Psalm 103:10 gives a wonderful promise. The other day I heard it read on a Christian radio station in the area. It is a wonderful promise. I think many believers take this in and definitely want it as their own promise from G-d. It got me thinking though that so often I hear that something that is from the Tanakh or maybe something Yeshua said to fellow Jews of His day was for those Jews and does not apply today, because basically we are now on the other side of the cross (basically meaning after the work of Yeshua is completed). That is supposed to change everything. While that was a central point of history, I do not see it as changing the nature of G-d, nor of His promises.

I do, however, find it odd that in this type of theology, it changes only the curses and restrictions, since they all apply only to Israel, but it does not apply to the promises G-d made, like the ones in Psalm 103. It seems that based upon some theologies that the people Psalm 103 was written to, namely Israel, that G-d did deal with them according to their sins and because of their sins, in contrast to the verse. Is it that He has removed all the promises from Israel and given them to “the Church?”

Is not Psalm written by King David? Would it not be directed to Israel and the Jews just as much as any verse about tithing or food restrictions, etc.? Verse 7 says:, “He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.” So Israel, the Israel of the Old Testament must be at least included in the audience for these words. As a matter of fact a number of verses speak of remembering and doing the commandments of G-d, and this is something more often associated with Jews than Christians.

My point is to those who want to look at Scriptural promises as for them, but then seem to divide up commandments, requirements and curses so as to exclude themselves and their behavior, well that seems a bit too convenient. If the promises are for me today (and I think they are), then maybe the other parts of Scripture from before the resurrection are also pertinent to my life today. Maybe there is something I can do with each command, for if I want the promises (I do, I do!), then maybe, just maybe it is sensible to take the whole package and not just pick and choose. That is how I see it.

• Addition and Subtraction, Beginning and End
• Postmissionary Messianic Judaism - Part II
• Obsolete and Dying
• Does G-d Change His Mind?
• Christians, Acts 15 and the Law (Torah)

I relate very well to the lyrics. I always want to make my Heavenly Father proud, and I know far too often I make mistakes and let him down, in essence putting tacks in the cushion of his mercy chair (being judgmental). The image of summing up a thundercloud, trying to use the great power G-d puts in my hands and find that maybe I am not yet ready to handle that level of power. I also try to remember the idea of of being humble and not thinking it is all about me. The line about not wanting to be a wallflower comes to mind especially as I am doing things in service to G-d while at the front of the congregation and I try to keep my role in context. Anyway, enjoy the song…

And the lyrics:
i never meant to trip the minefield hidden here in paradise
(put stink weed in the bouquet)
i never meant to fire a lethal weapon or to terrorize
(put poison in the buffet)

(if) i played my roll as dipolomat
you knew it wasn’t just an act
i couldn’t stand to stand in back
a faded little wallflower
i’ve maybe taken too much on
naiveté and youth is gone
but at least the juice is still turned on
i’m dancing on a live wire
i’ve summoned up a thunder cloud
but i always meant to do you proud
still certain things are not allowed
like setting off a wildfire
wildfire

yeah yeah yeah yeah … uh huh …

i never meant to cut my tender fingers on your angel hair
(put the sawdust in the gas tank)
i never meant to hide tacks in the cushion of your mercy chair
(make a brother walk the gangplank)

(if) i played my roll as diplomat
you knew it wasn’t just an act
i couldn’t stand to stand in back
a faded little wallflower
i’ve maybe taken too much on
naiveté and youth is gone
but at least the juice is still turned on
i’m dancing on a live wire
i’ve summoned up a thunder cloud
but i always meant to do you proud
still certain things are not allowed
like setting off a wildfire
wildfire

i never meant to do you wrong
(i never meant to trip the minefield hidden here in paradise)
i never meant to cause anybody’s harm
(i never meant to fire a lethal weapon or to terrorize)
i never meant to cause you any pain
(i never meant to cut my tender fingers on your angel hair)
i never meant to bring you any shame
(i never meant to hide tacks in the cushion of your mercy chair)

(if) i played my roll as diplomat
you knew it wasn’t just an act
i couldn’t stand to stand in back
a faded little wallflower
i’ve maybe taken too much on
naiveté and youth is gone
but at least the juice is still turned on
i’m dancing on a live wire
i’ve summoned up a thunder cloud
but i always meant to do you proud
still certain things are not allowed
like setting off a wildfire
wildfire…

Have a great weekend.

