It's that time again {+ a FREE coloring page}

I am so excited that the fall feasts are almost here again! This is one of my favorite times of the year, followed VERY closely by the spring feasts. In preparation for the feasts I'm sure that most of you are taking the time to reflect and search out your hearts. I know for our family we are tying to really get focused so that when the feasts come we can enter in fully. I love how the different feasts {found in Leviticus 23} are like appointments with the Most High! He tells us when to show up and we get to enter in to His presence in a way completely different from other times. Of course all the food and fellowship is great too :o) One of the things we are doing in out home is getting the children involved in the whole concept of Teshuvah {repentance} and why that is important. We talk about what Yeshua {Jesus} has done for us and our need to "go and sin no more". Forgiveness is not a license to sin, as I'm sue you already know, so it's important to us to for our children to get that.  Of course with our children being so young we have to find creative ways to discuss this and get it to stick. One things that my children LOVE to do is color. So I created this teshuvah coloring page to illustrate exactly what it means to teshuvah. Since we're using it in our home I thought some of you might enjoy it as well. Blessings to you and you home!FREE coloring page

Sanctification

Sanctification is defined as being made holy, or separated unto God. But depending on what Christian denomination you belong to the way that "looks" varies. 

Should that be the case? Should holiness look different depending on what label we give ourselves or should it look the same across the board? I think it should look the same. If we're all using the same Book and believing in the same God then it should be the same holiness. 

I think the disconnect comes from where we get our definition of holiness. Many times we read into scripture and say well it should be this or that, and we explain away scripture that is clear as day.

That should not be so. We should be clinging to the Word and seeking to be transformed by the Ruach HaKodesh {Holy Spirit} not by what is acceptable in our church. 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Just an example... I was convicted of wearing a headcovering 4 years ago. When I began covering my hair no one in my church did it. I did not think (and still do not think) that I am holier than them or anyone else. BUT I did listen to the Ruach when I was lead in that direction. Even though I was counter cultural, and was doing something my congregation did not do. But it wasn't about the approval of other people. It was about what the Lord had shown me and my being diligent to do all that He has called me to do. 

Maybe there is something that the Lord is calling you to. Something that is different from what everyone around you is doing. That is the point of sanctification! That you are different from those around you. That you are set apart unto the Lord, and are conformed to HIS image. 

It's not always an easy process, ok I'll be honest it's rarely ever an easy process. The flesh wants to kick and scream and do what it wills. But when we as believers submit ourselves to the Lord and we do as HE asks us we will be all the better for it. 

Sanctification comes after salvation. So once we repent and decide to become a child of the Most High then we need to look and act like one of His children. 

When a family adopts a child they don't hold that child to different standards. That child is now a real part of the family and the same expectations that are placed on any other children, are placed on that child as well. It's just the same for us as believers. While the He my lead us at different times, we should all be headed in the same direction.

So as you are studying and praying, ask the Father to give you a heart for what He loves. Ask for Him to help you to behave as His child. 

The faith to stay

I don't know if any of you are like me, but I have this overwhelming desire to be used mightily by Hashem. I want His blessings on my life. I want to serve Him with everything I have.

In my mind that looks so mighty. Like moving cross country on short notice because we're called to serve in some way. Or heading up a ministry of some sort. Or serving on a foreign missions field.

I totally have the faith to go. I'd go pretty much anywhere with out a second thought. Of course there are a few places that I'd ask "Abba are you sure?" but those places are few. My heart for doing the will of my Creator is so big that often my view of what He wants seems grandiose.

But what about when His will is for me to stay put? To serve Him where I am despite how un-grand it feels.

We had high hopes of moving to be in closer fellowship with others, and to devote our lives to full time ministry. We felt very strongly that it was Hashem's will. But then door after door was closed on our plans.

That was so hard. We felt very confused and severely overwhelmed. Many changes had to be made in order for us to go. So when it didn't go as planned we were hurt.

I was so frustrated.

But then the Almighty moved me to a realization that changed things for me. I need to be just as willing to stay, as I am to go.

Going somewhere seems glamorous. People know about it and they say "wow look at her faith". But when you stay put and you are doing the everyday things. The training of children, the cleaning of the home. No one cares. No one says wow your faith is so strong.

Instead they ask "what do you do all day?" They look at you and think all kinds of negative things. Encouraging your faith, is generally not on the list of comments to be made. So you're left feeling like the work you are doing is worthless.

But it takes just as much --if not more-- faith to stay, when everything inside of you wants to go. It's easy to feel like you're being sidelined. But that's not true. Abba doesn't want to punish your faith. He wants to continue to grow it.

