grafted in and on the journey

The Way It Will Be Gillian Welch (more)

2012-02-14T10:19:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is February 14, and in my inbox was another installment to a study I am participating in, on the classic Jewish Text, Sayings Of The Fathers, Pirkei Avot. In Avot 1:6 through 1:8 themes of judging rightly and favorably along with finding a friend and or companion to study the things of God with, have been themes to consider and ponder. The author of the particular study in which I am engaged, Keren Hannah Pryor, intimates the first two tangible symbols of justice may have been the 2 tablets of stone containing the 10 words, that we know as the 10 commandments. When Moses came down after 40 days in the presence of God, and smashed the tablets in front of the people who were idolizing the golden calf, the broken pieces remained holy as they had God's letters on them.
So to with us, we have God's letters on our broken conditions and he continues to restore and regather the scattered pieces in our lives and world.
Wow is that great news!
I would like to hear from you if you are so inclined to leave a note. Just a hello is all I ask.
Meantime, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

The Way It Will Be Gillian Welch (radio hearltand)

2012-02-09T06:50:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is February 8 and yes, we are having 5 more weeks of winter according to the legendary groundhog.. I am thankful today that we have an Almighty God whose name is HaShem to turn to any time and for any reason, as we were created to have fellowship with God. Consider as you go this wisdom from both Rivkah Boyle and Rabbi Y Reuven Rubin posted below.
"Live out your passion! Use it to serve the Lord!"
Consider:
Turn Your ear to me — quickly rescue me. My cry may be so silent that it cannot be heard. I am ashamed of it myself, yet it is there. Turn Your ear, listen to my silent murmur of fear. Just knowing You are listening will quickly rescue me.

For You are my boulder and my fortress, and for Your name’s sake, guide me and lead me. In my rational state, I fully accept that there is no island of safety other than You. However, human beings are not always rational, so guide me, Hashem.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

I Walk The Line

2012-02-04T08:49:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is February 4 and later on today, I will have the privilege to do a 15 minute program from the keyboard, piano, for our local March of Dimes, annual Jail and Bail event.
I am playing: I Walk the Line, Orange Blossom Special, Piano Man a march and end with Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
The above were more less wanted by those in charge.
At work, I have been under an audit the past several days and endeavoring to correct some things while discovering others that may be beyond my control.
So it has been quite a beginning to February which by the way is my birthday month!
One thing observed on the journey of late is God's Torah, instruction to us, was given for a reason, our benefit.
Think through what He may be conveying to you and come to the conclusion that indeed, Father knows best.
I also have been enjoying the studies through Pirkei Avot, Sayings Of The Fathers on a social network.
BTW consider viewing the telecast Zola Levitt Presents.
Currently they are rebroadcasting a series done by Mr. Levitt on
the Feasts of Israel.
He is right, the main line church ignores these and ignores its Jewish heritage and arrogantly proclaims it's place in Jesus...

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Mellow Roc
-Please leave a comment if you would like these visits to continue or not. Thanks.

Those Goo-goo-googly Eyes old standard

2012-01-26T09:54:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is January 26, and first I would like to pay respects to the life and memory of my late mother, Stella, whose birthday is today. She went to be with her fathers in peace, to use a Tanakh phrase, a year ago last November.
-This morning I have been tuning up the features within my google account, and note the following items from the Ozarks First Medical Stories, a part of the Google Alert which I receive.
To use Yeshua's words on the subject of better health, I can hear Him urge: Get up, Go, love your neighbor as you do yourself.
Many adults with rheumatoid arthritis need more physical activity.
A new study in Arthritis Care and Research shows two out of 5 adults with the condition are physically inactive.
More than a million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis.
It's a painful chronic condition that damages their joints and impairs their function.
The authors of the study say regular exercise may help relieve the symptoms.

More people are working longer hours and that may be hurting their mental health.
Researchers followed 2,000 British workers that compared people who worked 11 or more hours a day with people who worked 8 hours.
The chances of depression were more than double in those who worked excessive hours.

And your odds of heart disease may be higher than you think.
New research in the New England Journal of Medicine tracked more than 250,000 people for more than 50 years.
The study showed risk of heart attack or stroke while lower in the short run can be very high over a lifetime if a person has just one or two risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol
Researchers say the study highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle to prevent risk factors from developing in the first place.

With that in mind, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Hellos are truly welcomed!

Mellow Roc

Peaceful Easy Feeling, Eagles 1970s

2012-01-23T09:13:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is January 23, and more less wintery in my corner of the world: wet, damp, rainy, slightly above freezing, snow melted.
I need to correct something from the other day when referencing the Detroit
Free Press, reporting on a scheduled Valentine Day event at the Detroit Zoo. Ticket price is $65 not 465 as I have it. Sorry, forgot to press the shift key.
I am expressing myself rather boldy on FB these days, enjoying folk music from folkalley.com or www.folkways.si.edu which has a link to an audio ecclectic global genre of folk music, and working on a couple personal projects too.
Until next visit, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

My Funny Valentine

2012-01-19T10:05:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is January 19.
In about 25 days, we will internationally be celebrating Valentines day which is a romantic holiday of sorts putting some fun into winter months that are cold, chilly, perhaps snowy and icy in some parts of our world.
-In Detroit, MI for 465 adults over age 21 can get an informative presentation on how animals make woo at the zoo.
You can find article, Making Woo At The Zoo, either by searching google news or The Detroit FreePress.com.
Remember, God created everything and after each created entity pronounced it functioned as intended.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with us today.

Mellow Roc

Two Words can Say So Much (original)

2012-01-17T08:50:00.001-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is January 17, but this Yiddish phrase and its meaning our good for any date or time.
"Moy-khel een meer.
Forgive me.
His presence accompany us today, Kevud Yehoveh.

Mellow Roc

Nice To Be Alone The Waybacks (radio heartland)

2012-01-12T10:55:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is January 12. I am working to some acoustic folk music today hence the title of the post, Nice to Be Alone. American folk music is primarily acoustic using guitar, some percussion other string instrumentation and vocals. It reminds me of one of my favorite Psalms number 40. The early verses talk of God helping us get things together, establishing our purpose, we used to call it finding one's niche, poeticaaly giving one a new song to sing, and the result is it would bless others and encourage them also to come into relationship with the Living God, Living Torah Messiah Yeshua.
We occasionally slip, but if we are consistent in following God, we will truly find purpose and peace.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Would like some hellos if so inclined!

Mellow Roc

Timeless Wisdom

2012-01-09T10:47:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday January 8.
Here is a nugget of wisdom from torah.org which is reflecting on the scene in Genesis where Jacob is giving blessing to each of his sons before he goes to his fathers in peace.
"The blessing Jacob gives Judah concludes with the words "His eyes will redden from wine, and his teeth white from milk."
Rabbi Yachonan says homiletically Kesubos 111B You can read it as teeth whiter than milk.
To give a smile to a friend is even greater than giving them nourishment. When it comes to smiles, the more you give, the more you have.
From Torah.org Lifeline.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

From Ethics Then and Now by Keren Hannah Pryor

2012-01-06T09:16:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is January 6 and I wanted to share a quote with you that someone posted on Facebook.
It is in the study group of which I am participating, Sayings of the Fathers also known as Pirkei Avot.
The quote is alleged to be from the classical music composer, Beethoven.
Strive with all our might towards the unattainable,
develop as fully we can the gifts God has given us;
and never stop learning."
I like to collect quotes and such that urge me to keep moving forward, and hope this also encourages you if needed today.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with you!

Mellow Roc

What We Need is Love by the Beetles 1960s

2012-01-05T16:31:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is January 5 and I am repoasting as the first one did not evidently publish correctly.
I am excited to be participating in the study being offered by the Center for Judaic-Christian studies on the text, Sayings of the Father.
Someone has graciously started a private on line group so folk can share what they glean from these weekly installments looking at this classic Jewish text.
I too have started reading, Eve: A Novel of the First Woman, and though much is left to congecture, it's interesting to consider things from the angle this author is taking. Kain is presented as a stubborn child, Adam an aging man who became hard of hearing, Abel the child every parent wants, and Eve's reflection on just about everything that occurs in her life time.
We had a pleasant holiday period though quiet.
-I see from the stats that a number of visitors were here a day or so ago, wish you folks would say something.. :)
Meantime, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us.
Next time will post something related to the above mentioned study.
Mellow Roc

Good Mornin America How Are You - folk balad

2012-01-03T08:01:00.002-06:00

Hello and Shalom for 2012!
December 23 was about 10 days ago, last time posting but in some ways it feels like longer. Glad to share some time together today!
This season, winter, I am embarking on a study called Sayings of the Fathers, regarded as classic Jewish texts on living from the Talmud by the early fathers of that faith.
We have one posted here which has been the theme for this blog, and hope I have been true to it in most of my 200+ posts.
On the lighter side, spent some time with my wife doing odds and ends, family,
grand daughter who is now 3 months old and speaks her mind when necessary, and made a couple new acquaintances on facebook. I consider them God's gift to my day.
Will write more in a few days.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with us today and always.
Like a hello if you are so inclined!
Mellow Roc

Lord Show Me The Way by Styx 1990s

2011-12-23T07:41:00.001-06:00

This is the Day Greetings,
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. from the Tanakh
I am writing this on December 19 but plan to have it published later in the week, because it's timely.
The following is pasted from Beth Haderech Messianic Synagogue near Toronto, CA which also has a facebook page too.
Timely advice on the topic of prayer, which comes from Yeshua in his sermon to his disciples in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Consider this for your prayer life.
What is Hitbodedut? Praying in Seclusion
When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. Mattityahu / Matthew 6:5-15 (TEV) God created you and so he wants you to be the real you. By being authentic when you speak to God, you wors hip him as you Creator. For years I copied the prayers of other people. I noticed they used certain words and even a special tone of voice. I imitated all the religious clichés: "Lead, guide and direct us, O Lord." "Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies." "Bless the gift and the giver." In the Besora Tova HaGeula (Good News of Redemption), we hear of people who had prayers which were wordy, meaningless rituals (some people think that speaking lots will get their answer, or even speaking in a King James version language). There is no spontaneity, no genuineness. But Maran Yeshua says don't get caught up in fancy complicated prayer. You don't have to use fancy language. You can't impress God with fancy language, and you shouldn't be trying to impress other people either. I love to hear new believers pray -- no pious pomposity. They haven't learned the clichés yet. They just say, "Hi.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us.

Mellow Roc

Praise Adonai From The Rising Of The Sun to The Ending Of The Day by Paul Wilbur

2011-12-19T08:58:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Monday December 19, and the title of this post, is from a current song being played both on Messianic on line services and some Evangelical Christian stations here in North America, by author singer Paul Wilbur.
-You can hear the song title, Praise Adonai, Paul Wilbur, by typing it and the word Youtube, in your search engine than select to listen.

The advisement, praise Adonai which is one of God's descriptive names, coincides with these Holy Days and is a practical manner in which to express loyalty and dedication to God as His son or daughter.
We like to convey love, loyalty and praise to those we love.
Before getting consumed by "Christmas" consider the original one which was Hanukkah or Chanukkah, see pasted from Bereans on line which will conclude post.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today and always.

Chanukkah

This week, at sunset on December 20, we begin the eight day feast of Chanukkah. Although in is not directly mentioned in the TaNaKh, it is mentioned in the Apostolic Scriptures (John 10:21-22). The feast of Dedication is a biblical feast, and a prophetic reminder to the faithful of a future Messianic Kingdom and His holy Temple in Jerusalem. Chanukkah is not a mere replacement for "Christmas" - it is the original, and it is actually biblical.

Mellow Roc

Can You Say Hanukkah?

2011-12-16T09:11:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday, December 16 and a day of mixed memories for yours truly.
-A year ago, we gathered as a family to honor my mom who went home to eternity just a few weeks before and support dad who is still living, and one another. That evening as this evening, my wife and I attended a Holiday concert by a local
church choir.
Our son was home for a few days then from his Marine Corp training, today he serves over in Japan.
Our daughter, now married, and the mom of a wonderful 2-month-old infant girl, was a college student whose life would change dramatically by choice over the months
to come.

To the business at hand, Ed, thanks for your comment and observation. It sounds like you might know of authors Gorran Larsen and or Oskar Skarsaune who have written works from a Jewish Perspective.
By the way, I plan to read Skarsaune's book In The Shadow Of The Temple in the coming year. Larsen wrote Bound for Freedom based on the book of Exodus.
-Hanukkah will largely be ignored by western Christianity even though it depicts well from the 1st century God's victory over evil by a tyrant, and the word "hanukkah" means dedication. Some spell it "Chanukkah".
Unfortunately this time of year in the west, is filled with Catholic trappings, and the beat goes on so to speak, but hope there are several more types like Ed who will break out of the Catholic mold and start preaching about Yeshua the Savior born to Jewish parents, raised in Jewish custom and culture, was crucified by a minority but resurrected to save the majority and now prays for us day and night and will one day return to complete our redemption! I would rather hear of a resurrected Messiah than a Catholic Messiah who just comes to die for our sins. My opinion.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

I Wonder as I Wander

2011-12-13T11:10:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom,
Thanks Joseph from Spain for your comment, not sure what you meant but thanks just the same.
Today is December 13, and last evening it was a pleasure to view the classic movie, White Christmas. The music and orchestration to many of the songs are extraordinary in my opinion and the plot isn't bad either.
I see the AMC channel is doing less movies and more recently aired TV commedies and such. That's unfortunate in my opinion as we cable viewers in the US ought to have 2-3 movie channels from which to choose that air cinema 24 hours a day.
During White Christmas there were commercials for various charities and the numbers are only shown visually so any sight impaired people are left out as possible donors by not verbalizing numbers to call. So, said charities Unicef and the ASPCA, may not really need as much as they let on by ignoring a significant viewership or listenership if you will.
I wonder.
Also why does the darn crowd noise have to now drown out TV commentary on sporting events as in NFL games or college basketball games, that is a royal screw in my opinion.
I wonder.
Finally, kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with us this season.

Mellow Roc

If You Could Read My Mind 1970s folk balad

2011-12-09T10:14:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Friday December 9 and I notice that folks are starting to compile the top stories and such from the previous year.
I found this through the International News Stories google alert and wanted to share with you, what some see as the top things that got our attention collectively.
Enjoy the read and hope you might care to comment too.
• The New York Times: The story with the most page views on NYTimes.com between January 1 through Dec 5, 2011 was ``Sustainable Love'' By Tara Parker-Pope, an essay on what makes a happy marriage. The article appeared in the Times' print edition on January 2, 2011.

• The Wall Street Journal: The most popular story at WSJ.com for 2011 was an essay entitled: ``Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior’’ which were excerpts from author Amy Chua’s new book: ``Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother", a book that caused a great deal of controversy earlier this year.

• New York Daily News: The most popular story of the year on NYDailyNews.com was a story about a Brooklyn Housing Authority worker killing a giant rat with a pitchfork. The article, according to Editor-in-chief Kevin Convey, generated 907,057 page views since it was published in August.

• CNN: The biggest traffic day at CNN was their first day of coverage (March 11th) of the earthquake in Japan. According to a CNN spokesperson, CNN.com generated 135.9 million page views throughout the day.

• FOX News: At FoxNews.com, their most viewed story as of December 5, 2011 was a story about American socialite and reality television star Kim Kardashian being placed on an official Australian Immigration Department watch list after breaching her visa application as many as three times.

• NBC: At MSNBC.com, the top online video story of the year was the earthquake and tsunami in Japan which generated more than 40 million online video streams in one day, setting an all-time one day site record, according to an MSNBC spokesperson.

• ABC: According a company spokesperson, the top story for 2011 on ABCNews.com was a story about the 50 most popular women on the Internet. The article was originally published on May 6, 2010. The two other top stories for 2011 at ABCNews.com was the killing of Osama bin Laden published on May 1, 2011; and the obituary of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs , published on October 5, 2011.

• At TVNewser, one of 16 blogs at mediabistro.com, their number one story of the year (so far) was a report about Jared Loughner, the suspect in the shooting of Arizona U.S. Congresswoman, Gabrielle Dee "Gabby" Giffords

• The most viewed story at FBI.gov for 2011 with more than 1.4 million page views was their posting about the murder of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick whose dead body was dumped in a field in St. Louis. Police found two encrypted notes stuffed into the victim's pockets, but have been unable to break the code, which remains a mystery to this day.

• ESPN: According to an ESPN.com spokesperson, their most popular story to date was an article first published on January 13, 2011 about New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie unleashing a battery of harsh words for New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady.

• The most widely read story at TechCrunch.com. a leading technology media property, was a story about the new Facebook Timeline on September 22, 2011. The posting generated 1, 201, 589 page views according to John Briggs, editor of TechCurnch Gadgets. The second most popular story at TechCrunch for the year was news of Steve Jobs resignation as CEO of Apple on August 24, 2011, a breaking news story which generated 847,889 page views.

• According to a company spokesperson, the most popular television show, not necessarily this year, but of all time at Hulu.com is ``Family Guy’’,Fox’s American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane.

• Finally, at Nexis, a subscription-based database that offers a comprehensive collection of news, public records, and legal and business information- tells me that they were unable to reveal their top search terms for the entire year; but they were kind enough to disclose their top 100 search terms for the past three months. Nexis provided me the results in alphabetical order, so they are not rank-ordered or listed by the most popular.

Another thing to keep in mind about these results is that Nexis, due to confidentiality concerns, doesn’t archive search strategies from its customers; so these results are based on the most used LexisNexis SmartIndexing terms. SmartIndexing is the company’s own classification (or taxonomy) of subjects, industries, geographic areas, people and companies.

