Home Shalom

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 20:13:00 +0000

Shalom Everyone!

I pray that all is well with you and yours. Miss me? We've moved off of Shalom Farm and now live at New Song Ranch. The kids are getting so big! I have 3 graduated from school at the time of this update and 2 that are married. As of Jan 2023 I am grandma (Savta) to a sweat baby girl and with another baby on the way!

You might consider visiting us over at at our other ministery website that we started developing a couple years ago. www.Messilife.com (Messiah Life). We would love to see you there!

Much Love! Pamela

Forgiveness: A Salvation Issue (Ha Yom Kippuriem)

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 03:39:00 +0000

This Ha Yom Kippuriem, as I reflect and seek Yah's face, I am reminded of something that I learned many years ago. It was an " ah ha" moment; a real truth was seeded in my heart and mind that I will never forget and I aspire to embody. It was about the very weighty matter of forgiveness. It was the moment that I realized forgiveness is IN FACT - A SALVATION ISSUE. It is by the words of our Savior, a requirement for Salvation!

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well."

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.^g 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.^h25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servantⁱ fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,^j and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,^k until he should pay all his debt. 35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

You see, forgiveness if a Kingdom pricipal that does not mearly seem to be a "good idea". It appears to be a Kingdom pricipal (law) that is REQUIRED of Yah's Children. Its not optional. So family, we need to be very good and proficient at this. We must search ourselvs honestly and see if unforgiveness resides in us and if it does, we need to repent (turn around) and choose to forgive. Then walk in that forgiveness!! It is a choice that is fully within our ability, authority and power to do.

Need more encourgement on the "how to" of forgiveness?

https://homeshalom.blogspot.com/2016/04/forgiveness.html

https://homeshalom.blogspot.com/2010/06/practicing-restoration-and-forgiveness.html

Prayer and Support

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:23:00 +0000

Blake and Rachel Cothron and their new (first born) son, Gideon of Crab Orchard, KY need prayer and support. They are a young family who is new to understanding all of Scriptures (Yeshua, Torah, Shabbat, etc). Blake and Rachel's son was born on October 13. He was born with a lethal heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries. The sweet little fella has undergone a couple surgeries in his first week of life and his recovery will take some time. He is doing pretty well considering all that he has been through.(PRAISE YAH!) This family has been praying and praising and trusting Yah though this whole thing. This sweet couple is standing fast in hope and faithfulness for their son's full healing and recovery.

Will you please pray for Little Gideon and his parents and everything that Yah may put on your heart surrounding them? Wendy Pecci has established a webpage for them at You Caring, so people can remain updated as to Gideon's progress. They have extensive medical bills and other associated costs during the treatment of their son. There is an opportunity to help fill the practical needs (as the BODY) for the financial burden on the webpage too.

https://www.youcaring.com/blake-and-rachel-cothron-and-their-infant-son-674910

In Him,

Pamela

Hebraic (Davidic) Dance

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 19:38:00 +0000

I have had requests for Hebraic Dance Resources. There are some great instructions dance DVD's available as well as live dance camps that can be found at Messianic Dance Camps which put out the Teach Your Feet Dance DVD Series. Instructors are a married couple, Ralph and Mindy Seta. They also host live dance camps and trips to worship in Israel.

Here is a wonderful overview of Biblical Hebraic Dance History, by a lady who's name I do not know. She has a few videos I will be featuring here from her You Tube Channel Rejoice in Dance.

However there are many instructional worship videos that can be accessed for free on You Tube or God Tube. They will teach specific song or specific steps. If you like their style, after viewing them here, go to their source location and subscribe to their channel so you can go back to use them again and again. It is good to first learn the steps with their names. This will help you greatly when the "names" are called out for the song instructional on other videos or in person at Shabbat or feast gathering. So lets start there:

This is Shannon Compo she has a You Tube Channel called Shay4Dance

Another great resource is the Key Of David International channel on Your Tube which has a wonderful series of videos that teach one step at a time in each video. This is done in a very clean and concise way and they give a little traditional history to origin of the steps as well.

There are a few levels of difficulty (Davidic or) Hebraic Dance. I would encourage you to start with songs with simple step combinations to get the hang of it. There are dances for everyone though, so I want to show you some of the beginner level low impact dances to start with. Some songs can become a serious aerobic workouts and get you huffing or make you feel like you have two left feet, if you re not conditioned to dance. If you jump in with too much to fast, you become discouraged and think you can;t do it - so please know that there are different levels. Sit out on those more advanced ones and study them - you will get there if you choose too increase your skills and physical endurance - stick to it.

Now, lets talk about choreography. There are traditional hebrew songs that have very universal steps, that have been handed down and most places will do them the same. However, you may run into variations. Especially in newer songs or in Messianic circles. The reason being is because there are different folks choreographing and different communities will learn dances from different choreographers. So don't be surprised if you run into this. You can share differences with friends and once you learn the foundation steps and get comfortable with them, you will get to the point where you can hop into a circle on dances you have never danced or ones that have slightly different choreography and join right in, because the foundation is the same it just the combinations that change. Most Hebraic dances are done to a 4 count. Most dances are done in s a circle formation, but there are a few exceptions that are choreographed in lines. Hebraic dance if doe both men and women. However some communities have different customs regarding whether men and women dance together in the same circles. It is wise to take note of what those customs are, if you are joining a new group, before you hop into a circle. :)

Here are a few sample of some beginner dances that came to mind:

This video is one of the first songs I learned by my former dance team, about 10 years ago. It is still one of my favorites. This video was taken from Mindy Seta's You Tube Channel and is one of the videos in her DVD series mentioned above. Unlike the videos I share below by Rejoice in The Dance, she shows the dance first than teaches you how to do it.

Last but no least, here is a great You Tube Channel by some friends of ours. This was started by a young man in our community. Sometime you see an imbalance of more women than men in hebraic dance in our Messianic Circles which is a shame. Because in our circles, when the men get together it is so powerful and so beautiful - especially when it is all men alone. They often choose more dances of spiritual warfare and when they do - man, get out of their way and it can get serious - it will make your skin tingle!! We have been blessed to be able to dance together before. he has lots of good stuff on here- Enjoy!

New Heights Dance Ministry

I will leave you with the last dance video, its one of my all time favorites. It takes place at some friends' wedding. This wedding party is dancing in celebration and is comprised of the two families being joined together through this marriage. All are walking in The Way together.

Ya gotta love love love it!!

I pray this post blesses, equips and encourages you to pursue

this beautiful expression of community worship.

Shalom,

Selling the Farm!

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 01:29:00 +0000

We are selling the farm! This is such a bitter sweet decision. Yah has granted so many memories and adventures here. He has granted us so many learning experiences and times for growth. He has granted us the sweetness of friends and family. We have ministered too and been ministered too.

We have poured ourselves out in this place. Blood, sweat and tears have gone into our land, our buildings, our animals and community. We have feasted here and gathered here on Shabbats and every day of the week! We have loved it all and we are so very thankful for this time here on Shalom Farm.

We are not moving far. Because our community is scattered all over the Middle TN area, we will still stay connected. We will look for place closer to Nashville, another farm, hopefully; So that we can be closer to my husband's new work territory. We are excited for the next season and what Yah has for us in it. He rained on us and reigned in us all that is set apart and good. He is faithful and He teaches us to be as well. I firmly believe that we should leave a place better than we found it. This is our father's way and it is good - oh so good! So we'll see what He has in store for us next. We'll keep you posted when it unfolds!

Here are photos from our Realtor (and sister in Messiah and The Word). Spread the word if you know anyone who is looking for an (uncertified) organic farm in the Middle TN region. (Summertown, TN)

http://view.paradym.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=3830146&sk=22&prt=10003

In Him,

Forgiveness

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 18:12:00 +0000

As Believers, in order for us to function effectively in Yah's Kingdom, it is essential - required even, that we understand and live out lifestyle of forgiveness. This very thing is what has brought us into the Kingdom and i believe it is also what "keeps us there". It is core of Who Yah is and what His plan is for us in relation to Him and each other. It is the core to Biblical love, which covers a multitude of sins. It will keep us in line with His will and position us to be true ambassadors for Him. If we can't 'get this', the feasts, the commandments, and even our profession of faith is fruitless. I have been talking with a dear sister out of state on this topic and have been sharing the things Yah has taught me in this. These are things that we (Ben and Pamela) believe and choose to live. What I am about to share is my laymen's terms -from one heart to another - as Yah has taught me consistently over the last 30 years of my walk with him. These are core things of our faith, that I want to make sure my children understand and practice well. There is a law of forgiveness, it is built into Yah's design and crucial for us to GET if we are to walk in the fullness of His Way. This coupled with love and obedience are the core principals that set us apart. We should be master lovers, forgivers, and "cooperators" (obedience) with Yah. Test this sweet family. If anything needs clarity, please ask. If anyone has trouble walking this out, please ask (publicly or privately).

