Mirchi/Shang Thai – The New Restaurant(s) in Al Khuwair, Muscat, Oman

  My honey in front of Mirchi/Shang Thai which is just behind the Al Khuwair McDonald’s  These shrimp chips are served when you first sit down  One of the appetizers we tried-vegetable spring rolls.  Pretty good!  Another appetizer-dimsum   Che with Vinoo and Pastor Michael Peppin.  By the way this building is actually TWO restaurants.  The ground floor serves Indian food (this restaurant is “Mirchi” and the Thai restaurant, “Shang Thai“, is on the 1st floor (what we would call “the 2nd floor” in Canada…).   We enjoyed the Thai restaurant this time.  (Tel: 24483083)

Speaking of Thailand…Che and I are taking off tomorrow for a 2 week vacation!!! (like a late honeymoon)  If I am on-line, you will be able to catch us at : www.andyinthailand.wordpress.com

Enjoy your summer everyone, take care & God bless!!!

East Meets Middle East! (SMU’s Visit to SQU)

  On May 2nd, 45 of my students and I had the great privilege of hosting a group of 43 students from SMU (Singapore Management University).  SMU is one of only 3 universities in Singapore.  It is one of the youngest institutions; established in 2000.  It focuses mainly on fields of business, accountancy, liberal arts, social science and law.  For more information on SMU, you can check out their website at www.smu.edu.sg   It was so wonderful to see my students mingling with the Singaporean students.  Many of my students shared in our next class that it was the first time they had really interacted with people of a different culture. Awesome!  The SMU group were visiting Oman as part of a wider immersion program, called Business Studies Mission, covering all GCC countries.  This is to help students understand economic, social and political developments in our part of the world (the Middle East).  Ahmed making new friends!  Check out this short video of the Singaporeans singing to my students! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXee1Jle0Hc  “One Peope, One Nation, One Singapore!”  My student, Mariam, did a fabulous job presenting information about our university to the group from Singapore.  Here she is receiving a thank you gift!  Here is my other student, Salim, (also receiving a gift) who worked with Mariam on a presentation about Omani culture and university life to the group from SMU.  I couldn’t have picked better representatives!  Shais, on the right, really enjoyed the chance to meet people from Singapore.  Like many of my other students, he now has email buddies from another part of the world!  Osama, Sulaiman, one of the SMU students and Shais bonding outside before the group had to leave.  Mohammed and Mazen listen on as their new friend tells them about how fascinating he found Oman, our university and his new Omani friends!  We couldn’t have picked a better day for a visit as they happened to visit on ”University Day” with a lot of things happening on campus!  For many students, the best part of the visit was taking them on short, private tours around campus and getting to know them better.  Edward, who is currently doing an internship here in Oman, and one of my precious students, Zahran  This picture was designed by my extremely creative and talented student, Osama.  I can’t thank my students enough for volunteering their time and energy to share a part of their lives with the group from Singapore.  They truly acted as great ambassadors of Oman and I am very proud of the hospitality and love they showed.  I am very blessed to have taught such interesting/incredible/bright engineering students this semester!  Life is SO good when you have a job you love!

Anger Management

  (The Hulk at Markaz al Bahja Mall in Muscat, Oman.  Ever feel like THAT?!)  “Be angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down on your wrath.” (Ephesians 4:26)

Looking at that photo I took at one of the malls here in Oman got me thinking about an interesting sermon by Jack Buteyn a while back titled “Anger Management“.  Maybe like me, when you hear the title you think about the hilarious movie starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson.  As funny as the movie is, there is nothing funny about uncontrollable anger that reveals itself occasionally in fits of rage.  As one quote from the movie says, “Temper’s the one thing you can’t get rid of by losing it“.  No one thinks anger expressed in others such as wife-beaters, brawlers and lunatics is acceptable-but are we willing to look at ourselves in the mirror when it comes to matters of anger?  Anger Management is a lucrative industry today.  It seems that like Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We have guided missiles but misguided men“.  The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart!  The sinful nature of man is self-centred, wrathful and misguided.  Contrary to what pop-pyschology tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)  …Anyway, that was not the main point of the sermon, which is that anger, in and of itself, is NOT A SIN!  Ephesians 4:26 reads, “Be angry but do not sin.” Psalm 4:4 says, “In your anger do not sin“.  It is HOW you dwell on or act upon your anger that is the problem.  We often, in our sinful nature, can lose control and BIG TIME!  A famous Christian author, Max Lucado, hits the nail right on the head when he wrote: “Anger. It’s a peculiar yet predictable emotion. It begins as a drop of water. An irritant. A frustration. Nothing big, just an aggravation. Someone gets your parking place. Someone pulls in front of you on the freeway. A waitress is slow and you are in a hurry. The toast burns. Drops of water. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Yet, enough of these seemingly innocent drops of anger and before long you’ve got a bucket full of rage. Walking revenge. Blind bitterness. Unharnessed hatred. We trust no one and bare our teeth at anyone who gets near. We become walking time bombs that, given just the right tension and fear, could explode.  Now, is that any way to live? What good has hatred ever brought? What hope has anger ever created? What problems have ever been resolved by revenge?” (Max Lucad0-”No Wonder They Call Him Savior“)  (Word of Life Bookstore poster in Ruwi)

