Georgia has some of the simply beautiful waterfalls.
There is so much beauty in the glory of the Lord; it’s the things he gives us that don’t cost a thing to experience.
In the heart of Georgia, where whispers weave, Through the forests deep, where the dreams believe, There lies a gem, untouched, serene— Minnehaha Falls, in a cloak of green.
Lake Lamont nearby, with its tranquil grace, Reflects the sky in its gentle embrace. Together they stand, in beauty, tall, A testament to the Creator’s call.
“Behold the splendor,” the waterfalls sing, In the glory of the Lord, in everything. For here, in the dance of water and light, Is a masterpiece, pure, divinely bright.
It costs us nothing to stand and stare, To breathe in the beauty, the cool, fresh air. In these moments, simple and free, We find the essence of what life can be.
So let us wander, let our spirits soar, Through Georgia’s wonders, and so much more.
For in every drop, in every leaf’s fall, Is the love of the Lord, the greatest gift of all.
The air felt incredibly fresh and clean as I walked along the trail, which wasn’t too difficult. The waterfall, while brisk, exuded a peaceful ambiance. The gentle whispering sounds of the waterfall resonated deeply within me, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of divine beauty in this relatively small cascade.
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
Mark 24-25 NIV
The Bible often provides specific details that, when understood in their historical context, offer deeper insights into the events they describe. One such passage is found in Mark 15:24-25, which recounts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Let’s explore this passage through the lens of Jewish timekeeping and its correlation with our understanding of the crucifixion.
Upon the hill, they led Him there, The Son of God, burden to bear. His garments torn, cast lots they did, As darkness loomed, the world amid.
The third hour struck, a solemn chime, As nails pierced flesh, a timeless crime. Upon the cross, He hung in pain, A sacrifice for sins, a sacred stain.
In Mark fifteen, verses twenty-four to twenty-five, The scene unfolds, truth comes alive. With each passing hour, His love revealed, The Savior’s grace, forever sealed.
Understanding the Third Hour
In the Jewish timekeeping system, the day begins at sunset, marking the transition to the new day. The hours of the day are then counted from sunset onward. Therefore, the “third hour” mentioned in Mark 15:25 refers to approximately 9:00 AM in our modern, contemporary clock time.
The concept of clock time as we understand it today, with standardized hours and minutes measured by mechanical or digital clocks, was not present during the time when Jesus was crucified. Clocks, as we know them, were not invented until many centuries later.
Instead, time was typically measured in a more subjective manner based on natural phenomena such as the position of the sun, the changing of the seasons, or the crowing of roosters. In Jewish tradition, time was measured from sunset to sunset, with the day beginning at sunset and ending at the following sunset.
When the Bible refers to specific hours, such as the “third hour” mentioned in Mark 15:25, it’s generally understood in a relative sense rather than according to our modern clock time. It signifies a specific portion of the day, often marked by significant events or activities.
So, while we can correlate the “third hour” mentioned in the Bible with our modern clock time for the sake of understanding and interpretation, it’s important to recognize that people in ancient times did not measure time in the same precise manner that we do today.
For a bit more context, here is a comparison of timekeeping according to Jewish tradition versus Catholicism versus Kabbalistic tradition.
Jewish Timekeeping
Approximate Clock Hours
Catholic Church
Eight Prayer Watches
Evening (Sunset)
Around 6:00 PM (Varies)
First Watch (6 PM – 9 PM)
First Watch – Evening (6 PM – 9 PM)
Night (Late Evening)
Around 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Varies)
Second Watch (9 PM – 12 AM)
Second Watch – Midnight (9 PM – 12 AM)
Midnight
Around 12:00 AM
Third Watch (12 AM – 3 AM)
Third Watch – Early Morning (12 AM – 3 AM)
Dawn (Pre-dawn)
Around 6:00 AM (Varies)
Fourth Watch (3 AM – 6 AM)
Fourth Watch – Dawn (3 AM – 6 AM)
Fifth Watch (6 AM – 9 AM)
Fifth Watch – Morning (6 AM – 9 AM)
Sixth Watch (9 AM – 12 PM)
Sixth Watch – Noon (9 AM – 12 PM)
Seventh Watch (12 PM – 3 PM)
Seventh Watch – Afternoon (12 PM – 3 PM)
Eighth Watch (3 PM – 6 PM)
Eighth Watch – Evening (3 PM – 6 PM)
It’s important to note that the actual time would vary depending on factors such as the time of year, the specific location of the event, and other contextual considerations. This information is added for contextual understanding.
Correlation with the Crucifixion
The Gospel of Mark’s mention of the third hour sheds light on the timing of Jesus’ crucifixion. Crucifixions typically occurred in the morning hours, as this was a public spectacle meant to serve as a deterrent to others. Mark’s precise detail about the timing adds a layer of historical accuracy to the narrative, emphasizing the reality of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice.
