Let us bless His Holy Name. Let us dance before Him with a joyful heart. How beautiful is the body that it was created to reproduce, speak, see and do. Praise Him in the heavens, praise Him in the valleys, blessed is His Holy name. At any given moment He appears and suddenly you feel yourself born again. Like springs of water cascading from the mountain top to the burst that flows within. Although you may grow tired and weary, HASHEM redeems. He restores. He cradles you in the palm of His hand. He was, He is and He will always be. Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh. [I am/will be what I am/will be]

God speaks and it is done. Isaiah 55: 10 -11 - For just as the rain and the snow descend from heaven and will not return there, rather it waters the earth and causes it to produce and sprout, and gives seed to the sower and food to the eater, so shall be My word that emanates from my mouth, it will not return to Me unfulfilled unless it will have accomplished what I desired and brought success where I sent it. Amen Amen

God the true doer of the Word. He visions, He speaks, He divides and He gives all things a name. This is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is my God. HASHEM desires the heart of the righteous and He acts. Before the first word in supplication is drawn, the doors to the sanctuary are open. He is righteous and there is no other. He draws people to the Land of trust, the valley where one humbles herself. It is when we see the burning bush and we turn to take hold of. It is then that He answers. It is then that we find favor in His eyes. He is not like man who says one thing today and tomorrow he has forgotten. No, that is not my God. That is not the way He does things. 

He is merciful even when one does not merit a single breath, moment or day. When all else has filled He is there to redeem, to pull up, to extinguish the flames that taunt your existence. He is, He was and He will always be. Blessed be His Holy Name. His Kingdom is forever and ever. 

In the Words of Rashi: If a teacher of Torah is authentic, he will bring water to the thirsty; but if he is not, students have to search for themselves until they find it.

I pray that this enlightens each and everyone who reads this. Blessed be the One who formed the mouth.

Shalom and abundant joy. 

This weeks Torah Parashah focuses on the blessing and the curse. The blessing of living long in the good land and the curse that comes from disobedience. Like the story of Eden where Adam and Eve were tossed out because of disobedience (rather it was God's plan or not) so too does it go for the land East of the Yarden. The Hand of God upon us is a good thing, it is our protection. It is when He removes His covering that we are turned over for persecution from a nation we do not know and a language unfamiliar. 

Re'eh means to see. To see is to acknowledge, to grab hold of. It is to be aware. So it goes. Deuteronomy 11: 26 - 32 - See, I present before you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing; that you hearken to the commandments of HASHEM , your God, that I command you today. And the curse: if you do not hearken to the commandments of HASHEM, your God, and you stray from the path that I command you today, to follow gods of others, that you did not know. It shall be when HASHEM, your God, brings you to the Land to which you come, to posses it, then you shall deliver the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. Are they not on the other side of the Jordan, far, in the direction of the sunset, in the land of the Canaanite, that dwells in the plain, far from Gilgal, near the plains of Moreh? for you are crossing the Jordan to come and possess the Land that HASHEM, your God, gives you; you shall possess it and you shall settle in it. You shall be careful to perform all the decrees and the ordinances that I present before you today. 

The bible often speaks about bodies of water, wilderness and dry places. When Abram was called out from his home land he traveled across dry land. When Moshe escaped Egypt he fled across dry land. However when God takes us to a new level He parts bodies of water. When man is immersed in water he is to come out a new man. From the land of slavery to the land of promise bodies of water are crossed. When we come out of, we ascend. Its always ascend. To come out of Egypt it is to ascend to a more spiritual place. A place of new heights. We are no longer in the old but in the new. So it is.

Deuteronomy 12: 1 - 3 - These are the decrees and the ordinances that you shall observe to perform in the Land that HASHEM, the God of your forefathers, has given you, to possess it, all the days that you live in the Land. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations that you shall possess worshiped their gods: on the high mountains and on the hills, and under every leafy tree. You shall break apart their alters; you shall smash their pillars; and their sacred trees shall you burn in the fire; their carved images shall you cut down; and you shall obliterate their names from that place. 

You should know that the only living God is a jealous God and He won't settle for anything less. We are called to be a nation of Kings and Priests. A king is never in lack and a priest ministers to the people. So why have we gone astray? Jerusalem If I forget thee may my right hand fail me. In a world with a population of six billion people it is no small task to separate oneself. With pagan holidays, morality lacking radio, movies and television shoes how is one truly expected to be set apart. 

Deuteronomy 12: 28 - 31 - Safeguard and hearken to all these words that I command you, in order that it will be well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the eyes of HASHEM, your God. When HASHEM, your God, will cut down the nations, to which you come to take possession from them, before you, and you will take possession from them and settle in their land, beware for yourself lest you be attracted after them after they have been destroyed  before you, and lest you seek out their gods, saying, "How did these nations worship their gods, and even I will do the same." You shall not do so to HASHEM, your God, for everything that is an abomination of HASHEM, that He hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters have they burned in the fire of their gods. 

Deuteronomy is known as Mishnah Torah. The entire book of Deuteronomy is spoken to the b'nei Israel by the mouth Moses in the twelfth month of the fortieth year. Moses is reiterating lessons and trials since their departure from Egypt. He's warning of the temptations that lie ahead, as well as the penalties for disobedience. 

We are not to mention the name of God in just anyplace we choose nor are we to eat sanctified meat and offerings where He has not established His Name. There is no longer a temple that we can travel to so that we can offer up our first fruits. Moses commands the children of Israel that once they cross over into the land that God had promised to us through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we could no longer build alters where ever we chose. For those of us who do not live in Jerusalem, we have no choice but to do what it is we do. During the periods in which the first and second Temples were erected, every man would bring his offering to the alter to be inspected by the priests and as long as the offering was without blemish (sheep, goat) the offering was accepted. What comes to mind is the story of Cain and Able. Able offered up his very best and therefore it was accepted where Cain's was not.

God says that my people flatter Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me.

How glorious it will be when Messiah returns and the glory of Jerusalem will be restored. Times have changed and the world for the most part has become a landfill. It is a dog eat dog world. People are persecuted because they don't go along with just any dictator. Yeshua said that we would be murdered and those with our blood on their hands will think their doing God a favor. So it is.

Deuteronomy 13: 1 - 5 - The entire word that I command you, that shall you observe to do; you shall not add to it and you shall not subtract from it. If there should stand up in your midst a prophet or a dreamer of a dream, and he will produce to you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes about, of which he produce to you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes about, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us follow gods of others that you did not know and we shall worship them!" - do not hearken to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of a dream, for HASHEM, your God is testing you to know whether you love HASHEM, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul. HASHEM, your God, shall you follow and Him shall you fear; His commandments shall you observe and to His voice shall you hearken; Him shall you serve and to Him shall you cleave. Amen And Amen.

Yeshua also spoke about false prophets and said that there will be many who will come in his name.

Be wise in your studies and know it well.

From the mouth of Rashi, "If a teacher is authentic he will bring water to the students, if not the students must search it out for themselves." 

Shalom and abundant joy.

Our Souls Shall Pass

Our souls shall pass

On the street

The café

Along any path,

You will not know me by sight

You will feel my presence

Like the warmth of the sun,

As we pass on God’s path

His path only

Your soul shall be fulfilled,

The gift I pass on to you

Does not end with you

But with eternity,

As our souls collaborate

In the chosen place

You shall look for me,

For I am not God

But a child of God

A light shining forth,

Such an experience will happen but once

Not to worry

Such an experience shall last a lifetime,

Free your soul

For he can know freedom

And happiness,

Knowing

Acknowledge

Willing

Our souls have met

Long before

Only now you know it,

You do understand

Not with sight

But with presence,

The path before

Knows of many souls,

For you have just walked it.                  

