Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Different
Matthew 7:13 "Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it "
When I was a young I remember really wanting to be accepted by the crowd. I remember wanting to fit in so badly. I moved constantly as a girl. I was always making new friends and then saying "goodbye" to them a short time later. The friends I did make, in some places, I can barely remember now. Their faces are just a blur as if the memory is likened to a being in a speeding car and trying to focus on small objects on the side of the road. People were not in my life long enough to hold a secure spot in my memory. This is sad to me. I wish I could remember them all, but I can't. I lived in some places for as little as 4 months and met countless people. I made little to no connections as a child to many people outside of my immediate family for any length of time.
It takes a while for the "new kid" to fit in and sometimes, in some cities we moved to, I just didn't. My childhood is filled with memories of being rejected because I came from somewhere different, had the wrong clothes, the wrong shoes, the wrong hair, my skin was the wrong color, I didn't know the right people or whatever. Kids can be very cruel, especially to "outsiders." The quickly accumulating wounds deep inside my soul made me a target for others seeking to find acceptance themselves by tearing the "weak" down. I was the new kid, I was a target, I was weak. For a while, I was torn down.
I remember living in a small Wyoming town one summer. We lived seven miles outside the town in a small subdivision. I was still "the new girl" and the only friend I had in world was my dog. With my dog beside me, I lay on the grass in my backyard staring up at the clouds and feeling very small and very alone. That is when I had a strange sense that someone was there. I couldn't "see" anyone, but I felt it. I knew at that moment I wasn't alone. I had a very strong awareness that it was Him. I knew in my heart that there was a God and that where ever I went He would be with me. I knew nothing about the Bible. I knew nothing of Christianity or religion. I knew very little about church or religious organizations. All I knew was that one moment I had felt desperately alone and not alone the next. That was a profound, life altering experience and I will never forget it.
Despite that experience, naturally, I still deeply desired companionship with those that "had skin on". The volume of insecurity inside me drowned out the small, still voice assuring me of my security in Him. Unfortunately, I would seek relationships throughout my high school and young adult years with the wrong individuals and suffer greatly for the choices I would make to "fit in". I would compromise those things I knew deep inside to be wrong, to be accepted. I had fun at the time, but the path I ended up on was very self destructive and proved to be very costly to me. The self inflicted wounds to my soul healed eventually, but scars remained as a profound reminder of the cost of trying to "fit in" and be a part of the crowd or should I say "system." I had chosen the wide way rather than the narrow way I thought to avoid further pain and rejection, but my harvest was self destruction and nearly, in my case, complete destruction in both the physical and spiritual realm.
I was saved from destruction when I came to the end of myself, my way, my imagined self sufficiency, my plan, my agenda and any fantasy of control I might have entertained. It was at that time that I surrendered my life to Him, to Who I know today as Yahshua Ha'Mashiach, whom you might call Jesus Christ.
In many ways those experiences were a "teacher" to me. At the time I thought to be a very cruel teacher, but none the less, the lessons learned are very good ones. Now, to where He has brought me in my life today, I don't see that teacher as cruel at all. I see those lessons as merciful, kind and good. I see them as preparation for what is happening now, in the everyday struggle to live a "set apart" or "holy" life and what will happen in the future as the way grows more and more narrow.
John 16:1 "I have told you these things so that you won't be caught by surprise. 2 They will ban you from the synagogue; in fact, the time will come when anyone who kills you will think he is serving God! 3 They will do these things because they have understood neither the Father nor me.
To live a "set apart" or "holy" life means being really different. It means not doing things the way everyone else is doing them. Rejecting the "ways" of the world while not rejecting people is a bit of a tightrope. It means making difficult choices and acting on those choices. It involves being respectful and kind when you are insulted and criticized for those choices. It means being "a joke" in the eyes of the world and managing to smile and still extend a kind hand in the face of mocking. In being different, and in living our lives in a "called out" way the number of those who choose to be around around us will naturally grow smaller and smaller. This walk isn't for everyone and some see obedience to His Word as strange or bizarre so they distance themselves. Some see obedience to His Word as too much of a sacrifice for them. They are not ready or willing to stop doing things their way and do things His way and you, in your pursuit to be "set apart", become an uncomfortable conviction of their spiritual state. Some folks just really love the "world", it's system and are oblivious to the obvious emptiness of it.
John 16:33 "I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you have tsuris. But be brave! I have conquered the world!"
Tsuris is trouble, woe and grief. I feel a strange comfort, but at the same time an uncomfortable soberness that Yahshua faced rejection, mocking and loneliness.....just like we do.....but worse. I don't think pain is unavoidable walking even close to the path He walked and I think anyone that tells you different is preaching some Else's story, not found in His Word at all. At the core of that statement is a harsh reality of what fallacy is being taught in this day in age. This walk "costs". Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If it doesn't then search that out carefully and find out why.
We must be brave as He was brave. We must take comfort that although the world will reject us, He has accepted us! The eternal glory outweighs the temporal, even if moments come that we don't "feel" that way. The Truth is simply the Truth. In this season, many of us that have chosen to pursue deeper understanding of scripture have chosen to make decisions that are very different from those that are "culturally" acceptable because of our deep love for Him and desire to be obedient. This will isolate us from the world and make us "different". Take comfort that you are not the only one experiencing this. Though we are scattered right now the time will come that he will gather us all to Himself. The memory of any pain likened to the blurred objects on the side of the road seen from a speeding car. Blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away."
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Pistachio Ice Cream
1Corinthians 12:11-20 But one and the same Spirit works all these, distributing to each one individually as He intends. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is the Messiah. For indeed by one Spirit we were all immersed into one body, whether Yehuḏim or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink into one Spirit. For indeed the body is not one member but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” does it therefore not belong to the body? And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” does it therefore not belong to the body? If all the body was an eye, where would be the hearing? If all hearing, where would be the smelling? But now Elohim has set the members, each one of them, in the body, even as He pleased. And if they all had been one member, where would the body be? And now, there are indeed many members, but one body.
