eSword and other Bible apps

Bible search software is fun.  I have been using Bible software since 1985.  I often use e-Sword which is available for Windows, Mac, iPad, and iPhone.  It also works well with Linux using Wine.  You can do all kinds of stuff with a good Bible study app that would take hours and hours to do manually and a lot of stuff that would just be impossible.  Here is a simple example...

Comparing the KJV with the NASB, I looked up how many times the word "Jesus" occurs.  Here is the result.

                             NASB                        KJV

Matthew                182                            172

Mark                      103                              97  

Luke                       104                            100 

John                        245                            256

Total                        634                            625

And just for fun, from Acts through Revelation, there are only 353/358 occurrences.  

Is this super important, I doubt it.  It does go along with John's stated purpose for writing.  See John 20:30-31

This is just a simple example.  When it comes to Bible research, the possibilities are endless.  There are lots of Bible resources online, but when it comes to speed and power, there is no substitute for having a full featured Bible research app installed on your computer that does not require the internet.  Other programs I have tried include: theWord, Bible Analyzer, Quick Verse, Logos, Xiphos, Olive Tree, and a few others.  

Signs, Healing, and Tongues

1. The Jews, as a nation, began with signs.
   (Rom. 4:11; Ex. 4:8, 9, 17, 28, 30; 7:3; 8:23; 10:1-2; 13:9; 31:13, 17; Deut. 4:34; 6:22).

2. The Old Testament Jews lived by signs.
   (Deut. 11:18; Jos. 4:6; 1 Sam. 10:7; 2 Kgs. 19:29; Isa. 7:14; 38:7, 22; Ezk. 4:3; 20:12, 20). 

3. The Jews demanded signs from the Lord Jesus Christ.
   (Mat. 12:38; 16:1-4; 24:3; Jn. 2:18; 6:30).

4. The Jews require a sign, not the Gentiles.
   (1 Cor. 1:22; Jn. 4:48).

5. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, the gifts of tongues and healing are signs.
   (Mar. 16:16-20).

6. These signs were for the purpose of confirming the word of God.
   (Acts 14:3; Heb. 2:3-4).

7. These signs are spoken of in the past tense in 2 Corinthians 12:12 and in Hebrews 2:3-4, not in the present or future tense.

8. Those who still look for signs and wonders today are on dangerous ground for the Antichrist will deceive the world with signs and wonders (Rev. 13:13-14; 2 Thes. 2:8-12).

9. The Lord Jesus Christ said that an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. (Mat. 12:39).

10. The Bible speaks of various spiritual gifts to believers, but tongues and healing are never emphasized more than the other gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11).

11. The gifts of tongues and healing were not considered the best gifts (1 Cor. 12:28-31).

12. The gift of healing was a sign (Mar. 16:17-18; Exo. 4:6-8; 2 Kgs. 20:8-9).

13. It is not God's will for all Christians to be healed (2 Cor. 12:5-10).

14. The apostle Paul could not heal himself (2 Cor. 12:5-10).

15. Near the end of his ministry, Paul could not heal Trophimus (2 Tim. 4:20).

16. Instead of healing Timothy, Paul gave him medical advice (1 Tim. 5:23).

17. Contrary to the modern faith healers, "love gifts" and "faith offerings" were not a part of the healing ministries of the disciples (Mat. 10:8-9).

18. A Christian who hasn't confessed his sins and repented of them has no business expecting God to heal him of anything
    (Psa. 6:1-4; 41:4; 2 Chr. 7:14; Hos. 5:10-13; 1 Cor. 11:29-32; Jas. 5:14-16; 1 Jn. 1:7-10).

19. If modern faith healers really have the gift of healing, then they should prove their ministry by visiting hospitals and nursing homes and healing the sick, rather than writing books, holding healing meetings, and begging for money on television
    (2 Tim. 4:5; Mat. 10:8-16; 1 Tim. 6:5-10).

20. Satan has the power to heal and this will cause millions to be led astray in the coming Tribulation Period (Rev. 13:1-4, 12).

21. The gift of tongues was given as a sign (Mar. 16:17; 1 Cor. 14:22).

22. The gift of tongues was the supernatural ability of some Christians to speak in foreign languages in the presence of unbelieving Jews (Acts 2:7-11).

23. God has never caused or commanded Christians to speak in unknown tongues
    (Mar. 16:17; Acts 2:4; 1 Cor. 12:10; 1 Cor. 14).