   -Lawrence Wohl 1998-

With Rosh Hashanah quickly approaching we must gather together our words and straighten up. That wonderful evening beginning at sundown Jews and all those who understand what's expected of them will gather together. It is now the head of the year, not the beginning of months. As you well may Know it is a time of repentance. The morrow of the first day we will head down to our local rivers and streams and cast our sins into the depths. Like the sacrifices in the Temple one must have knowledge of his actions. She shall know why she is here. Repenting is not simply tossing bread crumbs into the stream of life, but it is acknowledgment  of sin rather it be gossip or idolatry. During the ten days of repentance we take the time to get in touch with all those we might have done wrong, no matter how small or big. We ask to be forgiven. The same goes for you and I. It is our duty to forgive and forget. The first day of repentance (Rosh Hashanah) is a joyful day with the commanded sounding of the Shofar. There is fellowship, reading of scripture and the delightful taste of apples and honey. 

Above all this Rosh Hashanah kicks off our fall with a cluster of holy days and festivals. Rosh Hashanah is also a commanded holy day. A day of no regular work. It is a annual Sabbath to be observed for all generations. How wonderful it would be if all nations would recognize the days in which God has granted us and not the pagan festivals of man. 

Walk correctly before Me all the days of your life says the Lord Thy God. 

The statue of Diana of Ephesus in the garden of Villa d'Este in Tivoli, Italy.

BIBLE TRIVIA: Only two person went to be with God, body and soul, without experiencing death: Enoch and Elijah.

“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”

– Genesis 5:24

“As they (Elijah and Elisha) were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, ‘My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel.’ And Elisha saw him no more…”

– 2 Kings 2:11

Of course, JESUS also did – after His resurrection, and after staying with His disciples for over 40 days (Acts 1:1-10). After that, as far as what the Bible says, NOBODY else ever did the same.

Wala pong kaugnayan ang post na ito duon sa sinundan… Nagkasunod lang na tungkol sa ibang klaseng “nanay” din ito. May naalala kasi ako... ‘TRABAHO’ na naman, tawag ‘LANG’ ng pangangailangan. ;)

Nung nagtatrabaho pa si 1^st brother sa Splash (Laguna), pumunta sya sa bansang Turkey para i-train ang mga estudyanteng lifeguards sa isang resort duon. Palibhasa naging interesante din sa kanya ang pag-aaral ng Bible, isiningit nya sa itinerary ang pagpunta sa Ephesus, isang sinaunang syudad na binabanggit sa New Testament kung saan nangaral nuon si St Paul.

Alam nya ang hilig ko sa pangungulekta ng mga anik-anik, kaya pinasalubungan nya ako ng mga ancient coins na itinitindang parang kendi lang duon. Wala daw gaanong value ang mga ito, kahit pa ang mga ito ay kasingtagal na ng emperyong Romano (around 1st century A.D., or possibly even before Christ). Kasi hindi naman daw ito “rare” – nasisisid lang sa mga ilog at sapa duon.

Isa sa mga napag-usapan namin ay ang “dyosang” nirerepresenta ng rebultong nakikita nyo sa itaas. Kilala sya bilang si Artemis (ng Greeks) o Diana (ng Romans). Siya ang kakambal na babae ni Apollo, anak ni Zeus (Jupiter) kay Leto (Latona). Ulanghiyang “diyos” ito – andaming asawa! :lol:

Tulad ng alam nating lahat (?), mga diyos-diyosan lang sila – hindi tunay kundi mga bungang-imahinasyon na matutunghayan lang sa Greek and Roman mythologies. Pero in the ancient times, buong-buo ang paniwala ng mga paganong Griyego at Romano sa mga false gods at goddesses na ito.

Kilala ang ancient city of Ephesus bilang hometown o lugar ng pinagsimulan ng sinaunang kulto ng pagsamba kay Diana. Sa katunayan, ang templo nya duon ay isa sa hanggang ngayon ay itinuturing na “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.”

Sa chapter 19 ng Acts sa Bible, makikita nating pinagmulan ng isang riot sa Ephesus ang ginawang pagtuligsa ni St Paul sa pagsamba kay Diana duon. Himayin natin ng konti ang Act 19:23-26, hane?

“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.” (verse 23)

Ang “Way” na tinutukoy dito ay ang tutuong pananampalataya kay Kristo na isinusulong nuon nina St Paul at ng iba pang apostles. Pero huwag kayong basta maniniwala sa mga kultong naglalabasan ngayon na nagdudugtong lang ng salitang “Way” (in English or Tagalog) sa pangalan ng grupo nila (kahit pa nga ba ikabit nila ang pangalan ni Kristo dyan). Siyasatin nyo muna ang mga turo nila kung naaayon sa Bible. Pag sinabi nilang “Hindi mo maiintindihan ang Bible kung hindi mo babasahin ang mga pamphlets o magazines namin!” o kaya’y “… kung hindi ipapaliwanag ng ministro o governing body namin!” – ahehe, kwidaw kayo. :lol: Pag wala kayong alam sa Bible, madali kayong malilinlang, kaya nga malimit ko kayong hinahamon na magbasa din kayo. Para sa atin ang Bible. Maski itong mga sinasabi ko dito, i-check nyo kung tutuo.

Okey, ituloy natin ang paghimay sa Acts chapter 19…

“A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis (Diana), brought in no little business for the craftsmen. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: ‘Men, you know we received a good income from this business. ” (verse 24 and 25)

Malaking negosyo kasi ng syudad nila ang paggawa ng iba’t-ibang sukat ng “Barbie dolls” o rebulto ni Diana (Does that ring a bell? Hindi ako against sa tutuong Barbie dolls ha? Ibang BARBIDALS ang tinutukoy ko rine). Syempre kumikita rin dito hindi lang ang mga lumililok o iskultor ng rebulto. Pati na rin ang mga minero ng pilak, at maski yung mga taga-deliber o taga-lako’t taga-tinda lang. Malamang, may mga “borlo-borloloy” pang kasama ang mga rebultong iyan.

Sabi ni 1^st brother ko, hanggang ngayon negosyo ang paggawa ng mga figurines ni Diana of Ephesus duon. Sayang hindi sya bumili (naalala daw nya kasi yung sa pelikulang ‘Exorcist’ nyay! 8O …of course biro lang ni brother yun :lol: ), kaya etong galing na lang sa internet ang ipapakita kong sampol sa inyo →

Hindi ko sinasabing bumili kayo ng mga anting-anting o iba pang products nila ha? Sinampol ko lang para makita nyo... Okey, eto pa yung mga sinabi ni Demetrius:

“And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. ” (verse 26)

Ahehe… kelan pa kaya nangyaring ang isang diyos ay ginawa lamang ng isang tao? Diyos-diyosan, pwede pa! At sino kaya ang totoong nagli-“lead astray” aber nga? Again, does that ring a bell?

Nuon, magpasa-hanggang ngayon, mangaral ka lang ng tungkol sa Bible, babansagan ka nang “ipokrito” at tagapag-ligaw ng mga kawan nila. Sino kaya ang nanliligaw ng landas? Paano aakayin ng isang bulag ang isa pang bulag?

Alam nyo bang si St Paul man ay galing sa kinagisnang relihiyon niya (Judaismo) at isa sya sa mga tumutuligsa sa mga mangangaral ng Bible nuon? Pero nung nakakilala sya sa Panginoong Hesukristo, kaisa na sya sa mga taong tinutuligsa nya nuon. Harangan mo man sya ng sibat, hindi mo sya kayang pigilan. See a short account about him here → “ Mulat na bulag, bulag na namulat. ”

Okey… ituloy natin yung litanya ng panggagatong nitong si Demetrius:

“There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.’ ” (verse 27)

Ano ba talaga, koya? Yang pananampalataya mo, o yang raket mo? Walang “divine majesty” na mawawala dyan dahil in the first place, wala naman talagang “divine majesty” iyan – inimbento mo lang! Demet… may debayn-debayn madyesti ka pang nalalaman…

Kung itutuloy nyo ang pagbasa mula sa verse 28, pasulong, makikita nyong posibleng napatay na sana si St Paul sa bugbog. Buti na lang napapigil syang lumabas sa amphitheater, kung saan naruon ang nanggagalaiting masa na ginatungan nitong si Demetrius.