In 2007, the morning of my husbands birthday, I was preparing breakfast for my two youngest children. I was trying hard to keep them quiet. I really wanted them to sleep late and not disturb their father. However, they are both early risers, were very little and very noisy and my hope was that getting them busy eating breakfast would occupy them so that they would remain quite in hopes my husband could get some well deserved rest on his birthday. My husband has frequently worked odd shifts and has always worked very hard. I so wanted to give him an opportunity to rest! I was rushing to accomplish my goal of keeping the house quiet. I reached up to get a bowl out of the cupboard. One of the glass bowls, next to others began to topple. It had a crack in it that I did not realize was there. Soon it was falling and out of instinct I reached up to catch it before it hit the tile floor. The bowl broke on my hand, mostly severing my left pinkie finger. Instead of sleeping late, my husband was soon racing me to the emergency room so that the artery in my finger could be repaired and I would not bleed to death. Dramatic huh? I didn't even begin to think that my day would turn out that way. My plan to make my husbands birthday a special and relaxing one did not work out very well. I had a devastating injury to my finger and hand. Besides being in extreme pain, I was really frustrated that life had thrown me one big curve ball. During this time in my life Father would show me how much He truly was my Provider and all I needed.
I would face a difficult rehabilitation period. At the time my business required me to work with my hands, so obviously my income was gone until I recovered. My injury was fairly severe and the doctor was unable to repair the tendon or nerves completely although thankfully he was able to reattach the finger. Today, I have little to no feeling in my finger and cannot straighten it, but it is attached and for that I am grateful. I did go back to work in 8 weeks, even though my physician attempted to discourage me. I was extremely determined to continue to work. With grateful smiles, I let his negative rambling go in one ear and out the other. He was a good surgeon, but a very poor cheerleader and I was resolute to not let his warnings take root in my mind or in my heart. On top of all that, we were weeks away from adopting our two youngest children, whom we had fostered for almost two years. A loss in income would not look good to the committee considering our petition to adopt the kids. My world, in just a few hours, looked very different than it had before. All this from one little member becoming detached from my body. Amazing.
During my rehabilitation I found out what it was like to do everyday tasks without any involvement from my left hand as I was in a cast up to my elbow. Zipping zippers was the worst and would take me anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour in the beginning. Changing the diapers of a wiggly toddler was an incredible challenge. Washing dishes took hours. Washing my hair was very slow and difficult and required, embarrassingly, assistance. Driving carpool, though possible, was a challenge. At the time, although I had some very special individuals willing to help me, I needed to learn how to function and I tried to limit their involvement as much as possible in hopes of accomplishing my goals independently. It was very, very hard. Especially for someone as independent as myself.
I recall this story, not to gross you out or gain any kind of sympathy, but to make a point of how devastating it is to a body to lose a member. I have been part of three church catastrophes and have seen all sorts of devastation and loss within the body of Messiah. I have seen the "little ones" run out of the back of the fellowship devastated that their leader has fallen morally. I have seen brother against brother, sister against sister and new fellowships spring up built entirely on offense. I have been part of the "house church" movement where all that is discussed is how upset they are with the corporate church. The Word of God is rarely even brought up. Sure, we learn to function without everyone present, but I ask, is it really supposed to be that way? Is this what Messiah is coming back for? His body strewn all over the place and in pieces? The hand not working with the ear and the foot ticked off at the eye? The knee fully opposed to the elbow? The mouth shouting out insults to the shoulder. I happen to know from personal experience what it is like to loose an actual member of my physical body and many times I think how wonderful it would have been to just let that dish drop and shatter rather than catch it and lose my finger. Some things are just not worth catching. And I suppose ....some are. Though, dare I say, far less less than one would imagine.
My dear family. The time is approaching that so much of what we consider important is going to pale in comparison to what really is. We need each other. Is it OK to agree to disagree? Is it OK to love your brother when you don't see eye to eye? It better be. If we are truly seeking to follow the Torah do we not have enough, individually, to focus on ourselves? In doing so, focusing on our own growth, our own walk with Messiah, we set a wonderful example to others and with the involvement of the Ruach Ha'Kodesh, the Holy Spirit, they will be motivated to examine their own hearts if they truly want to please Elohim.
Since I have been seeking to understand my Hebrew Roots all sorts of wonderful things have happened. My family has come into order as has my marriage. I also feel a confidence to correctly discern many things. Things that are not of Him do not intimidate me anymore because I better understand what is of Him and what is not. I am not perfect, and I continually work towards growth in Messiah, but none the less, I have the sincere illumination of the Word to evaluate all sorts of men's doctrine and teaching and that is more than sufficient to make a decent judgement. I don't need to follow any crowd or a trend. I follow my Savior and that is enough. I don't feel the need for everyone to agree with me and I don't get offended when they don't. This to me is a valuable characteristic of true freedom. I am so grateful to be here and I know that He is not done with me, thankfully.
Focus needs to be given on what we as a Body, the Body of Messiah, can accomplish. Time grows short my family. This is more crucial than ever before.
Some people like Vanilla Ice Cream. Some people like Chocolate. Some people like Pistachio. I personally love Pistachio. Really anything with nuts! I don't eat a lot of ice cream because I am kind of a health nut (long story), but if I was going to eat any ice cream in the world, it would be Pistachio! We all have giftings and personal tastes and as long as those giftings and personal tastes do not oppose His Word they should be allowed to flourish within the body. If I am a foot I may not grip something as a hand does, but does that make the hand wrong or flawed? No, it is just a hand and it has it's unique, important role. Appreciate it's role in the Body of Messiah! It is just silly to criticize a hand for being a hand as it is to chastise a foot for being a foot!
Don't run away or stay home when the body doesn't behave as it should. Stick around and be an example so that it may line up with the Word of Elohim. The body will imitate what self differentiates and is bold in it's execution of the Word if it is truly the Body of Messiah. Don't grow discouraged family when folks don't think your way is the best. Flexibility on non doctrinal issues is a hallmark of maturity and wisdom. Conversely, take a stand on issues that are eternal, life giving and essential. In other words, deal with what really matters but let the old worthless bowl hit the floor and shatter lest it take a member with it!