24. The Bible never says once that tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

25. There is no baptism of the Holy Ghost in (1 Cor. 14)

26. Paul said that all true Christians were baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 12:13), and all true Christians were sealed with the Holy Ghost until the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30), but all Christians did not speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:29-31).

27. The Bible never says that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is a second Christian experience or blessing.

28. The baptism of fire is the condemnation of the wicked in Hell (Mat. 3:11-12), not being "on fire for the Lord."

29. Acts 2:3 speaks of "cloven tongues LIKE AS of fire," but the Book of Acts says nothing at all about tongues of fire or a baptism of fire.

30. If a person does not have the spirit of Christ, he has no business waiting for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, because he doesn't even belong to Christ (Rom. 8:9).

31. Pentecost was never a religious movement, or a religious experience. It was a Jewish feast day which always occurred fifty days after the Passover (Lev. 23:15-22 ).

32. Jesus said that when the Holy Ghost came He (the Holy Ghost) would not speak of Himself, because He would glorify Christ (Jn. 16:13-14).

33. No Christian in the Bible is ever told to pray, preach, sing, or praise God in tongues.

34. The disciples received the Holy Ghost in John 20:22, but they did not speak in tongues when this happened.

35. The filling of the Spirit in Acts 4:31 and Eph. 5:18-20 does not include speaking in tongues.

36. When speaking of spiritual gifts in Ephesians 4:8-12, Paul does not mention tongues.

37. There were only three cases in the Book of Acts where people spoke in tongues (not unknown tongues), and these tongues were a sign to the Jews each time, because the Jews require a sign (Acts 2:1-11; 10:44-46; 19:6-8; 1 Cor. 1:22; 14:22).

38. The former and latter rain of Joel 2 has nothing to do with Acts 2 or the modern-day Charismatic Movement, because the rain of Joel 2 is literal wet rain from the sky in Israel (Joel 2:1-31).

39. Tongues are not even mentioned in the list of spiritual gifts in (Romans 12:6-8)

40. Although tongues (not unknown tongues) were permitted in 1 Cor. 14 (because there was a Jewish synagogue in Corinth - Acts 18:1-4), they were not encouraged because tongues did not edify the church (1 Cor. 14:4-5, 26). 

41. It is better to speak five words clearly than ten thousand with an unknown tongue (1 Cor. 14:19).

42. No more than three people were allowed to speak in tongues in the church assembly, and then only one could speak at a time (1 Cor. 14:27).

43. No one was permitted to speak in tongues in the church without an interpreter (1 Cor. 14:27-28).

44. Women were not allowed to speak in tongues in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35).

45. Those who did speak in tongues (foreign languages) had power over their own spirit (1 Cor. 14:32).

46. A religious man who doesn't bridle his tongue is deceived and he has a vain religion (Jas. 1:26).

47. Many "seducing spirits" are in the world and it is every Christian's duty to "try" these spirits
    (1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2:2).

48. The word of God is the standard by which we are to judge all doctrines (Isa. 8:20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

49. He that is spiritual judges all things (1 Cor. 2:15).

50. Teaching the Scriptural Truth about signs, healing, and tongues is not a matter of being mean, prejudiced, or intolerant. It is simply a matter of obeying the command to RIGHTLY DIVIDE God's word (2 Tim. 2:15).

 

Una DeBee's Fruit Cake

When I was in college, two of my room mates brought fruit cake from home that was left over from Christmas.  Terry brought his favorite "no bake" fruit cake which was a disgusting rectangle of smashed fruit.  Ed brought some of his mom's fruit cake.  She claimed that she had researched it for years and tried many recipes before settling on one that, with some of her own modification, she really liked.  It was plenty fruity, baked like a cake, held its form nicely, and was not dry.  An argument ensued.  Terry said he liked "FRUIT" cake, whereas Ed said that he like fruit "CAKE."  I was the official taste tester and I immediately became a big fan of Una DeBee's fruit cake.  Ed was definitely right.  Terry returned to his bunk with his gob of goo and after a few days, all of the fruit "CAKE" was devoured.  I managed to get at least one piece every year all of our college days.

More importantly, during a visit with the DeBee's, I asked Una for her recipe.  I told my wife that she would have to make one of these fruit cakes every year.  Una copied it out for her and told her a short version of her fruit cake research.   My wife complained a little the first year that she made it, but after eating some, she changed her tune and we have made it a Christmas tradition at our house ever since.