Delving into the cultural and historical backdrop of biblical passages opens up profound insights into our understanding and reverence for Scripture. When we align Mark 15:24-25 with the intricacies of Jewish timekeeping, we not only deepen our comprehension of Jesus’ crucifixion but also honor the meticulous care taken in recounting these sacred events in the Gospels. As we pause to contemplate the profound significance of Jesus’ sacrifice, let’s embrace the historical authenticity embedded within the biblical accounts, allowing them to resonate deeply within our hearts and minds.
We’ve explored the significance of understanding the crucifixion through Jewish timekeeping, but the beauty of diving into Scripture lies in the diversity of perspectives it inspires. Your thoughts, experiences, and reflections on this topic are invaluable. I invite you to share your insights in the comments below. Let’s journey together, learning from one another and enriching our understanding of the profound truths found within the pages of Scripture. Your voice matters, and together, we can deepen our collective appreciation for the timeless wisdom encapsulated in the Word.
Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.
-Joel Osteen
The Last Supper, a pivotal event in Christianity, and the Exodus, a foundational narrative in Judaism, share several significant themes and parallels that provide insight into the spiritual and theological significance of both events:
Passover Connection: The Last Supper was a Passover meal, during which Jesus celebrated the Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, as described in the Exodus. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from the angel of death during the Passover in Egypt, Christians believe that Jesus, the Lamb of God, offers salvation and liberation from sin through his sacrificial death.
New Covenant: During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, symbolizing the new covenant between God and humanity through his body and blood. This act echoes the establishment of the Mosaic covenant during the Exodus, where God made a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai, giving them the law through Moses. The new covenant inaugurated by Jesus represents a fulfillment and transformation of the covenant established in the Exodus.
Deliverance and Redemption: Both the Exodus and the Last Supper involve themes of deliverance and redemption. In the Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, leading them to the Promised Land. Similarly, Christians believe that through his death and resurrection, Jesus delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and offers the promise of eternal life.
Sacrificial Lamb: In both the Exodus and the Last Supper, the symbolism of the sacrificial lamb is significant. In the Exodus, the Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on their doorposts to protect them from the plague of the firstborn. In the Last Supper, Jesus identified himself as the sacrificial lamb whose blood would be shed for the forgiveness of sins. This imagery emphasizes the idea of atonement and the role of sacrifice in both events.
Freedom and Liberation: The Exodus narrative emphasizes the theme of liberation from oppression and the journey toward freedom. Similarly, the Last Supper represents a moment of liberation for humanity from the power of sin and death, leading to spiritual freedom and reconciliation with God.
Overall, the relationship between the Exodus and the Last Supper highlights the continuity and fulfillment of God’s saving plan throughout salvation history, with Jesus as the central figure who brings about redemption and new life for humanity.
This case study showcases the ability to identify business drivers, gauge bottlenecks in product delivery and implement technologies for improvements. At the core of the challenges in this study are quality engineers and developers who are unaware of code changes implemented due to hotfixes. This problem results in defects reported in lower environments that are no longer present in production and attributes to chaos rather than agility in the continuous integration pipeline. Applying the “S.T.A.R.” method, we automate repetitive processes across business units that result in business efficiencies and labor savings up to 20%.
Situation
A startup business tracks live customer issues informally via spreadsheets resulting in increased downtime, loss of sale and chaos in the product development cycle.
Task
We receive buy-in from middle and upper management to integrate new processes and tools for customer service reps and tech team. The specific task is to alleviate downtime and outages in production while maintaining focus on process improvements.
Actions
We develop and implement the A.P.I.O. Model wherein we complete an assessment of the processes and tools currently used by team members when reporting production issues. The acronym, A.P.I.O., stands for assess, plan, implement and optimize. The A.P.I.O. model allows us to conduct a SWOT analysis, develop a strategic plan for implementation and optimize processes.
A.ssess
Strengths
What are the existing processes that are practiced by customer service reps (similarities & differences)?
What is working well in the existing process?
How are customers reporting issues (phone, email, social media, website, etc.) ?
Is there a central repository where customer issues are stored?
Weaknesses
What are the pain points in the process for the customers?
What are the pain points in the process for the customer service reps?
What are the pain points in the process for the tech team?
Opportunities for Improvement
What could work better?
Host brainstorming sessions with cross functional units.
What tools can be implemented to prevent and better handle customer issues?
Threats
If problem continues, what is overall impact to brand & business.
Is knowledge retention threatened?
Are there any other assets across the organization that could potentially be harmed or result in monetary loss in existing process? (Consider security: Denial-Of-Service, Personal Identifiable Information.)
Outcome
A high-level plan with recommendations is socialized with managers and between teams. Feedback is incorporated into the strategic plan.
P.lan
We develop a concise strategic plan easily understood by business and technical stakeholders.
Whatever you take away from this post, keep love first. Always take action from a place of love.
My “higher self” message is different. It’s different because I am a Christian who is Catholic in spite of the fact that I believe pagans are not quote-unquote bad; in spite of the fact that I believe there’s a thin line between mysticism and magic; in spite of the fact that I believe that even Moses used serpent energy (and please don’t challenge me on that…you’ve lost already) I stand firm on my Christian beliefs and catholicism because of my own experiences and manifestations, all of which journeys me to places in time and slowly reveal codes.