There are many misconceptions and lies around forgiving that we might need to chip away. Lets start there:

I can’t forgive. - This is not true. Forgiveness is a choice. If you are coherent enough to make any choice – you are able to forgive.
What they did was too vicious, wicked or deep to forgive. – This is not true. The transgression may be absolutely heinous but Yah has designed forgiveness as the ultimate act of love. Forgiveness does not release them from judgement, but it does release the FORGIVER/victim from it in a way. We are judged on the matter of the heart as well as our actions. The act of forgiving disconnects us from the incident. Before we forgive, we are “married” to the tragedy. We have burned it onto out brain through thought connected to heightened emotions and that bad situation has branded us. We have taken it into our identity. Into who we are. This is highly destructive! Our emotions (the heart is deceptively wicked) trick us into thinking that doing this protects us, but the opposite takes place. It kills us like drips of slow poison!! Forgiveness is Yah’s precious design to create the door fromvictimization/pain/anger/powerlessness/fear/vengefulness/trauma loops/sickness/pride (all things bad and destructive) to allow us to enter into embracing ourselves honestly/ others/ trust/love/Yah/ freedom (all things good in Yah!)! This is required of the transgressor as well to process whatever it is who brought him to His place of transgression.
They do not deserve forgiveness. Yah is just – justice will be done according to each of our hearts! No matter who we are – victim or transgressor. If our hearts are hardened (and they are when we do not forgive) We face the same judgement as the one who did the awful thing. We do not want to join them in the place by hardening our own hearts – because then we will be judged for that!
I missed my chance to forgive them, because they are dead or gone. Not True. Forgiveness is something we do internally. It is ideal to be communicated to transgressor because forgiveness has the power to save everyone it touches. However, forgiveness is really between us and Yah above all. It is complete surrender of the incident and trusting Yah that His justice will be sufficient. We disconnect ourselves from ‘it’. We have no claim to it and more. We give up that control as a result – we are set free.
Forgiving them won’t change anything. This is not true. It changes the most important thing. Our internal wellness. I agree that it may not change consequences or results of the damage (for instance a rape victim that might contract a disease or baby – for instance- those things are still there.) However, it does change our hearts and our ability to live life there after in a healthy way! This no small thing! I also agree that it may not change THEM. But again – that is not for us to do. We are way out of line if that is our focus. Yah has given us dominion over ourselves on internal matters - Not others. That person is accountable to Yah himself – the same as us. Forgiveness allows us to release the heart of vengeance that requires anything from that person to complete your healing. (Note: It is true and wise however to remove ourselves (and family) from a toxic or dangerous situation. These are two different topics.)
If I forgive them, it is like I am saying what happened was OK. This is not true. If you forgive them – you are deciding not to torture yourself over it anymore! Holding unforgiveness damages the victim the most! When we refuse to forgive, negative emotions cement themselves into our being and cause us further heart break in life. We carry this incident with us consciously or unconsciously. Our unforgiveness traps us and yokes us to that painful situation and that person. The transgression should have its own identity separate from us. That transgression should not be embedded into who we are, but that is what we do when we refuse to forgive. If we refuse to let it go, it eventually becomes apart whowe are and how we operate. Then we essentially become a part of the problem. But it we can separate ourselves from it and "rise above it" by keeping the Spiritual Law of Forgiveness - something supernatural happens. It does not condone it - in fact it allows light to shin into the situation!
They need to do something first, before I forgive them. This is also untrue. Yah has built in the ability for us to be set free from any transgression – ours or someone elses through our act of surrender TO HIM. This is not conditional upon anyone else’s actions or heart conditions. Forgiveness is between you and Yah. No one can stop that process but you. This thought is one that demands control over another. We need to realize that this spirit transferred over to us during the transgression and we accepted it (consciously or unconsciously). When we do that, we actually welcome that same spirit into us that drove the other person to do what they did to us. Ironic right?! But true. We fell into satan’s trap (so to speak). We took the bait –now we are hooked into the controlling spirit of ‘conditional love’ and unforgiveness too and the enemy is reeling us into himself and his ways out or the safety of the living waters of Yah. However, it is at that time that we need to choose whether we are mere animals being lead to the frying pan to be cooked on the alter of a false god OR if we are children of the living El, who will employ the tools ALREADY given to us to break the line!

The TRUTH and power of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a choice. It really is that simple. We choose it (or not)! We decide to release a transgression or not.
Forgiveness transforms people from the inside out. It changes our hearts and minds. It positions us to walk/live in love, mercy, grace, kindness and wisdom. It equips and empowers us to avoid future situations and deal with the ones that arise in honor and power – without regret. It sharpens our discernment and strengthens our resolve. It allows us to see others more compassionately. It suites us up in the armor of Yah. Which causes offence to slip right off our surface like eggs on Teflon – it never gets a chance to stick!!
Forgiveness breaks chains that bind us to trauma. Where there is light – there can not be darkness. Where there is forgiveness, there can not be offence or any of its trappings. Where there is love, there can not hate. Where there is peace their can not be anger. Where there is faith their can not be doubt.
Forgiveness heals. Because love is activated and the ties to wickedness are broken – the mind and body respond positively! Instead of producing and reinforcing negative stress chemicals, new thoughts and chemicals are produced, which also result in positive feelings and so the cycle goes in the right direction now. Instead of break down, repair and restoration happens in the mind, in the physical body, in the emotions and in the spirit. This extends into our relationships and changed our whole life.

Recognizing unforgiveness:

Unforgiveness destroys people from the inside out. Our negative thoughts can be conscious or unconscious. This really important to understand. Negative thoughts and feelings can turn us into “bad people”. Basically we choose, consciously or unconsciously, to believe a lie and then that lie festers and grows and branches out to feed a myriad of other lies. The fruits of this are offense, bitterness, anger/violence, fear/anxiety, controlling/ obsessive/impatient behaviors, instability, dysfunctional relationships, sickness/disease, addictions of every kind and it is also the core to depression and insanity. These things can be a challenge to over come. However, Yah has given us the ability to take domination over this!

Unforgiveness is often the default. It is our flesh’s response to pain. If one is not in the habit of choosing and practicing forgiveness than the human nature is to automatically inclined for offence which leads to unforgiveness, which leads to hardened hearts (a.k.a. bitterness).
Unforgiveness is bondage. The cycle of unforgiveness is a snare. The more we thrash around in it (by indulging it or repeating it) the tighter it gets and the more entangled in it we become.
Identify Unforgiveness. Our thoughts, words and feelings give us away. Are you thinking, speaking and feeling negatively toward a person? Does the mention, or sight or association of that person bring about a negative thought or feeling? You may notice that you are antsy, anxious, vengeful thoughts or impatience with others. You may notice your hands sweat, you get a knot in your stomach, a head (or body) aches surfaces, or you may get tired or your heart may start racing, you teeth clench, etc.. You may suspect the involvement, guilt or integrity of others who interact with that person. The list goes on – these are sure signs that there is unforgiveness present. If any one of these things, or a combination of them or similar things surface at the thought, sight or mention of person – you are carrying unforgiveness.

Projecting doom. Have you ever found yourself projecting doom in relation to another? You can run scenarios in your head about how awful something is going be regarding them. You just “know” what will happen – and its not going to be good. You predict the worse – and you may even be right. This is a sure sign of unforgiveness in you – even if you are right. This is evidence that you have run this unforgiveness record in your brain several times – you have it memorized. It has become apart of you – you know it like the back of your hand. This reality also shows itself when you find yourself arranging your choices and actions in a way that avoids a person or instigate a person (depending your personality)around the projection of impending doom. This is a result of fear of coping, which can also be symptom of unforgiveness.

Practical Application and Understanding:

1. Here is the physical mechanics or spiritual truth: This physical and spirit connection is a recent discovering for me as Yah has led me to understand a little more about how He has created our bodies. Now we are going to touch on the understanding and application of mind of matter in Yah’s design. This applies to both conscious and unconscious thoughts/feelings. This is dealing with the thoughts, feelings and experiences we encounter or generate that need to be processed by our brain. Our brains have to decide what to do with them and where to put them. Our brain is constantly organizing information.

We can basically break down our brain into three major parts. For simplicity, I am going to call them thinking, feeling and being. They all work together to process and store our environment’s information. When we encounter a thought or experience – this thought or experience generates a chemical (or series of chemicals) in our body, that in turn creates heightened emotions and feelings. These heightened emotions and feelings generate more thoughts in that direction, which create more (stress or healing) hormones/chemicals, which create more feelings and then this process loops and loops and loops. This looping creates synapses in our brain. (A synopsis is a when two or more neurons connect to each another to form a larger bond in the form of a molecules, these molecules cling together manifesting into a judgement, association, or memory. These judgements, associations and memories create our understanding of our environment, life and the world. This forms the lense of which we see. This creates our belief system which ultimately shapes our actions.) The more synapses are reinforced the stronger they get in conviction. The stronger it gets the bigger influence it has on our entire perception of our existence. Does this make sense? If we are on a negative feed loop – those will be our results. If we are on a positive, holy, righteous, godly loop those will be our results. It is how Yah designed these glorious machines we live in! That is why He has given us so many guidelines and precautions of how to maintain it in good health through His Torah. That is why Y’shua ‘s sacrifice and teachings are so very crucial to our salvation! Does this make sense? Forgiveness sets us free to be in Yah’s Creative will – plugged into his creative spirit, if you will. We are free to design our lives for the better within His framework of truth. We do this while embracing, producing and basking in true love, forgiveness, kindness, mercy and grace in our lives. This is His Way! He requires that we CHOOSE LIFE. (He has placed before us blessings and curses – right?!)

2. To Forgive: We make a choice to honestly and whole heartedly forgive someone/something. What does that look like?

We lay down that thing/person and disassociate ourselves from it. We no longer own that painful event – we give it Yah and step away from it. It has not hold on us.
IN doing so – we let go of all the crutches, all the excuses, all the jusfications connected to it. All the behaviors, feelings and thought patterns that have been associated to it in the past, get surrendered with it.
We give up the right to hold it over them or to make them suffer/pay for what they did.
We surrender our negative thoughts and feelings.
We surrender trying to control the matter or influence others in regards to it.
We disconnect and disassociate with it. You owe it nothing and it owes you nothing.
You have surrendered it to Yah to handle and you trust Him fully in it.
You do not need to check in on Yah’s progress or see if he needs your help in the matter. It is surrendered – you are surrendered – permanently, no backsies.