100 Most Popular searches over the past 90 days from LexisNexis.

1.) AAA
2.) ACLU
3.) Afghan conflict
4.) Africa
5.) Amanda Knox
6.) American Enterprise Institute
7.) Americans for Tax Reform
8.) Americans with Disabilities
9.) Anderson Cooper
10.) Antitrust
11.) Asset Management
12.) ATV
13.) Biometrics
14.) Black Friday
15.) Brookings Institute
16.) Center for American Progress
17.) Central America
18.) China
19.) Church sexual abuse
20.) Climate Change
21.) Columbia University
22.) Commercial Construction
23.) Congress
24.) Corporate Malfeasance
25.) Credit Watch Agencies
26.) Criminal Justice
27.) Cyber Security
28.) Debates
29.) Disney
30.) Employee Benefits
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today in moving forward.

Mellow Roc

Remembering Those Before Us

2011-12-08T07:10:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Thursday, December 8, and a very special day in my immediate family as someone has a birthday.
-Celebrate life and living! In part our blog visits are like that to me.
Not wishing to be overly prolix in style, this post will continue to aver those who have preceded us and left us a treasure trove of wisdom to aid our journeys.
I began this a few posts back to honor the memory of my late mom, who went to eternity in November 2010.
This post will conclude with some quotes found at brainy quote.com by noted figures, and a look ahead to future blog postings.

"A tough lesson in life to learn is that not everybody wishes you well." Dan Rather CBS News
"An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell overture and not think of the lone ranger." Dan Rather CBS News
"Some men are Baptists, others Catholics, my father was an Oldsmobile man." Ralphie in the movie A Christmas Story 1983
"Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth try."
-author James A Michener
"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, avoid the people, you might better stay home." author James A Michener

-Note: In January posts will be concerned with the Jewish Literary Classic titled Pirkei Avot or Pirke Avot. Hope you will join me in perusal of this text.
-Meantime, kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today!

Mellow Roc

Cool Change by Little River Band 1980s

2011-12-05T09:54:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Again, thanks so much for the visit!
Today is December 5 and besides being a great uncle for over 12 hours now, my wife and I picked up a Norfolk Pine over the weekend to celebrate Messiah coming to give "us" life and more abundantly so as proclaimed in the Apostolic Scriptures.
I like walking through indoor nurseries on occasion, as the sound of misters, fans, gentle breeze, cooler temperatures are somewhat calming nuances.
Here is a little info about our new house member from the garden helper.
Norfolk Island Pines are native to Norfolk Island
...That's somewhere between New Caledonia and Australia in the South Pacific.
They may reach a height of 80 feet in their natural habitat,
but they will maintain a reasonable size when grown in a container in your home.
Growing Requirements for Norfolk Pines
The beauty and symmetry of the plant, as well as the soft flowing texture of the foliage will make you want to decorate it, and use it for your living Christmas tree!

Ours is still an infant in size compared to a couple others seen at said nursery.
-Our son called us last evening. He is in The US Marines and currently on 2-week training maneuvers at another location from where he has been stationed. Evidently they were given phones to call loved ones, thanks boss for that!
-Currently reading a Faye Kellerman Novel, Straight INTO Darkness.
It's a detective thriller, set in Germany, time period late 1920s.
-I discovered a couple new Messianic resources to share in closing.
www.prayerforallpeople.com
has a 24-hour link to various praise music channels, I like the Messianic Jewish channel from San Francisco as well as KDSH,
and a more conventional contemporary praise channel called The lighthouse connection and for serious prayer the IHOP or International House of Prayer channel.
Finally next post will be coming soon and an invite to share with me in studying Ethics of the Fathers i.e. Pirke or Pirkei Avot.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Honoring Those Before Us

2011-12-01T07:43:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is December 1 and glad you stopped by!
Of late, I am sharing some quotes by noted figures from the recent past so as to honor my parents and the memory of my mom who is now in eternity.
She always said something that reflects the message of the following quote.
Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they have not half the strength that you think they have. From Norman Vincent Peale author and theologian
I hear mom saying, Always do your best; you get out of something what you put in
to it.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence surround us today in our efforts of living!

Honoring Those Before Us

2011-11-28T08:06:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday November 28 and by the next time I blog later in the week, we could have some beginnings of winter i.e. snow showers in my part of blog land. We do have a marvelous Creator!
I would also like to thank you for reading my ramblings, and welcome our new follower! Thanks for your encouragement and to your comment I would add, in a pre election year the candidates are going to verbally set out to win us over via their ongoing resume if you will. Ultimately the choice is ours to make whom will "serve" or "fail to serve" our country's interests.
If you have read previous posts, at present I am placing quotes in each post from noted spokespersons from our recent past to honor my parents and also the memory of my mom, whom went home to eternity in November 2010. She lived nearly 81 years and had a life marked by personal struggle and personal and familial achievements as we all do when looking at us from the big picture.
The quote for this post is by 20th century writer and theologian, Dr.
Norman Vincent Peale.
The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Quote from the Past

2011-11-24T10:49:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Thursday November 24, Thanksgiving in my part of blog land and a mild 40 degree day. Here is another quote from 20th century faith leader, Robert Schuller.

"Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost."

Kevud Yehoveh His Presence be near you today.
Mellow Roc

Walking On Sunshine 90s pop song

2011-11-21T08:13:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is November 21, and I recall this was my mom's last full 24-hour period of time on earth as she went to eternity early a.m. November 22, 2010. Miss you mom but know you are much happier and at peace!
I am posting some quotes by influential faith leaders that are noted on line, and today's comes from Robert Schuller of the well-known Glass Cathedral telecast

"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

Kevud Yeheveh, His Presence accompany us in our season of life.

Mellow Roc

Hope by Abbie Gardner

2011-11-17T08:48:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is November 17 and I am enjoying reading When March Went Mad by Seth Davis.
I just finished reading about former NBA player and Indiana State basketball player, Larry Byrd and how his basketball career developed. One significant feature was that one Indiana State recruiter, took the time to let him transition from being a college dropout, to being a city worker, to playing in an AAU league, to visiting Indiana State where he became enthusiastic about both his abilities and pursuing academics. It reminded me of God's enduring patience with us and humans who may have been a part of our lives who accorded us the same endurance.
As I write, the one year anniversary of my mother's home going is nearing, dad is enjoying life today though he has some physical concerns, and I collected some quotes by Billy Graham, Robert Schuller and Norman Vincent Peale, to post over the next few blog postings in part to honor both mom and dad.
These are men who were revered in my younger adulthood years.
Today here are a couple perported to be by Billy Graham from brainy quote.
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.

Believers, look up - the angels are nearer than you think.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Comments welcomed!

Mellow Roc

Memories from musical Cats

2011-11-14T12:27:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Monday November 13 and memories is the word highlighting the last couple days in my corner of blog land.
-Memories as I read When March Became Mad, describing two NCAA basketball programs in the mid 1970s, that of MI State University and the other Indiana State University.
At that time I attended MSU and recall some of the names of people, places and streets referenced by the author of this nonfiction title, whose name is Seth Davis.
Memories too come to the fore in this weeks haftorah from First Kings chapter 1.
King David is elderly and has a young woman attending him, but also the other folk in his setting include Nathan the prophet, Bathsheba whom he had extra-marital relations with, and is strong enough to assure her that their son, Solomon will succeed him as King.
One phrase occurs as you read this, respected the king. Evidently each worked through the effect of his chosen sin to ultimately gain back respect.
We each have blunders in our life known and unknown, but in the end may we too be respected by those whom are in our lives and vice versa.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today in our dealings with one another.
I wish for your comment please.

Mellow Roc

Symphony ... by ...

2011-11-09T10:55:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is November 9 and I am listening to classical music today and actually something rather sereen is playing at the moment.
Where I live: news continues to talk of the mess at Penn State University and its football program, political scandal focused on Herman Cain is being beaten into the ground, and we just had local elections where voter turn out was maybe 10% of the voting public. Sheesh.
I appreciated hearing from a friend of mine this morning and sent encouragement as she is going through a lot with work, personal vehicle, family members etc.
There is something to the wise instruction, Give and it shall be given to you.
Well, my work day is nearing so need to cut things short for this post.
Just finished reading, Shades of Blue by Kingsbury and about to start a nonfiction title set in my college days, When March Became Mad, highlighting in part the MSU basketball team's journey to the Final Four, and I recognize some names from the book jacket's descriptive.
See you next post, would love a comment or 2 if so inclined.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us.
Mellow Roc

Has Anybody Seen My Old Friend Abraham 60s song

2011-11-04T09:26:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is Friday November 4 and this post will be rather lengthy.
I am pasting here the archive of the UONYC Teaching letter which one can view at
www.2house.org
The consideration is regarding Abraham which currently the weekly Torah readings are concerned with.
While some feel Hebraic roots offers little for today's believer, please reconsider or consider as you read this article.
Meantime, Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.
Bereshith 18:1 And YHWH appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, while he was sitting in his tent door in the heat of day.

This Parsha begins as Avraham was 99 years old and had been circumcised for only a few days. The rabbis say it was the third day of his circumcision, therefore, the most painful.

In verse 2, Avraham sees three visitors approach his camp and he runs to meet them and immediately bows to them.

In these two verses we have a number of lessons. The most obvious lesson is that Avraham forgets his own pain and discomfort to welcome visitors. Here, Avinu Avraham teaches us by example, the true meaning of hospitality. He sets aside his own pain and discomfort to make others, complete strangers, comfortable. Most of us today are geared to thinking of ourselves first and others second. His visitors turn out to be more than mere mortals, and Avraham is able to recognize them for what they are and therefore, pays them proper respect by bowing to them.

How many times in a given day or week do we encounter angels in human form? Perhaps more than we realize. We should consider that because we are unable to rise above our own circumstances, our own particular spiritual plateau, we fail to recognize them for what they really are.

Other lessons from these verses may not be so apparent. As we have taught many times before, many words and phrases in the Bible are metaphors, codes if you will, and paying attention to these codes gives us a greater and deeper understanding.

Abraham was “...sitting in the tent door...” There are several words that are translated “door,” from the Hebrew, but in this case, the word is “Pethach,” Strong's number 6607, from 6605, “Pathach.” By fully defining this word it can be seen that it carries a connotation other than that of a mere door or doorway. Some of the definitions of “Pathach” are: “To open wide,” “to loosen,” “break forth,” “draw out,” and, “an entering in,” and so forth.

If we will have it, from these definitions we can understand that Avraham was not simply sitting in the entrance way of a mere tent. He was sitting in an entrance to the upper realms, a earthly portal to a spiritual realm if you will. This is one way he was able to so readily forget his pain and also able to recognize that the men who stood before him were not mortals, but heavenly visitors. In other words, Avraham's selflessness made him able to disconnect from the physical and connect to the spiritual. In order for us to make a stronger connection to spiritual things, a stronger connection to Almighty Yahweh, we must learn to break the physical connections that keep us bound or tuned into our own egos. We must break the connection that feeds our desire to receive for self alone. We must also consider that Avraham was able to ascend to the upper realms because of his obedience to and acceptance of the covenant of circumcision.

We also have the phrase, “... in the heat of the day.” This is a code for the “heat” of the Spiritual Light that enveloped Avraham. This same heat can destroy the wicked (as we see later in this Parsha concerning the destruction of the wicked people of Sedom and Amorah). But this same Light is a Light of healing and protection to the righteous. Not only was Avraham healed of the physical pain of circumcision, but healing was also extended to his wife Sarah so that she could bear children. When we are given a healing of any kind, our entire family is blessed. It is important to realize that the most important people Avraham taught were members of his own household.

Bereshith 18:19 “For I have known him, so that he commands his children and his household after him, to guard the way of YHWH, to do righteousness and right ruling, so that YHWH brings to Avraham what He as spoken to him.”

What a strange verse, for here Yahweh says that Avraham “...commands his children,” when as yet he had only one child, and that by Hagar. Why would the Scripture say that Avraham commands his children (plural) and his household.

Here we have a clue, in “children” as a plural, as to Avraham's far reaching influence. Avraham's household was of course, his immediate family, his earthly family, including those who may not have been directly related to him but who worked for him as herdsmen. (Those who are close to us and tuned in to what we believe and teach may also share in our blessings). However, “children” in this case implies future generations. We said last week that Avinu Avraham was a great teacher who taught by example. Avraham is still teaching us by his example today through the word of Yahweh.

No doubt, Avraham was the greatest teacher of his age. However, one even greater would and did come, and that was Yahshua our Messiah.

We have said that Avraham's teachings transcend time. Yet, in Yohanan (John) 8:58 we read: Yahshua said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Avraham came to be, I am.”

We must pay attention to tense here. Yahshua said “...before Avraham came to be...” or before he “was,” (past tense) “...I Am.” (present tense). There is no time, no past, present or future with Yahweh. Therefore, He “...knows the end from the beginning.” The phrase “...his children,” gives us a peek into what we know as the future. It was revealed in the long distant past to Avraham, that we, our generation today, would be his seed (descendants).

However, our lineage to Avinu Avraham need not necessarily be physical. We are not talking about DNA or bloodlines. Bloodlines do not save. In Luke 3:8 we read the words of Yahshua: “Therefore bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Avraham as our father.' For I say to you that Elohim is able to raise up children to Avraham from these stones.”

Numerous times in Scripture we have phrases such as “...seed of Avraham,” “...Avraham your father,” “...our father Avraham,” “...son (and daughter) of Avraham,” etc. etc. Another such example is found in Tehillim (Psalms) 105:6 O seed of Avraham His servant, Children of Ya'aqob, His chosen ones.

Just who are the seed of Avraham today? They are the ones who follow the teaching of Avinu Avraham. “...to guard the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and right ruling...”

The seed, or children of Avraham today are those who not only follow and seek righteousness, as Avraham did. They are those who practice hospitality and show due respect for all men. They are those who are willing to put the needs of others before their own, and those who also look well to the spiritual upbringing of their respective households. They are those who put the desire to share above the desire to receive for self alone.

In closing we shall consider an analogy. We said the “heat” that surrounded Avraham was The Light, and indeed I believe it is so. Yahshua Messiah said in MattithYahu 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your father Who is in the heavens.”

With that thought in mind, let us consider the sun that illuminates and warms our planet. In the blackness of space there is no real light. Space is a vacuum and cannot carry light. The only way we can see and have light, is for the earth to catch the sun's rays. The rays can reflect light, but only once they enter the earth's atmosphere. In order for the light to serve its intended purpose, it must have a “vessel” to receive it. In this case, the earth is the sun's vessel. So it is with The Light of Yahweh. We serve as the vessels in which The Light can be seen -- through our works. Likewise, The Light we are given can only be seen by and through others if we make them vessels to receive a share of The Light we were so freely given. The Light cannot illuminate unless it is shared. However, we must not do our “good works” for self aggrandizement, but for the glory of Yahweh.

May almighty Yahweh bless us all as we seek to share The Light He has seen fit to give us.

posted by Mellow Roc

Excerpt November 2011 Caspari Center Prayer Guide

2011-11-02T10:57:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is November 2, and the following is pasted for consideration from the
Caspari Center November 2011 Prayer guide
which I receive via email.
For believers in Yeshua wishing to be informed of pertinent issues going on in Israel, refer to The Media Review
weekly published by Caspari Center in Jerusalem.
You can access this via search engine by typing
media review Caspari Center

We are very familiar with the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13. But reading the text we have to admit that we are not able to love in the way Paul describes.

There are three words for love in biblical Greek. Fileo means brotherly care; eros is easily recognizable; agape is unselfish love that is not based on the quality of the object of love. Agape is love that can't be earned. It is love that just loves. Agape love is not based on the worth of the object, how valuable it is. It is love that makes the target worthy. That is why agape describes the love of God. "God is love" (1 John 4:16). Love is not God, but God is love.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul uses this word agape. It is a picture of God himself and of the love he has for us in Messiah. Love is a gift from God. God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God does not dishonor others, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. When we open ourselves to this kind of love from God, we can be set free to be human beings-imperfect, but still fully loved for the sake of Yeshua.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Amazing, Extraordinary, Special, Super - expressions

2011-11-01T09:17:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is November 1 2011, and I want to share something from First Fruits of Zion weekly E Drash (commentary on the Torah portion) for us to remember. This is better than a November sweeps on TV especially the final sentence.
Before though, would still like to hear from you concerning continuing our blog visits. I am praying about continuing this or letting it go in 2012 but wish your input. Thanks.
Now the commentary thought on Genesis 12 through 17 which is the life of the patriarch, Avraham.
The Greatness of the Fathers

They were not perfect men. Abraham twice called Sarah his sister rather than rely on God for protection. He married Hagar rather than wait for God's promise through Sarah. Isaac proved his fallibility by turning a blind eye to the wickedness of Esau. Jacob is remembered for his cunning and trickery. The consistent story of Scripture is not one of exceptional men, but an exceptional God.

- Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.
Mellow Roc

I Will Follow song by Chris Tomlin

2011-10-28T09:43:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Friday October 28 and tonight is game 7 of the Major League Baseball World Series. Then one will get a sense Fall is here in my corner of blog land and winter is soon to come.
-I would like to make a somewhat selfish request. If you are an occasional or regular reader would you please drop me a comment and comment if our blog chats helps your journey or not?
I am considering changing personal direction in 2012 but want to know if you still want to hear from me.
-A couple days ago, I discovered the 24 hour prayer room at the International House of Prayer
www.ihop.org
It's contemporary music set to prayer and probably best described as comtemplative though to some it might be monotnously repetitious.
I was encouraged by a song lyric I heard which will share with you.
"Though I fall 7 times, Your Mercy helps me rise."
I get a picture of yeast being sprinkled on to bread dough and then put in a bowl to rise, a neat process, slow to be sure but steady and it does rise.
You and I have sins that beset us but thanks to Him who helps us say no when we ask His aid in doing so.
May He give us a word to tuck away in our minds, so we don't sin against Him.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Looking for your note.
Mellow Roc

Birthday Earth Day

2011-10-24T07:53:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday October 24.
--This is belated but from World Net Daily regarding our world.
Celebrate creation's birthday today!
Greatest ancient history book says world created Oct. 23, 6,015 years ago
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How old is the world?