One quote mentioned during the sermon was the perhaps overly used, “Let go and let God.” In other words, “Let go of your anger/problem/situation and let God take care of the situation in His Sovereign care/justice.”  Again Max explains this well here:  http://maxlucado.com/email/2008/08.17.html  We are called to “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19)  How is YOUR ”anger management” going?!

An Enjoyable Stroll on the Campus of SQU (Sultan Qaboos University)

  Che, Chilin, Mabel and I decided to go check out Sultan Qaboos University in Al-Khoud, Oman, on the outskirts of Muscat.  It is the largest university of Oman, the only national university in the country  and the pride of its people.  This is the clocktower which greets visitors as you enter Gate 1.  There are 4 gates to the university. (This is a photo of a photo actually…) Mabel and Che with the clocktower in the background  This walkway is for females only.  Interesting, isn’t it?!  A closer look at the female walkway sign  Who’s that hiding behind the boat at the Faculty Club?  Flowers everywhere, beautiful architecture, walls adorned with artwork…these 14 photos are just a brief glimpse of the beauty of SQU’s campus.  If you’ve never been there, try to arrange a visit.  It’s quite the place!

Muscat – Certainly Not Lacking in Coffee Shops!

  Costa Coffee at Al Shati, Qurum is one of our favorite coffee-shop hang- outs  Cafe mocha flake (for me) and coffee coolatta (for her)  Life doesn’t get much better than this!  Tracey Mackenzie, Mabel Tang and Mrs. Che Freo Brown turning heads at Al Shati, Qurum  Great place to just kick back and take it easy!  This was taken at the entrance of Dairy Queen, Al Shati.  There are at least 4 coffee shops at this beachside mall: Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Second Cup (and there are more!)   Che and Tracey on another visit in Costa’s  An intimate moment with my honey at Starbucks, Al Noor Plaza  Caribou Coffee is located in Bareeq, Al Shati and is the only coffee shop I know of that has a fireplace in Oman! (Not that you would need it in this heat!)

These are just a few pics of the many places that you can go and enjoy a nice cup of coffee with friends and family in Muscat, Oman!

Scenes from Muttrah Souq / Al Dhalam Souq (“Market of Shades/Darkness”)

Elderly Omani Gentleman or Secret 007 Agent?!

  Nice painting of an elderly Omani gentleman, don’t you think?  Well, I get suspicious whenever I see someone with a cane now after seeing THIS at the Bait Al Zubair museum months ago…  Hmm…no mention if this was ONLY a thing in the past, or if such devices are still in use.  I wonder…   I wonder where I can buy one of these “Asa Bu Skin” canes?!  My name, you ask?!….Just call me “Bond….Andy Bond!”

Beautiful Merchant Houses along the Corniche, Muttrah, Oman

  These buildings are along what is known as “the corniche” area of Muttrah.  In case you didn’t know, corniche comes from French/Italian and means “a road built along a coast and especially along the face of a cliff“.  The projected wooden balconies of these whitewashed houses really give them character.   These merchants’ houses are some of the oldest residential buildings in Oman going back to the 18th century.  They look even more impressive at night with the neon lights highlighting their beauty.  These buildings, near the Al Lawatiya Mosque, were built by the Lawati community who immigrated to Oman from India three centuries ago.  I really love the turquoise blue framework and window shutters on some of these buildings.   This last photo is of the Baranda walkway in front of the Bait Al Baranda Museum.

