Weight Watchers Founder Jean Nidetch Dies at 91

USA Today carried the story yesterday of the passing of Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers.  She weighed 214 pounds in 1962.  After trying many fad diets, she decided to try a diet program run by the New York City Board of Health in Manhattan. She lost 20 pounds in 10 weeks. Then she decided to invite some overweight friends to her apartment to tell them about the diet. "I am a sharer," she said. "When you give of yourself, you get back. I had to share it, so I called all my overweight friends.  I only had overweight friends."

The article had so many wonderful quotes and stories of weight loss victories.  

In The Jean Nidetch Story: An Autobiography, Nidetch wrote, "At that first gathering ... I told my story, and the beautiful thing was that people really listened. And then they began talking and contributing one at a time.
"One woman stood up and said, 'I'm a schoolteacher and I've been teaching for years. I have to say this. Seven years ago, I watched one of my students throw away half a doughnut into a wastebasket. It happened at school at the end of our noon recess period, and from noon until three that afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking about that half doughnut. After I dismissed the class at three o'clock, I immediately closed the door and reached down into the wastebasket, pulled out the doughnut, and ate it. ... It's troubled me for years. ... And I've never been able to tell anyone about eating that doughnut until now.'
"At that moment, all of us in that room became her allies," Nidetch said.

I became acquainted with Weight Watchers in the 70s when Mom started attending meetings.  Through the years the program has changed, but when I joined in 1998 the fundamentals of support and knowledge were still there, stronger than ever. Weight Watchers is the only diet I have ever tried and I know it works!  It works because you can eat real food.  You are taught portion sizes, decision making, tradeoffs, and so much more.

I lost 30 pounds, twice, because I didn't learn enough the first time around.  I stopped attending meetings as soon as I hit my lifetime status in 1998 and the pounds slowly crept back on.  The second time around I kept right on going to my meetings.  I always tell people we know we need to pray and read our Bibles, but we still need to go to church.  Weight Watchers members know how to eat and count points, but that accountability and check-in with others is a huge difference maker.

Nidetch said weight loss is often a matter of putting food into perspective. "Food is not your remedy for problems. Food is not going to change your life. If you are lonely, food is not going to be your company. If you are sad, food is not going to give you solace."

Hats off to a woman who took what she learned and willingly shared it with anyone who was willing to listen!

Question to my readers:  Are you a current or former WW member?  Tell me your experience!

Birthday Celebration at Sea Life Park

My birthday celebration lasted for several days... just as all birthday celebrations should!  Les told me repeatedly "whatever you want to do on Saturday..."   I thought about going to the North Shore, then finally decided that a return visit to Sea Life Park was in order.  I visited there in April 2013, but Les wasn't able to go with me.

Sea Life Park isn't very large, I think the biggest draw is the opportunity to swim with dolphins.  We chose to stay dry, but still enjoyed ourselves. The Shark Tank:

 

Dolphin Cove with both Pacific and Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins:

Hawaiian Rays:

Giant Sea Turtles:

A Not-So-Giant Sea Turtle that hatched at Sea Life Park:

Another dolphin show:

With a guest appearance by a penguin:

A couple of smooching tourists:

 

Church babies on Sunday.  Isaac and Levi:

Sunset on Monday night (my actual birthday) after dinner at Duke's:

The end of a beautiful day, the start of another wonderful year!  I have always enjoyed birthdays, getting older has not bothered me yet.  I'm blessed and I know it!

Three Steps To Receiving the Word

Pastor de Sagun from the Big Island preached Sunday night at New Life Pentecostal.  He asked Pastor McGriffin to pray before the message.   There were three things that Pastor McGriffin prayed at the end of his prayer:

God give us:
Ears to a hear,
A heart to receive, and
Willingness to obey 

I had never heard that before, but it is exactly what we need to do when the Word of God preached.  Many have ears to hear, and some even have a heart to receive.  But a willingness to obey is the difference maker for our lives.

We're going to Bible study tonight and I'm taking my Bible, hearing ears, a receiving heart and a spirit of willing obedience!