Most people would say: "Nobody knows."

But the author of the book frequently described as the greatest history book ever written, said the world was created Oct. 23, 4004 B.C. – making it exactly 6,015 TODAY!

In the 1650s, an Anglican bishop named James Ussher published his "Annals of the World," subtitled, "The Origin of Time, and Continued to the Beginning of the Emperor Vespasian's Reign and the Total Destruction and Abolition of the Temple and Commonwealth of the Jews." First published in Latin, it consisted of more than 1,600 pages.

The book, now published in English for the first time, is a favorite of homeschoolers and those who take ancient history seriously.

In Brief: My wife and I enjoyed an organ recital by Dr. David Wagner of Detroit, who performed at a local church on Sunday the 23rd to a pretty full sanctuary of middle-aged and seniors who were treated to a variety of organ compositions from the last 300 years.
-I am working on my novella Winds Of Change, which I hope to complete by year's end and publish on a small scale in 2012 or thereabouts.
It is more less my experience with discovering the Hebraic Roots of the Christian faith and a call to encourage believers to become aware of these teachings, and challenge those who are already familiar to be more interactive with those of us who are new to this perspective. A friend observed and rightly so, You will probably be as popular as ants at a summer picnic.
I feel this is what G-d wants me to do in a constructive manner through a novella.
-Not much more this time around, let's celebrate our earth by doing something good for its endurance today.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us.

Mellow Roc

We've Only Just Begun by the Carpenters, balad

2011-10-21T10:53:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday October 21 and Bresheit to all.
That is Hebrew for Beginning, which by the way this weekend is. A new Torah cycle begins and Biblically one reads the first 6 chapters of Genesis, the first book in the Bible. To think all this has lead to Manic Mondays as Cindy Lopper sang about a couple decades ago.
Creation takes the first couple chapters and to focus on us for a minute, consider your nose.
I am a medical transcriptionist and one of the people I wrote about recently had a pneumotized air-filled nasal cavity called a concha bullosa.
Other parts to our nose include: ostia, paranasal sinuses, olfadctory recesses, uncinate process, ethmoid infandibulum, and if you ever get a CAT scan that's called
Normal anterior ostiomeatal CT scan.
Ahh more than you wanted to know, right?
Just agree with the old Psalmist that we are wonderfully (intricately made) by the King of the Universe.
-Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today as we "begin again."

Mellow Roc

Do You Wanna Dance 1970s remake

2011-10-18T09:11:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Tuesday October 18 and in 2 weeks it will be November 1. The church at large commemorates what they call All Saints Day at that time.
-This week Messianics and devout Jews alike celebrate the beginning of anew Torah cycle which begins Thursday at sunset. Here are some thoughts by writer
Keren Hanna Pryor on the subject. It warmed my being.

SIMCHAT TORAH – JOY OF TORAH

A New Beginning

The conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle at this time and the immediate beginning of the cycle for the next year is the central reason and focus of the holiday of Simchat Torah. An old gate is closing and a new one is opening. We celebrate the new beginning and the opportunity to step forward into another year of relationship with our Father, the Giver and Source of Life, and into continuing growth in knowledge of His Word and thereby of Himself. We can lift our hearts and rejoice and sing with the Psalmist:
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in Your Torah.
Your testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors. …Give me understanding, that I may keep Your Torah and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
The sum of Your Word is truth; and every one of Your righteous ordinances endures for ever… my heart stands in awe of Your words.
I rejoice at Your Word, like one who finds great treasure.”
(Psalm 119:18, 24, 34-35,160-162)

Be glad and rejoice in Simchat Torah and give honor to the Torah…
for she is our strength and our light (Simchat Torah song).

The central means of celebration on Simchat Torah is singing and dancing! Simchat Torah calls us to rejoice before God with all our hearts and might… to celebrate the Word of God as King David did when he returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:28-29). What would we do without the light and wisdom of God’s Word? Simchat Torah gives us an opportunity to rejoice over the wonder, the depths and the power of His Word with childlike abandon; to drop our self-conscious defenses and throw ourselves joyfully into rejoicing greatly before our Father in Heaven! To “dance as David danced” is a challenge to adults, but now a wonderful occasion is given for children and adults to sing and dance in joy together at the great gift God has given of His Torah, His precious and eternal Word, and the incarnation of this Word in the life of His Son and our Messiah – Yeshua.

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.
Your comments are welcomed, please leave one!

Mellow Roc

Let It Shine

2011-10-15T09:02:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
-This makes post 213 according to the current stats and one of these days I will delete some of the older ones, just to clean the blog house.
Two things.
First, I am in the process of creating a group on facebook for those who believe Messiah Yeshua came to seek and to save the lost, set the captive free, generally speaking establish one's comings and goings and have an interest in the "commandments" regard for the Torah and all of Scripture, and have an interest in the appointed times, festivals, as detailed in Leviticus chapter 23.
The group name will be Kevud Yehoveh, which means presence of God in Hebrew.
If this interests you let me know.
Second, I am a medical transcriptionist by profession and this article from Medscape.com Internal Medicine news may be of interest to readers in North America.
Here is the pasted article.
October 10, 2011 — The current listeria outbreak from cantaloupes is now the second largest in U.S. history.

The toll now stands at 109 cases and 21 deaths. A pregnant Iowa woman miscarried due to cantaloupe-linked listeria infection.

A person infected with listeria may take up to two months to develop the serious illness known as listeriosis. It may be several weeks before an illness is reported to the CDC, so cases that began after Sept. 11 may not yet be counted.

That count now has passed the 1998 listeria outbreak in hot dogs and deli meats. That outbreak sickened 108 people. There were 14 deaths and four miscarriages.

The largest U.S. listeria outbreak was in 1985, when 142 people became ill after eating Mexican-style cheese contaminated with unpasteurized milk. Pregnant women were disproportionately affected. There were 18 adult deaths, 20 miscarriages/stillbirths, and 10 deaths of newborns.

Pregnant women are at high risk of listeriosis. While the woman herself usually gets only flu-like symptoms, listeria bacteria tend to infect the placenta. Infection of the fetus often causes miscarriage or stillbirth. Infection of the newborn during birth can result in death or permanent disability.

Also at risk are people over age 60, people with diabetes or diseases that weaken immunity, and people taking immunity-suppressing drugs.

The current outbreak of listeria from cantaloupes isn't over, even though it's very unlikely that any of the contaminated cantaloupes are still in refrigerators or on grocery shelves.

Meantime, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with all of us today.

Mellow Roc

Something Worth Noting

2011-10-13T07:42:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is Thursday, October 13, and for some reason it feels like Friday. Hmmm.
Last evening I participated in the local book study group and we are currently reading through, Go And Sin No More by Michael Brown.
I prayed words like holiness, vision, sin, freedom, all the terms we use as believers would become somethings rather than just words. Part of the answer came from reading the Forward to the book title, Yankee For Life: My 40 Year Journey by Bobby Murcer.
I pray the same will be described of you by folks you know.
"Few things are more powerful in a person than courage and optimism.
Couple that with integrity and loyalty, and you have got the whole package."
Yogi Berra.

In the first chapter one meets Bobby head on and his wife, who get some rather startling news one Christmas Eve outside a restaurant where the family are about to assemble for Sunday lunch. Bobby had just undergone an MRI hours before, only to learn from his doctor via cell phone, "You have a brain tumor."
I am looking forward to dalving further into this book and story of someone who well may be a remarkable human.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Love Will Keep Us Together 1970s song

2011-10-10T09:07:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is Monday October 10 and first Happy Columbus Day to those living in
North America.
This past weekend I was sad to see the main line church and one of its spokespersons, Garrison Keihlor of Prairie Home Companion fame appear to somewhat misrepresent Scripture readings used by many main line churches.
-The passage in Exodus concerning the Golden Calf is much more than evidence of how the Children of Israel messed things up royally. It is in a bigger sense a picture of the human condition, and also the consequence for habitual sin is dealt with by
G-d. The sermon at our church failed to mention Exodus 32:28, 3000 were slain for idolatry worship! In this instance upward of 10% of those who left Egypt were slain for their idolatry. Sure God relented and did not wipe out the whole nation but it didn't just stop there with G-d turning his head and saying ho-hum, that's okay, I'll forgive and forget..
-The Matthew passage about the Kingdom of God being likened to a wedding feast is not just a cranky Jesus fed up with things because no one invited would come but had excuse for why they could not, so those refusing to come are killed as Keihlor presents the picture on his October 8 broadcast, but more a picture of those who will hear the message of the Gospel and respond to it. Keihlor observes in comment on this passage, Life is a bitch, will any Lutheran pastors state that?
-The previous week the lectionary abridges the commandments and leaves out the comments on Shabbat.
The main line church steeped in replacement theology arrogantly wears its badge nowadays and has little time to reflect on Paul's stern words in Romans 11.
I am sooooo glad not to be a member of the main line luke-warm church but pray revival will like a hurricane sweep through it and correct its foibles!
BTW Wednesday begins the 7 day period known as Sukkot. Celebrating our dwelling being in Yehoveh.
I have pasted an overview of this feast from ENews of Bereans On Line at facebook, but will also paste here for any who care to read.
His Presence accompany us today and always.
Now the paste and regards from yours truly, Mellow Roc

Erev Sukkot

This Wednesday (10/12/11), at sundown, we begin Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the culmination of the calendar of redemption. This is the time of our rejoicing!

Ruminations

Rumination #51: What is it all about?

The question has been asked in countless ways over the millennia. It sometimes takes the form of “What is the purpose of life?” or “Is this all there is?” Although modern times seems to have made this question one that promotes narcissism and a self-centered approach to life – it is essentially unchanged since man’s earliest thoughts. It is an overwhelming sense that what we see is not all there is. There must be some-thing greater. Some-one who is hidden from view. This question becomes the fundamental question of the ages: What is it all about?

As we close this year’s Torah cycle, and setup our sukkah in order to celebrate the time of our rejoicing called “Sukkot” or “Feast of Tabernacles,” it may seem odd to ponder this question. After all, as students of the Torah, have we not answered this question to our satisfaction time and again? Beloved, the answer is no. That is because the question persists, and demands an almost daily answer. Our faith demands that we persistently answer this question.

During Sukkot we study the enigmatic book of Kohelet [Ecclesiastes]. In the book, the “Preacher” (King Solomon) is essentially asking this question. The wisest of men, appears to provide a fatalistic answer throughout, in the echo of, “all is vanity.” But this is where our question gets interesting. You see, the answer is found in the question itself. With no question, there is no answer – and ultimately, our lives would be empty. The question itself implies the answer is certain, albeit hidden.

Beloved, the key is the mystery. It is about what is hidden, and not readily apparent. HaShem has not revealed Himself overtly. He desires for men to seek Him. HaShem is the King, Who earnestly desires to find seekers who will worship Him in true faith. Thus He remains hidden, waiting to be found (daily). He has indeed left us clues, but even the clues are enigmatic. The heavens declare Him, and yet our logical minds cannot comprehend such vast majesty. Nature demands a Creator, and yet our fatalism and science cannot imagine such a Creator remaining unseen and unheard. Ourhearts echo the truth of His word, and yet our minds and our souls at timesrebel against His decrees. Why won’t G-d just audibly talk to us? Because He wants us to trust Him. He wants faith.

Thus our question always comes to the Hidden One. True faith, is resting upon the One Who is not seen, Whose hand is not always evident, but Whose word is always true.

As you prepare for Sukkot, may you ponder this question. May you study Kohelet in an earnest quest for Him. May you find Him, as you always have, in the hidden. In the mysterious. In true faith.

In preparation for the High Holy Days, culminating at the end of Sukkot, we read daily from Psalms 27. He is searching for His seekers…

One thing have I asked of HaShem, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of HaShem all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of HaShem, and to inquire in His Temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me secretly in His pavilion: In the covert of His tabernacle will He hide me; He will lift me up upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. And I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to HaShem. Hear, O HaShem, when I cry with my voice: Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When Yousaid, “Seek My face;” my heart said to You, “Your face, HaShem, will I seek.” Do not hide Your face from me; do not put Your servant away in anger: You have been my help; do not cast me off, or forsake me, O G-d of my salvation.

Psalms 27:4-9

Sukkot - Time of our Rejoicing (Leviticus 23:33-44; Deuteronomy 16:13-15)

How can someone not love Sukkot? Everything about it speaks of joy, fellowship, and rest.

Mercy Mercy R&B instrumental 1960s

2011-10-06T10:49:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is October 6 and the season of Fall is definitely in my corner of blog land.
I am currently a grandfather of one week, as our daughter and her husband had their first child just a few days ago.
All are enjoying good health presently and we are thankful to God for his mercy toward them and all of us.
May we be tought to number our days aright so we can gain a heart of wisdom, Psalm 90 verse 12.
For those observing the High Holidays may your walk with our Savior be ever sharpened and may you love Him with all you are.
For the rest of us may we be lifted out of the centuries of doledroms put on us by our churches, the world, the flesh, or even the devil and get moving in a living communion as we are intended as creations of God.
See you again soon and would love a reply!
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us.
Mellow Roc

On The Radio 70s song

2011-09-22T09:17:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Thursday September 22, first full day of Autumn in N America..
Happy Autumn to you!
This morning I had some time to check out the ideas that were being touted about on the radio and was somewhat amazed and amused.
-A sports talk show was focused on names of sport stars who were from a given geography over the past few decades. Plenty of names all aspiring to do something above the line of ordinary.
-Another station was talking of the ongoing political debates among Republican candidates for US President to be decided over the next several months. The general consensus was they'll play to the crowd and avoid the questions that need answers.

-A third station was discussing two things. Spouses or significant others indulging in sex during half time of a football game they are viewing together, and if someone asks your hand in marriage, is asking for time to think about it pretty tactless or timely?
I thought of a quote heard on occasion when viewing the Zola Levitt Presents program.
"We marry or enter relationships for an ideal, think we got a raw deal, and later look for a new deal."
Several of the callers thought it was tactless to ask for time to consider. Some thought it was wise.
It's interesting to on occasion step back and note what the "world" at large is saying, communicating, reflecting on or thinking about. Many of the ideas are accounted for in Scripture where we can gain instruction and insight.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.
Mellow Roc

This Is A Test

2011-09-17T21:53:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Shabbat, September 17, and I title this post to offer some insight in to Exodus chapter 16. Some churches, sermons and readings are based on Exodus chapter 16, where Israel is in the wilderness experience about 2 months into it by estimates, and God is about to start forming Government amongst them which will have its climax at Mt Sinai when the Torah is given to them by God.
Torahclass.com offers some interesting observations into this chapter, please
read on and be enriched.
As we have an unchanging God perhaps some of these insights will further help you appreciate God's character.
So, what we can now readily see is that God is going to use Israel’s time in the desert wilderness to test them, or to prove them……and this “testing”, in Hebrew the word is NACHA, is in the judicial sense of being on trial before a judge. That is, Yehoveh has begun to lay down his rules and laws of government, which will culminate, soon, in the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. And, with these laws as the basis for Israel’s government, God is going to have an ongoing judicial trial, if you would, to see if Israel will “hearken” to Him…..meaning, to listen and to obey. At the same time, God is teaching Israel how to live like a redeemed people.
The Israelites stayed for about a month at Elim (recall that elim means “gods”); God had taught them all He intended to from the circumstances at Mara, and then Elim, but now it was time they move on into the Wilderness of Seen. Notice I pronounced the name of that desert they moved into not as s-I-n (sin)……but rather as s-e-e-n (seen). Do not think that somehow how or another the name of that area of desert relates to what we in the Church think of when we speak the word “sin”. In Hebrew, the word simply means “thorn”. And, it is the root word for the word “Sinai”….like Mt. Sinai. In Hebrew, “Sinai” is pronounced see-nah’-ee, and it means “thorny”.
When they arrived at the Wilderness of Seen, it marked about the 2-month point in their journey from Egypt.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today and always.
Mellow Roc

If You Want It Here It Is Come And Get It 60s song

2011-09-16T09:06:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Friday September 16.
Not so brief, I have started reading a 1959 work of fiction titled The Whapshot Scandal by Cheever. It sort of reads like what one may imagine to be the darker sides of small town America, and perhaps the darker sides of each of us.
I have been also reading for a several-week group study, Go And Sin No More by Michael L Brown. I recommend this as a self inventory type of book as it is written in part from a believer who knows God's grace in his own life, and also seems to possess a sense of seriousness that the 12-step model conveys in aiding people to deal with what it is they are powerless over. We suffer from an us versus them mentality in our culture in my opinion. The blatent sinners are condemned by those who exude morral perpetude rather than realizing God is truly merciful, interested in digging us out of our own respective mucks and giving us something to really sing about and live. Psalm 41.
This final is a paste from World Net Daily. I fear the main line church has decided to market faith in Social Service packages making minor, if at all, the importance of one to make a clear-cut choice for faith and belief. Unity and diversity are buzz words but hints of exclusivity in rejecting those who claim to a model that celebrates doing discipleship in the purest sense. This is quite clear as one reads the Tanakh book of Deuteronomy, chapters 1 onward.
Also welcome to our new follower, so glad you chose to offer me your attention.
I do welcome comments when they come!
Here is the WND post/advert.
Have Christian colleges compromised?
Average church member would be 'shocked and outraged'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"An 'uncertain sound' is emanating from many of our Christian colleges."

That is the troubling finding of a major research study conducted last year, included in the latest book by Ken Ham and Greg Hall titled "Already Compromised."

