Our continued quest to keeping kosher

Oh my my my. As I've been digging around and researching hechsherim {kosher symbols} I've seen even more how not all hechsherim are equal! Some of the things I read shocked me, like certain unclean things being allowed based on the amount of it! But as I said in this last post I wanted to share with you what I found as I studied this out. 

Thankfully I was able to come up with a list to start out with. But I'm pretty sure this is going to be a life long endeavor. Something where I'll just have to stay up to date on any changes that are made, and make sure that the standards haven't been relaxed.

Here are some resources I found that can help you in determining what is right for your family. 

kashrut.com
kosherquest.org
crcweb.org

Here are some videos in a teaching series from a "conservadox" Jewish shul that believes in Yeshua as Messiah.

And here is a printable card that has hechsherim that are deemed appropriate: kashrus card 

I hope these resources get you off to a good start, and if you hear anything about specific hechsherim let me know :o)

 Its purpose is to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten. 

-Leviticus 11:47

Are you salty?

Have you ever read the verse that talks about unsalty salt? 

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. -Matthew 5:13

This verse always seemed weird to me. Maybe it's just me but I've never had unsalty salt. So it just didn't make sense to me. But recently I needed to buy some sea salt. I normally just use regular table salt, but for what ever reason this time I needed sea salt.

That sea salt made my table salt seem very unsalty! I was so shocked. On the container it said to just use the same amount you would table salt. But when I did the results were barely edible! My container of table salt had lost it's savour! Whoa!

I'd love to say I'm like super spiritual and that my mind immediately went to that verse. But nope... It was well over a month later while I was cooking dinner that the Lord brought this concept to my mind. It was almost like the Lord was saying "how salty are you Tewauna?" 

I've never really thought about it before. I just took for granted that I'm to be "salt and light". I never took into consideration my saltiness. But that is something that matters! So how do we maintain our saltiness? If we keep reading we see in verse 16 that we need to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

So that's the ticket! Good works. Doing what's right. OBEDIENCE! It never ceases to amaze me how often that is the answer. If we simply obey what the Lord says, no matter what we think or what people say, then we can continue to useful. But when we disobey we become "good for nothing". I don't want that to be me! How about you? 

What area in your life is the Lord calling you to surrender, or die to self? 

Do and Be

I find myself often thinking of the things I'd like to do and be. I'd like to volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. Because my life story isn't much different than theirs. Only, I went from a sinner dead in my sins, to a sinner saved by grace. I can tell them of the pit that Yeshua lifted me from and the love He has for them.

 I'd like to write a book. I could fill volumes on my life, and the pains I've seen. Or I could write about all the things that I sought to mask my inner hurts. Until finally finding the Redeemer of my Soul.

I'd love to be a doula. Because every miracle starts with birth. To be able to hold a mother's hand as she prepares to take part in the only way Elohim created for more Adams and Eves to enter the world. It's like a little piece of heaven on earth.

 But when I get lost in my dreams of doing and being I have to remind myself that I am doing and being exactly what Elohim has called me to. That outside of this role I'm in rebellion to my Creator. He has blessed me with a husband and children, and if He has blessed you also then this is where your miracle starts.

 So mother, be and do motherhood. It's not the end of your story but the beginning. With the birth of your first child your life is forever changed and the doing and being will not stop. It may look different than in your dreams. But that's because it's better than anything you could of ever imagined. The days are hard, and the nights are long. But when your children rise up and call you blessed, you'll be glad that you invested the time to do and be a mother.


 

Big Changes {part 1}

Wow, I've been guilty of disappearing for awhile, but this time around was a little excessive! Sorry ya'll! We've had SO much going on that blogging just took a back seat.

This year has been full of ups, downs, twists and turns! Which shouldn't be a shocker since my family and I started the year with this declaration. I mean when you say that you're going to follow YHVH blindly and just go where He leads, you might as well expect some changes.

I've blogged about a bunch of the things that have gone on this year, but there are three big things I haven't shared yet.

The first is that we left our church. This one was HARD. But we sat in service, after service, and listened to our pastor preach on Truth or Tradition. Over, and over, he asked will we stand for God's truth or for our own traditions... Talk about conviction. Now he wasn't talking about Hebrew Roots, but none the less Abba used that to work in our hearts. It was amazing. This same topic was preached on for what felt like forever, and at pretty much every service! I think I felt the itch before my hubby but I just kept quiet and prayed. When I finally asked my hubby if he was making the same connections as I was he said he was. But just wasn't sure what to do. So again I was just quiet and in prayer.

