The baking outreach is getting serious – as you can see from this brand new logo created by Samuel (a man in our church here in Mexico):

Amigas del alma is a common phrase meaning best friends, but of course is also means friends of the soul.  We hope that these meanings will become more and more of a reality in weeks ahead.

The plan is to use the logo on calendars, diplomas, aprons, and so on – a little art can go a long way. 

We’d appreciate your prayers as this talented trio continues with their baking bonanza.  I believe they’re doing something tomorrow – I’m a little out of the loop because I’m still in Puebla enjoying my course.  I’ll probably be returning tomorrow night, or on Friday (it’s a long story).

Book on the topic recommended by Worldview Resource Group

Hi everyone!

I’m heading off this morning (like, right NOW) to take a course (auditing) at the Seminario Bíblico de Puebla on Animism and Folk Religion.  It’s part of a Masters level series offered by the Worldview Resource Group (USA) in conjunction with Recursos Estratégicos Globales (Argentina).  These people have a passion to help disciple-makers from all over the world who are going all over the world.

Folk religion and animism, of course, deals with the disconnect between "official" religious beliefs and what is actually believed "on the ground".  This is a huge issue in Mexico, as it is in the Muslim world, and really just about everywhere.

Hopefully I can speak more intelligently when the course is done.  It runs from morning until evening Monday to Thursday, so I’d appreciate your prayers as I try to endure the long days (I’m usually doing well if I can handle a two hour meeting!).   And also we’d appreciate your prayers for Shari and the kids as they have a hectic schedule without me there.

Last week Shari, along with Mayra and Aurora, taught the first baking class in Jesús María.  They were also joined by Tiffany, who came down for a few days from Arkansas, USA to help us out.  It was great to have her here!

Shari and Tiffany, along with Claudia (it was her house) at the baking class

More classes to follow!

Incidentally, no one has taken me up yet on my request for oven thermometers.  If you have access to any, let us know! 

A strange but powerful preacher had caught the attention of the crowds.  He was frank, blunt and practical – calling on people to change their ways and then to give a public demonstration by being baptized.

Many of us know the story.  Apparently the preacher already knew this man who was now coming to be baptized, and this time the preacher tried to stop Him.  "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

But Jesus was insistent.  John baptized Him, and as Jesus came up out of the water the Spirit of God came down on Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven said,"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."  The Trinity in a moment of time. (Mat 3:13-17)

Stained glass window with a symbol of the Trinity

The Son of God – Immanuel, God with us – was sent by the Father, and empowered by the Spirit.  We’ve seen the incredible promises of the incarnation as we’ve looked at this trinity of prophecies in Isaiah 7, 9 and 11.

Isaiah 7 – a virgin would conceive and bear a Son, and would call His name Immanuel (read more here).

Isaiah 9 – a multi faceted description of God-with-us, the powerful Ruler of peace, Creator and Counsellor, human yet eternal. (read more here)

In Isaiah 9 the look forward continues as we see the spiritual power of this great, wise King:

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.  He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.  Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
(Isa 11:1-5)

The Messiah would be a descendant of David (as Jesus was).

Next we see a hint of the Trinity – this Messiah, God-with-us, the Mighty God, would have the Spirit of God on Him – the Spirit of the fear of the LORD.

He wouldn’t judge just by what He saw and heard – but with justice and righteousness.  This is certainly a description of how Jesus was, and is, and how He will be as He rules forever.  As we read the Gospels, we see Jesus looking at the heart and cutting to the heart of the matter over and over and over.  Consider Luke 9:46-48, or Luke 18:18-30, or Matthew 12:1-13.  What a Wonderful Counsellor!

Jewish writings over and over affirm that this passage is speaking of Messiah, from the Targum on Isaiah to the Midrash on Psalms, the Babylonian Talmud, Midrash Rabbah, the writings of Rabbis and more.  For more see Behold Your King by William Webster.

Finally in Isaiah chapter 12, we see a song of rejoicing from the remnant that God has saved.  It’s a song that can be echoed by all of us who know the truth of Romans 5:1:  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

You will say in that day:

Let’s make it known in all the earth!

A report on our weekend in Texcoco and Pachuca.  I had to cut out a few clips here and there to make it under 10 minutes, but other than that I think it went all right (yes, and after 10 minutes I still left things out – busy weekend!).   I actually recorded this this morning, but wasn’t able to post it until now, due to unforeseen (by me, not God) circumstances.

Also, I talk about something I got in the mail, and a creative way you might be able to touch a community here in Mexico City if you’re interested.  Check it out…

That’s right, we went to SAM’S Club today and got Nathanael’s new – and very first pair – of glasses!  ¡Que guapo!

We were happy to hear him saying how much clearer everything was.  So that’s a good sign!  Now we’ll try to help him get used to them over the next few days, and probably send him to school with them on Monday.

