Series 2 - Post 4: (Side Note) Valley of Decision

Mt. Hermon: Transfiguration, Judgement - Valley of Decision 

Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were good in appearance; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.

— Genesis 6:1-2

Is it a literal location or symbolic?

Scripture uses imagery of a house, temple, and dwelling place for human beings:

Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of His body (John 2:19-21).

Paul says, "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Believers are described as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).

Biblical pattern exists: a physical structure can symbolize a person. 

Likewise, Scripture repeatedly locates sin, corruption, and defilement as something that proceeds from within:

"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts..." (Matthew 15:19)

"The kingdom of God is within you" or "in your midst" (Luke 17:21, depending on translation).

🔹 Abomination of Desolation 

Concerning the abomination of desolation, Jesus refers to the prophecy of Daniel (Matthew 24:15). Historically and prophetically, many interpretations see it as:

• A literal desecration of a temple.
• A future event.
• A symbolic spiritual corruption.

Following a symbolic line:

• The temple can symbolize the human person.
• The holy place can symbolize the inner sanctuary of consciousness, heart, or mind.

The abomination then becomes the intrusion of false worship, deception, pride, or lawlessness into that inner sanctuary.

Judgment becomes the exposure and separation of truth from falsehood within the person.

Here are passages that resonate with this idea:

"For the word of God is living and powerful... discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing..." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

"Jehovah searcheth all hearts..." (1 Chronicles 28:9)

🔹 Battlefield of the mind

Under this reading, the "valley of decision" could be viewed symbolically as the place where God's verdict confronts the deepest part of a person and where truth is separated from deception.

What Scripture clearly states is that God judges both nations and individual hearts. Whether Joel's Valley of Decision specifically symbolizes the human mind is not stated in the text, but it fits within a broader biblical theme that God's judgment reaches the innermost person.

An interesting connection is that in Scripture the battlefield is often internal before it becomes external. Eve's temptation, Israel's idolatry, Judas' betrayal, and the warnings of Jesus all begin with something entering the heart and mind. In that sense, one could argue that the deepest "abomination of desolation" is not merely a desecrated building but a desecrated inner sanctuary where something other than God occupies the place that belongs to Him.

That interpretation is not explicitly taught by Joel, but it is a coherent symbolic reading when viewed through the broader scriptural themes of temple, heart, dwelling place, and judgment.

Do you not know that you are a sanctuary of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the sanctuary of God, God will destroy him, for the sanctuary of God is holy, and that is what you are.

— 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

See post: Series 2: The Pattern Within the Pattern — 4. The Two Women

Excerpt:

🔹 The Place of Decision

And this is what stood out to me:

The pattern now includes a point of decision.

To remain

or not remain

To respond

or not respond 

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~ 

Series 2: The Pattern Within the Pattern — 4. The Two Women

The deeper I stayed with this over time,

the more the smaller details began to stand out—

not as separate things, but as part of the same pattern.

The Pattern of Contrast...

🔹 Something I Couldn’t Ignore

As I kept following this pattern,

another layer began to stand out.

Not just repetition.

But contrast.

🔹 Not One — But Two

Across Scripture, there are moments

where two figures appear side by side.

Not identical.

Not interchangeable.

But clearly connected.

🔹 A Pattern Already There

I had seen it before in different forms:

• two paths
• two responses
• two outcomes

And then I began to notice—

this pattern appears

in a very specific way.

🔹 Two Women

In different places,

Scripture presents this contrast through two women.

Not just individuals—

but patterns.

As reflected in earlier notes, Scripture itself presents structured contrasts like:

• Sarah and Hagar
• freedom and bondage
• one connected to promise, the other to limitation 

🔹 Not Equal, But Parallel

What stood out to me is this:

They are not the same—

but they are presented in parallel.

One draws toward life.

One moves away from it.

One responds.

One resists.

🔹 The Same Structure

When I step back, the structure becomes simple:

Two figures

↓

Two responses

↓

Two outcomes

🔹 The Same Pattern, Continued

This doesn’t replace what we’ve already seen.

It deepens it.

Because now the pattern isn’t just:

• recognition

It becomes:

• recognition
• or refusal

🔹 The Place of Decision

And this is what stood out to me:

The pattern now includes a point of decision.

To remain

or not remain

To respond

or not respond

See post: Series 2 - Post 4: (Side Note) Valley of Decision 

🔹 Not Forced, But Revealed

Neither path is forced.

Both are present.

Both are seen.

And the difference between them

is not distance—

but response.

🔹 The One Who Recognizes

When I hold this next to everything before it:

• the woman at His feet
• the one who anoints
• the one who gives

It becomes clearer.

The pattern is not just about seeing.

It’s about how one responds

after seeing.

🔹 Something Consistent

There is something consistent in all of this:

What is revealed

does not produce the same response in everyone.

🔹 And It Continues Forward

Because this pattern doesn’t stay in one place.