I hope my simple stories help you in some way. I hope they encourage you and strengthen you for the coming days. They won't be easy. Let's stick together, okay?! Thank you Mishpocha, for being my Mishpocha, my family. I am so grateful for you!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Blind Man and the Elephant
by John Godfrey Saxe
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant
(Though each of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satify his mind.
The First approched the elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl;
"God bless me! but the elephant
Is nothing but a wall!"
The second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried: "Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear!"
The Third approached the animal
And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus bodly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the elephant
Is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he,
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
MORAL.
So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
I read this poem tonight to my eight year old son. I happened to turn to it by accident. Or was it an accident? I don't know. Anyway, it was interesting to me because lately I look around and see that many believe they have stumbled upon all the answers, or most of them. However, I contend that we all have a certain amount of blindness, especially in matters related to God and what we believe about Him, who He is and what pleases Him. We tend to have our own opinions and have no problem expressing them as doctrinal, even if scripture doesn't always support our views. Perhaps we have to stretch a bit to form whatever conclusion we might have come to but that doesn't seem to slow our enthusiasm at all. We take those liberties and more. I sincerely and humbly believe that this is a dangerous position. I think back to some of the doctrinal and theological acrobatics, yet thoroughly popular stances I learned and was taught to perform and I feel a sense of embarrassment and sadness over taking such leaps. I believed what I heard, not always what I read or studied out thoroughly in His Word. This was not a good move. I can't take that back now, but I can try to get the word out.....His Word out, not mine. I can do what I can to share with whoever will give ear to hear to be sure, very sure about what we speak in the name of Elohim, before it proceeds from our lips.
Honestly, "I don't know", are some of the most refreshing three words I ever hear anymore. They are honest words. Those same words used to put me in a panic in regards to my faith, but now I appreciate the transparency. Although I am continually searching for more truth in His Word and am very eager to be shown scripture to come into more understanding, I prefer someone tell me they don't have the answers rather than present personal "ideas" or conclusions they have come to or heard from others. (Mat. 15:7)
I always told my older children the "Brownie Story" when they were little and I tell it to my younger children now. Do you know the one I am talking about? A father was dealing with his children's desire to watch a movie he believed to be inappropriate. His children pleaded expressing that the movie only had a "little" bad stuff in it. He prepared some brownie batter and had his children fetch a small amount of dog excrement and proceeded to put it in the brownie batter and bake brownies. Was it any surprise that none of the children wanted to eat the brownies when they came out of the oven? "But", the father exclaimed, "they only contain a 'little' bad stuff!" I probably tell that story too much as it gets a little rolling of eyes when it is brought up in my house, but the lesson is powerful. It only takes a little inaccuracy, a little untruth, a little sin, a wrong attitude, an agenda....you name it.... to defile something as pure, righteous and Holy as Elohim's Word. Our words, our hearts, our minds are capable of that! Should we not be extra cautious in how we handle something so valuable?
I am in the process of learning that my perceptions or interpretations are not always correct. I should only be 100% convinced that they are accurate when all scripture supports my conclusions and not just something taken out of context to support an emotion I might be feeling. My feelings should be the last measure of what truth is as they are part of my corrupted flesh. In fact, quite frequently, what is true and pure will be completely opposed to what I am feeling at the time. It will challenge me and cause me to die to myself! This is not easy, but His Word is a sword and it doesn't "feel" good when it is doing it's job. (Eph. 6:17)
So often, we, myself included, can stumble upon something we believe to be the whole truth, when in reality it is only a small picture of the whole. We can be very sincere about it just like the blind men. We will argue to no end about it and become very offended if we are challenged. We are all, to some degree, blind. It is only His Word that can lead us into His truth and only by way of a broken and contrite heart. That heart, the broken and contrite one, is the only fertile soil for the seed of His Word to produce fruit therein. Not that we need to go around beating ourselves or calling ourselves worms or anything. We just need to be humble and teachable and willing to examine our hearts. There is way too much time spent on pointing out what everyone else is doing incorrectly rather than focusing on getting it right ourselves! I don't know about you, but walking out my own walk with the Father and learning to grow up in Him, for me, personally, takes a lot of time and focus on His Word and coming before Him in prayer. If I am busy examining your faults I am probably missing many or most of my own.
This Psalm was written by David after his sin with Bathsheba. None the less I believe it is accurate anytime we have incorrect ideas about Him or speak inaccuracies regarding His Word. If our words commit unfaithfulness to Him by misrepresenting Him we need to repent of that and allow Him to cleanse and renew us. This may not apply to you but if He has touched your heart in this area, as He has mine, pray this prayer contained in this Psalm with me:
Psalm 51
1 For the leader. A psalm of David, when Natan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bat-Sheva: God, in your grace, have mercy on me; in your great compassion, blot out my crimes. 2 Wash me completely from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my crimes, my sin confronts me all the time. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil from your perspective; so that you are right in accusing me and justified in passing sentence. 5 True, I was born guilty, was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 Still, you want truth in the inner person; so make me know wisdom in my inmost heart. 7 Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, so that the bones you crushed can rejoice. 9 Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my crimes. 10 Create in me a clean heart, God; renew in me a resolute spirit. 11 Don't thrust me away from your presence, don't take your Ruach Kodesh away from me. 12 Restore my joy in your salvation, and let a willing spirit uphold me. 13 Then I will teach the wicked your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Rescue me from the guilt of shedding blood, God, God of my salvation! Then my tongue will sing about your righteousness 15 Adonai, open my lips; then my mouth will praise you. 16 For you don't want sacrifices, or I would give them; you don't take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God, you won't spurn a broken, chastened heart. 18 In your good pleasure, make Tziyon prosper; rebuild the walls of Yerushalayim. 19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then they will offer bulls on your altar.
So be it.
Much love and blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua,
More than a Conqueror
Monday, September 19, 2011
To Torah or Not to Torah (That is the Question), Mark David Smith on Nazarene Radio
My friend Mark David Smith has a new radio show on The Nazarene Radio Network. Check out his first episode!
Listen to internet radio with The Nazarene Radio Network on Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Above it All
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Sometimes my mind wanders when I drive long distances. Does that happen to you too? I frequently pray in the car. With a house full of four kids and a busy life it just works out that the car is often the only quiet place to pray.
