THE BIBLE: COVER TO COVER Podcast

TWO BODIES OF WATER. ONE HAS LIFE, THE OTHER IS DEAD. SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

In this episode I address 2 types of people by using the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee as a metaphor. One is teaming with life, the other is stale and dead. Which one best describes us? It is a wonder example to reflect on, on our own life, and the path that we are on, and where we are heading. 
 
If you want to reach out to me with questions, feel free to contact me: donny@ocfab.ca
Here's a link to my blog page: THE BIBLE AS A UNIFIED HISTORICAL NARRATIVE MOTIVATED BY THEOLOGICAL CONCERNS.

NAMES IN THE BIBLE PART 1: INDRODUCTION & THE NAME(S) OF GOD

Names do not have the same significance today, as they had for the ancient people. In most cases, the meaning of names in our Western culture is nothing more than phonetic. They carry little significance. When we study the names of people and places in the Bible, we can learn a lot about their character. The names ascribed to the LORD GOD in the Scripture reveal this as well. This helps us understand the story they are part of. Which will further deepen our understanding of the larger narrative. In this first part, I will examine some of the names given to God. I will also explore how these names testify to His character and nature.
LINK TO THE WRITTEN ARTICLE: NAMES IN THE BIBLE PART 1: INDRODUCTION & NAME(S) OF GOD
ANOTHER ARTICLE OF INTEREST: THE LORD WILL PROVIDE (SEE): THE GIFT OF FAITH

RAHAB: WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM.

Taking a look at Joshua 2; The fall of Jericho, but more importantly, why Rahab and her family were saved from destruction? 
Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." 
It's a story that highlights what is means to be saved by faith, and not of works. 

THE GREATEST WEEK IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY: THE PASSION WEEK

The single greatest week in all of human history: The Passion Week. In this episode I examine typically missed details, yet are profound and deep. Details from Jesus's triumphant enter, the Last Supper, In the Garden of Gethsemane, The crown of thorns, and and unusual detail from the Gospel of Mark.  
Link from Expedition Bible channel: Jesus, the pressed olive
Link to my article: THE TABERNACLE: THROUGH THE LENSES OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND YESHUA

HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE = YESHUA

Shalom, shalom (perfect peace), be upon you. My goal for this article is not to exhaust the biblical definitions of these four words mentioned in the title, that would take an eternity. I intend to help separate the watered-down understanding that our contemporary culture has for these words and give you a deeper and richer theological significance of them.
In the last two articles “trust”, trusting in the character, and faithfulness of God, has been the central theme, and here we will continue with this thread. We will look at the benefits, or rather, blessings that come from trusting in the Creator of this universe, and His desire to continually bless, and to have an intimate relationship with us. What are these blessings that we receive when we have a healthy relationship with Yeshua as our Lord and our Savior? In previous articles, I covered how sin is an intrusion, and is not our true self, but here we will examine how a person can experience God’s blessings and a life of harmony, through HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE. I am going to present these four topics as a person, and that person is Yeshua, who embodies the essence of hope, peace, joy and love, and without Him, we can’t truly experience the harmony and wholeness they bring to the human experience.
The full article HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE = YESHUA

EXILE AND RESTORATION: LEPROSY and SIN. HEALING and FORGIVENESS.

A Leper's encounter with Yeshua. A story of exile and restoration; healing and forgiveness. It captures the pervasiveness of sin, while at the same time the reversal of it's tragic effect.   
MARK 1:
40 And a man with leprosy *came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44 and He *said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
Link to my blog page: THE BIBLE IN ITS ORIGINAL CONTEXT

"If you do well, will you not be LIFTED UP?"

The central storyline in this article will be about Cain's interaction with God, especially before his violent encounter with his younger brother, Abel. It is a story that captures the essence of what it means to trust in the wisdom of God or choose not to trust in God's wisdom. It's a tragic story yet it reveals so much about the human condition, the character of God, and God's desire to "lift up/exalt" humans through trials and tribulations. Deep down we all desire for something greater, do I dare say, to be exalted, but the way by which God wants to lift us up is contrary to how the world does it. Being "lifted up" is dependent on our relationship and attitude with the Creator of this universe, and our response to Him when He takes us into the wilderness for testing.
Link to the full article: "If you do well, will you not be LIFTED UP?"
 
https://donnywaldner.wordpress.com/

HEALING IN HIS WINGS: Finding Healing in Desperate times.

In this episode I draw from Mark 5: 21-43, examining two characters who in desperate times, were driven by faith. When works failed, faith kept them moving towards the One who could truly heal and save them, Christ Jesus. 
Malachi 4:2 But for you who fear My Name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.  
 
THE BIBLE IN ITS ORIGNAL CONTEXT