Book part 5. Discipleship

We are beginning to celebrate the feast of dedication 

or Hanukkah tonight.  It is also called the feast of 

lights.   We do not do a lot of the traditions 

associated with this celebration.  We do have 

doughnuts and light the candles.  We focus mainly 

on rededicating our lives to the Father as the temple

 and instruments were rededicated  after the Maccabees 

victory over their oppressors.  With this in mind 

I post another part of my book.  I trust that this 

will bless you and encourage you to live the way in 

which the Father desires all of His children to, Set

Apart for Him. 

DISCIPLESHIP: 


     Discipleship is the key point around which all the rest of what 

we do revolves. If we don’t grasp discipleship as a way of life for

 ourselves we might as well not continue from here. If we picture a 

wagon wheel with the Scriptures and Yahweh Elohim being the hub and 

discipleship being the rim, the other items being the spokes you 

will get an accurate picture of what this all looks like. How do we

 parent our children in ways which encourage discipleship? The end 

result should be our children internalize the Scriptures and desire 

to follow Elohim whole heartedly. 
     In the western world most people function with a Greek mindset. 

The Greek mindset separates everything into categories and those 

categories do not overlap. It is linear in its thinking. If we try 

to see things from the Hebraic mindset then everything a person does

 revolves around one thing. It is a circular way of thinking. Much 

like a wagon wheel with spokes. That one thing or person happens to

 be Yahweh Elohim. Paul Schutte talks about these different mindsets

 concerning education. I would insert it here as a means of what we 

are trying to do with the discipleship of our family. 
     Here is an excerpt of his article entitled, “Developing a 

Biblical Philosophy of Education.” You may view the entire document 

by visiting the following website www.rivertownbible.org. 
     The understanding of these conflicting educational systems is 

important in determining a Biblical perspective of education. 

Methodology is NOT neutral. Our philosophy will dictate our 

methodology. Our methodology will affect our outcome. We need to 

develop a culture and educational methodology that distinctively 

reflects our love for God. 
(this goes back to what I was saying about keeping Yahweh’s 

instructions) 
     The Greek model of education shapes our modern American 

educational theories. Greek education focused on content. Hebrew 

education focused on relationship. Greek teachers tried to shape 

students' minds. Hebrew teachers tried to shape students' hearts. 

Greek students were to learn what their teacher knew. Hebrew 

students were to become what their teacher was. The notion that one 

can merely teach the mind and body of a child without involving the 

heart and soul is the method of the Greeks. We see no precedent in 

Scripture for the teaching of children's minds for the sake of 

academia. We are to bring every thought captive to Christ. The mind 

of Christ is what we are to model and teach.4
(This has infiltrated our churches. We have people who know the 

Scriptures but lack a personal relationship with the Father). 
     A learned scholar, Canon H. Goudge, of the Church of England 

remarked: 
     “When the Greek and Roman mind, instead of the Hebrew mind, came 

to dominate the church” (starting with some of the early church 

fathers, such as Augustine in the 400’s a.d.) “there occurred a 

disaster in belief and practice from which we have never recovered, 

either in doctrine or practice.”5
     Personally, if we are to get back to the roots of believing and 

living the way the apostles did, we must start before the time of 

Constantine. All of the beliefs from Constantine forward are subject 

to scrutiny and should be carefully considered in light of 
the whole of Scripture as following the Way has changed since that 

time. 
     Jack Deere puts it this way 
     “Knowing the Bible is not the same thing as knowing God. Loving 

the Bible is not the same thing as loving God. Reading the Bible is 

not the same thing as hearing God. The Pharisees knew the Bible, 

loved the Bible and read the Bible but they did not know, love or 

hear God.”6

Scripture defines discipleship this way. 

Deu 6:5  “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being,

 and with all your might. 
Deu 6:6 “And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be in 

your heart, 
Deu 6:7 and you shall impress them upon your children, and shall 

speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the 

way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up, 
Deu 6:8 and shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall 

be as frontlets between your eyes. 
Deu 6:9 “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and

 on your gates. 

Also in the New Testament we are told in everything we do, we are to 

do it with one purpose. 

1Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, 

do all to the esteem of Elohim. 

     This I call discipleship. Discipleship is leading or guiding 

someone in becoming a follower of a teacher, leader or philosophy. 