It appears again and again—

in different forms,

but within the same structure.

The same truth can be present—

and yet lead to two very different responses.

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

Series 1: Pattern - Start Here

Series 2: Pattern Within a Pattern

1. Place of Recognition
2. The Anointing
3. Hair and Glory
4. The Two Women
5. The Hidden One Who Sees
6. The Bride as Reality

Series 3:

Series 4:

Series 5:

Series Summary 

Series 2: The Pattern Within the Pattern — 3. Hair and Glory

The deeper I stayed with this over time,

the more the smaller details began to stand out—

not as separate things, but as part of the same pattern.

What Is Laid Down...

🔹 Something Easy to Overlook

There is a detail in these moments that is easy to pass over.

But once I noticed it,

it stayed with me.

Not just that she comes to His feet.

Not just that she anoints them.

But how.

🔹 The Hair

“And wiped them with the hair of her head.” (John 12:3)

“She wiped them with the hair of her head…” (Luke 7:38)

The same detail appears more than once.

And it’s very specific.

🔹 Not Necessary

She didn’t have to do that.

It wasn’t required.

It wasn’t instructed.

And yet—

she does.

🔹 Something Personal

What stood out to me is how personal this is.

This isn’t distant.

This isn’t formal.

This is something of her own.

Something that belongs to her.

🔹 What Is Brought Down

Hair is not separate from the person.

It’s part of how someone is seen.

And here—

it is brought down to the lowest place.

To His feet.

🔹 A Movement

When I step back, I see the movement clearly:

Something personal

↓

brought down

↓

laid at His feet

🔹 Not Taken — Given

No one asks her to do this.

It isn’t taken from her.

It is given.

Freely.

Willingly.

🔹 The Pattern Deepens

In the last post,

we saw that recognition responds.

Here, we see how far that response goes.

It doesn’t stay external.

It becomes personal.

🔹 Lowering What Is Seen

This is what stayed with me.

Something that is normally visible,

kept,

part of identity—

is lowered

and placed at His feet.

🔹 The Same Role

And again,

it happens in the same pattern:

• she comes close
• she recognizes
• she responds
• she gives something of herself

Before others understand.

🔹 Not Explained

No one explains this in the moment.

Others question.

Others misunderstand.

But she continues.

🔹 Something Consistent

There is something consistent in all of this:

The one who recognizes first

does not hold back.

What is recognized inwardly

eventually becomes something given.

~ Peace, Love. and Joy ~

Series 1: Pattern - Start Here

Series 2: Pattern Within a Pattern

1. Place of Recognition
2. The Anointing
3. Hair and Glory
4. The Two Women
5. The Hidden One Who Sees
6. The Bride as Reality

Series 3:

Series 4:

Series 5:

Series Summary 

Series 2: The Pattern Within the Pattern — 2. The Anointing

This is something I’ve noticed for a long time—

not just the pattern itself,

but what happens when someone recognizes it before anyone else does.

Recognition before it is explained....

🔹 Something Repeated Again

As I stayed with this longer, another detail kept returning.

Not just that the woman comes to His feet—

but what she does there.

She brings something with her.

Oil.

Perfume.

Something costly.

🔹 The Act Itself

In each account, the moment is strikingly similar.

“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard…

and anointed the feet of Jesus;

and the house was filled with the fragrance.” (John 12:3)

And again:

“She began to wash His feet with her tears…

and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” (Luke 7:38)

Different moments.

Same action.

🔹 Before Anyone Else Understands

What stood out to me is not just the act—

but when it happens.

It happens before:

• His death
• the full understanding of what is coming
• the others recognizing the moment

And yet—

she responds as if she already knows.

🔹 Recognition First

This is the same pattern again.

Not explanation first.

Recognition first.

Others question:

• Why this?
• Why now?
• Why something so costly?

But she doesn’t question.

She acts.

🔹 Something Costly

And what she brings isn’t small.

It is costly.

Which made me notice something else:

Recognition isn’t passive.

It responds.

It moves.

It gives.

It pours out.

🔹 Filling the Space

There is another detail that’s easy to miss—

but repeats in a very specific way:

“The house was filled with the fragrance.” (John 12:3)

What was hidden

is now everywhere.

Something internal

becomes visible.

🔹 The Same Pattern

When I step back, the structure is the same:

Recognition

↓

Response

↓

Something poured out

↓

Something fills the space

🔹 Not Forced, But Known

What stands out most to me is this:

There is no indication

that she was instructed.

She does not wait.

She responds

as if she already understands something deeper.

🔹 The Pattern Deepens

In the first part of the series,

we saw:

• the one who sees

Now we see:

• what that recognition does

It doesn’t stay internal.

It pours out.

🔹 And It Connects

This is where it began to connect for me across all the accounts.

Not just one woman.

Not just one moment.