Then one night I was chatting with a dear friend, and telling her how I was feeling. I told her about the messages, how there was no where for us to go, and how lonely I felt. She encouraged me to just wait and pray so I did. Only I didn't have to wait that long. The next day someone sent me a facebook friend request. But I didn't know them. Turns out  she was another believer that was local to me! But she didn't know that because my location isn't on FB. We started chatting about fellowship and when I told her that we didn't go anywhere for our Shabbat fellowship, she invited us to join her family!

My husband is usually VERY hesitant about going to new places, and especially in this situation of going to someone's house, that we had never met. So when I mentioned it to him I was figuring he'd say no. Well surprise, surprise! He said yes! That next Shabbat we head over to meet with her family, and really enjoyed the teaching and fellowship. We then went to church as normal on Sunday. But Sunday night, after the evening service, my hubby was washing dishes and I was sitting in the living room with the girls. All of a sudden he came into the living room and said "we're not going back to the church." I said "ok, like on Wednesday we're not going back?" "No, we're not going back ever."

That was it, no explanation. I didn't know what to think or say. So I didn't say anything. When we discussed it later that evening he told me that he felt YHVH was telling him not to go back. He said he stood there questioning it for a second, and then was just like if this is what I believe YHVH is telling me why am I fighting it. So I said ok, and we agreed to just continue going to our new found Shabbat fellowship.

I don't want to make this post too long, so stay tuned for part 2 :o)

Fear Elohim

This is a post where I'm totally transparent and share my struggles. So this is as much for me as it is for you. I just pray that in being open someone may be encouraged...

I am SO guilty of putting the ideals and thoughts of others above the truth Elohim has shown me. I hesitate before sharing things, especially when it comes to faith. I run all the possible things that people may say through my head and then usually end up not saying anything. But if it's truth, then why does it matter what other people say? And even worse, do I do that when it comes to Elohim? Do I filter my thoughts and actions through what He would think or say? Sadly, I don't as much as I should.  

By choosing to blog I live my life wide open. People see all of me and knowing that I'm "being watched" makes me self conscious. I don't want people to criticize or judge me. BUT WHO CARES?!? People can think what they want. It's not their opinion that matters, and I don't say that defiantly or with an attitude. I do believe that there is a need for wise counsel and to listen to the admonishments of those who have more wisdom in a certain area. 

But more important than what people think is what my Elohim thinks! I can't keep trying to make everyone happy. I have to do what's best for me, and that's whatever makes my Elohim happy! 

So enough is enough. I surrender, think what you will. I  long to be consumed by YHVH, to be totally caught up in Him. But being consumed with the what other people might think is getting in the way. He has to come first...


Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of YHVH thy Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him.-Deut 8:6

To Remember...

I've talked about tzitzit {fringes} a couple of times, once unknowingly, and once very briefly. But I've never fully addressed it as a command. So let's look at the verses where tzitziyot are discussed. 

Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes{tassles} in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe{tassle} of the borders a ribband {cord/thread} of blue:And it shall be unto you for a fringe{tassle}, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. -Numbers 15:38:40

These verses apply to the children of Israel*, not just men or just women, but all of Israel. The hebrew word used there is ben, which can mean son or mean children. In context though we see why it was translated children. The tzitzit are supposed to be a reminder of YHVH's commands, and both men and women are supposed obey Elohim.

When I wrote about tzitzit very briefly I just stated that we were going to wear them and that I'd keep you updated. But then I never  said anything again. That's because shortly after we stopped wearing them. It's not always easy to do things that cause you to stand out, or be set-apart. But that's exactly what we're called to be. So once again we're stepping out in  faith and walking obedience to our Abba. 

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. -1 Peter 1:15-16

*If you would like more information on Israel I suggest watching this video or reading this article


Also if you're interested in tzitzit they're available at  my store Emunah :o)

Must See

I saw this video on Shabbat and it is a MUST SEE! I could say so much, but it really speaks for itself. It's the message that was given at  the inaugural prayer breakfast for President Obama. I was so shocked by things that were stated in this message. I think its an important message for everyone to hear. I just pray it doesn't fall on deaf ears. 

