Doubting Thomas A Biblical Idiom

Source: Wikipedia.org
Iconostasis of Transfiguration
church, Kizhi monastery,
Karelia, Russia

Doubting Thomas: A Biblical Idiom

Blessed are those who have not seen but still believe.
Blog Post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

One of the tricky parts of learning a language foreign to you is that in everyday conversation you will not pick up on common sets of words which have cropped in that mean something to people comfortable with local vernacular language. These are known as idioms.

Idiom: a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.

Doubting Thomas is an idiom based on the biblical story that took place after Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, rose from the dead.

Doubting Thomas: A skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience (source: Wikipedia.org)

 In everyday life, holding back on believing something without firsthand experience that is trustworthy is most often a very good policy.

When it comes to the spiritual realm of Christian faith, however, belief and faith without trust are impossible.  I will qualify this statement with the fact that I believe spiritual experience, though unexplainable and misunderstood by those who do not believe, does provide assurance of the reality that Jesus Christ lives.

John 20: 24-29 NLT   One of the twelve disciples, Thomas was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” 

1 Peter 1: 8-9   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The facts are present and true:  Jesus was crucified.  He died.  His tomb was empty because he didn’t stay dead. He appeared and walked, talked and ate with his disciples. 

It is quite ironic that people who believe in ghosts, psychics, reincarnation, and a whole lot of other stuff refuse to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the love of God, the Father. 

God Holding People Accountable Judgement VS Consequences

Blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

You hear it on the news all of the time. People demand justice. Great offense is taken at any and all disrespect.  The fact of the matter is a whole lot of lousy stuff happens for which justice never, ever comes.

God's justice, however is a given fact.  For those whose desire for wrongs to be made right, be assured that one day, justice will come.

     There are those who have perpetrated such great evil and shown no remorse for what their behavior caused that without consequences for their actions God would not be just. This is not God judging, but a result of a person's behavior. 

     A loving God is also a just God. IF ultimately all are blessed and forgiven without seeking forgiveness then Jesus died for no reason. Then there is no need to be good, to be a Christian, go to church, and more. 

That all are saved is called Universal Salvation, or Universal Reconciliation. You will not find it in the Bible. From ancient times the consensus of the Christian Church is that Universal Salvation is a heresy. 

Most certainly, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did reconcile all people to God. All people, however, don't seek reconciliation for themselves. Jesus Christ explains it himself:

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out: those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. John 5: 28-29

Scripture also tells us that it is NOT our place to judge. Only God knows the true character of each person's heart.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are called to love. Love our neighbor as we want to be loved...cared for, respected.

Does Church Size Determine Quality?

This blog post by Mary Katherine May.
Rick and Mary May operate the webstore QualityMusicandBooks.com.

Large churches and mega churches have resources to do many good things. Small and medium size churches have up close and personal ministries that megas can't touch.

Church size is not a good, better, best thing. Quality comed in hearing God's calling and living it out to its fullest potential.

Adult to Adult Verbal Abuse Emotional Bullying

This blog post by Mary Katherine May.
Rick & Mary May operate the webstore QualityMusicandBooks.com.

I have heard many stories of verbal bullying from adult women over the years. It happens to both men and women in the workplace, at home, and in the church.

The result can be even more emotionally devastating if it also happened in childhood because self esteem is not there to understand that there is no reason to feel bad, worthless.

You may not realize what is happening or be able to define what is wrong at the moment other than knowing something isn't right. You feel ishy. If you do realize it and say something, it doesn't mean you'll be seen as the victim, especially and surprising if it happens in a church.

No one ever wants to believe a pastor, elder or Christian leader would use cruel words to maintain or regain undeserved power and authority.  In fact, at the time it's going on the abuser may even intensify his/her attack. 

If your voice is not heard or discounted you should get out. Leave. You are worth it. 

