-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vol 1 Issue 4 The Edifier Online Text Version Winter 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURE ARTICLE Before Abraham was I AM: A study in the Scriptures by Thomas E. Mackey Perhaps the most profound words to ever fall from the lips of Jesus are these: BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM! Let's go back a few verses to see the context of Jesus' words. (John 8:53ff) The Jews asked Jesus "Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and all the prophets died! Who do you make Yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "...It is My Father Who glorifies Me...of Whom you say that He is your God. Yet you do not know Him...but I know Him.... Your forefather Abraham was extremely happy at the hope and prospect of seeing My day..." Then the Jews said to Him, "...Have You seen Abraham?" (8:58) Jesus replied, "I assure you, I most solemnly tell you, before Abraham was [born], I AM." [Exodus 3:14] (8:59) So they took up stones to throw at Him... [Amplified] Now, why in the world would these Jews want to stone Jesus? Because Jesus had just made the most clear, unequivocal claim of being equal to God Almighty that is possible for a human to make. He took to himself, for his own identity, God's own name that He had revealed to Moses at the burning bush, as recorded in Exodus 3:14. In my opinion, there is no more profound proof of the inspiration of scripture and the unique nature of the Judeo-Christian faith than that found in this experience of Moses with God at the burning bush. Virtually all other religions of the world are the result of man's musings and philosophizings, trying to grasp by his own cogitation the eternal verities. (Oh yes, there are a few that purport to be revelations brought by angels, but they fail the test of scriptural scrutiny. See Galatians 1:8 "...if we or an angel from heaven..preach another gospel..let him be eternally condemned!") So here is Moses herding sheep on the backside of the desert, forty years after running away from Egypt and his failure to live up to his own sense of destiny. Now eighty years old, with no more thought of ever being anything more than a "has been", he stumbles upon something that fills him with consternation...a desert bush aflame, but not consumed ...a voice that calls him by name...a voice that begins to tell him something beyond belief. Fully convinced he is no longer even remotely capable of bringing deliverance to his people in Egypt...yet this which is beyond belief, this is precisely what the God of the universe intends for him to do! So naturally, Moses begins to argue with God, giving him reasons why God's idea won't work. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" (In other words, I'm a nobody.) Interestingly, God doesn't argue that point with Moses, or try to refute it with some positive-thinking, self-help affirmations of Moses' self-worth. God's answer is simply, "Certainly, I will be with you."; like, that's enough! Then Moses says. in essence, "Okay, let's say I go to the children of Israel and tell them the God of their fathers has sent me to them, and they want to know what your name is, THEN what am I gonna say?" Now, here is that profound answer, prima facie evidence that Moses did't think this up himself...a deep and amazing revelation of the totally unique nature of the Creator God. (Ex. 3:14) God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM...say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you." God revealed about Himself what no time-bound person can even conceptualize; He is the Timeless One, the Eternal Now! The closest our time-bound minds come to expressing the inexpressible is, "From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God!" But even that mind-expanding. limits-stretching attempt at expressing timelessness in human terms falls short of the profoundly simple, ineffable reality...I AM! How do people who exist in a time-space continuum conceptualize I AM, existing independently of time? Before Einstein's Theory of Relativity this was totally unthinkable. And even since, though we may use the term "timeless", philosophically we imply "time without end", since our brain's operation, rooted conceptually in a time-dependent epistemology, still finds "timelessness" impossible to grasp. From a natural standpoint, the I AM is unknowable, which the scriptures confirm: "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned...Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God...As it is written, Eye has not seen, not ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love him. But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit..." 1 Cor 2:14,12,9,10 KJV "It is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the wisdom of the prudent...in the wisdom of God, the world by (their) wisdom knew not God, (but) it pleased God by the 'foolishness' of preaching (the gospel of Christ) to save them that believe...in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanc- tification, and redemption..." 1 Cor. 1:19,21,30 KJV So then, the incomprehensible Timeless One, "unscrews the inscrutable: by entering the time-space continuum, not just throwing hints by messenger service (angels and prophets), or by that still, small voice heard within; but by becoming uniquely human. The eternal Word of the I AM gets spoken into human personality. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 But the sceptic philosopher cries, "You can't do that! By definition, it's impossible for timelessness to enter time." Tell that to God and see how impressed He is with your worldly wisdom! show me a time-bound man who thinks he can explain to you anything about "how it is" from his own mind, and I'll show you a man whose ideas and whose god are far too small and limiting! The only hope we have of even approximating the truth of "how it is" is to receive and believe the revelation of God which He has made of Himself through scripture, through the Word made flesh, and through the ongoing illumination of his Spirit. "...so that (we) may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that (we) may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ...See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form, (that is, all of the infinite, Timeless One that can possibly fit into a time-bound human was in Christ Deity...'who, being in very nature God... stripped himself [of rightful dignity] assuming the role of a servant...was born a human being... and became obedient to death on a cross...' Phil. 2:6-8 Amplified) ...and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:2-4, 8-10. Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all (peoples), baptizing them into the name of the Father (the I AM unlimited), and of the Son (the I AM made human), and of the Holy Spirit (the I AM's presence in us in our time-space world), and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (in sub- mission to my authority). And surely I AM with you always, to the very end of the age (and beyond)." Matthew 28:18-20 The Apostle Paul echoes Jesus when he writes, "therefore God (the I AM) exhalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (I AM), that at the name of JESUS (I AM's Salvation) every knee should bow (in submission to the authority placed in him), in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, (I AM's Salvation and Anointed One is I AM's designated Authority) to the glory of God (I AM) the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 Our puny little space-time-bound minds will always have difficulty expressing adequately in our space-time-bound language the full reality of these truths about the infinite Timeless One who has entered into His own creation. For centuries theologians have wrestled with finding just the right words to properly express these concepts in a consistent manner. As a result, Bible scholars have tended to gravitate toward one or the other of two "extremes": Trinitarian, or Unitarian. At the core of our dilemma is our trying to make sense out of how Jesus can possibly be "fully God and fully man", as the ancient, historic creeds of the church aver. I believe any explanation of this truth which we think up, purporting to "solve the paradox" , automatically becomes inadequate. Embracing this as ongoing paradox should not be so distasteful in a scientific age which continues to uncover anomalies in the way the observable world functions. After two centuries of experimentation with electricity, scientists still cannot agree whether electricity is made up of particles that act like energy waves, or every waves that act like particles. Albert Einstein writes in his treatise on "Relativity", "The non-mathematician is seized by a mysterious shuddering when he hears of 'four-dimensional' things, by a feeling not unlike that awakened by thoughts of the occult. And yet there is no more common-place statement than that the world in which we live is a four-dimensional space-time continuum." (in which the faster matter moves the smaller is its dimension and the greater is its mass; in which a clock gradually accelerated to the speed of light, if it were attainable.) I'll never forget the brief "aha" of fleeting insight experienced a number of years ago while listening to my brother, Charlie attempting to explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Several times I had to ask him to stop and back up; he had lost me on the last curve, figuratively speaking. (Lots of things curve literally, in an Einsteinian universe.) Then it happened! For a split second, it was as though I was our whole universe wrapped in a cocoon of time. Time did not exist outside of that cocoon. Time did not go back everlastingly into the past, nor proceed everlastingly into the future. Time was part and parcel of the essence of our universe which God had brought into being. Apart from that created universe, time did not exist! Only the I AM! Physics (the study of matter and energy), with the advent of the atomic age, has discovered that the atom (the supposedly indivisible whole) actually has three interactive/independent components: protons, neutrons, and electrons. But further exploration of the atom continues to yield an ever-increasing myriad of sub-atomic particles, many with such strange qualities they receive names like "quark", and "anti-matter"! Talk about paradox: how can you logically have a small piece of "matter" whose properties earn it the name of "anti-matter"?! Truly, the modern world of physics, as many scientists have confessed, is looking and sounding more and more like metaphysics! So then, if the material universe God created cannot be described without the use of paradox, how much more must it be true of any comprehensive attempt to describe the Creator Himself, and His interaction with man? Listen again to some of the words of Jesus Christ, The Word become flesh: "I and my Father are one." John 10:30 "He who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Luke 10:22 "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and re- vealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Matthew 11:25,26 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life...whoever does not believe stands condemned al- ready because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:16-19 "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing...He who does not honor the son does not honor the Father, who sent him...I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in him own name, you will accept him." John 5:19,23,43 "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never hunger ...No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him...Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me." John 6:35,44,57 "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, nut will have the light of but...I know where I came from and where I am going...I stand with the Father who sent me...I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world...if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins...I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not lift me alone, for I always do what pleases him...If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:12,14,16,23,24,,28,29,31,32 "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep...whoever enters through me will be saved...I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me---just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my live for the sheep...My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me...My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all...I and my Father are one." John 10:7,9,14,15,27-30 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25,26 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well...The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I way that I am in the Father and the Father is in me...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever---the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, for he lives with you and will be in you...On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you...If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him...These words are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me ...the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:6,7,10,11,16,17,20,23,24,26 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener...you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing...This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing your- selves to be my disciples...As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love...My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends...If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first...If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also...They will treat you this way be- cause of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me ...He who hates me hates my Father as well." John 15:1,5,8,9,10,12,18,20,21,23 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me...When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judge- ment: of sin, because men do not believe in me; of righteous- ness, because I am going to the Father where you can see me no longer; of judgement, because the prince of this world now stands condemned...the Spirit of Truth...will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine...I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." John 15:26: 16:8-11,13-15,28 "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you...Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began...I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world...For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them... Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name---the name you gave me---so that they may be one as we are one...My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:1,5,6,8,11,20,21 Now a final word from Jesus regarding signs of his re-entry into this space-time world at the end of the age: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come (using) my name, claiming, "I am the Christ", and will deceive many...[Did you know there are many men living today who literally claim to be a present-day manifesta- tion of Jesus Christ? One of them called for a Million Man March on Washington, D.C. in 1995, and some Christians went!] You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all (peoples) because of me. [Did you know a Regent University study showed that worldwide, more Christians were martyred last year, 1995, than in the first century: 156,000 people?]...many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom (the good news of God's government that comes on the inside of us when we submit to Jesus Christ's authority and are made one with Christ in God... Luke 17:21 and John 17:21) will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all (peoples), and then the end will come...At that time, if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to de- ceive even the elect---if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time...Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away...Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come... be ready, because the Son of Man will dome at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:4,5,9,11-14,23-25,35,42,44 And now, I pray, may the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father (I AM) give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him. (All scripture references from the New International Version unless noted otherwise) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN FORUM The Bridge by Kathleen Greenawalt kath@cyberhighway.net The old man tended to the rose bushes like a mother kneeling by her child's cradle. He pruned the branches he knew would never blossom, he plucked all the buds from a stem except one so it could grow to be twice as large and beautiful, and he lovingly watered each plant individually, talking to each bush in the row. Beads of sweat appeared to be playing a type of game bouncing over and under wisps of hair, catching a ride on his eyebrow, then sliding down his cheek. But all his attention was on his roses. If only those roses knew how much he loved them - then again, maybe they did know. There was only one thing he loved more and that was his son, Joshua. For as long as Joshua had known it had been just the two of them in this huge beautiful mansion. Joshua leaped from the porch barely missing a row of rose bushes. "Bye, Father. I'll be home for supper," he said while running down the path. "But where are you going?" The old man asked albeit needlessly. "You know...you know," was Joshua's only reply. Every day it seemed to be the same: The old man with his roses, Joshua running out the door earlier and earlier and returning later and later. Joshua didn't stop running until he reached the woods. Here more careful steps were necessary to keep from stepping in a rabbit hole or frightening a deer. Joshua loved the woods. There were sounds only made with gentle breezes and tall skinny trees. The smell was a mixture of honeysuckle, evergreen, and sassafras. The temperature seemed to be always perfect: cool enough to keep you comfortable but not so cold to need a jacket. But as much as he wanted to, Joshua knew he couldn't linger. He took the short-cut to the river. There was not, however, a short cut across the river. It was just as deep, just as wide, and just as swift in one location as it was five miles up river and five miles down river. In fact, in order to swim across Joshua had to start a half mile up stream from his planned destination just so he would not get taken too far off course by the swift current. SPLASH! "Ahh" the water felt so good after his dash through the woods. But there was never time to lie back and enjoy. Joshua was kicking and stroking even before he hit the water. When he reached the other side he was able to catch the same branch that was sticking out of the river bank. His calculations had become precise - this was not a new trip for him. When he first started making this trip he would stop on the other side of the river and lie in the sun till his clothes were dry. But that soon became a thing of the past the more he fell in love with his time across the river. He first crossed the river out of curiosity and adventure. But after he met David, this trip took on more meaning. Joshua was back into the woods. He could barely see David's cabin. But the smell of burning hickory let him know David was up and there was a fire in the fireplace. "David, David! I made it one more time!" Joshua was running and yelling at the same time. Joshua burst through the door and David laughed when he saw his wet, muddy friend. If David had any neighbors they surely would have complained about the noise. Joshua and David were like long-lost brothers. One minute they were playing checkers and the next minute they were wrestling on the floor. Joshua would play David's guitar, fix lunch and even do the dishes. This was a friendship that surely would last forever. But as sundown was quickly approaching Joshua knew he would have to make the long trip home. Oftentimes David would plead with him to spend the night. "Please, Joshua, you're the only person I see each day. Please stay just one more hour." The closer the friends became, the more difficult it was for Joshua to leave. He was to leaving later and later each day hoping to make up the time in the woods. But today Joshua was leaving even later than ever before. The sun already was on the horizon. He knew he would be crossing the river in the dark. He could only hope that his father would not punish him for missing supper. Joshua reached the house long after suppertime. He removed his muddy shoes and attempted to get upstairs without seeing his father. "Son? Is that you?" "Yes, Father. I'm sorry I was so late. But I am so tired I thought I would go right to bed." "Joshua, come here." He sounded more serious than angry. "Yes, Father," came Joshua's compliant reply. The old man assessed his son's muddy appearance. The silence seemed to last forever Then, in the most serious tone Joshua had ever heard, he said. "Son, you cannot cross the river ever again." Joshua was stunned. Bed without supper, grounded for a month - those would have been reasonable punishments. But he couldn't believe what he was hearing - No more trips across the river!?! "But Father..." Joshua didn't continue the argument. But the pain and astonishment on his face filled the room. "David will have to come here if you want to see each other," The old man said firmly. "But he can't come, He..." Joshua struggled for words but it was obvious that he was keeping a secret. "Why not, Joshua? Why can't David come here?" "He just can't!" Joshua left the room just as tears started to rolled down his face. The next morning when Joshua came downstairs he discovered that his father was gone. The old man was standing on the river bank. He could see a branch downstream on the other side and he began to calculate how far upstream he would have to jump into the river so he could land at that branch. He, too, after reaching the other side, was tempted to lie on the bank and let his clothes dry in the sun. But he knew he couldn't be gone too long. Finding David's cabin wasn't hard. It was the only one within miles and he followed the scent of