Tag: Orthodox Jew

Spirit-filled Orthodox Jews? Paradigm-shifting.

My right knee is pretty sore.  I really should have stretched before starting to inline skate, but such is the way with a 49 year old that thinks he is 19 years old!  The bottom line is that I am thankful I have nothing more than a stretched (strained) ligament in my knee and though it is quite sore, I will recover.

I have learned that our Father is a bit more tender than the pavement in stretching us and 20161024_215220-2generally, He is quite patient if we will work with Him and allow Him to stretch us.  My family and I began this Hebraic/Messianic walk about five years ago and it has been a process of stretching and recovering from each successive step that our Father has led us through.

Each step has taken us out of this box or that box, shifting our paradigms and helping us to learn and grow and understand Him and His Word more.  Some steps have been HUGE.  The first six to eight months of this journey was like wrapping my mouth on a firehose.  My head almost exploded!  But, graciously, after each new step, Father gives us periods of time wherein we can recover and process and adjust to our new paradigm before He leads us farther forward.

The past five weeks or so have been one stretching paradigm-shifting event after another.  We had been in a somewhat relaxed/recovery phase before our recent trip to Israel, but He shook us up good on this trip and so stretched us that it has been much like those early days drinking from a fire hose.  I am still processing so much. Continue reading “Spirit-filled Orthodox Jews? Paradigm-shifting.”

Davening in the rear galley of a 777

There are still so many stories bubbling up from our recent trip to Israel.  It was such an  incredible trip that I am still processing the many events.  Even our flight home was ‘off the chain…’

20161114_200619During our 21 days in the Land, we were blessed to have many close and personal encounters with Brother Judah.  It is what we had prayed for, but the Father’s answers far exceeded our expectations.  I prayed for more on the flight home knowing there would be many Orthodox on the plane.

With five of us traveling and the 777 having three seats across the center section, Kelly and I chose to sit in the center section and leave the boys in the three seats that were on the window side of the aisle.  I selected the aisle seat for a little more leg room and put Kelly in the center.  Initially a lady was trying to get situated in the seat to Kelly’s left.  I helped her put away luggage, etc…  Then, just before we pushed back from the concourse in Tel Aviv, an Orthodox gentleman in black hat and coat stepped up and through very broken English asked if Kelly and I could change places.  At first, I was confused by his sudden appearance, then, understanding that he was related to the woman and did not want to rub elbows with Kelly, I quickly made the switch.  I wanted to protect him.

Quietly, I thanked Abba for putting him next to me.

We settled in for a 12 hour flight and I Continue reading “Davening in the rear galley of a 777”

Two House: the mechanism, not the end result

Today is South Carolina National Shabbat and we are hosting the Washburn Family from Tennessee as they will be providing the music.  They got in yesterday evening and we had a blessed erev Shabbat hanging around the firepit.

The Washburns, as agreed, brought the challah, so when it came to that point in our simple setting apart of the day, I asked Tom to lead in  blessing the bread and the Bread of Life.  He held the bread up and began, “I am not a ‘two house’ person.  I am ‘one house’ because two house was never the Father’s will.  Sin is what caused two houses and the Father is bringing restoration!”

And, I could not agree more! Continue reading “Two House: the mechanism, not the end result”

Tzitziot. In or Out. A few thoughts.

Yesterday’s Torah Portion included Numbers 15:37-41 concerning tzitzits, a subject we have discussed before.

As I finalized my preparations for Shabbat and a lesson titled ‘Faith and Focus‘, I turned my attention to re-reading the parsha and considering the other various parts when several thoughts on tzitziot hit me.  Often discussed/debated is the question whether to wear them in or out and who are they supposed to remind.  Consider this:

23 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the [a]nations will [b]grasp the [c]garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”Zechariah 8:23

20 And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the [a]fringe of His [b]cloak; 21 for she was saying [c]to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will [d]get well.”  Matthew 9:20-21

35 And when the men of that place [a]recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.  Matthew 14:35-36

If the fringe, the tzitzitot, are hidden, how are the nations to grasp it, or how did the sick reach out and touch Yeshua’s?  Simply, it was worn outwardly.  Isn’t that implied when Yeshua said,

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [a]hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [b]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

Discuss.