After 48 fruit cakes, my wife announced that this year will be the final year.  We have enjoyed the 2020 fruit cake as always, but this may be the final piece.  We'll see.

Una DeBee's Fruit Cake

Cream 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening together with 1 1/3 cup of sugar.  Stir until creamy.

Warm 2.5 cups applesauce, a #2 can, a good thick brand.  Add it to the mixture and blend.

Dissolve 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of warm water then add it to the mixture and beat well.

Sift together: 2.5 cups flour, 2/3 Tsp ground cloves, 2/3 tsp Allspice, 2/3 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, and a pinch of Salt.  Add all this to the mixture and mix well.

Remove from the mixer and stir in:

1 pound of mixed candied fruit (the colorful cubed kind that stores sell at Christmas)

1 cup of chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans, more if you like.

2 cups of Raisins - more if you like

Prepare a tube type baking pan using pan spray, or light grease, with waxed paper or parchment on the bottom.  Pour in all the ingredients.  Garnish the top with whole walnuts or pecans.  

Preheat oven to 350 and bake the cake for 1.5 hours.  After 45 minutes, place a piece of brown paper over the pan so that the cake does not brown too much on top.  

How to defeat Eramis in Destiny 2

 The ultimate enemy in Destiny 2 "Beyond Light" is a female warrior named Eramis.  If you are working through the campaign, eventually you will be given the task to hunt down and defeat Eramis.  Fight your way through typical scenes until you get to her throne room...then the battle begins in two phases.  I'm not into all the Destiny 2 lingo and lore so you may have to translate a little.  But if you follow this simple procedure and are a slightly above average player you should be able to defeat Eramis without much trouble.  Most players use speed, luck, shooting skill and lots of tries to win this level.  I use cunning.  Brains wins over brawn.

Eramis

Phase One:  You will first discover Eramis in her throne room.  When you enter, the battle begins and she will summon lots of goons to take you down while she shoots at your with her freezing stasis blast.  There are lots of small objects to run and hide behind, none of them very good. Do your best hiding as you fight off wave after wave of goons.  In between each wave take some shots at Eramis.  When you finally wear her down a litttle, she will freeze you, disable your ghost, steal your shard, and give you a lecture.  Then she will depart to the outside decks.  This phase is not too hard, but there is no big secret to it.  Tough it out.

Phase Two:  When you go outside, you will see Eramis on a round deck with one smaller deck on each side.  All around them is a long fall into the abyss and certain death.  When you exit the throne room a shield descends behind you so you cannot go back.  You must face the enemy.  Notice that there is on semi-circular railing around the deck on which your are standing.  You have time to look it over.  Take a close look at the two extreme corners of the deck.  If you crouch in either corner, you are protected pretty good from the enemy.  Eramis cannot get a direct shot at you because of the railing, but the goons can still rush at you.  You have time for one stasis shot at her and then the battle begins.  Run immediately to one of the deck corners, crouch low against the railing, and wait for the 1st wave of goons.  Shoot them with whatever you like but remain crouched down because Eramis will be trying to hit you with stasis.  

Wave after wave of goons, and shanks will come.  Just keep blasting them.  In between each wave, stand up and take one or two quick stasis shots at Eramis (it is your new super power).  Use the faint sighting ring to aim your shots.  Duck down and wait for the next wave of goons.  Eramis will also make a lot of those big blue "Servitor" balls to shoot at you.  If you hit them right in the center, they are easy to destroy.  Goons seem to come in groups of two or three, but there are lots of Servitors.

When you are low on ammo, wait for the end of a goon wave and then jump up and run to the other corner collecting ammo as you go...crouch down again.  Remember to take a shot at Eramis in between waves. If she succeeds in freezing you, break out, kill any nearby goons, and return to your crouching spot.

Repeat the process long enough and Eramis will wear down.  When she gets below 1/4 strength, you win.  After a long cinematic, she will disappear.  This is the easy way to defeat an enemy that seems impossible.

How to defeat Praxis in Destiny 2

When playing Destiny 2, Praxis is one of the more difficult villains to defeat.  Finding him is hard enough.  You have to hunt him down.  When you find him, defeating him seems impossible.  In your attempts you may die over and over.  Fortunately, in a video game you get extra lives.  Here is the secret to defeating Praxis.  Use this method and you will have good success and few deaths.