burning hickory through the woods. Since he had never met David he felt compelled to knock even there was a handwritten note on the door saying "Please Come In." But the old man's knocks met with no answer. Just as he turned to go back home he heard a faint "Come in" from inside the cabin. The old man slowly opened the door and began to look around the one room for David. When he finally saw David he gasped and he found it impossible to hide his shock. David was lying over by the fireplace and it was obvious that in order to build a fire each morning he had to drag himself from his bed in the corner. In fact, each day Joshua came he would take care of David in everyway, from clothing him to making his meals. The smile on David's face showed he was glad to see a new face but he was also puzzled over Joshua's absence. The old man was instantly filled with compassion and understanding. "David, I am Joshua's father. I actually came to tell you that I could not allow Joshua to cross the river anymore but I didn't realize that is, he never told me...I mean he never mentioned..." The old man was looking for the words, any words. David's speech was slow and labored but he managed a soft "I understand." "But I see things differently now, David. I told Joshua that you would have to come to our house but now I understand why he said it would be impossible. But I really do want you to come live with us." Suddenly the old man slapped his leg. "We'll build a bridge! That's the solution, David. We have to build a bridge." Suddenly David looked at the old man and rage filled his voice. "How will I ever build a bridge you foolish old man! I can't even dress myself. If you have come here just to point out my weaknesses then leave. Don't you think I would like to come to you? But all you can say is 'you must build a bridge.' Get out of my cabin and out of my life!" David's whole body shook with rage. "But David, I never said 'you.' " The old man was about to weep. "I said..." "GET OUT!! DO NOT TORMENT ANYMORE!" The old man backed out the door in unbelief. Tears were doing the same dance down his cheeks as the beads of sweat had done yesterday. But tears do not play joyful games when they fall. The trip home seemed twice as long and difficult. He couldn't even seem to find the short-cut through the woods (even though he was actually on the shortcut). Joshua was waiting for him. He had quickly figured out where his father had gone. He was hoping that the disclosure of David's secret would change his father's heart and he was deeply disappointed to see him even more set in his ways. The only thing he heard his father muttering was "we must build a bridge we have to build a bridge." For days Joshua saw nothing of his father. Many times he would stand outside his bedroom door starting to knock but he would drop his hand each time because he could hear his father sobbing. Finally his father came down to the breakfast table. In his arms were mounds of paper which fell over the table and Joshua. "This is it, Joshua. This is how we will bring David to live with us." The papers were filled with elaborate plans for a bridge. "Not only will David be able to come here, but anyone will be able to safely cross the river. We will care for everyone who crosses the bridge." For the first time since his father's mandate Joshua was filled with hope. "There's just one thing, Joshua. You will have to build it." Now to build a bridge just for the sake of building one would have never appealed to Joshua. But to build a bridge for his father who he loved and trusted and for David for whom he had so much compassion was much easier to accept. "Whatever you say, Father. I will build the bridge." For days the wood resounded with the sound of chopping wood and hammered nails. The sound traveled down the river and began to attract a crowd of on-lookers, Many laughed. Others shouted words to discourage Joshua. "Say boy, do you think you're the first to try building a bridge? Many have tried and the river is littered with the wooden remains and even their blood." It was true that many had tried to build a bridge but none from Joshua's side of the river. Joshua continued to work. His compassion grew, especially for the scoffers. But Joshua was becoming weak. His hands seemed permanently wrapped around the hammer. He couldn't even uncurl his fingers at the end of the day. The closer he came to finishing the more into the night he worked. The sound of pounding became a song in the night. "What is that noise?" David shouted but only to himself. "I cannot sleep by night or by day." No one had bothered to tell David about the bridge. Joshua was closer to finishing than ever. But his wounded hands were filled with blisters and splinters and left stains of blood on each board he laid. Then, as he laid the final board, Joshua collapsed. The bridge was finished but Joshua had given his life to build it. The old man had been watching his son and with tears streaming down his face he picked up his lifeless son and carried him into the house. He carefully washed Joshua's wounded hands and knees and laid him in his own bed. Then the old man ran through the woods, across the finished bridge, and on to David's cabin. This time he didn't stop to knock. He burst in the door shouting "David, it's finished! The bridge is finished." But when he finally saw David he realized that David was laying on the floor trying to drag himself across the room. He had a hammer in one crippled hand and a single nail in the other. "David, I said the bridge is done. You can put down that hammer. I will take you across the bridge