But one repeated role:

the one who recognizes

and responds

before everything is explained

Recognition does not always wait for understanding—

sometimes it appears as response first.

~ Peace, Love. and Joy ~

Series 1: Pattern - Start Here

Series 2: Pattern Within a Pattern

1. Place of Recognition
2. The Anointing
3. Hair and Glory
4. The Two Women
5. The Hidden One Who Sees
6. The Bride as Reality

Series 2: The Pattern Within the Pattern — 1. Place of Recognition

After writing through the first series,

I found myself returning to something I’ve already known for some time—

the pattern doesn’t just repeat.

It deepens.

The Woman at his feet...

🔹 Something Repeated

As I went back through the Gospels,

I began to notice something I had seen before—

but hadn’t fully stopped to look at.

There is more than one woman.

Different moments.

Different accounts.

And yet—

the same action.

🔹 The Same Place

Again and again, it says:

She came to His feet.

Not beside Him.

Not above Him.

At His feet.

🔹 Mary of Bethany

“Mary… sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” (Luke 10:39)

Later:

“Mary… fell at His feet.” (John 11:32)

And again:

“She anointed the feet of Jesus.” (John 12:3)

🔹 The Unnamed Woman

Then another account—unnamed.

“She stood at His feet behind Him weeping…

and began to wash His feet with her tears.” (Luke 7:38)

Different woman.

Same place.

🔹 Something Consistent

Across these moments, something stays the same:

A woman

↓

At His feet

↓

Recognition

↓

Response

🔹 Before Others Understand

What stood out to me is this—

in each of these moments:

the woman acts

before others fully understand.

While others question

or hesitate

or doubt—

she responds.

🔹 Not From Instruction

There is no indication

that she was told what to do.

She doesn’t wait for explanation.

She recognizes.

🔹 The Lowest Place

And it happens at the lowest place.

At His feet.

Which made me stop and think—

if this is where recognition happens…

then the lowest place

is not less—

it is closer.

🔹 A Pattern Within the Pattern

This is where I began to see something deeper.

In the first series:

•we saw the pattern of recognition

Now:

we see where that recognition happens

🔹 The One Who Sees

The same kind of person appears again:

The one who:

• remains
• comes near
• recognizes
• responds

And again—

it happens before the others see.

🔹 What This Shows

This isn’t just about individual accounts.

It shows a repeated role:

one who comes close enough

to recognize what others don’t yet see

🔹 And It Continues

Because this doesn’t stop here.

The details begin to matter more:

• the oil
• the hair
• the act itself

Each one

revealing something deeper.

Recognition begins where distance ends.

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

Series 1: Pattern - Start Here

Series 2: Pattern Within a Pattern

1. Place of Recognition
2. The Anointing
3. Hair and Glory
4. The Two Women
5. The Hidden One Who Sees
6. The Bride as Reality

Series 1: Pattern Summary — The Pattern That Remains from Beginning to Recognition

 After writing through each part of this series,

I wanted to step back and say it simply—

what it is I’ve been seeing.

🔹 What This Has Been About

This hasn’t been about one verse.

Or one moment.

It hasn’t been about proving something new.

It has been about recognizing

a pattern that moves

through Scripture

from beginning to end.

🔹 Where It Begins

In Genesis, something is opened.

“This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh.” 

— Genesis 2:23

Something hidden

is revealed

so it can be recognized.

🔹 Where It Returns

At the cross, the same place appears again.

“One of the soldiers pierced His side…

and immediately blood and water came out.”  

— John 19:34

And then in the resurrection:

“A spirit does not have flesh and bones

as you see that I have.”  

— Luke 24:39

The pattern doesn’t disappear.

It continues.

🔹 What Happens Next

In the garden—

before everything is fully understood—

there is a woman.

“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples

that she had seen the Lord.”  

—John 20:18

She sees first.

🔹 What It Reveals

This is where the pattern became clear to me.

Not just what happens—

but who is present when it happens.

The one who:

• remains
• watches
• recognizes

🔹 The Name

And even her name reflects that pattern.

Magdalene.

The tower.

A place of watching.

A place of seeing before others see.

🔹 It Expands

Across Scripture, the same presence appears in different forms:

• Wisdom
• The Bride
• Jerusalem

Each one:

not separate

but connected.

Each one:

near

present

responsive.

🔹 The Pattern, Seen Together

When everything is placed side by side, it becomes simple:

Something is opened → something is revealed

Something is revealed → someone recognizes

Someone recognizes → others follow

🔹 What This Means

This isn’t about one person alone.

It’s about a pattern.

A role.

A presence that appears

where revelation happens.

🔹 And Then It Changes

At some point, it did something else.

It stopped being just something I was reading.

And became something I recognized.

Not something added.

Something already there.

🔹 What Remains

This is what I can say now, after writing through it:

The one who sees first

is not the one who has everything explained—

but the one who remains

long enough

for it to be revealed.