Most in Mexico are in the midst of celebrating the Days of the Dead.  These celebrations are big business.  One of the things you see a lot of is orange marigolds, which are used in the offerings for the dead.  This was the flower the Aztecs used as well to remember the dead.  It’s not uncommon to see many stalks of sugar cane (also offered to the dead) and piles of orange marigolds for sale, or piled onto trucks.

Offerings are made to dead children on the 1st, and dead adults on the second (of November).

Last time we were talking about the sign that was given to King Ahaz – that a virgin would conceive and have a son – Immanuel.  We talked about how this is actually a part of a bigger picture that Isaiah is giving us, which is why we’re talking about prophecies from Isaiah 7, 9 and 11.

As we head into chapter 9, we see that the Messiah would appear in the land by the sea of Galilee, which is just where Jesus grew up and had His early ministry (Mat 4:12-17).

Then Isaiah continues with a sparkling jewel of a promise, one of the most famous in all Scripture:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isa 9:6-7)

The ancient Jewish rabbis believed this passage to be speaking of the Messiah.  In his book Behold Your King, William Webster includes these quotes, the first from the Targum of Isaiah (the targums are ancient translations or paraphrases):

The prophet saith to the house of David, A child has been born to us, a son has been given to us; and he has taken the law upon himself to keep it, and his name has been called from of old, Wonderful counsellor, Mighty God, He who lives forever, the Anointed one (or Messiah), in whose days peace shall increase upon us.

And this one from the Midrash Rabbah, Deuteronomy (rabbinic commentaries on Deuteronomy):

Another explanation: He said to him: ‘I have yet to raise up the Messiah,’ of whom it is written, For a child is born to us (Isa. IX,5)

One sparkle at a time…

Let’s look at this jewel one sparkle at a time.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…  The Messiah would be human.  The expression here about the government refers to the governing authority that the Messiah would have over Israel.

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…  The Messiah would speak with wise authority – surely a good description of Jesus!

Mighty God…  Another link with the term Immanuel that we heard in Isa 7:14.  The term Mighty God is used of the True God in Jer 32:17-20:  "It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."

Everlasting Father…  This is not talking about Jesus as Father God – Jesus is the Son, not the Father (the context confirms this of course).  The Hebrew literally means Father of Eternity.  The idea then is that Jesus is the author of eternity – in other words, the Creator of all things (Joh 1:1-3).

Prince of Peace…  This term may at first seem strange when you remember Jesus’ words,"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Mat 10:34).  But the key may be in the coupling of the two words – Prince of Peace.

Peace was an ongoing theme for Isaiah, and for the writers of the New Testament as well.  Peace is something that goes together with righteousness.  When the world is as it should be – under the rule of a righteous God – that is when there is peace.  More than once the Lord points out "there is no peace for the wicked" (Isa 48:22; Isa 57:21).  Yet in following God there is peace, and ultimately there will come a time of great peace when all the earth will accept God on His throne.

Jesus came to bring division between those of the kingdom and those who fought it.  And yet to His disciples, to those who accepted His leadership, His message was constantly one of peace.  Maybe He summarized it best in John 16:33:  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

The Prince of Peace will ultimately overcome a world of hate and bring perfect peace.  Here we see the prophet not only looking ahead to Jesus’ first coming, but His second coming.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…  As we were just talking about.

on the throne of David and over his kingdom…  He is the heir of David.

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore…  His kingdom will be everlasting.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.  This is not a questionable prophecy – it will happen.  God keeps His promises.

And we’ll finish this incredible look forward as we finish with Isaiah 11 next week, and then on to other promises of a Messiah!

As promised in my podcast from earlier today, here’s a little tour of the neighbourhood where we’re currently offering 10 weeks of English classes.  You’ll see a little bit of what the area is like, meet the English teachers, and see some of the potential for more ministry in this area.

I failed to mention in the video someone who has been helping with teaching.  Rod’s son Daniel has also been helping teach, and you’ll see him in the video in a green shirt with Allan.

In this video you’ll hear from both Rod and I, and even see a glimpse of the planning meeting we had just last night.  Most of the footage from Jesús María was taken last week during the English classes on Wednesday and Thursday.

Edit:  Rod corrected the population numbers for me.  He writes:  In the neighborhood of Jesus Maria, there are 3800 houses. Bordering it lies Los Heroes, Ixtapaluca, with 27,000 individual residences …Just beyond Los Heroes lies San Buenaventura, a huge, sprawling neighborhood of 22,000 homes … Figure 3-4 people per house, and just in these three neighborhoods you have approximately 200,000 people living.

Note that this is the immediate area – I also spoke about “hundreds of thousands” that were close – the municipal area has hundreds of thousands, and of course connects to the millions going further into Mexico City.

Here’s the video:

Some news about the new outreach in a nearby community, the upcoming Days of the Dead, meetings at our children’s schools, and many activities coming up on the weekend. Thanks for your prayers!