Against Babylon

For people who are Torah pursuant, this past week has been most difficult. It will probably be just as difficult next week, too, as these popular festivities unfold. Naturally, I am talking about the feasts commonly known as Christmas and New Year's Day, but have since ancient times been celebrated as Saturnalia and Janus. Being Torah pursuant, I see the fertility symbols behind the tree and the tree skirt; the mistletoe and the holly. I see the convoluted thinking that says we give gifts to each other because it is “Christ's birthday” and try not to roll my eyes. I see the drunken debauchery that is satan's counterfeit for true joy. I think of how our heavenly Father must be so hurt that the people that call on His Name are twisting the Gospel story to serve their own pleasures and ambitions. And in a few days, people will be celebrating the feast of Janus, the two headed god that looks ahead to the future and behind to the past. Unknowingly, they will listen to and watch TV specials that capture the year in review, and they will make New Year's resolutions to control their future, not realizing that they are practicing ancient rites. And then there is the drunken debauchery thing again ... “ringing” in the New Year, they'll call it.

There is a way that seems right to a man, says Proverbs 14:12 & Proverbs 16:25, but the way thereof is death. And, YHVH gave His only begotten Son, so that none should perish says John 3:16, but have life everlasting. Hebrews 6:6 says that by willful sin they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

So, how can we pray for those friends and family members that “just don't get it”? First of all, our motivations must be pure. We have to approach this with an attitude of love, and not let it be a contest of wills, for that is nothing other than manipulation and witchcraft. Humbly, we must consider how long it took for us to “get it” and put away any pride over having “gotten it,” because we did not “get it” on our own. It was YHVH's mercy ALONE that allowed the scales to be taken from our eyes so that we could see what we were doing; so that we could see the vast distance between our own actions and the Word of Yah. So we start with repentance, for our own shortcomings and for theirs. We pray that YHVH in His mercy will hear our prayer for their highest good and remove the scales from their eyes. We must not give into the temptation to use sarcasm or try to control their activities. Lastly, we must realize they are YHVH's baby too, and sometimes, you just gotta let go. This affords our Father the opportunity to deal with them without interference or any rescuing on our part. Experience is an expensive school, but some will learn no other way.

This week's blog is, by admission, a expose' of my own spiritual wranglings. Those who mean the world to me think I am a nut-job because I choose to not participate in the festivities they find so wonderful. But, in the words of a song by Lenny and Varda, “I choose Life, I choose Blessing, I choose to live by [Yah's] Word / I choose to follow You, my L-rd. (Song: I Choose Life from the CD Torah is Life © Adonai Echad Music 2004) They think – or, rather, I presume they think – that they can do what they want without having to face judgment. I'm sure they would tell me that there is nothing wrong with parties, gifts, drinking etc. They are right! There is nothing wrong with parties, gifts and drinking. What's wrong is forsaking the feasts YHVH gave us. If we say we follow Y'shua – even if we're still calling Him Jesus – then follow Him! Do the things He did, celebrate the feasts He celebrated. Consider holy / set-apart what He considered holy / set-apart and eschew (to avoid something on moral or practical grounds) the things He eschewed. He is, after all, the Word of Yah in the flesh!

So how is all this “Against Babylon”? YHVH, in Genesis 3 mentions two seeds. The seed of the woman, which we understand to be Messiah Y'shua; and the seed of the serpent, the world system, that is, anything that is apart from or different from Yah's Word-in-the-flesh, Y'shua. It is really black and white. We are either YHVH's servants or Babylon's. We are either promoting YHVH's kingdom or Babylon. In Revelation 18:4, YHVH pleads with us, “Come out of [Babylon] My people, so you will not take part in her sins and you will not receive her plagues.”

Recently, in response to something I said about keeping Sabbath, someone called me 'elitist'. Although offended at the time, I see their point. They are right. Narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life and broad is the way to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Only a few will travel that narrow road. I am pursuing it and I pray their spiritual GPS can find it. Soon. Every day we spend is another day we don't have.

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom / Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace

Yocheved

The Mourning After

These past few months have been touching emotions that I don't often take out and play with. One of them being 'mourning'.

A couple of months ago, Uncle Jimmy, my father's youngest brother and last living sibling, passed away. He had taken up residence in the nursing home to be with Aunt Yvonne who was there to recover from a stroke. She lived about another 6 weeks after his passing, and then she joined him. They were very special, very sweet and I love them. In a way, it was almost like losing Dad (who passed in 1984) all over again.