The Bible is filled with codes as are other books of ancient writings. The reason each person interprets differently is because we are all coded differently. Some remember more some remember less and we each have something different to teach and to share. Take a look at online learning. Not just online course creators but also people in general telling us and teaching us about what they know for sure. People are educating each other with real knowledge that’s making a real difference. We are remembering ancient remedies and realizing new technologies and new ways to prosper and sharing it all over social media and platforms like this one.
When I first picked up the bible, I couldn’t understand the old language – the thee-s and the thy-s. Fast forward, after reading the Bible from beginning to end twice for sure or more over my lifetime, I know myself differently. The transfer of knowledge is divine yes; it’s not some spooky kind of magic, it’s energy. That’s how the world beyond communicates with us, through energetic fields. God in every sense of the name, the title, the being, however you receive Him and identify with Him so it is still Him; still God.
The church tells us that the Holy Spirit is upon us when we begin wailing, dancing or feeling the hairs on the back of the neck stand up while hearing the Word preached. I am not saying that it is not the Holy Spirit. I am saying that it’s quite phenomenal when one person leads so many people to conjure up so much energy creating a vortex where knowledge is disseminated yet far from understood. Meditation is important to the deciphering of the codes; the messaging we are receiving.
I tread lightly in saying that religion and the church and even the non- church and non-religion claimers are still trying to figure out who is right and who is wrong and what is true and what is not. It is so much deeper than that. It is time to realize that each person has her own truth to share. We have to pay closer attention to ourselves and our own energy and try our best to decipher and then share the codes we receive as we learn ourselves more and more. That’s what I mean when I say to my children, “Always strive to reach your higher self and stay on the Lord’s side.”
“Your word is your wand. The words you speak create your own destiny.”
-Florence Scovel Shinn
When goal setting for 2021, I went back to the beginning of my writings for 2020 and 2019 and noticed that there are 3 main categories of goals that I always aspire to achieve: Spiritual, Physical & Emotional. Each year, I embark upon spiritual growth by conducting a book study and pushing toward new depths in prayer. I set physical goals related to my diet and exercise. Emotional goals are the ones that require the most attention; so, I base those on my self-reflections – my examinations of conscience. I truly believe that planning and goal setting serve the overall quality of my life. It means I have purpose. I have a dream and I have a plan.
Planning for me is a process and not something that is set in stone. To be honest, the plans I make for my life are at the least prudent but not always the best. One of my besties asked, “You always talk about examining your conscience; how exactly do you do that?” Well, I pray. I meditate. I journal. And, I reflect. I journal my desires and the words that come to me during and after prayer and mediation. I journal the outcomes of situations that impact me even if it’s an undeniable feeling from a tv news channel or a piece of content from a social media post.
Examining my conscience is me taking the time to sit in silence and take notice of my thoughts, feelings and actions and how I interact with my loved ones and people I come into contact with. It’s an opportunity for me to give thanks and gratitude; to offer love and forgiveness and to envision those abstract and physical things I hope to receive from the universe and the people in my world. So it is, at the beginning of every year, I set goals with prudence and every intention of fulfilling them. Hmmm; the Christian in me thinks of the “… the word made flesh” . What an image, me – the walking epitome of my dreams and plans; my words manifested! I write down my words and do my best to take the actions that will give them life.
This year, I plan to study the minds of Edith Stein and Florence Scovel Shinn. I have not yet selected my bible study but that’s a constant. Fascia yoga and more juicing are on my goals list for fitness. Also, in the physical category, I am intent on having razor sharp focus on my entrepreneurial endeavors, mainly the funnels and automation of my online course, Koshas of Self-Promotion. I plan to deepen awareness of my emotional state by increasing the depth of my chakra and energy work. I have much hope and faith that the words I write, the dreams I dream and the actions I take are destined for great things and are in alignment my truth.
What are your goals for 2021? Please comment below or
A jar of juice has been my breakfast for the past few weeks. I decided to make better use of that rather pricey juicer I have at home. My body feels lighter. My skin is clearer. My hair is shinier. I haven’t had a headache in a while. I have clarity and equanimity.
During my time as an aspirant with the secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, I was introduced to ‘The Incorruptibles” which was researched and written by one of the sisters. She identifies bodies of saints exhumed hundreds of years later still moist and flexible.
One takeaway for me is that they each followed a special ascetical diet. Looking past the whole abstaining from this food or that food as some sort of virtue or penance, I surmise that perhaps one of the reasons why the bodies are still intact is because the ‘Incorruptibles’ were very particular about the foods they ate. Not only saints but also yogis and many people -it seems- who seek a higher truth or enlightenment bend towards a particular way of eating or a healthy lifestyle.
A jar of fresh juice is where I always start to reprogram, to cleanse physically and spiritually. My appetite is reduced and my body feels nimble when I start my mornings with juice, green drinks, alkaline water and tea. I do not aspire to be an Incorruptible. I have fantasies about being a yogi. I am definitely seeking enlightenment, a higher self. I’m sticking to the script and following suit regarding meticulous eating.
Inspiritandtruth 