That is forgiveness.

If that is not complete and your conditions or definition leaves a few of those things to remain, it is not honestsurrender/forgiveness. There is still an element of deceit remaining in you in the form of self preservation, control or self defense that you will not trust to Yah. In this case, I would go back to prayer and offer those idols up that were hidden under your robes, “just in case you need them” later. Yah is no fool- you are not hiding anything from him – you are just deceiving yourself or others when you do that. This is a perversion. True forgiveness requires honesty and transparency between you and The Father. Deceit will lead to a hardened heart.

How do you know when forgiveness is complete? You will know that you have arrived at true and complete forgiveness when the thought, sight, feelings of that person or event can arise and you are not emotionally or physically effected by it, and when thoughts of compassion for that person arise. When you think and feel disconnected from the negative aspects of that person or event and it is replaced with love. This CAN in an instant – but if it doesn’t this is evidence of limited surrender on the “forgiver’s” part. In other words the “forgiver” is holding something back and is not entering into the process with full trust in Yah and for justice. This is a result of a hardened heart on the “forgiver’s” part. I would encourage being deliberate to pressing into the process until the forgiveness is complete. If not – you will be bound to unforgiveness and it sill still control you and be toxic to your health and your other relationships.

3. Learn to forgive – before it is deserved. When an offense occurs – it is wise to choose forgiveness even before it is requested, or suggested. It may never be “asked for”. The person who assaulted you may never repent or believe he did anything wrong. He might even justify what was done and brag about it! That has nothing to do with your choice to forgive him. Forgiveness is not based on someone deserving it or requesting it. It is based on your willingness to release it and disconnect yourself from it! It is a spiritual mind matter. The world would teach you differently. The world would say that forgiveness come when someone deserves it. It would say you make ‘m grovel for it. You make sure you see that they have changed before you even think about forgiving something. That – is a lie. That is no Yah’s design. Yah forgives us to give us first, which gives us the opportunity to change! (Whether we take that or not – is all on us. But the forgiveness give us that choice.) Y’shua offered forgiveness in the MIDST of being beaten. Y’shua did not postpone healing after people “proved it to him”. No- he healed them or prophesied over them, declared them forgiven and said – go forth and sin no more. They were forgiven first. We see this pattern again and again in Scripture – THIS is Yah’s way. His way is higher than mans.

4. Identify triggers and false thought patterns. After we go through the honest process of full forgiveness and surrender to Yah and you trust His justice and do not need to employ your own. Sometimes, long term or especially traumatic instances – unforgiveness can rear its ugly head again. (Mat 12:43-45) We can nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand again and expresses itself by an outburst of some sort. So after we have “cleaned house” we are careful to guard our hearts from anything that would feed that old pattern of unforgiveness. We are keen to audit our thoughts, feelings and physical responses (remember these our signs that give our true spiritual condition away). We rebuke anything in us that is inconsistent with forgiveness, love and freedom. We pray to Yah for strength courage and faithfulness. We replace the lies that are trying to sneak in, with the affirming promises of Yah.

5. Establish new thought patterns, feelings and experiences. You will have many opportunities to practice forgiveness, I can assure you! We are tested on all of Yah’s Kingdom skills! Choose forgiveness as a rule. Align yourself into a lifestyle of forgiveness. It is required of us as believers. This my friends, is a salvation issue!!! This is very closely married to a lifestyle of gratitude. If we are gracious (grateful) about all that which Yah has blessed us with, as a POSTURE, a way of being and we practice forgiveness as lifestyle. Then things that used to set us off, don’t anymore, because we do not need to define ourselves by those things anymore. We use a different measuring stick. We will experience the abundance of kingdom living to its fullest and be used in ways we never imagined. We will be like ice breakers for the Kingdom of Yah; strong, dependable, consistent and powerful in Him. The world will suggest that walking in forgiveness is a sign of weakness…but you will find out and others will eventually also see – that is a sign of supernatural strength!

I pray that we could all embrace a lifestyle of love, forgiveness and obedience (cooperation/surrender). If we do, our individual lives and collective lives as families that make up a community will glorify Yah and transcend our wildest dreams!

First Fruits to Shavuot: The Heart of His Feast Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Ben) — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 18:36:00 +0000

http://www.messilife.com/First%20Fruits%20to%20Shavuot.pdf

The link above will download the actual teaching. The notes below will set the premise.

I've gotten so much positive feedback on the Pesach vs. Passover study, so I decided to share the notes from the "First Fruits to Shavuot" study we did last year too. Although this is essentially a powerpoint turned into a PDF, I think there are enough notes in the fine-print to get the idea of where I am going here. I promise I will put this in a more independent format that breaks down the ideas deeper and more succinctly, but for those who have had experience with the Feasts and a basic understanding of Hebraic thinking, I'm hoping the visuals and notes will speak for themselves.

The premise is this: First Fruits is not a "feast" unto itself...and neither is the day of Shavuot. They are the beginning and ending of a 50-day-long Feast that begins with the theme of "salvation" and ends with the celebration of "perfection". Shavuot is a plural word that means "weeks", so we need to paying attention weekly (and daily) to the lessons he has for us during all 7 weeks (49 days plus one), and not just routinely phone-in some "omer counting prayers" as we wait for the big event at the end.

None of the feasts stand alone, all seven are stops along the roadmap of YHWH's plan...teaching us crucial principles IN THE ORDER that they occur in our lives and in prophecy. The Feast of Weeks needs to be looked at as the heart of the feasts...as they are literally CENTRAL to his plan. I think we've also made the error of looking at Shavuot as the "giving of the 10 commandments" when the real culmination is not that event...but the celebration of the Mosaic Covenant with all 70 elders on the top of Mt. Sinai--eating a covenant meal in the very presence of YHWH!

Towards the end of the power point, I reference 7 events that occur in the lives of our people from the moment they cross the Sea up until that collective moment on the mountain top. The last few slides hold the briefest of sketches on notes of the "Fall Feasts", simply because it's impossible to study one feast without the context of all 7. I'm sure many of you will notice that I have come to a less-than-traditional understanding of Yom Teruah--much of which has come through my new understanding of the Feast of Weeks.

Last year, many in our fellowship replaced their normally scheduled Torah portion with a study of each of these 7 events during 7 Sabbaths along the path to Shavuot. We were truly blessed, and we hope you are too!

If you are used to the Jewish reckoning of the timing of Shavuot, and to the notion of "counting the omer" as the point of this feast...I'd also recommend reading our former posts on those issues too:

http://www.homeshalom.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-fruitscounting-omer-video.html

http://www.homeshalom.blogspot.com/2011/04/counting-omerdays-revised.html

Thanks as usual for growing a sojourning with us!

Ben

Lost in Translation: Passover VS Pesach

noreply@blogger.com (Ben) — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 18:28:00 +0000

Last year around this time many of the families that meet with us locally for fellowship and shared the Pesach meal together, also shared this study. As most of our "discoveries" from Scripture, things are subject to change and tweaking as we learn more, but I think you will really be blessed with what we discovered here. Because of the length and some of the Hebrew typeset, we've put the files online as PDF's that you can read or easily print:

Part 1 is a study on the Hebrew word PESACH--and how it DOESN'T mean "Passover", and what that implies for our Feast and our lives.
www.messilife.com/Pesach%20vs%20Passover%20part%201.pdf

Part 2 dives deeper into the word "Passover" and what it REALLY means.
www.messilife.com/Pesach%20word%20study%20part%202.pdf

Part 3 looks closer at the meal itself, both the original meal with Moses and the "Last Supper" with Messiah. Was Yeshua celebrating a "seder" or was His meal something entirely different?
www.messilife.com/Pesach%20Study%20part%203.pdf

I am hopeful these teachings really stretch you as they did us! Chag Semach! (Have a Joyful Feast!)

YHWH Looks on the Heart

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 15:09:00 +0000

This video brings tears to my eyes - because I know the depth of which the family believes and walks out this concept being taught in this sweet family made video. It is made by the Coover family. We met the Coovers in PA early in this chapter of our faithwalk. YHWH kept crossing our paths in special ways- that did (and continue) to reach very deeply in ministering to my personal soul. We learned right away that we shared the many things. One of which was Yah's heart for adoption. (we are all adopted by Him!!) We were both walking out the early stages of our adoptive families when we first met about 8 years ago (from the time of this writing). The Coover Family have opened their home and committed their lives to receive children out of the American domestic foster system who would not easily placed in homes. They are children with very special needs. YHWH is using the willing hearts of the Coovers to fill in that gap. This is a rich and selfless life - which focuses on service, stewardship and decispleship in Yah's ways.

Enjoy this sweet video the children made. It will give a glipse into their life. They sent me this video in an email note, with an announcement that they were on their way to Florida (from Maine) to pick up another baby whom was being added to their family (Little baby Samuel is not in the video, becasue it was made prior to his coming home). Their arms, hearts, home and life is devoted to that which Yah has put on their heart to do!!!!! I am blessed to call them brothers and sister. Blessed to call them friends.

This is Kingdom living! I realize the body has many parts and each part has its special place. I do not think that everyone is called to do what the Coovers do. However, it is very impirtant that we do the part that Yah assigns for us! I pray you are convicted, encouraged and inspired to open your hearts fully to the way that Yah is calling YOU to walk out His Gospel in fullness and how you represent His name. (No matter if or how you may pronounce it!) To exhort you to go above and beyond "the norm" for YHWH! To live zealously, passionatly, wholeheartedly and without reserve or care for what it may look like by the world's standards! By doing so - your life testimony with bring Him honor and glory and your treasures will be stored (and protected) in HIM!