Then, the proverbial ball really started rolling a couple of days before Thanksgiving when we learned of the deaths of our brother and sister in faith, Don and Jo. Don had gotten news of his own father's death at the age of 96, so he and Jo flew his plane to Connecticut for the funeral. They never arrived. Their plane went down just shy of the runway, just a couple of miles from his daughter's house. I learned later that his son in law heard what sounded like a crash, but at that time, “Pop's” plane wasn't late yet. It may take a year before all the investigations into the whys and wherefores are complete. I still expect to see Pop sitting on the back row of the shul, playing his bass guitar and Mama in her usual seat, smiling as she always did. But that's not to be.

Then earlier this week, I learned of the death of someone I knew in the 1980s. We had traveled to Europe together then. He insisted on driving through Germany. I was the navigator. Armed with only a paper map and NOT knowing German, every day was an adventure. Unfortunately, the names of the towns were at least 31 letters long and by the time I had gotten to letter 17 of the 31, we had passed the exit (Ausfahrt in German). We were going at least 90 mph on the autobahn, which had no speed limit, in a 2 cylinder Fiat – and yes, this roller-skate sized car could go 90! So we would argue because we had to turn around at the next exit. Ours was a brief but tumultuous relationship, so although not particularly saddened, I was shocked. He was “only” 54 when he died.

Today's encounter with death was a little different. A co-worker / friend I had in the late 1980s was very dear to me. It had been ages since I had heard from her and I wondered what had happened to her. Last I heard, she was the manager of the Humane Society in Sarasota, FL. I thought that FaceBook would be a good place to start, since I remember her as a very social, energetic, and outgoing person. There was nothing on FaceBook when I searched her name, but there was a link to a devotional she had written. Cool beans, I thought; I knew Sheree was just discovering Jesus in a Presbyterian church when I was discovering Y'shua in a Torah observant community. Praise Yah! I dug a little further. I went limp when I came to the Social Security Death Index. Sheree passed away in June 2005, three weeks after her 50^th birthday. The thoughts she expressed in the devotionals became all the more precious. I share them with you here. I don't think she'll be too upset at my not asking her permission.

10%

Written by Sheree Motola

A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s and is holy. Leviticus 27:30 (The Book)

God’s word clearly sets up a system for giving back to the church. The Lord decreed to Moses that ten percent (a tithe) of everything that He blesses His people with, in the way of money or produce, should go back to Him.

Recently, some friends of mine have given me cause to challenge this principle. Last week, on two separate occasions, two different friends called me to offer help (I have not been feeling well lately) by providing meals, groceries, and to help tidy up my house (including changing my kitty litter!). Their reason for offering went beyond friendship and fellowship; both had been blessed recently and wanted to return the blessing to someone else. One had just sold a house and received some unexpected profits; another just got word that her husband had been awarded a big promotion. Both of these ladies give their tithe to the church, they wanted to give beyond the tithe; they wanted to give back a portion of the time, love and help that God had given them in the past week.

What would Christianity look like if we all agreed to give back one tenth of ALL the blessings God gives us? God has totally forgiven us for every wrong – what if we forgave just a tenth of those who had wronged us? God loved us enough to send His son to die for us, before we even knew Him or loved Him – what if we gave a tenth of that love back to strangers who don’t know us, much less love us? God blesses many of us with good health every day – what if we gave back a tenth of that health and helped others who were less healthy by giving blood or volunteering for a health organization? God hears all of our prayers – what if gave back a tenth of those prayers and prayed for or with others? God gives us 24 hours every day to use as we choose – what if we gave Him back 2.4 hours every day?

Take inventory today of the ways God has blessed you and ask Him to show you how to bless others in return.

Bye, Sheree ... I hope your transition was peaceful and I hope to see you again. This time we'll be rejoicing before our King, rather than lighting up Sarasota. I'll hold you in my heart til then.

Blessed are You, YHVH our El, Ruler of the universe who is Ha Dayan Emet, the True Judge. Blessed are You, YHVH, who gathers to Himself the remnant of His People in peace. May we be comforted among the mourners in Zion; and may our solace come from Heaven, b'shem Y'shua, who bore our griefs and who wept at the death of His friend, Lazarus.

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom, 

Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace, 

Yocheved

Praying for my Husband

One day, after a particularly animated conversation [read: argument] with my Beloved, I came to the realization that he, for all his foibles, is YHVH's gift to me and I am YHVH's gift to him. Wow! What an eye opener! I always knew that YHVH put us together ... and keeps us together, but, GIFT??? He worries about me, cares for me, tries to make me laugh, gets flustered when he can't 'make it better,' and - I have no doubt – would die for me if need be. So, yes, gift. With that realization, what can I pray for this man Yah gave me to love, honor and cherish? Health, of course. Strength, physical and emotional, without a doubt. But how do I pray to protect this precious gift? What words can I say that would find their way to the very heart of Yah and keep my Beloved in the best of health and in complete shalom?