A Lesson I Learned This Past Shabbat

As  I was reading in Ezekiel this past Shabbat, Adonai dealt with me about something. I was just starting to read Ezekiel so I hadn't gotten very far before things started to make sense as to why I was even reading Ezekiel in the first place. The verses that the Lord used were Eze 2:6-8.

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Now just to clarify, I believe that scripture has one interpretation, but many applications. So while these verses only mean exactly what they say and are an account of what happened with Ezekiel, that does not mean that Adonai can't use them to speak into my life. Ok, now on to my point :o)

As I was reading I felt like Adonai was telling me to pay attention to what was about to come, and then I read those verses. If you knew me personally, in my "real life", you'd know that I will gladly share with you about Yeshua (Jesus). I have no problem witnessing. But what I do struggle with is sharing my convictions. If you asked me why I wear skirts, or a headcovering, I most likely won't give you scripture and tell you exactly why. I'll just say oh it's my conviction or something else similar. If you asked me why we don't celebrate christmas, I'd just tell you well it's pagan in origin and so we choose to abstain. But I will quickly change the subject. Now of course if someone presses the issue I will share. Because it's not that I'm shy, it's that I'm afraid. I'm afraid of being the odd one, or being looked at funny. But I shouldn't be because YHVH in His Word {1 Peter 2:9} says that I am to be peculiar!

I am Set-apart for my HOLY Elohim, and I should not {and neither should you} be "afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks". I am to speak HIS Words to them, or else I'm being rebellious! Ouch! I don't want to be in rebellion to my Creator. Now this is not to say that I need to, or even should, go around preaching to everyone. It's not so much a matter of preaching, as it is teaching. Who knows how often the enemy has used my fear to keep me from sharing the truth with someone who was searching. When we refuse to open up we aren't allowing Adonai to use us. We were not created to fear! 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. -2 Timothy 1:7

 The really funny thing though is that it's not the unbeliever that I fear. It's the other so called Christians who are quick to scream legalist, when in truth my hearts desire is the please my Abba. Not to be under bondage, or to put others under bondage. Every conviction that I hold has come from YHVH, and whether or not "they" see it is not my concern. What is my concern though is to always be prepared with scripture for why I live the way I live. Not to argue or to condemn another but so that those who would falsely accuse me, can know of the hope that I have in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ)! So I am leaving behind that spirit of fear and stepping forth in the truth of my Abba. His Words will be my reply and His Spirit my guide. :o)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. -1 Peter 3:15-16

Our Shabbat in Pictures

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. -Gen 2:2

Our Shabbat didn't go exactly as we planned, but it was a blessing none the less. We watched some videos from Passion for Truth, spent time reading scripture, and enjoyed each others company. After I lit our Shabbat candles I got the idea to share our day with you. Everyone was too hungry for me to take any pictures of dinner though :o)

The challot I made!

They looked so pretty, before I baked them lol. The funny shaped one was part of a project I'm working on for a friend. 

The funny shaped challah didn't make it pass dinner!

This is what it's all about, spending time with Abba.

Pumpkin cookies! 

Lunch!

The girls "reading"

Time for havdalah:
grape juice, spices, and braided candle.

Hubby doing the havdalah service.

There you have it, our Shabbat. It was very refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to fellowship with my family. I can't wait until next week! Shavua Tov {good week}from my family to yours!

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. -Revelations 14:12

On Submission and Idolarty

photo credit

Earlier today in my personal bible time I was reading in 1 Kings, when I came across a few different verses that later manifested themselves in my life. I'll list out the verses and then explain.

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. -1 Kings 11:4-6

 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: -1 Kings 12:8

And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days. -1 Kings 15:11-14

Now these three passages are each talking about a different king, but we can learn from their mistakes and successes. When I read the first passage my heart was instantly pricked and I began to think what are the things that I am leading my husband after. The second passage got me to thinking about the counsel I receive from older godly women. The third passage got me to thinking about the things in my life I make idols of. 

These thoughts all sort of go together, but it wasn't until later in the day that I truly saw the connection. After I finished reading I prayed that the Lord would show me idols in my life and what things are competing affections. I have a definition that I wrote in the front of my bible about idolatry that I like to use. 

"Idolatry is expecting people, possessions, or positions to do for me what only God can"

I don't remember where I got this quote from, but it is something I use to kind of check myself. So after I prayed I looked at this quote and tucked it away in my mind as I continued through my day. 