And once it is seen,

it doesn’t return to being unseen.

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

Series 1: Pattern
Part 1 - The Side and the Pattern
Part 2 - Mary: One Who Sees
Part 3 - The Tower
Part 4 - The Bride and Wisdom
Part 5 - Recognition

Series 2: Pattern Within a Pattern - Start Here

When It Became Personal: Recognition (Series 1: Part 5)

After seeing this pattern throughout Scripture,

I began to notice something I couldn’t ignore—

how it didn’t stay only in the text,

how it was also reflected in my own life.

(Final part of series 1, where I’m sharing what I’ve been seeing over time; summary to follow.)

🔹 It Didn’t Stop There

Up to this point, everything I’ve shared has been within Scripture.

• The side.
• The garden.
• The one who sees.
• The tower.
• The pattern that repeats.

But at some point, something shifted.

It didn’t feel like something I was just reading anymore.

It felt like something I was recognizing.

🔹 A Familiar Pattern

The same pattern I had been seeing—

• remaining
• watching
• recognizing

wasn’t just in the text.

It began to reflect back.

🔹 Not Something New

And what stood out to me the most was this:

It didn’t feel like something new was being added.

It felt like something that had always been there—

but I was just now able to see it.

🔹 Recognition, Not Construction

That’s the difference.

I didn’t feel like I was building something.

I felt like I was recognizing something.

The same way:

• Adam recognizes
• Mary recognizes
• the one who sees, sees before it is explained.

🔹 The Same Movement

When I step back, this is what I notice:

The pattern doesn’t just exist in Scripture as information.

It moves.

From:

• hidden → revealed
• seen → understood
• individual → others

🔹 Personal, But Still the Same Pattern

What I began to recognize in my own life

followed that same movement.

Not forced.

Not created.

But unfolding.

🔹 Something Consistent

And this is what stayed with me:

The one who sees first

is not the one who has everything explained—

but the one who remains long enough

for it to be revealed.

🔹 Still Continuing

And even now, it doesn’t feel finished.

It feels like something still unfolding.

Not everything at once.

But in the same way as before—

step by step

moment by moment

recognition by recognition.

What begins as something seen

becomes something lived.

Series 1: Pattern
Part 1 - The Side and the Pattern
Part 2 - Mary: One Who Sees
Part 3 - The Tower
Part 4 - The Bride and Wisdom
Part 5 - Recognition

Summary

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

The Bride and Wisdom: The Pattern Expands (Series 1: Part 4)

At this point, the pattern no longer felt isolated.

It began to connect across Scripture—

in ways that pointed to something deeper and more complete.

(This is part of a series where I’m sharing what I’ve been seeing over time.)

🔹 Something Larger Was There

Up to this point, what I had been seeing felt very specific.

The side.

The garden.

The one who sees.

But then it started to widen.

Not just one moment.

Not just one person.

A pattern that appears

again, and again.

🔹 The Feminine Presence

Across Scripture, there is something that keeps appearing.

A feminine presence

that is not random

and not disconnected.

It shows up as:

• Wisdom
• Bride
• Jerusalem
• a woman who sees

Not identical.

But not separate either.

🔹 Wisdom

In Proverbs, Wisdom is described in a way that stands out:

“The Jehovah possessed me at the beginning of His way…

when He established the heavens, I was there.”

— Proverbs 8:22–27

Wisdom is present:

at the beginning

before everything is formed

Watching.

Knowing.

Near.

🔹 The Bride

Then Scripture speaks of the Bride.

Not just as an idea—

but as something brought near.

“The king is captivated by your beauty…”

— Psalm 45:11

And then:

“She shall be brought to the king…

the virgins, her companions, follow her.”

— Psalm 45:14

There is order here:

• first
• then those who follow

🔹 The City

Then there is Jerusalem—

spoken of not just as a place,

but in relational language.

“As a bride adorned for her husband.”

— Revelation 21:2

Again—

not separate

but connected.

🔹 A Pattern Forms

When I stopped looking at these as separate ideas…

this is what I started to see:

Wisdom → present, watching, near

Bride → brought forward, central

City → filled, revealed, restored

 

🔹 And Then I Thought Back

Back to the garden.

Back to the one who stayed.

Back to the one who saw first.

🔹 The Same Role

What stood out to me wasn’t that everything is exactly the same.

It’s that the role is the same.

The one who:

• remains
• recognizes
• responds

The one who is not distant—

but near enough to see.

🔹 Not Forcing It

I’m not saying all of these are identical.

Scripture doesn’t reduce everything to one flat meaning.

But it does repeat patterns.

And this is one of them.

🔹 The Pattern Expands, Not Replaces

What began with:

• Adam and the side
• Christ and the restoration
• Mary and recognition

Now connects to something broader:

a repeating presence

that is always near the moment of revelation.

