Do Mustard Seeds Exist?

Greek and ancient Near Eastern societies understood the occurrences of miraculous events as evidence of spiritual beings and the divine participating in earthly affairs. Typical Greek and ancient Near Eastern cosmologies reserved an essential role for deities and spiritual beings within the natural order of the world. Although miraculous events were extraordinary, they were not considered contraindications to the natural order. Common miraculous events that occurred in ancient society included: healings, oracles, celestial portents, extraordinary natural events (eg. earthquakes). The distinction between “miracle” and “magic” derives from the observer’s perspective, which can involve numerous factors, including; group membership; historical context; cultural context; and theological views. In the fifth and fourth centuries bc, many Greeks and Romans came to suspect traditional healers, diviners, prophets, and wonder-workers of being “magicians”. In the Roman imperial period, Christ-followers recognized wonders performed by or through God as “miracles” and commonly characterized all other wonders as “magic” performed by or through the devil. Stratton refers to this as the “Christian magic discourse” (e.g., Acts 8:9–15; 13:6–12; Stratton Naming the Witch, 107–41; see also Remus, Pagan-Christian Conflict, 48–82; Lampe, “Miracles and Apologetic,” 205–18).

I was mentoring one of my youth today. We are doing a study called “Jesus Calling Bible Study Series: Experiencing God’s Presence” (Young, 2015). In that book, it asked me to “Close your eyes and picture yourself having access by faith into this grace in which every believer stands. Imagine grace as a throne room, and you are standing there with complete access. Where is Jesus? Where is God the Father? How far away are they from you?” (Young, 2015, pp. 26,27) The Resurrection gave us that right and privilege to have access to the throne room of God. We do not have to imagine. Just asking those questions about “Where is Jesus? Where is God the Father?” shows right there that Jesus is more than just a man, more than just a teacher, and more

After reflecting on C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity with its complex themes and wording, I thought that reading N.T. Wright’s Simply Jesus would be an understandable breath of fresh air. However this book raised more questions in my mind and beliefs than Mere Christianity ever did. Wright asks a lot of poignant questions in the book in regards to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in turn triggers even more questions in his readers. He captures the nature of a 21st century Christian perfectly. Like it or not we are a doubting group who question everything in our society whether that be politics, relationships, or religion.

White mustard (Sinapis alba) also known as yellow mustard is a native of North Africa, central Asia, and the Mediterranean. This is the mustard that is used extensively in the production of American prepared mustards, as it is the least pungent. Brown mustard (Brassica juncea) is native to Asia and is the seed used to prepare specialty mustards such as Dijon. Canada is the world’s largest exporter of mustard seed and among the top five producers in the world. Saskatchewan produces over 80% of the domestic total and the brown mustard seed used for Dijon mustard comes from

As said in the beginning of this paper, Jesus is mighty and powerful as said in the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark shows that if you have faith, you will always be watched and cared for. In return we should preach the word of Jesus and help others understand

The Destiny of the Unevangelized Debate has been a concern for Christians throughout the years. There have been questions to arise as to what actually happens to those who have never heard the Gospel. According to Body and Eddy, “the issue of the destiny of the unevangelized forces Christians to wrestle with the seeming tension between the universality of God’s love and the particularity of the path to salvation or one’s personal relationship with Christ.” Exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism are three ways that theologians address the issue of the destiny of the unevangelized. The text takes on these three ways through four views which are the Restrictivist View, Universal Opportunity View, Postmorten Evangelism View, and Inclusivist View.

For instance, a Muslim friend who converted to Christianity communicated that it was not the great arguments of traditional “informational” apologetics that finally drew him to examine the claims of Christ. On the contrary, it was the consistent caring actions of a high school friend who lived out a “resurrected” life before him.

This led me to read the Gospels once I came home. I read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each and every single word I read…I fell so deeply in love with. What I learned about Jesus was that he was nothing like what my history teacher, religious friends, or even family had taught me he was. Jesus was God made into the flesh, set apart to save and rescue the broken and weary to simply have rest. Jesus was but a God whom was not crowned with Gold but with Thorns, all for a royalty that was bestowed in a sacrificial glory, a glory so unique that it killed Jesus himself. Jesus is my friend, my father, my savior, and most importantly my God. To him is whom I breathe and work so deeply for. My kingdom is not on this Earth, but it is in the presence of Christ. I am in awe with his yearn to constantly be the voice of those who have felt ignored. Jesus mentions how he was sent to be with the sick and to specifically save sinners. Many beliefs exist, but none can fathom the unique and intricate relationship found in Christ. We are all around a mountain, hoping to find God on the top. We base this climb by our strengths and in our own deeds. We push so deeply to

Those seeking the truth of the Lord even outside of the church will receive him and the true seekers of the truth are the true Christian.

The third largest mustard seed supplier in Western Canada has experienced a shortage of crops.

John MacArthur, a Cessationist, claims that at the moment of salvation all believers are, “baptised, indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit.” Furthermore, MacArthur argues

For many years, preachers and teachers have warned congregations about a church that “seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). It has been said in casual conversation that the Emerging Church is a modern-day effort to transform the church into a place that is accepting of all truths and all faiths no matter their origin. If this is true, it could bring interesting challenges to the true church that was launched on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.

We are all tired, the music becomes more of a lullaby, floating and curling around our surroundings, peace is almost tangible and sleep is edging the words of our prayer deep in our soul...”You alone O Lord, are holy. Except for Jesus, praying, the words of his prayer climbing upward, like the song of the first bird of summer. Then, suddenly, on the mountain, for just a moment, the music stopped and we are able see beneath Jesus' ordinary humanity and find shining there the very presence, the very holiness, and the very glory of God. It is revelation. It is mystery, which can be neither explained nor discredited. It becomes a song so complete that it can only be sung by

Who is God? This is a very important question to understand the answer to for anyone who calls themselves a Christian. To know and understand God, there are certain gospel essentials that need to be fully understood. In this paper, I will provide information on these gospel essentials which are: knowing God and all that he is, understanding humanity and their relationship with God, who Jesus is, the restoration and why it is so important, an analysis of the Christian faith, and a reflection of my beliefs.

Will the cowardly act of fear in confessing ignorance of His word dissipates. In due time, with deliberate seeking, I will get wisdom and understanding; whereby my living soul will overflow with serenity, endowing me with the intelligence required to esteem Him firsthand.