To learn more about the Coovers: You may like to visit their websites -

www.RealMessiah.name

www.LoveTheUnbornBabies.name

In Him,

Weightier Matters

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 19:05:00 +0000

I would like to introduce you to the Aydlotte Family (pictured here). I first became aware of this family several years ago - through the Momma's (Julie) blog.

Seekingtheoldpaths.blogspot.com
We "commented", then emailed, then we met in person at a Pasach (Passover) gathering one year in KY. I liked her and her family even more when we met in person - then in print. :-) Our families live states away and she too is very active with her family and in her community - so we connect when we can - sporadically, to encourage one another as Yah leads. Both of our blogging has slowed down considerably in trade for local service. (No complaints there - ideally we always want to be sure that the needs of our family and local community are being met first! Right?!)

Phil (her husband) and Julie are Elders in their fellowship, in Virginia - HODF.org. Which brings me to the purpose of my post. :-) Julie called me asking for us to review this teaching that she was asked to present in their fellowship. Ben and I really appreciated (and agreed) with the message. It is wonderful to see the same wisdom and maturity unfolding in other regions, in the same way that it is in our own. Most of us have run into (if were we not guilty of being) over zealous "Torah Keepers" swinging big sticks, at the things that Yah has shown them are not Scriptural. It is very important that this is done in our own lives and families and that we stand firm in what Yah has shown us. So that we can remove these false things from our things from our lives and replace them with the things that Yah determines as holy. However, we must consider HIS people who may be in the path! There is a balance of love, respect and mercy that comes with wisdom in Yah's ways and that often has to be learned the hard way. However, there is hope for us as a community. There is hope that we can better represent Yah's more COMPLETE WAY of obedience, reverence, commitment, justice, and zealousness; WHILE AT THE SAME TIME operating in love, mercy, KINDNESS, patience, wisdom and discernment - by humbling ourselves before HIM and others in our approach to sharing the truth, as well as in our entire lifestyle!

May we be consistent in Him. May we be equally as passionate about truth as we are humble in our daily continence. May they know us by our love and fruits first and our doctrines second- so that our doctrines can not be denied! May our testimony be righteous and true. May we learn to speak when spoken through. May we listen more to Yah's specific guidance in each instance and show our obedience in that place, to carry out what He says to do (or not do!). May we only go into battle when we are truly sent by Him. May we develop the wisdom and discernment to know the difference!

We thought it was timely message to be shared more broadly in The Body. People are people, but I see Yah working in the hearts of passionate zealots all over to refine us into better Ambassadors for The Kingdom, who truly represent the laws of the Kingdom WITH the heart of The King too. It is crucial that we realize that we can not truly have EITHER one without the other!

We have linked this message below for YOUR review. (Please comment below if Yah impresses it upon your heart to do so!) Are you seeing a change in your home? In your heart? In your community? If you see any other teachings along these lines- Please link them in the comments below.

There is a power point that is shown along with the audio teaching. It takes a couple steps to access the audio and power point separately at first. However, it is very nice to listen to the audio while viewing the power point simultaneously. (So I would recommend it!)

To access audio:
1. Click this link- The Weightier Matters of Torah
2. You arrive at a white page- in the upper left hand corner you will see, "6Sep14.mp3" - click that to access the audio teaching.

To access the Power Point PDF visual:
Click The Weightier Matters of Torah PowerPoint PDF (Just scroll down manually in pace, as you listen to the audio.)

LIKEWISE: I would like to direct you to another post from 4 years ago - that really touched our hearts and helped deliberately shape our personal family walk and ministry - to commit to walk this WAY. http://homeshalom.blogspot.com/2010/08/disputable-matters.html

I will leave you with this thought from Philippians 2:

So if there is any encouragement in Messiah, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Messiah Y'shua, who, though he was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Yah a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore Yah has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Y'shua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Y'Shua Messiah is Lord, to the glory of Yah the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Yah who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of Yah without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Messiah I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

May Yah Bless You and Keep You and Shabbat Shalom,

Q & A - Confused

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 13:32:00 +0000

I often get questions and comments about things people read on my blog. It never occurred to me - until replying to this question below ..that these might be worth sharing. I have not listed specific Scriptures...but will if is requested/needed. So lets give it a try:

On Nov 28, 2014, at 10:58 PM,

Q: I see from your greeting that you are Jewish, but then I see you quote Galatians. Does that mean you are Messianic Jews?

And does this relate to your prepping or just happens that you are both?

A: We are not Jewish - as far as I know. However, We have been grafted into Yah's (God's) family by faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We believe in the whole Bible - which is a Hebrew book, and which includes a Hebrew Messiah that has come to save the "lost house of Israel" (that's what Jesus says). Yeshua (Jesus) is Yah's plan for redemption. Yah's amazing councilor drew us into devoted study of the Bible and started showing us things we never saw before. We realized we had been indoctrinated wrongly from the pulpit on many matters. (As were those standing up there preaching were in their specific seminaries and Christina Bible Colleges and denominationally influenced footnotes and commentaries.) So we started studying the Bible from beginning to end, in order and in context- trying to learn all we could about the language and culture it was from at the same time. While at the same digging deep into our own church history. This opened our eyes to many things that have been "lost" and changed in our modern version of Christianity.

Then.... We saw The Father was bringing many other families to the surface that were going through the same thing!!! He was working in their hearts and homes (and churches) individually and collectively. We are seeing this as the case more and more. It is a very interesting revival back to the origins of our faith. It is a very difficult and narrow path- because (just like the book tells us) it with be met with resistance from most. Even those whom we hold very dear and held up as more spiritual or learned Christians - our mentors, family and friends, have not been open to investigating this honestly for themselves.

Galatians is a fine example- this has been improperly preached to prove a false primes of religion.that the law has been done away with. It continues to be taught and spread because people's lack of proper Biblical foundation to question it...so it is just absorbed and excepted. By the time they get strong enough in the word to question things - they too have been so conditioned to their churches specific doctrine and culture and heart strings are tied - that they gloss over the things that may not seem to "add up". However, for those who do question it...they are often treated as "trouble makers" or defying authority or are swayed back to doctrine by an intervention of elders. Think about it - the church evangelizes (as it should!) - but those who are coming in are sponges - ready and eager to learn - by then, people are conditioned to see the Scriptures through the falsely colored lenses of incorrect doctrine - they get defensive and can not see through the thick web of religion that they have been trapped in unknowingly. This is true for GOOD, devoted, zealous people who in their minds or hearts may be sold out for Christ. That was me!!! However, my honest desire for truth and willingness to be humbled continually and forsake all for the truth, was coupled with Yah's unending mercy and grace and desire that none shall parish who earnestly seek Him. He dropped those scales from my eyes. Since then- this walk has been an amazing faith building lifestyle of devotion and worship and service. My intimacy has and continues to increase. All this is true, even though I thought I was plenty intimate with Him before. How can one explain it???

As for "prepping"- I assume you are referring to our choice in learning to live more sustainable and choosing an agrarian lifestyle? (We also embrace a lifestyle of ministry which supersedes our agrarian endeavors- but that is not in question here.) This is a lifestyle choice that we believe is wise and packed with many life and character lessons for our children (as well as us!). Learning to live off the land put us in sync with Yah's creation, it teaches us to rely on Him in new ways. It helps us to be healthy and strong. There are many many lessons and principals that come from being engaged in stewarding animals and growing food that are contained the Bible. Many of these things are better fully realized when applied. These are things we are still very much learning. (Our lifestyle looks very different than many "preppers" who buy lots of canned food storage, build bunkers and stock pile guns and ammo. We do none of these things.)

Most folks today are separated from this process of basic living off the land. We have by no means mastered it yet- but are certainly learning a lot! We are richly blessed to experience that. Likewise- we do not spend our time in many typical modern pursuits - and prefer " the simple life" which is not easy... Just less smoke screens and distractions from our Creator.

Being " independent or self sufficient" is not our main goal. Rather, being Yah-dependent, sustainable and good stewards of what Yah has given us charge of- our health, family and land. And of course being a good neighbors in our community and stepping outside of "the rat race" in as many ways as we can, helps us with this. At the same time- we feel a responsibility and joy in being a light to the world. We are not closed off, or withdrawn.

We are Israel (according to the Bible) The chosen people...by faith we have been grafted in. This is how the Bible defines us. I believe it is how Yah defines us. We have been adopted into Yah's family- we take on the culture of our Father's house. It might look "Jewish " to those on the outside looking in... But being misjudged by others in that way, is of no concern to me. It is my desire and mission that for those who know us- see Yah's redemption (Yeshua/Jesus ) in us and our life as is demonstrated by Him with love, devotion, kindness, justice, obedience, commitment, faithfulness, graciousness, honesty and laying my life down for Yah's purpose and my fellow man, as He has called me to do.

I know you can't get all that from a blog- but hopefully those who KNOW me- even in my imperfections will see that- in me.

I noticed in your note you have made some snap judgement to "figure us out". I do not seem to fit your understanding of religion and identity. You do not see me as a "Christian" because your church has defined that as something different for what you may be seeing on my blog. However, the title and concept of "Christian " is entirely man made. After studying Church history - back to the New Testament - that became very clear to us. Most people if they even study church history, they (conveniently) only go as far as their church founders or the Catholic reformation. (Not realizing Protestant means protesting Catholic. Not realizing they are carrying so much of the Catholic religion with them too) However, it needs to be tracked all the way back to Yeshua/ Jesus - then dare I say - Abraham! When and how did the Sabbath change? or did it? When did Christmas start and why? What do these religious words that we use in church-speak actually mean and do they come from Scripture? What are the Hebrew origins? Are they the same? And so on... When someone has the courage to HONESTLY do that... They are put in a very very hard place of "reality check" and repentance. This is what we did. It caused us to test and evaluate everything we thought we knew and measure it against the actual Word if God!! It caused us to take full responsibility for our faith. What does The Bible call us? It is not Christian. It is Hebrew or Israel... Even in the New Testament...