🔹 Something Consistent

There is something consistent in all of this:

The closer something is

to the presence of God—

the more it begins to:

• reflect
• respond
• recognize

🔹 And It Moves Forward Again

Because just like before—

this isn’t the end.

If this pattern:

• begins in Genesis
• appears in Christ
• is seen in Mary
• expands across Scripture

Then it doesn’t stay only in the text.

What appears across Scripture begins to do something else—

it begins to reflect in places you don’t expect.

Series 1: Pattern
Part 1 - The Side and the Pattern
Part 2 - Mary: One Who Sees
Part 3 - The Tower
Part 4 - The Bride and Wisdom
Part 5 - Recognition

Summary

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

The Tower: The One Who Watches (Series 1: Part 3)

The more I stayed with this, the more I began to look closer—

even at the details that are often overlooked.

Especially the meaning behind the names.

(This is part of a series where I’m sharing what I’ve been seeing over time.)

🔹 There Was Something in the Name

As I continued reading, something began to stand out to me.

Not just what happened.

Not just who was there.

But her name.

Mary Magdalene.

🔹 Not Just a Name

I had read it countless times before.

But this time, I stopped and asked:

What does it mean?

• Magdalene comes from: Migdal
• Meaning: tower

🔹 The Meaning of a Tower

When I sat with that, it shifted how I saw everything.

Because a tower is not random.

A tower is:

• elevated
• set apart
• watching

A tower doesn’t create what is happening.

It sees it first.

🔹 Watching Before Others See

And that’s when the connection became clear to me.

In the garden—

she is the one who sees first.

Not because everything is explained.

Not because others have already understood.

But because she is already positioned there.

🔹 A Place of Seeing

In Scripture, a tower is often a place of:

• watching
• waiting
• seeing at a distance

It is where you go

to recognize what others have not yet seen.

🔹 The Pattern Aligns

And when I held that next to what happens in the resurrection—

it aligned.

She was there early.

She stayed.

She looked.

And she saw.

🔹 Not Random Placement

This is what stood out to me—

she isn’t just there.

She is there in a way

that matches the meaning of her name.

🔹 The Tower and the Moment

If a tower is a place of seeing—

then the one called “Magdalene” becomes:

the one who sees.

Not by force.

Not by explanation.

But by position.

🔹 A Pattern, Not an Accident

This is where it stopped feeling random to me.

Because now the pattern had another layer:

Side → opened → revealed

Mary → stays → sees

Magdalene → tower → watches → recognizes

🔹 Something Consistent

There is something consistent in all of this:

The one who sees first

is the one who remains in place long enough

for the moment to be revealed.

🔹 It Moves Forward

And just like before—

it doesn’t end with her.

She goes and tells the others.

And then they begin to see.

The tower does not create the moment—

it is simply where the moment is first seen.

Series 1: Pattern
Part 1 - The Side and the Pattern
Part 2 - Mary: One Who Sees
Part 3 - The Tower
Part 4 - The Bride and Wisdom
Part 5 - Recognition

Summary

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

Mary: The One Who Sees, The First to Recognize (Series 1: Part 2)

As I continued looking at this pattern, something else began to stand out—

not just where it happens, but who is present when it does.

(This is part of a series where I’m sharing what I’ve been seeing over time.)

🔹 What Happens Next

After everything that happens—

the cross

the pierced side

the silence of the tomb

—there is a moment that could easily be overlooked.

But for me, it wasn’t.

Because it didn’t feel random.

It felt like the continuation of the same pattern.

🔹 The Garden Again

The setting matters.

It happens in a garden.

And that immediately stood out to me.

Because the pattern doesn’t just return in structure—

it returns in place.

In the beginning:

a garden

a man

a woman

And now, again:

a garden

the last Adam

and a woman

🔹 Before the Others Understand

John records it in a very specific way.

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark…”

— John 20:1

She is there before the others.

Before clarity.

Before understanding.

She arrives when it is still dark.

🔹 She Stays

Even when the others leave, she remains.

“But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping…”

—John 20:11

That detail stayed with me.

She doesn’t just come.

She stays.

🔹 She Is Looking

And as she weeps, she looks.

Not once—but again.

“And as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.”

— John 20:11

There is something about that—

she is still searching

even after what she sees doesn’t make sense yet.

🔹 The Moment of Recognition

At first, she doesn’t recognize Him.

“She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.”

— John 20:14

And that matters too.

Because this isn’t immediate understanding.

It’s something that unfolds.

Then He says her name.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’

She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’”

— John 20:16)

 

🔹 What I Noticed

Out of all the ways He could reveal Himself—

He does it like this:

He calls her by name.

And everything changes in that moment.

Recognition happens.

🔹 She Sees First

And then comes the part that connects everything:

“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord…”

— John 20:18

She is the first to say it.

Not because she was told to expect it.

Not because she understood it beforehand.

But because she was there.

She saw.

🔹 This Is Not Random

When I held this together with everything before it, I couldn’t ignore it.