If you or someone you care about is deciding on a school or has children on the path to college - anywhere from 6th grade on up - now is the time to understand what is really being taught..

Now - before making the college decision.

During the past month, thousands of American families have undertaken the ritual of packing supplies, writing huge checks, and trekking off to an institution of higher learning to deliver their best and brightest to the campus. But to what end?

To some, it will not come as earth-shattering news that the worldview of secularism has infiltrated Christian colleges.

From long before the time of King Solomon, the history of God's people is a history of compromise ... of falling away into the surrounding culture.

That is the story of Ivy League institutions at the pinnacle of American higher education - an interesting aspect of our heritage many have forgotten or perhaps never even realized considering the anti-Christian bias so widespread in such institutions today. But it is also occurring now, in those commonly viewed as "Christian."

"Already Compromised" reveals a leadership "highly educated and amazingly confused." One of the authors notes

"... the periodic, but continual, evidence of equivocation, capitulation, and compromise among those of us who lead and teach in these institutions when it comes to whether or not we will stand on the truth of biblical authority. In the equivocation we cause massive confusion among students, who are far more discerning than we realize at times ..."

To these current and prospective students, the authors offer advice on "Choosing the university that's right for you" and "keys for surviving and thriving in college."

Meantime, Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us.
Mellow Roc

Majors and Minors

2011-09-13T09:04:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
It has been a busy couple weeks since we began the journey of Elul together,
see last post.
My wife and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, by going to a minor league baseball game the Sunday of Labor day. It was fun though we experienced a 20 minute game delay due to rain.
In my profession as a Medical Transcriptionist it has been a season of fine tuning for yours truly, working out some bugs.
In baseball often players are sent back to the minors from the majors to try and correct or build on some skill that perhaps has been challenged. I think the LORD works that way with us too, because He wants us to eventually realize we are souls, we are priceless which in Hebrew is the word ""bene Yehoveh" (really count for something), or if we give zilch about God and faith we are "belial" worthless sons and daughters! See Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 14 and II Corinthians 6:15.
Of course the main line church blurs these distinctions to be politically correct and hang on by a thread to its mere existence, especially the North American branch of the church.
May we continue to be made in His image day by day and with each passing moment.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with us today.

Mellow Roc
ps. Of late have been listening to classical music, i.e. compositions by the masters from the 17th through the 20th century.. So, am really mellow!

overView of Elul

2011-08-29T07:06:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Monday, August 29, and last post, I invited you to observe the Jewish month of Elul with me as a person of faith and alluded to a couple ways this can be done.
This is due to start August 31 at sunset.At the end of this post, you may read a very general over-view from Beth Haderech Synagogue of Toronto Canada on this particular month and its importance in the redemptive process.
This Wednesday I invite you to make the commitment to read Psalm 27 from your Bible at least once daily and reflect on what you read. Others may attend synagogue services or observe this time in some other fashion. The important thing is to make a decided commitment to grow closer to our Adonai during this season. Note what stands in your way of growing closer.
If you will be joining me, in observing Elul, please leave a short comment. There will be no more posts here until late September in observation of this time, but will check regularly to see if you left me a comment.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today and always; here is the BSD excerpt.
Rosh Chodesh Elul / ראש חדש אלול "The King is in the Field - HaMelech Ba'Sade" - This month, God is as approachable as hardly any other time of the year! The month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holidays of Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur. Tradition teaches that the month of Elul is a particularly propitious time for repentance. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur. The name of the month (spelled Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, where the Beloved is God and the "I" is the Jewish people. In Aramaic (the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word "Elul" means "search," which is appropriate, because this is a time of year when we search our hearts. According to tradition, the month of Elul is the time that Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing the second set of tablets after the incident of the golden calf (Ex. 32; 34:27-28). He ascended on Rosh Chodesh Elul and descended on the 10th of Tishri, at the end of Yom Kippur, when repentance was complete....

mellow Roc

invite To Elul

2011-08-25T09:28:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom,
This post will be rather lengthy but important things are herein.
On the evening of August 31, 2011, the Hebrew month of Elul begins, which is largely understood to be a month in which those of faith search their hearts and in the words of the 12-step program folk do a personal inventory of the past year or perhaps even over one's life time. One practice is to daily read Psalm 27.
This is all in preparation of Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement.
The Catholic church and its cousins have replaced this appointed time with Lent, but if you are interested in observing this ancient custom, would you comment and let me know you are endeavoring to observe the month of Elul?
For reading I would commend you to either My Jewish Learning
or the site, hebrew4christians.com and look for articles on the month of Elul in either www.
Finally, I want to share with you some hard questions and wisdom by Tom Bradford as he covered Deuteronomy chapter 10 in the torah class.com commentary.
May we consider these as people of faith endeavoring to grow in relationship
with Adonai.
Last week we ended in the midst of our study of Deuteronomy 10 by discussing this rhetorical but powerful question asked by Moses as he stood on a hilltop in Moab addressing the chosen people: “And, now, O Israel, what does the YHWH your God demand of you?”

And Moses answers his own question with this instruction: God’s redeemed ought to revere YHWH, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him, and obey (or keep) His laws and commands. Revere, walk, love, serve, and obey. And so I asked you a rhetorical question of my own (and believe me, this is a LOADED question): do you wish only to be granted your salvation and then you float through the rest of your, carefree, done with the things of God believing that your sins are covered anyway so why worry about it? That is, do you truly believe that once you trust Yeshua our Messiah that you have utterly no further obligations to Him and there will be no consequences for your decisions and actions (or inactions)? Have you decided that you can completely separate your knowledge of what He has done for you from your worship of Him and from the way you live the rest of your life? Let me say without hesitation or doubt: that precise implication is rife within the modern (especially modern Evangelical) church and even brings into question whether any form of Believers’ obedience to the written word is actually legalism, and thus a bad thing. And I speak, today, in firm opposition to such an ungodly doctrine whose basis is nothing more than a desire to distance the gentile church from the Hebrew Torah and to make the life of a Christian seem as though from the moment of our Salvation, we have gained the right to retire from the duty to do any more than merely exist as we await heaven. Moses says, ‘redeemed of Israel, you have things to do’. Modern Christianity says, ‘redeemed of Christ, quit now and save your energy’.

I look forward to your comment and RSVP to the above invite.
His Presence accompany us today.
Mellow Roc

Show Me The Way 80s song by Styx

2011-08-23T10:44:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is August 23 and I wanted to share another treasure from Torahclass.com in the commentary on Deuteronomy chapter 10.
"If you are interested in knowing what the Lord expects of you as a person being saved, then please pay attention:
Revere Him; walk in His paths;
Love Him; Serve him;
Keep (obey) His commandments-laws."

In brief. I started reading the fiction title, Where The God Of Love hangs Out by Amy Bloom.
On goodreads.com I said I liked the book, find it a bit redundant as it tends to point out the pleasures of adultery and minimizes the affects on those involved and those significant to those involved. However in all fairness am only an hour into listening to this 4-5 hour fiction so my opinion may be altered.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

BTW Leticia, thanks for your comment.
Reader, I welcome yours when you feel so inclined!

Mellow

I'm Gonna Walk A Straighter Line In My Next Life country lyric

2011-08-19T07:49:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday August 19, and by our post title borrowed from a country song lyric, one can begin their "next life" each and every day by choosing who we are going
to serve. Or, next stage or next day or next minute if wanting specifics.
It is a choice personally made and one only each person can make.
In my corner of blog land: We attended our annual family reunion Sunday, and my dad was here in town for the past 2 weeks and we had some good visits during that time. He is doing well and mom lives on in our memories.
For some reason my account on a social network has been temporarily locked, and feel some disappointment for that occurrence as it limits my participation in cyber space.
Considering taking a distance learning course this fall for personal etification, and completed reading the novel, Cold River, mentioned in previous post.
Okay, thankful for you who read, and hope you are enjoying the season of life where you are or learning something from it.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Feels Like Life - current song

2011-08-12T09:03:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Friday August 12 and in some ways it is a week of connections being renewed albeit from the social web sites. I guess we all are infused with a basic need to feel connected and that those connections will have some durability to them.
I am a few days in to reading Cold River by William Judson.
It's a story of adventure, survival, partnership, cooperation, hunting and gathering, choosing life.To quote the Library of Congress Notation
"Fourteen-year-old Lizzy Alison and her younger brother Timothy are stranded in the frozen Adirondacks during one of the worst snowstorms of the century."
From goodreads.com most rate this as a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 from least liked to most liked. It was a Signet published book from the mid to late 1970s
but the content is timeless.
If you have read this title,
did it serve to boost your faith and character in any way?
Make time for Shabbat this weekend and Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Slouching Toward Bethlehem by Eliza Gilkyson

2011-08-07T10:05:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is post number 200......
Can you believe it?
Actually there have been more than 200 posts but on occasion over 2 years have deleted several which were perhaps redundant or seemed so.
Some of you may know that by profession, I work in the field of medical transcription, and over the weekend became aware of 2 new medical procedures which are designed to treat degenerative problems in the back.
The dictators used the abbreviated term for both, requiring me to go look up the expanded form.
PLIF and TLIF.
Huh, you ask?
Perhaps some feel similarly when we as believers indulge in talking about matters of faith or Spirituality. There is something to the addage, KISS, keep in simple someone.
Come learn of me, Yeshua's invite to us in the Gospel of Matthew is designed not to be easy but designed to be customed to who we are as unique sons and daughters created by God Almighty, King of the universe.
You don't need to know about posterior lumbar interbody fusion, or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to be a son or daughter of God, but you do need to know whose you are, and that your redemption and salvation from eternal death have been brought with a price, His shed blood offered as payment for our sin on a
garbage heap outside Jerusalem some 1980 years ago.
So as we learn from Him, His Torah, may the experience be designed to address each of us where we are.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Help Me Rhonda - Beach Boys

2011-08-02T08:52:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
I suppose you are wondering my reasons for using this classic Beach Boys Song title, Help Me Rhonda, as a title to this post?
One of the purposes for this blog is to encourage us all to dalve in to the Torah which strictly speaking the first 5 books in the Bible, and in a more broader sense the entirety of Scripture, God's Word. Help Me Rhonda, is a phrase recurrent in this song and reminds me this is ever to be our posture or position before the Lord our God.

This time of year Torah readings are from the fifth book of the Torah known as Deuteronomy, which very generally speaking is Moses recounting the 40-year wilderness journey to now the second generation of those former slaves in Egypt.
I jotted down some things for myself to bear in mind when I want to take a little vacation from walking with God. We daily(myself and you) choose who you will serve. May these verses aid our choice to serve God our Creator, Maker, High Priest, Redeemer, Father and Friend.
Behold the LORD your GOD has set the land before you: go up, take possession, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. WEB Deuteronomy 1:21. I hear live confidently and keep moving.

Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Deut 4:9 New International Version. Therein is a challenge for myself a visually impaired believer who needs to be mindful of the past and present so as to keep walking with Him in the future. Hmmm.

Be careful not to forget the Covenant of the Lord your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourself in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. Deut 4:23 New International Version. Don't forget means ever be recalling and reflecting on Kevud Yehoveh.

Finally, we are one post shy of 200 posts for this blog.. I would like to invite you to continue reading, and share any comments you have on what you have read here recently or at all. I am very thankful to have 12 followers and several readers in the past 2 years.
For all of us: Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Everybody Say Amen part 3

2011-07-28T08:49:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Thursday July 28 and I am in the process of resetting some things in my google account. Ugg, novice at doing that chore.
For pleasure, I am reading the novel, Everybody Say Amen
by Reshonda Tate Billingsley.
The first part of this blog series on this book did not post correctly due to my error.
The second part was an intro and recommend to read this title.
The third is a reflection on chapter 20 which is an interaction between
Simon Jackson's daughter Rachel, and him about life and family.
Simon is a retired minister, has a chronic illness, girlfriend after being a widow for 8 years, and his daughter is age 27, married to Lester who is the new pastor of her father's former church and so on.
She is visiting her dad in this segment and the back and forth reminds me of interactions with my young adult children when they occur, or interactions between myself and my parents and on a larger front, our interactions with Messiah our Father in heaven. Humor and seriousness follow.
Rachel starts the conversation after spotting an envelope on the coffee-table containing tickets for 2 for a cruise. It will be her dad and Ms. Brenda who are going on a cruise.

You want to tell me what's going on?
Nope.
Can't I come just visit my daddy?
Sure you can, but you don't, so tell me what's going on.
Lester and that church are getting on my nerves.
Why does that not surprise me?
I'm serious.
I am too.

Dad: I know you're about to get mad at what I have to say. You know I'm gonna tell it like it is. It's time for you to grow up.
She frowned...Her father was talking nonsense. Anybody could see how she had grown over the years.
Rachel: Ah, I resent that.
Dad qualifies, Not in age, but in mind."

My reflection: Mom has been gone from my life for nearly 10 months, but on occasion get glimpses and memories of former times and interactions.
Dad is still very much alive, retired, aging but still lives or seems to live a pretty active lifestyle in another state and will be coming back for a few days later in summer.
Our Heavenly Father is here 24/7, and our interactions with Him probably at times are much like Rachel and Simon. It seems a blessing if stepping back and observing.
It seems ideal as it contains elements of personal course correction.
It seems a pain in the neck if it is we who are Rachel and he the wise, stern advisor.

I like the comment that ends this chapter from Simon to Rachel on encouraging him to nurture her husband.
May we nurture those significant, and each other in like regard.
"He may be a man of God, but he is still a man."
I add, so are we....
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

BTW We are 2-3 posts away from 200. Please consider commenting on this blog and your reading of it. I will let these recent posts stand for a few days before adding more.

Mellow Roc

part 2 Everybody Say Amen - book title

2011-07-26T06:03:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Tuesday, July 26 and in 3 days my younger brother celebrates another birthday..
I started reading, Everybody Say Amen, by Reshonda Tate Billingsley, this past weekend and am going to enjoy this story's unfolding and there are several things within one can reflect on.
Here is a brief summation of the book from good reads.com.
More after excerpt, okay?
Everybody Say Amen by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

When her husband hears God's call to become a preacher, Rachel Jackson Adams is distressed - she grew up a preacher's daughter, and knows how difficult life under the microscope can be for a reverend's family. But hot-headed Rachel has toned down her wild ways, and for the sake of her marriage and her two children, she is now the reluctant first lady of Zion Hill, unafraid...moreWhen her husband hears God's call to become a preacher, Rachel Jackson Adams is distressed - she grew up a preacher's daughter, and knows how difficult life under the microscope can be for a reverend's family. But hot-headed Rachel has toned down her wild ways, and for the sake of her marriage and her two children, she is now the reluctant first lady of Zion Hill, unafraid to rock the boat with her unconventional ideas for revitalizing the church.
When her son, Jordan, begins fighting at school, Rachel turns to the boy's father, Bobby - Rachel's first love from years ago. Married now himself, there should be nothing between them except their concern for Jordan - so why does seeing Bobby again feel so distractingly tempting?
With her brothers facing dramas of their own, and her father, Reverend Simon Jackson, recovering from illness, Rachel must listen carefully to discover what God truly wants for her - and to decide if Bobby is the lover of her dreams or the devil in disguise.

The prologue would make for interesting discussion, as Rachel's husband, Lester, shares with his wife his desire to leave the insurance business world and become a preacher. There are several days of consternation over this, not a smooth, hallelujah, I am with you honey, go for it, whatever floats your boat and makes you happy.
Quite Contrarre.
It's sort of like the story in the book of Numbers, B'Midbar, where only 2 of the 10 scouts who went tou check out Canaan, the promised land, came back with the report to forge ahead whereas the rest urged no pass go. As a result, God punished all but Joshua and Caleb who are two of the youngest from the original Exodus generation, favored to enter the promised land. Like them, Lester stood his ground with his wife on what he felt was the direction life was to take.
Love me or leave me was his ultimatum.
As said, that would make for interesting discussion which we cannot do here, but perhaps you have or can in a book study.
BTW next post will be number 200.
If you have any words of wisdom or comment you want to make before I put it together, don't be shy and add them please.
I would like post 200 in some respects to be from you.
Kevud Yehoveh,
His Presence accompany us,

Mellow Roc

hey Soul Sister song 2011

2011-07-21T09:05:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Thursday July 21 and this post will be a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Thanks for reading.
My brother and his wife today celebrate their wedding anniversary, number 27 for them. It was very warm then, mostly sunny day and weather-wise history is repeating itself again on this date.
I finished reading the novel, Grievous Sin, by Faye Kellerman. One of the characters, whose name is Tandy, turns out to have been beset with mental illness with recurrent auditory hallucinations. As believers we in part trust our Messiah to sustain us in mind, body, soul and spirit; even though our illness may not be as expressed or may be more so expressed in comparison to this fictional character.
The devotional I read, Voice of the Lord expands on this notion in the following:
Zol gott op-hitten.
This is a Yiddish phrase, meaning may God prevent it.
This phrase expresses the desire for good, not eveil and also implies at times we need God to intervene to save us from ourselves.
Like the character Tandy in the novel, we need Him and His Word to set our desires in conjunction with Him, and blessed are we when we can return often and not totally give in to whatever whim is calling to us.
I enjoyed helping my spouse last evening with a couple projects she was embarking on, and enjoying some MLB games on TV 3-4 times per week.
Meantime, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

To Thee I Lift Mine Eyes - jars of Clay

2011-07-18T08:03:00.001-05:00

hi and shalom!
Today is July 18, and this little pasted excerpt has much to say about living.
it is from the Bereans On Line Enews column that comes weekly, and would be good for all believers to consider.
Live each moment as worship. When even the mere act of eating becomes true worship as it should - then you have learned to "journey."