I know that YHVH hears my heart ... I know that YHVH's Word cannot return void. With that thought in mind, it occurred to me that praying scripture on his behalf would be the best. But which scriptures? After some reading through the Word and other texts, here are a few that I thought would apply.

Ephesians 1:17   
Oh, YHVH, glorious Father, I thank you that You give my husband a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that he will have full knowledge of You.  

Philippians 1:9-11
I pray that my husband overflows with knowledge and discernment so that he will be pure and spotless on the Day of Messiah.

Colossians 1:9-12
I pray that he lives a life that is worthy of You, my Sovereign, and that he is pleasing to You, being fruitful in every good work. May he be continually strengthened and patient in every situation, joyful and thankful to You, oh Yah.

11 Timothy 1:9
I thank you that he has been called to a life of holiness in unity with Messiah Y'shua.

Proverbs 19:21
I give thanks that Your Counsel will stand, oh Yah, no matter the plans in one's mind.

Joshua 24:15
Strengthen us – our whole household - dearest Father, to turn our backs on the 'gods' and distractions of our past and to serve You completely and wholeheartedly.

Psalms 101:2
I thank You, my Father that we follow the path of integrity and with Your help, we will run our lives with sincere hearts inside our home.

Proverbs 6:22
Dearest Father, lead my husband, watch over him and speak to his heart every day.

Ephesians 5:25
Thank You my Creator, Redeemer, Bridegroom and King that my husband, in imitation of Messiah, loves me and gives himself for me.

Genesis 18:19
I thank You that he commands his children and his household after You YHVH, and we shall keep the way of You YHVH, doing what is right and just.  

Proverbs 18:21
In my husband’s tongue are words of life and not death; may the fruit of his lips always be sweet.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6
I thank You, my Father, that my husband is patient and kind; he is not jealous; he is not easily angered and he keeps no record of my faults. May he always delight in the truth.

Matthew 5:9
Father I thank You that my husband, Your son works to make peace in Your world and in Your set-apart community.

Psalms 5:12
I praise You my Father that you surround my husband with favor like a shield and that You bless the righteous.

Psalms 112
Thank you, Father, that my husband fears You and delights in Your Mitzvot. I praise You that prosperity abides in our home and we have plenty to share with the needy. We trust You, Father, and fear only You.

Psalms 1:1,2
I praise You, my Father, that my husband rejects the advice of the wicked and that he delights in Your Torah.

Psalms 103:4
Oh, almighty Eternal One, thank You for redeeming my husband from the pit and surrounding him with Your grace and tender mercies.

11 Corinthians 9:7
May he forever be a cheerful giver and please You, Oh, Yah with his wholeheartedness toward You.

Exodus 20:3
I pray that he will never have another elohim before You or beside You.

Ephesians 3:18-19
I pray that He will be given the strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the love of Messiah and may he always be filled with the fullness of Yah.

Psalms 42:2
I pray and thank You that my husband always thirsts for You as a deer desires water.

Ephesians 5:33
Abba YHVH, I pray and thank You that my husband loves me as he loves himself. Help me to always and forever see him as Your precious gift to me and treat him with the honor and respect due his position as representative of Messiah and priest in our home.

Thank You, Father, for Your precious Word that strengthens, encourages and brings clarity and fullness. Thank You for Messiah Y'shua who modeled Your Torah for us to learn and incorporate into our lives. Thank You for joining me to a man of integrity who has a heart for You. Bless our days with Shalom in all areas of our lives, b'shem Y'shua.

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom

Blessings and hugs --

Yocheved

Think This, Not That

I have been on a diet since the age of nine. Although born at a trim six pounds, I became a portly child by 6 months, with fat rolls, chubby cheeks and creases at my wrists, elbows, ankles and knees. My mother said I was always hungry ... I believe it! I have the baby pictures to prove it!

In the course of my trying to get some semblance of 'law and order' over my weight, I came across a series of books called, “Eat This, Not That.” The basic premise of these books is to help us make healthier choices and not really give up the indulgences that make life a happy place. For example, instead of a milk shake (600 to 1000 calories) have a single cone (about 300 calories). Instead of Chicken Caesar Wrap, have a grilled chicken sandwich. See? You don't have to live on kale and toothpicks! You can eat well and have fun while making healthier choices.