Sometimes though, I have no words. I am truly at a loss for words, and I can do nothing but just praise Him. This was one of those days. This was one of those journeys. I found myself in complete awe of Him. So much so that simple words and simple prayers, would not come to me. The realization that my Abba, Creator of the vast universe, my King, my Savior, my mighty Elohim is interested in connecting with very small me, became very overwhelming in that moment. My eyes grew hot and salty tears threatened to flood onto my cheeks in response. I found myself thinking about how really good He is and how the word "good" doesn’t even begin to describe Him. His beautiful creation, before me, conquered my senses and I could think of nothing else but Him.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
On this journey of the life He so graciously given me He has shown me many things and I know, with much gratitude, that He isn’t finished. That fact, that He is not done, isn’t lost on me and it fills my heart with hope. Especially on those days when I catch a glimpse in the mirror of the image of my soul and know that quite honestly I still need a lot of work! In this life there have been difficult times, sorrowful times, happy days, periods of sheer elation and joy, and moments of confusion, disillusionment and disappointment, to name a few. He hasn’t failed to show up and be near in any of them and I know He never will leave me nor forsake me. He is faithful. He is able to be above it all. Even if sometimes I am not. In my heart I know that these experiences are opportunities, allowed by Him and they are provided to cause us grow, mature and reach the potential He has put in all of us. Honestly, I wouldn’t ask for many of these hurdles, but none the less I am grateful for them if they exist to create in me the possibility of being more like Him and knowing Him in a deeper and more intimate way.
I was thinking about how truly small we are and how so much of the time we become entangled in all the nonsense of this earth. There is so much that tries to keep us down and it is very tempting to let it. Much of it is really small stuff. We don’t see the "quick sand" ahead and before we know it we’ve stepped in it! I imagine His view, looking at us all here on earth. We must appear so silly and rather comical sometimes. We fight, we strive, we struggle and we contend with Him and one another. Our struggles cause us to sink deeper and the mud rises up to our eyeballs. It just isn’t our fleshly nature to be still and call out to Him or to be patient and wait on Him to pull us out of our mess.
What is life, really? It is just a small season in all of eternity in which you and myself exist. A small blip on the radar. We only get one blip, yet we fail to rise above the rubbish so much of the time. Thankfully, sometimes we pass the test. Those are really good days. Don’t you think? I really desire more days like that!
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Do you remember when those bracelets were all the rage? You know, the ones with WWJD on them. They were supposed to remind believers to do what Jesus did. Or more accurately what Yahshua did when He walked the earth. I don’t think we need to look at a bracelet to remember what He did. The earth testifies to what He did and is doing. The earth, His creation, is groaning and crying out now as a woman in labor and experiencing birth pains for a time soon to come. I believe that possibly some of us will see this time in our lifetime. When I think of that I am excited and thrilled. Really so little actually matters when you look at the big picture He has for us. How marvelous is the hope we have of an eternity spent with Him!
Like the clouds resting in the robins egg blue sky He is above it all. He doesn’t get tired nor does He grow weary. He isn’t struggling, striving or fighting with anyone. Even when we find ourselves entangled in difficulties, He is right there with us, hand extended waiting for us to reach up and grasp His. If we put our hope in Him we will be above it all too and we will soar like eagles! Praise Yahweh!
Isaiah 40
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Many blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua. More than a conqueror.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Staff Interview on Messianic Lifestyles and One New Audio Magazine Article
Messianic Lifestyles is an audio on-line magazine that expores what living life Torah style is all about through the eyes of the diverse people living it. I recently joined as a staff producer. Check out my staff interview at Messianic Lifestyles and also an additional new article posted today just under it. All Glory to YHVH!
Many blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua
More than a Conqueror
Promotion of New Blog...........
Don't worry. I am not going anywhere. We are still on this journey together Desiring to Worship in Spirit and in Truth.
I just wanted to let you know about a new blog I am starting in addition to this one. It is called Abundant Health. You can find it by going to http://www.abundanthealthnewnan.blogspot.com/
Abundant Health is dedicated to sharing information that promotes a healthy lifestyle, both physically and spiritually. Abundant Health recognises that we have a very smart Creator that tells us in His Torah how to live a life full of abundance and blessing.
On this site you will see upcoming events, articles and information regarding The Herb Shop in Newnan Georgia.
Please check it out and give us your email address so we can help you in your pursuit to have an Abundant Life!
Blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua,
More than a Conqueror
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Grateful..........
To my husband,
You are my best friend and my love. I want you to know that I am so glad and grateful that when the wind and the rain blew the four walls down, our lives were found to be built on the Rock of Messiah Yahshua. I am blessed beyond measure to have you in my life. Thank you for being the "strength of our house."
All glory to YHVH!!
Love to you in our Messiah.
Your wife
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Examine My Heart
I found this on Torah Teachers.com and thought it was excellent. So I grabbed it and posted it here. Like Victor I agree with this guy on pretty much all he says. A little Hebraic understanding to this would make it even better, but it is excellent and something that should motivate many of us, who choose Him, who desire to please Him, who are "over" doing it the way everyone else does it, to continually exam our hearts. Aren't we suppose to do that? It is so easy, I mean so VERY easy to get sucked into the "world" and they way the "world operates." Our churches, bible studies, study groups, congregations......whatever, are not exempt from that temptation. I don't want to think that somehow I have arrived. I don't want to ever be content with my flesh. I want to continually die to myself and be made alive in Him. I don't want to except less or embrace what is not His best for me. In this day, this is what we need to hear. I DON'T EVER WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME! More than a Conqueror.
Psalm 139
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.[c]
Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Lyrics to "Witch Hunt" by Petra, Something to think about...........
Everybody look there's a new bandwagon in town
Hop on board and let the wind carry you around
Seems like there's not enough to keep us busy
till the Lord comes back
Don Quixote's gotta have another windmill to attack
Another Witch Hunt looking for evil wherever we can find it
Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it
Another Witch Hunt, takin' a break from all our gospel labor
On a crusade but we forgot our saber
There's a new way to spend all our energies
We're up in arms instead of down on our knees
Walkin' over dollars trying to find another dime
Never mind the souls 'cause we really haven't got the time
So send out the dogs and tally ho
Before we sleep tonight we've got miles to go
No one is safe, no stones left unturned
And we won't stop until somebody gets burned.