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Hidden Away - Josh Groban

2011-07-15T08:46:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Friday July 15.
One thing we are described as, is covered or sealed in our relationship with God by the Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit. That is if and when we profess to have trust in what God has provided us for our salvation and well-being.
This came to mind while working and listening to the Coffeehouse Channel on XM and they frequently play a remake version of the oldie, I Can Get Along Without You Now.
We are instructed as people of faith to say no, resist temptation and this phrase from this song is a fairly good way to say no.
There are things and patterns in my life that I often have to say no, I can get along without you now, in order to keep my end of the covenant of faith with our God, King of the Universe. He has promised me His favor, His protection, His care, His rest, His holiness when this is done. The same goes for you too!
Glad you stopped by and wish you Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today..

Mellow Roc

Peace-filled Shabbat - personal regards

2011-07-14T10:08:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
I will be brief but with much going on nationally and internationally and perhaps in our own corners of the world, consider this invitation from Messiah Yeshua:

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle, humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
New Covenant Scripture Matthew 11:28-30 spoken by Yeshua Messiah.

Kevud Yehoveh.
His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Lift Up Your Face - Third Day 2000s

2011-07-11T07:46:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Monday July 11.
In the realm of reading: I continue to enjoy a novel by Faye Kellerman titled, Grievous Sin, working my way through the Hebrew Scriptures book of Numbers and musing over the idea of us needing something to appeal to our senses to remind us of our choice to believe and follow Messiah Yeshua, or conversely.
In Numbers chapter 15, the record of the directive to wear fringes known as zitzit on one's apparel is given to remind the one wearing this that they belong to God. Hence, act like it in your life.
If we understand this as a positive course correction rather than disciplinary action we are well on the way to enjoying an abundant life.
Today, the Voice of the Lord Devotional has something to say about being and choosing, to life.
Enjoy and Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.
BTW would like to hear hello or something from you.
God is the God of life and his people are a people of life. Live a life that says in word, deed and spirit, "To life! To life! Lechayyim!"

Mellow Roc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dee In My Heart I know The Strength is Within - 90s song

2011-07-08T08:46:00.002-05:00

Hi And shalom!
Today is Friday July 8, and wanted to continue sharing on the light side of life with you.
Last evening it was a pleasure to kick back and hear some new-time radio drama as it were on XM, the Colonial Radio Theater and Harry Nile.
By the way discovered the Colonial Radio Theater producer, Jerry Robins, has a blog on this blogspot as well. Also began reading another Faye Kellerman novel,
Grievous Sin,
and going to enjoy this unfolding story.
Earlier this week I discovered one of our new followers has a book review blog,
the reading life, and plan to stop by on occasion to look for reading ideas.
BTW that blog is beginning a new year as am I, and share their sentiments concerning readers and your occasional comment being appreciated!
I updated my dictionary card file a bit and will close with a few little nuggets of water cooler type stuff.
Composer Camille Saint Saans for a wedding present created a composition called the Wedding Cake or Wedding Caprice, piano and orchestra. This was before store registries were thought of by engaged couples.
Pax Xtti et Bonum is Latin for Peace of Messiah and everything good.

Experiencially that occurred early in the week when a friend included me in on something she was concerned over and asked for input on the matter. As a result I chose to return to the yahoo group she oversees.
Finally, Cheer someone or yourself if feeling atrabilious, perhaps a bagatell, or balanced blandishment may help.

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Give Me The Simple Life - standard

2011-07-06T10:03:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Wednesday July 6, and as morning wanes I am listening to the on line acoustic music from Minnesota Public Radio's Radio Heartland. It's not newave, new age, but a blend of folk, jazz, blue grass, standards known or not known, and just a simple backgrounder to a complex day and or life.
The Torahbyte commentary I received sort of started this yen for the simple suggesting 3 things the LORD requires: one of them being to walk humbly with our Lord. The other two are love justice, love mercy.
So today as the background blend plays, I dash off to the world of Medical Transcription, updating the computer software, posting occasionally on FB or elsewhere or here, spend QT with my spouse, welcome to our new follower and hope you will drop by often and leave a comment or 2.
Oh by the way- the URL for what I am listening too is
www.radioheartland.org
or search for Minnesota Public Radio and find the link to Radio Heartland.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc, (really mellow this post)

Crown Thy Good With Brotherhood - America

2011-07-04T10:00:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday July 4 and I want to wish each reading in the USA Happy Independence Day and all others who are believers in Messiah Yeshua, Happy Independence Day from the slavery of sin and its horrible ensnarements.
We as a family enjoyed a major league ball game this past Friday, and my wife and I saw the new Tom Hanks movie on Sunday, very good in my opinion and an easy story to follow and be entertained by.
I have started reading a collection of Short Stories by 19th century Russian Author, Anton Chekhov.
These are like reading a social network but with considerably more craft and polish. What they have in common with the social network, are one's dealings and interactions with others don't drop to far from the apple tree.
Examples: Someone is disappointed because... Someone is rejoicing because.... Someone is feeling content because.....
Someone is about to venture out on something new because....
Someone decided to remain a hunter or stay in medical school because and dropped their Significant Other as a result because....
Someone ended up working aboard ship instead of getting to attend Easter Services because none would relieve him of his post and....

Perhaps you are in one of the above "someones."
In some respects reading this collection helps me identify with my late mom's side of the family whom were from Poland originally and came to the USA in the 1920s. Mom had her first July 4 with the saints in glory and hope they had a blast!
I have also recently discovered that when we are consistent in our walk, i.e. relationship with others, eventually God crowns are efforts be they good or with disdain. It is true, as we sow, we shall eventually reap.
This year I have yet to hear Ray Charles version of America The Beautiful but always like his rendition, crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea! His soulful version of this Patriotic Classic is somehow settling and reassuring that we will remain an empire for another year at least!
In parting, it is reassuring to glimpse at the good that comes back to you!
May that be so for you this season of life.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Thanks too for those who leave comments or simply read. I appreciate you giving me your time!
Mellow Roc

So Emotional Whitney Houston 1990s

2011-07-01T05:28:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
In the USA many of us are thinking of freedom and independence as we celebrate the holiday weekend climaxing with July 4.
May we too celebrate our freedom in Messiah Yeshua who took on Himself the punishment and guilt for our sin. Moses recognizes this in his petition to God in Numbers 14:18-20.
For our emotional sake here is some wisdom from the devotional Daily New Life by Steven Arterburn.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her, and she will guard you.
Proverbs 4:6

Who is in charge of your emotions? Is it you, or have you formed the unfortunate habit of letting other people—or stressful situations—determine the quality of your thoughts and the direction of your day? If you’re wise—and if you’d like to build a better life for yourself and your loved ones—you’ll learn to control your emotions before your emotions control you.

Human emotions are highly variable, decidedly unpredictable, and often unreliable. Our emotions are like the weather, only far more fickle. So we must learn to live by faith, not by the ups and downs of our own emotional roller coasters.

Sometime during this day, you will probably be gripped by a strong negative feeling. Distrust it. Reign it in. Test it. And turn it over to God. Your emotions will inevitably change; God will not.
Mellow Roc

The Cost Of Livins High and Going Up - country song

2011-06-29T10:29:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today I was looking at the web site tnnonline.net, and often like the articles and such that are there by its editor, J K McKee.
This is from an article titled, Everyone Is Wrong But Me
reflective on the season of Passover, the resurrection, and the days leading to Pentecost/Shavuot.
What does the exodus mean to you?
What does it mean to sacrifice a blameless lamb?
What does it mean to be delivered via the red sea and brought to God's mountain?
What does it mean for the King of Kings to be conducting an intimate meal with His chosen 12, as He prepares to be taken and executed on false charges the next day?
What does it mean for the Savior of the world to be lifted up on a painful cross?
What does it mean for Yeshua to be resurrected from the dead?
This season is about our all-powerful and merciful God taking interest in his creatures...It is about God delivering people into His salvation and empowering them for new opportunities.

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

A Change Will Do You Good

2011-06-27T07:15:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
This may shock you. Beware.
Listen, God is calling, is a theme the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is having its congregations use to help keep the membership rolsters from slipping further so its clergy and staff are assured employment for some time to come.
Replacement theology abounds in this denomination, as Biblical characters are portrayed as men and women who were seriously flawed, but little is mentioned of God's ability to take those men and women and make something of them.
That occurs in this perspective from Pentecost on when Yeshua builds thee church, thee Catholic church if you really want to know the bottom line.
While lip service is paid to Abraham being our father, nothing is said of covenant and how that can instill confidence in the believer to choose daily to serve the living God, to move onward and upward instead of down into the mirery clay and
the shadows.
Little is said about God calling, dividing and separating as was the case with Abraham whose environment had become quite culturally corrupt and empty of true Spirituality.
Perhaps he and his family felt when they left Mesopotamia for the promised land that a change would do them good. Yes there were uncertain moments and mistakes made but that reflects the experience of God's children past present and future.
There is abundant life beyond the mistakes friends!
Most weekends main line pastors aspouse the following for growth:
Get baptized as an infant and receive communion regularly, weekly in most these
neo-Catholic churches now, and bam you are on the way..
Seems to me in Galatia, the issue was relying on ceremonial conversion instead of faith in the finished work of Yeshua for salvation. I guess the pendulum is swinging back to Galatian times in today's liberal main line church, as Sacraments are like generic medications taken for various maladies, these are the in thing now.
Consider this nugget from The Voice of the Lord Devotional as it too relates to the theme, Listen, God Is Calling. Hear the Jewish phraseology which the main line church continuously abandons because it either doesn't know better or is as arrogant as can be.
Let us see ourselves today as priestly members of God's kingdom, who have an irrevocable call to intercede for tikkun ha'olam (world restoration).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...fulfill my calling to intercede as a priest in God's Kingdom.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Workin My Way Back To You 70s song

2011-06-24T10:54:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
A few days ago one of you sent me an article from an on line zine called
Missionary Frontiers. It was quite refreshing to read, and doing some further exploration on my own, see this excerpt from their Jan Feb issue on Discipleship.
It is something believers must be concerned about, producing others who will eventually produce others.
We are coming up on our second anniversary as a blog, and in some small way hope to have had some contribution to your life to keep learning from Yeshua and following our Messiah.
I would like to hear from you in comment.
The excerpt follows:
kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.
Simply working harder at the current model of church will not succeed in bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth. Godís strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission requires reproducing disciples.
Why Not Use the Model Jesus Gave Us?

Jesus preached to crowds, but didnít leave the fruit to rot. He balanced public ministry with roughly equal attention to the development of 12 individuals, rather than simply attracting larger crowds. During the latter part of his ministry, He withdrew increasingly from public proclamation to change the lives of 12 men. Eleven of them would go on to change the world, even without modern technology. Jesus was intentionally relational in discipling the Twelve. He shared His life with them and used stories and parables to embed the truths of His Kingdom in their hearts. His focus was not on simply communicating a message or filling their heads with knowledge, but on guiding them to maturity as spiritual reproducers. That should be the focus of our churches today as well.

We will never bring the gospel to every tribe and tongue if we continue to rely on professional clergy to do ìdisciplingî as a transfer of knowledge. As followers of Jesus, we must all aim to become disciples who can follow Jesusí example in making disciples. None of us is excused from active duty in the service of our King.

A Special Note:
I want to extend a special word of thanks to our Guest Editor, Robby Butler, for all of his help in putting this issue together. His efforts were invaluable to me as I have prepared for cornea transplant surgery. Your prayers for my recovery would be appreciated.

Also please take note of our greatly expanded website with many new features that will allow you to interact with us more effectively. Come join the discussion, at missionfrontiers.org

Mellow Roc

Come On Over group unknown

2011-06-22T09:02:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
I have my XM on The Blend channel and the current song playing, Come On Over, fits this post. I can tell you it's in A mmajor.
The gist of this post is going to acquaint us with 3 followers of Yeshua who are a good reminder to me of the Jesus People Movement here in the US during the 1970s. Pray that something like that era may again return or there would be a genuine return of all of us to Yeshua. Consider Aaron's request in Numbers 12:11, which seeks to have heart and attitude be in alignment with that which God would desire.

I request your prayers as it has become clear to me to get back to work on a Novella titled Winds of Change. It is about a family who discover the Jewishness of Jesus and desire that to transform their lives as individuals and a family.
I am looking for a small writer forum for support, and prayers from you for
this endeavor.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today. Also feel free to comment and let me know who you are.
Here is the media review piece from Caspari Center June 21, 2011.

Messianic Jews
Yediot Haifa, June 17, 2011

Under the title "Missionaries or preachers of love and mercy," a piece in Yediot Haifa (June 17) printed a conversion with Phil, Jenny, and Ivan: "They wander around during festivals and disseminate the teaching of Yeshu. They give out hard rock CDs with texts about Yeshu. They also hand out books which are ostensibly philosophical but contain a Messianic message. Phil, Jenny, and Ivan are missionaries who distribute missionary literature at festivals, football games, parties, and other events. They told Yediot Haifa: We aren't missionaries and don't try to convert people. We simply want to spread a message of love and fellowship." Phil and Jenny present Jesus as the first "hippie" and themselves as his followers. Their "fascinating story" includes Jesus' revelation to Phil as he was about to join the ranks of overdosed heroin addicts, when he explained to him that he was on the wrong path. "Their only drug today is Yeshu," and they come to Israel several times a year to distribute literature and music at the various festivals. Ivan married a Jewish wife and made aliyah, remaining in the country after their divorce and becoming part of the Messianic community, "which believes in Yeshu as the Messiah." "'We don't resemble Satan and we don't convert minors. We just hand out cultural information material and, above all, call on people to love one another, their neighbors, their enemies, and most of all Yeshua.'" The conclusion remains the same, however: "So if at the next nature festival or party you see a couple accompanied by a single guy wandering around, know that that these are missionaries plowing the festivals in our country."

Up On The Roof James Taylor 1970s

2011-06-18T13:24:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is a very summerish type of day in my corner of the world, mostly sunny, a bit humid, low 80s and possible thunder showers later today.
Listening to Car Talk this morning while out with my spouse, and just perusing this day's on line version of The Week, there was an interesting tribute to fathers and also this blurb about the Commercial Apple Store chain here in the USA.
I got thinking as believers who are to be witnesses of our Messiah, do we consistently exude 3 of these 10 things in sharing our faith with others, especially the acronym in point 3?
I honestly would have to admit, this is an area I can grow in personally.
Thanks so much for reading, and Kevud Yehveh, His Presence accompany us today.
Now the excerpt.
With its airy layout, glass staircases, and iHappy atmosphere, the typical Apple Store is a very, very pleasant place. That is, of course, no coincidence. A new Wall Street Journal report uses confidential Apple Store training materials and interviews with former store employees to give a behind-the-scenes look at just how the gadget giant stealthily shapes every customer's experience. Here, 10 secrets of the Apple Store revealed:

1. It's not about selling
Several customer service manuals note that employees should focus on solving customers' problems, not selling them new products. "Your job is to understand all of your customers' needs — some of which they may not even realize they have," reads one manual. Employees don't work on commission or have quotas to meet.

2. … unless we're talking service plans
There may be no quotas, but former employees say selling service plans along with iGadgets is a must. Those who don't ring up enough service plans are retrained, or given a different job.

3. There's a cutesy acronym
A 2007 employee training manual lays out the A-P-P-L-E "steps of service" with an acronym of the company name: "Approach customers with a personalized warm welcome," "Probe politely to understand all the customer's needs," "Present a solution for the customer to take home today," "Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns," and "End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return."

Mellow Roc

Dance For The Sabbath - George Comtois

2011-06-16T10:03:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
This week has had plenty of variety for yours truly: sharing a fish dinner with my spouse and father at a local eatery, home made rhubarb pie with brother and family, viewing the MLB game between Detroit and Cleveland and seeing the Tigers achieve first place for one whole day, listening to PRI The World, praise band rehearsal where we attend church and gentile music and theology reigns supreme, noting the top 10 requested Messianic songs from Inspired Faith.org to share here.
Continue continue.
UCB Canada, CCM, Moody Broadcasting, Family Life Radio seldom if ever play any music by Messianic Jewish artists. Yet if one reads the Media Review for any length of time produced by The Caspari Center, you will encounter written hostility from the Jewish press about the influence of Christianity today in the Holy Land. Often portrayed as "disguised form of Evangelical Christianity." Yet the music by contemporary Christianity seldom presents Messianic artists.
Do you know or are you aware of the following:
Come Let Us Worship Messiah by Christy Espinosa
Torah is life Lenny and Varda Harris
Shine Your Light Laurie E Roberts
Choir Shir Refusa
Dance For The Sabbath George Comtois
or any originals by Paul Wilbur and or Israel's Hope
I invite you to do some auditory exploring and hear what this ideom of music has
to offer.
Then take the next step and offer it to others.

On Shavuot/Pentecost we proclaim being One in Messiah, but seriously question if that is practically the case.
Kevud Yehoveh His presence accompany us today.
Mellow Roc

Sayings Of The Fathers

2011-06-13T09:34:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
I have recently been reminded that after all is said and done if one likes a simple instructive for life, it could be: Choose who you will serve today, God or things less than God?
"Let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit and His love, will descend upon you like a dove."
Love the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength and your neighbor as yourself.
Another blogger often observes how people weak out on their commitments to the Savior when life gets a bit harder than they like. His written sternness urges me to keep truckin.