I was backed up on dishes, so I went into the kitchen to start what I knew was going to be a bit of a task. I usually listen to a teaching or Revive Our Hearts while I wash dishes or work in the kitchen. But today I decided to listen to The Excellent Wife audio book, by Martha Peace. I went to take down my dish drainer and I realized that it had gotten a little yucky sitting up above my cabinets (I only use it when I have a lot of dishes to wash). I wanted to clean it one way that would of slightly inconvenienced my hubby, and doing it another way would of much more inconvenienced me. So I proceeded to ask him to change his plans so that I could do what I wanted. After all what I wanted to do was going to benefit us both. But he said no. "How on earth could he say no" I thought, so I explained to him exactly what he was asking me to do, and with a bit of a puzzled look on his face he simply replied "yea". 

Yea? Yea, what? Yea, you expect me to go out of my way and create more work for myself???? Frustrated, I huffed and puffed away. As I began moving things around, feeling completely inconvenienced and unloved, I mumbled under my breath "who does he think he is?" and  other things I will not be sharing here. Then I heard the voice reading Martha Peace's book begin to talk about submission and being a glory to your husband. I glared over at the speakers and really wanted to tell that lady to shut up! But then the Lord lovingly brought to mind 1 kings 12:8 "But he forsook the counsel of the old men..." Here I am desiring to be a godly wife but then rejecting the counsel of a woman who has gone before me, and even worse I sought her out! I went and got this audio book and turned it on, yet now I'm telling her to mind her business.  Talk about a convicted heart. 

I stood there washing my dishes, with a softened heart and listened as the reader continued. Then next thing I know she's talking about idols that a woman can make in her life, that might not seem like idols. Oh, boy. I can't remember everything she said word for word, but she was saying how often times the idea of having a godly marriage, and family, can become an idol because we loose sight of what's most important, GOD. We focus more on what we want, and even risk sinning to attain it, when really our only focus should be on God. That cut through me like a hot knife through butter. 

Am I guilty of that? Of course not... until she said that you can tell by your reaction when things don't go how you think they should. If you're seeking after the Lord you"ll have peace because you are resting in Him. But if you're seeking after something other than the Lord you'll be frustrated when things aren't fitting into you're plan. That's me! I like things to go my way, and when they don't I say, "Lord are you sure?" But that's not the way to go. Now the dish drainer situation is a small thing but if I have the wrong attitude in the small things how much more so will have the wrong attitude in the big things? My reaction shows that my heart was not focused of serving my family but rather just on getting a job done because I was supposed to. When my husband didn't do what I wanted I began thinking "is this how Christ loved the church?" Which is the totally the wrong attitude. (I won't even get into how she was talking about taking the beam out of you're own eye...)

I went from being hardhearted and angry because I was inconvenienced, to the Lord taking me through all the scriptures He had shown me. If I am not careful in keeping my gaze on Him I will loose focus, and create an idol. I could then end up forcing my husband into going after my idol and not fully after the Lord. If I do not harken to warnings of godly women who have gone before me, and instead focus on the ideals of this current culture,  I can hinder my husband from being who God wants him to be. All because of my need to chase after the idol of a godly marriage and family instead of just focusing on the Lord and allowing Him to bring about godliness in my marriage and family. Ouch, ouch, and ouch again. 

Do you have idols in your heart? Maybe yours are different from mine but examine your heart and cast away any competing affections. 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me...Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God... -Exodus 20:3&5

I'm linking up at:

 

Martha Moments

I hate to have to confess this but... I had a Martha moment. One that caused me to become convicted and have to repent rather quickly. About a month ago I told you all  about a homeless man we met, whom we'll call John. What I haven't shared is that we've been in constant communication with John. He said that he accepted Messiah at a previous time, so we've just accepted that and haven't pressed him. But he's struggling with an alcohol addiction. We've been taking him weekly to a program at our church for addiction help and discipleship.

Well to make a long story short my husband has been spending lots of time talking with John and trying to help him. Which is awesome! It's stretched us and helped us to really move out side of our comfort-zone. Recently we found out that John has an opportunity to move and go stay with family in the south. Maybe a good idea, maybe not, but I'm staying out of it. Ok so now here comes my Martha moment...

I was cooking dinner and my husband, who was just supposed to be running to the store really quickly, ended up getting a call from John. I was cooking and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Then I had the thought "I hope John moves because then we'll be free from this project!"

