Ishtar Gate Exhibit in Metropolitan Museum of Art Sheds Light on Daniel in the Lion's Den

I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City yesterday with my wife and several of her colleagues from Hawthorne Christian Academy. One exhibit that stood out to me was the Ishtar Gate exhibit, a brick wall that dates to ca. 600 BC in the city of Babylon.

The wall has glazed figures of lions and the prophet Daniel would have walked by the walls frequently while living in Babylon. The lions depicted on the walls were associated with the goddess Ishtar, and people could follow the lions on the walls to her temple.

Daniel's escape from the lions' den seems to show the powerlessness of Babylonian gods vs. Yahweh, the god of Israel.

Nice kitty!

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Leading Communion: A Sample Guide for Conducting the Lord’s Supper

Scripture Reading or Story/Illustration When one is preaching and then following the sermon by leading communion, I think it is a good idea to attempt to bridge from the theme of the message to the Lord’s Supper. Otherwise, I like to introduce the Lord’s Supper a couple of different ways. First, one can use a scripture theme such as the Cup of Judgment ( Psalm 75 ) or the Wedding Supper of the Lamb ( Rev. 19:6-9 ). Both of these tie nicely into the Lord’s Supper and introduce some aspect of communion. For example, Psalm 75 identifies God’s judgment as drinking from a cup of wine, which is exactly the picture we get of what Jesus did for us, praying in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Let this cup (of judgment) pass, but not my will but yours be done." In Revelation 19, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb is the ultimate heavenly meal of which the Lord’s Supper is a foretaste. These passages can draw people into the communion experience. A story or illustration can also draw p...

How to Conduct a Baby Dedication Service

The General Idea A Baby Dedication is a special rite observed in a worship service where parents pledge to raise a child in the Christian faith. Because raising a child in the faith is not done independently, I recommend involving the parents, godparents (if applicable), and congregation in the charge to help each party recognize their responsibility in nurturing a child in the faith. I have provided a sample charge to the parents, godparents, and congregation below. Dedication Biblical Authority: Matthew 19:13-15 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Address to the Congregation The family is a divine institution ordained of God from the beginning of time. Children are...

A Combined Tenebrae and Seven Last Words Good Friday Service

Idea Tenebrae, a Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows,” is a service that moves from full light in a sanctuary and ends in total darkness, signifying the death of the Light of the World—Jesus—on Good Friday. In this variation incorporating the Seven Sayings of the Cross, the platform becomes more stark and dark as participants depart and extinguish a candle. Preparation Set up seven candles on a Communion table at the center of the sanctuary. Six purple candles should encircle a single white candle in the center. A six-person worship team should serve, one being the lead vocalist, who will sing acapella alone for one stanza at the end. Seven readers should be selected to read one of the seven sayings and pray as indicated below. At opening of the service, a designated person walks down the center aisle and lights the candles. The service can be exclusively focused on tenebrae or added at the end of a more traditional service. Communion is not done in this service. ...

Rainey Prays on Some Days

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