Anyhow those sayings by some other fathers if you will, are 2 from Scripture, reference to another blogger, and one from a contemporary Gospel song called
Spirit Song.
Yours truly has always done better when guidance is forward-moving than correcting or shunning or dashing dreams and or ideas.
Perhaps Yeshua urged, Follow me, because He believed in the person who was being addressed in that moment and thought they could really be someone..
Come to think of that, He regards all of us like that!
Kevud Yehoveh
His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

The Israelite - Aces 1971

2011-06-10T09:20:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday, June 10 and I want to wish each of you a blessed and happy Shavuot, celebrating God's Word being given and God's Spirit being given.
By His grace we can break a pattern that probably initiated with our first parents making that grave choice in the Garden of Eden to call the shots as it were and override what G-d had directed. See this song excerpt for which this post is titled as illustration.
Worship and thanksgiving may often be followed by

After a storm there must be a calm.
They catch me in the farm. You sound the alarm.
Poor me, the Israelite

I have been going through the chapter by chapter commentary on the book of B'Midbar which is commonly known as the Tanakh book of Numbers, and just read of the poem extolling G-d being present above the ark of the covenant, see Numbers 10:36..
Nations knew this to represent the YHVH of the Hebrews whereas the Hebrew mindsent saw the ark as YHVH's foot stool.
Proceeding chapters of this book portray reluctance and rebellion which marked the 2-million or so that left Egypt and probably characterize us today as followers of YHVH.
Consider seeing yourself as a continued lineage that starts in Tanakh times not in AD or CE 33 on what the church calls its birthday, Pentecost.
May the pictures of G-d being present or appearing in fire-clouds, an ark, a still small voice, a leading shepherd, exemplifying to us ideal holiness, etc, serve to return us to a people who praise rather than worship and then live in a state
of gripe.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

The Man In The Middle - M Jackson 1990s

2011-06-04T15:26:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Sunday night(June 5-11) for those in the USA, the Food Network TV channel will start its Next Food Network Star Program, which is an 8 week series to choose the next Food Network star to have their own 30-minute weekly show. Or, this has been the pattern previously.

Timely also is the Federal Government getting involved in our eating habits with yet another release of how we can eat better.
Below is a little history taken from medscape.com news about the Feds telling us how to eat.

Food Pyramid History

The 2010-2011 dietary guidelines are neither the first nor the last Americans will see. Federal law requires the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to update the guidelines every five years.

But even before this mandate, the USDA has been issuing dietary advice. The first set of guidelines came in 1894, when Wilbur Olin Atwater, PhD, wrote a USDA Farmers' Bulletin suggesting that Americans should eat fewer fats and sugars, exercise more, and watch their calories.

Various USDA food guides through the 1950s stressed important foods that should serve as the foundation of a healthy diet. These guides took various approaches to make sure Americans ate enough of different kinds of foods to avoid malnutrition. By the 1970s, however, too little food was no longer a problem: Too much food was.

In 1977, a U.S. Senate committee published Dietary Goals for the United States. This revolutionary document stressed eating fewer of the foods linked to chronic diseases -- particularly fatty meats, cholesterol, fatty acids, sugars, and salt.

The USDA says it did not adopt these goals because they "were so different from usual food patterns." Others have blamed influence from the beef and dairy industries for delaying USDA action until 1979, when a watered-down version of the advice, the "Hassle-Free Guide to a Better Diet," advised more moderate intake of fats, sweets, and alcohol.

Good eats, Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us.

Mellow Roc

Long Gone It's Out Of Here MLB

2011-06-03T09:59:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday June 3, and next week believers in Messiah Yeshua across the world will be celebrating Shavuot/Pentecost. This is an occasion where Believers were empowered so as to be living witnesses unto the corners of the world, See Acts 1:8 in the Apostolic Scriptures.
A few weeks ago we celebrated being redeemed from the clutches and slavery of sin via Messiah's rescue mission on our behalf. The period between these two events, 50 days, largely ignored by the church is known as counting the omer and is a time to get one's self ready for receiving God's Word.
Shavuot/Pentecost celebrates God giving His Word at Mt Sinai in addition to the empowerment mentioned above.
As we prepare to celebrate clear the deck, confess your secret sins to Him and know he will forgive and cleanse you and I from all unrighteousness when we do own up
to Him.
As in baseball, may our enslavements become long belts to center field, against the fence and out of here, as far as the east is from the west and or become long gone..

Prayer: Lord God, I will set myself apart from those things that deter me from being holy unto You.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with us today and always.

Mellow Roc

Old Man River - balad by Gershwin

2011-05-31T09:46:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Yes,by the post title, I am feeling mellow today..
It is tuesday May 31, and tomorrow we welcome the month of June and on Thursday the third Hebrew month arrives.
My wife and I were privileged and honored to be a part of our daughter's wedding to DK, which occurred this past Sunday on a local cruise liner that does tours of the St. Clair River. The event, and day, were nearly picture post card perfect. About 70 others attended, family and friends.
On Monday, I worked that afternoon, and one of my reports transcribed, was of
an adult who was struggling with mental illness and wanting something he could not have any longer. Part of the plan to help him accept this included things like changing your thought patterns, make new acquaintances, and move on with life. Easier said than done, and the faith component of course is left out of this.
We all struggle, and the purpose of this blog is to share in that with you. I will never ask you to volunteer your struggle but simply realize, it is a part of life on the planet!

Here is some reflection from First Fruits of Zion in their weekly EDrash (sermonett) based on the readings of Numbers chapters 5 through 7.
Thanks for reading and for sharing with me in what ways you choose!
Thought for the Week

A sinner should turn back from his sin, and should confess his misdeed before God as Scripture says, "When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the LORD, and that person is guilty, then he shall confess his sins which he has committed." (Numbers 5:6-7) The main element is remorse in the heart, in truth, over the past; and one must take it upon himself not to do such a thing ever again. This [confession] is the essential part of repentance; but the more one confesses, the more praiseworthy he is." (Chofetz Chaim)

Commentary

It is a mitzvah of the Torah to confess our sins and repent from them. When we sin, we are not to remain in the sin, nor are we to passively accept the fact that we are sinners. We are to strive against sin. We must humble ourselves to confess the sin and then turn away from it. It is a positive commandment, to confess one's sins and repent from them. Therefore it is a sin to leave a sin unconfessed!

Even the smallest sin should be confessed. Confession should be made privately, but audibly, directly to God. King David says, "I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5) Yochanon the beloved disciple says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Confession and repentance work together. It says, "then he shall confess his sins which he has committed and repent." (Numbers 5:7) Confession is the first step toward repentance. When Yochanon called Israel to immerse as a sign of repentance, they came to be "baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:5)

But a person may hesitate. His evil inclination will accuse him and say, "How dare I confess this sin to God? Didn't I just confess this same sin yesterday and resolve not to do it again? How dare I come before Him again with the same offense?" When this happens, we must shove away the evil inclination from our thoughts and remember that God truly does desire our repentance. "There will be more more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7) A person must never give up on himself. He must say to himself, "God has not given up on me, neither should I. I will try again. I will start over, brand new, beginning right now. God has surely washed me clean by Messiah's blood.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today!
Mellow roc

Step By Step - Michael W Smith

2011-05-29T05:27:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
In my corner of the world it has felt much like fall this past week with temperatures between 40-60 and we have had plenty of preciptation.. April flowers here have brought May showers.
I wanted to share a recent bit of wisdom with you from a weekly called
Bereans On Line.
This will help you with your journey today or any day.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with us today!
The resource from which the following is quoted, is a part of the Talmud which also contains a quote we use for this blog in the intro/welcome.

Ben Azzai would say, “Run to pursue a minor mitzvah, and flee from a transgression. For a mitzvah brings another mitzvah, and a transgression brings another transgression. For the reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah, and the reward of transgression is transgression.”

m.Pirkei Avot 4:2

I am often asked how we can motivate ourselves to obedience when we don’t quite feel like it. Ben Azzai gives us the secret: take one step at a time. Each commandment that we obey, will bring more obedience. Thus, even the smallest steps are positive steps toward a life of repentance.

Mellow Roc and Bereans On Line

Amidah Blessings 15-17

2011-05-27T05:50:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday May 27, and for those living in the US may I express regards to you for a blessed Memorial Day weekend. We have been considering the Daily Amidah the last several posts for the most part, and blessings 10-15 are concerned with prayers for National Israel. We as believers are responsible to pray not only for the peace of Israel but our country as well and the world at large.
These are shared from the site hebrew4christians.com.
Blessing Fifteen David's Kingdom
In this blessing, appeal is made for the "branch of David" to arise and bring about Israel's salvation (Yeshua).
We believe that Yeshua of Nazareth is indeed the promised and only legitimate Jewish Messiah.

May the seed of David, Your servant, flourish speedily, and may You exalt in your salvation. For in Your salvation do we hope all the day.
Blessed are You O Lord, who brings forth the horn of Your salvation.

Blessing Sixteen Acceptance of Prayer Kabbalat Tefillah

Hear our voice O Lord our God, and have pity and mercy upon us and accept in mercy our prayer, for You are a God who hears prayers and supplications.
Do not turn us away from before you, empty, for in mercy you hear the prayer of your people Israel.
Blessed are You O Lord, who hears prayer.

Blessing Seventeen Worship Avodah

According to the Rabbis of the Talmud, the Avodah prayer was said by the priests in the Temple after they had offered the sacrifices.

Mishnah Tamid 5:1)

Accept your people O Lord our God, and receive their prayer.
Restore the most holy service of Your house and accept in love the offerings and prayers of Israel.

May it please You always to want to accept the service of your people Israel. May our eyes see You return to Zion in mercy.
Blessed are you O Lord who restores His presence to Zion.

Kevud Yehoveh, his presence be with us..
Your hellos and comments are appreciated.

Mellow Roc

What A Wonderful World - balad Louis Armstrong

2011-05-24T07:21:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Tuesday May 23, and mine is one of many voices offering their 5 cents on the recent failed fiasco prognosticating the world would end on Saturday May 21.
The reactions are interesting to observe.
Commedians speak of their present show being the first or second or third post world ending show, some critique the one who made this prediction, others speak of wishing the world had ended or wishing they had "partied hearty" usually as an effort to not experience something in their present moment.
No one has said things like We Are The World, What A Wonderful World, I'm On Top Of The World, or that 90s addage, roc my world.
What we have is today, this present geographic on which we find ourselves.
This week's Torah reading begins the book of B'Midbar known internationally as The Book of Numbers. In the first chapter a major sensus is taken in part to prepare an army, but possibly in some small way to also take stock in what the wilderness people had amongst themselves. That is mere congecture but today may we consider what we have instead of what didn't happen or what we don't have and crave or want as if our contentment and lives depended on it.
So glad you stopped by, hellos always appreciated when said.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence be with us today.

Mellow Roc

You Are Someone

2011-05-23T04:38:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
I typically like to post on Monday and Friday, and today I returned to torahclass.com
to resume my reading of the commentaries on Genesis through Deuteronomy.
This is a reflection from Leviticus chapter 21 and is concerned with what it is to be made in the image of God.
Note that as believers we can do a myriad of things to be pleasing to God.
Thanks for stopping by to read, and your comments and greetings are
always appreciated.
Here is the excerpt.
When we speak of the image of God there are differing teachings on the subject but they all tend to get bogged down by saying, well the image of God means that there is the spiritual aspect of the Lord that is present in men and Christ represents the physical fleshly aspect that is in men, and since God is eternal so we were made ideally to be eternal and so on. And while all this is true, it misses the whole point in my opinion. The point ought to be that God made man in a way that reflects God’s attributes; and we’re the ONLY living beings on earth that He made with the capability to embody God’s attributes. God’s attributes aren’t so much about what KIND of being He is (physical, spiritual, eternal, etc.), rather His attributes are all about His character. In the image of God man was made to be mobile, to move around, we weren’t made like plants that are stuck in one spot during their entire life cycle. Like God we can make moral choices and even have preferences, we can discern good from evil; we aren’t creatures who react only by instinct. Man was given the ability to create (albeit not on the same level as the Lord), to be the masters of our domain, to handout forgiveness and mercy, to bestow blessings upon others, to be truthful and faithful. In the image of God man was given the capacity to love AND to hate, to accept and to reject. Man was meant to display heavenly enlightenment, to be righteous, and to judge. Every one of these things that I’ve listed are attributes of men, and they are attributes of God. When all of these attributes are displayed in our lives, as directed by the spirit of God, THAT is holiness.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

The Week Day Amidah

2011-05-20T07:17:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday, May 20 and this post will feature blessings 12, 13, and 14 from the week day Amidah.
Our resource is hebrew4christians.com and see previous posts for previous installments.
Blessing 12 Birkat HaMinim - against heretics (slanderers and sectarians)
For slanderers let there be no hope and may all the evil in an instant be destroyed, and all Your enemies be cut down swiftly, and the evil ones uproot and break and destroy and humble soon in our days.

Blessing Thirteen Tsaddikim - Righteous
Upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of Your people of the house of Israel, upon the remnant of their scholars, upon the righteous converts, and upon ourselves
may Your compassion arise O Lord our God, and give good reward to all who sincerely believe in Your Name.
Include us with them forever, and let us not be ashamed for we put our trust in You.
Blessed are You O Lord, the stronghold and assurance of the righteous.

Blessing Fourteen - rebuilding Jerusalem
Binyan Yerushalayim
Return in compassion to Your city Jerusalem, and rest within it as You have said.
Rebuild it speedily, and in our days, a structure forever.
And may You establish the throne of David within Jerusalem speedily.

Your time spent reading our posts is truly appreciated as is an occasional hello or comment.

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Amidah Blessing Eleven

2011-05-15T21:08:00.003-05:00

Hi and shalom,
We are in a new week and continuing to feature the blessings from The Daily Amidah, presented here as offered on
www.hebrew4christians.com
See previous posts.
Blessing Eleven Birkat HaDin - Restoration of Justice
Appeal is made to the Lord to restore righteous rule on the earth.
Note: This is quite relevant with the events of the past couple days seemingly fueling tensions between Arab/Palestinians and the nation of Israel.
Restore our judges as at the early times, and advisors as there once were.
Remove our sorrows and troubles; we want you, Adonai to rule over us with kindness and compassion, and to justify us in justice.

May His Presence, Kevud Yehoveh, accompany us in our dealings with others and our God today and always.
Thank you for dropping by to read and perhaps leaving comment.

Mellow Roc

The Daily Amidah

2011-05-09T08:49:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday May 9 and we today will feature blessings nine and ten from the Daily Amidah. See previous posts for previous blessings and such.
Blessing Nine Birkat HaShanim - blessing for prosperity
This is an appeal for a prosperous year and perhaps for us timely in llieu of the flooding ravaging home land in the southern USA.
Bless for us Adonai our God, this year and its crops. Grant us a blessing on the earth. Satisfy us from Thy bounty and our year like other good years.

Blessing Ten Kibbutz galuyot Ingathering of the exiles
Appeal is made to the Lord to return the Jews from the afflictions of Galut.
Sound the great shofar for our freedom and raise a banner to gather our exiles and unite us together from the four corners of the earth.
Blessed are You O Lord who gathers the scattered of His people Ysrael.

Misapplied Terminology
The main line church this time of year ignores the 50-day passage of time from Passover to Pentecost as a time from moving from slavery to revelation. It instead prefers to use the adjective "Easter people" to describe believers who profess faith in the Messiah and His accomplished rescue mission for all of us. This is a rather blatent error on the part of the main line liberal replacement theologists to deny its Jewish roots and fosters to a degree a subtle anti-semitism.
I never want to be identified as an Easter people, Easter believer, but rather a Resurrection people or child of the first fruits which are more befitting to the time and season. Easter is a transliterated form of the Roman sun Goddess and is a term that would best be served as banned and deleted from the annals of church record, worship, and hymnedy.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Electric Avenue 80s song

2011-05-05T07:10:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom to you who travel this avenue of life, be it Electric Avenue or otherwise.
Today we will consider blessing eight of the Amidah, see previous posts, and encourage you to do like King David, Choose Adonai and serve Him well. Eternal rest will result.
Blessing Eight
Refuah - Healing
Appeal is made to the LORD as the compassionate faithful healer.
May it be your will Lord my God, and the God of my forefathers, that you quickly send "refuah sh'lemah" (complete healing) from heaven, Spiritual and physical healing to ... son/daughter of that person's mother's name, among the other patients of Ysrael.

Kevhud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Thanks for reading and occasionally commenting.

Mellow Roc

You Are Not Your Own from Apostolic Scriptures

2011-05-02T08:15:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday May 2, and first welcome to all reading and the new person who indicated they are following.
We are going to continue looking at the Amidah, see previous posts, and the strong thematic of this post will be to decry a a trend that continues to occur in the tolerant, liberal, main line churches where lukewarm is definitely in.
You will not hear the liberal church talk much about repentance being a journey but a simple change of mind, and you will not hear the liberal church talk about one's inclination to evil and be vigilant in prayer to overcome evil. It gives liturgical lip service to this but doesn't really give a rat's buttock but is friendly to all. It now prays for believer and unbeliever alike and omits asking God to turn the unbelieving to Him. Whatever they want to have as the way truth and life is okay by this wing of "the faithful."
First the Amidah, to blessing Seven.
Geulah which means redemption.
Behold our afflictions and champion our cause, and redeem us speedily for the sake of Thy name.
Blessed are You LORD, redeemer of Ysrael.
Note: Ysrael means one who struggles as well as the collective nation.

