Does your pastor uphold the Torah? Does he teach the difference in the clean and unclean? Does he keep/teach seventh day Sabbath? If not, he falls in the same category as the priests who are judged for profaning YHVH.
Beware walking in the traditions of men and listening to smooth justifications that are contrary to clear Scripture. I love you and tell you that you are accountable.
Hey guys, a few have expressed interest in participating in the shofar making workshop I previously announced. For those who care to join us, you need to order a kudu horn in the next few days so you’ll have it before the workshop. Ebay is one source, though I have had good experience with Atlantic Coral Enterprise. (Many of the ebay listings in the above link are actually Atlantic Corals’ nicer/bigger horns…) Get the longest horn you can afford. Just read the fine print as some will say, ‘yadda, yadda, pinholes, not suitable for shofar…’
Those who are not making a shofar are welcome to come just hang out… We plan to start the day around 10 a.m. Bring a covered dish and we’ll break for lunch around 1… Fire pit, music, fun, fellowship, etc. Likely we’ll have an Erev Shabbat gathering and weather dependent, dancing under the pecans… Who knows??
Those who plan to be here, please drop me an email so we have a rough idea what to expect/prepare for. And, BYOH… bring your own horn… 😉
Here is an excellent email I received from Ephraim and Rimona Frank. It was a blast to their distribution list, so some may have seen it…
Shalom Fellow Israelite,
The other day I had to go and buy myself a new study bible, as the old one was falling apart. Upon arriving home and opening it, I started reading a text that caught my eye. At first I didn’t know where this excerpt was from but the following is what captured my thoughts: “Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with intoxicating drink. For YHVH has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, ‘Read this, please.’ And he says, ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’ Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, ‘Read this, please.’ And he says, ‘I am not literate.’ Therefore YHVH said: ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men. Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden’” (Isaiah 29:9-14).
Sunday and Monday I was just plain exhausted and it was very hard to think about our National Shabbat gathering, never mind begin to process and share some thoughts… While I am still recovering (12+ hour work days make restful Shabbats that much more precious), I am beginning to put together some thoughts that may prove valuable. The following are in no particular order and may be a bit random, but I want to share some lessons, ideas, thanks, etc.
I was overwhelmed by the response and am confident that Abba’s people, and particularly the Messianic community are prepared and yearning for fellowship of the kind we experienced December 5th at the SC National Shabbat. Clearly, it is more than just me or a few of us who desire to begin building bridges and coming out of our corners to be echad (unified, but not necessarily uniform). As a guesstimate, there were about 225 people there, but most everyone I spoke with knew of others who wanted to attend but for one reason or another were not able. Essentially, the numbers could have easily been doubled. What a glorious turnout with all praise and thanks go to our King!
In the weeks leading up to the day, we all prayed a good bit for beautiful weather. When searching for a host site, Abba led us to Ron Cowart’s campground Continue reading “SC National Shabbat: My Thoughts”
Here is a terrific video by 119 Ministries that gives a fair and balanced approach to Hanukkah. I would encourage all who are curious (or just need a good excuse to eat a dozen jelly filled donuts) to take a few minutes and learn some history as well as prophecy of future events.
My longtime readers know that the Joseph portions are my favorite. Two years ago, I wrote a number of detailed posts considering the life of Joseph as a prophecy of Yeshua. Those three parts are here, here and here. Very important!
Later I added, Jesus said, “Walk like an Egyptian!”, kind of an odd twist.
Each time I have studied the Joseph portions, I have considered Joseph and not so much the characters around him. This time I am trying to shift my focus and see the past him to understand other bits….
Today I have two interesting, but yet unexplored thoughts to share.
More as I have time to ponder.
Thoughts? Ideas? Comments?
Recently, a Jewish young man had a near death experience during which he reports seeing and learning many things. I’ll find a link to the extended interview to post below, but here is a neat short clip used by Ahavat Ammi to make the point that the Messiah will judge by smell… a concept largely foreign to Christendom.
Watch this 3 minute clip, then check out the below linked article from a couple years ago that explains how this is a very real possibility in how the Messiah judges people. Very interesting.
It is fascinating to see from the long version of this young man’s interview that he has literally no Scriptural background, yet he accurately portrays the two witnesses, the Mount splitting in two, the Mashiach being recognized by all, Him being sinless, etc, etc….
More interestingly, he says the Mashiach judges Continue reading “Are YOU ready to pass the Smell test?”
Funny, several friends have sent me some pretty pithy images in the last day or so… Yesterday, I put up a ZINGer. Here’s one from Julian Hamilton, a member of our home fellowship group.
The challenge to each of us is, do we prefer unchallenged comfort that may not be true, or pursuing challenging truth, even if it makes us uncomfortable?
Me? I much prefer the latter. How about you?
A little while ago, a friend left this comment on the **Update** SC National Shabbat Details!! post:
Interesting… Immediately, my mind went back to a verse I read yesterday in Zechariah:
Zechariah 9:13 For I will bend Judah as My bow,
I will fill the bow with Ephraim.
And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece;
And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.
The larger context of that passage is Judah and Ephraim coming together to fight their enemies and the Lord defending them and fighting for them as they destroy Greece/Edom…
Thoughts?
Lately, I have had multiple interesting articles/emails come across my desk regarding the building of bridges between Jews and non-Jews. The sources have been both Jew and non- with perspectives that have been varied, but a largely unified message:
Sensitivity in language and culture when speaking to or about Jews concerning things of Scripture.
Like most of you, I came out of Christendom and have a considerable amount of ‘Christianese’ in my vocabulary that means one thing to me and something altogether different to those of Judah. We may be well meaning, but our terminology, lingo and expectations can be heard as decidedly antisemitic. Friend and fellow blogger, Peter Vest, recently published a post titled, Unintentional Antisemitism: Why Christian Institutions and Ideologies are Antisemitic Despite the Philosemitism of Individual Christians. It is a short but instructive read about underlying expectations of Christendom upon Jews that have negative consequences.
Another recent source is a forwarded email I received from OvadYah Avrahami of Kol Hator titled We need to delete the word ‘conversion’ from our vocabulory. He writes, Continue reading “How to: Building Bridges with the House of Judah”
11:3 Restoration 