In our case we become disciples or followers of the Messiah or 

Yahshua and the Word of Elohim. 
     In discipling our children we want them to be obedient to the 

voice of our Abba El (Daddy Elohim). So the Scriptures become 

important to us in determining just what it is Abba El desires of 

us or has for us to do. The Scriptures are the Word of Elohim. They 

are His words for us. When we steep ourselves in His Word we learn 

to recognize His voice. He will not say anything which is contrary 

to His written word. Here we need to be careful that it is His Word 

we are in obedience to and not the teachings or doctrines of men. We 

desire something different for our family. We want them to be able 

to know, love and hear Elohim and to serve Him with their whole 

hearts. 
     David Kupelian in Whistle Blower magizine had this to say about 

the battle believers are involved in today. “Today America and 

Europe are being transformed by Islam because there is a spiritual 

vacuum in these once Christian lands... all the vain, prideful 

fantasies of the post-Christian, secular, multiculturalism – 

worshiping Europeans are crashing down around them. Having traded 

the Christian faith of their fathers for the smug, self-righteous 

ecstasy of the socialist welfare state. Europeans have no strength 

left with which to fight back the invading hordes...We need to 

remember...to realize the bottom line reality that man is a 

spiritual creature and that he will have faith, one way or the 

other.

 If he doesn't embrace true faith, he will embrace false faith. 

It's not only automatic it's God ordained.” The war before us “ 

at core a spiritual war and therefore we cannot and will not win 

it without God. Indeed our national faithlessness, immorality and 

rebellion against Him, our abandonment of His wholesome laws of life 

and the resulting self doubt and self loathing we experience and the 

perverse policies such self hatred inspires – all this draws the 

barbarian hordes to us. To truly turn the tide of battle and win the 

greater war, we need nothing less than a genuine national awakening, 

a rebirth of faith and trust in Almighty God, and a rediscovery of 

the core biblical values...”7

     In this book I am suggesting we are unable to meet the coming 

tide of unbelief unless we turn back to discipleship as outlined 

here. Not the current discipleship we find in churchianity. But 

actually becoming a life student of the Messiah. I believe this 

would include going back and rediscovering that He taught and 

practiced obedience to the instructions of His Father found in the 

Torah or the first five books of the Bible. If we truly face the 

facts people are leaving churchianity. It is steeped in traditions 

that are not biblical. So let us go back and find the truth that 

has 

been lost. 
     “The Hebrew word for disciple is talmid…the word implies one 

who is constantly learning – a life student. More specifically a 

disciple is a lifelong student of his rabbi. It is this we are 

called to create…”8 

Mat 28:19 “Therefore, go and make taught ones of all the nations, 

immersing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the 

Set-apart Spirit, 
Mat 28:20 teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And 

see, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Amen. 
  “Being a disciple implies that we are fully able to transmit, 

communicate and demonstrate the message of our rabbi through our 

teaching and our life practice.”9

     As we will see throughout the remainder of the book the cost of 

discipleship will involve a radical commitment. It may require some 

radical changes in the way in which we think and live our lives. The 

question remains, will it be worth it? In this world we live in and 

the churches we attend “the influence of our secular culture has 

rubbed off all signs of our devotion and in many cases caused us to 

be “Christ like in name only. We have accepted salvation, a label, a 

creed or a doctrine, 

but have forsaken our master in our daily lives. The disciples Jesus 

called left everything and followed him…”10 
     The greatest area of error in Christianity today is that of 

accepting pagan teaching and philosophy and adapting it to teach 

about our Messiah and discipleship. The Greek philosophers Plato and 

Socrates taught “knowledge is virtue. Good depends on the extent of 

one’s knowledge. Hence, the teaching of knowledge is the teaching of 

virtue. Herein lies the  root and stem of contemporary Christian 

education. It is built on the Platonic idea that knowledge is the 

equivalent of moral character.”11
     Many pastors in the church are coming to realize that preaching 

sermons on Sunday just isn’t enough. The people in the pews may 

comment on how great the sermon was and then go on their merry way 

without thought of how it can affect the outcome of their own life. 

