Here is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘Which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16
I decided to import my posts from my other blog, The Ancient Paths Family Farm, over here and close down the other blog. I hadn’t posted there in over a year and there were only a few entries that I wanted to save anyway. Here there is one new page called Our Farm which has an attached page called The Benefits of Grass Fed Meat.
And today I was directed to a good article called Would Jesus Go Green? I appreciated and enjoyed the article and I imagine that many of my readers will too. I also put a link to this article in my sidebar.
I’ve still got a bit of tweaking to my blog to do, but I’m short on time. I also have several entries that I want to finish – about the future of our Messianic movement and how on earth are we going to get there, introductions to four or five of Messianic Jewish rabbis from 100 years ago or more (check out the Profiles of Jewish Believers link in my sidebar), and a post with instructions for making tinctures and a comparison between brewing the tinctures in sunlight vs the dark.
But for now, I’ll post a quick update on family life: Continue Reading »
I wake up each morning hearing Dr. Adrian Rogers’ Love Worth Finding. I usually feel very encouraged when I hear him first thing in the morning. This morning was no different and I want to share with you his message from this morning.
In honor of our nations birthday, The Only Hope For America. This message was a blessing to begin my day with and I hope you will be blessed and encouraged by it as well.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:34
May you all have a wonderful, and safe, Independence Day celebration. May each of us continue to strive for right standing before HaShem and live according to His ways. This will bring a tremendous revival to our nation, and the world as a whole, when more and more of us begin to work together, as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
I have a blog. I know there are a lot of different reasons people blog. Some want to be teachers. Some want to share their family updates and pictures. Some have a particular subject of interest that they want to share with the world. Some are looking for a way to connect with other people with the same interests.
Me? I was born with a lot of words. I think in words. I have one child that thinks in music and processes things while playing the piano, guitar, or whatever else is handy to make music with. I have one who thinks in pictures and processes things while being visually stimulated with beautiful things. I have a concrete thinker who is only comfortable with concepts and ideas if all the pieces fit so this one works to find out how everything works together before finding peace. For me, I think in words and process the thoughts of my heart with words. And I really appreciate input from others to help me as I process my own thoughts. I tend to “think out loud” a lot as a way to work things out in my mind. When someone else can think out loud with me, I value that a lot.
I also have a handwritten journal and a prayer journal. But these are private journals and I don’t really want the input from anyone else in those. Here at my blog I “think out loud” a lot and it’s mostly about things related to my walk with Hashem. I’ve also learned that I can write out my thoughts on a subject (like a festival, for example) and even share pictures because in a future year I will need to come back to that entry to refresh my mind and rediscover “new” ideas. My mind may have many words but they don’t always stay in one place, sometimes I misplace particular words for a particular subject. ;)
As I work out my salvation with fear and trembling, I will often share thoughts I have as my own way of working through them. I share them publicly because I know there are many wise people, mainly women, who stop by my blog to see what’s going on here at my house and have great words of wisdom to share with me, and sometimes I am in need of correction. I greatly appreciate the thoughts of others as I am working through my own, which is why I blog.
Is the Bible all we really need? Yes. The Bible is sufficient for us to know of HaShem, to learn what He wants and what His heart is toward humanity. If we were stuck on a deserted island with only the Bible, we would be able to learn enough about our Creator and His Son to find salvation. Is there any work that is authoritative like the Bible? No. The Holy Scriptures contain the verywords of HaShem and no other book, that I know of, does the same. No other record of communication is as precious and as important as the Holy Scriptures.
Is there more we can learn about the Bible: it’s words, it’s authors, it’s culture, it’s context, it’s innuendos and it’s people that would help us understand more as we read the Bible? Absolutely! We can learn a lot about what is going on in the Bible if we are attentive to our history books. We can learn lot about the culture that produced the Bible if we are willing to look at Jewish extra-biblical literature. Are there some works that make us uneasy? Sure there are. So what do we do with these? We either throw out the entirety of those books or we “eat the meat and spit out the bones”. Sometimes we’re not mature enough to do either of these so we need to reserve judgement for another time. Of course there are works that are plainly not worth our time but these are not what I’m talking about.
So just what is The Zohar? I’m sure you are aware of different people’s opinions on The Zohar, but just what is it exactly? To get a better idea of what it is, really, one needs to understand what PaRDeS is. Continue Reading »
In my session one notes & thoughts entry we discussed just what was the offense of the cross and the simple fact that the covenants and the Torah were given to Israel, not the nations. Israel is the people chosen by HaShem as His treasured possession. His am segulah. This is romance language, reminds me of Shavuot. In session two we began by touching on the Deuteronomy 4:5-8 passage where we see that HaShem intended that Israel be a light to the nations. Israel is the steward of the Torah, the very Word of HaShem, and they are to shine His light out to a dark world so the nations can see His greatness and, if they choose, worship Him too.