When we read revelation - who are called "the overcomers"? Overcomers are defined Revelation as "those who stand fast to the testimony of Yeshua and are faithful to keep the commandments". What commandments? The ones that are referenced consistently through out the whole book. Our churches take things out of context and feeds us revised doctrine that fits their denomination and we get it in ingrained in our own theology and it is hard to see Yah and His plan and His Redeemer for what/who it is. Our perspective is very seriously skewed. We can only truly see that, when the scales are removed and we study the Word in context, with The Helper, with respect to the culture and language and 'whole plan' from beginning to end. We have thousands and thousands of denominations because man wants to interpret The Word the way it best suits him to do so. Where is the love in that? Where is the submission and "lordship"? I am suggesting we stand outside of our religion and take a hard look - it is the truth of the matter.

So my greatest encouragement for you and your husband/ family (if that applies). Is to submit all you think you know before the Father, and ask Him: If there be any scales that need to be removed - that he would remove them and show you pure truth. Then approach The Word humbly in fear and trembling. Study it in order from Gen 1 to Rev and let him re-write The Word on your heart. So eventually, when you get to the end of the books like Galatians and the writings of Paul and Revelation, these will be seen in a different light. Always consider context and try to learn about the Hebrew language and place yourself in the culture. (When any language is translated- the fullness of the meaning and the cultural understandings are often lost and transposed into something different to fit the mind of the other language or culture. We have found that this happened in the English translation in some places. Some religions would freak out at that statement... But it is the truth... ) Pray for the strength to handle The Truth. Once the original languages are explored this can be seen rather plainly. Let's face the truth with faith and humbleness and move forward in Him- shall we? Some will- some won't. A few will "loose faith" all together (which likely means they never really had it to begin with, but rather a facade of it.) We will be judged, tested and tried. Scripture is very clear about this in the Old and New Testament.

Our Christianity has watered down the truth and focused in on many good things mixed with many added doctrines of man which had caused us to go astray. It ignores many things all together when it does not fit their doctrine. The Bible forewarns us all about that too- at great length. Christianity and Judaism alike - likes to separate "Jews and Christians" into two categories and parse what applies to each. This in not Scriptural. Yes... Some things progressed and changed... Some things remained. But the people- His true children are always those whom are faithful believers who are willing to lay their life down to follow Him - from Abraham to us today. All were imperfect (except Yeshua/Jesus of course) yet many still considered righteous. That is the family we are grafted into - Yah's family. The Bible calls us Hebrew or Israel. This is God's design- not ours. I'm going with His plan- not man's.

If you do take this suggestion and you do honestly pray for truth and search this out with The Spirit, you will come against testing, resistance and conflict ... Just like the Bible says we do when follow the truth. Your faith will be challenged and rebuilt. You will start seeing yourself within the pages of this ancient book!! It will take time and devotion (faithfulness). Most Christians don't want to be "bothered" and are just fine with their religion- thinking they have it all wrapped up. I will never come to the place where I think I have the Creator of the Universe and His plan all figured out. It is a constant seeking and desire to know Him more and be transformed in His likeness. Yet... In my seeking there is great rest... Just like the Bible says.

May Yah Bless You and Keep You and make a great thirst for truth and righteousness be yours. May He make His face shine upon you and bring you peace (shalom).

Shalom in Him,

Craig's Wellness

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:53:00 +0000

I am very excited to introduce a friend of ours to you, Craig Ryan. He moved to rural TN from NC a few years ago (and lived previously on the East Coast), and we were introduced by a friend in common. We love him and his family dearly. We have shared many laughs, sung songs together, had Bible discussions, toured garden & property and have conversations about everything under the sun - including health. I like to send questions his way when I have them about health and food.

Craig is a personal trainer, consultant and health coach with more than 10 years experience in wellness. He tells a little about his personal health journey here.

When they moved to start this homestead in TN, Craig converted a wood shop into a gym with a vision to start training single clients and small groups there. One of the (many) things that makes Craig so special, is that he sees health through a Biblical holistic lens. Everything is run through the filter of The Word. He is also a family man. So he loves to train and help FAMILIES become and stay healthy. It is not at all a typical "singles gym setting" which focuses on the carnal aspect of health and physical beauty. His motivation and inspiration runs much deeper than that.

As a devoted husband and father to 7 beautiful children (at the time of this writing) - He is well aware and sensitive to (and experienced with) women's health and what is related to parenting and maintaining heath to sustain it. His wife Amy is also an inspiration, an encouragement and fine example of this! They both want to be IN THE GAME with their children, not on the sidelines watching due to "getting old" or not being healthy. They home school all their children and Craig is also very active and involved in raising and educating his children. They are genuine and fully committed to faith, family and longevity! What a blessing they are!

While Craig has experience in sports medicine and in Work Site Wellness Training - his heart is truly for vibrant healthy families to carry out Kingdom work! We're talking about healthy mommas, pappas and children who can live chemical free and strong lives - to do Yah's will without health related obstacles!

Since they have chosen this rural homestead - he needed to find a way to help people outside of his low populous area while at the same time, generating an income to sustain his family and homestead. He wanted to continue what he is passionate and gifted in doing. So how does one do that when he insists on a personalized approach to address the specific needs of his clients? Answer: By using the internet! Craig has launched his new website, where he shares very informative tid-bits in his "5 Minutes to Better Health" audio updates (which I LOVE!), Webinars and Seminars and the thing I am most excited about for folks is the personalized Workout Design and Remote Coaching. He wants to help encourage and coach people to put this information into ACTION! He wants to help them incorporate it into a lifestyle, not just a diet or passing fad. With the website now up and running, his council and coaching is not limited to those few folks in his local rural county. He does offer some things for free and he is willing to share his knowledge on a donation basis as well. His paid services are offered at very family friendly rates too! So if you like the idea of having a coach to work with maintaining your family’s health, and you like the idea of supporting a God-fearing man and his family in the process, please check out his site: www.CraigsWellness.com.

If you like what you see, become a subscriber for free or on a donation basis if you are able to support him while he supports you! Meanwhile, start taking those steps toward wellness and longevity for your family's sake! Likewise, please share his site with others, this is a new venture and we want to get the word out to people!

There is one other way you could support and bless this family. If you purchase things at Amazon.com you can go to this link (HERE) to enter Amazon and the Ryan family will get a small affiliate's percentage paid by Amazon to them for the referral. It is no extra cost to you, to do it that way. If you save or bookmark the link in a way that is handy to use - just enter Amazon through that "door" if you will. This small gesture made by many could slowly add up for this family and they will be able to continue to offer free and low cost health counseling, yet still cover the financial needs of the family.

There is a little saying that I often remind myself of...when I get discouraged and feel like I want to "slack off" in any area of our commitment and conviction. It is this:

If you value something - you will do what it takes to make it happen.

If you don't, you will make excuses.

It really is that simple, isn't it? :-)

May Shalom and Health Be Yours!!

Tribes of Israel Game

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Thu, 15 May 2014 11:13:00 +0000

www.TribesofIsraelGame.com

I have had the privalage to meet and now walk with a wonderful family who recently moved here last year, The Groat Family (see picture below). They are passionate for The Creator, His Word, His Kingdom and for The Land of Israel. They serve the farmer's there every opportunity they get, in the spring and the fall! They have adjusted their whole lifestyle to be able to go for weeks/months at a time to volunteer there. They live on a small farm here and live a simple debt free life so that they may be free to minister. They created this family game from scratch in the hopes that it would help them raise money to serve in Israel. (The plane tickets and accomidations are not inexpensive, the commitments back home also need to be accounted for, but they are very creative and committed to see it through!) It is their goal that all three be able to go to Israel to serve this fall.

I asked The Groat Family to answer a couple questions for our readers.

This is our little interview is below.

What inspired you to make Twelve Tribes Of Israel?

We were inspired to make The Tribes of Israel game about 12 years ago

after finding out we are part of Israel*. We learned our identity by

studying Scripture with another family the Father put into our lives. Prior

to that time, we were not very familiar with the Tanach (Old Testament), so we thought

making the game would help us become more familiar.

What was involved with making your own board game?

To make the first game, it took many hours of work to get the city

names, cards and ideas together. Each game is made by hand

individually, so it takes several hours for each one.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself.

As a family, we were convicted that we needed to become debt free as

soon as possible. We were living in North Texas, and Ken had a

corporate job that took him away from the family traveling a few days

each week. While we were making good money as a family (we also had a

few family businesses then), we were not living as our Father wanted us

to. Part of Ken's job required him to work most Sabbaths. After Family Week

last year, our Father made it clear that we were to follow all of His commandments,

including the Sabbath, and He brought us to Middle

Tennessee to be part of the greater community here. Selling these games

is one way to provide financial support for our family. Some other

things we're doing is to sell two kinds of chicken sausage, grass-fed

beef jerky, grass-fed beef snack sticks, and we also have a small,

clean-kill (Biblically clean) butcher shop. Additionally, we offer

organic herbal teas, and a variety of chemical-free cleaning products.

This allows us to work together as a family, and live as our Father

intends. By living debt free, and Ken leaving his corporate job, we

were blessed with the ability for Autumn (our daughter) and then for Ken to go to

Israel with HaYovel to bless the farmers in Judea & Samaria. This would

not have been possible if we were living in the bondage of debt and a

corporate job. We have also been able to spend a lot of time together

as a family, which has been an incredible blessing.