He can't do that if you sulk and grow bitter. He needs your heart to stay joyfully focused on HIM as He gives you the grace to navigate your situation. When the time is right He will move.

For me personally I am spending this time at home working on the character qualities that I believe Hashem is trying to bring about in me, and my children, through this time.

It's not easy but with His help it is possible. So if you are like me and are struggling with having the faith to stay, I just want to encourage you today that the Lord has a plan for your life and where ever He has you He wants you to SHINE!

Love and blessings,

Spiritual focus for 5575

Good Book via Laura Fatta

Wow. I don't know about you but the fall chagim seemed to go by in a whirl-wind! There was lots of planning and preparing going on, but it was all worth it. I feel like I really drew closer to Hashem and learned more about what He has called me to. Sometimes on this walk it's not that easy to navigate, but Baruch Hashem, I'm glad to have Yeshua to illuminate the path. 

I recently shared a brief overview of my goals for this year, and I was inspired by my friend and fellow blogger, Crysta from Shalom in the Home, to share a little more detail about my plans. 

So first thing I want to mention is my family's commitment to reading through the Torah portion each week. For those who don't know the Torah reading cycle was set up long ago during the time of the biblical Ezra and Nehemiah. The cycle was set up to ensure that people would study Torah, or at the very least encourage them to try. This cycle was used during the time of Yeshua and still used now! What an awesome was to stay connected to am Yisrael {the nation/people of Israel} and to our roots. 

The plan is for our family to read through at least a chapter of each portion during our weekly family Bible time. The cycle is just beginning anew so this week we have been reading Bereshith {Genesis} 1-6:8. My children are enjoying going through the creation story. It's amazing to me how they are picking out new things from the account each time. 

I also intend to try to read each portion in the chumash {Torah with commentary}. It would be much easier to do if I had a hard copy but for now I will be using this website which has the bible with Rashi's commentary. 

That plus sticking with my routine of daily bible reading, will definitely keep me spiritually fed. But even still there is more! I have signed up with to spend the next 13 weeks studying different middot {character traits}with a chevruta {study partner}via Riverton Mussar. I am really excited about this one and am looking forward to sharing what I'm learning. 

As for my Hebrew study I am going to go through the book Jot & Tittle, from FFOZ. A very dear friend of mine gave it to me years ago and I've gone through it very inconsistently. But I'm planning to complete the whole book this cycle. This will help to reinforce my knowledge of the alephbet and help build my vocabulary. I would like to do more but I think committing to this is huge step for me. I tend to pick things up and put them down very, VERY, frequently. 

I'm hoping that by planning it all out and sharing "the plan" will help keep me accountable. All I can do though is try :o)

What about you? Do you have any plans for 5775?

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men...

-Colossians 3:23

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

Obedience and Fear

Something I'm chewing on today...

 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19

Do we tremble in the face of the Almighty? Or are we flippant? Do we believe that we can do as we please despite the rules that He has in place? 

I think we can all agree the most flippant of all is hasatan himself. But even he knows to not go beyond the boundary that the Almighty set. Look at these verses in Job:

1: 12 And YHVH said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So satan went forth from the presence of YHVH. 

2:6-7 And YHVH said unto satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went satan forth from the presence of YHVH , and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

The Almighty allowed the enemy to attack Job, but He gave clear boundaries. As we read we see that the enemy never once crossed those boundary lines. Are we that faithful to do as we are told or does hasatan obey better than we do?

YHVH gave many commands that are perpetual, or everlasting. Yet many today believe that those commands are done away with. Worse yet those that know and believe that the laws given by YHVH are still for us today are not diligent. We come to this truth but then still tow the line and say well its ok if I slip. When in reality we should be so far from the line there is no fear of slipping! 

I'm not pointing any fingers because Yah knows I am not perfect. But boy oh boy was I convicted by the obedience of hasatan. Isn't that crazy??? Our very own enemy that is in 100% opposition to YHVH obeys Him. But do we? 

We need to learn to tremble and to be exceedingly afraid of YHVH. While He is merciful and loving and long suffering that does not make Him soft on sin. Don't confuse His kindness for weakness. The same Elohim who destroyed Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire, is the same Elohim that we call Abba, Father, and He will not be mocked. Be exceedingly afraid.... 

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear YHVH, and depart from evil. -Proverbs 3:7

Serving a Faithful Elohim

photo credit

It wasn't that long ago that I was on my knees begging Abba for fellowship and friends. When we left our church it was scary and hard, but we did it by faith. The same is true of our prayers for a son, our home, and a plethora of other things. By faith we made the necessary steps to prove that we trusted and would accept what ever came our way. 