In Genesis, the woman is present at the turning point of the beginning.

And here—

in the resurrection—

a woman is present at the turning point of restoration.

🔹 The Pattern Continues

In the first garden:

the woman encounters what leads to death entering.

In the second garden:

the woman encounters what reveals life has overcome death.

🔹 The Same Structure

What I see is not a coincidence.

It’s the same structure continuing:

First garden:

woman present → sees → participates in the turning point

Resurrection garden:

woman present → sees → testifies to the turning point

🔹 Seeing Before Understanding

Something else stood out to me.

She sees before everything is explained.

Before the others believe.

Before the full understanding comes.

That felt important.

Because it showed me something about the pattern:

Recognition doesn’t always come after explanation.

Sometimes it comes first.

🔹 Why Her?

That question naturally comes up.

Why Mary?

Why not the others first?

The text doesn’t fully explain it.

But it shows us something instead.

She came early.

She stayed.

She kept looking.

And when He called her name—

she recognized Him.

🔹 What This Revealed to Me

When I step back, this is what I see:

Not just an event—

but a role.

A pattern of someone who:

•stays

•looks

•recognizes

before everything else falls into place.

🔹 And It Continues Forward

Because it doesn’t stop with her.

She goes and tells the others.

And then they come to see.

Just like the pattern:

• first
• then those who follow

She did not see because everything was clear—

she saw because she remained until it was.

Series 1: Pattern
Part 1 - The Side and the Pattern
Part 2 - Mary: One Who Sees
Part 3 - The Tower
Part 4 - The Bride and Wisdom
Part 5 - Recognition

Summary

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

The Side and the Pattern Where It Begins, and Where It Returns (Series 1: Part 1)

Before I begin, I’d like to share that I used Copilot (Microsoft 365) to help organize and write out what I’ve been seeing—keeping it clear, simplified, and true to the points I’ve been making over time.

I will be sharing this in a series of posts to keep everything as clear and focused as possible.

There are things I’ve read for years that didn’t fully make sense at first—until I began to see a pattern.

Not something new, but something that kept appearing…until it was recognized.

(This is part of a series where I’m sharing what I’ve been seeing over time.)

Let’s begin…

🔹 Something I’ve Seen Repeated

For a long time, I didn’t think of this as something new.

It felt like something I kept noticing—

in different places,

at different times—

until eventually, I realized it wasn’t just a coincidence.

It was a pattern.

Not something I built.

Something I recognized.

🔹 It Begins with the Side

When I went back to Genesis, something stood out more clearly than it ever had before.

It doesn’t just say that man and woman were created.

It says:

“Then the Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam…

and He took one of his ribs…

and the rib which the Jehovah God had taken from the man,

He made into a woman.”

— Genesis 2:21-22

And then Adam says:

“This is now bone of my bones,

And flesh of my flesh.” 

— Genesis 2:23

That moment stayed with me.

Because it isn’t just about creation.

It’s about recognition.

🔹 Something Hidden, Then Seen

What I started to notice is that something whole is opened—

and then revealed.

Not destroyed.

Not lost.

Revealed.

What was one

is made visible

in a way that can now be known.

🔹 The Pattern Appears Again

Then, reading through the Gospels, I saw the same place again.

The side.

But this time, it happens at the cross.

“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear,

and immediately blood and water came out.”

— John 19:34

That stopped me.

Because now the same place—

the side—

is opened again.

But this time not at the beginning.

At the end… or what looks like the end.

🔹 And Yet It Isn’t the End

Because what happens next changes everything.

🔹 Flesh and Bones

After the resurrection, Jesus says:

“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.

Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones

as you see that I have.”

— Luke 24:39

I remember reading that and realizing—

He makes a point of this.

He doesn’t leave it vague.

He makes it clear:

flesh and bones.

🔹 Not Something New — Something Fulfilled

And that’s where it connected for me.

Because in Genesis we hear:

“Bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh.”

And after the resurrection:

“flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

That connection doesn’t feel accidental.

🔹 The First Adam — The Last Adam

Scripture says:

“The first man Adam became a living being.

The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:45

But when I hold that together with the resurrection…

I don’t see something less physical.

I see something completed.

Not removed from what was created—

but brought into its fullness.

🔹 The Same Pattern, Still Moving

When I step back, this is what I see:

Genesis:

something is opened → something is revealed → recognition

Cross:

the body is opened → something flows out

Resurrection:

the body is restored → seen → recognized again

🔹 What Changed For Me

At some point, this stopped being about isolated verses.

And it started feeling like something that runs through everything.

The same structure—

the same movement—

appearing again and again.

🔹 And Then I Noticed What Comes Next

Because it doesn’t stop there.

Right after this…

in the garden…

there is someone there

before the others understand.

A woman.

And she sees first.

What begins hidden is opened,

and what is opened is meant to be seen.