B”H

• Somebody Please Get a Clue
• Song For Shabbat (September 7, 2007)
• Song For Shabbat (November 30, 2007)
• Song For Shabbat (August 17, 2007)
• Song for Shabbat (April 20, 2007)

The verse is Esther 4:14 and Mordecai basically tells Esther if she is concerned about saving her life, that G-d will bring deliverance from someplace else, and that in the end ruin will come to her and her family anyway. It seems somewhat similar to Matthew 16.24-26 and once again the implication is that G-d knows best what is truly best for us. I also think Matthew 6:26-34 speaks to this idea.

Of course it is easier said than done and I am living testimony to that. However, I do find that when faced with a tough choice, with perhaps leaving a comfortable situation for a not so comfortable situation, or even just being in a tough situation, that I can lay hold to these truths and know that if what I am doing seems to be what G-d is asking of me, then no matter how hard it seem, it is actually the best path I could possibly be on.

It is kind of like a sunny smooth path down one road and the other looking stormy and bumpy. Yet after a few miles the sunny path can turn cloudy and get quite bumpy, while the other path might clear up. Our vision is just not as far seeing as that of HaShem and thus it seems to me to make sense to just trust in His vision at these times.

Once again, I usually turn to what we say each week after the Torah service, which basically comes from Proverbs 3, especially Proverbs 3:17. G-d ways are ways of pleasantness and paths of peace, so those are the paths I want to be on. Maybe this sounds selfish of me, as I am being practical in wanting the best, but I do see these as promises of Scripture and I do think G-d does want what is truly the best (not just what seems best to our flesh). If something is tough, but I know that it is of G-d, then I know that it is ultimately a path of peace and a way of pleasantness and that make is easier to weather the storm.

I guess this gets down to what Philippians 4:6 speaks of in being anxious about nothing. Once again if I know what I am going through is something that is of G-d’s direction then I can rest in that. Boy that can be helpful and I think is an exercise in faith as it means putting a great trust in HaShem.

Chag Purim Sameach

B”H

• The Consistency of Rock and Sand
• With Eyes To See
• Song For Shabbat (May 11, 2007)
• Song For Shabbat (December 21, 2007)
• Tolerance, Relativism and Truth

This week I listened to this song and it just sank into my heart. What deep lyrics that really continue my looking inward and noticing my shortcomings and how much I am truly dependent upon G-d. I guess maybe the answer as to why G-d has created me so weak is to trust more in Him and His strength. Baruch HaShem for those times when I do seem to get out of the way and let G-d be in control.

I think it is one reason why I kind of like the TV show, The Simpsons. Homer Simpson seems to perfectly embody the concept of the flesh. His weakness reveals itself at almost a moments notice, even for a small temptation like sugary treats from a vending machine (or two) that therefore prevents the keeping of a promise. I watch that and think that how am I no better than Homer Simpson when I give into the flesh. The song carries this idea out in a more thoughtful and graceful way, laying out weaknesses that I think most of us can relate to.

Having said all that, I think the true mark of a believer is not that we do not ever fall into temptation or into sin, but that we desire to be restored after falling (see Psalm 51). Although the songs asks the questions of why the singer is so weak, asking the question in and of itself shows a desire to be something beyond that to be restored and renewed after each and every failure and moment of weakness. That shows a strength. May we all reach out to HaShem for His strength and be restored and renewed when we get distracted (mmm doughnuts!).

The song is If You Wanted Me by Todd Agnew from his album Better Questions. Here are the lyrics:

If You Wanted Me by Todd Agnew

I’ll admit I’m glad we’re not disciples
Out on a lake paralyzed with fright
‘Cause I’m afraid I might have laughed at Peter
Until he stepped into that stormy night

If You wanted me to walk on water
Why’d You make this solid ground seem so right?