If one feels lead to contribute to their work or to bless Jews settling in the Land by buying some of thier products click here.

www.TribesofIsraelGame.com

They have started a blog to share their experiance.

(I have shared one of Ken's posts here. It was GOOD!)

What a joy it is to walk with those who fear YHWH and are committed to living for Him and serving Him!

We are a part of Israel??

Galations 3:28, 29

(Continue reading Chapter 4 in relation to the 2 previous verses!)

Romans 11: 17-36

Ephesians 2: 8-22

Yah Willin', If The Creek Don't Rise

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Fri, 09 May 2014 03:05:00 +0000

I thought I would share a funny story with you that was shared with me, by a dear friend of mine. (You can see them in our Memorizing Scripture Section - as they have done the Het and Lamed Portions of Psalm 119!) They live on a rural property that requires crossing a river to enter and exit. This is acually fairly common in our community - as many of us our homesteading. (Another family in our community had their collection system washed away inthis same storm on their off grid farm! Last year, We got stuck crossing yet another family's creek trying to enter their property in our 15 passenger van one (cold water) winter day. Their team of work horses pulled us out that day!) Anyway, last week we had a series or stormy days in succession. When you live on a property like that - your freedom and flexibility is subject to the condition of the river that you must cross. You learn quickly to "step in time" with Creation and your Creator when living this way. We meet at this family's home once a month for Shabbat Fellowship, "Ya willin', if the creek don't rise". The Pappa (Gary) of this family travels to work daily "Yah willin', if the creek don't rise" (but if it does he works from home remotely). It's a different way of life - but they wouldn't trade it for anything, because they know it is what Yah has called their family to do.

The following is the tale of this last storm, as written my "the momma" (Nancy) as she needed to get in and out of the property during a storm to pick up a very important package that could not wait. She wrote this in response to friends who were inquiring as to their condition during the storm - to see if they needed anything. (I share it with permission of course!)

We had ordered some baby chicks through the mail and knew that when they came in we'd need to get them from the post office right away and get them under the heat-lamp setup we'd made for them. Well, this morning at 8:00 -- after rain had been pouring for a couple of hours -- I got the call from the postman that the chicks had arrived. Knowing I didn't have much time to get them before the creek might be too high to cross, I grabbed the boys and we all jumped in the van to get the chicks. We had to go across town to the co-op to get some feed and supplies before getting the chicks, and when we got back to Green Acres, the creek was too high for the van to go back across.

After consulting with Gary and deciding that the back-road-route was not an option, the boys and I took to the trail on foot. We wrapped the chick-box in the wool sweater I'd been wearing and charged Jonathan with the safe transport of the chicks. Chris shouldered the fairly heavy block of wood shavings we needed for them, and I toted the bag of chick feed along with my purse (which some of you know is the heaviest item of the lot, mind you.) We all then started on the approx. 1-mile trek that would get us home without having to swim the creek. In a heavy rain that had us drenched not long after we left the car, we walked up the road, down the railroad tracks, across the creek via the railroad bridge, down the steep, muddy railroad embankment, across/through a swollen side creek, and through the woods toward home. We were all quite a site. My denim skirt was hilarious -- like wearing a wet bedspread. I have to say I'm proud of my boys, as they joined in with good spirits. We trekked along singing songs like, "Detour, There's a Muddy Road Ahead," making a grand adventure of our wet journey. We finally arrived home safely with the chicks, who seemed none the worse for the soggy wear, and we got them all settled in just fine. They are living in luxury in Granny's bathtub, thanks to her generous and venturesome spirit. '-)

Meanwhile, Gary had decided he'd better head home while he still had a chance of crossing the creek. Not long before he got home we all saw Shalu (The Family Dog - Pyraneese ) standing on the other side of the creek, unsure of how to get home. Gary was able to join up with her and take her with him in the truck. He soon found out, though, that all road route options were "out" for his truck as well, and he and Shalu had to take to the trail on foot like we'd had to do. They chose to go a different route, though, hoping to avoid having to cross the swollen side creek the boys and I had had to cross. Little did they know, though, that their choice was even more challenging. Their route took them to the bridge down-road from us that crosses Mill Creek, but that bridge had already begun to be covered with water, and water had flooded around the bridge as well, causing rather deep spots on either side. Long story, but picture Gary -- in his khakis and zero-tread dress shoes -- wading across hip-high water with one hand on Shalu's collar and one hand holding his laptop up high to keep it out of the water. I don't know if Shalu has ever swum before, but if not she has now. Gary said she seemed to know he was there to help, and she trusted his encouragement to swim along with him.

Well, the two of them made it back safe and sound. We've all now been dried, hot-chocolated, and souped and are relishing a cozy afternoon in a warm, dry house. Our "16 head of livestock" (as Gary likes to put it) are snug and happy as well, and we are all thankful for the safety and memorable moments Yah provided for us today. Thanks for checking in on us, Luci. We pray you are all fairing well with the weather. We will look forward to seeing you all soon "Yah willin' and if the creek don't rise!"

Love,
Nancy

Labneh

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Fri, 09 May 2014 02:08:00 +0000

Labneh is one of my (new) favorite things to make! It is so delicious, easy to make and eat. It is wonderful nutrient dense "fast food" which I tend to look for when heat approaches. It is cultured food (always a plus) and fun to take to gatherings to share. A friend shared this with me when we gathered for Matzah and I couldn't wait to get home and make it myself! It is a simple yogurt cheese, store in (optionally flavored) olive oil. This is delicious spread on crackers or bread; Served with vegies as a dip; blended into pasta or rice as a sauce; topped on a grilled meat; served on a salad; or with fresh apples or pears! It is versital and the seasoning options are endless.

Ingrediants:
Plain Yogurt or kiefer (homemade, or store bought)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt (to taste)
Herbs of choice (optional)
Garlic (optional)

1. Take a gerneroously sized, clean flour sack, tea towel, or several layers of cheese cloth and lay in a bowl. Plop your yogurt in the center off the cloth and gether it up and tie the top to make something that resembles a "hobo sack". (In times when my cloth was too small to tie well, I used rubber bands to close it.) Now you will hang the sack and let the yogurt drip the whey into a bowl below. You can do this many differnt ways, depending the tools you have available in your kitchen. I like to set my spoon accross a gallon jar and let it drip. There have been other times where I tied the sack to a upper cupboard handle and place a bowl underneath. You want to keep your sack from sitting in the whey that drips out, so you need it to hang a few inches above the bottom of your dip container. Some yogurt is "wetter" than others, so the amount of whey varies. It is finished when it stops dripping. (Usually a couple hours - but its ok to leave it over night - the cheese will get a little tangierof you leave it longer.)

2. In the mean time, take a jar and fill it 1/3 full of olive oil. If you want to season it - now is the time. Suggestions for seasons are: Garlic, onion, sundried tomato, pesto, hot pepper of choice, red pepper flakes, basil, (and green herb of blend of choice).

3. When the cheese stops dripping, take it down and open up your cloth, you will have a nice lcheese ball. I like to take a small melon baller, dip it in the oil (if needed) and scoop it in the cheese to make a little ball. Then drop it in the oil. I do this until it all distributed in balls in the jar. The cheese is delecate and spreadable soft cheese. If you don't have a melon baller, just use a tea spoon. Yu want the balls to be covered in oil. So when yua re finished, if they are not, top the cheese with oils, so that they are immersed. The oils helps keep the balls seperate too. So as you are filling your jar, if you run out of oil, you may choose to add a little as you go, so that you are always dropping them in oil instead of stacking them directly on each other.

4. Store the cheese in the fridge. The oil does harden when cold (as seen in my photo) and it nicer when served with the oil "wet". So pull it out of the fridge about 15 minutes (give or take, depending on how warm it is in the room) before planning to offer it.

Tips:

1 pint of yogurt fits spaciously in a quart jar with oil and seasonings. Keep that ratio in mind, with the amounts you choose to make.
I like to use a long handled tea spoon for serving the balls. Be sure serve with some oil and herbs.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is not cheap, but it has the best flavor and the best health benefits. So don't waste it. Use the left over oil and make another batch of cheese.
I have not tried this yet,but a good virgin pressed coconut oil would be fun to try. Especially if you wanted to try a sweeter version instead of a savory to go with jam on toast or make a danish or sweat bagel shmear or something. I think this would convert very nicely in that direction as well!

Physical and Spiritual Pruning

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:39:00 +0000

A friend of ours writes from the Land of Israel as he volunteers to prune grapes there for the farmers. I thought his reflections were worth sharing to encourage you all in your parenting as you raise up your children to walk in Yah's ways. Also take heed to how Yah continues to prune us as adults - as mature vines that SHOULD be heavy with fruit! This is the case when we have gone through MANY seasons of pruning. So if you see someone who's life is full of fruit - do not think they got there quickly or easily - rather they got there becasue they have allowed the Great Vinedresser to prune them season after season after season!! Enjoy ~

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Shalom from Eretz Yisrael! Peace from The Land of Israel!

As most of you know, the stated purpose of this trip to Israel is to prune grapevines for the vineyard owners in Judea & Samaria. I'd like to share some experiences I have had pruning...

If a vineyard owner fails to prune his grapevines for even one year, those vines will not produce well at all. It would be irresponsible for a farmer to not prune his vines. In the same way our Father prunes us so we will produce fruit.