It’s easy to feel on the ‘outs’ when a Gentile comes to faith in Yeshua. It’s so easy to feel as if we have no identity at all. We are not Jewish, yet somehow we’re accepted into the family through our faith in Messiah. But what is our role? If a marriage is made of one man and one woman and each have their defined roles, what is the role of the Gentile in the Bride of the Messiah? How does this work, what does it look like?
Last night our family attended a lecture by Boaz Michael called “Grafted In”. The event was in a nice church not too far from us and a small crowd eagerly listened to all that Mr Michael had to say. It looked as if the group consisted of a mix of traditional Christian believers and Messianic believers. Everyone was respectful and very pleasant. While many went to hear about being grafted in, we went with a different “ear”. While some were excited and thrilled to be introduced to a different perspective on the Scriptures and of the Torah, we were listening for fine points and explanations of different issues. To make a long story short, our concerns have been mostly settled and we are much more at peace with the stance that FFOZ now has in regards to their Jew and Gentile position than we were a few weeks ago, and even a few months ago. There are still some questions that we have and we hope to get a chance to ask those at a later date but the major issues seem to have been settled and we are at peace with that. Many of the issues that have been heavy on my heart lately are associated with what was said.
I want to ask that if my readers are not familiar with the struggle that is going on within the Messianic community regarding the Jew and Gentile positions that you not worry about this issue right now. Just keep focused on Yeshua and the Father, keep walking rightly and letting the world see the Light that shines in your life. Don’t worry about this whole mess right now, let the dust settle so you can get a clearer view in a little while without all the emotion attached. The Messianic movement has always been fractured and in a state of disunity (as has the Church in recent years) but it seems that these troubles have been growing recently. For some reason the Messianic movement has attracted all manner of “hornet nest stirrers”. We have enough trouble as it is without the panicking the masses and not disclosing the full story. So if you’re not familiar with these issues specifically, be glad and please pray for those whom the Father has placed in positions of leadership within the Messianic movement. Pray. Please pray. And don’t let yourself get caught up in the mess. It’s not worth it.
And for those who are familiar with the recent concerns and gossip, I’m going to try to share our family’s thoughts after having spoken with several key people in the past few weeks.
There are a few subjects that I have been in deep thought about in the past few months and just as I was feeling like I could put things together enough to blog on one of those subjects, along comes a blog post from someone else that fairly describes the thoughts and concerns I’ve had myself for some time now. So rather than post my own entry, which I may do in the future, I wanted to share this entry called Red Flag Alarms. The gist is that our Messianic movement needs to continue to grow in maturity and we need to simply stop giving false teachers our time, attention and our money. It really grates me how some teachers seem to lead their flock through fear, and that fear perpetuates their own little ministry.
Our Messianic movement needs seasoned leaders, leaders who are not interested in leading through fear or shock value but who instead have hearts for the people and for the Torah of HaShem. We need to be about our Father’s business, as our Master was. We so easily get our priorities mixed up and turned around and then how are we a light to the nations?
Please check out McHuey’s entry called Red Flag Alarms and I’d really like to hear your thoughts – either there or here.
I’ve been asked by more than a few people to share updates of what we’re doing here at home. I think today I’ll indulge you in some of what keeps us busy here at home these days.
warm sunny days
First of all, summer seems to have arrived! Usually we have quite a bit of rain in June and through the first half of July. However this year, we’ve been warm and dry (some days, hot even!) for quite some time now. I’ve never had to haul out the sprinklers so early, but I’m not complaining in the least! With the weather so nice we’re outside more than inside and we’re back to riding our bikes into town when we need to run errands. Continue Reading »
I’ve read blog entries at various blogs where people mention that they drink Kombucha Tea. I’ve gotten the impression that it’s a good thing, but I’m not really sure why people are drinking it – what benefits they are experiencing. So I thought I’d ask.
I went to the food co-op last night when Shalom was at Civil Air Patrol and they had Organic Raw Kombucha on sale so I bought a bottle, “Botanic No. 9″. I liked it. I didn’t know what to expect but it sure made my stomach feel like it was getting a sitz bath or something. LOL I drank half before I got back to the National Guard building and then drank the other half when I got home. I have to say, it’s MUCH better cold. Warm, not as tasty.