Woman of the Week ~ Jael

This week's choice for Woman of the Week was very difficult for me.  Today is my 51st birthday, so I tried to choose my favorite woman of the Bible.  I couldn't do it!  There are just too many amazing women in God's word.  I thought about the Virtuous Woman, Hannah, Mary, Esther... so many.  But the story of Jael is one that always makes me proud to be a woman!  God defeated the army of Sisera, but He used a woman to end the life of this great captain of the host of Canaan.  I've read the story many times but never taken the time to study the commentaries, so that's what I'm going to do this week.

Verses:  Judges 4:17-24, Judges 5:6, 24-31

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Naomi ~ Woman of the Week

It was very hard to separate Naomi from Ruth, their stories are so intertwined!  Naomi is another woman who had an opportunity to reset early in the story.  Like Mary Magdalene, I'm switching up the order of this post.  It is in verse 6 of the first chapter that Naomi decides to turn things around "that she might return from the country of Moab." 

Verses:  The Book of Ruth

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

Naomi was married to Elimelech.  They had two sons - Mahlon and Chilion who married women of Moab - Ruth and Orpah.  Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible says, "The Targum very properly observes, that they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and took to themselves strange women.  And because they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and joined affinity with strange people, therefore their days were cut off."

"An account of one particular family distressed in the famine; it is that of Elimelech. His name signifies my God a king, agreeable to the state of Israel when the judges ruled, for the Lord was their King, and comfortable to him and his family in their affliction, that God was theirs and that he reigns for ever. His wife was Naomi, which signifies my amiable or pleasant one. But his sons' names were Mahlon and Chilion, sickness and consumption, perhaps because weakly children, and not likely to be long-lived. Such are the productions of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying." (Matthew Henry)

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
We are introduced to Naomi at the lowest point in her life.  They left Bethlehem because of famine.  Her husband died.  Her sons married women of Moab and then they also died.  Finally, a ray of hope came - "she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread."  Though she had been gone more than ten years, she knew Bethlehem is where she needed to be.

"The aged widow, longing to enjoy the privileges of Israel, resolved to return to her native land as soon as she was assured that the famine had ceased, and made the necessary arrangements with her daughters-in-law." (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)  "Though the country of Moab had afforded her shelter and supply in a time of need, yet she did not intend it should be her rest for ever; no land should be that but the holy land, in which the sanctuary of God was." (Matthew Henry)

As the women begin their journey, Naomi tries to send them home.  They aren't Israelites, and at least Orpah still worshiped the gods of Moab, "Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law."  But there was something in Naomi that Ruth wanted.  Ruth didn't want to go back to her gods.  I'll save all the commentary on Ruth and her pledge to Naomi for a later post, but "they two went until they came to Bethlehem."

But she did not return to Bethlehem the way she left.  Verse 19 says, "all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?"  "The present condition of Naomi, a forlorn and desolate widow, presented so painful a contrast to the flourishing state of prosperity and domestic bliss in which she had been at her departure." (JFB)

 

Ruth 1:20-21 says, "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.  I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?" 

Naomi does not say she is bitter, but has been dealt with bitterly.  Our choices may bring grief upon us, but we can't allow bitterness to take hold of our hearts.  "Naomi signifies “pleasant,” or “amiable;” Mara, “bitter,” or “bitterness.” She was now a woman of a sorrowful spirit. She had come home empty, poor, a widow and childless." (Matthew Henry) 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
After her return Naomi carefully guides Ruth in her actions towards Boaz.  Ruth probably didn't know anything about the kinsman redeemer or the Mosaic law.  Chapter three starts with Naomi saying, "My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"  She was concerned for Ruth's future, she didn't want Ruth working in the fields the rest of her life.  "She had no thoughts of marrying herself. But, though she that was old had resolved upon a perpetual widowhood, yet she was far from the thoughts of confining her daughter-in-law to it, that was young." (Matthew Henry)

Chapter 3, verse 18 is one of my favorite verses, beautiful words of wisdom from Naomi, "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."  Elder Morton told me to "sit still" many times as a single young lady.  "Naomi believes that Ruth has won his heart, and that therefore he will not be easy till he knows whether she be his or no. This she gives as a reason why Ruth should sit still and not perplex herself about it, that Boaz had undertaken it, and he would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have good Christians to be careful for nothing, but cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them: and what need have we to care if he do? Sit still, and see how the matter will fall, for the Lord will perfect that which concerns thee, and will make it to work for good to thee. Your strength is to sit still."