These photos really don’t do justice to the true beauty of Muttrah and the entire seaside avenue of Muttrah Port.  By far, one of my favorite places in Oman-Muttrah!!!

Looking for a Cheap Hotel in Muscat, Oman?! NASEEM!

  Naseem Hotel is one of the few cheap hotels left for the budget traveler in Muscat, Oman, it seems.  The last I heard they only charge 15RO for a single and 20Ro for a double room.  It is in Muttrah along the corniche.  Great price and great location! Tel: 24712418  Anyone know any other cheap hotel options for people staying in Muscat, Oman?  Qurum Beach Hotel used to be 12 RO a year ago then they moved the price up to 15, then 20 and now 25RO, I believe.  People are always asking for cheap hotels here and I wish I could help them out.  I know the Corniche just down the road from Naseem is also a good deal at a little over 20 rials.  The Marina Hotel (another hotel I stayed in when visiting from Ibri where I lived last year) is also pretty cheap at around 20 rials as well.  Are these 3 hotels in Muttrah the only cheap options in Muscat?

Omani Products: “Be Local. Buy Local.”

  That spiral logo there on the bottom lets people know which products are Omani.  (It spells “Oman” in Arabic!)  I think it’s a nice idea to support the local folk so I thought I’d introduce some of the Omani products available here.  These “milkies candies”, pictured above, are pretty good!  A lot of the Omani food products are connected to Jabal Akhar “Green Mountain”.    Chips Oman! They seemed a bit “spicy” to me when I first tried them out but I have really come to enjoy these chips!  Barka is about 20 minutes from Muscat and is where many of the eggs in Oman come from.  I thought this was a very interesting sign at Carrefoure. (not related but interesting nonetheless!)

So there you have it.  A few interesting “made in Oman” products.  What are some of YOUR favorite Omani products?!

Tokyo Taro – Muscat’s Premiere Japanese Restaurant at the Al Falaj Hotel

   Henry, Che, Ansu and Tracey at the entrance to Tokyo Taro which is on the 8th floor of Al Falaj Hotel  The chef!   Make sure you bring your camera if you come to this authentic Japanese restaurant!  Our good friend, Saeed Al Shibli, was in town as well so he came to visit us at the restaurant  In case you were wondering what the menu is like…  If you like Japanese sake, this is the place to come!

Tokyo Taro is open for lunch Sun-Thurs 12pm-3pm and dinner 7pm-11pm.  On Fridays it’s open for dinner only 7pm-11pm.  Pretty good food here!  Oishi!!!!

A Quick Look Around The Al Falaj Hotel

  This is a unique, relaxed looking portrait of Sultan Qaboos that greets you behind the check-in counter as you enter the Al Falaj Hotel.  I love this painting that is on the ground floor of the hotel as you walk towards the elevator.  It reminds me of Green Mountain (Jabel Akhdar) and the villages along the mountains there.  Beautiful, huh?  This painting of an Omani relaxing is on the right side of the hotel as you walk towards the pool and is just in front of the coffee shop.  The Al Falaj Hotel Coffee Shop  This small model of Muscat Gate is one of several fascinating crystal works of art in the lobby of the Al Falaj.  They are from Green Majan Gifts and can be reached at 99728066/95666166/24779060.  An interesting model of Al Burj, one of the tallest building in the world in Dubai, UAE.  Not sure if you’ve heard this before, but it has the world’s largest cross as part of its design!  How awesome is that?!  For more on that, check out http://www.damasgate.com/vb/t91783/ The architect has answered this claim.  Check it out at:http://www.tomwrightdesign.com/web/tom_wright_links.php  I say that it may not have been his plan but it was HIS plan.

Feeling Cool in the Pool!!! Chillin’ at the Al Falaj Swimming Pool

   A scuba diving instructor training someone while Che, Henry and Ansu stroll by.  Pretty cool that they have the hotel name there on the bottom of the pool.  I never noticed that until now!  Tracey Mackenzie kicking back and enjoying a book in the shade  I can never have enough pictures of my love! 

We had such a fabulous time at the Falaj Hotel!  They charge 2 RO (about $5 US) for use of the pool for the day which is a pretty good deal.  The swimming pool at The Al Falaj Hotel is open Saturday to Thursday, 8am-9:30pm, and Friday, 11:30am-6pm.  You could hang inside all day with the air conditioner on high to escape the heat here…or you could head to the pool!