The room in which the battle takes place is rectangular and is wider than it is long.  A porch surrounds 3/4 of the room overlooking an abyss into which if you fall, you die. There are several platforms in the middle and their are all accessible with easy flying leaps.  Some of them are elevated on poles.  MOST IMPORTANT, there are four balconies, two on each side of the room.  These balconies are the secret to winning the level.

When you advance into the room Praxis will descend and immediately loose a wave of killer goons.  They will come at you viciously.  Praxis has the power to freeze you in place using Stasis.  Make one quick attack on Praxis if you want using your Super Power, then then run to either side of the room and make a flying leap up onto any one of the balconies.  When you land, back up into the balcony as far as you can and hide.  The goons cannot get you when you are on a balcony.

From the balcony, you can easily pick off all the goons.  In between each wave of goons, inch forward and take a few shots at Praxis using you heaviest firearm.  He/She is immune most of the time, protected by powerful shields.  Keep trying.  Praxis will summon another wave of goons..... repeat, repeat.  Sooner or later, the shields will go down and you have a few seconds to do some major damage to Praxis.  Continue in this fashion and defeat each wave of goons, shanks, and whatever else comes along.  Always back into the rear of the balcony after shooting at Praxis.  He will follow you around the room and will be out of sight, right below the balcony.

Soon you will run low on ammo.  Rest up, then leap off the balcony and run around the room defeating goons and picking up ammo as you go.  Go quickly to the other side of the room and leap up into a balcony.  Continue shooting goons and blasting Praxis in between waves.  

When Praxis' energy get down to 1/3, one of the stronger goons will drop an important stasis device.... pick it up on one of your runs around the room.  You will now have the power of stasis, the ability to freeze the enemy and your super power will recharge very fast.  Blast Praxis with stasis, it is now your super power. You can do this from a distance and you will see a faint targeting ring to guide your shots.  In between blasts, run to avoid the goons and blast Prixis with your heavy gun.  Continue this procedure until he dies.  You win.  Piece of cake.

If you have slightly above average skill, and you follow this procedure you can defeat Praxis without getting killed yourself.  If you do get killed, start over and try again.  Keep in mind that I am basing this guide on the fact that I play Warlock and had a power of 1205 at the time.

Note:  Instead of running around the room when you are out of ammo, you may be tempted to leap onto a platform, pick up ammo, and then leap on across the room.  This works fine, but if you miss a jump, into the abyss you go.

Happy New Year.... sort of

Last day of the year.  Most people spent the year in fear and trembling, hiding in their homes and shunning crowds and even small gatherings.  We ignored all of that and just lived our lives as normal as we could amid the panic.  We plan to continue doing the same until the panic is over if it ever is.

Today we went to the dentist for a check up and cleaning at 7 AM.  Then came home for exercise, a nice walk, and lunch.

This afternoon, I worked on a welding project outside in the cold and wind.  I have had this bird in mind for quite a while.  I'm using two brake rotors, part of a tow hitch, a brace from a railroad track, 6 railroad spikes and some scrape square stock, so far.  This picture shows my incomplete progress.  I decided today that I need to order a new welding helmet since mine is "flashing" quite a bit.  

An old friend from college sent me the words to a song that he and his buddy once sang in a college chapel service and brought the house down with laughter.

Oh me, isn’t it great to love a gal so big and fat, That when you’re lovin’ her You don’t know where you’re at? You take a piece of chalk in your hand, you hug awhile and chalk awhile to see where you began. Well, one day, I was a Huggin’ and a chalkin’ and askin’ her to be my lovin’ bride, When I met another guy with some chalk in his hand, comin’ ‘round the other side, He had a roadmap, comin’ ‘round the other side.

Meaning in life....

 I've been retired now for 12 years.  My how the time flies.  The more time you spend being retired, the farther you get removed from your purpose in life, or your identity in the community that you once had.  

Well, part of my purpose now seems to be working on my Grand kids' cars.  Today I worked on Ashley's Volvo.  I did an oil and filter change.  Replaced the air filter, cleaned the MAF sensor and ran a thorough electronic code scan.  Later I gave her a nice lecture about keeping your oil above the safe level and keeping your tires pumped up to the recommended pressure.  Time will tell if that had any effect.