But I'm not writing today about food choices. I am writing about thought choices. Last night was election night. One thousand days of campaigning, mudslinging and promises made to be broken culminated in another four years of what we've just had four years of. Broken hearts and broken dreams on one side; empowerment and exhilaration on the other, with neither side really wanting to communicate or compromise with the other. But does it have to be that way?

Every day, in every circumstance, we are given choices. Fruit or eggs for breakfast; turning right or left out of our community to drive to work; jump in someone's stuff when they offend us or gently explain why we've been offended. Each action is preceded by a decision, each decision is preceded by a thought. The important thing (again learned via dieting) is to think about something before it's 'crunch time'. So before we get hungry, it's good to think about appropriate food choices and plan accordingly; before we blow our stack at a (fill in your own description) co-worker, think about various scenarios and peaceful resolutions; before the emergency arises, think about escape routes out of the house and where you will all meet when disaster strikes. In other words, be proactive instead of reactive.

For those of us with a deep abiding faith in our Creator and the sanctity of life and the holiness of marriage, last night's election results are disturbing. For those of us who have seen the values of our homes decrease and our household expenses increase, last night's election results are disappointing. For those of us who haven't worked in a while, last night's election results portend more of the same. It is easy to slide into the thought patterns of helplessness, hopelessness,and powerlessness. But YHVH's psychology is very different! He tells us:

YHVH is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my Elohim is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

"So don't be anxious, asking, 'What will we eat?,' 'What will we drink?' or 'How will we be clothed?' For it is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Don't worry about tomorrow — tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough tsuris (troubles) already!” Matt 6:31 - 34

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares YHVH, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Moreover, my Elohim will fill every need of yours according to His glorious wealth, in union with the Messiah Y'shua.” Philippians 4:19

Also, we can't forget that in Yah's economy, we must not hold grudges; we must not keep track of the hurts; we must not savor the pain: “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will not forgive yours.” Mat 6:14 - 15

So, no matter how elated or deflated we are by the results of the election; no matter the joy or frustration, we put the events of the past one thousand days behind us, we roll up our shirt sleeves and forge ahead, occupying until Messiah Y'shua's return, remembering that 'occupy' is a military term meaning to stand our ground and exert our influence, that being the influence of Yah's Kingdom. We speak kindly, we encourage, we love, we serve, and we also oppose and work to displace the works of darkness.

In all this, I am reminded of Lot, the nephew of Avraham. He chose to live near Sodom and Gomorrah, initially for the benefit of his flocks of sheep. Ultimately, he had a house in Sodom. BUT, when the sun went down he went to the town square to seek out and save travelers by inviting them into his own home. Until the return of Messiah, let us restructure our thinking. Let's reject the notion that it is hopeless and 'this' is all that there will be, and make positive strides in providing encouragement to each other and to those around us. Let us give practical help and feed the poor and homeless. Mostly, let us know that YHVH is in charge, there is no “Plan B” and submit to our Father's plan with grace and humility. Let us walk by faith, not by sight. Let us stop focusing on the mess we see around us and lift our eyes to the hills from whence comes our help. Our citizenship is a heavenly citizenship. Our riches are stored in a heavenly storehouse. So if the market crumbles, if our homes zero out, so be it!! “They” cannot take our souls, “they” cannot take our heavenly reward. Only we can hand it over. Let's not do that! Let's do this: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8.

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom --

Yocheved

Answered Prayer

My life, especially recently, is full of answered prayer.

I married my husband as an answer to prayer. (The part of me that is home to the “class clown” is saying, “What was I thinking???”) But the reality is that 21 years ago, after a history of failed relationships where I had played chameleon to please the boyfriend du jour, I pleaded with Abba YHVH to guide my love life. I had failed miserably. I couldn't trust my own judgment in this area of my life, that was clear. I needed Him to take over. And He did. I met “Mr. Wonderful” AKA “he who must be tolerated” (depends on which day) just a week after I prayed that prayer. We met in the parking lot of the Christian radio station where I volunteered as a prayer partner. We've been together ever since.

A few months ago, I asked Abba for help during Sukkot / the Feast of Tabernacles. If things worked out as I anticipated, I would be cooking for 300 people for eight days ... and those who had helped me in the past had moved away, one family to Wyoming, another to Arizona. Those of our congregation who would be attending the feast had deterrents to kitchen duty of their own: tiny newborns, farm animals that would require their attention, illnesses, injuries ... It did not look good. But “I lift my eyes to the hills from where my help comes.” (Ps. 121:1) I know my Creator, Redeemer, Bridegroom and Sovereign “did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2Tim 1:7) I also kept my concerns to myself, I did not want to face the barrage of questions about how I was going to pull this all off. The truth is, I wasn't going to do anything. YHVH was. And He did.