Now our lives are in a place that I honestly never could have imagined. We've joined a great congregation and are able to dig into the Word, as well as fellowship with like-minded believers every Shabbat.  We are happily raising 3 children to love YHVH and to serve Him with their lives. I see my 2 oldest children thinking of others and trying to be helpful and loving. One of my biggest concerns has always been that my children would be close to each other and it's just so amazing for me to watch how they try to take care of each other. Not that they're perfect but they love each other, and really what more could I ask for?

This past month we've had so many answers to prayer it's been mind blowing. It's just kind of been one thing after another and it's times like this that strengthen us all the more for times when things are really hard. 

After the birth of our son we had to make some decisions about circumcision. Not whether to do it, but who to have do it and how to afford it. Since it had to be done on the 8th day that made things slightly more complicated. Thankfully our midwives recommend a wonderful mohelet to us. This whole process has given me a whole new understanding of Tzipporah's struggle with circumcision {Exodus 4:24-26}. 

Once we called the mohelet and got everything set up the realization of what was going to happen set it. I told my husband "my inner momma bear came out". Because that's truly the only way I could describe it. I did a lot of praying and seeking in those few days before the brit and then on the day of I felt at peace. I knew we were obeying and so Abba would take care of us, which He did! From everything down to the financials we were taken care of in a way that only a loving Abba could. It was amazing. 

our son after his brit milah

We are just so happy and blessed and I truly believe that it is the fully undeserved chesed {loving-kindness}that a merciful and loving Abba pours out on us. We do our best to reciprocate that love by obeying but in all honesty we fall short SOOOO many times. But nevertheless HE IS STILL FAITHFUL! He has never forsaken us, even though truly we have deserved it! 

So that is what is going on around here. We are so thankful for the way Abba manifests Himself to us and we are forever indebted to Him. He is our all in all! 

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of Elohim: I trust in the mercy of Elohim for ever and ever. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. Psalm 52:8-9

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? 

Keeping Kosher

I will be the first to tell you that to eat Biblically clean you DO NOT have to buy everything kosher. In fact if you know what you're looking for, and you do most of your cooking from scratch you can completely avoid hechshers {the symbols on food that tell you if they are kosher or not}.

But in light of our almost dinner fiasco tonight, we have decided to go kosher. Now of course anything that we know to be clean we will still purchase, like cheese, but we will be making sure that the bulk of our products are hechshered.

So here's what happened. My husband purchased a bottle of sweet and sour sauce that he wanted me to use for dinner. Nothing wrong with that. Well I ended up reading the label, because we have a youngin' with allergies, and guess what I saw? CARMINE. Now if you don't know what carmine is let me just tell you that a it's unclean, and b it's gross. Carmine is a red food coloring that comes from the Cochineal bug, which is a cactus parasite.. Blech! 

Being that so many food additives are derived from rather unsavory sources, and we can't keep up with them all, we've decided to trust those whose job it is to make sure that unclean things do not get into our food. This also means I'll have to start digging into which hechshers are actually good. Because I know some rabbis believe that things that are derived from an unclean source are so far removed from the original source that they can be considered clean. We do not agree with that, nor do most Orthodox Jews, so those are the type of hechshers we will be sticking with. One hechsher that everyone is very familiar with it the OU symbol from the Orthodox Union. That's the most common one, but as I study things out I will share the other ones that I find to be valid. 

In the mean time while you're trying to figure things out READ READ READ those labels! Even if you don't keep kosher do you really want to eat a bug, just to make your food red? 

This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten. -Leviticus 11:46-47

Big Changes {Part 2}

If you haven't read part 1 go check that out and then com back to this one :o) 


We started attending our new fellowship full time in February. But then we had to stop because of the car situation. Thankfully though we were still able to listen in and keep up with the studies. It felt like forever that we were with out a car. But really it was like a month and half. 

Once we got a new car, my hubby got a new job, and things started getting back to normal. Then all of a sudden we were presented with an opportunity to move! We had been praying for a long time about moving. We needed more space and our neighborhood was terrible. So when we saw that we could we were so excited. But it had to happen quickly. Which is not always an easy thing, especially when you're pregnant!

SURPRISE! That's change number 3. We're expecting! So not only did we need more space for our family of 4, now we really needed more space since we're adding a fifth member to our family. Isn't it just so amazing how YHVH always answers at the exact right time. 