Bro Bro Bro Bro Bro Bro Brothers. ..
Hop on board and let the wind carry you around
Seems like there's not enough to keep us busy
till the Lord comes back
Don Quixote's gotta have another windmill to attack
Another Witch Hunt looking for evil wherever we can find it
Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it
Another Witch Hunt, takin' a break from all our gospel labor
On a crusade but we forgot our saber
There's a new way to spend all our energies
We're up in arms instead of down on our knees
Walkin' over dollars trying to find another dime
Never mind the souls 'cause we really haven't got the time
So send out the dogs and tally ho
Before we sleep tonight we've got miles to go
No one is safe, no stones left unturned
And we won't stop until somebody gets burned.
Bro Bro Bro Bro Bro Bro Brothers. ..
Friday, August 5, 2011
Pride, Pain and the Process
I am really grateful to be improving. Please don't get me wrong. I have made some serious progress and this has forced me to take a hard look at how I treat my body, how I eat and how I manage stress. But, the hardest thing for me has been depending on others to help me. Since I was a little girl I have been fiercely independent. I was raised with the belief that I should never depend on anyone or ask anyone for help, because they will always expect something in return or hold it over your head. To some degree I have experienced that from time to time in my adult life, but by and large that is not true of everyone. Isn't it awful that pattern of thought is ingrained in my mind? I would not be completely honest if I did not tell you that I am wrestling with this still. I just didn't know it, because there were no circumstances difficult enough to test and see if that deeply ingrained thought pattern was still there, until recently. And....it was still there. It is really difficult for me to ask anyone for help! Can you relate? If you can, lets pray for one another to overcome this and be delivered of it, OK? It's pride and it's not pretty. If you cannot, then good for you. I hope to be like you one day. It's a process and I am getting there even if I trip on things from time to time on the way.
Well, anyway, I was thinking about how this applies or effects my walk with my Creator, because He is really most important in my life. I mean that will all sincerity. If you know me, really know me, you'd know that is true. I don't always love Him perfectly like I should, but I am learning. To please Him is my deepest desire. To worship Him in complete Spirit and in the depth of His Truth my heart's call. I was searching my heart and wondering if there are things I do not fully surrender to Him. Are there things I hold back? Ways I don't trust Him completely? To Him, I know that trust, that faith in Him, is His desire of me, for it is impossible to please Him without it. It is His most important love language. Am I loving Him, completely, the way I should? If I answer that honestly, then I'd say, no, not all the time. Not that I don't have the desire too. It's just sometimes I don't know how.
I really believe in my heart of hearts that trials and difficulties are about much more than causing us pain or making us miserable. It may look like that at the time, but even if He didn't do it or bring it upon us, for some reason it was allowed by Him. Nothing comes to us for no reason at all. Sometimes it is because of our own actions or lack of actions and sometimes like Yahshua said in John 11:4 it is so that the "Father may be glorified" when we come out the other side and are healed, relieved and or delivered. Sometimes I think it is just because we live in a fallen world full of corruption and our bodies are corruptible and decaying as we age. Whatever various trials befall us in this life isn't as important as learning what we can learn from them when they do happen. I am in the process of trying to do that. I am the last person that would say I have arrived or ever will for that matter. I don't claim to understand everything and I think that is OK. I think I'd rather be here, asking Him to show me and confessing I just don't know, than delude myself into thinking I have it all together and am some sort of spiritual giant. I'd rather be honest. As if we think He doesn't know anyway. We are funny creatures aren't we?
His Word says in James 1:2 "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy" and Romans 5:3-4 says "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope."
These days I am filled with great hope about the future. No, not about the economy or really anything in this world. Just about Him. That He will finish the good work He has started in us and bring it completion. That His kingdom is coming! That one day I will no longer have to contend with the corruptible flesh that continually tries to get in the way of my relationship with Him. He is where I place my hope. I even have joy in the uncertainty. I am not always "happy" about the challenges the day brings or the happenings in our world. My joy is found in Him!! Joy is a different thing all together then happiness. It is so far superior.
I do hope that what I have written will bless you. I hope if you have had some challenges of late, like I have, that you will be encouraged in knowing that you are not alone in them.
Many blessings in Messiah Yahshua to you!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Overview of the Feasts of Yahovah
Courtesy of Scott Dryer of ProfoundProphecy.com
Thanks Mr. Dryer ☺
Thanks Mr. Dryer ☺
Annual Feasts - Overview from Scot Dryer on Vimeo.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Trip to the Airport
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
I took a little trip to pick up some friends from the airport the other day. It was a nice drive there. I just got back from a camping trip with my husband and three of my four children. It was nice to have a little solitary time on the way there and even nicer to visit with my friends on the way home after I picked them up. It had been a challenging couple of days, well really a challenging couple of months, and a little break from it all was something I really needed. Driving does that for me sometimes. It gets my mind off of my troubles and concerns and it is a good time for me to pray as well. I couldn't articulate what to say to the Father, so I just prayed in the spirit and praised Him, knowing that although my emotions have overwhelmed me as of late He understands. Romans 8: 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
I arrived at the airport and quickly made contact with my friends. It took us a while but we finally navigated ourselves out of the maze at the airport and got on the highway toward our hometown. During our journey we noticed at some point that just about every highway overpass had a number of firemen parked, with their trucks and gear on, setting up American flags to drape over the side of the overpasses. It was then that my friends remarked, both a former fireman and firewoman, that it was very likely that one of their own was killed in the line of duty and this gesture was a way to recognise and give honor to him or her in a coming funeral procession. It really touched my heart to see this and I thought and then remarked that the loyalty, honor and respect they had towards one another was really quite wonderful. Under my sunglasses I felt tears warm my eyes and threaten to fall onto my cheeks. The gesture touched a tender, raw, healing place in my heart. My friend remarked that they had such loyalty because their very lives depended on the other. They learned to depend on one another, bear one another's burdens and even lay down their lives for one another. They didn't wait until one of them was lost to go to bat for one another. Honoring, respecting and protecting one another.....it's what they do. It is pretty incredible when you really think about it. It is really scriptural when you really think about it.