So I wanted to get some input from my online friends. First of all, I’m curious about how many people who stop by here actually know about or drink the tea and then if you’d please, I’d like to hear just why you drink it and what benefits you’ve experienced yourself. I’ve read a bit this morning about what “people claim” but I’m more interested in the claims of those who stop by my blog right now. :)
We have counted the Omer, seven full weeks from the High Sabbath of Passover, to today. Today is day 49 of the Omer. Tomorrow is Shavuot, one of the pilgrimage feasts.
Shavuot takes place in the third month of the year. Remember that Passover is in the first month and then we count seven weeks which takes us to the third month. Remember that Passover is a memorial of the exodus from Egypt, our redemption. It was in the third month after the exodus from Egypt that the people came to the wilderness and camped at Mt Sinai. We read in Exodus 19 & 20 the amazing account of the people of Israel and the G-d Who had just redeemed them from bondage. Can you imagine?!? He came down, to us! Shavuot is the memorial of this incredible event on this great day.
HaShem at Mt Sinai
The word picture of a marriage is so commonly used when HaShem speaks of His relationship with Israel, and this is the beginning of that relationship. To best understand what took place on that first day of Shavuot, it is best to view it from the context of a betrothal. Continue Reading »
If you are counting the Omer according to modern Jewish tradition, today is the 40th day of the Omer. If you are counting according to the Sadduceen tradition, the 40th day will be on Thursday. Whichever way you count, the 40th day of the Omer is the anniversary of our Master’s aliah, His going up to Heaven.
In recent years many Messianic believers have revived old traditions of marking the anniversary of the ascension of the Master. May of us are working old traditions in with new ones to create new family traditions to pass on to the next generation as we strive to remember Yeshua and all we are called to do.
The 40th day is a good day for a fish fry, Yeshua style (like, outside with fresh fish, preferrably near a body of water and with a group of friends…) and reading the accounts of Yeshua’s ascension to Heaven and His last words to His disciples. Other traditions seem to include eating some sort of bird (think of flying to heaven) or a picnic in the hills. I like the picnic in the hills aspect and chicken is certainly a bird. Maybe we’ll ‘head for the hills’ or down to the bay this evening with either fish or chicken, or both, and have us a BBQ. :) Now we just have to round up a few friends…
In a matter of days it will be Shavuot and we will be celebrating the anniversary of the giving of the Torah, our betrothal to HaShem.
For more information on celebrating Ascension Day, see:
Mem B’Omer by Daniel Lancaster has several ideas by the author as well as comments from other readers for how to celebrate this special day.
Ascension! by Wanda who writes her thoughts for the day as well.
** Note: In the past we have also counted this special anniversary on day 43 because we read that Yeshua rose on the third day and then over the next 40 days He taught His disciples. This would put his aliah seven days prior to Shavuot. But again, it’s all in how you count. Did Yeshua rise on the first day of the Omer or the third? *sigh* When He returns as Conquering King, Son of David, He will explain all things. Until then, our family has opted to celebrate on the day that the majority of Messianic believers do in order to be in unity with other believers.
Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Washington for an important visit with President Obama and his advisors. There has been much ‘chatter’ in the media about how the USA is likely going to be turning against Israel, or at the very least be stepping back from our position as supporter. Already President Obama has made remarks and encouraged activities that no other President has done in the 61 years that Israel has been a nation. Joel Chernoff has an interesting article on the subject with some information that I had not heard before – interesting. I think this article is somewhat concerning in light of our current Presidents statements and the statements of his cabinet.
Joel Rosenberg wrote something that I would like to quote here:
He (Netanyahu) needs to reach out to the American people through as many media interviews as possible. He needs to talk directly about the common threat we face from Iran and Radical Islamic terrorist states and organizations acquiring nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. He needs to mobilize tens of millions of Americans to pressure Congress and the White House to maintain a close relationship with Israel, to stop pressuring Israel to make a bad deal with the Palestinians, and to support Israel if the Jewish State has to go to war with Iran. The Obama team is sensitive to public opinion, and I believe Americans generally “get it” with regard to Iran and to the Radicals…
The key point in his quote above that I would like to point out is about mobilizing “tens of millions of Americans to pressure Congress and the White House to maintain a close relationship with Israel” and that “the Obama team is sensitive to public opinion, and I believe Americans generally ‘get it’ with regard to Iran and the Radicals…”
Miriam has started her own blog. One of her hopes after reading Do Hard Things was to be able to do a book study with other teens, to encourage others on to love, good works and great things. So far a few of her friends have read the book and she has now started a blog to discuss the book but also to discuss the weekly Torah, Prophets and Gospel readings.