“These were the very people who were struggling with self-esteem, 

beating their spouses, struggling as workaholics, succumbing to 

their addictions. Their lives weren’t changing. I had to ask myself 

why this great knowledge I was presenting didn’t move from their 

heads to their hearts and their lives. And I began to realize that 

the breakdown in the church was actually based on what we learned in 

seminary. We were taught that if you just give people information, 

that’s enough!12
     Discipleship is the key. It is a lifestyle. We do not take in 

information just to have an idea of what the Master taught. We do 

not want our lives to be ruled by do’s and don’ts. We follow Abba’s 

instructions for His people because of our love for Him.  He has 

given us instructions for life in order that our lives become filled 

with meaning and purpose. In internalizing and making His 

instructions a part of our life we become His set-apart people. We 

become people that are different from the world around us. We become

 people who make a difference and in which others can see a 

difference. We become disciples of Master Yahshua our Messiah. 

Act 4:13  And seeing the boldness of Kĕpha and Yoḥanan, and perceiving that they were 

unlearned and ordinary men, they marvelled. And they recognised that they had been with 

 יהושע.
 
     The New Testament teaches us Yahweh Elohim is spirit. Because He 

is spirit we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. He is known to 

us by His revelation (spiritual insight) to the human spirit. 

The reason and intellect, as we have seen, can cause us to know 

about Elohim and give us a means to communicate and share what we 

know. But they fall short of the goal of being able to worship 

Elohim. We cannot deeply know Elohim through the gateway of our 

intellect or emotions. So much of what we see and hear in 

Christianity today is geared to touch our emotions and 

intellect. A. W. Tozer had this to say, “Divine truth is of 

the nature of spirit and for that reason can be received only 

by spiritual revelation….God’s thoughts belong to the spirit 

world of intellect, and while spirit can embrace intellect, 

the human intellect can never comprehend spirit…. Man by 

reason cannot know God; he can only know about God…. Man’s 

reason is a fine instrument and useful within its field. It 

was not given as an organ by which to know God.”13 
     
     To put this simply, we can have extensive Bible knowledge, a high

 powered intellect and super reasoning skills, but these things will 

not automatically produce within us a deep and lasting spiritual 

relationship with Yahshua in a way in which we can impart a life-

changing revelation of Him to others. Someone once wisely said “It 

is the heart which perceives God, and not the reason.” With these 

thoughts in mind let us turn our attention to the how of discipleship. 
     If discipleship is becoming like your instructor, then we must 

become like Yahshua. So what was Yahshua like? As we saw at the 

beginning of the book, Yahshua could not do anything apart from the 

Father. The words He spoke, the commands He followed were those of 

the Father. Yahshua didn’t follow His own agenda. It was in complete 

obedience to the Father that He came. Our quest for becoming 

disciples of Yahshua must also begin with being in obedience to the 

Father’s instructions for His set-apart people. 
     The Father is pretty explicit in what He expects of those who 

worship and serve Him. It can be summed up in one word: obedience. 

We can see over and over again in the Scriptures where Yahweh 

Elohim  tells His people to “guard” or “keep” His instructions and 

commands. Even Yahshua told His disciples “If you love me keep my 

commands”. Yahshua did not follow His own agenda. It was in complete 

obedience to the Father that He came and in the things He said and

 did. Yahshua was in complete obedience to His Father, and that is 

where we must start if we desire to be His disciples. 
     Throughout the Scriptures we find the importance of being in 

obedience to the instructions of Yahweh. In Deuteronomy we are told 

to guard or keep His commands. This word is a very interesting word 

picture in the Hebrew. 

Strongs #8104: 
V) .... 
(.... 
Sh-MR) -Guard: To watch over or guard in the sense of preserving or 

protecting. [freq. 468] (vf: Paal, Niphal, Hitpael, Piel, Participle)

 |kjv: keep, observe, heed, keeper, preserve, beware, mark, watchman,

 wait, watch, regard, save. 

 To consume 

. Might 

. Highest, most important 
     When we put these Hebrew letters together we have the definition 

of “consuming with ones might or life, the words that come from the 

Most High.” It is these words of life we are to impart to our 

children and families. Not only are we to guard and keep the Father’s

 instructions, which tell us the way in which we are to walk but we 

are also to be in obedience to them out of our love for Him. Our 

obedience does not save us or cause Elohim to look more favorable 

upon us. It is simply a demonstration of our love for our Father in 

heaven. 
     People often pursue goals in different fields of interest with 

single-mindedness. They often give themselves wholeheartedly to the 

pursuit of goals which have no ultimate or lasting value. Is it too 

much to ask that we, who are followers of Yahshua, dedicate 

ourselves to the only goal in life which really lasts for eternity? 

1Sa 15:22  Then Shemu’ĕl said, “Does יהוה delight in burnt offerings and slaughterings, as in obeying 

the voice of יהוה? Look, to obey is better than an offering, to heed is better than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and 

stubbornness is as wickedness and idolatry. 