John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Our Messiah asked us to treat one another the same way. Unfortunately this is more the exception than the rule. I sometimes think that we really don't understand what it is to really love one another. Believers are going to have conflicts and we are not always going to agree on everything, but we are all part of the same body if we call Yahshua Messiah. As brothers and sisters in Him we should be loving one another, not causing harm or tolerating harm of one another. Yet it is all too evident that we fall short. Believers hurt each other in ways no different than that of the world.
How do we know we are loving our brother? This set of scriptures tell us what love is and what it isn't. If we'd review it daily, believers, all of us, do you think this world would be a different place? Do you think we'd be more effective in living our lives in a way people would want to emulate? I think so. Maybe I am an idealist and naive, OK I know I am, but I really believe in my heart that demonstrating love in your actions is the best way to represent a loving Elohim and open the ears and hearts of many in the world. Love done His way works. It can't be said enough.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
We could learn a lot from firemen and firewomen. It is a thankless job. People go on with their lives and don't often realize the incredible sacrifice these brave men and women make for complete strangers, daily. How often do we thank these folks? How often do we pray for their safety? They never ask for anything, they just do their jobs anyway, protecting others and one another. Love, real love for others is a really brave and courageous act.
Sometimes.........
Sometimes your love won't be returned. Sometimes love will have to be tough, so sometimes it won't be recognised for what it is. Sometimes you will get burned and injured. Sometimes in the worst possible ways. Still, it didn't stop our Messiah from loving us and making the ultimate sacrifice and as painful as it might become for us it shouldn't stop us from loving just like He did not just sometimes, but all the time.
Father, I pray that you will give us all the strength to love at all times and look out for one another continuously. Please help us to love how you love because Yours is the only kind that endures. Amen
Sunday, June 5, 2011
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
John 13:35
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death
1 John 4:20
If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
2 John 1:5
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.
1 Timothy 1: 5
Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith.
Ephesians 5: 2
And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
Romans 12:9
[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.
Romans 12: 10
Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me.
John 13:34 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him].
1 Peter 4:8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].
Romans 8: 38-39
For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being.
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Luke 6:32 If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).
Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her--because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Out of Order
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
I was really thinking about the last year in a half and how much has changed in my life and in the life of my family members. We are beginning to understand things we never did before and I think what we understand the very most is that we have a lot to learn and have barely scratched the surface! I am humbled and grateful to be on this journey. It is really exciting! Seeking Him, His ways, His presence and His Moedim is a pleasure and an incredible honor. Scripture has come alive to us. We have been made more alive in Him and this chaotic dying world is growing more and more insignificant. We haven't arrived and we are not perfect, but looking back, just one year ago, I can see His hand on my family and myself and my heart swells with joy and thankfulness. Life is certainly not without challenges, trials and at times difficulty but all in all I feel very blessed and grateful.
One of the biggest changes we have experienced is that more "order" has come into our home. Order, the order of YHVH, is important if you are going to have peace and blessing in life. I never realized how much until I started to "reap" the blessings of seeking to keep His order. I am not talking about cleanliness or organization. Cleanliness and organization are wonderful things and certainly virtues and things to be sought after, but that is not what I am referring to. What I am speaking about is spiritual order. I am referring to my Father's Word, His commandments and His appointed times and the peace and blessings that come as a result of seeking to keep them with your whole heart.
Psalm 20:7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Opinions are a dime a dozen and for most of my "christian" walk that is what I spent all my proverbial dimes on. For years I listened to every popular teacher and or preacher you can imagine and read innumerable christian best sellers and christian "self help" books. All promised a better way to reach God, improve your marriage, parent your children, get healthy, invest your time and money and be happy. All were the well meaning opinions and beliefs of others and not necessarily always rooted in the Word of Elohim. I attended countless Bible studies and many retreats. I think I pretty much looked under every rock I could find for the next "big thing" with substantial promises attached to it and came up fairly empty at every turn. I placed great expectation on a lot of people and things to give me all the right answers, and they, rightly so, came crashing down around me. The answers were not found in them. They were never there to begin with. They are only found in His Word, because He is His Word.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Matthew 5: 17-20 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Have heaven and earth passed away or disappeared? Am I missing something?
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Commands, what commands could He be speaking of?
John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Obey?
John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
The Father's commands? Did Jesus obey the Torah? Why would He do that if He sought to "get rid" of it?
1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
Is obedience equated to knowing Him?
1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
Is love for Him really obeying His commandments?
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Beginning of what?
One of the biggest fallacies, amoung others, that I allowed myself to be indoctrinated with was that I didn't need to be obedient, I just needed to believe and be expectant . The Law was dead, nailed to the cross, done away with, gone. Forget about the instructions, especially the ones at the front of the Book, those were not for me.......well, maybe some of the ten commandments, but not all of them. Faith was reduced to a mental assent and a mere concept as opposed to the action it was intended to be. That "philosophy" never lined up with the Word of God especially when fully examined and that really perplexed me. I challenge you to fully examine what you have learned in light of the Word, the entire Word, if you never have. Not seeing the truth, or not wanting to see the truth, does not make the truth any less true. Others telling you that the truth is a lie, still does not make the truth any less true. Truth is true, period.