Our final view of Naomi is holding the newborn son of Ruth and Boaz.  "Ruth still a daughter-in-law, and the same that she always was, to Naomi, who was so far from being forgotten that she was a principal sharer in these new joys. The good women that were at the labor when this child was born congratulated Naomi upon it more than either Boaz or Ruth, because she was the match-maker, and it was the family of her husband that was hereby built up."  (Matthew Henry)

There are no recorded words of Naomi in Ruth chapter 4.  The women spoke and I think Naomi must have sat silently rejoicing.  Overwhelmed that God had brought her back empty, but now she was full once again.  "They say of Ruth that she loved Naomi, and therefore was better to her than seven sons. See how God in his providence sometimes makes up the want and loss of those relations from whom we expected most comfort in those from whom we expected least. The bonds of love prove stronger than those of nature, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother; so here there was a daughter-in-law better than an own child."  (Matthew Henry)

Happy Birthday, Kim!

I love having someone who shares a common life history!  The stories we can (and do!) tell are hilarious to only us.  The memories we made as kids and teenagers.  The friendship we have as adults.

The matching dresses and ringlets...

The many, MANY times we intentionally embarrassed Mom in the grocery store!  And told Dad we didn't want donuts on Saturday morning, we just wanted to sleep (and of course, he bought us donuts anyway!)

Our mutual love for swimming pools that started at a very young age!

Happy birthday, dear sister!  May this be your best 29th birthday yet!  Love you to the moon and back!

MidWeek Photo Dump

Hanging out with Levi Bentz before church prayer on Saturday

Les preaching Sunday night at NLP.

A couple of visitors yesterday morning.

The fanciest Walgreens I have ever seen!

Pastor McGriffin taught last night's Bible study.  It was the first time he had taught since February (7 weeks!)  We are so thankful for God's touch on him and are still praying for complete healing.

A couple shots from this morning's walk.

Fulfil the Law of Christ

Yesterday was the 119th Boston Marathon.  I was pulling for last year's champ, Meb Keflezighi (I wrote about his book "Run to Overcome" here.)  Things were going great until about mile 23.  Meb took in some liquid that didn't want to go down.  He told reporters he threw up five times.  Even with that much stomach distress, Meb finished in 2:12:42 for 8th place overall.  That is an average of 5 minutes and 2 seconds per mile!

Just before the finish line this happened:

Hilary Dionne was part of the elite women who started 32 minutes before the elite men.  Hilary is an amateur who works a full time job while training at the elite level.  She knew Meb was close behind her, but didn't know exactly where.  Meb had his sights set — he wanted to finish alongside Hilary. But he had to sprint to catch up to her. When he did, he grabbed her right hand, clutching it and raising it in the air as they both ran across the finish line.

Shortly after she finished, Hilary tweeted her initial reaction: "Not my best time, but by far my most memorable finish. Thanks amazing @runmeb for joining me across the line, an unforgettable moment!"  That is what makes Meb so special.  He is a fighter, he wants to win, but he cares about others along the way.   

I often wonder about people who claim to be Christians, but spend so much time tearing others down.  Galatians chapter 6 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (verse 2, 3, and 10)

The Message put it this way: "Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.  Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith."

You may never know how much a person needs your hand in theirs in this journey.  Meb had to speed up to catch Hilary, by reaching her he crossed the finish line just a little bit sooner than if he had finished alone.  I Googled "Meb Keflezighi Hilary Dionne" and there were over 12,000 results.  Every headline about them was positive.   Reaching out to someone nearby will not only help them, but it will enrich your own journey.

Woman of the Week ~ Naomi

I have to admit - after last week I need a good woman to study!  I don't even feel sorry for Jezebel, she was such a wicked woman.  Now Naomi, she's a woman who made a lot choices, both good and bad.  I know it will be hard to separate Ruth from Naomi, but I'll do my best.  I'm saving Ruth for the end of the year when I study the women in the lineage of Christ.