Eto pa ang ibang paniwala nila kay Diana:

• She was always a virgin, an eternally young, untamed girl, nourishing all life.
• Diana has many breasts because she has many children to feed.
• Her hands form the gesture of bestowing worldly and spiritual blessings.
• She is crowned with the Goddess’s sacred vessel, and the lunar disk makes a halo around her head.
• Diana is the Earth herself, whose mountains are breasts and whose body is a dwelling place for all living creatures. Even in the patriarchal era, her worship was so strong that her temple at Ephesus was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Hindi ko inimbento ang listahang iyan – nabasa naman na siguro nyo yan sa “pagan website” link nung pikyur ng kyut na manika natin kanina dyan sa itaas.

Ingat po sa mga turong inimbento lang ng tao – sa mga tradisyong idinagdag at kung anu-anong “vision” na isina-pamphlet o isinalibro na kapantay DAW ng Bibliya. Ambabait kasi at mukhang napakabanal yung mga nagsasabi, kaya nadadala tayo sa idinideklara nila... Uulitin ko: Hindi sila ang ina-abhor ko, kundi ang maling turo nila. Harinawang bumalik na sila sa sinasabi ng Bibliya, manumbalik na kay Jesus – and I really mean kilalanin ang buhay na Kristo... Otherwise, huwag na nilang sabihing “Kristyano” sila.

Sa Kristianismo man, hindi ubra yang “dagdag-bawas.”

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:

If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

– Revelation 22:18-19

Tradisyon? :roll:

There’s nothing wrong with following our traditions – IF they do not contradict God’s Word (Bible).

“Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? … you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!
Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
(Matthew 15:3, 6-9)

(Jesus said) “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men… You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! … you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.”
(Mark 7:8-9, 13)

Si Christ na ang mismong may sabi nyan, hindi pa ba tayo maniwala dyan?

Eto pa, si St. Paul naman ang may sabi:

“See to it that no one takes you captive though hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
(Colossians 2:8 )

Eto pa, si St. Peter naman ang may sabi:

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
(1 Peter 1:18-19)

Kung may maririnig kayo ngayong araw na ito (o maski kelan) na magsasabing kaming mga nangangaral ng Bibliya ang nanli-“ligaw” sa inyo ng landas, alalahanin nyo na lang ang paratang ni Demetrius kay San Pablo na nabanggit kanina sa itaas.

I’m just sharing my conviction – please do not take ‘this’ personally… If there’s anything – or Anybody – I want you to take personally, it’s your relationship with Jesus, the living Christ. ;)

God bless you.

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

Related posts about the myths of organized religion:

• A Mother’s portrait
• 110

Or see ALL the posts under this category:

• chewabol da Bible gam

Check this out (may pagkakahawig duon sa dalawang verses sa pinaka-umpisa ng post, duon sa BIBLE TRIVIA). I hope isa ka sa mga nae-encourage dito sa sinabi ni St Paul ( 1 Thess 4:18 ) :

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

– 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Quite rightly, Wright points out that this is our greatest festival: Take Christmas away, and you lose two chapters in the front of Matthew and Luke. Take Easter away, and you don't have a New Testament; you don't have a Christianity.

And so tradition has it that we spend Lent fasting, forty days of self-denial and gloom, climaxing with the Easter weekend, four days of mediocre television (and, if we're lucky, an additional service), which in itself climaxes with a single day of celebration: Easter Sunday.

And sure, we have special songs, hymns, sermons, and we focus on the Easter story (the centre of the Christian faith, and we focus on it one day a year). But it doesn't seem like a real celebration.

Easter celebrates the resurrection! Sin and death conquered! Christ's ascension to the throne! A promise of creation renewed! It should be a huge celebration! I love Wright's suggestions: Champagne should be served before morning prayer, we should have spectacular anthems and hymns, new music should be written especially for the occasion! We should splash water about, renewing baptismal vows, we should shoot off fireworks, Easter should explode in games, poetry, sports, dance, concerts, anything that celebrates!

"Is it any wonder people find it hard to believe in the resurrection of Jesus if we don't throw our hats in the air? Is it any wonder we find it hard to live the resurrection if we don't do it exuberantly in our liturgies? Is it any wonder the world doesn't take much notice if Easter is celebrated as simply the one-day happy ending tacked on to forty days of fasting and gloom?"

And if Lent is a time for giving things up, Easter should be a time for taking up new things. The forty days of Easter ought to balance out Lent by taking up some new task, sport, or venture, something wholesome and fruitful, outgoing and self-giving. All the money saved refraining from alcohol, chocolate, cinema, or food, should be spent on canoeing, dinner parties, or making cheese.

"...it may give you a sniff of new possibilities, new hopes, new ventures you never dreamed of. It might bring something of Easter into your innermost life. It might help you wake up in a whole new way. And that's what Easter is all about."

on the fourth of july (or any time at all)

we have taken to going relative-hunting

and so we tramped through the woods

looking for three stones on the edge of a

golf course, crashing through the undergrowth

weeds and trees in our quest for origins

when we came upon the monuments we

laid flowers down in front, trying to read

the now-weathered carvings telling names

and births and deaths.  this is the way of

littlepeace, we said, to always go on an

adventure that others would find absurb

illogical or morbid, but which we find

delightful.  and so it is, and so i love

cemetaries and honouring the dead of

ages past.  it is not a pasttime macabre

by any means, but one that ties me to

times and people past.  the only part i

did not care to repeat was finding deer

ticks embedded in my flesh afterward.

to honour one's ancestors, however, one

must be willing to risk personal comforts

in the name of tradition and adventure

Three Scripture passages outline the biblical observance of Pentecost, or Shavuot. Lev. 23:15-22 and Num. 28:26-31 describe the Temple offerings, and Deut. 16:9-12 outlines the requirements for individual worshipers.

Like the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles, Shavuot was one of three "solemn feasts" decreed by the Lord (Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:16; 2 Chron. 8:13). All Israelite men were obligated to present themselves at the Temple. The Temple services for Shavuot closely resembled those of the Feast of Firstfruits, since both holy days were observed with firstfruit offerings. However, the offering for Shavuot was different. It consisted of two long loaves of wheat bread with leaven in them, as the Lord commanded: "Bring two loaves of bread from your settlements as a presentation offering, each of them made from four quarts of fine flour, baked with yeast, as firstfruits to the Lord" (Lev. 23:17).

The loaves of bread were not burned because God had forbidden leaven on the altar (Lev. 2:11). Instead, these loaves with yeast in them, along with two lambs, formed the wave offering for Shavuot. The priest waved them in front of the altar forwards and backwards, and then up and down. After that, they were set aside "for the priest" (Lev. 23:20) and became the festive meal the priests ate later that day in the Temple.

Acts 2 records the fulfillment of Shavuot as the promised Holy Spirit descends, indwells believers and ushers in the church age.

Click here for more details.

Background

Scripture uses three names to identify the feast many Christians today know as Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew):

• Hag Hashavuot, meaning "the Feast of Weeks" (Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10; 2 Chron. 8:13). It's called the Feast of Weeks because seven weeks were counted from the Feast of Firstfruits until this feast.
• Yom Habikkurim, or "the Day of Firstfruits" (Num. 28:26). This is the day in which the firstfruit offerings of the summer wheat crop were brought to the Temple. This day marked the beginning of the summer wheat harvest, while the Feast of Firstfruits marked the beginning of the spring barley harvest.
• Hag Hakatzir, or "the Feast of Harvest" (Ex. 23:16). This feast marked the beginning of the summer harvest season.

In the Greek language, Shavuot was known as Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth," since it was celebrated 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits.

The Biblical Observance

Three Scripture passages outline the biblical observance of Shavuot. Lev. 23:15-22 and Num. 28:26-31 describe the Temple offerings, and Deut. 16:9-12 outlines the requirements for individual worshipers.

Like the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles, Shavuot was one of three "solemn feasts" decreed by the Lord (Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:16; 2 Chron. 8:13). All Israelite men were obligated to present themselves at the Temple. The Temple services for Shavuot closely resembled those of the Feast of Firstfruits, since both holy days were observed with firstfruit offerings. However, the offering for Shavuot was different. It consisted of two long loaves of wheat bread with leaven in them, as the Lord commanded: "Bring two loaves of bread from your settlements as a presentation offering, each of them made from four quarts of fine flour, baked with yeast, as firstfruits to the Lord" (Lev. 23:17).