James 2:14-26 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So, slowly but surely, all our false pillars we had errected and leaned on came crashing down. I am so glad! What an incredible blessing in disguise that was! It was only then that we began to really seek Him, His Word, His Wisdom and His Understanding. We began to put away all that His Word would not legitimize and substantiate and seek to live by and understand the instructions that were already present, proven and given long ago. We stopped taking scripture out of context to justify a doctrine and started to let scripture stand on it's own, because it absolutely does! We began the process of looking at difficult scripture, that at times seemed contradictory to other scripture, in it's original language, applying cultural understandings and the Hebrew idioms that were well known at that time in history when the specific scripture was written. When we did that, guess what, it wasn't hard to understand anymore! We have begun the process of applying the Father's order in how we approach Him, love Him and love each other and others in our daily lives. That Order is called the Torah. The Torah is YHVH's instructions for life, not death. The word Torah has been mistakeningly called Law. Law is not an appropriate translation of the word Torah. Torah means "instructions". The Torah, the Word of Elohim is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Yahshua is the Torah, come in the flesh of a man! The Torah, The Word of YHVH was given to Moses at Mt. Sinai. We are not to follow the commands of men such as the doctrine of the Talmud or the Mishna, (man's doctrine, called the Oral Torah) or the doctrine of the newest christian book, trend, teacher or speaker (more man made doctrine) either! (See Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7, Isaiah 29:13 and Colossians 2:22, no really, READ IT!!!) Sometimes there is good information, but we have to ask ourselves if it lines up with His Word and examine it very carefully and if it doesn't completely line up with the Word of YHVH we must dismiss it. It only takes a little leaven to corrupt the whole.
John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
So I know what you are thinking, because I thought it too. Are you saying we are under law? Are you saying we are saved by works? So are you going to stone me if I develop a rebellious attitute? What you need to understand is that there are three possibilities when you see the word "law" in the New Testament. There is the Torah which is mistakenly referred to as "law". There is the "Law of Sin and Death" which is the penalty of disobeying the Torah. Lastly, there is the Oral Torah, which is the Rabbinical writings. If you say that we are not under the law and you mean that we are not under the law of sin and death, then you are correct if you have received Yahshua as Lord and Savior and walk by the spirit and not in the flesh. We have all trangressed the law and are deseving of death, the penalty of breaking the Torah. However, Yahshua paid the penalty for you, in the event that you have recieved Him, call Him Lord and Savior and repented or turned from your sin. If you say that we are not under the law and you mean that we are not under the Oral Torah and doctrines and traditions of men then you are also correct. But, if you say that we are not to obey YHVH's instructions, His Torah, then you are incorrect. Now, many of the 613 commands in the Torah cannot apply to us today. We do not have a sacrificial system (i.e.Yahshua was our Passover Lamb), a theocracy, a temple or Cohen priests. Not every one is male or female. Please also keep in mind that Yahshua raised the bar and added 1050 additional commands in the New Testament, expounding on what was already said. Those do apply. Are we saved by keeping any of them? NO!! The only thing that saves us is belief in Him and that has never changed.
Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Romans 4:3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Saying that you believe, however, and not seeking to obedient to His Word is emptiness. It is very much like learning to ride a bike by watching it on Youtube and never actually getting on a bike or really even owning one. The practical "walking out" of the action is essential to actually learning how to do it! Scripture that asserted differently, that we still bear responsibility to keep His Torah, His Instructions, are conveniently overlooked in an attempt to support a theology lacking a sufficient foundation in christian culture. A house without a good foundation is an unstable structure. Order is necessary. If a cell had no cell wall, you haven't a cell. Everything falls apart without order. To say "anything goes" is to invite complete chaos. Our crumbling society is evidence of such a flawed belief system. I am seeking to learn how to keep His order. I am finding a great deal of joy and freedom in that pursuit, quite contrary to what I have always been taught.
Don't take my word for it, take His. Check out 100% of what I have written, if it doesn't line up with His Word, all of His Word, disregard it.
Many blessings to you!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
What is in a Word? The Origin of the Word Easter
Ezekiel 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it's a duck.
Somehow we never bother to question that which is most obvious and we have a real tendency to ignore what challenges our tradition and the traditions of our culture. We just get in line and march forward like everyone in front of us, never asking "why"? Most of us have been taught to disregard what is plainly there and what is obviously not there.
Easter is a pagan word, the name of a pagan goddess, and it is not in the Bible. So how did it get in "Christian" vocabulary and why is it celebrated?
I beg you to please check me out. Check out everything I am writing for yourself. You can find what I am going to share on the Internet, in books, in encyclopedias, in libraries....you name it. It is in plain site. So I am not going to footnote any of this. It is not hard to find and I want you to check this out for yourself. It will mean nothing to you if you just take my word for it. We have been "taking peoples word for it" in the church for a long time. Lets not do that, OK. Check out sources without agendas if you get my drift. Most importantly check out the Bible, your Bible. If I am wrong and what I am saying does not line up with the Word of God, correct me. The truth is of the utmost importance to me, God's truth, not man's, and that only comes from the Word. Ask questions! It's ok.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
I really believe that the words we use are really important. I began to study Etymology in college years ago,and fell in love with it. Even prior to becoming a believer or having any interest in religion I found it fascinating. However, after becoming a believer, for years, I stuffed down my curiosity and went with the flow. That was a mistake and one I intend to never make again. Etymology is the history of a linguistic form (as a word) shown by tracing its development since its earliest recorded occurrence in the language where it is found, by tracing its transmission from one language to another, by analyzing it into its component parts, by identifying its cognates in other languages, or by tracing it and its cognates to a common ancestral form in an ancestral language. When you understand the beginning or root of a word, you begin to understand everything thing else that proceeds from it. We ought to know what our words mean and where they come from before they proceed from out of our mouths. The Words of our Creator spoke the world into existence. Words can hurt and words can heal. The importance of the spoken word cannot be underestimated in every area of our lives.
Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me.
We need to make sure that we do not "mix" that which is profane to Him, with that which is Holy to Him. If you are believer and a true follower of Jesus Christ or Yahshua Ha'Mashiach, then you know He calls us to be a set apart (holy) people as He is Holy, so I think it matters what we embrace and celebrate and whether or not it lines up with His Word. We may have to stand alone or in a very small crowd, but that's OK if we are standing with Him.
The English term "Easter" developed from the Old English word Ēastre or Ēostre. The name refers to Eostur-monath, a month of the Germanic calendar. The month is named after the goddess Ēostre of Anglo-Saxon paganism. Ēostur-monath was the equivalent to the month of April. The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE.) a Christian scholar, first asserted in his book De Ratione Temporum that Easter was named after Eostre (a.k.a. Eastre). She was the great mother goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Similarly, the "Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility [was] known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos." Similar fertility goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime. Some were Aphrodite from ancient Cyprus, Ashtoreth from ancient Israel, Astarte from ancient Greece, Demeter from Mycenae, Hathor from ancient Egypt , Ishtar from Assyria, and Kali, from India.