I’ll admit I’m glad I’m not King David
Ruling over everything I see
‘Cause I think I’ve fallen for more than Bathsheba
Your creation’s a temptation for me

If You wanted me to love You only
Why’d you make the moonlight sparkle in her eyes?

I’ll admit I’m glad I’m not John the Baptist
In a jail cell waiting for my day to die
‘Cause at least down here I know what we’re chasing
And it’s hard to trust Your dreams are so much better than mine

If You wanted me to die to myself
Why’d You make me fall so deeply in love with life?

If You wanted me to surrender
Why’d You make these hands able to hold on so tight?

If You wanted me to be like You
Why’d You make me like me?

B”H

• Song For Shabbat (June 22, 2007)
• Song for Shabbat (November 9, 2007)
• An A for Effort
• Song For Shabbat (August 10, 2007)
• Song For Shabbat

This is a pretty funny thing, as I am not necessarily a dog person. Our dog is the family dog, more something for the kids than a companion to me. I have even had my run-ins with the dog, especially when we first got him and she created for me some difficulties to overcome, especially in terms of where she would do her personal business. Basically I see the dog as there and a small part of my life. However observing the dog I have been able to learn a great deal about G-d. I was working at home for awhile and had the opportunity to be around Jillie a great deal during that time.

I should note here that in searching the Scripture it does not seem like dogs have very many good things said about them. Philippians 3:2 says to beware of dogs and even though it is not referring to the animal it nevertheless offers uses the term in a negative term. I see that consistently through Scripture, even Yeshua saying He should not take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs (Matthew 15:26). So is there anything I can learn from my dog that is positive?

Jillie has determined that I am the alpha in the family. That seems to mean that she treats me in a certain way, as the leader of the group of which she is a part of. I had been working from home for most of 2008 and therefore I would be the only one in the house for many hours of the day, just me and the dog. I started to notice very quickly that she would follow me from room to room, place to place in the house. When I sat down at my desk, she would find a place just outside the door and lay there, only moving when I moved from the room. She would follow me around in circles if I chose to work around and around the kitchen table, seemingly never to question the logic of my action. If I was in my bedroom with the door shut, she would wait outside the door, basically as close as she could be is where she seemed to chose to be at most times.

Slowly watching this behavior pattern it dawned on my what a wonderful example it is of serving a Master. It seems like a great example of being a disciple. Are we not called to wait upon the Lord? (Psalm 59:9, Psalm 62:1, Isaiah 40:31) Should we not follow the Lord where He leads without resorting to our own logic? (Numbers 32:12, Joshua 14:8, 1 Samuel 12:20) Does not the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) use the word all 3 times indicating that God is looking for more than part time disciples?

What if I came to the Master and wanted to be at His feet as often as possible, if I would wait outside the door and follow Him around, without questioning? Would that not be totally in accordance with Scripture? How often am I using my own logic instead of trusting in Him? How often do I find myself in other pursuits instead of spending time in His Word? My dog found security in being close to me, whom she sees as her master, can I spend at least more time being secure in the arms of my Master?

I did learn one other thing about my dog during all this. She does not like the digital camera and getting her picture taken. The one thing I found that would make her leave my side was when I picked up the camera to take a picture of her to include with this post. So, while I think she could have maybe put her trust in a better master than myself, she does serve as a constant reminder of how much more I should be like a dog when serving my Master.

Coming to lay down outside my office

B”H

• Remembering My Grandmother
• The Spirit That Dwells in You
• Shabbat: Go Beyond the Law
• The Face of a Christian - Truth, then Unity
• Song For Shabbat (October 19, 2007)

Anyway, I have a playlist of some Messianic songs on the right sidebar for your listening pleasure and may try and offer something different and unique once again each week.

To start off with here is one from one of my favorite bands, Daniel Amos. The song is called Joel and is based upon Joel 2:28. Good stuff that I could see being used in a Messianic service.

So, now Daniel Amos and Joel. Shabbat Shalom all.