The loaves of bread were not burned because God had forbidden leaven on the altar (Lev. 2:11). Instead, these loaves with yeast in them, along with two lambs, formed the wave offering for Shavuot. The priest waved them in front of the altar forwards and backwards, and then up and down. After that, they were set aside "for the priest" (Lev. 23:20) and became the festive meal the priests ate later that day in the Temple.

The Modern Observance

After Roman troops destroyed the Jewish Temple in 70 A.D., many of the feasts changed, since the Temple had been the focal point of the spring and fall festivals. In 140 A.D., the Sanhedrin decided to change the emphasis of Shavuot away from agriculture and onto the giving of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Although the Bible does not associate Shavuot with Sinai, the giving of the law occurred in the third month (Ex. 19:1), so there was some justification for the decision. Shavuot became known as Zeman Mattan Toreatenu, "the Time of the Giving of Our Law."

Today, it is customary to decorate synagogues with flowers and greenery for Shavuot. This reminds Jews that Firstfruits is a harvest festival and, according to tradition, Mt. Sinai once was covered with grass and trees. Key Scriptures are from Ezekiel 1:1-28 and 3:12; and Habakkuk 2:20-3:19. These passages describe the brightness of God's glory. After Shavuot was refocused on the giving of the law, Exodus 19-20 and the Book of Ruth were added to the festival's readings. In addition, many synagogues hold Shavuot confirmation services for teenagers to celebrate completion of their childhood studies and their commitment to observe the Mosaic Law.

Dairy foods are traditional Shavuot fare. This is because, the rabbis say, the law is like milk and honey to the soul. Among the dishes are cheesecakes, cheese blintzes, and cheese kreplach. The blintzes are cheese rolled into pancakes the fried in a skillet. The kreplach are dough pockets stuffed with cheese. It is also customary to bake two loaves of hallah bread. They represent the two loaves of bread offered in the Temple and the two tablets received on Mt. Sinai.

It's also customary for observant Jews to stay up all night studying and discussing the Torah. They study the opening and closing verses of each Sabbath reading, the opening and closing verses of each book of the Bible, and the entire book of Ruth, with breaks throughout the night for coffee and cheesecake.

The Fulfillment

Acts 2 records the fulfillment of Shavuot as the promised Holy Spirit descends, indwells believers and ushers in the church age. Key points to remember are:

• Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come and live in believers' hearts (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), and He said it would happen soon after His ascension (Acts 1:4-5).
• The Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost as Jews from all over the world gathered in Israel (Acts 2:5). They heard the sound of a rushing, mighty wind and came together to investigate it (Acts 2:6). In this way, God began to use believers, indwelled by the Holy Spirit, to be His witnesses, beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). The 3,000 saved on the Day of Pentecost were Jews.
• While unleavened bread symbolizes Jesus' sinless humanity (Luke 22:19), the two loaves used at Shavuot / Pentecost contain yeast and symbolize that the Body of Christ (the church) would be made up of sinners.
• The two loaves used at Shavuot also symbolize Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham to bless all the nations through him (Gen. 12:3; see Gal. 3:26-28).
• Just as faithful Jews brought the firstfruits of their wheat harvest to the Temple on Shavuot, so the 3,000 Jewish believers on the Day of Pentecost were the firstfruits of the church.
• One of Jesus' parables about the kingdom of heaven refers to wheat and tares - a message that the true church, like wheat, would exist along with false professors of the faith, like tares, until Christ returns and separates them (Matt. 13:24-30; 34-43).

Next: The Feast of Trumpets

Copyright 2008 by Rob Phillips

Araw ngayon ng San Juan. Sa ilang lugar sa ka-Maynilaan, uso na naman ang sabuyan ng tubig at basaan. (Taon-taon yan nuon, meron pa ba nito ngayon?)

Kabi-kabila na naman ang baha, magbabasaan pa ba tayo? :lol: Ahehe, yung mga supot na plastik… yung paris ng pinaglalagyan natin ng tubig, atsaka natin ibinabato sa mga walang kamalay-malay na nagdadaang tao – hindi kaya naiipon yan sa mga imburnal kaya andaling magbaha ngayon?

Ayon sa “PAG-ASA”, pami-pamilyang bagyo pa daw ang magto-tour sa ‘Pinas, tyak magsasawa na naman tayo sa baha… at sa mga disease outbreak – lalo na yung… :roll: ano nga ba yung sakit na nakukuha sa tubig-baha na ang itinuturong culprit ay ang DYINGGOL ng mga daga?

Nanood ako ng balita nitong mga nakaraang araw. :( Hindi na yata mababawasan ang bilang ng mga napipinsala ng bagyo… at yung taun-taon na lang ay istranded na mga pasahero ng ewpweyn at bawko (baka puwedeng huwag munang magbyahe?) Nakakainis na nakalulungkot… may mga namatay at nawawala na naman. :? Hay buhay...

June 24. Ayon sa tradisyon, birthday ngayon ni San Juan Bautista. Ibinatay ito sa birthday ng kanyang pinsang si Hesus (December 24/25), dahil sa kwento sa Luke chapter 1, anim na buwan nang ipinagbubuntis si Juan ng kanyang inang si Elizabeth nuong si Hesus ay ipinaglihi naman ng kanyang inang si Maria. So, simpol aritmetik: December 24 minus 6 months equals June 24.

Sabihin ko lang pero hindi ko na masyadong palalawigin pa: Hindi December 24 o 25 ang talagang birthday ni Jesus; samakatuwid, hindi rin June 24 ang birthday ni Juan Bautista.

Uli, sa mga paniniwalang mas sinauna pa sa panahon ni Kristo ibinase ang mga petsang iyan: December 25 was the day of the ancient Roman feast called “Saturnalia” and of the birth of Sol, one of the names of the sun-god. June 24 was the day of the ancient fish god Oannes, a name by which Nimrod was known; Before the entrance of Christianity in Britain, the day was also celebrated by the Druids with blazing fires in honor of Baal.

Palibhasa wala silang “makitang” Diyos nuon kaya ARAW ang napagdiskitahan. Araw (sun) nga naman ang nagbibigay-liwanag at buhay sa lahat ng bagay sa lupa. About the dates? December 21 kasi ang winter solstice (pinakamaiksing daytime), then after that day (starting Dec 22) papahaba o “isinisilang” na uli ang araw. June 21 is the opposite point, or the summer solstice (pinakamahabang daytime).

Huwag you kakabahan ha? For your information lang kaya ko nabanggit yan. Hindi naman tayo magpapauso dito ng bagong holidays para sirain ang mga dating nakasanayan na (Ako man namamasko rin naman pag Disyembre 25 :P ). Syempre, higit na mahalaga ang diwa at inspirasyong inilakip at iniugnay natin sa mga dates na iyan – yung angkop sa kasalukuyang panahon. Tutuo yan maging sa ibang holidays – basta ba malinaw lang sa atin kung ano ang umaayon o taliwas sa talagang itinuturo ng Kristyanismo – ang ultimong rason sa likod ng mga pagdiriwang na ito.

Hmm… So, sige lang, December 25 ang pasko… June 24 ang araw ng sabuyan ng tubig at basaan. ;) Ilalagay lang natin sa lugar ang pambabasâ ha? Walang sabuyan ng IHI at tubig-pusali. At huwag nyo naman idamay ang ayaw pa-basâ!

Madali ko ring matandaan yang June 24. Piyesta kasi sa amin ngayon sa Calamba, na isang “parokya” ni San Juan Bautista. Hindi ko lang alam kung nag-iba na ang pyesta duon simula nung naging Calamba City na iyon. Naalala ko yung slogan ng mga kaklase ko sa highschool nuon pag ganitong araw ng pyesta:

“Pyesta sa amin, tara senyo!” :lol:

(Bigla ko tuloy na-miss yung kababayan kong blogger dito… kamusta ka na, ‘bunso’?)

Isa pang historical value ng araw na ito? Makita mo pa lang ang isang tore na tila nakasaklang sa isang pader (paris nung graphics sa itaas), isang lugar ang maiisip mo agad: Intramuros. Yes yes yo... Ngayon ay “Araw ng Maynila.”