Early in September, I got an email from someone who offered to leave their home for a month and essentially join herself to my hip and help in whatever way possible. I have had help in the past that got upset when I did not say 'please' and 'thank you' at every request. I'm not mean ... but I do get stressed and I get terse. So, I was a bit skeptical at her very gracious offer. I needed someone I could work with. As Yah would have it, she was not deterred by the tepid response I gave at the time. And so she essentially moved in during the first week in September. We baked banana bread, carrot-pineapple bread; we made carrot juice and meatloaf. We chopped; we diced; we measured and re-calculated. She was wonderful ... and we were doing all things through Messiah who strengthened us. (Phil. 4:13) I was giddy with delight.

On the erev Shabbat / f'day before the feast started, we had another case of 10 pounds of events wedged into a 5 pound bag of a day. The rental RVs for the speakers had to be picked up in Gainesville (45 miles away, thus a 3 hour project) and the grocery truck bearing $7000 worth of groceries was arriving on that same day. Both projects were slated to be handled by the same men. Our Father's sense of timing – and comedy – is impeccable! As the guys who picked up the RVs returned to Lake City they drove past the truck bearing the groceries. They pulled into the driveway at our shul seconds before the truck did. They parked the RVs and then scrambled like ants at a picnic toting hundreds of boxes of food and supplies. Inside, the queens of cuisine checked the items off the list and loaded groceries onto shelves. We went into Shabbat tired, but with a great sense of victory and peace.

And just for the record, all 271 souls who signed up did not show. Although we had cooked for 300, “only” 200 arrived. This means lots of leftovers. I now know a half dozen ways to serve left over meatloaf. Let's hear it for the spaghetti with meat sauce and Tater Tot casserole!

The bottom line seems to be that worrying would have been a huge waste of energy! Abba made sure that I had help, that the food was served hot and on time every day and there was enough to share with the clients of the local soup kitchen ... and the best bonus of all, I emerged without being totally exhausted!! Our Sovereign is good beyond description!! HalleluYah!

So, all I can say is, “Trust Him.” He knows what you need far better than you do and will move heaven and earth to empower you when you seek to do things His way.

May it be for a blessing ...

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom / Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace --

Yocheved

Water, Water Everywhere

This summer has certainly been the summer to remember so far as rain goes. Tropical storms, hurricanes and just plain ol' rain. It's been wet, that's for sure. My neighbor's yard was under water for about 2 months; the one road into our community stayed underwater for just as long and baby frogs were underfoot – hopping frantically away at our every step while outside. Between the frogs and the crickets, walks with the dog at night gave me thoughts of being in a tropical rainforest. After years of insufficient rainfall in this area, the rain is certainly a blessing, and we are grateful for our Father's provision once again.

But I was feeling swamped in a different way ... One hundred twenty days before Sukkot, we realized (courtesy of the County Building and Zoning Department, thank you very much) that if we wanted to put in a few RV spaces at our congregation's property for hospitality purposes, we also had to put in a new septic system, run water lines from the existing well and have the power company put in an additional power pole. So we made inquiries, got some estimates and settled on someone who had been in business for years and with whom it would be 'one stop shopping'. He could and would do all the components of the job. Yay! Less minutia for me to manage! Simple? yes; easy? Not so much.

Did I mention the rain??? For the next 90 days it rained virtually non-stop. Day after rainy day went by and calendar page after calendar page turned in synchrony. Then suddenly -- Divine Providence I am sure -- the rain stopped ... and there were 30 days separating us from the Scriptural Fall Feasts when these RV spaces would be needed.

I realized we got the right people for the job when we got the phone call that said, “We'll be out there this morning” instead of me having to make the call and ask, “Where are you?” I praise You, Father! What a blessing!

As the job progressed, because of the new septic and the new network of water lines I was tasked with dealing with the Department of Environmental Health. My Beloved does not do bureaucracy well. He is fluent in hammering, tinkering, mowing and fixing, but schmoozing is not his forte. So off I went to deal with the 'Powers that Be'. These fine folks make sure that our water is pure and that it stays pure for everyone's safety and well being. I am happy they do what they do. They decided, like Shakespeare's Shylock, that a pound of proverbial flesh was in order. I was tasked with collecting a multitude of water samples. These water samples had to be done at certain times of day, with specific amounts of time between them and in a specific order. All the while, my Beloved is emoting over the agony he perceives in the process. (Fancy talk for he's kvetching my ears off already. It's OK.  I don't like bureaucracy either.) Am I flummoxed? No, not I -- I have peace that is flowing like a river.