I recently have been in ongoing discussion with someone named Cfyrdog about what does it mean to be Hebrew. We both agree it comes from identifying with our father Abraham, possibly the first Hebrew, and rooted to God's Torah, Word given at Mount Sinai.
My recent exchange with this person presents a summation of the view widely held by the church at large which ultimately allows for liberty for people to live as they personally well please.
The view is, you are incapable of changing so keep coming back and just maybe you will get it one day if not in this life, surely the next.
Hi Cfyrdog and all reading,
I just finished taking a course on the book of Hebrews through a supposed Jewish friendly on line program but the teaching materials are clearly slanted to the dispensationalist model of Scripture. With this view it seems like by 65 A.D. there was a divide between Synagogue Judaism and "Christian belief." Ethnicity aside. Follow Yeshua who instituted a new program or adhere to the constraints of the Judaism known. Evangelicals adhere widely to this premise. My purpose for mentioning this is to simply point out that many believers have little to no idea of Romans 9 through 11, God fearers, or anything that hints to a heritage of sorts. You and I seemingly disagree with this view. A compromise seems to be compare the body of Messiah today to those who muffed things up in the Bible and identify with the mistakes made by past believers in God. No mention is made of teaching or understanding that may have been rendered by contemporaries of those believers. It is a subtle but very alive form of replacement theology, and those who aspouse it are stubbornly errant, and share no wisdom from the Talmud Mishna or any Rabbinic writings of which Messiah Yeshua would have known. Though we all crucified Yeshua with this compromise, the Biblical characters are presented as having been flawed and had little to offer accept the example of a mistakenly lived life.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us in times of distress and times of
well-being.
Mellow Roc

The Daily Amidah

2011-04-29T05:25:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today we are returning to the prayers which make up the Daily Amidah,
see previous posts.
I am taking these from the web site Hebrew4christians.com
Amidah Blessing Five teshuvah (repentance
This functions as a prayer to return to the Lord and His Torah.
Return us Our Father to your Torah; draw us near our King to serve You.
Restore us to Your presence in complete repentance.
Blessed are you O Lord who desires repentance.

Amidah Blessing Six selichah (forgiveness)
Forgive us Our Father for we have sinned;
Pardon us Our King for we have rebelled; for You are a pardoner and a forgiver.
Blessed are You, Lord the Gracious one who abundantly forgives.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany you today.

Mellow Roc

When I'm Sixty-four? Beetles

2011-04-25T04:30:00.001-05:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is Monday April 25, and hope all had a memorable first fruits celebration!
Over the weekend I noticed this blurb in the Internal Medicine news from medscape.com. Our friends in the UK seem to be in better health than we in the US.
Next post we will return to the Amidah.
Americans were significantly more likely to be obese or underweight, have diabetes or asthma, or suffer a heart attack than their counterparts across the Atlantic, lead author Melissa L. Martinson, PhD, from Princeton University, New Jersey, and colleagues report in the April issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. American women also were more likely than English women to have a history of angina, or a stroke after age 20 years (P < .05 for all comparisons). Among men, the differences in the prevalence of heart attack and angina were most striking at younger ages.

This pattern persisted even when the investigators restricted the analysis to white, insured, nonobese, nonsmoking teetotalers in both countries.

The findings suggest that "US health disadvantages compared with England arise at early ages and that differences in the body weight distributions of the 2 countries do not play a clear role," the authors write.

Researchers are baffled by the health disparities between England and the United States, they explain. The United States spends twice as much on healthcare as does the United Kingdom, yet "adults aged 50 years or older in the United States have significantly worse health status and lower life expectancy than those in England."

Kevud Yehovah, his presence accompany you today.
Mellow Roc

"I am" The Resurrection And The Life

2011-04-21T08:46:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Thursday April 21. In the 1970s believers used to sing a folk song in church basements titled I Am The Resurrection And The Life. I am, is a descriptive for G-d. See the tanakh (old Testament). Yeshua speaks of this to Himself in the Gospel of Yochanan (John) chapter 6. As this weekend is both First Fruits and Easter, consider banishing this centuries-old greeting which has pagan roots, to Happy First Fruits or Happy Resurrection day instead.
A friend on her facebook page recently asked, Would you rather honor a bunny or
a Lamb? How you answer will largely determine how you may worship.

Additional insight offered here from the 1998 Levitt Letter by that ministry's founder, the late Zola Levitt.
This year Passover will begin on Friday evening, when the Jews will sit down to the first Seder or the first festival meal. Unleavened Bread will occur on Saturday and since First Fruits, the day of our Lord’s resurrection offering, is specified to be on the Sunday during the week of Unleavened Bread, then the following day “Easter” will be First Fruits, resurrection Sunday. In some years, First Fruits and Easter are separated because of anomalies in the Jewish and Western calendar, but they are very definitely the same feast. Obviously, the farmers bringing in the first fruits of their crops to thank the Lord for restoring the fertility of the land each spring is symbolic of our Lord’s resurrection. In fact, our Lord gave His own First Fruits offering: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection” (Matt. 27:52–53a). The farmers could predict by the time of the first fruits that they would have a bountiful harvest later that year, and the Lord’s resurrection serves to remind us that we will all be raised, as Paul eloquently puts it in First Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive

Praise Him we have been made alive!!
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence be with you today.
Happy First Fruits,
Mellow Roc.

The Best Part of Waking Up lyric from Folgers Commercial

2011-04-18T05:45:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom!
From the Amidah:
Blessed are you Lord G-d, Master of the Universe, who created me in His image.
Psalm 51 in the Tanakh is a prayer by David who has evidently lost sight of having been created in G-d's image. When He asks that G-d would create a new heart within him he is asking to be filled up with what G-d would desire for him to reflect. Consider how everything described in the creation account ends with the phrase, And G-d saw that it was good. That may well mean work or function as it is intended. As New Creation in Yeshua may we too function as we are intended!
As we leave the Egypts of our lives heading for the promises of G-d, or going from redemption to revelation, i.e. Passover to Pentecost/Shavuot, may you be encouraged by this thought from The New Life Devotional.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany you today and blessed Holy Season to you!
BTW please leave comment accepting my invite in sharing the 50-day journey together from Passover/Pentecost.

Reality Can Hurt
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:7-8

Discomfort, pain, conflict, spiritual warfare—these are aspects of reality in a fallen world. Healthy faith recognizes them as biblical realities. Healthy faith has you look to Christ for help when you’re in the midst of them.

Having a healthy faith certainly doesn’t mean you’ll always like reality, or that you should become complacent or indifferent to the darker side of life. But it does mean you’ll recognize the way things are. You’ll be able to admit you’ve failed, that you’re a sinner, and you’re stumbling along the way. But you can choose to walk in the light, and enjoy the companionship of family, friends and Jesus Christ himself.

“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

Mellow Roc

Honesty Is Such A Lonely Word 1970s Billy Joel

2011-04-13T16:38:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Wednesday April 13, 2011. I want to use the phrase from the Amidah from a post or 2 ago here, "Do not let the evil inclination rule over us." Please allow me to ramble a bit.
I thought of this phrase yesterday when encountering a situation where I found myself saying things to someone, they will never know because I discarded the correspondence. As I penned my words, even I was amazed at the scope to which my mental faculties would take me to express what I did. Thankfully God gave me the sense to let it go no further than paper and is shreds today. We are entering a few-day period in the world of faith that probably elicits core responses from many. Some of us will be counting the 50-day period known as the Omer starting next Tuesday April 19, and concluding at Shavuot or Pentecost. I alluded to this last year calling it count down from redemption to revelation. Others will be celebrating Holy Week with special services to recollect Yeshua's death, burial and resurrection which start with his gallant entry into Jerusalem 3-4 days prior to events leading to His crucifiction but end in victory over sin, death, power of Satan, and the greatest rescue mission known to humanity.
Others will ignore this time or just celebrate the cultural nuances.
Whatever the case, when we are honest with God, ourselves, and those near us, a veil of secretiveness is lifted and we can start anew. Good time to clean the deck as it were, and revvel in His limitless loyalty which is new daily. The word mercy in Hebrew, means limitless loyalty and will follow all the days of our life. Your comments welcomed, hellos greatly appreciated!
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany you.
Mellow Roc

Oh Rest In The Lord - Oretoreo Elijah

2011-04-07T10:47:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
This post is going to feature the ten commandments for a contemporary Shabbat, Sabbath, which I copied from Rituel.org. These would be challenging for many of us, myself included, but wonder what keeps us from being all we were created to be by Our Lord God Adonai.
Comments always appreciated. Here is the post.

Ten Commandments for a Contemporary Shabbat

Betsy Platkin Teutsch

DO:

1.Stay at home. Spend quality time with family and real friends.
2.Celebrate with others at the table, in the synagogue, with community/havurah, or with those with whom you best can share appreciation of God's world.
3.Study or read something that will edify, challenge, or make you grow.
4.Be alone. Take some time for yourself. Check in with yourself, review your week, ask yourself where you are in your life.
5.Mark the beginning and the end of this sacred time: candlelighting and kiddush on Friday evening and Havdalah on Saturday night.
DON'T:

1.Do anything you have to do for your work life. This includes obligatory reading, fulfilling unwanted social obligations, homework for children, and preparing for work as well as doing your job itself.
2.Spend money. The atmosphere of Shabbat is best protected by complete separation from the commercial culture.
3.Do business. No calls to the broker, no following up on ads, no paying of bills. Relax: it can all wait.
4.Travel. This refers especially to long distances, involving airports, hotel check-ins, and similar depersonalizing commercial situations. Stay free of encounters in which people are likely to tell you to "Have a nice day!"
5.Use commercial or canned video entertainment. This refers especially to television, film, and computer games. Stay in situations where you are face-to-face with those around you, rather than together facing the all-powerful screen.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany you today.

Mellow Roc

Movin On Up Toward the Sky _Jeffersons TV theme

2011-04-05T08:42:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Tuesday, April 5, and for many persons of faith, this time of year is described by the title of that 1970s TV show theme to the Jeffersons, used for this post. Movin On Up, Toward the Sky, or was it sun? Hmm memory escapes me at the moment.
It is safe to say that those who observe the appointed times and man-appointed time of Lent are ideally moving from what and where we are to what we are intended to be as children of Almighty G-d, King of the Universe. Collectively that is our prayer for all humanity.
Given this time of year, it is fitting that our prayer from the daily Amidah, number 5, is to overcome netzer hara or evil.
Blessed are you Lord G-d, King of the universe, who removes sleep from my eyes and slumber from my eyelids.
May it be your will O Lord our G-d, and G-d of our fathers, to accustom us to your Torah, and attach us to your mitzvot (commandments or principles).
Do not lead us into the hands of sin; nor into the hands of pride;
nor perversity; nor into the hands of temptation;
nor into the hands of shame;
and do not let the evil inclination rule over us!
BTW on the Jewish calendar this is the first day of the new month of Nisan, which includes the celebration of Passover on day 14. Concluding remark from the UONYC Teaching Letter alludes to this month and period of time.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
This Shabbat (April 9) we are just two weeks and two days from Pesach and Chag HaMatzah (Passover and the Day of Unleavened Bread. Each day from now to Pesach eve should be a step toward greater personal perfection, each day an additional casting out of any spiritual leaven that might remain in our lives. Pesach eve is (on the Roman calendar) Monday, April 18. (More details later).

Mellow Roc

Shalom Shabbat to you

2011-04-01T05:59:00.000-05:00

Hi and shalom,
This post is for the weekend, April 1 through 3 or whenever you are reading.
Returning to the set of prayers said in Jewish synagogues known as The Amidah, here are prayers 3 and 4. If you want to get a more detailed understanding go to
www.hebrew4christians.com and look up Amidah, daily blessings, etc.
See previous posts here for first 2 blessings.
Blessing 3 Kedushat HaShem The Holiness of G-d's Name
This generally is recited by oneself when reciting the Amidah.
You are holy and your name is holy,
and your holy ones praise You every day.
Blessed are you Adonai, the G-d who is holy.
Recitation with Minyan: At least 10 others.
We will sanctify your Name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as it is written by Your prophets:
They call out to one another saying holy; holy; holy the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."

Blessing 4 Da'At Petition for knowledge and understanding

You show favor to a man of knowledge, and You teach understanding to a mortal man.

Be gracious to us; a mind of understanding and intellect is from You.
Blessed are You, Adonai, who favors us with knowledge.

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Thank you for the visit. Thank you when you comment!

Mellow Roc

Four Stages of Love by Bernard of Clarivaux 12th Century

2011-03-29T16:59:00.002-05:00

Hi and shalom,
Today is March 30 and I first need to correct word usage in my last post.
I was describing the Biblical book of Hebrews course I am taking and meant it is not for the nebbish, I had neffish. Oops, still make mistakes at age ...
This next item, Four Stages of Love, I heard referenced on the radio show,
New Life Live, show date March 29, 2011 can be accessed at
www.oneplace.com, go to link, all ministries.
Stage 4 is something to strive for, but the commentator felt most of us are at stages 1 or 2. Here is a concise descriptive.
Christianity's ancient writers often described how people mature in faith. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote about this in "Four Degrees of Love," as he described the stages of Christian love: Love of Self for Self's Sake; Love of God for Self's Sake; Love of God for God's Sake, and Love of Self for God's Sake.

The other day someone named Arlein sent this and thank her for the reminder.
Two things are hard on the heart: running up stairs, and running down people.

Next post will return to the Amidah and the third prayer in the first section known as praise.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany you today.

Mellow Roc

Amidah Blessing Two

2011-03-25T08:23:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is Friday March 25, and we continue the Amidah blessing, prayer 2, praise, titled Gevurot, Praising The One Who Revives the Dead
Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the universe. You O Lord are
mighty forever. You are the reviver of the dead; You are greatly able to save.
You sustain the living in lovingkindness, You revive the dead with great compassion,
You support the falling,
You heal the sick,
You set free the bound, and keep faith with those who sleep in the dust.
Who is like You, O Master of mighty deeds?
Who compares to you O King who puts to death and restores to life and brings
forth salvation?
You are faithful to revive the dead.
Blessed are You O Lord, who revives the dead.

Personal. This week I began a rather detailed academic 6-week course in the study of the Newer Testament book of Hebrews. This course is not for the neffish.
There are readings in discussion forums on which to participate and also prayerfully consider how the material may affect your day to day life as a believer.
So this above prayer revives this tired soul who is new to academia after 12 years away from it.
May we each find time for Shabbat and be refreshed.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.
Please comment or send a hello!
Mellow Roc

Lord Show Us The Way by Styx 1990s song

2011-03-21T08:02:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Monday March 21 and blessed Spring season to you reading who observe this season in your corner of blog land.
Today we are going to consider The Shemoneh Esrei, 18 blessings, (one additional later added) also known as the Amidah, which is a set of blessings recited daily in the synagogue among observant Jews.
These blessings are recited while congregants stand, facing the ark housing the Torah scrolls.
Oh that we as believers would reverence God's Word in similar fashion.
The entire Amidah is made up of three types of blessings:
praise, petition, and thanks.
Blessing One "avot" fathers
"Oh Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise." Psalm 51:17)
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, and God of our Fathers, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the Great, mighty revered God,
the most High God who bestows lovingkindnesses, the Creator of all, who recalls the good deeds of the fathers and who brings a Redeemer to their Children's children for His name's sake, in love O King, helper, savior, and shield.
Blessed are You O Lord, the shield of Abraham.

Personal. Today begins a 6-week course I will be learning from on the Apostolic Scripture book of Hebrews, offered by the Institute of Jewish Studies.
Looking over the syllabus, this will truly be an academic adventure.
Please pray I will be opened to learn what Our Messiah has for me to learn and others in the course will also do the same.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc

Ready or Not Here I Come 60s song

2011-03-17T08:20:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is thursday March 17, Happy Thursday, Saint Patrick Day, or whatever caveat you chose to ascribe to this day, or the day you are reading this.
Several things to share.
Amidah Excerpt: Blessed are you Lord G-d, Master of the universe, who created us in His image. Every human life is holy; unique and worthy of profound respect; compassion; understanding."
Personal change. This week our son left the US in his words, Goodbye Us Japan here I come,"
where he will begin his tour of duty for 2 years with the US Marine Corp. He will be stationed hundreds of miles from the recent earthquake which occurred there.
His words made the transition go a bit easier for myself and his mom. The novel I am writing will have a definite component to encourage the newly empty nested. Celebrate having raised your son (sons) and daughter (daughters) together as a couple.
Our Prayers are for Him, those He serves with and the nation of Japan in its recovery efforts.
Broadening The Horizons. I was recently challenged by something I heard from a Liberal clergy-person on the Israeli Palestinian conflict and went alooking for fair and balanced material. To conclude this post, here is a find that might be of interest to you.
The URL is
www.muslaha.org
Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation was founded on the belief that through faith in Jesus, the Messiah, there is hope for a lasting reconciliation of Jewish and Palestinian believers. The driving spiritual force of Musalaha is that we manifest Jesus' uncompromising command that we love each other (John 15:17). It is our belief that his Spirit, which unifies us as one, must supercede all interpretive doctrine, race and culture which ultimately divide us. Ephesians 2 teaches us that Jesus' act on the cross is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago, especially in the land of His birth, death, and resurrection. We are forgiven through the cross and reconciled with the Father, and are called to be one in Him. For this reason, many Jewish and Palestinian Arab leaders have united in Messiah to face the challenges of "musalaha."

Musalaha is an Arabic word which means forgiveness and reconciliation. Since 1990 we have grown from a small grass-roots ministry to a healthy, vibrant organization based in Jerusalem.

Musalaha will continue to provide the opportunity for Palestinians and Jews to dialogue and learn from one another through high quality, participative seminars and experiences which can result in open and sincere exchanges of reconciliation.

Into the future...

Musalaha is a ministry that seeks to expand reconciliation between Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews according to scriptural principles. The central theme is Messiah's atonement on the cross and His resurrection as the only hope through which this can be accomplished. We seek to be a model, an encouragement and a facilitator of reconciliation, first to our own Palestinian Arab and Israeli communities, then beyond, to the nations.

The Model

Confession: Stating the truth; acknowledging the unjust or hurtful actions.
Repentance: Turning from unloving to loving actions
Reconciliation: Expressing and receiving forgiveness and pursuing intimate fellowship with previous enemies
Restitution: Attempting to restore that which has been damaged and seeking justice.

An ongoing effort...

Throughout our legacy we have ministered in the land with seminars -- experiential and lecture, publications and cultural teaching.