June 24, 1571: Legazpi “founded” the City of Manila. Para sa detalye, may article (kinopya ko lang) dito sa mga sumusunod na images. Paki-CLICK na lang.

Isang global issue na ang pagbaha; may ilang bansa nga ngayon na gumagawa ng malalaking “pader” para ‘harangin’ ang baha.

ABBA only required sackcloth and fasting on 2 of the Holy Days. I guess there were over 100 other Holy Days in the year so there was plenty of party time. Don't forget---each one of these were required if one kept his faith. An example of the requirment can be found in the book of Nehemiah:

8:10
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet
and send portions to them for whom nothing is repaired
for this day is holy unto the LORD
neither be ye sorry***
FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!!

Our new covenant is ever more fun.
For JESUS, his mother and disciples
the way of the cross began with a Holy weding party
and even to our day---we celebrate Holy Communion day by remembering
how often "the man of sorrows" danced here on earth after laying down HIS life for his friends.

SO--- what is your pleasure??? Will you be sorry***
OR--- shall we dance?
much love brother david

Perhaps this is one of the reasons Shavuot is so sweet a thing to observe.  Whether correct or not, this particular holiday is one of reflection on the relationship between man and God..more specifically, the relationship between man and God's Torah (His Word). 

The covenant with Adam in Genesis 3 is extended to His promise to all of mankind.  There we are given the knowledge of hardships to come, difficulties to experience, breaking of our hearts, the manifestation of Satan.  More than this, we receive the faithfulness of God and His oath to fulfill...the seed of the woman will be bruised in the heel, but her offspring will bruise the head of the evil serpent.  

In the Noahic Covenant of Genesis 9God vows never again to destroy the earth by a flood.  As a sign of this promise, we are given the rainbow.  At least, this is the extent of memory of most believers.  Nothing wrong with this...but we are also here told to not eat blood...and it is here that it is taught to us that blood is the sacred symbol of life and of sacrificial redemption.  The weight of this is so vital that it would take another post to explain.  Perhaps at a future date.  Yet, there is something that I would like to share with believers whom specifically believe in the Noahic account as true and valid (vs. a fairy tale) and yet, believe that we are all under a New Covenant with the "Old" being now invalid.    The rainbow still continues today as a covenantal pledge...therefore, man is still expected to value the sacredness of life. 

Sanctified by faith is the great covenant of promise, the covenant given to Abraham, of a great nation through whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen (Exodus 20), and through which the land of Israel is given to the physical seed of Abraham as an eternal possession.  In this covenant, God extends to the world a pledge that all those who would bless Israel would themselves be blessed...and those would curse those who would curse her.  As one not of the physical lineage, I'm extremely humbled that this Covenant fortells a blessing to the nations in Messiah, so that those of us who believe, following in his faith and come to His Word can rightly know Abraham as "the father of many nations."  (This does not take away the unique elect of Israel.)  Here we are shown that beyond a beloved people, that the nation of Israel would be reserved as an instrument of God.  Circumcision and the Sabbath are given to the nation for this pledge. 

In the covenant given through Moses, follows the event from which we see the fruitfulness of the Abrahamic Covenant.  On that joyous occasion the Lord's Feasts were given to celebrate the tender mercies and overwhelming grace of God.   Sabbath, as a recall of His work as Creator, is given to Israel as a holy rest...in honoring the Sabbath, they testify of God's lordship over all of creation and His victories over the forces of paganism in establishing Israel as His nation.  In Shavuot, a thanksgiving is celebrated marking the blessings of God on this earth.  In Acts 2 we believers of Messiah also know this day as a holy day to which we offer thanksgiving for the blessings of the Torah, the Living Word made manifest to us.  Those who are led to do God's will in response to His grace, are guided by the whole counsel of the Word of God. 

The last of the covenants found in the Old Testament is the Davidic Covenant (IISamuel 7).  In the giving of this particular covenant David is promised a throne for his descendants, with its extension being the everlasting ruleship of Messiah in this and the spiritual world as described in Matthew 13.   

I am of a pilgrimage people, those not claiming the physical but the spiritual inheritance of Abraham...who follows faith in the same footsteps he trod.  We recognize that while we are one in Christ that the precious and needfully unique relationship between Israel and God remains...and without whom we would not have audience before God.  Their gift and call is irrevocable.  I am from the place of Ruth and the likeness of the Canaanite woman who sought our Lord's mercies. 

"Anna’s Presentation” is an introductory explanation of the Bahá’í Faith that clearly and directly presents some of its main verities. Throughout the country, the believers have found it an effective tool when engaging in door-to-door teaching. However, in many places, the friends are also finding Anna’s Presentation useful in other venues, such as proclamation events, firesides, Holy Day celebrations.

For example, the following is a report from the San Antonio cluster (TX):

“At the 12th Day of Ridvan celebration given at the Bahá’í Center, a beautiful and inviting atmosphere was present. A seeker at the Holy Day festivities declared after listening to Anna’s presentation. Other people who attended also inquired about the Faith and requested to know more.”

Further, a friend in the Knoxville cluster (TN) shares:

“We are using Anna’s presentation in our fireside and trying to encourage more friends to incorporate it in small or large firesides.”

* * * *

What other occasions can we think of to use this presentation?

* * * * * * * *

When delivering the glad tidings, speak out and say: the Promised One
of all the world's peoples hath now been made manifest. For each and
every people, and every religion, await a Promised One, and Bahá'u'lláh
is that One Who is awaited by all; and therefore the Cause of
Bahá'u'lláh will bring about the oneness of mankind, and the tabernacle
of unity will be upraised on the heights of the world, and the banners
of the universality of all humankind will be unfurled on the peaks of
the earth. When thou dost loose thy tongue to deliver this great good
news, this will become the means of teaching the people.

- Abdu'l-Baha, SWAB 101

* * * * * * * *

(http://teaching.bahai.us/2008/05/over-past-few-months-we-have-been.html)

(Image reproduced with permission of the Bahá’í International Community)

To begin, what is specifically being addressed? Two things – the food that we eat and holding certain days in high regard. Let us begin with the matter of what is acceptable to eat.

Look at verses 2 and 3:

2One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.

It is worth noting that the one who believes that there are still foods that are unclean, or unacceptable is considered “weak”. They are weak because they haven’t fully grasped the concept that all foods are now clean and acceptable to God (verse 20). We can get even more information when we go to 1 Corinthians 8. In that chapter Paul deals with food that has been sacrificed to idols. Paul goes on to explain that since there is only one God and the idols are fake gods, there is nothing wrong with buying and eating the meat that was once sacrificed to those idols. These meats were commonly sold in the markets of cities where there was a great deal of idol worship. However, to the Christian who was coming out of paganism, they would have been shocked to see a fellow Christian eating the meat sacrificed to an idol they now know to be a false god. To see a brother doing so may have caused the weaker to stumble.

Paul’s point is not to violate our conscience. If a weak brother feels it is best to abstain from some foods then we who are stronger should let him do so. Furthermore, if that brother is troubled by our eating certain foods, it would be better to refrain from doing so in his presence. In 1 Corinthians 8:13 Paul says that he would rather never eat meat again than to do so and cause his brother to stumble. He is saying that this is a matter of personal judgment and we should respect the decisions of weaker brethren. Certainly we should make attempts to lead them to a deeper understanding, but we should be patient and cautious while we attempt to deliver a full understanding of God’s word.

The second issue Paul deals with is the issue of holding certain days as holy, or above other days. Look at verses 5 and 6:

5One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God…”

How hard would it have been for the Jewish converts to totally give up the concept of a holy Sabbath day? Brother Wayne Jackson of the Christian Courier (linked under “religion” here) gave a good example of this in an article that he wrote:

Mr. Jackson knew of a family that was converted from the Seventh Day Adventist religion to the Lord’s church. That family had a hard time getting over the notion that Saturday was special in some way. While they were now trying to be “steadfast in the Apostles doctrine”, they still chose to view Saturday as a special day of rest and devotion to the Lord. Some people wanted to dismiss them as being silly. Being stronger in the faith, they knew that Jesus removed the laws of the Sabbath. However, it was wrong for them to belittle the family who were babes in Christ. They were to be patient until the family developed a deeper knowledge.