B”H

• Music for the Weekend (March 13, 2009)
• A Nice Neat Box
• Song For Shabbat (August 10, 2007)
• Good Song for a Friday
• The Good Spiel

Here is a story about it from Worthy News.

• The Spirit That Dwells in You
• Ekklesia and Sunagogay
• The Biggest Big Business
• Hanukkah Fun!
• Song For Shabbat (June 15, 2007)

• Those that consider themselves to be Christians do not necessarily hold to Christian teachings as valid.
• Two fifths did not see a need to share their faith with others, or at least a responsibility.
• Sixty percent did not look to their congregation for for theological teaching.
• Eighty two percent of those under twenty four believe that they should customize their beliefs as they see fit.

This is very fascinating information. My good friend saw this report as part of a “falling away” (2 Thess. 2-4) that will be seen in the end times. Hard to argue with that. I also, as extension see it as a result of teachings that totally do away with law, wherein the believe only lives by faith and is led by the Spirit. This type of though to me, by definition holds absolutely no standard and of course would lead people to accept what wish and reject what they wish, all under the guise of living by the Spirit. Another part of that is getting away with something because we are “under grace” as compared to being under law. I have often heard believers do something they basically knew was not in accordance with Scripture, but allowed themselves to do it because of the freedom provided by grace.

Basically this type of teaching to me leads to this confusion and brings forth the fruits that can be observed in this poll. Believers will get their doctrine from whomever tells them what they want to hear (read as what their flesh wants to hear). They will pick and choose and ultimately the Scripture has little authority over their actions and choices.

As a Messianic believer and one who does look to Scripture as an authority in my life and does not reject the Torah as obsolete or outdated, I often see and am told about how that is a bondage and that I should free myself from that bondage. However, to me it seems that those that live according to their own shifting “law,” it is much more likely to be them that is in bondage than it is I.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lusts. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned toward fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Beloved, I now write unto you, in both of which I stir up your purity of mind by way of remembrance,that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:1-4

Let us continue in the Word and understand that it is G-d that is the authority and not us. I have often it heard it from one of my Rabbis, that it is He who is the creator and we are the creation. So it is not as we see fit, but as He instructs. Good to remember, especially if it is the end that is rapidly coming. Come soon.

B”H

• Getting Noticed in The Land
• Fulfilled, What Does It Mean?
• Song for Shabbat (April 20, 2007)
• Who Are the Jews Who Believed in Him?
• Who Is Israel?

Does our humidifier release water or steam into the air? Do we ice down or water down a injury? Do we water our lawns or ice our lawns or steam our lawn? Pray to the Father, put your trust in the Son and be guided by the Spirit.

B”H

• Song For Shabbat (June 22, 2007)
• The Consistency of Rock and Sand
• Song for Shabbat (May 18, 2007)
• Song for Shabbat (April 27, 2007)
• Process Oriented vs. Results Oriented

So, what does this tell us about G-d and his ways that are like a rock? It seems to me to say that He does not change. His ways do not change. To me that is very good news. For one thing I know G-d is strong enough to protect me in His everlasting arms, but it also says that a promise He gives to me today is one that will not change. It also means that His expectations will remain the same. He will not make a promise to me and then give it to another and say that person is actually who the promise was always for and that he just told it to me. It means that if today He wants me to follow certain things, then next year He will still want me to follow these things. For if He changes any of these things is He not more like sand, then like rock?

Rock can also more easily change things around it then be changed by it. Sand is more easily changed by things around it, then it can affect change in others. Many people I think would rather have G-d be more like sand. They can then easily mold Him and make Him look the way they want Him to be. Personally, I want G-d to change me, not the other way around. C.S. Lewis said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to G-d, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom G-d says, “All right, then, have it your way.” I want to be in the first group and having G-d as my rock helps me to be confident that His will, that His ways are wise, that they are ways of pleasantness and of peace (Proverbs 3:17-18). I am working to fully trust G-d in all his ways and throw myself upon the rock. It is better than to have it come down upon me (Matthew 21:44).

B”H

• The Wise Choice
• The Same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
• Promises
• Becoming Little Gods and Changing the World
• Song For Shabbat (August 17, 2007)