     Let’s look at a couple of other passages that help to shed light 

on our being disciples. 

     .Jos 24:15  “And if it seems evil in your eyes to serve יהוה, choose for yourselves this day whom you are 

going to serve, whether the mighty ones which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the 

mighty ones of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But I and my house, we serve יהוה.” 
Jos 24:19  Then Yehoshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve יהוה, for He is a 

set-apart Elohim, a jealous Ěl is He. He does not bear with your transgression and with 

your sins, 

     This is part Joshua’s last address to the people of Israel. This 

statement is found in many homes today, “as for me and my house, we 

will serve the Lord”. I want to take a deeper look at the word 

“serve”. 
     The Hebrew word serve comes from an Aramaic root meaning to do 

or make. This leads to “work” or “serve”. In the case of service to 

the Most High it becomes an act of worship or obedience. The Hebrew 

word picture shows a statement of service or obedience as being the 

pathway in which one enters into the family. We must learn to be 

obedient to the Father’s instructions without trying to impose our 

own interpretation or desires into what He plainly tells us in the 

Scriptures. In light of what we find in Matt. I believe this aspect 

is extremely important. 

     Mat 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall 

enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire 

of My Father in the heavens. 
Mat 7:22 “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we 

not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and 

done many mighty works in Your Name?’ 
Mat 7:23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, 

depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’1 Footnote: 1 See v. 15. 

     Allowing ourselves to be disciples and teaching our children to 

be disciples of Yahshua “involves intentionally overseeing the 

generational transfer of the faith in such a way that children learn 

to consistently live all of life under God’s divine rule….We have 

been called to love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and 

strength as well as to love others as ourselves (Luke 10:27 

Deut 6).”14 
     If we are to accept the call to a life of discipleship we are 

to live our lives counter to the culture around us. It means we are 

to live life with an awareness that constantly demonstrates we are 

guarding to keep the values and instructions that point the way in 

which we are to go, the very instructions which Yahweh Elohim gave 

to His set-apart people rather than the values and norms of the 

society in which we live. As we go out and touch the world around 

us we bring the Word of Elohim to life. This message of the Word 

is so much more important than programs and buildings. It is more 

important than the acceptance or favor of friends, neighbors or 

even relatives. In fact, living this way we cannot expect praise, 

honor or esteem from mankind as we travel this often lonely path we 

call life. The message of the Word and being counter culture is not 

about us. It is about living our life so transparent that the message

 of Yahweh Elohim can be seen through us. This message seen through  

us is the reflection of the glory or esteem of the one true Elohim 

and Him alone. 
     Soren Kierkegaard argues in “Fear and Trembling,” if we are not 

willing to give up the things we love most for Elohim, then we make 

a mockery of our love for Abba El. Even if we give them grudgingly, 

they in fact become idols in our life and usurp the place which 

rightfully belongs to Him. To truly be a disciple of the Messiah

 is to walk a path which has always brought controversy and conflict

 in its wake. As a result many have partaken in the same fate as our

 Messiah, Yahshua of Nazareth. 

Is Context Important?

I have been doing quite a bit of pondering and working through some things people have said to me.  So it has been a while since I have last posted.  Not only that, but we have been trying to get settled into where we are currently living.  Now, getting that all out of the way, let me proceed.
   As much as I would like what I have been seeing in the Scriptures to be non-offensive, it is quite plain that much of what the Scriptures say is offensive.  It can be offensive to those not wanting to believe the Scriptures, it can be offensive to those wanting to believe their church's doctrine over the plain teaching of what the Scriptures actually say in their totality.  This being said, is it my intent and purpose to offend?  Of course not; my purpose is and always has been to get people to stop and think about the things they are being taught from the pulpits of their churches.  It is getting people to be Bereans and study the Scriptures with their church's doctrine put aside.  People take offense because what I have said challenges what the church has been teaching for hundreds of years.  People take offense because it is easier than going to the Scriptures and seeing for themselves what the Scriptures teach rather than the church.  Today's Christianity looks nothing like what the Messiah taught His followers in the first century.  Questions you should be asking are 1.  Did Yahshua come to bring in a new religion,? Or 2.  did He come to put into practice and fully teach the words of the Father?  This leads me to just how important is the context of any verse or phrase in the Scriptures.

