The Saints Unhindered

κηρυσσων την βασιλειαν του θεου και διδασκων τα περι του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα πασης παρρησιας ακωλυτως. (A very literal translation of this sentence by the Google Translate tool: “preach the kingdom of God and taught the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ after all frankness unhindered access.” Acts 28:31

Saints on the Loose is not personal.  There will be very little information here about me or about my family.  The focus of the blog is about The Lord and His people and the unhindered access we have to further the Kingdom.  Despots, murderers, sarcasm, ridicule, accusations of bigotry and intellectual deficiency,and even vicious persecution with the full force of governments; none  of these have hindered the spread of the Gospel.

I am very aware of the news cycle but will not always speak on current events or controversies unless there is a Christian point to be taken from them.  Other people can and will do that.

This is not a devotional blog and will not necessarily follow the calendar of religious holidays and festivals.  The focus of the blog is intended to be intensely practical and to foster an intellectual and unapologetic presentation of the truth.

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Keeping Christmas

Many people observe Christmas with no idea of its meaning. In Japan, where almost no one is a Christian, many give Christmas gifts. E.M. Whittington (Chef Whitt), of Dripping Springs, Texas, says don't just observe Christmas, keep Christmas! You can keep Christmas with you all year long.

http://www.chefwhitt.com/

Yom Kippur

     Yom Kippur (Hebrew: Day of Atonement) begins at sundown.  The day is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar.  Fasting is practiced for the entire twenty four hours and numerous activities are proscribed, including bathing, anointing with oil, and sex.  Any religious vows made in the prior year between individual Jews and God are annulled.  The day is devoted to prayer, fasting, atonement, and reconciliation.   

Navaratri

Navaratri: This Sanskrit word literally means "nine nights" and is a movable holiday (the dates change based on lunar cycles) which this year occurs from the 19th to the 27th.  The holiday is a festival of dance and Shakti worship.

Rosh Hashanah

     Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown. It is a day of memorial and of judgement.  God judges each person based on their deeds performed in the preceding year.

Special prayers are recited and the shofar (ram's horn) is blown.    

Ganesha Chaurthi

Ganesha Chaturthi:  This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of the god Ganesh.

Krishna Janmaashtami

Krishna Janmaashtami:  This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

Tisha B'Av

30 July 2009: Tisha B'Av (Hebrew: Ninth of Av) is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the two destructions of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem (586 BCE and 70 CE).  The holiday is observed as a day of fasting and contemplation. 

Pioneer Day

24 July 2009: Pioneer Day is a holiday celebrated in the Mormon religion.  It celebrates the contributions of the early Mormon settlers in the American West.  

Birthday of Haile Selassi I

23 July 2009: The birthday of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia  is celebrated as a holiday in the Rastafarian religion.

Lailat al Miraj

19 July 2009:  Lailat al Miraj is a Muslim holiday also known as Lailat al Isra and Miraj (Arabic: Night of the Journey and Ascension).  On the Muslim calendar the date is the 27th day of Rajab.  The holiday celebrates the following event: Muhammad was carried to heaven where he discussed with God the number of daily prayers required of observant Muslims.  God wanted fifty but Muhammad was able to convince him to accept five properly performed prayers which, in the eyes of God, would count as fifty.  

Ulambana

13 July 2009: Ulambana or "Ancestor Day" is a Buddhist holiday.  Lay Buddhists make offerings for their ancestors and dedicate the merit from the offerings to decrease the suffering of those waiting to be reborn.