Verbal abusers, emotional bullies are the ones who are shameful, not you. Keep telling yourself that until you believe it. Take your power back, then forgive the abuser and you will fly free.

Will the Real Truth Please Stand Up

> Real Truth
>Selective Truth
>Partial Truth

This blog thought from the Christian Perspective by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

     There is real truth, which is finite, because it is irrefutable. 

Selective truth, another kind of truth that is true when it agrees with someone's viewpoint. People looking to prove their particular Christian viewpoint will choose selectively, out of context, from the Bible. Politics uses this second kind of truth. 

A third kind of truth is partial truth. A word or two is changed, an emphasis or stress is used when speaking and poof! Truth is turned into a manipulative tool. 

The first kind of truth is the only one that will never, ever come back to bite you, and the only one that proves a person trustworthy.

Carrying the Light of Jesus Christ in a Darkened World

A blog post comment by Mary Katherine May
Rick and Mary May own the webstore QualityMusicandBooks.com. 
December 28, 2017

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

     Praising Jesus in a darkened world is the same as lighting a candle while singing Silent Night in church with the lights out on Christmas Eve. 

Christ is the light of the world and we Christians carry his light, too. He lives!

Christ is born!     Glorify Him!

Lord Have Mercy It Is More Than Being Forgiven

A blog post comment by Mary Katherine May
Rick and Mary May own the webstore QualityMusicandBooks.com. 
December 23, 2017

Mercy is more than being forgiven. 

Mercy is also compassion that sees the brokenness in the human race with sorrow so great that Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior and Lord, was willing to take on himself human form to heal the breaks and then forget they were ever there.

Another NRA National Recovery Administration

NRA:
National Recovery Administration
Source: Wikipedia.org

WHAT!?
Why is this National Rifle Association NRA logo on antique, vintage and old sheet music? 

National Recovery Administration
The National Recovery Administration was part of the New Deal program during the Great Depression. 

The purpose was to encourage businesses to work together, promote stability and employment. 

Participating businesses were encouraged to use the Blue Eagle emblem on their products. 

There is a lot of good information to be learned about this NRA free on the internet. If you would like to know more I encourage you to use your favorite search engine.

Blog Post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

St Peter and St Paul Russian Orthodox Church Bramble Minnesota Exploring Northern Minnesota Borderland

St. Peter and St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church

St. Peter and St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church

Bramble, Minnesota

National Register of Historic Places Site

Blog Post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

This past weekend we went to the Blueberry Festival in Ely with family that was visiting our new home in Littlefork, Minnesota. On the way back I suggested stopping at St. Peter and St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church built in what had been a township called Bramble on Minnesota State Hwy. 65 in Koochiching County.

Minnesota 65 in the northern borderland is a long, sparsely populated road. Using Google Maps for directions by entering 47°54′23″N 93°10′00″W worked for us. Just don't be surprised when Google says you are on Industrial Avenue because you will wonder if your'e in the right place. 

Minnesota State Hwy. 65, Koochiching County

If traveling from the town of Littlefork it will take about an hour to drive going the speed limit including slowing down for all of the tight curves, and about 90 minutes to 2 hours if driving sight-seeing speed. 

Hey! You can hook up with Minnesota 65 in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota and drive all the way to Littlefork, Minnesota, 272 miles!

Photograph by Mary Katherine May

Interested in Seeing This Landmark?

Watch for the gold onion dome typically found atop Eastern Orthodox Churches.  If it's a sunny day the dome will shine brightly ahead of you. 

Another feature to notice is that the back of the church where the altar is located correctly faces east as customary for Orthodox Christians as priest and congregants celebrated Divine Liturgy.

The church is locked and can be seen from the outside only without making prior arrangement and depending upon availability of those who hold keys.

St. Peter & St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church
Preservation Project

What is so amazing, maybe even miraculous, is how the church was literally discovered in a state of disrepair by Rev. Paul Berg of the Episcopal denomination as he drove along MN-65 on his way to go canoeing. 