In just a few days, b'ezrat YHVH (with Yah's help) the state inspectors will inspect and Yah willing, we will be done, done, done! And then a flood of a different sort will be upon us. We will be flooded by the blasts on the shofar calling to awaken us from our spiritual slumber and prepare us for an appointment with our King. We will be flooded with our own salty tears as we recount the times we've disappointed our Father in Heaven. We will be flooded with joy as we are reminded of His forgiveness and His promise to separate us from our sin, burying it in the deepest depths of the sea. And just five days after that, we will again be flooded with the excitement and joy of reuniting with our fellow Israelites and guests for our feast of Sukkot / Tabernacles. Wave after wave of emotion, wave after wave of love ... I could stand a flood like that!

This is the traditional prayer for rain ...

YHVH, Our El and El of our ancestors:
Remember Avraham who flowed to You like water.
You blessed him like a tree planted by streams of water.
You rescued him from fire and water.
He passed Your test by planting good deeds by every source of water.
For Avraham's sake, do not keep back water.
Remember Yitz'chak, whose birth was foretold when Avraham offered the angels a little water.
You asked his father to spill his blood like water.
In the desert Yitz'chak dug and found wells of water.
For Yitz'chak's sake, do not keep back water.
Remember Ya'akov who crossed the Jordan's water.
He bravely rolled the stone off the mouth of the well of water.
He wrestled with an angel made of fire and water,
And therefore You promised to be with him through fire and water.
For Ya'akov's sake do not keep back water.
Remember Moshe, who was drawn in a reed basket out of the Nile's water.
Who helped Yitro's daughters: He drew water and gave the sheep water.
He struck the rock and out came water.
For Moshe's sake do not hold back water!
Remember Aharon, the High Priest, who, on Yom Kippur, washed himself five times with water,
He prayed and was sprinkled with purifying water,
He kept apart from a people who were as unstable as water.
For Aharon's sake do not hold back water.
Remember the Twelve Tribes whom
You brought through the divided waters;
For whom You sweetened bitter water;
Their descendants' blood was spilled like water.
Turn to us, Yah, who are surrounded by troubles like water.
For the Israelite people's sake, do not hold back water.
You are YHVH, our Elohim
Who causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall.
For blessing and not for curse. Amein.
For life and not for death. Amein.
For plenty and not for lack. Amein.

May the Creator and One who maintains all there is shower you with abundant blessings, now and always ...

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom / Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace,

Yocheved

At The Crossroads

This is an interesting time to be alive. Things that were absolutes not so very long ago are called into question now .... or even denied! In my own lifetime, I have seen many of these changes; and now I am witness to the questioning, the challenging, the groping for answers that now takes place.

When I was growing up, we believed in God; we prayed; we went to church and we knew that there was judgment after this life, and if love of God didn't keep us on the straight and narrow path, the fear of judgment did. It was only as a working adult that I came to the realization that there were those who just didn't believe. Whether they were raised in homes that were not God-centered or they left the faith for reasons of their own, I don't know. They just didn't want any part of "God".

A few weeks ago, dear Hubby and I were confronted by a mutual acquaintance who started the dialogue with, “I've seen your video bible teachings online. How can you believe such bulls--t?” In the first place, years ago, in polite company, one's beliefs, although they may not have been shared, were respected. Elders and teachers were respected. It was a tough conversation. I must admit that dear Hubby handled it a whole lot better than I did. For the life of me, I cannot understand the aggression ... unless ... they feel threatened by what the bible says. And if they don't believe what the bible says, then why do they feel so threatened if it is of no consequence? So without all the gut-wrenching details, suffice it to say that this acquaintance is searching, but is 'too smart' to be 'hooked' by such drivel.

On the other hand ...

Just today, an acquaintance of mine asked if we could have lunch together. She is a beautiful soul, full of love for our Savior and His Word. She wrestles with what all Believers wrestle with: How to be in and stay in our Father's will; and how to please our Creator / Redeemer / Bridegroom / King. Having been raised in mainstream Christianity, she is having trouble reconciling recent revelations. Cultural norms, familial expectations and other concerns keep presenting road blocks (or at least speed bumps) to embracing the life of a Torah Observant Believer in Y'shua. But, she is knocking and continuing to knock, asking and continuing to ask and seeking and continuing to seek. Coming to this life is a process – two years, at least. It takes time to discard the habits of a lifetime and embrace the teachings of the Word ... like getting the Sabbath on the right day, ditching the pork and shrimp, and celebrating our Creator's feasts and not the ones of our current culture. The two years are an average, of course. The point is it takes a while to overcome the misunderstandings created by linguistic and cultural differences. But it can be done!