Scenes of Omani Life Through Stained-Glass

     Anyone recognize these stained-glass windows? Know where they are from?

Celebrating Mother’s Day at the Protestant Church of Oman

  Pastor Peppin preached a wonderful sermon (“Mother Knows Best!“) on the importance of women, especially women of faith who “fear the Lord”.  The key text was Proverbs 31:10-12,23-31.  6:30pm…Preparing for a special skit and song by the ladies of the PCO…  Practising…and here they are singing, “Women of Faith“: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8NAOvAXlkE  We are women, women of faith.  United in God’s love, sisters in grace.  Looking to Jesus, to lead us each day.  We are women, women of faith.  We are bound in love for one another.  We share faith in God.  And we’re committed to each other.  We are sisters in Christ Jesus, desiring to serve.  Leaning on God’s promises, standing on His Word.  Eloise Bosch  and Helma enjoying a moment together before the service.  “O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master, The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung; Where prayer comes first, in peace or in disaster; And praise is natural speech, to every tongue;  Where mountains move, before a faith that’s vaster, And Christ sufficient is for old and young.”

PCO Picnic at Jabel Akhdar

  Friendly Omani police check-up on the bottom of the hill.  They hand you out a safety brochure and make sure that you have a 4X4 for the steep drive.  One of our church friends, Lal, who is from SriLanka  Joshep is also from SriLanka and, like Lal, he attends the PCO Bible study on Tuesday evenings.  Linda Buteyn, Dorine, Nalini and Che!  One quick photo of the picnic we had before driving around the scenic spots of Jabel Akhdar.  Pastor Jack with “the Bruce Willis look”, ha!ha!    Tim having a good laugh!  Life is sweet with Che by my side!  Jess Manglicmot (children/youth/music ministry), Dulari Fernando and Linda Buteyn enjoying fellowship at the picnic   a donkey!

The Beauty of Jabel Akhdar!

  The Green Terraces of Jabel Akhdar  Andy Brown living life on the edge in Oman!  Mr. and Mrs. Andy and Che Brown  this time with the Sayq Plateau in the background  Che at one of the many delightful rest areas at Jabel Akhdar

Jabal Akdhar Hotel

  http://www.jabalakhdharhotel.com.om/  Rates: (inclusive of tax) Single room-37 RO, Double room-50RO, Suite-68RO. To reserve: 25429009/25429223/25429224 or email at jakhotel@omantel.net.om  More shots of this gorgeous dome from my 1st visit here: http://andyinoman.blogspot.com/2008/06/stained-glass-windows-at-jebel-al.html    Che, Dorine and Nalini in front of The Jabal Akhdar Hotel on April 17th, 2009, during the PCO Spring Picnic

“Amazing Love”

  Another wonderful Easter concert with The Muscat Christian Harmony and The Muscat Men’s Chorus  Carina Krough   Vanial Hruaia playing “Amazing Grace” on the violin   The music director, Dr. Dev Ebenezer, doing what he does best  Pastor Jack Buteyn doing a solo-”The Agony” (From Stainer’s Crucifixion)  I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOUR    I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world todayI know that He is living whatever men may say, I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer And just the time I need Him, He’s always near… He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.  Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing; Eternal Hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King; The hope of all who seek Him, The help of all who find, None other is so loving, so good and kind.

“Classical Rendez-Vous” with The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra

The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra held a concert called “Classical Rendezvous” in association with the Royal Embassy of The Netherlands at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel with Conductor Stephen Threlfall and The Storioni Trio of Amsterdam.  Che and I were fortunate enough to get tickets in advance this time.  You really need to get them weeks or months in advance as ROSO tickets sell quickly!!!  (Only 10 RO!)  If you ever come to Muscat and are interested in attending a ROSO concert, call the Box Office at (968)24764000 to find out when the next concert is and who is performing.  This is quite blurry but you are not even supposed to take photos in the auditorium.  They don’t mind (I was told “off the record” by someone in charge…) as long as there is no flash as that would be extremely distracting to the orchestra!   The Al Bustan Palace Hotel at night (taken from the parking lot)  An Indian gardener working on the hedges around the “Oman Auditorium” at Al Bustan  Another quick look at Oman Auditorium from the front  This is Marc Vossen who plays the cello.  He was selling CDs and signing copies for those interested in the lobby after the performance.