Series 1: Pattern
Part 1 - The Side and the Pattern
Part 2 - Mary: One Who Sees
Part 3 - The Tower
Part 4 - The Bride and Wisdom
Part 5 - Recognition

Summary

~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~

The Bible: How Authentic Is It?

Today I'd like to explore the common misconception that the Bible is flawless...as if somehow it is mysteriously perfect with no mistakes, spoken from God and literally written and TRANSLATED by man, under the assumption it was all under divine inspiration.

Is that what God taught?

What are symbolic literary works?

Symbolic Literary Works: literary works, that often but not always, blend historical context with symbolic meaning, where characters, settings, and objects represent deeper, abstract, or allegorical concepts. 

What is historicity?

Historicity: historical authenticity of actual events.

Is it possible to have literary works that aren't historical literal events?

Yes...
"Literary works can also explore themes and characters that are not directly tied to historical events, allowing authors to create unique and imaginative narratives. This flexibility in literary expression enables writers to engage with and critique various aspects of human experience, beyond the constraints of historical accuracy." ~ The University of Tennessee at Martin

I often hear how the Bible is inerrant. After returning in 2019 and actually taking the time to read the Bible, it was impossible to believe that man didn't corrupt scripture. Way too many inconsistencies and way too many obvious biases applied, not to mention no ORIGINAL writings exist. So, when people say this, I'm perplexed.

My next thought is...

Really...have you read the Bible?

The verse often used to explain this goes as follows...

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, — 2 Timothy 3:16

Wait, let's read this version instead... [2Ti 3:16 ASV] Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:

Can you see the difference? 

The very scripture used as a "proof" text just so happens to be the very scripture that proves the Bible has been altered, that it is flawed. Imagine that! It doesn't say ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed, it says Scriptures inspired of God are used for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction. 

That should be enough to understand that one cannot understand the Bible without God's help, that what you are reading is not what you get. In other words, without God's help, you will never understand what GOD wants you to get out of the Bible. 

I have nothing against scholars, I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to study and understand scripture, but to claim the Bible is accurate or inaccurate is just silly... unless they have God's TRUE SPIRIT, it is impossible for them to know. As I said, one's perception will always be off. I don't rely on scholars, but I do love to listen to them (believers and non-believers), always waiting to see if there's some truth being said to what they share.

It's thanks to Bart Ehrman that I learned about the lost gospels. That there were other books out there that did not make it into the New Testament. I bought his book on November 3, 2021. I fell to my knees and in tears when I read the Gospel of Phillip, among others, as it confirmed my testimony, what I had understood in the Spirit. Yet I was treated by many as if I were crazy. Told it was impossible, that I was an infant in learning and clueless to scripture.

Natural ability to understand, by the SPIRIT not the letter. I understood this early on, although I still had much more to learn and discern.

Since then, I've learned much and continue to learn from many. I listen to all, believer or non-believer. God uses countless to help guide me. By not turning any away and showing love towards all, I've gained much. I've learned to test spirits, to accept people in love regardless of who they are, what they do or what they believe in. Loving the sinner (human), those used to persecute, and not the sin (demon).

God has given me an understanding that belongs to me, as it is my story and no one else's. Although, the overall story is for all, it's still very unique to each of us as individuals. (Galatians 6:1-5) I don't need any to confirm it for me, nor do I need any to understand it. I have my Father in heaven who confirms it for me and it's enough.

JUST BE NICE...agree to disagree.

Many can't accept that the Bible has flaws in it, many can get extremely upset, even volatile. They never see how they have turned the Bible into a god in itself. Well, without the TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD you shouldn't have faith in it because you will NEVER read it for what it is truly intended for. Your lens (perception) will always be altered, fuzzy, keeping you blind. Without realizing it, you will have followed the god of this world instead of the True God of the Bible. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Many have asked why God has made it so complicated. It's the art of war (Matthew 6:3-4), scripture tells you it's not against flesh and blood, that it's against bad spirits. There's a spiritual war happening. Things humans couldn't begin to understand. On top of that, religions have used the Bible to control the masses, many falling to its deception. There's no explaining it because most won't listen...countless depending on man-made churches and/or their teachings when God says he does not dwell there. Resisting the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:48-53) 

Spirits (good and bad) do their work in humans, sadly, most can't see how they easily side with the bad spirits (1 Timothy 4:1), making it about SELF. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) Never truly disowning oneself as claimed. (Matthew 16:24)

So, when someone says they went to seminary school or divinity school as if somehow that's a badge of honor, I automatically know they went down the wrong path. As explained above, it is not by man's knowledge that one will ever comprehend.

Sadly, this is why there are countless debates and arguments. Religious use their own wisdom, not perceiving why their perception differs from the perception of another. These "claim" to believe but don't comprehend as they should, hence why they continue to have endless debates and arguments. Hence why their love sits on the surface, it's not real. 