AHH I know! It sounds even worse than it did when I thought it. Immediately it was like the Lord said TEWAUNA SHANTE! (you know how you get the full name when you're in trouble?) Oh man, I had to go to my Heavenly Father and hash that one out. It wasn't that I didn't want to be a blessing to our friend. I just wanted my husband home so we could have dinner. We had things to do, and he was interrupting. It didn't matter that John was suffering through a loss in his family, or that my husband is the only access he currently has to Jesus. I wanted to serve dinner and needed my husband home. Oh my, I'm so ashamed of my selfishness and so thankful for my Father's correction.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? -Hebrews 12:7

When I was done getting chastised and repenting I realized something about myself. It's not revelutionary but it's the truth. I am wicked! Apart from Jesus I am no good not even a little bit! As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. -Romans 3:10

I know this shouldn't of shocked me, but it did. I guess I got to a place where I felt like oh look at me I'm helping random people, I'm awesome. When really I should be only looking to Jesus, saying what next Lord! I'm nothing special, but He is everything and it is a privilege to get to do His work. It's not burdensome, and I'm not the all star. It's so easy to slip into our flesh, but thankfully we have am AMAZING Abba, Who comes right beside us and reminds us of the truth. 

Martha moments and all at least we can always get back to what is needful. 

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. -Luke 10:41-42

I Will Follow

At church this past Sunday my pastor was preaching about how Elisha dropped everything he was doing to follow after the prophet Elijah {1 Kings19:19-21}. Elisha left behind all that he had known to follow a prophet of God. He didn't waiver or hestitate, he realized the opportunity God was placing in front of him. Then as I've been reading this week I've noticed how the same holds true for the apostles. They always responded to Jesus' call immediately. Everyone knows Matthew 4:19 "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

But how much time do we spend recognizing the powerful truth of the very next verse? "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." {Matt 4:20} They STRAIGHTWAY, quickly, immediately, stopped what they were doing and followed. They didn't respond by saying, ok Lord right after we're done. But how often is that our response? Lord I'll serve you after I'm done watching this show, or when I finish having fun. When we should be responding by saying, yes Lord I'll go. 

Another thing I noticed is how when Jesus called they were willing to leave behind everything. 

"And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him." -Matt 4:22

"And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him." -Luke 5:11

They left behind everything because things {and often people} can hold you back from serving God. If you are more attached to things than you are to God then how good of a servant can you possibly be? It's like the story of the rich man in Luke 18:22-23. 

"Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich."

This wasn't a rebuke, it was an invitation! Yet the man walked away sorrowful, because He loved his things more that God. Can you imagine that? Being asked by Jesus HIMSELF to come and follow Him, but then turning away sorrowful? It seems crazy right? Yet we do it EVERY SINGLE DAY. None of us are perfect we all have things in our lives that we've put before God. But I challenge you today to ask God to reveal to you whatever it is that you've made an idol in your life and ask Him to tear it down! Don't be like the rich man that walked away from his opportunity. Be like the apostles who recognized the opportunity that was set before them and followed the King of Kings. 

Romans 8 {part 1}

These last few weeks the Lord has had me reading, and re-reading, Romans 8. It seems like every time I read it I get something new. So I figured why not share with you all what the Lord has been revealing to me in my quiet time. 


Let's start with the first few verses:

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.



Something so amazing is revealed in these four verses. We are told that the law (Mosaic Law) was weak because it had to be fulfilled in the flesh. As we know there are none righteous so to keep the law perfectly in your flesh is impossible. That's why there needed to be a sacrifice system for the Israelites to atone for their sins. But YHVH in His infinite love and mercy sent His Son, Yeshua (Jesus), to not only show us the pain of our sin but also (and more importantly) to redeem us from the price of our sin!  {For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23}


In verse 4 we find the crux of the matter. The law can't be fulfilled when we try to do it in our flesh, but it IS fulfilled in us when we walk after the Spirit. Do you see that? When we are asking the Lord to fill us and seeking His will in our lives we will have the law fulfilled in us. It's not that the law doesn't matter but rather that we can't and SHOULD NOT try to keep it in our flesh. It's impossible! As we learn to walk in the Spirit YHVH will be faithful to guide us and show us HIS truth. 