So here in a relatively short period of time, dear Hubby and I have been exposed to two very different examples of people at the crossroads. One of the things I learned along the way is that for every 'one' who verbalizes a thought, at least 'ten' were thinking about it. That means that all around us are people who are concerned with thoughts of God, the after-life or about the Heavenly Kingdom, whether they verbalize it or not. This puts a greater onus on those of us who believe the Word to act like it! We have an audience – a judgmental one at that – wherever we go! Do we have to be 'at the ready' to deliver a sermon? Well no, and yes ... as my favorite quote (attributed to St. Francis of Assisi but actually a paraphrase of his teachings) attests: “Always and everywhere, preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.”

May it be our Father's will to gather the dispersed 'Lost Sheep' back into the fold having them submit to the authority of the One True Shepherd Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. May He give each aching, hungry heart what it needs to turn to Him. Where illumination of the Word is needed, may the Word have sudden clarity.  Where objections need to be overcome, may the objections evaporate like smoke. May the stony hearts be massaged into hearts of flesh, b'shem Y'shua who paid the price to reconcile us back to the Almighty.

Although we will not fully grasp all the ramifications of faith, we have in the words of Isaiah / Yeshayahu 35 'a clue':

Isa 35:1 The desert and the dry land will be glad; the `Aravah will rejoice and blossom like the lily.

2 It will burst into flower, will rejoice with joy and singing, will be given the glory of the L'vanon, the splendor of Karmel and the Sharon. They will see the glory of YHVH, the splendor of our Elohim.

3 Strengthen your drooping arms, and steady your tottering knees.

4 Say to the fainthearted, "Be strong and unafraid! Here is your Elohim; He will come with vengeance; with Elohim's retribution He will come and save you."

5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped;

6 then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the mute person's tongue will sing. For in the desert, springs will burst forth, streams of water in the `Aravah;

7 the sandy mirage will become a pool, the thirsty ground springs of water. The haunts where jackals lie down will become a marsh filled with reeds and papyrus.

8 A highway will be there, a way, called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not pass over it, but it will be for those whom He guides — fools will not stray along it.

9 No lion or other beast of prey will be there, traveling on it. They will not be found there, but the redeemed will go there.

10 Those ransomed by YHVH will return and come with singing to Tziyon, on their heads will be everlasting joy. They will acquire gladness and joy, while sorrow and sighing will flee.

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom / Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace

Yocheved

Roadtrips and the Traveler's Prayer

My lovely granddaughters

I very seldom get to see my son, my only biological child -- only about once a year or so. He lives 1000 miles away in TX, so every visit is precious. When he called a few weeks ago and asked, “Can you pick me up on July 30^th?” it was all I could do to contain my excitement. In my heart, I was already on the way to the airport; but, I had to contain myself for a few more weeks. The days were filled with activities and as his visit approached a bit more cleaning and cooking. You know how it goes ....

Finally, the 30^th arrived and we headed towards Orlando to collect him and my two gorgeous granddaughters (ages 6 and 7 ½.) Hubby and I and Gila (our new puppy) loaded in the car and headed south on I-75. Three hours drive and plenty of time to think. This past Shabbat's message was still in my head. This past Parsha, D'varim, (Deuteronomy 1:1 to 3:22) spoke, in part, about just before the Israelites entered the promised Land, they had to rout the Canaanites. Sichon, king of the Emori and Og, king of Bashan stood in the way of the Israelites possessing what they had been promised. Would the Israelites rise to the occasion or would they fail the test? How badly did they want to acquire what they had been promised? We are no different. We face the same challenges daily. How badly do we want to take possession of what we've been promised? Our enemy lulls us to sleep with apathy or distracts us with a substitute for the greatness that has been spoken over us. We are super-conquerors according to the scriptures, but do we give up when the task seems difficult? Do we get diverted by the smoke and mirrors offered by the enemy? The questions facing the Israelites and us is do we have faith in Word; do we have faith in the promise; and are we willing to be obedient? Lots of people believe in God, the real question is, Do they believe God? Huge difference!

The enemy had put up roadblocks to my joy on this occasion too. The week before meeting up with my Son and Grand-girls included a trip to the dentist for a difficult extraction (who knew that the root of the canine/eye tooth went up to the eyeball ... or so it seemed!!). I came home and while putting something in the cupboard a can of black beans fell out and hit me in the face ... in just about the same place. OWW!! (Don't worry, I got even. I ate them!!) A few days before, someone in the mishpokha had spoken unkindly which saddened me; Hubby and I had quarreled which left me smoldering; and work and projects seemed to multiply in the dark and that feeling of being overwhelmed was starting to take hold. “BUT WAIT!! There's More!” as the infomercials say. The deal is, I know Who I believe in. He has promised to love me and take care of me. I have been promised the peace that passes all understanding. The only time I don't have that peace is when I-I-I-I-I lay it down!