He was the instigator of a multi-denomination restoration effort, and now Sts. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Paul Berg is buried in the church's cemetery.

I feel a relationship to this sacred spot, the church and the families who worked to create a house of God for the purpose of worship, to fellowship together, baptize, marry, and bury their loved ones.  

Not that much farther north in a place named Plankey Plains in Manitoba, my family did the same.

Directions provided for families
searched for their ancestral heritage.

Where is the cemetery?

There has to be a cemetery in which to bury the parishoners.  One of the explorers in our group found the information on the Find a Grave website and a second trip quickly followed the first. 

The cemetery is kept up by the families of the church, I am sure. Newer grave markers have replaced many of the wooden crosses that are decaying or now gone. 

Colorful flowers are present and along with graves of those long in Heaven for eternity are found descendants of the original pioneers of Koochiching County.

Directions were vague but we found it and now can amplify for clarity. The cemetery is a little over a quarter of a mile north of the church on U.T. Road 385. The two letters mean Unorganized Township, a State of Minnesota road designation. Coordinates: 47°54'50.0"N 93°09'48.9"W

Surnames include Dominik, Woitel, Soroka, Sorokie, Billy, Danyluk, Lucachick, Kuryla, Baron, Poster, Diachok, Nelson and Grula.

In the Eastern Orthodox Christian manner before leaving the cemetery I prayed the Lord's Prayer in the Ukrainian and English languages. Vichna pamyat. Memory eternal.

Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery
Koochiching County, Minnesota

More Information & Links
LINK to Wikipedia article
LINK to article on Ghosts of Minnesota: Abandoned Places and Roadside Attractions
LINK to OrthodoxWiki article
A 16mm film, The Bramble Experience, was produced by Al Milgrom of the University of Minnesota Film Society. Current whereabouts of the film and availability for viewing are unknown.

List of 10 Christian Quotes Tweeted on Twitter by Mary Katherine May

Mary Katherine May
Twitter: @MaryKatherineM8

10 Christian Quotes 
by Mary Katherine May

Tweeted on Twitter April 29 - May 4, 2017

1 If all that offends someone is eliminated life will cease to exist. Silencing differences is not respect.

2 No doubt Christians suffer even to death what God promises is to preserve without blemish the souls of those who love Him. Glory to God!

3 If you are believer in Jesus Christ you will pray for enemies of the Savior & grieve they are lost.

4 Testimony of Conscience (Psalm 35) When you pray for someone & it is rejected or response is evil God sees you did right. Matthew 5

5 Do you not yet understand real happiness can't be manufactured but springs up & bubbles over when Christ is the center of your life? Peace.

6 Thrill in revenge hateful words is an evil tense addiction emotional drug that always must be fed. Choose peace & prayer Live God's love

7 Wherever Brothers & Sisters in Christ find community it's a good place to be joined by love for Savior thru Holy Spirit even on Twitter

8 Being mean isn't related to Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative it is all about evil & sin. Spread peace not hate Get God. Get Love.

9 “I am the door,” Jesus said. It's not the house, it's the Life inside!

10 I can't say I'm a Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Lutheran, etc. What I can say is that I am a Christian who loves Jesus with all I've got.

Rick and Mary May operate Quality Music and Books, a Christian-based webstore.

It's not how worn or old the house, It's the Life inside!
Please download and share.

On SALE Now! Tiny Bear's Bible for Young Boys and Girls only 7.50 at Quality Music and Books!

LINK to Tiny Bear's Bible (Blue)

LINK to Tiny Bear's Bible (Pink)

Link to QualityMusicandBooks.com

My Minnesota Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park St Paul Minnesota Photo Image by Mary Katherine May

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park

St. Paul, Minnesota

Photo by Mary Katherine May taken May 13, 2012

My Minnesota Photos Mille Lacs and Way Up North!

