grafted in and on the journey

Hi and shalom! The concept of "remember" in Scripture refers to more than just not forgetting someone or something, but is an action word, a decided choice to love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, soul, mind, strength, and neighbor as yourself. When we collectively don't spend time, i.e. remember God, it gives rise to the following as posted in The Week online edition. My comment before, during and after is start making Shabbat a consistent rhythm in your life. Increasingly, technology not only lets us control our lives in innovative ways, but offers to do so on our behalf. The number of products, applications, and gadgets designed to combat our baser instincts — forcing us to eat less, behave better, and otherwise live cleaner, more respectable lives — is on the rise. This week, for example, saw the release of an application that warns you if your e-mail text could be interpreted as rude (see below). Here's a list of 6 vices, and the technological gadgets that...

Hi and shalom! Have you ever had prayers answered seemingly in quick fashion, like the turn-around time expected on a given project that you are responsible for ensuring happens? That happened for me this week to where I could observe it, God has great turn-around time on our petitions. I have been working on a novella that will take longer to get out there then I dreamed. Also the method it will get out there and form are probably being worked out as I write this. Someone shared, ultimately we want to do God's will not our own, I say oops. Still feel the frustration though that was stated by a flustered mom in that 60s headache commercial, I would rather do it myself! The other was from another friend who shared with me on living and working with other believers even though my perspective is a minority one. Read this: Find the most open-minded and thoughtful Christian community you can. Study on your own. Truly be in community. Here's the toughy, resist the urge to see othe...

Hi and Shalom! Today I want to share with you an excerpt from the weekly Torah Commentary called the UONYC Teaching Letter from the Union of Ysraelite Nazarene Congregations, a group within the Messianic faith. There is some timeless wisdom here as it relates to the last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. May we all be encouraged, and His presence be with us today! Shabbat Shalom Kol Yisrael. It is our great pleasure to present this week's Torah Parsha commentary by Nazarene Yisraelite Rabbi T. (Mordecai) Mitchell, Rabbi and Rosh Zaken of B'nai Yeshurun Nazarene Yisraelite Synagogue, Kittanning, Pa., board member of the Union of Nazarene Yisraelite Congregations. Our Parsha this week is D'varim (Words) Debarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22. Our Haftarah is YeshaYahu (Isaiah) 1:1 – 27. Our suggested Brit Chadasha readings are: Yochanan (John) 15:1 – 17 and Ibrim (Hebrews) 3:7 – 4:11. Also please read Tehillim (Psalms) 106 and 124. Please note that this Parsha is read annually on the ...

Hi and shalom! We haven't spent much time the past few posts in the book title, Bound for Freedom by Goran Larsson, and thought it was good time to return to this. The annual Torah reading cycle begins Deuteronomy this week, the first 3 chapters. Deuteronomy is thought to be Moses' synopsis of the wilderness years and by God's direction, encourages Joshua and the sojourners to continue walking with our LORD. With Mr. Larsson, we last visited his title as he was discussing the feast of Pentecost. I pick up there. "Pentecost is no less a part of God's miracle of liberation than is Passover. Therefore it is crucial that every generation places itself at Mt. Sinai, listens to the same heavenly voice, and utters the same confession as their forefathers. The words of Torah should be new to you as though they were given this very day. It is well-known that the liberation from Egypt is celebrated year after year at Passover. We also know fairly well how this feast has...

Hi and shalom! It is the first of July here as I write, mostly sunny and in the low 70s. Not bad for summer. I have been pondering the phrase, at God's urging, today. A friend sent me a personal e-mail telling me she did not feel fit for the task she felt God our Father was asking her to do but would proceed. I said in response, May he give you ideas to express yourself in artistry that is intended for others to see. I have been working on a novel and feel much like my friend having never done this previously. At God's urging applies to a thought or idea or sentence that may come along and make for good content to the novel. May it be so for all of us as we set out to do our special services, at God's urging. I plan to have a reasonably relaxing weekend, and thank God for our independence and interdependence as citizens of His Kingdom and residents here on earth. See you next post, comment whenever you desire as I enjoy reading them! Mellow Roc