I can’t help but relate this to some people’s attitudes toward Christmas today. Some people regard Christmas above other days. They chose to use that day to focus on one aspect of God’s goodness – the physical birth of His perfect Son. If they hold that day above others there is nothing wrong with that according to Paul. It would become sinful if they:

1. Insisted that December 25^th was literally the birthday of Christ. That is almost certainly not the actual day of Jesus’ birth and since the date is not given, to insist we can know the date would be wrong.

2. Tried to bind Christmas upon others. Stronger brethren know that observing Christmas as the birthday of Christ is never found in the Bible. They see it as simply another secular holiday. For the weaker brethren to try and force the stronger to observe Christmas as a special “holy day” would be wrong as well.

If the weaker brother chooses to view that day as special or holy, then we know that “he who observes the day observes it to the Lord” and that the “Lord is able to make him stand”.

The important things I think are worth noting here are these:

• These things have nothing to do with God’s plan of salvation. To say that salvation is a “non-essential” like the things listed in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 is nowhere found in scriptures. To say that people can teach different plans of salvation than what is found in the word of God is both erroneous and dangerous. That is not what Paul is addressing here.
• These things have nothing to do with the worship of the church. Just like salvation, how we worship God is very important. To say that these chapters give us freedom to alter the commands and examples of worship to Christ is also a dangerous conclusion. Again, that is not what Paul is addressing here.
• These items are matters of personal life and one’s conscience. By noting that those who observe dietary restrictions and special days are “weak”, those beliefs are not those of a mature Christian. As Hebrews 5-6 and other passages note, we are to move beyond the milk of the word to the strong meat thereof. Since we are to move on to maturity, there should come a point where the weak brother is able to leave behind their views on clean/unclean foods and holy days.

When we look at Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 we need to take them only for what they are addressing. There is no need to go beyond these things and try to make these two chapters into permission to change the commandments of God. Likewise, there is no need for stronger Christians to condemn those who God does not condemn. Together, we can strive for a better understanding of God’s word as we “go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).

Give Us Back Our Holy Days! and Hey You! by Fr. Erik Richtsteig, pastor of St. James Catholic Church in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Non-ascension Day by Fr. Christoper Phillips, pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement, a Roman Catholic Anglican Use parish in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Earlier in the evening, my friend and I were standing in the chaperone line within Disney, and someone passed by with a large breakfast plate mainly laden with different pork products.  My friend tracked the individual visually to their seat, and exclaimed "boy, that smelled good, didn't it?"  I smiled at her, not having a need to discuss my dietary habits.  She caught on and said, "Oh, you probably hate that smell, don't you?"  I laughed.  I don't hate the smell...it just doesn't connect with an appetite any longer.  The smell can be over powering in a small room, and I wouldn't want the smell of any fat, pork or otherwise, to linger around me for any length of time, but - no, I'm not having gag reflux.  She commented how it must be difficult for me as well...and she only half believed that it wasn't.  I'm not looking through the eyes of a teenager who just wishes they were "normal" like their friends and could grab whatever off the menu.  I'm able to plan ahead and spot things quicker.  I'm in line, grabbing bottled water, fruit and what have you.  Its the same as any other diet, I explain.  I just make choices rather than eyeing everything.

During the beginning of the season, I had the delight to speak with a young married lady about starting her very first Passover season at home.  She shrewdly wanted to dispense with the traditional and move right on to what scripture asked first and primary..this wasn't to be an academic experience, but something she was feeling lead to walk.  That was so different a question than what I normally receive, that I was delighted to keep in contact with her off-blog.  At one point she worried about what to do, what to buy, and the timing of the whole thing when set against the backdrop of external family members plans and what have you.  Certain aspects of cleaning (specifically the removal of leaven) were a concern.  But, in her worries, she was actually getting so much.  I'm so proud of her, and so delighted that she was having the exact learning experience that she was meant to have...and that next year, God willing should she choose to continue, it will serve as a foundation for what will be revealed next year.  I pray that her time went well, and that her household is blessed from her obedience to the call of God. 

My own daughters were scrutinizing many products this year - normally relying upon my doing so and then trusting without question...I was happy that they were taking this upon themselves this year.  There was a unleavened Matzoh shortage in our city this year (or so it seemed...I couldn't find it anywhere), so we made our own.  We switched up our charoset recipe and heavily added fruits that we desired rather (dates, cranberries).  Epiphany discovered a love of horseradish straight....to which we also discovered she had to eat large amounts in order to tear up...that girl can hold her own!  The girls were delighted hearing that there was a Kosher for Passover Coke out there (we never did see it in the stores) which brought about a discussion over corn in the whole crop parameters involving what is forbidden and what is not.  This brought up the matter of traditions between two very different cultures in handling the menus (one forbids corn and its products as well as beans and rice...the other does not) and how even within followers of Torah there is still the propensity to misplace both Tradition and Love within legalities.  Perhaps, I thought, this is why it seems so hard, so much trouble.  When we approach the Passover with us as the context, with our traditions, our preferences, our standing, then it can be a burden...it can be a whole list of Don'ts and inconvenient Do's.  Like Torah as a whole, context is key.  When the context is the perspective, there is no burden...none...at all. 

Do you remember the story of Martha and Mary in the book of Luke?  I was raised, no doubt not unlike the majority of my readers, to want to be like Mary...who sat at Messiah's side to listen to him, while her older sister Martha toiled on her own to prepare a meal.  We often see Martha chastised in our churches, with the picture of her as a jealous nag who is bitter that Mary isn't in there helping her prepare the meal.  If you had a similiar upbringing in the church, you may have been taught to read that Jesus/Messiah chastised Martha for staying in the kitchen rather than being out in the living room with Him, as was her sister Mary.

Holiday's in my family, growing up, were big deals.  I carry that anxiousness and busy-ness gene forward.  Preparations can be daunting things, particularly with cleanliness and decorating and menus...for me, those things are fun, exciting...like nesting.  For my mother, it was something that should be done.  They were chores which could possibly provide for pretty, but primarily it was unwanted work that drove her into reaching perfection at a cost.  For my grandmother, it was presentation...it was the outward appearance that mattered and was a must...it was a reflection upon self.  It wasn't fun for either of the women, and I don't know if it ever was something that they loved.  Any holiday season, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, everything was so big and exhausting that they were glad to see it disappear, and yet, they were determined to rule it themselves without compromise to others.  I will admit, as a young mother I felt those things as well.  It was stressful to match the standards my matriarchs left me - and it was stressful to achieve the status of worthy non-critique my own MIL.  So much so, that on a regular, non-holiday, if either was coming over, I was frantic.  It became so bad, that both extended families were banished from drop-bys.  I could not enjoy their company, because I did not feel they could be without judgement or just enjoy my company.  And when they did arrive, I felt had to pose as if this level of cleanliness and special snacks was every-day fare...which put more of a burden on me for not providing this as every-day fare for my own little family.  What exactly was I providing, then, to my daughters?  Burden.

Refering back to the story of Martha and Mary....read Luke 10 for a new look...is Martha being scolded for being busy?  For not sitting down at his feet to listen to His story?  Or, instead, is it hurting Him that His presence is received by Martha as a burden rather than a blessing?  What she was doing - likely cleaning, preparing the meal, cooking and setting the meal out - wasn't wrong.  It wasn't the work that was being criticized at all.  In choosing to do those things while He was present, wasn't a bad thing...it wasn't even a lesser thing.  It was, however, the context Martha gave those tasks that were wrong.  Her perspective was herself, and not God.  And in doing so, not only was she embittered, but she puffed herself up as being higher than her sister (judgement) and even angry at Messiah (why wasn't he more on the ball and telling Mary to help out).  Those things, however, aren't what He pointed out as wrong...He struck the heart of the matter when He addressed that she was changing the situation into one that was a Burden. 