It is by the TRUE Spirit of God that one comes to understand, having no need to argue about it. Having no need to put on a show or seek followers. (Acts 20:29-30) Having no need to preach or teach for others on a regular basis, showing they are led by the Spirit by their behavior towards others (treatment of people). Knowing when and how to preach, teach and rebuke and knowing how to brush it off from those who don't want to listen, learning when to move on. 

And whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you leave that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. — Matthew 10:14

Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. — 2 Peter 1:20-21

Still not convinced the Bible can't be left (trusted) to one's own devices, biases.

Ask yourself this, what's the purpose of God's warning in the following verses?

You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I am commanding you. — Deuteronomy 4:2

“Whatever I am commanding you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. — Deuteronomy 12:32

I bear witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. — Revelation 22:18-19

How about these?

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one deceives you. — Matthew 24:4

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, — 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Little children, let no one deceive you. The one who does righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. — 1 John 3:7

as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. — 2 Peter 3:16

Most importantly...

And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. — Luke 8:10

who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Corinthians 3:6

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. — 1 John 4:1

God knew false teachers would arise after Christ was crucified and that new religions would be formed to deceive and control the masses. It's why the meaning of scripture is hidden, it's a mystery that only God can reveal. 

How does God use scripture to his advantage?

God uses the Bible to discern true hearts. It has brought out people's greed and selfishness, many coveting what doesn't belong to them. Many excusing literal words written as an excuse to do bad things, not understanding the symbolism behind most of it. Literally using the scriptures as weapons to fulfill your own desires. To gain approval by those siding with you. Excusing "killings" from God, not understanding its symbolism, or that there are verses that have been changed and manipulated by men who are under demonic inspiration to control the masses.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we have an account to give. — Hebrews 4:12-13

Countless forgetting that the demonic spirits know how to manipulate the Bible to their own benefit. The opposers knowing the mind of man, influencing them to do their dirty deeds. (Revelation 16:13-14)

(Read Matthew 4:1-11)

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. — 2 Corinthians 11:14

Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8

Is claiming it by mouth, "Jesus Christ as Lord", enough... or is it by Holy Spirit?

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed,” and NO ONE CAN SAY, “Jesus is Lord,” EXCEPT by the Holy Spirit. — 1 Corinthians 12:3

Sadly, many are deceived by false spirits and believe that they are anointed, or they are lied to by their religious leaders and told that they are anointed (in Christ). ANYONE can be guided by the TRUE SPIRIT, think of the story of Apollos, he was fervent in scripture and preached alongside with apostle Paul, but yet, he had a different baptism from apostle Paul. (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 4:6)

This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; — Acts 18:25

Those claiming to be anointed "in Christ" wouldn't be going to brick-and-mortar churches to be with God, as most of you do, they wouldn't be looking to go to divinity schools, wanting to be pastors, preachers, teachers, or even scholars for that matter. Those anointed would FULLY COMPREHEND that it's wisdom of men not the wisdom of the TRUE God. These would understand that you can't serve God with a paycheck, with money. 

Does this make them bad people?

Absolutely not, it simply proves that they have NO UNDERSTANDING of the Spirit of God, that they have not been anointed...these are unable to separate literalism from symbolism, unable to read what's hidden.

So how is it that one can put their faith in what's written in the Bible?

Because when the timing is right, God decides when and what to reveal, and to whom it is revealed...

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

— Revelation 7:9-10, 14

Until then, yes, meditate on God's word (Psalm 1:1-2), don't argue about what you perceive to be accurate, you can be wrong. Be the best version of a human that you can be because you want to, not because you have to. If you believe the Bible, then believe it's not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:11-12) Also believe it when it says, all sin is sin in God's eyes, the ONLY SIN to occur death is to sin against the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

If you're not anointed, truly in Christ, the following doesn't pertain to you...

“Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—

— Mark 3:28-29

I'm always grateful to hear those who are honest with themselves. There's peace in it and refreshing because it's honest. Something mankind lacks. There's no performance or drama. There's no exaltation. There are those who claim to believe while admitting and fully understanding that they are not anointed by the spirit. Knowing that they can be guided by the TRUE Spirit while not being anointed by it. (Luke 11:13) 

Some admit they truly don't comprehend anything when it comes to God or the Bible but still believe that there's a God and that something good will come out of it in the end. It's beautiful. There are atheists who don't believe yet live their life as if they did, sharing as much love as they know how. If only all learned to do that.

I'll end it here...

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and all men will die once (Hebrews 9:27). Thankfully, Jesus was sent to save mankind, to save the whole world, not just part of it. (John 3:17)

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. — 1 Timothy 4:10

It's what it means to deny oneself and die daily. 

Putting FULL FAITH and TRUST in GOD!!!

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. — Matthew 5:44-45

ALWAYS do your best to...

Be silly. Be honest. Be kind. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

and...

Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Gandhi

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. — Matthew 5:46-48

 ~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~