     If we pull a verse or a phrase out of its context in the Scriptures we can make it say just about anything we want it to.  Take for instance this phrase from Matt 5 that the church chooses to pull out and use to make it say something completely different from what it actually says.

 "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."

I have been told by those teaching in the churches that this means the Messiah has done away with the law.  He fulfilled it so we do not have to.  Question?  Does this teaching line up with all of Scripture?  Is it even in agreement with all of the context it is in?  I dare say this is being misused to bring an inappropriate understanding of the Scriptures.  It is used to promote a teaching that goes against the context and the very teaching of the Messiah and the Apostles themselves.  Here, look at the immediate context.
Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The entire context of the passage of chapters 5-7 deals with the future kingdom.  In the beatitudes the Messiah takes the Old Testament promise to those who will be participating in the future kingdom, telling the blessings associated with them and also giving the woes to those who will not be inheriting the kingdom.  Verses 13-16 are giving the responsibilities believers have while they await the kingdom.  Now let's narrow this down to the immediate context.

This is from a different translation.

Mat 5:17  “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets.1 I did not come to destroy but to complete. Footnote: 1The Law and the Prophets is a term used for the pre-Messianic Scriptures. 

Mat 5:18  “For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done.1 Footnote: 1Lk. 16:17. 

Mat 5:19  “Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the reign of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens. 

Mat 5:20  “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,1 you shall by no means enter into the reign of the heavens. Footnote: 1Mt. 15:3-9, Mk. 7:7-13, John 7:19, Acts 7:53, Rom. 2:23-27, Gal. 6:13.   

  

The Messiah did not come to abolish, do away or destroy the law, Torah, or instructions of the Father.  Now, the church says that the word fulfill means Messhiah fulfilled the instructions of the Father so we do not have to abide by the instructions of the Father.  

Thayer's Greek definitions have this to say about the word.

 to fulfil, i.e. to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G4134

What Yahshua is saying in fulfilling the law or instructions is He is contrasting the true intent of the law with the common Rabbinic interpretation of the day.  He is living it fully and making it fully known as the Father intended it to be known.

If the law or instructions are not done away with this would line up with the teaching of the whole of Scripture.  When the Messiah was here He told us that He followed all of the words of the Father completely.  Else where in the New Testament we are told to follow in the footsteps of the Messiah, to live as He lived.

Let's go down further in this section of verses.  The law or instructions of the Father will not pass away until the heaven and earth pass away.  Are they still here or have I missed something?  

Now, if the law is done away with and that is what we are teaching, according to verse 19 we will be considered the least in the coming kingdom.  The reverse then is also true, if we do, or as Deuteronomy and James puts it, if we guard to do the instructions or law of the Father and are teaching that, then we are considered great in the coming kingdom.  I myself want to be in the latter category.  To guard to do and teach the instructions as a way of demonstrating our love for the Father is what Yahshua tells us in John 14 and 15.

Verse 20 is the key here.  How in the world can our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees?  The Messiah addressed this over and over in the gospels.  The righteousness of the leading religious people of his day was an outward show of the instructions.  There was something missing and that was what the Messiah was pointing out and ultimately led to His death.  The instructions, Torah, law was never intended to be just an outward show.  It was always intended to be inward and then demonstrated through the things we said and did.  If our outward behavior does not match what is internal then our rightousness is only as good as that of the Pharisees.

1Jn 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

1Jn 2:5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 

1Jn 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

1Jn 2:7  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 

Luk 11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 

Psa 19:8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

Psa 19:9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 

Psa 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 

Psa 19:11  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 

When Yahshua said he came to fulfill the law it was with this meaning.  He was here to show the Father's instructions were intended to regulate the motives of our hearts as well as what takes place on the outside.  Not that He was doing away with them and living them so we would not have to.

Be Bereans.  Search it out.  Don't take my word for it.  Your eternity is at stake.

this is an addition to the original post.
Take Peter's vision.  churchianity takes this vision totally out of its context to make it say what they desire it to.  They use this to say Yahweh Elohim is taking away the food laws and make everything clean.  This is in no way what is being said.  In order to understand Peter's vision you must continue to read the interpretation which is given here.  The Father was telling Peter not that all foods were now clean but the the gentiles could now be grafted into Israel.  By the way gentile means "out of covenant".  When we are grafted in we then have become part of Israel.  Not a Jew, for that is those who are in the tribe of Judah. 