If any of my readers have daughters who might be interested in discussing the weekly readings with other teens (and a few moms, too) or have read Do Hard Things and would like to participate in encouraging discussions about the book, please visit Miriam’s new blog: The Lord Is My Shepherd.
I’m just now finding time to try to use this nifty poll feature. I’m hoping to use these polls to get a better idea of what kind of reader happens by my blog. I want to try to have material (resources to share, information to pass along, various thoughts to share, etc) that is of interest to my readers and in order to do so, I would like a better idea of what my ’silent readers’ are like. So, please, participate in these polls that I hope to be able to post once in a while.
When I was a young child I used to draw pictures of a house, mountains and the sun shining down on the house as it was peeking up over the mountains. It was a typical child’s picture where the sun had a smiling face and the people were all stick figures. I readily admit that I am not an artist. But to me the pictures were perfect, they were my best attempt at displaying the thoughts in my heart. This house was “on the farm” where I spent the first 4 years of my life. By the time I was drawing these pictures, we had moved to another state and it was as if I was trying desperately to remember my previous home. I also remember daydreaming about what my future home would be like when I would thumb through the Sears catalogs and admire the various designs that were on display. I remember I even made a little book where I would cut out the displays I liked the most in the catalog and keep them organized by room. ”My bedroom should look like this and my children’s rooms should be like this one and my living room should have this kind of furniture and decor…” This house that I was planning in my little mind wasn’t in some vague location either. I knew right where I wanted it to be. It would be on a specific little hill where I could see the sunshine rising over the mountains, “on the farm”. I remember even wanting to grow my own little village where my close friends and family would live very close to me, we’d all live together – parents, grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. I remember sitting in my bedroom on my canopy bed and daydreaming what my perfect world would be like when I grew up. Sadly as I grew older I put such ideas behind me and completely forgot about these hopes and dreams I had dreamed.
I apologize for not having much time to write an entry with a lot of sources and such. It’s a busy season here at home and I run out of daylight and energy by the time my “to do” list is nearing completion each day. (that doesn’t in any way imply that I actually accomplish most of my list each day..)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him
So, what are we to think if we were studying the Prophets before that great Passover festival almost 2, 000 years ago? What would we think if we were there then, seeing this One that we expect to be The One riding into Jerusalem on a colt? What are we to think today if we are among those who don’t recognize Yeshua as the Coming One? What’s the deal? How is Messiah supposed to come???
I learned a bit ago that:
If Jerusalem is wicked, Messiah will come riding on the foal of an ass but if Jerusalem is righteous, Messiah will come on the clouds of Heaven.
If we didn’t have hindsight, what would we think? Even if we accepted the Two Messiah concept, Messiah son of Joseph and Messiah son of David, what would we think? Would anyone hold too tightly to one Messiah with two comings or would we more likely consider there being two different Messiahs?
Knowing what most of my readers believe, that Yeshua son of Joseph yet Son of HaShem is the promised Messiah, what do we think of these verses and the interpretation concerning Jerusalem and it’s state of wickedness or righteousness? How is it that Jerusalem may be considered righteous enough for Messiah to return? Any ideas? I’ve got several, myself…
Our Passover was great! As we had completed the leaven search and were watching the last of our leaven burn we were surprised that our candle did not go out. There was a good breeze and DH had sheltered the flame as we walked to the fire pit but once the leaven was lit he stopped sheltering the flame. We were impressed that the flame didn’t go out in the breeze, even as we stood outside the door and talked about applying the blood of the Lamb to our hearts and the passing over of the death angel if we are covered by the blood. We proceeded into the house, under the “blood of the Lamb” and through the mikvah of the Reed Sea and into the dining room. Our little flame was burning bright! We decided it would be suitable to use this flame to light our festival lights. A comment was made something to the effect of, “I guess that once we are free from sin, nothing can put out our flames. The flame shines bright and ignites other flames.” The more I’ve thought about this since then, the more I like the statement.
~ Complete Jewish Bible
~ Parshah Notes from various sources
~ Stop the Runaway Conversation: Take Control Over Gossip and Criticism by Dr Michael D. Sedler
~ The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation by Brad H. Young
~ Common Herbs for Natural Health by Juliette de Bairacli Levy
~ Love and the Messianic Age by Paul Philip Levertoff and the accompanying Study Guide and Commentary
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The appearance of links either in this sidebar or in article entries do not necessarily constitute full endorsement of the full content found at those websites. The material contained within any specific page linked may, or may not, accurately reflect the views of the author of the Following The Ancient Paths blog.
So, please, participate in these polls that I hope to be able to post once in a while. 