Pruning vines reminds me that as parents, we must "prune" our children. One of the vineyard owners told us if the vines do not get pruned, they will grow wild. We have all seen the devastating effects of undisciplined children and adults who have had no boundaries. Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Pruning grapevines looks as if you're killing them. It does not kill them, and in fact it strengthens them. Are we any different than grapevines? As God prunes us, we become stronger. Despite how it may seem, the pruning will not harm us, and we will not produce much fruit without Him pruning us. "Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol." Proverbs 23:13-14.

Pruning is difficult - on the vines, and on the pruner. It's not an easy thing for the plant to yield itself to the pruner, just as it is sometimes difficult for us to yield ourselves to our Father.

John 15:1-11, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you will keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."

Different varieties of grapevines must be pruned in different ways. In the same way, it's easy for us to think that God needs to prune our brothers and sisters the same way He prunes us. That's just not the case. We are different varieties, and so we must be pruned differently. "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?" James 4:12.

We pruned one morning after it rained through the night. The vines were soft and easier to prune. We need to be soft and moldable so we can be more easily pruned, and so it won't be so painful.

"You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of YHVH, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom YHVH loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He loves.' It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:4-11

May we welcome our Father's pruning in our lives that we may bear much fruit for His Kingdom!

Until next time, check out www.preparationforrestoration.weebly.com. Thank you to those have generously contributed to our mission, and to those of you who are standing with us in prayer.

Many blessings and peace from Israel!

Ken

Psalm 119:97-104 Mem

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Join us in memorizing the next section of Psalm 119 with the Brumlow family!

If you want see all the previous sections go to our Memorizing Scripture Tab above.

Stay Strong in Your Savior!

Pamela

Psalm 119: 11 I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

Protestant Church and Sunday Sabbath

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:44:00 +0000

In our early faith walk as young adults, we attended Non-Denominational churches in the different places we lived). We were very zealous and passionate about our faith and active in our church. We specifically chose Non-Denominational churches, because we were aware of enough of religious corruption that we did not want to be a part of that and we thought that this choice would protect us from it. These non-denominational churches claimed to "just follow the Bible" and that is what we wanted to do - right from the start. Our pastors were upstanding people, who were honest and kind and had fruits hanging off their family tree! We (thought we) wanted what they had - so to speak. We were just starting to learn the Bible for ourselves. (It takes time! It is very big and full living book! We still consider ourselves students of it today more than 20 years later and we will until we die.) What we did not realize at first, was the subtle inconsistencies and then contradictions between the doctrine being taught and the Bible as it read. However, as our maturity and pursuit of truth was growing, and as we studied the Bible and found ourselves in Leadership Positions in our church, things started to change. This caused us to take more responsibility for our doctrine and caused us to search for answers from questions that came from others (that we never even thought of at that point). Well...that was about 10 years ago - that this topic of Sabbath rose through our study of Scripture and the Spirit poking at my conscience on the topic. We didn't truly "get it" fully for couple years after that..because we were not mature enough in our willingness to submit EVERYTHING to our savior and His ways. (Even though we sang that we would do that, every Sunday morning!) In spite of this, our Saviour was preparing our hearts and when we were (truly willing), we GOT it! We took our questions to our pastors and leaders and they gave us all the "usual" arguments for Sunday that sound good to the ignorant, well indoctrinated or casual Christian who acknowledges God because of what God can do for them. Some even said Saturday is the Sabbath - but "we keep the Lord's Day" because that's when Jesus rose. (Even though Scripture NEVER authorizes such a radical doctrine change.) They also quoted Scripture out of context to support more replacement theology principals, ever so subtly. Later when we studied more Scripture in context, and became better students of the Word from the context it was written instead of the context it was being falsely preached - we saw very clearly that they were using apples to prove oranges. As time and study and research went on, we also learned this was very common practice in the protestant church and maybe one of the reasons why we have over 3000+ denominations , yet teach our of the same Bible! The fact is - we were ignorant of the Scriptures (not stupid - but ignorant - there is a difference) and we were indoctrinated incorrectly (as were the people who taught us). (In other words - we developed our Biblical view from sermons, teachings and doctrines shared from the pulpit and seminaries. This happened much faster and stronger than our own study habits developed. As a result it seeded itself in our minds as truth and colored our perspective because our understanding was filtered through the incorrect things we were taught. We did not know to question the validity of it - these teachers, preachers and servants had been doing this FAR longer than us. They were more together than us and they were genuine "good people"! We were not so proud or rebellious to think that we understood it better then them. We knew that we did not understand this beautiful book, but we WANTED to!!) We were blind to the truth and happy to be spoon fed the alternative (lies of connivance) unknowingly. However, because we wanted the Lord's Truth - above all; above our convenience, our church culture, our comfort, our popularity, above our ignorance, etc...the truth was able to penetrate our thick heads and it changed our lives in yet another way. (Because our lives were sincerely changed in our time in the church - no one can take THAT away from us...No one an take that away from YOU! Our Savior meets us right where we are and works with us to bring us closer to Him and His truth!!) "Getting" Sabbath was a door that opened to so much more that we were "missing" in understanding in our "bible believing non- denominational church". I am so thankful for it! Eventually we left that church - which also opened another world of discipleship, ministry and service directly with our Savior, that we never knew was possible without a "church covering" as was previously taught. Our accountability, responsibility and relationship is stronger now. Davine appointments and assignments happen daily, it is so beautiful to walk in submission and harmony with the Creator the Universe (without the "middle man" in the way). After some "quite time" of refining alone with our Creator, He has brought us into community to help encourage and assist many other whom He is showing these things. It is so very exciting to see such revelation happening in the hearts of men, one family at time - yet SO MANY families simultaneously - as he reveals us to one another.

There is a wonderful website that is devoted to sharing this information specifically about Sabbath. ( I can not know of any of their other doctrine.) It is called SabbathTruth.com . You can research and confirm all this second party once you know there is a trail to follow! I highly encourage you do so if you doubt its accuracy or truth. Please please do your homework! It is time to stand accountable for our faith! Our Father is drawing us nearer to His truth in THIS time for a reason. May those who have ears to hear, hear!

You may also like to visit our page above - as we try to show the scriptural definition of Sabbath.

Below is a video of some of that same information we found when we researched church history that shook us out of our ignorance and made us face truth and test our own doctrine. It really helped us see that the "protestant church" that we were so sure had it right (even our "safe" non-denominational one) was very different than it was painted in my "protestant church history" studies. We were actually Protesting Catholics! We were practicing more unbiblical Catholic doctrines then we knew. Some of them were shed at the time of "Reformation"...but many still remain as fundamental and foundational for Protestants, even today- yet they are NOT Biblical. Keeping and excepting the change of the Sabbath Day is one of those (very very important) things that Martin Luther and the other Reformers took with them. This is very important for us to recognize and repent of, if we desire to worship in Truth.

I pray that my God-fearing faithful brothers and sisters who are in these churches (like we were) who seek truth -but are ignorant and are believing and teaching things that are not true to their children and others, are able to humble themselves with teachable hearts and honestly seek the Father on this topic. May you have the ears to hear this and the courage to do what we are taught to do in the Bible, when we come to a cross road of decision between right and wrong in Our Savior's Eyes. I know there is a lot to search out and "untangle" when our doctrine is off the mark (we have and continue to test ours own docterine to this day!). You will see that it is a sticky web when you start - because Sabbath is not the only thing that we brought with us from Catholsism. However, God is faithful and so very willing and able to show you the way..if you are willing to submit to Him and the truth - and let it transform you. If you do..you will find yourself stepping into the pages of the Bible and "owning it" like you never ever have before. Scale will be removed, that you didn't even know existed!

The Sabbath is very important because God says that it is a sign between Him and His people. (Ezekiel 20:8-25) He was very mad at Israel when they ignored it. It is one of the things that sets us apart from the world. If it is important to God it should be important to us!

We Love You!
Shabbat Shalom

(Sabbath Peace and Wellness)

Psalm 119:89-96 Lamed

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 09:00:00 +0000

The Kelley's are sharing this section of Psalm 119 with us. We are enjoying memorizing and hope you do too!

Meet Michael Life and His Family

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 04:25:00 +0000

I would like to introduce you to a special family in the Body of Messiah and in which we are blessed to walk with here in our community.

A couple months ago, they experienced a very trying, heart wrenching tragedy in their family and

here is their story.

This is a story of faithfulness. A story of love, devotion and commitment. A story of overcoming, of community and of the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father and His redeeming love that supersedes the worst of circumstances and prevails. It is a story of thankfulness and appreciation. It is a story of family.

I was not one who was present (on site) that is mentioned in this story - but rather one (like others I am SURE) who was miles away, but QUITE present in The Spirit, praying, and crying out and pacing and mourning with them in this 2 week process of waiting on the Father and interceding for needs of the family and the life of the baby. Seeing these pictures and hearing this story once again - made my heart over flow with sadness and love and gratefulness all at the same time. Who can explain it? Except, that it be LOVE! Love for the Father; love for His people and compassion for the loss and pain that we must endure until the Messiah returns to "set it all straight". It is a bitter sweet thing... a bitter sweet thing indeed.

This family are small organic dairy farmers, who run a CSA to reach out to folks and provide for their family (and to work together as a family unit). They live in close community with a small group and despite their large family they always have "time" for others who may bring a need or question to them. They are always reaching out. They are zealous for Yah and His ways and live honorably, as you will see (testified) by the quotes posted in the "updates" of the site listed above.

