In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar – his Babylonian name). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. ~ Daniel 10:1 It’s been three years since Cyrus the Persian conquered the Babylonians and two years since he released the Israelites to return to Jerusalem exactly as the prophet Isaiah had told them 200 years before it happened. In fact, if you look at Isaiah 44:28 and following, you’ll find Cyrus mentioned by name as well as his order to rebuild the temple. Daniel, for reasons unknown, has stayed behind in Babylon and continues to serve the current Persian kings as an advisor.
As for these daily verses I put in the blog, I found myself thinking that since we just covered the first book of the Old Testament, we could maybe cover the first book of the New – or at least a portion of it. And now, beginning while we were home, we’ve learned that our Pastor is going to cover that same book! How easy it would be for me to just copy what he says every week! But I don’t want to do that. I need to study on my own.
Before we begin Matthew, I’d like to share a bit of background. Approximately 400 years have passed since God’s people have heard from Him. God may have been silent to their ears because they’ve abandoned Him, not because He abandoned them; but the world certainly was not. Daniel Chapter 11 holds specific prophecy during this ‘silent’ time. And I’m thinking we should look at that first. It’s remarkable! Anyway, for God’s Chosen people, the final words of the prophet Malachi, when God tells him to reveal to the people about the future arrival of John the Baptist and Jesus, until 400 years later when John the Baptist is about to be born, the people haven’t had a prophet to share with them the Words of God.
And they don’t know that they’re about to hear from Him – first through the words of John the Baptist, encouraging them to repent and prepare the Way of the Lord (Matthew 3:1-3) followed by the Life and Words of the Prophet, Priest and King; the very Son of God; the Great I AM; the Recompence for our sins; the Savior of the world; the Restorer of our relationship with the Father – Jesus.
The year is 536BC. The prophet Daniel, taken into captivity in 605BC by the Babylonians (under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar) when he was a young man (he’s now in his mid-80’s), developed into a prophet of God and is well-respected amongst the pagan ruling nation. He has had many dreams and visions. He has had angels, as well as the preincarnate Jesus, speak with him in those dreams and visions. We’re going to spend the next days looking at just one of those – the coming rulers and events between 530BC – 165BC as told to Daniel by a “man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, and his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.” (Daniel 10:5-6) After reading, I feel like we should cover the time leading up to this astounding prophesy in Chapter 11.
Now that we’ve got the Bible stuff out of the way (Sorry. It seems I still enjoy teaching.), I’ll shift to our time at home. I don’t have a lot of details because we spent the majority of our time with family and friends, but here’s a list to go with the pictures we took:
We visited the Wayne County Fair with Chris, Elise and youngest grandson, Matthew, where we enjoyed time with the animals – and eating, of course!
Watched the blimp fly around the Akron area quite a few days, including twice over our campground when we happened to be home.
Hiked the few miles from the campground to the Mogadore Reservoir Dam several times.
It’s a mushroom! Solid and heavy!
Enjoyed a surprise birthday celebration for me (so sweet of Kyle and Shena to do that!). I think it was more of a surprise for the kids, because they came home from school and asked, “Is it your birthday?” to everyone, including me; but my birthday’s in July so I said, “No”. Rotten Gma! 😊
Kyle and Shena’s kids spent a weekend with us and we had a marvelous time!
Enjoyed an immediate family only picnic at Firestone Metro Park.
Spent time visiting with several long-time friends Rich & Martha, Nick & Cathy, Brad & Jeannine, and Phil & Gail, David & Cathy, as well as many others – Melanie, KayLynn, Deb, Karen, my former Bible Study group of ladies, and Doris, along with brothers Brian and Lance and their families, and of course our parents, May, Ron & Joan. I profusely apologize if I missed anyone! And unfortunately, we only have a couple of pictures. : (
We drove Blaine’s parents over to Lancaster, PA to spend the night and enjoy the Sight & Sound Theater’s presentation of “David”. Spectacular!
And the next week, we spent a day in Amish Country – Berlin, Ohio specifically – where we walked around town and through shops before enjoying an Amish food buffet and then a comedy/variety show at Amish Country Theater. Wonderful, hysterical show! The ventriloquist was the star as far as we were concerned. Plus, we got to sing old TV commercial jingles! You know – – “plop, plop, fizz, fizz…” and “my baloney has a first name…”
In a shocking turn of events for many in the US and very exciting for the Cleveland fans, the Cleveland Guardians (Indians) went on to win the AL Central Championship!
Blaine’s major project for this trip home was to replace the driver’s side window because it lost its seal. Months ago, he measured and custom ordered a new one. It arrived to Kyle’s place just in time for us to pick it up! I could never take that kind of chance when exact measurements are needed!
There was a shared meal and game day with my side of the family.
Mom, Me, Harper, Shena, Kyle, Kade, Cooper
The crosses on the wall are all gifts from family and friends.
Mom asked for people to help her decorate with crosses they liked.
Such a nice way to remember those we love!
A soccer game with Kade and Harper (on the same team, so very convenient!) who both played a terrific game.
Multiple other times spent with family.
If that doesn’t make you laugh . . . . He’s eating a Sour Patch Kids sucker! LOL
And Kyle & Shena’s Halloween Party costume for the year – did you guess right?
The big story this time is our neighbors at the campground. We changed sites this time, and were parked beside a permanent lot. The owners were an elderly couple from the Stow area who’d kept a small trailer and an attached covered porch for many years. They decided it was time for them to stop camping, so they sold the trailer and porch to a younger couple who had plans to move everything to a campground in Wayne County. One day while we were gone, they came by to pick up their purchase and catastrophe struck. According to other neighbors who were home at the time, they pulled out the trailer first. They then began removing the windows on that side, and without the structure, the entire porch collapsed! We came home to a flat pile of glass and metal and curtains and who knows what all was underneath. About two weeks later, they came by again (also while we were gone) and cleaned up, but not all of it. They left a big mess of broken glass and other things. It was still there when we moved out. Some of the neighbors believe the campground owners will have to finish cleaning up. We felt badly for the couple, but they really should’ve cleaned up the rest of their mess.
It’s always so very nice to be home! We’re very blessed to have so much love in our lives!
We’ll be back for ten days over Christmas!