We are loving our new place. But I'm still not done getting everything set up, as I've been really sick. I'm one of the lucky few who get Hypermesis Gravidarum (aka extreme morning sickness). So I've been kind of out of commission. Which is also part of why I haven't been blogging. But thankfully I am starting to feel better. 

This year has been so full of changes and growth. We've had some set backs, some times of utter confusion, we've lost friends, and we've gained friends. But all in all we have seen YHVH's hand and we have been so blessed! 

I'm looking forward to having people over and being able to open up our home to others. Maybe even host a dinner for one of the feasts! We'll have to see what YHVH allows, but I'm praying that our home will be a blessing to others as well as to us. 

Now you're all caught up on what has been going on and I'm more convinced than ever that when we decide to follow after YHVH and seek His will in our lives, that He will direct our paths! 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of Elohim, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Matthew 6:33

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)

Messiah Honoring DVDs

 

 

I posted earlier about how we like to watch certain preapproved shows but I realized I didn't mention how we acquire them. Well I recently found this great little gem called Christian Cinemas. They offer thousands of faith centered DVDs to purchase or to rent! We signed up for their rental program and are able to screen any of the DVDs we're interested in before we purchase them. We just started using this resource so we haven't seen very many movies yet, but there are SO many to choose from. They have DVDs that range from comedies to documentaries.

Their DVD rentals usually arrive within 3 days of submitting a request and you can keep them for as long as you like. They have different levels to the plan so you can choose to rent one or more DVDs at a time (they are currently offering a free two week trial). You can also purchase DVDs that you already know your family will love.  

In addition we use Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant Video in order to stream things direct. But the amount of faith based movies and shows are very limited.

One of these days I'll post a full list of the movies and shows we've seen but for now I just wanted to tell you about this awesome resource :o)

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes... Psalm 101:3

*post contains affiliate links

Scripture Memorization Idea and a Printable!

 

I've blogged before about the importance of planting seeds of YHVH's Word in our children's hearts. But our family is trying a few new things so I thought I'd share them with you.

The first thing that we are trying is the scripture memorization technique from Simply Charlotte Mason. This technique will ensure that we are constantly memorizing new scriptures as well as going over the ones we've previously learned. To use this method you need a index card box, 41 dividers, and index cards. You label the dividers: daily, odd, even, Sunday-Saturday, and 1-31. Then you put the dividers in the box IN THAT ORDER. Place the cards you want to work on in the front and then your first card in the daily section.

 

As you memorize passages then you can move the cards back replacing older cards, with new cards. You will work on 4 different cards each day. So let's say today is Monday the 3rd you'd review your daily card, odd card, Monday card, and the 3 card. I know that might be a little confusing so here is a video that explains it way better :o)

 

In addition to working on the verses in our box we are learning the Shema (and it's blessing) in Hebrew and in English. The girls pretty much know it but I want them to understand it, so we will be singing (and discussing) it at the start of each school session. To help me (and you) out I created this printable of the Shema and Blessing! I'm hoping to move forward with more verses of this passage but right now I feel like there are some other verses I want to work on. Praying this will be a blessing to you as you hide Yah's word in the heart of your child.  

 

The law of YHVH is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of YHVH is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of YHVH are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of YHVH is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of YHVH is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of YHVH are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. -Psalm 19:7-10

For as Oft as Ye Eat...

via google

About a month ago my family and I sat at our Shabbat table to break bread, and I was angry. I felt like my husband didn't help me prepare, and we were late! I was so upset, that I just sat there trying not to look in his direction. He read the Eshet Chayil (Prov 31:10-31) blessing over me and I was still angry. He blessed the children and I sat there just stewing. I was being so awful. Then I heard my Abba whisper to me "you can't enter my rest angry". I never really even thought about that before, we've always carried on with our normal routine no matter how we are feeling. Never really thinking how that may affect our time resting in YHVH. But as I reflected on it these verses came to mind. 

 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. -1 Corinthians 11: 26-29

Until that point I had NEVER looked at our Shabbat tradition as communion. I never really put that together. But in fact it is just that. It is the breaking of bread in remembrance of Yeshua. 

So before my hubby broke the bread I stopped him and told him that I needed to apologize. He already knew I was mad so that wasn't a shock, but once I explained to him what Abba had revealed to me I think we both realized that we were on the cusp of something really important for our family. 

Right there, in front of our children, I confessed my sins and asked for his and their forgiveness. After that I felt fully free to enter into the sabbath and enjoy the rest provided by YHVH. We now make it a point to be in good spirits and right standing with each other (and Elohim) as we enter into Shabbat. It's so amazing what the Ruach HaKodesh {Holy Spirit} can do when we allow YHVH to work in our lives. 