Tire Trouble Tackled Triumphantly

I am sorry I did not get this done sooner.  I was tackling the seepage of 7 inches of rain in our living quarters and was kept busy, some of which I will be posting later.

I last left you all as we headed into Thursday evening and trying to get a good nights sleep.  The journey continued the next day and it was supposed to be a scorcher as well.  We woke up late, some closer to 9 am, but it felt good in the cool of the sheets.  I took the girls, as they became ready, down to the breakfast nook to get something to eat and to start their day.  After seeing that all was progressing I headed out the door to get the last old tire replaced before we hit the road again.  While waiting for the tire to be mounted I was getting the supplies that would help us make it through the heat of the day as we headed North.
    I made sure we had an extra cooler and ice along with plenty of orange juice.  The orange juice seemed to be a big pick me up during the heat of yesterday.  We also had about 4 gallons of water and some light snack stuff for the trip.    Laurie suggested I get about 4 squirt bottles for the girls to mist themselves with.  So we did that and we all had some fun with them on the trip.  Carrie sat behind me and made sure I behaved.  When I didn't she made sure to squirt me well.
    While I was away Laurie was making sure the girls all had showers and started to clean up and pack up so we could load and be on our way as soon as possible.  After arriving back at the hotel I started to gather items that would hold ice and melt so we could have cold water as we needed it.  I loaded the pets and clothing items from the day before and we finally hit the road around 1 pm.  The hotel was very gracious in us leaving a little bit late.  We decided we would travel about 1 to 2 hours and then stop to cool off and let the animals also have a break.  So, once again we entreated our Heavenly Father for a safe trip and loaded up, did our head count and got going.
   We stopped for about a half hour at a rest stop and sat and relaxed in some shade.  We then headed for a gas station for some more ice and a longer stop.  I treated everyone to some ice cream cones and the attendant made a comment on how well behaved the girls all were while they patiently waited for their ice cream.  After continuing on down 80 we noticed there were traffic signs about an accident several miles ahead.  When we got closer the traffic was starting to back up.  It is a good thing we were heading north at that junction and did not arrive later than we did otherwise we would have had to wait to be able to take our turn north.  I also noticed as we headed north that the south bound traffic trying to get on 80 was also backing up.
   As the sun began to set we once again headed for a pit stop.  We were heading to the gas station and noticed a sign of someone running for

sheriff.  The signs says "crooks" for sheriff.  It was also in this community at our pit stop the attendant had a difficult acknowledging the fact that we have a Father who looks after us.  As I talked with her concerning our trip and the Father's protecting hand all she would say is that there was certainly a higher power of some sort looking out for us.  As we pulled out of the station and headed back down the road we said a prayer for her that Abba would open her eyes to the truth.  We had a pleasant trip the rest of the way as the sun went down and the air around us began to cool.  We stopped at the last rest area in Iowa for another break and it was a mess.  I mentioned it to the attendant and they were already beginning to clean.  The most amazing thing about this stop was the flowers.  I walked up a sidewalk to throw some garbage out and I was met with the overwhelming fragrance of these beautiful flowers in full bloom.

 For the most part the remaining part of the trip was uneventful apart from the cheers as we entered the state of Minnesota.  We arrived without further incident at Olivia around 2:30 in the morning a full 48 hours after leaving Illinois.  We got the children all bedded down for the night and began our Sabbath finally getting to bed around 4 am.
   There have been more adventures since arriving and I look forward to filling you in on the details in the coming days.  Until then may the Father bless your lives as you seek to live for Him.  Shalom

