Grandparents.

We have become Grandparents for the first time.  What an awesome responsibility.  Not only have we influenced the next two generations with our children and the children they have for Messiah, but now we have the opportunity of reaching a third generation through our grandchildren.
I would like to introduce to you
Manasseh Samuel Zecca.  I have been praying for this little guy since Sarah and John were married.
He is the fruit of a marriage dedicated to Yahweh Elohim.  He is a blessing.  May you continue to be a blessing to Abba El as you seek to serve Him with your whole heart.  May you be yielded to Him in all you do and willing to allow Him to use you for the furtherance of His kingdom.  Shalom, little one, you are greatly loved.

Art Contest

Ok, I have a dilemma.  A magazine for artists worldwide is having an art contest.  If I entered there is a small entry fee.  My painting would be in the class for still life.  What are your thoughts.  Would it be a waste of my money?  Winners will have their art work in the magazine and a small amount of money.  I still have a little work to do on the background.  I will also have a higher quality photo to send in.

Stephen

Can anyone tell me the reason behind the stoning of Stephen in Acts 6-8?

When we first meet Stephen this is the way he is introduced

And they chose Stephanos, a man filled with belief and the Set-apart Spirit. 

And Stephanos, filled with belief and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.   However,  a problem arises.  There were those who didn't like what was happening among the people and the priests who were believing.

Act 6:9 But some of those of the so-called Congregation of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Kilikia and Asia), rose up, disputing with Stephanos,

Act 6:10 but they were unable to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

 

Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, so they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

Act 6:13 And they set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this set-apart place and the Torah,

Act 6:14 for we have heard him saying that this יהושע of Natsareth shall overthrow this place and change the institutes which Mosheh delivered unto us."

Did you catch that?  The false witnesses lied about changing the Law!!  They were saying Stephen was teaching the law was abolished.  So, what do they teach in your church?  Do they tell you the law is not for today?  Do they teach you do not have to live by the law of Elohim?
Most churches today teach that Paul tells us we do not have to keep the law in the book of Galations.  We must remember Peter's warning in 2 Pet.

2Pe 3:15 and reckon the patience of our Master as deliverance, as also our beloved brother Sha’ul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him,

2Pe 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them concerning these matters, in which some are hard to understand,¹ which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures. Footnote: 1See 1 Cor. 11:6.

2Pe 3:17 You, then, beloved ones, being forewarned, watch, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the delusion of the lawless,

Let's just see what Paul did for a minute. 

Act 21:18 And on the following day Sha’ul went in with us to Yaʽaqoḇ, and all the elders came. Act 21:19 And having greeted them, he was relating one by one what Elohim had done among the gentiles through his service.

Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they praised the Master. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Yehuḏim there are who have believed, and all are ardent for the Torah. 
Paul is being accused of teaching "to forsake the Law". 

Act 21:21 "And they have been informed about you that you teach all the Yehuḏim who are among the gentiles to forsake Mosheh, saying not to circumcise the children nor to walk according to the practices.

 

Act 21:28 crying out, "Men of Yisra’ĕl, help! This is the man who is teaching all men everywhere against the people, and the Torah, and this place. And besides, he also brought Greeks into the Set-apart Place and has profaned this Set-apart Place."
But Paul actually upheld living the Law.

Act 21:24 "Take them and be cleansed with them, and pay their expenses so that they shave their heads. And all shall know that what they have been informed about you is not so, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Torah.

So, folks, our interpretation of the book of Galations has been skewed and we have been taught those things for which both Stephen and Paul were falsely accused.  We have been living contrary to what the Scriptures teach.
We cannot earn our salvation through obedience to the law for salvation is by Faith alone.
Even Abraham kept the law and it was credited to him for righteousness.
Why should we keep the law?  Because it is a demonstration of our love for Yahweh Elohim.
Yahshua said  "if you love me, keep my commands".  In 1 Jn we are told the definition of sin.
John tells us that sin is lawlessness.  or in the Hebrew Torahlessness.
Think about Stephen, he was falsely accused of not teaching or keeping the Torah or Yahweh's instructions for His set apart people.


  

Fight Against Common Core

A year ago my wife joined a group that is fighting against the government's data tracking and dumbing down of America's youth through Common Core.  This fast growing group is now celebrating their first year and we have joined to help them celebrate. They are The Educational Freedom Coalition. 

http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org/

They are having hourly give-aways all day on Sat.  I have contributed an original painting of the winners choice from my art site.  They are also having a birthday cake contest.  So I came up with a cake design and supervised the girls today as they proceeded to decorate the cake.  Here are the pictures

 Cocoa and Esther

 Chocolate cake, for Shabbat

 Mixing

 Frosting

 Frosting on fingers, yum

 and practice for the decorating

And
Wallah
The
finished
cake
ready
for the
picture
contest
Great
Job
girls