Verses:  The Book of Ruth

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

From My Camera

We landed at the Honolulu airport on Monday afternoon.  I was out running early Tuesday morning, one benefit of jetlag!

 

My run on Thursday was a sunrise trip about Diamond Head.

We watched the Friday night fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village last night:

Hope you're having a great weekend wherever you are!

Jezebel ~ Woman of the Week

When I think of a wicked woman, I think of Jezebel.

Verses:  1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 18:4-19, 1 Kings 19:1-2, 1 Kings 21:5-25, 2 Kings 9:7-37

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

We are first introduced to Jezebel in 1 Kings 16:31, speaking of her husband Ahab, "he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him."  Jezebel's father, whose name means "with him is Baal," conspired against the Tyrian king, Pheles, killed him, and seized the throne. His reign lasted 32 years, and he established a dynasty which continued on the throne at least 62 years longer.

We don't know how many children Ahab and Jezebel had.  2 Kings chapter 10 says Ahab had 70 sons, but that number probably included sons from other wives and grandsons.  They had at least two sons Ahaziah (1 Kings 22:51-53) who reined after Ahab's death and Joram (2 Kings 9:22) who also reigned.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

In 1 Kings chapter 18 we read that Jezebel "cut off the prophets of the LORD."  "Being an idolater, she was a persecutor, and made Ahab one. Even in those bad times, when the calves were worshipped and the temple at Jerusalem deserted, yet there were some good people that feared God and served him, and some good prophets that instructed them in the knowledge of him and assisted them in their devotions. These Jezebel aimed to extirpate, and put many of them to death."  (Matthew Henry)  Not only did she set out to destroy the prophets of the true God, she had 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the groves who ate at her table.  

The rest of chapter 18 tells of the meeting on Mount Carmel, how the false prophets tried to get Baal's attention, leaping on the altar, cutting themselves, and yelling, all to a god that did not hear.  Elijah didn't waste anytime when it was his turn, but repaired the altar and with just a short prayer, God, the true God, answered by fire.  The people "fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God,"  and all the prophets of Baal were slain.

It doesn't appear that Jezebel was at Mount Carmel, because "Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword."  "Ahab's conscience would not let him persecute Elijah (some remains he had in him of the blood and spirit of an Israelite, which tied his hands), but he told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, not to convince, but to exasperate her.  It is not said he told her what God had done, but what Elijah had done, as if he, by some spell or charm, had brought fire from heaven, and the hand of the Lord had not been in it."  There is not an ounce of repentance or fear in Jezebel. Her reply was a threat to the man of God.  "Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time."

We jump a couple of chapters before Jezebel rears her ugly head again.  In chapter 21 we find a very pathetic Ahab.  If ever a man was deserving of disrespect, it was Ahab.  He pouted like a baby when he couldn't get his way.  Jezebel tries to find out the problem.  Matthew Henry put it perfectly, "Nothing but mischief is to be expected when Jezebel enters into the story - that cursed woman."  While Ahab is pouting on his bed, Jezebel is plotting for the destruction of an innocent man.  

I Kings 21:7 says, "And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."  "The meaning is, “Art thou king, and yet sufferest thyself to be thwarted in this way by a mere subject? I, the queen, the weak woman, will give thee the vineyard, if thou, the king, the strong man, wilt do nothing.”" (Albert Barnes)

With Ahab's own seal, Jezebel sent orders to have Naboth convicted of blaspheming God and the king.  "When, instead of a help meet, a man has an agent for Satan, in the form of an artful, unprincipled, yet beloved wife, fatal effects may be expected. Never were more wicked orders given by any prince, than those Jezebel sent to the rulers of Jezreel. Naboth must be murdered under color of religion." (Matthew Henry)

After Jezebel's orders are obeyed, she hands the vineyard over to Ahab.  This time, God had had enough.  He sent Elijah to meet Ahab in the vineyard.  There is a curse upon both Ahab and Jezebel.  Ahab humbled himself, he still had a small measure of the fear of God in him and God said, "I will not bring the evil in his days."  What a merciful God!

"And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel."  There is no word from Jezebel at this time.  I assume she just shrugged it off, believing that Baal would save her.