Personally speaking, in this past few months alone, Todd has been gracious to answer farming and milk cow questions for us, as we have been struggling to cure our milk cow of mastitis for months. He has graciously offered His bull's services to us (for free). He even offered to take our cow to his own farm to try to nurse her back to health himself (even though he has plenty of "concerns" right now). We have been trying for months without success to help her heal, while other's suggested we give up and dry her up or eat her - Todd offers hope and help when we are feeling our most defeated! Why do I tell you this? Because everyone who knows the Vincents has some sort of story of encouragement or hope that they have received from them! They are just that kind of family. I felt the need to share one of my one"testimonies" of how I am in the midst of being blessed by them, as I write this post!

'Friends/family in common' who live in their small community have put together the site linked above to HELP THEM for a change. They wanted their story to be told and wanted to see if we could pull together like the community described in Acts to help meet the needs of this family as they are coming out of a very hard season in their lives. (No matter where we all may live!!) The Vincents have incurred some debt with medical bills and other trials have occurred with their family van. (They have been borrowing a vehicle to run their goods to Nashville for their livelihood - just making modest ends meet as well as sold a couple of their needed livelyhood-producing cows.) While we can not change those things which have happened in the past months, we can rally around them in support to help bear the burden with them.

When praying about this post - this chapter of Scripture came to my mind Hebrews 11. I read it and felt that is speaks VOLUMES as to the Scriptural faithfulness that has been lived out during this very hard time.
So often adversity and calamity will crush a person's spirit and whose faith is not rooted in their Savior. However, this family has and continues to walk in such faith as described in Hebrews. I know their reward is in YHWH and they never ask for anything more...but we...who walk with them are hoping to bless them in this small way - so that their burden may be lightened and they may be a little more free and mobile to continue their Kingdom work. Many of the folks in our community, live very financially humbly in order to minister and serve, yet we are giving all we can. I felt led to reach out to YOU, our extended family of believers, to see if you might pray about assisting us in blessing the Vincent family as well.

Gratefully and Humbly and Sincerely,

Psalm 119:81-88 Kaph

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 04:08:00 +0000

After months (and months) we finally have recorded and subtitled the latest Psalm put to music. Here is Psalm 119:81-88:

We have several families who have recorded and sent us the next few psalms sections, now that the Schminkes have finally gotten this one done. Be on the lookout for more additions very soon!! Thanks for being patient with this project! We are very excited with everyone's enthusiasm and diligence.

Online Accountability

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I was just recently introduced to a web service called Covenant Eyes. It is a brilliant concept for online accountability! This is a tool that can be used as a prevention measures or as an accountablity partner if anyone in your home may struggle or may be vonerable when it comes to pure and righteous content before thier eyes/ears online. I find it partcularly ideal if there has ever been a struggle in this area. It is customizable - and I think it could be the kind of tool that could help keep Men//Women and Youth who are seeking after Yah's ways to use the interent and stay above reproach! Check it out!

http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/about-covenant-eyes/

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 19:12:00 +0000

May you be joyous and thankful in Him!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to Yahowah, all the earth!
Serve Yahowah with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know Yahowah, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For Yahowah is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

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Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O Yahowah, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in Yahowah without wavering. Prove me, O Yahowah, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. Iwash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Yahowah, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. O Yahowah, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless Yahowah.

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Psalm 95

Oh come, let us sing to the Yahowah; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Yahowah is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Yahowah, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways." Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest."

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Psalm 50

The Mighty One, God Yahowah, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"
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Psalm 107

Oh give thanks to Yahowah, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Yahowah say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Yahowah in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank Yahowah for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to Yahowah in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 15 Let them thank Yahowah for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to Yahowah in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank Yahowah for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of Yahowah, his wondrous works in the deep For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to Yahowah in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank Yahowah for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Yahowah!

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2 Corinthians 4

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Y’shua Ha Machiach as lord, with ourselves as your servants for Y’shua’s sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Y’shua Ha Machiach. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Y’shua, so that the life of Y’shua may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Y’shua’s sake, so that the life of Y’shua also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Y’shua will raise us also with Y’shua and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

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2 Corinthians 9:6-15

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for Yah loves a cheerful giver. And Yah is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to Yah. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to Yah. By their approval of this service, they will glorify Yah because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Messiah, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of Yah upon you. Thanks be to Yah for his inexpressible gift!

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Ephesians 1:3-23

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua Ha Mashiach, who has blessed us in Messiah with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Y’shua Ha Machiach, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Messiah as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Messiah might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Y’shua and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Y’shua Ha Machiach, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Messiah when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the Messianic Community, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

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Ephesians 5:1-21

Therefore be imitators of Yah, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Messiah loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to Yah. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and Yah. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of Yah comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Messiah will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to Yah the Father in the name of our Lord Y’shua the Messiah, submitting to one another out of reverence for Messiah.

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Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Yah. And the peace of Yah, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Y’shua. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the Yah of peace will be with you.

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Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my Yah in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Y’shua Messiah. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For Yah is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Messiah Y’shua. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Messiah, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Y’shua Messiah, to the glory and praise of Yah.

Community and Family

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 13:31:00 +0000

Community and Family are becoming one and the same for us. As we continue to walk in faith with folks who are zealous for our King and willing to surrender all to serve him..we are continually humbled, challenged, encouraged, inspired and edified even in this world that is becoming increasing hostile toward Yah and His people.

I am very blessed to live in a developing community that is entrenched with young adults and children who are zealous for purity and family values. This is VERY encouraging to us, because that is a great commitment and value in our own family. This would not happen of course if it were not for the parents who are deliberate and commited to raise their children in this way. We are so thankful for those who have gone before us! It is such an encouragment and gives us such hope for our children in a world that offers little of either, to our youth (and parents) today.

Our children are between the ages of 3-15 at the time of this writing. We have been so blessed over the course of the last 6-7 years to witness (and be a part of) a broad community that values Torah, Messiah, Family, Purity and living fully committed set apart lives for Yah. We get to see the FRUITS of other families whose young adult-children are remaining pure until marriage. It is a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of!!!

As I reflect on it – I can see that there are many things we have in common:

· We all have decided to live for YHWH (Yah/God). To stand alone – if need be – for the truth that He had revealed to us through His Scriptures, His Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) and His Messiah Y'shua (Jesus).

· We all have a passion for Scriptures and studying them to gain a greater understanding of Yah and our place in His plan and willingness to shape our lives to fit HIS plan, instead of shaping our idea of God to fit ours.

· We all highly value family and faithfulness and have decided to cultivate a “family culture” as our core ministry and purpose.

· We all have chosen to live modestly within our means and deliberately choose livelihoods that provide us the freedom to worship Yah and even to minister to others as a priority and lifestyle.

· We all have learned to respect one another – even in our differences; Be they lifestyle or doctrinal understandings.

· We all have chosen to support, encourage and stand together – while at the same time we stand alone before our maker, responsible for our own walk/choices.

· We all have a desire for purity, modesty and cultivating a humble teachable spirit before our maker and our brothers and sisters.

· We all respect the role and responsibility of the Father/Husband as the head of the house hold and encourage him in it.

· We all love and appreciate and edify the role of the Mother/Wife and encourage her in it as she “completes” the marriage picture and applies the many gifts that Yah has given her.

· Most (but not all) of us have given up most of the things that people see as "normal". Things like public or Christian school, pop culture, TV, pop music, pop fashion, independence, extracurricular youth activities that pull them away from family and divide the family in many directions, amusement/entertainment focused hobbies, etc... and traded them for things that we value more.

We are a peculiar people...and we are OK with that. :-)

We don't agree on everything, mind you. Here are some good examples of things that may be believed or practiced differently:

Biblical Calendar Reckoning
How to pronounce (or whether to pronounce) the Name of YHWH (YHVH)
Living in close proximity and where we may meet for Sabbath.
Opinions on Israeli Politics
Opinions on Evangelism
Lots of things … actually.....but we are growing in wisdom, not to let these "disputable matters" cause strife in The Body.
We may even disagree on the interpretations of some particular verses in Scripture and how it should be walked out! In Christianity, pride and legalism causes a "church devision" and a new denomination. (As seen - by the thousands that exist today.) We have all seen it and are learning how to humble ourselves so that we stop duplicating that. We strive to allow Yah to work these things out in our hearts as we grow in the wisdom of His ways and His character. So that we may truly understand LOVE and walk in it with in the family unit that Yah has designed for that very purpose!

I am very thankful for the those whom Yah has brought together in our extended family of believers. Even though we are not perfect, we know that we are all His and encourage one another in the process of being transformed for His glory. We know that we have been bought and paid for with a price and we are willing to give our lives in thanks. I am thankful for their zeal, passion and commitment to the King and to their families. I am thankful for their contrite hearts and their willingness to serve their brothers/sisters. I am thankful that they are raising possible husbands and wives for my own children - who share the same values and who serve the same King! I am thankful that I do not have shallow fellowship that causes me "to be quick to leave the building" and get on with my day; I am thankful that we do not need to be justified by title or pastor or doctrine or require people to conform to standards imposed by certain people or church politics. Rather, one that is centered around serving Yah and His purposes. I am thankful that Yah is knitting us together in His very unique way - so that we may be a light to the Nations...for generations to come - should Y’shua tarry longer than we thought. May Yah always be the center and may it always be so! Praise Yah!

Parenting Encouragment

noreply@blogger.com (MommySetFree) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:38:00 +0000

Lets play a little game shall we? I do hope you will play! I would like to come to reference this spot when encouragement is needed and to assist cultivating my own parenting, I hope you do too.

I am going to list a couple verses in the "comments section" of this post, that I find encouraging to my parenting, and add to them, as Yah bring new ones to mind. Would you also do the same?

Parenting IS decipling, we must be deliberate in our approach and steadfast in our conviction and lifestyle.

1 Thesalonians 5: 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For Yah has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our lord Y'shuah Ha Machiach, 10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.