myself." "Your bridge is finished, but not mine! I'm still trying to build my bridge. Are you here only to torment me again?" "No, David, don't you see? There only needs to be one bridge. Joshua built that bridge. In fact... ' the old man began to choke, 'Joshua died building that bridge for you." "You mean you killed him! David shouted and cried at the same time. "You made him build that bridge just so you could come here and torment me. And why should I even try to build a bridge now that Joshua is dead? Leave, Old Man. Leave me alone!" "David, no. Don't turn your back on Joshua or me. There is a bridge. If only you will let me..." But the old man's heart was so broken he fell on his knees pleading and crying uncontrollably. "Old Man you have tormented me enough with your foolish talk. If I am going to cross the river it will be on a bridge of my own doing. I will not accept your GIFT (David nearly spit the word 'gift' on the old man's face.) of a bridge. Now leave me for the last time!" The old man didn't want to go. He knelt there weeping until David's rage forced him to back out of the cabin. By the time he had reached the bridge there was a crowd waiting. "So you really think this will work?" "How much is the toll?" "What do we have to do?" The old man answered question after question. He even walked across the bridge and back several times to prove that the bridge was safe. By nightfall only a few braved the walk. Others laughed or predicted a future collapse of the bridge. Some wanted to cross but were talked out of it by friends or family. For those who crossed they saw more beauty than they had ever imagined. The hundreds of rose bushes were blooming as if to celebrate their arrival. And those who had seen the old man carry the lifeless body of his son across the bridge stood amazed as they looked up and saw Joshua standing on the porch welcoming them. There were songs of joy and great feasts that day and all the days to follow. But Joshua also wept that day as he heard his father tell of David's stubbornness and refusal to cross the bridge. Now each day Joshua stands at the bridge calling to his friend pleading with him to cross the river. But all he hears is a faint, irregular pounding of David attempting to build a bridge on his own. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUSIC REVIEW SONS OF LEVI - "Enter In" Review by David Staley staley@en.com From the San Francisco area comes a band named Sons of Levi and their debut CD, "Enter In". I was sent a copy of the CD to review by Sam Hawk at Strata Records. I was in for a pleasant surprise! I found the CD to have a very clean and professional sound. Also, the music was top notch and was enjoyable to listen to. I find it a great soundtrack for driving, which is one of my favorite places to listen to music. Also the content of they lyrics were great! After listening to it numerous times, I was really refreshed with the central theme that this album contains. And that is about aspects involved in having a personal relationship with God that only comes through Jesus Christ. There are 11 songs on the Disc, and each one has a personality of its own. That is, the songs are each good on their own and not just fillers with a few highlights. The CD starts out with 'Heavenly Father' followed by one of my personal favorites of the CD, 'I Couldn't Help but Notice'. I like the second song because it really moves my heart about how we should be aware of the hurting world around us. After all, Christians have the greatest gift ever, and it isn't ours to keep on a shelf and polish when visitors come over. We are to take this gift and freely give it away, in a meaningful genuine way. I couldn't help but notice you were crying I couldn't help but notice that you needed a friend Won't you pardon me for just this moment I coulnd't help but notice you were dying According to the letter that came with the CD, Sam Hawk said that the song 'God of Abraham' is the first single off of Enter In. The next single that is to be released is 'Hamartia', which is a Greek word used to describe an archer's failure to hit a target with an arrow. Quincy Follweiler, lead vocalist and writer of all the songs on the release, comments on 'Hamartia' by saying, "Life is like archery. Shooting arrows, trying to hit targets, and sometimes missing the mark. Just don't spend a lot of time out there in the woods, in the bushes looking for those arrows that you've lost or missed. Get another and try it again." Here are two clips from "Enter In". God of Abraham Yes, He's the God who spoke to Moses The God of Abraham He's the God who holds creation in the palm of His hand He's the God who was with Jonah in the belly of a whale His love endures forever and His power will prevail Hamartia Every hunter knows you've got to sharpen your arrows Every hunter knows you've got to deaden your aim You've gotta shoot high and you never shoot low You've got to focus on the target when the hard winds they blow I'm a bad shot with a shaky hand But I will try it again, do it again... Hamartia If you have an opportunity to aquire this CD, do it. You won't be unsatisfied, but encouraged. If you can't find the CD anywhere near you, you may want to check directly with Strata Records. Strata Records Sam Hawk - Promotions Alison Moon - bird@ix.netcom.com Strata Records 39120 Argonaut Way #572 Freemont, CA 94538 Phone: 510-657-8631 Fax: 510-657-7453 Here is a link to the Official Sons of Levi Page - http://members.aol.com/solevi/index.htm There is a lot of good information on the band here! ----------------------------------------------------