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Ahab had been dead and gone for almost fourteen years.  Elijah had been taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire.  And there was Jezebel, continuing in her worship of Baal.  I can only imagine that if she had any fear, it was gone once Elijah was gone from the scene.  But Jehu came riding furiously on the scene.

"And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. " (2 Kings 9:30)  "Jezebel did this that she might present an imposing appearance to Jehu and die as a queen; not to allure him by her charms."  (Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament) 

Matthew Henry gives an excellent final summary, "The greatest delinquent in the house of Ahab was Jezebel: it was she that introduced Baal, slew the Lord's prophets, contrived the murder of Naboth, stirred up her husband first, and then her sons, to do wickedly; a cursed woman she is here called (2Kings 9:34), a curse to the country, and whom all that wished well to their country had a curse for. Three reigns her reign had lasted, but now, at length, her day had come to fall.  Instead of hiding herself, as one afraid of divine vengeance, she exposed herself to it and scorned to flee, mocked at fear and was not affrighted."

2 Kings 9:33 says, "And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot."  "When Jehu had taken some refreshment in the palace, he bethought himself of showing so much respect to Jezebel's sex and quality as to bury her. As bad as she was, she was a daughter, a king's daughter, a king's wife, a king's mother: Go and bury her. But, though he had forgotten what the prophet said, God had not forgotten it. While he was eating and drinking, the dogs had devoured her dead body, the dogs that went about the city  and fed upon the carrion, so that there was nothing left but her bare skull (the painted face gone) and her feet and hands. The hungry dogs had no respect to the dignity of her extraction; a king's daughter was no more to them than a common person." (Matthew Henry)

While studying Jezebel, I remembered a book I read "Evicting Jezebel."  I did a review here.  I think this chart is something we all need to pay close attention to in order to keep the Jezebel spirit out of our lives.

The final mention of Jezebel is found in Revelation 2:20.  "Who the individual here referred to by the name Jezebel was, is not known. It is by no means probable that this was her real name, but seems to have been given to her as expressive of her character and influence. Jezebel was the wife of Ahab; a woman of vast influence over her husband - an influence which was uniformly exerted for evil. She was a daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre and Sidon, and lived about 918 years before Christ. She was an idolater, and induced her weak husband not only to connive at her introducing the worship of her native idols, but to become an idolater himself, and to use all the means in his power to establish the worship of idols instead of the worship of the true God. She was highly gifted, persuasive, and artful; was resolute in the accomplishment of her purposes; ambitious of extending and perpetuating her power, and unscrupulous in the means which she employed to execute her designs." (Albert Barnes)

Woman of the Week ~ Jezebel

I'm going back to the Old Testament this week.  Jezebel is a woman who had opportunities to reset, but her choices were continually evil.

Verses:  1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 18:4-19, 1 Kings 19:1-2, 1 Kings 21:5-25, 2 Kings 9:7-37

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Tripping Over My Tongue

I've had a lot of serious posts lately, just thought I'd share what happens when my mouth gets ahead of my brain...

We went out for pizza last night.  Les has a big ride today and it's the perfect carbo load.  We were discussing dessert options (our once a week treat) when my tongue got completely tangled around my brain!

Me:  We could get that ice cream...  you know the chicken sink...
Les:  the What?
Me:  No... the kitchen soup... I mean everything but the kitchen sink!!  (At this point I was laughing uncontrollably and Les was just staring...)  It's a Ben and Jerry's ice cream that is called "Everything But The..."

We ended up with McFlurry's, which was the perfect blend for my mixed up brain!

Mary Magdalene ~ Woman of the Week

I'm going to change the order of things in this post.  I usually conclude with how the woman might have reset, but the first thing we read about Mary Magdalene is how Jesus helped her reset her life.

Verses, in chronological order:  Luke 8:1-3; at the crucifixion - Matthew 27:55-61, Mark 15:40-47, Luke 23:55-56, John 19:25; at the resurrection Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-18

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
The only thing we know of Mary's background is her home.  Magdala is situated on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
Luke is the only Gospel that records Mary's early condition.  "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils."   Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "The word “seven” is often used for an indefinite number, and may signify merely “many” devils. The expression is used to signify that she was grievously tormented, and rendered, doubtless, insane by the power of evil spirits. It has been commonly supposed that Mary Magdalene was a woman of abandoned character, but of this there is not the least evidence. All that we know of her is that she was formerly grievously afflicted by the presence of those evil spirits, that she was perfectly cured by Jesus, and that afterward she became one of his most faithful and humble followers."

