Tag Archives: birthday

Turkey and Frosting

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Happy Thanksgiving! I know I am a week late, but I am still eating turkey leftovers.

Wow. Over a month has gone by since my last post. Time can really move!

If you have been waiting for the conclusion to this series or are brand new to this blog,

I welcome you.

Thanks for taking two minutes out of your day.

If you would like to catch up or get some context, here are the links to the first three posts:

Double Birthday

Double Birthday, Again!?!?

The Day of Atonement explained

“Jesus changed everything. He always does. More on that next week.”

These are the final words of my last post.

And friends, I believe that with all my heart.

I can’t speak on behalf of other people. However, I can speak about my life.

Here is a picture of my life without Jesus.

  • I wonder if I would have my family. Surely, my wife would have left me long ago because of my addiction to porn. That is something that I could not overcome without Jesus.
  • My kids would only be around part-time. It pains me to think about not seeing my kids on a daily basis because of the divorce.
  • Jobs…I think that I would be barely making ends meet. Fast food work is not something I would earn a living on.
  • There were bouts of mild depression in my early twenties. Most likely I would be in a depression right now.
  • Alcohol…not really something I abused. But who knows, without Jesus, the bottle might be more attractive to me.
  • My relationship history was not the best. That pattern would probably continue to this day.
  • I most certainly would not have excellent friends from my church. I would not even belong to a church.
  • And the list continues…

Of course, this is all hypothetical. Jesus changed everything.

I do have a loving wife and wonderful kids. My addictions are broken. I work at a dream job. My church is close to me.

Because I have Jesus, I have everything I need. All this other stuff is really just his blessing. Frosting.

May I conclude with a question or two?

Do you have Jesus?

He cannot be bought, earned, manipulated, or caught. He must be invited.

He will change your life…for the better.

Are you ready to send that invite?

If you have questions or comments, I would love to field them. You can comment below or email me directly – tim@timsorbo.com

Thanks, as always, for reading. It might just be the best two minutes of your day.

See you next week for some thoughts on Advent.

The Day of Atonement explained.

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The Day of Atonement. I think that most people would not begin to understand what this day is all about.

If you are Jewish or have studied the Old Testament, you would be the exception. At least that is my perception of this topic.

Here is what I do know. On this day, an Israelite could be free from sin. Forgiven.

It all revolved around sacrifice.

The penalty of sin must be paid.

Just like a speeding ticket must be paid.

Just like fighting on the playground results in detention.

Just like being late one too many times could get you fired from a job.

There are consequences to our actions.

Sin needed to be addressed.

In God’s economy in the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed daily. There were several types (sin being only one type) of sacrifices and the occasions varied throughout the year.

But on the day of Atonement, the high priest took the sacrifices one step further. Literally.

This is a diagram of the Old Testament tabernacle.

On the left, there is the Holy of Holies. This little room had only one object in it. The ark of the covenant. Yes, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark comes to my mind as well.

This ark, which was essentially a box covered in gold, was where the physical presence of God rested. It was the center of the entire Israelite community both socially and spiritually.

And was here that the high priest would offer the blood of the sacrifice for the sins of the people.

But he only did it once a year. On a specific day. On the day of Atonement.

And so while this day was a celebration it was also a mournful one.

Coming to grips with one’s sin was not a joyful occasion. It was painful.

But the outcome was worth it all.

When God saw the blood being sprinkled on the ark of the covenant, he smiled.

The price had been paid for sin. And that is why I (or anyone) can have a double birthday.

Click here if you want to read about the double birthday.

But that was the Old Testament.

Jesus changed everything. He always does.

More on that next week.

Double Birthday

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Greetings Readers!

It has been quite a while (almost a one year) since I have posted so thank you for sticking with me.

If you are a visitor, welcome! I hope you enjoy twominuteswithtim!!!

Yesterday, Oct. 5th, was my birthday. Born in North Dakota on a Thursday. My mom told me that it was a Thursday because her doctor goes duck hunting on Wednesdays. So I was scheduled for Thursday.

That was alright with me (like I had a choice) because growing up, I did not have to share a birthday. My mom’s birthday was the 4th. She turned 30 the day before giving birth to me.

We shared many birthdays and even some dual-frosted cakes but I always had my own day.

But yesterday was special in that I hit a new decade. Yep, I am 50.

Half Century Man.

Five Decades of Awesome.

L.

L is the roman numeral for 50.

But that is only the first birthday. My title for today is Double Birthday. Here is what I mean.

October 5th, this year, was also Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In the Jewish faith, this day stands alone as the most important day of the year.

There is so much history and background information that is relevant and necessary if one is to really comprehend the full impact of this day.

So for the next couple of posts, I will do my best to explain it.

Disclaimer: I am not Jewish nor am I a bible scholar. I have studied this topic before so I am somewhere between beginner and expert.

Back to the double birthday. In a spiritual way, the Day of Atonement is a type of birthday. I am able to be free of sin. I have a new life in Christ! And that kind of birthday is totally better than a physical one!

So if you are feeling confused or just can’t make the connection between a Jewish holiday and a birthday, hang in there.

Come back in a few days to read more. Or, just follow me with an email and the posts will come directly to you.

Until then, have some birthday cake on me!

AB+ and 44

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Today is my birthday. It was a pretty decent day. I had some great family time. Work was enjoyable. Had lunch with my wife which is rare so that was pretty awesome.

happy-birthday-meme

Now I am writing this blog. I have not written since late July. Taking time off was planned but not this much time. This blog has been good for me. It helps me to process what I read in God’s word and what I hear God telling me.

Back to the birthday. I am 44 today. Is that middle-age? Whatever 44 is called, so be it.

My life began 44 years ago. At some point, I became born again. For me, there is not a specific date that I can call my “spiritual” birthday. But I know it has happened. On that day, the blood of Jesus washed my sins away.

The blood of Jesus is an interesting thing. Somewhat morbid if you ask me. And then the bible says that though my sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. How can blood do this? What is so important about the blood that Jesus spilled while hanging on the cross? How can I be forgiven? More about this in upcoming blogs.

My blood type is AB+. In my adulthood, I have donated about 3 gallons. Take a look at this chart.

blood-types-red1

According to the chart, only AB+ people can receive my blood. On the other hand, I can receive from any type. Good deal for me.

Again, according to the chart, Jesus must have been O- because anyone can receive His blood.

He is the universal donor. Because today is my birthday, I have been thinking a lot about my life and all the it encompasses.

Of this I am sure: Jesus is my life. His blood purifies me from sin. His blood gives me victory over sin. His blood empowers to live like He wants me to live.

As I stated, I will explore the Blood over the next few posts.

Can I leave you with two questions though?

Do you remember your spiritual birthday?

If not, would you like to have one?