About The Storioni Trio: “Wouter Vossen (violin) and Marc Vossen (cello).  The trio derives its name from the Laorentius Storioni violin from Cremona, which dates from 1794 and is played by Wouter Vossen.  Marc Vossen plays a Giovanni Grancino cello from Milan, dating from 1700.  In order to develop its ensemble-playing, the trio has worked over the years with great musicians such as Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovich, Menahem Pressler, and Ralph Kirshbaum, as well as members of the Emerson Quartet and the Vermeer Quartet.

The Storioni Trio offers an expansive repertoire ranging from Haydn and Mozart via Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Ravel and Shostakovich, to exciting works by contemporary composers.  Composer Kevin Volans wrote a triple concerto for the 10th anniversary of the Storioni Trio.  The trio has received various prizes and awards, and performs regularly on radio and television.  The CDs recorded by the Storioni Trio Amsterdam have all received great critical acclaim.   www.storionitrio.com www.storionifestival.com ” (taken from the programme)  My lovely wife, Che, in the Oman Auditorium.  She was patient enough to capture about 11 minutes of this concert while they were performing “Triple Concerto in C major op.56 for Violin, ‘Cello and Piano” by Beethoven.  You can view/hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zPHKCrykfE  “Beethoven wrote this piece for the Archduke Rudolf of Austria, shortly after he had become his pupil.  The piano part therefore is relatively straightforward; the ‘cello and violin parts however are fiendishly difficult, written for artists in the service of the Archduke, the violinist Seidler and the ‘cellist Anton Kraft.  It was probably Beethoven’s intention to provide a showy work for his young pupil, who would only have been in his teens at the time, backed up by two more mature, crack soloists.  The concerto began to take shape in early 1803 and was finished in 1804.” (again, copied from the programme)  For those of you who do not enjoy classical music, this video may be more to your liking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUru7nSyKxQ    Two of my colleagues, Frances Cook (another Canadian) and Jay Butler, (who lives in the same apartment building as Che and I!) enjoying the concert.  It was a pleasant surprise to bump into a great number of people we knew, mostly from church, at the concert.  Che Freo Brown and another look at the auditorium  For further details concerning The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, please contact: Tel: (00968)26892165, Fax:(00968)26894025   We loved the concert and are looking forward to the next one!!!

VUE (Restaurant) by Shannon Bennett at the Al Bustan Palace

  This new French restaurant at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel was started by the globally renowned Australian chef, Shannon Bennett.  We took advantage of a special “pre-concert dinner option” when attending a Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra concert.   This is Bennett’s 1st restaurant opened outside of Australia.  He runs a famous restaurant, Vue de Monde (“View of the World“), in Melbourne.  I would agree that it is “a unique dining concept unlike anything currently available in Oman”…   My gorgeous wife at Vue.  Am I ever blessed!  Yours truly, Andy Brown, living it up at the Vue!  “The focus of the restaurant is largely on degustation style dining. Guests may either choose from a selection of dishes to create their own menu of three, five or seven courses or may leave it in the hands of their waiter to suggest the most suitable dishes for their tastes.” (from asiatraveltips.com)  The appetizer we chose: Petits Calamars.  Some people may not like the idea of eating anything with tentacles, but let me tell you, this was delicious!  This mystery drink, containing mint, I believe, is given between the appetizer and main dish.  The purpose, our waitress told us, is to revitalize the guest before the main dish.  Yes, those are test-tubes…tasty though!  The main dish we went with was “Boeuf Wafyu“.  These portions are tiny, yes, but the idea is to savour each bite.  So…don’t come to this restaurant hungry or 1) you will have to fill up with a Big Mac on the way home, like my friend, Chilin or 2) keep bothering the “bread guy” for more buns as he comes around your table.  ;-)  Frozen kiwi sticks after the main dish  The dessert I enjoyed   Che’s dessert which I was only too happy to help her finish!  Coffee and little treats (including dates and chocolates) that comes with it.

I don’t know if I would recommend this place to any friends as it is quite pricey.  I WOULD, however, recommend taking advantage of their pre-concert dinners (at much lower costs) when attending any Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra concert at the Al Bustan Palace.  If you are interested in knowing more about the restaurants available at Al Bustan, check this website out: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/hotel-features/dining/restaurants/muscat-albustanpalace  Che and I did enjoy our evening here-a uniquely romantic dining experience that was a special memory for us. Tel:(968)24764133  Here’s one last thought to leave you with.  A quote from Shannon Bennett about the uniqueness of Muscat, when asked why he chose Muscat as his 1st restaurant outside of Australia: “Muscat takes my breath away with its natural beauty and culture, and the fact that it has been protected by too much development. I describe Muscat as the desert meeting the sea, with spectacular consequences.”  Oui! Oui! Bien dit, mon ami!