It would be easy to think that anyone who Jesus healed or delivered would never walk away from Him.  But that was not always the case when He was here on earth, and it is not the case today.  John chapter 6 records, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."  Jesus also taught in Matthew 12 that an unclean spirit will come back to a man and will bring others with it and "the last state of that man is worse than the first."  Mary Magdalene remained healed and free.

Mary, along with Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance "From the things belonging to them. This is the first woman’s missionary society for the support of missionaries of the Gospel. They had difficulties in their way, but they overcame these, so great was their gratitude and zeal." (Archibald Thomas Robertson) 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

In searching for information on Magdala, I read that Mary is the woman most often mentioned in the New Testament after Mary, Mother of Jesus.  I don't know if she followed Jesus while He was ministering, but she was in Jerusalem for the crucifixion, which was also during the passover.  Magdala was about 80 miles from Jerusalem, so at some point she made quite a journey.  Matthew Henry said, "It does not appear that she had any business now at Jerusalem, but to wait upon him, for the women were not bound to go up to the feast, and probably she and others followed him the closer, now that they knew their Master would shortly be taken from their head. The continued instances of her respect to him at and after his death prove the sincerity of her love."

Matthew and Mark both record the women "afar off," while John records Mary Magdalene standing at the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus.  "These women were probably not suffered to come near the cross because it was surrounded by soldiers. They witnessed with intense feelings his sufferings from some convenient place as near as they could approach.  Attending him and providing for his wants. While multitudes of people joined in the cry, “Crucify him!” and forsook him in his trying moments, it does not appear that any of his female followers were thus unfaithful. In the midst of all his trials, and all the Contempt poured upon him, they adhered to their Redeemer. Never did female constancy shine more brightly, and never was a happier example set for all who should afterward believe on him!"  (Albert Barnes)  "These good women standing by the cross of Christ, may teach us to do, as they did, look upon a crucified Christ, view his sorrows, and his sufferings, and our sins laid upon him, and borne and taken away by him; we should look unto him for pardon, cleansing, and justification, and, in short, for the whole of salvation: we should also weep, as they did, whilst we look on him; shed even tears of affection for, and sympathy with him; of humiliation for sin, and of joy for a Savior: and likewise should abide by him as they did, by his persons, offices, and grace; by the doctrine of the cross, continuing steadfastly in it; and by the ordinances of Christ, constantly attending on them, and that notwithstanding all reproaches and sufferings we may undergo." (John Gill)

While most hurried home after Jesus died, Mary and the other women followed to His burial.  "And beheld, the sepulchre; took notice of it, what an one it was, whereabout it stood in the garden, that they might know, and find it again:  and how his body was laid; in what position, form, and order; and observed that it was only wrapped in linen, and not anointed, or embalmed." (John Gill)

The next day was the sabbath, so they had to wait, but they only waited as long as the law commanded.  Matthew 28:1 records, "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."  Mark records it was "very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun."

All four gospels record Mary on resurrection morning, but John's gives the most detail.  Mary first goes to the sepulchre and finds it empty.  She then runs to Peter and John with the news.  Peter and John saw that the tomb was empty and return to their homes.  "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre," she couldn't tear herself away.  She had to make sure He was truly gone.  The angels told her, "He is not here: for he is risen."