The things we do shouldn't just be vain traditions. Every thing we do in the name of YHVH should be drawing us closer to Him and producing godliness in us. Learning that lesson has greatly transformed all that I do. 

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. -Phillipians 1:15

Appointed Times

image via google

My husband and I have been studying about the Biblical calculation of time. We've found some very interesting things, that have changed our convictions. In the past I had heard that people used the moon to determine when the moedim {appointed times} were. But I didn't fully understand it, and truthfully didn't have the desire to figure it out. But after some reading and studying I see that it's actually very important. Especially now that were are gearing up for the spring feasts. 

Let's start from the beginning. In Leviticus 23 YHVH establishes His set-apart moedim "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts." -Lev 23:2 

As we read on we learn exactly what these feasts are, and when they are to be kept. We read about: 

• Shabbat {the sabbath}
• Pesach {passover}
• HaMatzot {unleavened bread}
• HaBikkurim {first fruits}
• Counting the OmerShavuot {pentecost}
• Yom Teruah {day of trumpets}
• Yom Kippur {day of atonement}
• Sukkot {tabernacles}

All of these feasts are important and we are commanded to keep them at the time set by YHVH. This is why figuring out when to keep them is so important. In psalm 104:19 we see that "He {YHVH} appointed the moon for seasons." The Hebrew word translated as seasons is moed which is the singular of moedim, meaning appointed time(s). 

So now that we have that figured out the next thing is determining when does a month begin? A month starts at the first sighting of the new {or renewed} moon. Now this isn't the non-existent moon but rather the very first sliver of a crescent moon. At the first sighting of it, in Israel, we know all over the world that it is time for a new month!

Now I know your probably thinking why do I have to do all of that when I have a calendar? Our modern calendars are Gregorian and therefore they are not accurately lined up with scripture. So when we see in scripture that something is to be in the first month on the fifth day, that is not saying January 5th. The Gregorian calendar is based on the sun, and the Biblical calendar is based on the moon.

Back to Leviticus 23. In verse 5 we read "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover." The word translated month is chodesh which means new moon.  Now we know that every month starts with a new moon. This means that the most efficient way to tell time and to make sure that you are meeting with YHVH is to go by the moon. There are many sites that provide information on moon sightings and on the search for aviv/abib barely, which is part of determining a new year, if you'd like to read more about it in detail. 

In Exodus 34:18 we learn when Passover is supposed to happen. " The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt." The significance of this isn't so much a month being called aviv/abib but rather the condition of the barely. Aviv/abib is simply when the barely is ripe, but not fully matured. So this in conjunction with the new moon is how the first of the year is determined. 

Having to do research, versus just looking at a calendar, takes some getting used to but it's awesome to know that you are in line with the Creator! Today is the first day of the potentially last month of the year. If the aviv barley is spotted then we know that next month Passover will be 14 days after the new moon! I'm very excited because this will be the first year we have other families to fellowship with. I believe this year will be a great year for my family!  

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. -Psalm 1:1-3

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. 

Torah Momma Journal 12-27-12

What did I…

Offer thanks for? Having 4 wheel drive! We went out not realizing there was a snowstorm and  having 4 wheel drive was a HUGE blessing. 

Accomplish? Sadly not much. This week has been slow and not very productive. I did however find a site with some homeschool resources I am very excited about using next week :o)

Struggle with? Energy! For some reason this was a tough week and I am sooooo looking forward to Shabbat. 

Teach my children? We've been working on learning the days of the week. 

Study and learn? I've been working on some songs to play on the piano. 

Laugh about? My girls are always providing lots of things to laugh about. One thing that sticks out was when the girls were supposed to be sleeping but were up talking about what they were going to wear to church! Well one was asleep and one was awake, but they were talking to each other lol. 

Pray about? Oh lots of things. My hubby is still looking for work, so that's been the most pressing thing. 

What is this week’s Torah portion and what did I learn from it? 
Vayechi Genesis 47:28-50:26

This portion is about the blessing on Joseph's sons, as well as the 12 sons of Israel (Jacob). But what stood out the most to me was Gen 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." This stood out to me because, Joseph fully forgave his brothers for what they did. He was able to look past their bad choices and see the hand of God. That is a prayer of mine. That no matter what happens to me, good or bad, I would be able to see my Elohim and His protection/provision. 

Picture

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls... Jeremiah 6:16

This post is part of a Torah Momma link up over at TorahFamilyLiving.com, you can head over there to see more posts like this one, from other mommas seeking the narrow way.

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