So to occupy my time while I rode the three hours to Orlando (also, to ignore driving rain and the ballet dance of lane-changing that the semi-trucks seem to find so amusing) I got out my tablet and kept myself busy working on this blog. I got a substantial amount done and ... I hit the save button. It all disappeared. The original of this blog and all the other documents I had in the que were gone. I searched the file manager. Gone. I searched the SD card. Gone. All that was left was the documents that had been uploaded to “Dropbox”. I considered crying. Nope. That just leaves me with fat lips, red eyes and a stuffy nose. Again, the basics of the book “The Garden of Emuna” came to mind: Everything happens for a reason. “Must have been something in that blog Abba YHVH didn't want me to say.” I told Hubby. Hubby, to his eternal credit, was quiet. No “could-a, should-a or would-as” crossed his lips. We were close to Orlando; I put my tablet away and let out a deep sigh.

A few minutes later there was jumping and bouncing around the car as we reunited with my family. Only Gila, who at 8 months old has only been with Hubby and I, was not elated to see Son and Granddaughters. She warily stared at them and trembled like a leaf during a hurricane. We stuffed the luggage and balloons into the trunk. Once we were back in the car, Gila laid down next to my leg and slept all the way home. I drove --

The visit was so short, just 2 days! But I am ever so grateful for the time we had together. We went to the natural history museum, the butterfly pavilion and drove around showing the Grand-girls the sites of our personal history. We had pizza; we had ice cream. We watched “Lion King” .... again. My grand-girlies got massages from Grandma. They brought me baby frogs. (Ewww!) We spoiled each other rotten. It was glorious!!

Then, this morning came. I lavished one more indulgence on them: pancakes ... with whipped cream. And the 6 of us (counting Gila) piled in the car to make the return trip to Orlando. Again, the semi-truck ballet and the driving rain. Again, the Traveler's Prayer:

May it be your will YHVH our El and El of our forefathers, that You lead us toward peace, emplace our footsteps toward peace and guide us toward peace and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness and peace and return us to our homes in peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush, (bandits and evil animals) along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth. May You send blessing on all the works of our hands and grant us grace, kindness and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our supplication, because You are the Elohim Who hears prayer and supplications. Blessed are You, YHVH, who hears prayer (and I add) Through Y'shua our Messiah who is the Way back to You. Amein.

Ambush ... an interesting word. Evil animals ... surely, not in this day and age. Hmmm.

Hubby and Gila and I took the long way home, taking back roads and stopping for lunch at Chic-fil-a. The lines were long, but the service was excellent and everybody was in high spirits. We ate in the car and enjoyed every bite.  Celebrating freedom of speech is delicious!

Around 4 pm, when I realized I hadn't heard from my son, I sent the following text (His responses are preceded by an asterisk * ; mine by a dash - ).

•       - Hola'! Hope all is well. Just wanted to check on you. Love you.

• * http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/san-antonio-airport-evacuated-after-bomb-threat/1
• * We are stuck in the airplane on the tarmac. Luckily S fell asleep and O is playing her video game.
• - OMG ... What a homecoming! YHVH be with you. Big hugs.
• * Update at 4:25 pm ET: At a briefing, San Antonio's police chief said a caller reported three vehicles in the lower level of a parking garage contained explosives. Bomb sniffing dogs 'got three positive hits for possible explosives on three separate vehicles/” The male caller also made “non-specific threats” for both terminals. Police are trying to trace the call.
• - Scary. Our feeling is that this may be a terrorist's test run or diversion (for a different target)
• * No, this is real. There are about 15 planes waiting. They just brought ice. S is still asleep.
• - Let me know when they release your plane.
• * (at 6:15) OK, we were let out. Getting out of the airport is the challenge now.

Ambush! Who would have thought that the word would be so appropriate? Evil animals. What other description could apply?

I am indeed grateful that my Creator / Redeemer / Bridegroom / King saw fit to answer my prayers so positively. I'm even grateful that the tablet “ate my homework.”  The story wasn't finished when I wrote that version! I am so happy to have this opportunity to praise my Father! He is indeed great, and greatly to be praised! My Son and Granddaughters are safe and the enemy is defeated again. Praise Yah!!

May your travels on this sod be filled with peace.

Shalom b'shem Sar Shalom – Peace in the Name of the Prince of Peace --

Yocheved