Questioning the Queries Again

Pickled eggs are still way out in front as the most frequent subject of search queries that lead people to this site. There are many searches for just plain pickled eggs, more specific searches for easy pickled eggs from pickle juice, a couple of searches for love pickled eggs (pickled egg fans, I suppose), and one search from a pickled egg fanatic: pickled eggs that’s all I eat. One can only hope that’s hyperbole.

 

The last time I listed my top search queries, chicken related searches were the second most common. This time, however, chicken searches have dropped right off the chart and have been replaced by diva searches. Not just diva alone, but diva and scripture, as in several for scripture reference for diva and one for What does DIVA stand for scriptural?.  I don’t have a clue what those are about, but it must be something. What do the initials DIVA stand for? I thought perhaps it was a referrance to a word in the original languages, but I’m coming up blank there, too. Any ideas?

 

And while I’m asking questions, why did the chicken drop off the chart?

Update on Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 3:31PM by rebecca

Brandon found the source of the DIVA and scripture queries.  See for yourself.  It comes from a book by Michelle McKinney Hammond called The DIVA principle:  Secrets to Divine Inspiration for Victorious Attitude.

From the book blurb:

Divine Inspiration for a Victorious Attitude…

In her newest offering, bestselling author Michelle McKinney Hammond serves up all the details on how to get and keep a victorious attitude that will set readers apart and give them their own unique style.

With her tell–it–like–it–is approach, Michelle helps women explore the beauty and power of their inner self with expert tips on how to…

• get their act together—emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically
• be the queen of their domain
• make a man sit up and take notice

Drawing examples from some of the Bible’s great divas such as Deborah, and translating them into everyday practical principles for living, Michelle shows readers how to excel in every area of life whether young or old, single or married by mastering the art of diva–tude!

Whoo boy!  Now there’s a book I won’t be reading. 

What are the special privileges of the visible church?

The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government;[1] of being protected and preserved in all ages, not withstanding the opposition of all enemies;[2] and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation,[3] and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved,[4] and excluding none that will come unto him.[5]

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Purposes of Christ's Death: Hebrews 9:15

This is another reposting from a series of posts examining the statements of purpose that scripture gives us regarding the death of Christ. You can find the other posts from this series by clicking on the purposes of Christ’s death label at the end of this post.

Next up in our list of purpose statements is the one in Hebrews 9:15:

For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were {committed} under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NASB)

This verse is similar to the text we looked at in the post on Galatians 3:13-14, and I considered grouping the two texts together, but since I think there are a couple of new things added here, I decided this text is worthy of it’s own post.

So what is the purpose statement in this verse? When we see the phrase “For this reason,” we automatically think this must be pointing out a purpose statement. However, there is a real possibility that this phrase is looking backward rather than forward, showing the connection between this verse and the one before it. If so, then “for this reason” means “because of this” instead of “for this purpose,” and it is saying that because of the death of Christ mentioned in the previous verse, Christ is the mediator of the new covenant. The ESV translates to show the connection this way.

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

But even if we don’t take “for this reason” to be a purpose statement, there is still a purpose statement here: so that…those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Christ is the mediator of a new covenant through His death, so that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

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