To me that is just the most amazing thing. Our Abba loves us so much that not only can we call Him Father, but He also lovingly teaches us just like a good father would teach his children. Gently training in love, yet being firm and just in his correction. The law was not made to be a burden but to be a guide to show us how badly we need GOD. Our Messiah HIMSELF said:



 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Matt 11:29-30

To me this is such a BEAUTIFUL picture of just how much we are loved by the Almighty. His standards did not change, just the way He teaches us has.

TBOC: Submission

Boy this one is a biggie and no one ever likes to talk about it... But The Lord has laid it on my heart so I'm going to go ahead and put myself out there. This is so important for more reasons than most of us usually think about.

According to scripture there is a chain of command.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. -1 Corinthins 11:3

As you see it goes God, man, woman. Not that man is superior to woman, but that man covers the woman. It's been said that this is because Eve told Adam to eat the apple, and women needed to be "put in their place" so to speak.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. -Gen 3:16

 That verse is after God confronts Adam and Eve about eating the fruit. The second to last part is so important; that our desires shall be to our husbands. So it's not about just him being our leader but also about us wanting him to be. Wanting him to help keep us in a relationship where we are obeying the Lord. I think for women submitting to men can be so against our nature. But God knows what's best and having us in a role of submission allows us to have a better relationship with HIM. I believe that is why scripture says:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. -Ephesians 5:22-24

Marriage is supposed to be an earthly example of Christ and the church. So husband submit to God, and wife submit to your husband "as unto the Lord".  Do with that what you will. You can love it, or hate it, but I'm not one to argue with the Word of God.

I know there are always questions like "what about if your husband is not a believer", or "what if my husband isn't submitting to God"? To that I say if your husband isn't telling you to do anything that goes against God, then you still have to submit. The only time we can step out of "line" is to prevent sin. But even with that we should be in prayer about it. We should be asking God to take care of it so we don't have to. Because the important thing in all of this is obeying God.

How submission looks in every family will be very different. There is no cookie cutter way to submit, and the best thing for every woman to do is sit down and have a talk with your husband. Because no one else can tell you what's important to him.

Here is the part that you might not have thought about. I once heard a sermon on how God sometimes uses the relationship that we have with our children (or our parents) to teach us lessons about our relationship with Him. That really stuck out to me in so many ways, especially when I think back on my relationship with my parents.

Now that I'm a parent I spend a lot of time thinking about my relationship with my children. I've been thinking about the families that I've seen who have children who are well behaved and joyful and USUALLY the parents of these children are totally submitted to the Lord. The wives are joyfully submitted to God in their role as wife and mother, and the husbands are totally submitted to God in their role as husband and father. Then it hit me. That's it!

When we are submitted to God, doing His will, and seeking His heart that's when were are able to really "train up our children in the way they should go!" Unless our hearts are turned to God and seeking His will in our lives we can't teach our children anything.How can we expect our children to listen to us when we aren't listening to our Heavenly Father? We have to demonstrate joyful obedience and submission for our children. As moms that means we need to be joyfully submitting to our husbands and dads need to be joyfully submitting to God.

Some practical ways we can demonstrate this are:

• Talking with your children about decisions you are praying about
• Praying with your children about things you feel led to do. 
• Praising God with your children, especially when you have answered prayers. 
• Giving your children examples of how God has led you to do things that, and you did them.  

*Disclaimer: if you are being abused seek counsel from someone who is submitted to God. A pastor, pastor's wife, or just a godly women that you know. I am in no way advocating staying in or defending an abusive situation.*


I'm linking up at: Time-Warp Wife, Women Living Well, and A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Because It Is My Life

The Prodigal Daughter by Charlie Macksey

I'm back! When I started my break I didn't know how long I would be gone. I didn't know what would become of me. I even started another blog that was private just to sort out my thought and even with that I couldn't keep it up. I've been in a place where I was trying to get to the Meat when what I really needed (and still need) was the Milk. {1 Corinthians 3:2}

HaShem has opened my eyes to so many things and with each new discovery I found myself wanting to know everything. I would stay up late and be digging and searching. My husband said several times that I was acting like I had to have all the answers right then and there. I wasn't letting the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) guide me. I was guiding me. But then one day something changed. I don't know what it was, all I can do is say that it was God, because it makes no sense. It's like one day I just woke up. I realized I can't have ANY ANSWERS until HaShem is ready for me to. I can look and look all I want but I'll only go around in circles. I realized I had lost my joy, my hope, even my faith. I was looking ahead to emptiness. And that's when out of my darkness and frustration I was called back home.