Martha was lovely in wanting to be a proper hostess to her Lord.  Making one comfortable, relaxed and secure while they are visiting is a gift of love.  To offer someone a drink, or to feed them, is an extension of how much you think of them.  But share with that guest that doing these things for them is a burden, a chore, an unwelcome interruption in a day you would otherwise be spending on activities  you'd more enjoy...well, what does that say to your guest?  What was wrong with Martha was that she was doing exactly that...He didn't condemn her for working, but rather, for being overwhelmed about her work.  When He said of Mary, "But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall  not be taken away from her" Mary chose not to be overwhelmed, she did not receive His presence as a burden.  Martha could have prepared just as she was had her perspective been correct, and she too, would have been choosing the good part.  With all the prep and work that goes into the Passover season, this is what I strive for, what I want to pass on to my daughters, and became the topic of conversation when dealing with comments of "it must be such a hassle." 

20 -
Breakfast: Matzah Brie
Lunch: Dinner: Chicken Mojo and Plantains

21 -
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs
Lunch: Tuna Salad and Sliced Tomato
Dinner: Big Salad

22 -
Breakfast: Apple, Endive, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad
Lunch: Fajita-less Fajitas (use large leaves of lettuce as a replacement for the Fajita bread)
DInner: Grilled Talapia with Mango Salsa and steamed veggies

23 -
Breakfast: Matzah Brie
Lunch: Big Salad
Dinner: Holishkes

24 -
Breakfast:
Lunch
Dinner: Brisket and Tzimmes

25 - Grad Nite (trip to Grad Nite for the kids)
Breakfast: Matzah Brie
Lunch: Leftovers from last night's dinner
Dinner: Matzah Ball Soup

26 -
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs
Lunch: Cold cuts on matzah
Dinner: Roasted Chicken, cooked peas and carrots

27 -
Breakfast: Omelete, Hashbrowns
Lunch:  Big Salad
Dinner:

My son and I are in a discussion as of late about the whole Easter and Passover "controversy" within our faith, within our church, within our family and within his own understanding.  Our family has always been the strange ones...much of the life he remembers consisted of a weaning away from church established holidays and traditions while simultaneously holding the biblical feasts and walking more and more towards a Torah observant lifestyle.  Pulled towards what everyone else does is something of a norm for children and teens.  It's strange isn't it?  Even during teen-hood, when people strive so hard to be different and unique they long to be, visually, part of a crowd...no one really is a rebel, no one really is a loner.  We've been fierce protectors and supporters of Christmas, and despite my best efforts to explain to him the difference between rightly celebrating all that encompasses the Passover season and what we refuse to recognize in Easter...he is fiercely protective of his spiritual brothers and sisters who mark the occasion, doing the best that they know how.  Caught in hearing condemning remarks within our church towards that group and with having the majority of loved ones we know celebrating Easter, Maxwell is staunchly unable to any longer see that the condemnation is against the false teaching which robs the full understanding from both believers and unbelievers alike.  What does it matter, he asks, if they gather together TO celebrate on the wrong day if they are celebrating that Messiah died for them?

Before Messiah's name was lovingly cooed by His mother, before He opened the eyes of the blind, embraced lepers, corrected the teaching of the Law, before He healed the heart and mind of the adulterer, and before He was nailed to the cross, His side pierced...before He rose from the grave and triumphantly ascended to His Kingdom, the Passover was observed in worship.  Yes, a memorial, but in worship...true worship.  It wasn't/isn't a mere celebration of what God had done for us...but of who He was and still is.  And that includes the stuff that isn't easily turned into rosy love/peace/grace/mercy church pop songs and forgiveness/patience/long-suffering youth group slogans.  God is a complex enough to include undiminishing wrath, judgement and jealousy.  Like the angels, sometimes we cover our eyes, unable to take in the whole of God....unlike the angels, however, sometimes we allow our blindness to take over. 

for those of you who were concerned, the bangs are getting better. only one week's time, and i'm no longer looking shorn.

indeed, all things, not just hair, are looking up. first off, Pope Benedict arrived in town yesterday, and i got an extra ticket to tomorrow's Papal Mass! YAY! although i'm a daily communicant, i'm a 2x RCIA drop-out who who receives a blessing, rather than the body & blood. i am really hoping the Holy Father is doling out blessings tomorrow at the new Nats Stadium. i, like everyone else, will be making a run for his line.

then, on friday, i'm heading up to NYC's Whitney Biennial, where i'm looking forward especially to checking out Leslie Thornton, Amie Siegel, and Mika Rottenberg. luckily, my favorite conceptual video artist, c.s. lewis, will be my tour guide. and, thanks to her husband's hilton hotel "frequent stay" points, we'll be shacking up at the Waldorf Astoria, for free. okay, so i'll be sleeping on a cot while carolyn & jason sleep in the actual gargantuan featherbed, but you can bet i'll be stealing the chocolates off their pillows.

this week could not get any better. let's hope the DC-NYC greyhound doesn't explode in flames, just to spite me.

For a moment, though, can we just address upkeep?  I'm going to be kinder about sharing expectations.  When I have received requests in the past, I have listed a (true) list of what I clean...and I itemize every single thing...and believe me, when you print out a "to-do" list five or more pages long, it's been enough for most to reply, "Thanks, but no thanks."  Honestly, I do this on purpose because this isn't something one should undertake because to mimic a Passover from front to end is not something that should be done because it may seem "neat" to do so.  When I was very young and attended church around the Easter season there was something called the Stations of the Cross.  For those not following the link, it is a practice that is somewhat academic in nature, but meant as a spiritual exercise to help one focus, regarding the final moments of Messiah's walk and death upon the cross.  It can be a moving exercise, and I know it has for some implications rippling through their own testimonies.  For most, it is something "neat" to do and really doesn't resonate much further than the Easter season itself.  No matter their intention, it was done as a mimic...something simply walking through, reading and praying.  Much less committed than, say, these individuals (ouch!! and how foolish)...and while I would never every say that those individuals are what the Station of the Crossers should really mimic, I'm saying that the Law is not something to be taken likely.  It is not a mere shadow, as the church likes to reduce it to....The Word is LIVING, The Word is TORAH.  If one is going to mimic, then one should take on the full weight to actually gain anything...to learn that it isn't something light, something as easy as housekeeping...the lesson is to know on Whom you must rely...and to learn that at a deeper level and for certain, and for a longer time than a holiday season.

There are a couple of individuals, however, who have contacted me via off-blog who are awakening to this - and (if they haven't dropped off from my non-issue postings) I'm posting something a bit more real for them so that they aren't under the weight and condemnation.  They are approaching this a bit different than those who are interested in the construction, so while it doesn't relieve the duty, it doesn't become a burden either.  There is no reason to emphasise that point for them.  For them, I'm sharing the following:

This isn't a FlyLady or OrganizedHome type clean.  Adding their goals, you can have one pretty ship-shape house for any inspector...those sites really do help with little pep talks, motivations and how tos for cleaning like your mama taught you (or your MIL expects, LOL).  But they can also be user-unfriendly when it comes to cleaning while life is going on, and sometimes crashing, around you.  And there is a redundancy built in so that the user can build habits.  But lets face it, cleaning is actually very simple - simpler than most really understand.  Flylady and Organized home is for those who have trouble restarting, to work their way back to a maintenance level...and that can be difficult and time consuming.  But, once those skills are learned, once they are put into play (and often once an individual stops with the procrastination or personal burnout), it can be done.

So, here's your stations in cleaning...not just for this year, but for the year ahead so that, if necessary, you'll have the upkeep down next season:

UPKEEP
1-Arrange your home the way you know you will live your life.  Address everything from style to placement of furniture (no, not fung sheui) to storing items in places that make sense not necessarily traditional. 