Mary is then the first person to encounter the risen King!  "To a woman was this honor given to be the first that saw the risen Redeemer." (Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)  His first words are "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?"   She doesn't know it's Him, even thinks He is the gardener.  Then she hears one single word, "Mary."  "Christ's way of making himself known to his people is by his word.  This one word, Mary, was like that to the disciples in the storm, It is I." (Matthew Henry)  "This was spoken, doubtless, in a tone of voice that at once recalled him to her recollection." (Albert Barnes)

Mary's response was "Rabboni; which is to say, Master."  Les pointed out in his preaching on Sunday, that Jesus was not only Master of Mary's life, but now He was the Master of death.  He had overcome it all!  "The message is sent to the whole world. Mary Magdalene, formerly possessed by seven demons — the absolute slave of that dreadful power — is employed to communicate the knowledge of His resurrection to the companions of Jesus." (John Nelson Darby)

"Mary Magdalene came,.... Directly and immediately, being ready and willing to obey the commands of her Lord, with the utmost cheerfulness; and glad to go on such an errand, and carry such news to his disciples, even though her private interest and personal affection might have inclined her to desire to stay with Christ: and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord; not only that he was risen from the dead, and she had been told so by the angels, but she had seen him herself, and was an eyewitness of his resurrection, and which she firmly believed; this she said, not only with all the marks of pleasure, joy and transport, but with an air of assurance and confidence:  and that he had spoken these things unto her; as that he called them brethren, and bid her go unto them, and acquaint them, that as he was risen, he should in a short time ascend to his Father and theirs, to his God and theirs; all which she faithfully related to them." (John Gill)

Don't you just love a happy ending?!

Woman of the Week ~ Mary Magdalene

I hope everyone had a blessed Resurrection Sunday.  We sure did!  We had great teaching, preaching, singing and worship.  We closed out service with the resurrection power at work - one of our Sunday school children received the Holy Ghost!

Can you imagine being Mary Magdalene on that very first Resurrection Sunday?

Verses:  Matthew 27:55-61, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 15:40-47, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 8:1-3, Luke 23:55-56, Luke 24:1-11, John 19:25, John 20:1-18

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

He is Risen! To God be the Glory!

How can I say thanks for the things You've done for me?
Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love to me;
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Just let me live my life, let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee,
And should I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.
With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus ~ Woman of the Week

This weekend we celebrate the greatest event that has ever taken place - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It was the single event that split time. While there were many gathered at the cross that day, I can't think of anyone who was hurting more than Mary.

Verses:  Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, John 2:1-5, John 19:25-27, Acts 1:14
The order of these verses, according to my chronological Bible, is John 2:1-5; Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, and Luke 8:19-21 record the same story; Matthew 13:54-58; John 19:25-27; and Acts 1:14

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
We don't know anything about Mary's parents.  She had at least one sister who was with her at the cross. She was married to Joseph of Nazareth, a carpenter.  She was the mother of Jesus but also had other children.  Most importantly, Mary was not the mother of God.  She was the mother of the fleshly manifestation of God, she was highly favored, but she was still human.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
Focusing on just the three and a half years of Jesus' earthly ministry we don't read much about Mary.  Of course Jesus was traveling and as far as we know Mary was not part of those travels.  She was there for His first miracle in John chapter 2.  "and the mother of Jesus was there; who seems to have been a principal person at this wedding, and was very officious; when wine was wanted, she signified it to her son, and ordered the servants to do whatever he bid them: and since she, and Jesus, and his brethren, were all here, it looks as if it was a relation of hers that was now married." (John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)  When they run out of wine at the marriage, Mary gets Jesus' attention.  "It is not known why Mary told this to Jesus. It would seem that she had a belief that he was able to supply it, though he had as yet worked no miracle."  (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)

Some commentaries felt Jesus rebuked Mary, but others said the use of the word "woman" was not a rebuke.  Archibald Thomas Robertson gave a closer look at the word woman, "Vocative case of gunē, and with no idea of censure as is plain from its use by Jesus in John 19:26. But the use of gunai instead of mēter (Mother) does show her she can no longer exercise maternal authority and not at all in his Messianic work."  Albert Barnes put it this way, "The words sound to us harsh, but they might have been spoken in a tender manner, and not have been intended as a reproof. It is clear that he did not intend to refuse to provide wine, but only to delay it a little; and the design was, therefore, to compose the anxiety of Mary, and to prevent her being solicitous about it. It may, then, be thus expressed: “My mother, be not anxious. To you and to me this should not be a matter of solicitude. The proper time of my interfering has not yet come. When that is come I will furnish a supply, and in the meantime neither you nor I should be solicitous.” Thus understood, it is so far from being a “harsh reproof,” that it was a mild exhortation for her to dismiss her fears and to put proper trust in him."