Today, Ostara is one of the eight major holidays, or festivals of Wicca. It is celebrated on the Spring Equinox. There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament. A comment made by St. Chrysostom on I Cor. V. 7 has been supposed to refer to an apostolic observance of Easter, but was shown to be erroneous.
So how did she make her way into the Christian Church? Or, at least her NAME?? We will get to that.
Yahshua and the early believers did celebrate feasts, the feasts of YHVH, as detailed in the book of Leviticus 23. First it is important to understand that the Greek word pascha in scripture does not refer to Easter it is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach there is no original Greek word for Passover. For example, in the New Testament you can find evidence of the Passover being observed by Yahshua in Luke 2:41, Matt. 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and early believers observing it and making reference to it in Acts 12:1-4, Acts 18:21, Acts 20:6, 1 Cor. 5:6-8 and others.Other feasts are mentioned as well. See John 7:2 Act 2:1-4; 20:16;1 Cor 16:8, Mat. 24:35; 2 Peter 3:7, 10 &13; Rev 21:1 which refer to Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. Mention of the Feast of Trumpets is in 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thes. 4-16. The Day of Atonement is referred to in Romans 3:24-26; Hebews 9:7; 10:3, 30-31; 10:19-22; Acts 27:9; 2Peter 3:7; Rev. 17:4 and 20:12.
Yahshua was the perfect Passover Lamb (John 1:29) and the Passover is a perfect picture and a foreshadowing of His death, burial and resurrection. Check this out in Exodus 12:1-28, Leviticus 23:4-8, Numbers 9:1-14, Deuteronomy 16:1-8. Eusebius, historian of the early centuries of the Church, speaks of the true Christians observing Passover on the 14th of Nisan, first month of the sacred calendar. The historian Gieseler wrote that "the Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath and the Passover," during the latter half of the first century. Unfortunately decrees were passed by Constantine in A.D. 363,forbidding believers from keeping God's Sabbath and God's festivals. From that point on a general "removal" took place of anything resembling Judaism and the way in which the early believers in the Jewish Messiah, Yahshua Ha'Mashiach, both Jews and non Jews, worshipped Him and observed His feasts. Removal is kind of a polite word. This extraction of everything Jewish took place in deceptive and sometimes horribly violent ways and this antisemitic tsunami still impacts the church today. We have been lied to. We have been robbed. We have been looted of the blessings that are the Feasts of YHVH.
So how did she, or atleast her name get in the church? It happened long ago. The decision was made by Constantine and the Council of Nicaea to observe Easter as the day of Yahshua's ressurection. This decision was made to appease those who were still worshipping the pagan goddess and season and out of great disdane for the Jews. Those that did not agree were exiled and persecuted. You need to remember that at this point, Constantine, was actively a polytheist, someone who worshipped more that one god. He declared himself a Christian but at the same time maintained his ties to the Mithra cult. He retained the title "Pontifus Maximus" the high priest. On his coins were inscribed: "Sol Invicto comiti" which means, committed to the invincible sun. This new blend of the two faiths, he officially proclaimed as Christianity. We will let Constantine speak for himself.
"From the letter of the Emperor (Constantine) to all those not present at the council. (Found in Eusebius, Vita Const., Lib III 18-20)
When the question relative to the sacred festival of Easter arose, it was universally thought that it would be convenient that all should keep the feast on one day; for what could be more beautiful and more desirable than to see this festival, through which we receive the hope of immortality, celebrated by all with one accord and in the same manner? It was declared to be particularly unworthy for this, the holiest of festivals, to follow the customs (the calculation) of the Jews who had soiled their hands with the most fearful of crimes, and whose minds were blinded. In rejecting their custom we may transmit to our descendants the legitimate mode of celebrating Easter; which we have observed from the time of the Saviour’s passion (according to the day of the week).
We ought not therefore to have anything in common with the Jew, for the Saviour has shown us another way; our worship following a more legitimate and more convenient course (the order of the days of the week: And consequently in unanimously adopting this mode, we desire, dearest brethren to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the Jew. For it is truly shameful for us to hear them boast that without their direction we could not keep this feast. How can they be in the right, they who, after the death of the Saviour, have no longer been led by reason but by wild violence, as their delusion may urge them? They do not possess the truth in this Easter question, for in their blindness and repugnance to all improvements they frequently celebrate two Passovers in the same year. We could not imitate those who are openly in error.
How, then, could we follow these Jews who are most certainly blinded by error? For to celebrate a Passover twice in one year, is totally inadmissible.
But even if this were not so it would still be your duty not to tarnish your soul by communication with such wicked people (the Jews). You should consider not only that the number of churches in these provinces make a majority, but also that it is right to demand what our reason approves, and that we should have nothing in common with the Jews."
Do a little research on Constantine. While you are at it check out the writings of Justin Martyr, Ignatius Bishop of Antioch, Origen of Alexandria. You will be surprised. When you do, if you do, keep this scripture in mind, Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Without the Jewish people, we would not have a Savior. He was a Jew! He was of the line of David. Hate and unforgiveness is not an option. Our forgiveness, because we have all sinned, was costly to the One who paid for it. We will never be an effective example of the love of God with a spirit of contempt towards the Jewish people, or anyone for that matter. It is time to clean house and get rid of the leaven as a church.
Do a little research on Constantine. While you are at it check out the writings of Justin Martyr, Ignatius Bishop of Antioch, Origen of Alexandria. You will be surprised. When you do, if you do, keep this scripture in mind, Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Without the Jewish people, we would not have a Savior. He was a Jew! He was of the line of David. Hate and unforgiveness is not an option. Our forgiveness, because we have all sinned, was costly to the One who paid for it. We will never be an effective example of the love of God with a spirit of contempt towards the Jewish people, or anyone for that matter. It is time to clean house and get rid of the leaven as a church.
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The Truth is important. So important, that He says this in John 14:6 :
Yahshua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Shouldn't Truth be important to us too?
Don't believe me, find out for yourself.
Many blessings to you!
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