Exploring Northern Minnesota
February 21-22, 2017
Photos by Mary Katherine May

Rick and Mary Katherine May operate the webstore Quality Music and Books and the GrandmaHen Shop on Etsy.

Enjoy!

1. Minnesotans say Mille Lacs Lake even though we are actually saying Thousand Lakes Lake.  In this photo dot-size ice houses appear to sit where frozen water and horizon meet in nearly seamless fashion.

2. Traveling through parts of the northernmost reaches of Minnesota means quiet, peaceful spaces along highways cut from layers of rocks of the ages.

10 Comments from The World of Music Etude Magazine 1928

The Etude Magazine, August 1928 Issue

Blog Post by Mary Katherine May
Source Material: The Etude Magazine, August 1928

A great look through a window into history can be found in old magazines, periodicals and journal publications. The Etude, a music magazine is no exception.

The following are seven comments from the section called The World of Music: Interesting and Important Items Gleaned in a Constant Watch on Happenings and Activities Pertaining to Things Musical Everywhere, August 1928 edition.

This copy, by the way, has a fabulous signed illustration of Franz Schubert by Charles O. Golden.

1. Charles Wakefield Cadman, our notable American composer-pianist, is taking to himself the honor of a pioneer in the Alaskan concert field, being the first musician of note to undertake a tour of that territory. Assisted by Margaret Messer Morris, soprano, he began this month a series of concerts in Juneau and neighboring cities.

2. Henry F. Gilbert, one of the most original American composers, died at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in May 19th. Born September 26, 1868, of musical parents, his advanced education was pursued at the New England Conservatory and under MacDowell, and by residence and self-study in Paris. His Comedy Overture on Negro Themes, written in 1906, has been on the programs of leading orchestras of America and Russia.

His Negro Rhapsody had its premiere, under the composer's baton, at the Norfolk Festival, June 5, 1913; and the Symphonic Prelude Riders to the Sea was first heard at the MacDowell Festival, Peterborough, New Hampshire, August 20, 1914, the composer again leading. He won widest attention by the Symphonic-Ballet Dance in the Place Congo, which had its premier as a ballet, at the Metropolitan Opera House of New York on March 23, 1918.

3. Charles Adams White, eminent vocal teacher of Boston, died there suddenly on April twenty-seventh. He trained the first boys' choir in the famous Trinity Church, was the author of several exhaustive treatises on the voice and tone productions, and was for twenty-seven years a member of the faculty of the New England Conservatory.

4. The Chicago Woman's Symphony Orchestra, of which Elena Moneak is founder and conductor, furnished afternoon and evening programs at the Woman's World Fair in the Chicago Coliseum from May nineteenth to twenty-seventh. Works by women composers were especially featured.

5. Handel's Messiah had a rare performance by Negro talent when it was given at the Auditorium of Chicago, on May 11th, by the Greater Bethel Choristers, with James A. Mundy as conductor. The soloists were Mrs. Odell Stone, soprano; Mrs. Inez McAlister Edmonson, contralto; Rev. George I. Holt, tenor; and Lewis W. White, basso; with the Little Symphony Orchestra as instrumental support.

6. Voodoo, the first grand opera on a Negro plot, by a Negro librettist and composer, H. Lawrence Freeman, recently had its first hearing over the radio from New York.

7. Paderewski's fiftieth anniversary of musical activities is to be celebrated in Poland by a series of concerts devoted to the master's works. After having finished his studies at the Conservatory of Warsaw, it was in 1878 that he took over the direction of the class in piano playing there and started on a career filled with greater and more varied honors than probably have fallen to any other musician in all history.

7 AM Sunrise in Crystal Minnesota February 14 2017 Valentine's Day

7 A.M. Sunrise in Crystal, Minnesota

14 February 2017

Sunrise with Jesus for eternity, Sunrise in glory is waiting for me!

Photograph by Mary Katherine May of Quality Music and Books.com