Month: September 2023

Apocryphal Gospels

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Herbert presents The Gospel of Mary and Other Apocryphal Gospels.

I have read some of the apocryphal books, but not the ones in this particular book, that is, until now. I intend to read as many as possible because I want to have a better understanding of why these books were not included in the bible as we know it today. Many of these books are considered to be of historical value, however they are deemed to not be divinely inspired, or may have questionable origins. I have read the ones which are included in the Catholic bible (but are not part of the King James and other versions) because of the historical/poetic significance and contribution to understanding the times in which these were written. I find these very interesting and full of important detail that helps me understand better other non-apocryphal books. A good example is the books of Maccabees.

I am enjoying reading this book so far and can really see why these particular gospels have not been included; however, I find these are rich in historical details and have filled some gaps in my understanding of some biblical events. I find the Gospel of Mary Magdalene questionable for sure. I enjoyed the Gospel of Peter, very rich in detail. The writing style seems simple compared to the books of Peter included in the bible. The Birth of Mary was very interesting as well, and mostly refers to her background, her parents, and her life before her marriage to Joseph. The Acts of Pontious Pilate, also known as the Gospel of Nicodemus, is also very rich in details concerning the time when Jesus was arrested and brought to him. The Gospel of Thomas is presented as a list of things that Jesus said. I found some parts a bit questionable or not clear enough; however, these are translations of old manuscripts that were unearthed much later, and in modern times. Many of these have pages/fragments missing, so these are not a complete account. Overall, these books have enriched my knowledge by offering historical perspective.

Welcoming Autumn

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This year I have been in the mood for Autumn days. It is almost here, and I have enjoyed already a few crisp mornings, decorated a bit to enjoy the season, and collected a few veggies from the garden. Wild turkeys have been visiting, and I saw the first large flock of starlings flying by. This year, they did not stop here, but kept flying. I hope the next flock does; hundreds of starlings pecking on the grass is lovely to see. The birds are almost gone, and I have not seen a hummingbird in the past couple of weeks. A few leaves have fallen, and some trees are starting to change color. Nature is preparing for a new season. Just as in life, change is needed for a new season, even when transition might hurt. Rebirth always follows.

Love and Light

Farmhouse Project – The Side Entrance

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We are trying to finish a few projects that were scheduled for this year, and one of them was to fix the bottom part of the side entrance. Water accumulates when it rains, thus forming a puddle, and later on, it turns to mud. My husband worked on this project over the past weekend, and I love the result. One more item taken off the long list, and we are happy with that. There are still a few projects that were scheduled for this year but will have to wait until next year. We might be able to tackle one or two more, but not more than that. For the purpose of this post, and so that the reader can appreciate the before and after, I will share some pictures from the early days when we bought the old farmhouse showing that particular area as well.

The Process

First, my husband measured the area and built a frame, tested it, and later on, removed all the grass in that area and leveled the ground. Then, he attached and fixed the frame, poured cement, leveled the cement, scoured the sides, and let it set. It took a couple of days for it to dry. Last, he removed the wood frame, and cleaned the area. It was a simple process, but it took time. We decided to leave the steps the way they are now because they are in good condition, and so far, there is no need to redo them. We worked on these steps when we bought the place.

The Before

This was the condition of this area when we bought the old farmhouse. It’s been a long way. The two gargoyles go with me wherever I go.

One more project done on this old farmhouse. I hope that you enjoyed the pictures and reading about the process, and that it inspired you in some way.

Love and Light