I was up one night and I decided I need to open up my Bible. I don't know why or what it was but some how I came across 2 John. Well the whole chapter just spoke to me, I was practically in tears as I felt my Abba calling me home, but what stood out to me the most was this: Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. -2 John 1:8


"That we lose not those things which we have wrought"... That pierced me like a sword. I had been on FIRE for YHVH, speaking His word every chance I got. But something squelched that fire in me, my desire to know facts and live by the law left me with out the Spirit. I was in jeopardy of loosing the things that I had wrought! But MY Abba (yes, I know He's yours too but I'm having a moment) called me home!

I was once again reminded that I needed spirit and truth and that this walk does not fit into a little box of facts. There is no little box to check off that says I am a Torah Observant follower of Yeshua HaMoshiach (Jesus Christ) and I live a set apart life. There's either Christian or Jewish and by many standards I fit neither box. I tried to make the box fit, I tried hard, and finally I am ok with not having a neat little box to place myself in. I'm leaning on the Word, walking in the Spirit, facing the world, and shouting from the roof tops: IT IS MY LIFE!

...Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life... -Deut 32:46-47

Did you proselytize today???

I was watching a documentary and in it there was a woman who was searching for her "born-again brother". Now the documentary as a whole didn't really speak to me much. It was actually pretty boring, but, something really stood out to me. The woman made a statement about how her brother never tried to proselytize her. That comment reminded me of another time that I had hear (or maybe read) someone make a similar comment. But I wasn't sure what it meant. Yay for dictionaries! :o)

pros·e·lyt·ize
to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte;  recruit.

Well now that I know what the word means I have some bells and whistles going off. Aren't we as believers SUPPOSED to convert people?????

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Matt 28:19-20

I totally get that witnessing can be uncomfortable. No one likes ruffling feathers. Its so much easier to just go about our lives and just have a private time with YHVH and hide our light. But that is NOT what He asks of us!

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -Matt 5:14-16

A side from it being a command to spread the Gospel, how can we say we love someone and then not care where they spend eternity? How can you be friends with someone and not care if they are heaven bound? It's easy if we only love in word. But YHVH has something to say about that.

My little children, let us not love in word,neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth 

-1 John 3:18

Now if all of that is still not enough for you what about knowing that you will be held accountable for those that do not hear the Gospel???????? All of Ezekial 33 explains this but I will give you just these 2 verses.

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 

-Ezekial 33:8-9

People can say what they will about me, but, the one thing they can't deny is that I will share the Gospel. I am NOT ashamed! That's not to say its always easy or that I consistently go out of my way to reach someone. But I try. I pray often that I will be yielded to the Spirit and that I will act when God wants me too. I don't want to be the reason someone doesn't get saved. Do you???

*if you have no clue what I'm even talking about please click here*

 

Passover!

Chag Sameach Pesach!

A Ribband of Blue...

On Easter Sunday my pastor gave a wonderful sermon that I've been meditating on for some time now. The sermon was on remembering and keeping God's commandments. Not in order for us to obtain and maintain salvation but rather to show our love for our savior and creator! I've been going back and forth on what God's will is for me and not being sure if I am clearly "hearing His voice", but sitting in church with my fiance by my side I realized that my WONDERFUL SAVIOR has been placing a burden on my heart to follow the things He has laid out before me.

"37And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

38Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them ; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

40That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

41I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God." -Numbers 15:37-41

I will be keeping a "ribband of blue" on my blog to remind my self and others of the commands that our wonderful and loving God has given us. The commands aren't to hinder us but rather to help us grow. He knows what's best and I am striving to trust Him in ALL areas. I find when I'm reading my Bible that I am searching for what it is that God wants me to do. I'm constantly searching for direction. I am still a new Christian and I know that it will take a life time to even learn what all of the commands of God are. But there are areas in my life where I can firmly stand and begin my obedience.

I think it's only fitting that I start with learning and preparing myself to be a submissive wife. I'm currently studying this, reading and reviewing scriptures. I know that since God said it in His word He means it.

Another area that I've been focusing on is praising God. I want to be certain that I am honoring Him in all that I do and that I am properly showing Him praise. Past studies have shown me that there is an incorrect way to praise Him, and that's not a mistake I want to make!

This journey has taught me SOOOO much and I'm so excited to keep learning. I know I've been away for awhile but I'm back and even more hungry for my Lord than before!

Yours in Christ,
Tee