come from God. I don’t believe the Lord wants us to dabble with magic or sorcery.

I know some will argue and say a few card tricks are okay, but…I don’t know. Dabbling with any type of magic has always left me feeling a bit leery. Simon was great and people followed him, made me think: What, exactly, was Simon doing to gain such a following? I know he was doing magic, but, what exactly, did he do to gain that much power? Kind of scary when you think about it.

What do you think? Do you think it’s okay to dabble with harmless magic tricks, or do you think people should refuse to dabble at all? I’d be interested in hearing your responses.

I’ve copied and pasted the scripture from Acts that mentions Simon the Sorcerer. Also, I’ve been blogging about the early Christians and the book of Acts recently. You can see more posts about the early Christians here.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Acts 8:9-25 (NIV)

Simon the Sorcerer
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Philip In Samaria – Acts 8:5-8

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Wow, so scary and amazing. Can you imagine Jesus giving you enough power to drive out evil spirits from the demon-possessed? Can you imagine being paralyzed and then healed? I wish I could’ve seen this happening. I’m sure sights of the healing and the exorcism of demons was something that one would always rmember. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you read this scripture?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

Stephen – Stoned! – From The Blog Archives

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This is a blog post that I did back in 2009. Comment and share your thoughts if you wish…

Acts 6:15 (NIV)
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Isn’t this a powerful scripture? I wonder what his face looked like? I’m assuming there was a white/pale glow to his face? Could you imagine seeing a person today who looked like an angel? What would you do?

Acts 7:51-59 (NIV)
51″You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56″Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Man, what powerful words! Can you imagine being stoned to death, then telling the Lord to forgive those persecuting you? Makes you stop and think of those suffering for the sake of the Lord. Imagine the pain of being stoned to death…brutal…makes me think, you know, as a Christian, I haven’t been through anything remotely related to this. Such suffering and intense physical pain. When you think your life is getting tough, think of how Stephen suffered…think of how Jesus suffered…

~Cecelia Dowdy~