•  Practicle Examples:  In the kitchen, store pots and pans near the stove, microwaveable pots near the microwave, and glasswear near the refridgerator.  Store all baking food products in one area, dedicate a shelf in the fridge to kid friendly & sized snacks that are "ok" for them to graze, dedicate a shelf in the fridge for leftovers so nothing is "lost" behind mayonaise and pickle jars.  Keep a bowl or key rack near the door by which you most frequently enter and exit your home.  Don't make your dresser "junk" drawer a true "junk" drawer.  Keep in it things only you treasure or use, but use infrequently (your earphones for days you jog, for example).  Precious things that are small which you won't use (say, your grandfather's old wallet or your husband's old love letters to you) should be given a place more meaningful than a junk drawer.  Buy some attractive photoboxes, for example, and store keepsakes in them...grouped together, solid color photoboxes look stunning in  a bookshelf...which also makes it more likely you'll look through the items, too.
• Personal/Spiritual Examples:  So many people extol starting the day off with reading scripture.  More power to them, but perhaps your schedule doesn't work that way...place a bible by your bed and read a little at night instead...or keep it by your remote control to remind you to pick it up when sitting in your living room rather than mindlessly flipping through channels.  It's ok to find a church that is further away from home if it is where you are feeling called.  If your main goal is to find a church who teaches the truth, it is ok to meet with the pastor/priest/m-rabbi and dig a little.  If your main goal is to learn what scripture says, do not choose a church based on youth programs and the like.  If your goal is to have children to raise them, it's ok (and right) to actually raise them.  You are under no obligation to grandparents, nurseries, babysitters, government or private schools, youth groups, etc. 

2- Build an attack plan.  With my OCD, I have to clean from the 11 o'clock position and back again in a room.  (If you have OCD you'll get exactly what I'm saying, even if you don't clean this way.)  If your floor space is clean/picked up, your home will automatically look cleaner than it really is.  After attacking the floor, sweep the surfaces.  Having little to nothing on counters and other surfaces really makes the whole thing visually bigger.  Following those steps, attack the counters, dust, windows and floor (sweep/wash vacuum).

• Practicle Examples:  Find a routine.  I hate, hate, hate laundry.  My own mother found it a theraputic and welcome part of her day.  Growing up we had clean sheets almost every day, and very little in the way of overflowing laundry hampers.  I am not my mother and laundry could very easily slip into chaos if I follow my procrastination leanings.  So, I've purposely addressed an attack plan to make my life simpler.  I'm fortunate to have my own washer and dryer...and every morning, every afternoon (at lunch), every afternoon (after homeschool wraps up) and every evening (before bed) laundry is done.  Each of the kids, along with myself, take shifts...and each is responsible for folding/putting things away immediately from the dryer (who ever puts anything into the washer, folds whatever was in the dryer).  I keep spot cleaners, laundry detergent, etc. in a mini tote for the laundry area...and keep a deep but small plastic bowl to place found "pocket" items.  Money belongs to whomever is doing the wash...this encourages *both* the checking of pockets by the individual before they sort their dirty clothes...and encourages the *washer* on duty to double check pockets in search for treasure.  If one person forgets, certainly the other does not.
• Personal/Spiritual Examples: I've thought about this...I don't know what strong hold is before you, spiritually.  I'm hesitant to add more than: Slain from the foundation of the world, the great sacrifice was made.  This sacrifice was made and has made you, believer, more perfect.  Yet, we stare towards these things in our lives which seem and quite possibly are insurmountable.  It is a difficult thing, believe me I know, to have planned and labored, to fought and bled for something, someone, some life...and to find an army against us, spiritually.  The spiritual realm is hidden from us, but everything here, in our life, has something in the spiritual.  Sometimes it is us that needs to sacrifice, to let go of that something, someone, some life...and we must do so willingly so that the spiritual battle can be won.  It looks like and feels like failure.  Uncertain, we know that whatever it was that we threw our whole lives into, our energies, our love, our hope and schemes...we know that it is vanishing, dying...and there may be the longing to nurse this back, but how are we to find contentment with this loss?  Unbearable, and still, we are asked to come to contentment with our loss, with the dying of our plans and hopes.  Your plan of attack must be God's and not our own.  We are to live our broken lives knowing that there is a life given to us that can not be yielded, will not be broken, and that the breaking of our strongholds will cause casualties in our selves...but in that conquering, the purging of our leaven, you are walking the stations of your own cross...and in so will be found within His Divine plan. 

 Passover Clean (my short, less scarier list)

1- Priority: Kitchen and other areas around the home where food is consumed.  Includes inside cupboards, under cushions, inside pockets, bookshelves, refridgerator seal and drawers and corners of the floor.

2- Sanatizing surfaces where food will be consumed, including tables and high-chairs.  Boiling hot water and a good soap scrubbing!

3- Washing the dishes we'll use throughout the holiday.  (Just as some have special dishes for Thanksgiving or Christmas, many have dishes set aside specifically for use during Passover.)

4- Defrosting Freezers and deep cleaning the fridge - Doing this a few times a year really helps keep the leaven from building up.  Plus, it is healthier without all the crumbs and whatnots.

5- Cleaning the oven.  Best done overnight if your city is already in a heat wave, LOL.

6- Scour all appliances with hot water and a good scrubbing.  Just wiping down won't do.

7- Washing laundry - it's all to be done: baskets wiped down, interior of dryer cleaned and the lint trap emptied.

8- And finally, the complete scrubbing of the house...windows, floors, walls (ceiling fans and vents, don't forget)

9- Now, go wash your car - including dusting, vacuuming (including trunk space)....then do yourself a favor, and attack your purse...just in case.

A Perspective on the Law of God

Every time you cause me to think… and I go searching. And you’re so good at the exposition… just when I read one part, I finish through to the end and found that, most times, you’ve answered my thoughts on the previous. My thoughts only add more to what you already have here… “Do not think I have come to abolish the law… but to fulfill them”. And your Matthew 5:19 quote leaves me with the statement “yes, but they are still part of the kingdom… least but still part”.
These were the kinds of ways I grew from my time in the Nazarene church… there were some very Spirit-filled and knowledgable folks there who appeared to me to balance the tightrope of law-abiding and legalism very well, but always gave God the glory. I live humbled, I think… I hope… in joy. Never better than my brethren, but loved anyway… somehow.
Going to go look through the rest of your Passover links… my but you’ve been busy!
Tammy :):):)

The original post was actually written in May of 2007, and if I am to be honest, it was written in a moment of not-quite the level of frustration, but something akin to it.  My topic was how oblivious individuals could be (or chose to remain) of what the Law and man's laws actually were and what each of their purposes were.  I linked it to our Passover studies, because of course, without acceptance and acknowledgement to the Law, Passover remains an academic pursuit, regulated to a historical study or some such.  It can enlighten and make more meaningful, even on those levels, a believer's understanding of the church's celebration of Easter - of that I do not argue...but why have hamburger when one can have steak?  I will confess, that I'm reading the Matthew 5:19 with out seeing any emphasis  that they (the "least") are part of the kingdom, Tammy.  I will confess, that I do believe that while someone is still growing and learning and taking on scripture for their lives, that they will become more and more Torah observant (refers back to the scripture used at the beginning of said post, for example, regarding those coming out of a gentile heritage, in Romans 2:12-16.  When Matthew 5:19 states, "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."  {emphasis mine}  I do believe that this individual is not in the kingdom.  While I'm no expert and am willing to open a diaologue at a later date, my opinion/guess on this is based on what I read as enough supporting scripture about how false teachers aren't counted among those in the kingdom.  I'm reading that in the kingdom they are called the least, not necessarily that those individuals are in the kingdom.  I think this is the group to whom the Lord will say, "I never knew you."  I do not believe, those who are growing and who's conciousness of the Law, and thereby exhibiting a faith establishing the Law (Romans 3:3), is just awakening are or will be called the least when the time comes.  Now this is not said to mean that everyone has perfectly perfected themselves in the Law (you aren't saved that way).  However, in the paragraph in which I used this scripture, I was pointing to a heresy about not how false teachers aren't a part of the Kingdom, but the equal heresy that those who are grafted (believers who are from a gentile heritage) are now the new Chosen.  We are grafted on, to be sure (and I think that I've rabbit trailed, because I believe this was the point you were making) but God's Chosen remains the Jewish people.  Forgive me for the rabbit trail - I'm working out anew the same not-quite frustration (boy, this emotion needs a name, LOL) from a conversation unfolding on a message board I frequent regarding Law last week.

OK, Caught Up Yet?

You got the WP sidebar thing figured out, right? At least, it looks like you did. You do have a link, the third down - And Now a Word and a Little About “Leaven” - that’s not working for me…
Tammy :):):)

OH...that's because I changed both the name and the projection of my intended post.  I'll change the sidebar later today...this post ended up being