Boatride from the Beach of Bandar Al Jissah to the Sea Arch

  Abdullah, an Omani local, waiting to take those interested out for a boat ride  Abdullah was suddenly all smiles once we agreed to go out on his boat.  The normal price is 3 RO to the sea arch and back.  Abdullah asked 5RO and because we didn’t feel like haggling with an elder gentlemen and we still thought it was so cheap, we agreed.  We were very glad that we decided to take the boat ride out to the sea-arch.  A 3-5 RO price for such a beautiful view of the Muscat coast is well worth it!  If you ever come out to Qantab/Bandar Al Jissah and some locals hit you up for a boat-ride, don’t let the opportunity pass you by.  Say, “Yes”!

The Beach of Bandar al Jissah near Qantab

  A young Omani man deep in thought as he waits for his next passengers out to the sea arch at Bandar Al Jissah  The people walking along the rock cliff of Bandar Al Jissah looked like little ants from the beach  A quiet moment between mother and child

A Study of the Epistle of Jude: The Purity of the Church

  During the past 5 weeks, Pastor Michael Peppin has been leading a small group Bible study on the book of Jude. It has been an incredible study that is relevant to the situation in which the church finds herself today. Here are a few things that we’ve looked at during this study:

Study 1: The Epistle of Jude is largely unknown and seldom read. Only the last 2 verses are used as a benediction. Jude had originally intended to write a doctrinal treatise dwelling on the grand subject of SALVATION but the infiltration of false teachers and immoral persons into Christian circles had become widespread. Jude was constrained by the Holy Spirit to write this letter to warn fellow-believers about this serious threat. Jude’s letter is a call to “CONTEND FOR THE FAITH”. He wants nothing less than purity in the church. So aware of the danger before the church, he offers this warning and that’s why this epistle is called by some as “The Acts of the Apostates”. DATE: Jude is not an early letter. The atmosphere of Jude suggests that it is looking back. So it could have been written around AD67-68, shortly before the fall of Jerusalem. THE AUTHOR: His name is JUDE (or JUDAS). Who is this Jude or Judas? In the New Testament, there are 5 people called Judas: 1)Judas of Damascus (Acts 9:11), 2)Judas Barsabbas (son of encouragement) (Acts 15), 3)Judas Iscariot (the one who betrayed Jesus), 4)Judas (not Iscariot) son of Alphaeus-John 14:22, Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13 and 5)this Jude; the brother of Jesus and James (the one writing this epistle) Matt:13:55, Matt 6:3, John 7. He is a “servant” and the “brother of James”. His readers: They are called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ. The Characteristics of the false teachers: Gained admission secretly, designated, ungodly, pervert “the grace of God” and they deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.

Study 2: This study focused on The Men Concerned . Jude constantly refers to them as “these men” (verses 8,10,12,16 and 19). And because he does not mention names, “these men” appear in all ages of the church. These men are very bold along 2 lines: i) in their “dreaming”, which are often contrary to the Word of God and ii) they defile the flesh. They reject authority (rebellious at heart) and “revile the glorious ones”. There are 3 sins which characterize “these men”: 1)lust, 2)rebelliousness, and 3) irreverence. Anything which is beyond their understanding and experience they disregard as worthless and irrelevant. They allow themselves to be corrupted by the things they do understand. Jude is sarcastic here when he says-“the things they understand are the things that animals understand.” Physically, they became immoral. Intellectually, they became arrogant. Spiritually, they became disobedient to God. 3 Old Testament characters are highlighted (which are in the church today):

1st OT Character: Cain-who was not a man of faith nor a man of love (1 John 3:11-12). John contrasts Cain with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ laid down His life for other people-Cain lays down other peoples’ lives for the sake of himself. Christ is willing to serve others-Cain wants to be served. Christ sacrificed himself for our good-Cain sacrifices us for his good. The way of Cain then is the way of the world. Cain is the man without true faith and true love.