Theological issues -
understanding Jewish and Palestinian perspectives.
Cultural Teaching -
breaking down divisive barriers.
Desert Encounters -
life-changing evens for adults and youth where Palestinian and Jew share the challenge of a desert journey.
Conferences -
international speakers.
Publishing -
books and materials in Hebrew, Arabic, English, and German.
Community Outreach -
the fruits of reconciliation.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another."
-Colossians 3:13
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today!
Mellow Roc
ps. Please leave a short hello.

Excerpt from the Amidah Jewish Prayer

2011-03-14T10:39:00.002-05:00

Hi and Shalom!
Today is Monday March 14. If you live in the USA did you remember to set your lock one hour forward this past Saturday night?
We benefit from an hour of extra day-light! Spring and warmer temps are coming..
Today, and for the next few posts, I want us to consider excerpts from an ancient Jewish Prayer known as the Amidah. Still used today.
This is titled Amidah Avot
O Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise. Psalm 51:17.
Blessed are You O Lord, our G-d and G-d of our fathers, The G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac, the G-d of Jacob, the great and mighty revered G-d, the Most High G-d who bestows lovingkindness the Creator of all, who recalls the good deeds of the fathers and who brings a Redeemer to their children's children for His Name's sake, in love.

O King, Helper, Saviour and Shield, blessed are You O Lord, the Shield of Abraham.

Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence be with us today.

Mellow Roc

Who is calling?

2011-03-11T05:45:00.000-06:00

Hi and shalom.
Today is Friday, March 11, and here is some consideration to take us into Shabbat and further in our relationship with God Almighty.
Who said< Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength and your neighbor as yourself?
Who said, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.
Who said, Come close to God, and He will come close to you.
Who said, Come to me you who are weak and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.
Who said, The wages ot continued sin are death but the free gift of God is
eternal life.
Who said, Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.
Who said, Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity, so now offer them in slavery to the right course.

Hint. He provides us the raw materials which only He can supply, but we are responsible for how we use them and what we produce from them. (Appointments With God)
The above is instruction (Torah) from our Father to each of us.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

Mellow Roc
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today and always.
3:6-7

Come A Little Bit Closer 1960s oldie

2011-03-07T08:31:00.003-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday March 7.
I felt compeled to post, perhaps more for myself but equally to strengthen one another!
Later this week some who read this may be observing a time of self renewal and dedication to our Savior known as Lent.
If you do this, consider a practice by our Jewish brothers and sisters during the late summer month of Elul. Psalm 27 is read daily for a month, and make practical application to your life and those who share it.
.
I pray for myself and you that you will daily be strengthened as you come close to God, make repentance a facet of our journey, and nourish who you are, your soul with good things provided by God!
I have re-subscribed to the New Life Devo from crosswalk.com to nourish my soul and will be starting a study in Leviticus through Torah Class.com.
Here, I am posting today's devotion from New Life to help us make a fresh start in coming near to God.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us.

New Life daily devotion - Mar. 7, 2011

Fellowship with God
Come nearer to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8

When you have an appetite that asks to be fed, you have a choice as to how you’re going to feed it. At almost every point of decision, you’ll be tempted to satisfy your appetites in a way that does little more than nourishes your sinful desires and strengthens your resistance to God. However, you have another choice: you can choose to feed your soul and strengthen yourself from the inside out.

There are many skills and strategies that can help you fight temptation and control your appetites—and you would be wise to learn them all well. But none are more important, more effective, or more rewarding than fellowship with God!

As we spend time with our heavenly Father, we gain wisdom and understanding. We grow stronger spiritually. As a result, we become more able to utilize the resources He makes available to us. Through this growth, we become better equipped and better prepared to fight the good fight of faith by standing firm against the temptations that assail us.

It’s through fellowship with God that we open ourselves to the fulfillment we were designed for—a fulfillment that satisfies our cravings and our desires better and longer than any other alternative.

As you fellowship with God—through time spent in His Word, through relationships with other believers, and through loving service to others; you gain the accountability, the structure, and the support you need to control and redirect your appetites for redemptive ends.

“Man’s love of God is identical with his knowledge of Him.”-Moses Maimonides (1135-1204)

Mellow Roc

God's Children - The Kinks 1970s

2011-03-03T08:37:00.000-06:00

"We gotta go back to the way the good Lord Made us" Lyric from God's Children by the Kinks.
Hi and Shalom! This is post 150, hurray we made a milestone together!
I am likely take a short break from posting but would encourage you to visit some from the present and the recent past while we break from blogging for the month of March.
A reading which will be excerpted here is challenging to those of us believers who tend to take things a bit serious.
May we have qualities of a child as part of our faith journey!
After reading, if you care to comment, include a sentence about what lightens life for you?
One thing for me is enjoying a Major League Baseball game on TV or radio or even at the good old ball park!

Consider this from
Appointments With God by Keren Hannah Pryor
In describing play, author Samuel Wells writes, “The beauty of play is that it is not ‘purposeful, productive, efficient, economical, measured, effective or strategic’ – all the useful, grown-up things we have to be in the workplace every day. Instead it’s ‘exuberant, passionate, joyful, reckless, wholehearted and unselfconscious’ – all the childlike things we really need to be from time to time.” [1] He adds, “Play is a corrective to any solemn Gospel that seeks to make disciples more earnest than God.”

*

Michele Guinness playfully paraphrases Yeshua’s exhortation to become childlike as follows: “Unless you become like a little child… you’ll never appreciate the most wonderful, magical things in life. You’ll never allow your imagination to run riot, giving you a glimpse into the glories of the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 18:3). [2] I would similarly interpret the next verse: “Whoever keeps himself unselfconscious, free of pride and prejudice, transparent and curious like this child, is highly favored, lifted up and smiled upon by our Father in Heaven” (18:4).

Simcha is the Hebrew word for joy that is communally shared; a shared outpouring of thanksgiving and gladness. Today, for example, a Jewish bar/bat-mitzvah party or a wedding is described as a simcha. It is no coincidence that the first miracle performed by Yeshua was at a simcha, a wedding celebration. He changed the water into wine, the latter being a symbol of simcha, E.g., “Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life” (Ecclesiastes 10:19). The Bridegroom was present and it was time to rejoice!

Another special simcha, which falls in the month of Tishrei, is Simchat Torah that marks the conclusion of “The Feast” – the Feast of Tabernacles. It also is the day upon which the annual cycle of reading through the Torah is completed. On Simchat Torah, during the synagogue service and at special gatherings in parks and halls, the Torah scrolls are paraded with great ceremony among the gathered people who kiss and embrace them. Rabbis dance with the scrolls and there is a joyous expression of love for the precious Word of God. During the darkest days of Auschwitz some of the Jewish captives chose to dance on Simchat Torah, just as they would have in the synagogue. Elie Wiesel, author and Holocaust survivor, wrote: “For them the commandment to ‘rejoice on your festivals’ was an impossible commandment to observe – but observe it they did.” [3]

No matter our circumstances or how we feel, the festivals remind us that God is on the Throne. He is in control and the future and all eternity are in His hands. To celebrate now is a prophetic foretaste of the eternal joy we will know in His Presence. We are reminded of the future reality in which we are now able to participate. In the Lord, who is the Author and Finisher of all things, we have forgiveness of our bad choices in the past, new life in the present, and the freedom to press on in faith and hope for the future. That is reason to celebrate!

Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today and always.
Enjoy some moments of frivolity.

Mellow Roc

Color My World - Chicago 1970s

2011-03-02T09:37:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is March 2, and this health alert is a part of the Google e-mail news alert and excerpted from the March 1 report on
www.packer.com
Good eats everyone.
Kevud Yehoveh, His presence accompany us today.

March 1 marks the beginning of National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education campaign put on by the American Dietetic Association. In keeping with the government’s new dietary guidelines for Americans to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables at every meal, this year’s theme for the campaign is “Eat Right with Color.”

“Fruits and vegetables are the most colorful items that you can put on your plate,” said Jill Le Brasseur, communications specialist for the Produce for Better Health Foundation. “If you try to fit in some kind of fruit or vegetable from each of the colors every day, that’s one easy way to make sure you’re eating a variety of different nutrients, vitamins and minerals.”

The Produce for Better Health Foundation encourages industry members to promote this year’s theme to educate consumers on ways to achieve better health.

“It’s a great way to take time to remind consumers how important fruit and vegetables are to a healthy diet,” Le Brasseur said.

Mellow Roc

To Thee I Lift Mine Eyes - Jars of Clay 2008

2011-02-28T08:18:00.002-06:00

Hi and Shalom,
Today is February 28, and tomorrow we may all feel a stronger sense of winter in decline as a new month appears on the calendar. Hope so anyhow!
I was excited to hear portions of an MLB game on Saturday, though spring training, between Toronto and Detroit. Nice to hear terms like strike 1, low and away ball 3, a line drive to center field, etc.
I am continuing my personal studies of Exodus from the commentary at Torah Class.com and wanted to share this excerpt with you as a part of the discussion of Exodus 21. You can find this at
www.torahclass.com
link, old testament discussions,
link Exodus, lesson 21. It contrasts the Christian view of salvation versus the ancient Hebrew understanding.
BTW thanks Leticia for your recent comment, enjoy hearing from those of you who read my reflections. Thanks much!
While it is not unanimous, in general the Hebrews thought, and continue to think, of salvation as an accomplished fact by means of their forefathers. That is, God in all of His Grace and Mercy, established the set-apart group, the saved people, through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and therefore if, by God’s Grace, you were fortunate enough to be a member of that set-apart group, the Hebrews, the Israelites (expressed sometimes in the Bible as the seed of Abraham), you were saved. Saved from what? From not being a pagan.
600 years after the covenant of Abraham first established the set-apart people came the advent of a new covenant from Yehoveh, the Covenant of Moses. Upon the covenant of Moses, one’s intent to be obedient to that New Covenant, what is commonly called the Law, was what kept you in the set-apart group…..kept you saved, kept you from being a pagan. So, for the ancient Hebrew being saved happened by first being a member of the group whom God set aside as His own special people, the Israelites, the Hebrews, and then by remaining in the group by means of your dedication to obeying the Law. Being born a Hebrew, and being a part of the Mosaic Covenant through obedience to the law was your REWARD, so to speak. That is, simply being part of God’s people, being part of Israel, was what salvation consisted of. Nothing more. The thought of any additional future reward after your life was over was simply not part of salvation by the thinking of those who wrote the OT Scriptures.
Again, contrast this with the Christian viewpoint that Salvation is mostly about what happens AFTER we die. For us, Salvation has to do with forgiveness of sins in this present life, obtaining a righteousness based on what someone ELSE did (Jesus Christ), and as a result we receive an afterlife, for all eternity, with Yehoveh. Our reward takes place PRIMARILY in the future, in a spirit world, after we die.
With all of that as a background, perhaps we can NOW better understand the mind of the Israelites, those ancient Hebrews, and all their descendants, in their fervent desire to follow the 613 Laws of Torah in their short life span on earth. The type of righteousness we Christians seek is mainly to get us into Heaven; the type of righteousness Hebrews hoped for was, in some ways, a day-to-day earthly issue, with the primary reward simply knowing that you were obedient, and therefore pleasing to Yehoveh, and thus remaining part of His set-apart people.
Part of my purpose and goal in this Torah class is to reveal the Word of Yehoveh to you within the mindset and culture of the people God gave it to in the first place. Outside of that mindset we get some distorted ideas of what was going on in the Bible AND what God intended for us to learn.

His presence be with us today, kevud Yehoveh
Mellow Roc

Truly Madly Deeply - 90s song Savage Garden

2011-02-25T09:15:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Friday February 25 and I wanted to present a hymn lyric that I used to listen to as a teenager which was aired most weeks on the Billy Graham Radio program Hour Of Decision. It's title, Jesus I Come by William Sleeper.

Allow me a momentary digression, but this weekend, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in its worship manual recommends or suggests to include in its congregational worship sing the Bob Marly Song, Three Little Birds with the repeated theme, don't worry it will be all right,
but no where is God given credit for things being all right.
Might as well sing, Don't Worry, Be Happy, or, I Can See Clearly Now.
When the church distances itself from its roots in Yeshua who came first for the Jew then the gentile, it errors gravely and thinks itself more highly than it ought. this lyric below, and others similarly offer so much more about how things can be all right.
Comfort occurs when our soul and spirit reach out to the One who created our body soul and spirit, God Almighty.
Kevud Yehoveh, His Presence accompany you today and always.

Jesus, I Come
by William Sleeper
1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my wanting and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

2. Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

3. Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward forever on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

4. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Mellow Roc

We Can Work It Out - classic Beetles 1960s

2011-02-21T08:28:00.002-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Today is Monday February 21, and in 4 days I will be another year older but thankfully not deeper in debt.
This past weekend, many main line denominations used as their Apostolic Scripture Readings, quotations from the Sermon on the Mount by Yeshua recorded in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.
A few years ago, a Messianic Rabbi offered a different interpretation to a "cluster" of sayings that make up this discourse found in the latter portions of Matthew chapter 5.
These are succinctly commented on in a blog titled Serene-musings also a blog spot blog.
I am posting a portion of the discourse Nonviolent Resistance In The Sermon On
The Mount, that echo what this Messianic Rabbi had relayed to myself.
Today most congregations remain uninformed of the background and setting to these verses but read accounts as if they appeared in USA Today within the last decade and therefore are to be understood via the 21st century mentality. Not so.

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.
As with the phrase “do not resist an evildoer,” there are those who would suggest that the “turn the other cheek” statement encourages us not to fight back if we are attacked. Lie down and die, as it were. It is difficult to believe that Jesus taught this – and clearly if his followers had followed such a teaching, the religion that sprang up in his name wouldn’t have survived the persecutions of the 1st century!

Instead, this saying from Jesus is talking about something much more specific – namely, the imperial domination system of the 1st century Jewish homeland.

In that context, consider the word choice: Jesus refers specifically to the “right cheek.” Picture a person slapping someone on the right cheek. In order to do it, the striker would have to use a backhanded swing. The backhanded slap was a way a superior struck his subordinate. A forehand slap was the way an equal would strike another equal – such as during a fight. In this saying, then, Jesus is talking about a superior – one of the wealthy, powerful elites – striking a commoner. Perhaps a landowner striking a day laborer. When this happens, Jesus urges, turn the other cheek as well. By doing so, you are giving your left cheek, which would require a forehand slap – the slap of an equal. This is a powerful image of active nonviolent resistance. You can strike me, but you will do it as my equal.

GIVE YOUR COAT AND YOUR CLOAK

And if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well.
The radicalism of this particular saying is sometimes lost because modern folks don’t generally understand the clothing designations of the ancient world. To put it simply, a common Jew in the 1st century wore two garments – a cloak or tunic, which covered the body, and a coat or robe worn over top. The cloak, then, was the undergarment, and the coat was the outer garment.

What does it mean to talk about someone “suing” you for your coat? Quite simply, this is a reference to a person being sued for clothing because of debt. This may seem foreign to our modern sensibilities, but this was the nature of poverty that so many common Jews lived within in the 1st century. Indebtedness was rampant and feared almost more than anything else, and if you could not pay your debts, you might be sued for the coat on your back, so that the creditor could sell your coat to recoup his money.

When Jesus encourages his followers to give both coat and cloak, the image is quite striking – the debtor would literally be left naked. This, like the image of turning the other cheek, is a powerful image of active nonviolent resistance.
Note: You can read the entirety by searching the above title and referenced site.
His Presence accompany you.
Mellow Roc

Don't Fight It - Kenny Loggins 1980s

2011-02-18T07:14:00.000-06:00

Hi and shalom!
Per usual I like to have one specific post each week oriented toward time we set aside for personal rest, renewal, and refreshing by our Lord. His advisement to us is Remember Shabbat and keep it holy. If you have been following this blog, you have observed I occasionally reference teaching from a web site called
www.torahclass.com
This time is no exception. See below for possible considerations for observing a seventh-day Sabbath taken from discussion of this advisement found in Exodus
chapter 20.
Our aim as believers be we Messianic or otherwise, is to love the Lord with all we have, and our neighbor as ourselves. Consider the following.

Frankly, I’m not even sure what all the consternation is about when it comes to recognizing that we ought to observe God’s Sabbath. Observing the Sabbath is not difficult, it doesn’t mean you must give up Sunday Church, nor that you do Church twice (once on Saturday and again on Sunday). It can be as simple as on Saturday stopping your regular work, focusing your family on Yehoveh and His Word, and relaxing and enjoying one another and reveling in this day of physical AND spiritual renewal. Sabbath is a VERY family oriented day. You don’t have to eat special food nor recite specific prayers or wear a prayer shawl. But, if you would LIKE to, you have perfect freedom to do so. You don’t have to stay home and you don’t have to turn off the TV. But, if you feel that’s the direction God is leading you, then you have perfect freedom to do so. I don’t know anyone who observes Sabbath who won’t tell you that their lives have been blessed, and they and their family are all the better for it as a result.
Whatever you decide to do, just please remember this: the Sabbath is NOT a salvation issue, in the sense that Sabbath observance plus trust in Messiah is what saves; for it is trust in Yeshua, and nothing else, that gives us our redemption. Whether you observe the Sabbath, or don’t, it has no bearing on your Eternal Security. And, I’m also not telling you to stop going to Church and Bible Study on Sunday. The Biblical Jews met several days during the week:1st day, 4th day, and 7th day Shabbat were kind of typical for meeting. What I’m telling you is that Sunday Church, what we call the Lord’s Day, and the Shabbat, are two different days, and two different observances. One a manmade tradition that didn’t even exist before the 4th century A.D, and one God ordained upon the Creation of the world. I would like to end this discussion on Sabbath by reading to you Isaiah 56:1-7.
READ ISAIAH 56:1-7This won’t be the last time we discuss the Sabbath, because we’re going to run into again several times in the Torah.

His Presence accompany you today and always.
Mellow Roc