Obviously Mary wasn't offended by Jesus' words.  She turned to the servants and said, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."  John Gill said, "She took the reproof in good part, and by the words he said, and the manner in which he spoke them, or by the looks he gave, and the gestures he might use, she hoped, and even believed, that the thing she moved for would be done; and therefore went immediately to the servants."  "Mary took comfort in the “not yet” (oupō) and recognized the right of Jesus as Messiah to independence of her, but evidently expected him to carry out her suggestion ultimately as he did. This mother knew her Son."  (A.T. Robertson)

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Mary coming to where Jesus was at a later time.  There was a large crowd and she stood outside waiting.  "Not with a pure view to interrupt him in his work, or to divert him from it, lest he should overspend himself; nor from a principle of ambition and vain glory, to show that they were related to him, and that he was at their beck and command; but rather, to observe unto him the danger he exposed himself to, by the freedom he took with the Pharisees in his discourses, and probably to acquaint him with some conspiracies formed against him." (John Gill)

John Gill goes on to say, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? These questions are put, not as if he himself was ignorant who were his mother or his brethren; or as suggesting as if he had none; or as denying that these were in such a relation to him; or as casting any slight upon them; or as intending to teach men disrespect to parents and kindred, according to the flesh; but as displeased with the man, or men, for interrupting him in his work; and to let them know, that the business of his heavenly Father was preferred by him to any his natural relations could have with him; and that he might have an opportunity of pointing out who were his relations in a spiritual sense."

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
As Mary stood at the foot of the cross, she suffered the greatest pain a mother can face.  I really cannot imagine how she felt.  Yes, she knew all the prophecies, all the promises, but to stand there and watch the gruesomeness of Jesus' crucifixion, she must have been completely overcome.

John Gill had some powerful words, "the mother of Jesus, Mary; which showed her affection to Christ, and her constancy in abiding by him to the last; though it must be a cutting sight, and now was fulfilled Simeon's prophecy, Luke 2:35, to see her son in such agonies and sorrow, and jeered and insulted by the worst of men; and though she herself was exposed to danger, and liable to be abused by the outrageous multitude; and it also showed that she stood in need, as others, of a crucified Savior; so far was she from being a co-partner with him in making satisfaction for sin."

Matthew Henry wrote, "His torments were her tortures; she was upon the rack, while he was upon the cross; and her heart bled with his wounds; and the reproaches wherewith they reproached him fell on those that attended him.  We may justly admire the power of divine grace in supporting these women, especially  Mary, under this heavy trial. We do not find his mother wringing her hands, or tearing her hair, or rending her clothes, or making an outcry; but, with a wonderful composure, standing by the cross, and her friends with her."

Even in His last moments, Jesus was aware of Mary standing there.  Some of His last words were to her and the apostle John.  But He did more than that, He sent the Comforter.  We find Mary just one more time in Acts chapter 1:

"Mary, the mother of Jesus, is here particularly mentioned, showing that she now cast in her lot with the apostles." (Albert Barnes)  "She had come out of the shadow of death with the song in her heart and with the realization of the angel’s promise and the prophecy of Simeon. It was a blessed time for Mary."  (A.T. Robertson)  "Distinguished from the other “women,” but so as to exclude the idea of her having any pre-eminence over the disciples. We find her with the rest in prayer."  (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)

Mary was found with those waiting for the promise and she was not disappointed.  "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. " (Acts 2:1-4)  This was the gift that Jesus gave to his mother and offers to everyone who calls on His name.

The Wise Hath Said

At the top of my blog the verse of the day is Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." For the last few years I have read that today is National Atheists Day.  It is kind of funny, but I can't think of a sadder state than not believing in God. 

I'm not here to debate the existence of God, I know He is.  He is the I AM.  In this holy week, as we contemplate God's amazing sacrifice, I am so thankful that He Is.

One of my favorite ways to contemplate the existence of God is simply by going to the zoo.  God's creation is so amazing!  None of this just happened.  God is the Creator.

But He didn't give His life for the king of beasts.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The wise hath said in his heart, there IS a God!!  I want to be wise!