Study 3: The Men Concerned (Continued). These are “blemishes” (or “spots”). Some versions say “reefs” and this is probably right. They are “hidden reefs”. The love feast was one of the earliest features of the Christian church. It was a fellowship meal held on the Lord’s Day. II Peter 2:13 tells us that some were using the love feast to “feed themselves” or “look after themselves”. They are “waterless clouds”. They are empty and an example of useless teaching. “Fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted”. Twice dead-once in trespasses and sins, now dead again, in being cut off from the life-giving root-Jesus Christ. “Wild waves of the sea, casting out the foam of their own shame”. They are “wandering stars”-like shooting stars on a dark night People follow them and then they are suddenly plunged into darkness. These wandering stars have a doom reserved for them. They pretend to be lights, but have gone astray and doom awaits them. So, again, these men are: as dangerous as sunken reefs, selfish as perverted shepherds, useless as rainless clouds, dead as barren trees, dirty as the foaming sea, and doomed as the fallen angels.

The 2nd OT Character: Balaam-Balaam’s error was covetousness. He was warned, yet he ran riotously into the error. (See Numbers 22-24, 31:8,16-17) These are grumblers and malcontents. A grumbler is a dis-satisfied person and gives vent to this by grumbling. Following their own passions, self is all that matters. They are loud-mouthed boasters. “To gain advantage”-their praise of people is not because they are really interested in these peoples’ welfare. It is to exploit them and so they flatter them to gain advantage.

Study 4: The Men Concerned (Continued).

The 3rd OT Character: Korah-Korah was responsible with others for a rebellion against Moses. (Numbers 16:1-35) Korah turned against Moses and Aaron. Korah was a Levite and he stands for the man who refuses to submit to authority. “Remember” is an important word in this epistle as forgetfulness causes spiritual deterioration. “There will be scoffers”-Scoffers are those who see no connection between spirituality and morality. They are devoid of the Spirit. Our faith comes from hearing the truth of God’s Word (Romans 10:17). It is impossible to grow into holiness or Christlikeness without a knowledge of God. So, truth and life always tie up in the Scriptures. There are 2 things we as Christians must do: Battle (vs 3) and Build (vs 20). Not one without the other. How do we build ourselves up in “the most holy faith”? vs 21-“Keep yourselves”-“keep” is the key verb. The other verbs-build, pray and wait-describe or clarify the “keeping”. Jude gives 3 points: 1) Pray in the Holy Spirit (v20). Our warfare is not physical but spiritual and prayer is essential to victory. 2) Keep yourself in the love of God (v21). Jude said that Christians are “kept by Jesus Christ”. That’s the mark of the Christian-You are kept in the hands of God. But here’s the biblical balance-we must “keep ourselves”. How can we keep ourselves in the love of God? That is such an important secret of the Christian life. God’s love is always there-but I am to keep myself in it. 3) Wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (v21). It’s waiting anxiously-to live in eager expectation of Christ’s return. Though we experience mercy now, we are to wait for it to come. Note that all 3 of these verbs are present participles-indicating that these are things that must continuously characterize our lives: Continually building ourselves up in the Scriptures, continually praying in the Spirit and expectantly looking for the return of Christ.   Study 5: Jude’s Compassion (verses 22-25) First, there are those who doubt. Show mercy or compassion and reach out to them. Compassion does not lead to compromise. Second, snatch others from the fire. Third, there are those to whom we must show “mercy mixed with fear” (v23). The focus here is more on the rescuer than the rescued. Jude says to even hate the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Garments in the Bible often represent spiritual conditions. Here’s the warning-when we go out to reach such people, we need to be strong, have our minds alert and have our hearts clean. We are entering Satan’s domain.

Jude’s Confidence: Here’s the confidence-As you look at this world and see it become more and more corrupt, here’s the promise to hold on to. He will keep you from falling and will present you faultless one day. We must watch that we stay close to Him. He can guard us so that we do not stumble. “And to present you”-This is an Old Testament picture of a perfect sacrifice. A sacrifice without blemish. When Jude looks at the church-there is so much to cause fear. Now to them he says, never fear, the battle is won! To God alone be the glory-there is One God and he is Savior. 4 words are used to denote God’s greatness: glory (spendor), majesty (kingly majesty), dominion (control, which God has over the world) and power (His ability to do anything whatsoever). I hope this was a blessing to someone out there. We will continue our next Bible Study on “signs of the times” from Matthew 24-25. With all that’s going on in the world, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate topic! Blessings!!!