Tire Trouble

We have now officially traded the heat in central Illinois for the heat in central Minnesota.  It took us a long time to get here.  We had some breakdowns along the way and had excessive heat stops so we could cool down.
   After praying for safety and protection along the way, we hit the road about 2:30 am on Thursday July 21.  We made it about an hour down the road when one of the camper tires blew going over a bridge.  With the camper and van swaying madly back and forth, Laurie and the girls screaming, I was able to keep the van and camper on the road.  I pulled over and checked things out.  Everything seemed to check out.  All the tires had air.   Now, the amazing thing is, right after we got back on the road a couple of the girls had to use the restroom.  Talk about timing, when I just get going, I hate stopping so soon.  But this stop was of Yahweh.  I pulled off at the first available exit that would have what we needed.  Since we were at a gas station I thought I might as well fill up so we could go even further before our next stop.  After I helped Laurie and the girls out I walked around the camper to double check things.  That's when I heard a disturbing sound, the sound of air hissing.  It was coming from the rear tire of the camper and then I saw to my dismay a couple of wires poking their way out of the tire.  I filled up and then backed the camper to a spot where we would not be in the way.  I went into the station and explained our situation.  The attendant told me of a place a block away that could possibly help me when they opened.  She also mentioned the owner usually stopped at the station on his way to work. We were stopped for the time being.  At about 5:30 or 6 a disabled gentleman (he was a rough looking sort of man) stopped to see if we needed any help.  He offered me the use of his 3-ton jack, but would have to walk back home first and bring it back with his pickup.  I was able to get the tire off and then continued to wait.  He stayed around and talked and also introduced me to the co-owner of the repair shop.  The owner did not think he had a tire the right size, but this gentleman thought he might know of someone who had a used one.  While the ladies sat and waited he drove me around trying to find the right tire.  The ladies were also visited by a young man about 13 year of age.  Dave, the disabled man, has taken this young man under his wing as he and his mother are on hard times.  When looking for a used tire failed, he took his time to take me 20 minutes back into Peoria to get a new one.  While at the store I got to thinking about the tires on the camper and something told me to get two instead of just the one I needed.  I know who it was that was prompting me:  it was Yahweh Almighty, the El who watches over us.  I offered to pay this gentleman for his time and gas but he refused and just said to pass it on to others who need help.
    In a song we have heard...."on the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again...."  We then were able to get back on the road for a time.  There were other "appointments" for us later in the day.  The sun was up and it was supposed to be hot.   We were headed north and almost to our turn off to head west when the dreaded happened again.  Another tire, only this time on the other side.  So I once again pulled over to the side of the highway, just before a work area.  I called 911 to let them know of our situation and began the wait for help.  Not only was it hot outside, now it was hot in the seat right next to me.  As the sun crept slowly higher in the sky we waited for the state trooper to come so we could get our second tire put on the rim.  After the officer arrived, the girls got out of the van and took turns in the cool of the trooper's car.  They even received a short tour complete with siren.  They told me all about asking to have the handcuffs put on dad.  The tire repaired, the animals watered, I asked if there was a hotel that would take animals which would be near by, as we were all suffering from the heat.  All in all we traveled about 150 miles in 12 hours.  That is just under 10 miles of travel every 45 minutes.
     We found a motel and I was able to get Laurie and the girls settled and I then went off to find something for supper.  When I got back they were all sleeping.  I took a nap for about an hour and then the others were starting to stir.  I gave them lots of orange juice and liquids and then as they became more hungry we started on the food.  By bedtime we were all ready for some much needed rest.  When I finally got everyone to bed and laid down myself I had had one hour of sleep in about 36 hours.  That being said, I was still pretty awake.  So, I spent time thanking our Protector and Provider for all of his help the last few days.  

To be continued.....

The Heart Part 2

 Heart in Scripture

The heart is mentioned in Scripture many times. The term “heart” is a very important word because Elohim is so deeply concerned about the inner man or the condition of the heart.

1Sa 16:7  But יהוה said to Shemu’ĕl, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him, for not as man sees, for man looks at the eyes, but יהוה looks at the heart.” 

Jer 17:9  “The heart is crooked1 above all, and desperately sick – who shall know it? Footnote: 1See 7:24, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17. 
Jer 17:10  “I, יהוה, search the heart, I try the kidneys, and give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. 

These passages teach us that Yahweh looks at and searches the heart, the inner person. Why is the heart so important? Because the issues of life—our actions, works, pursuits, etc.—all proceed from the heart Pro 4:23  Watch over your heart with all diligence, For out of it are the sources of life. ;Mat 6:21  “For where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also.  Mat 12:34  “Brood of adders! How are you able to speak what is good – being wicked? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. Mat 15:18  “But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and these defile the man.  What we do in word and deed is first of all a product of what we are on the inside.

In His Sermon on the Mount, the Messiah spoke strongly against the mere external, performance-oriented hypocrisy of the religious Pharisees. In Matt 5:17-48, no less than six times He contrasted the mere external approach to the Old Testament Scripture, as it was taught by the Pharisees, with His own teaching which, of course, was accorded with the true design of Elohim's  Word. He did this by the following statements:

“You have heard … but I say to you …” (vss. 21-22)
“You have heard … but I say to you …” (vss. 27-28)
“It was said … but I say to you …” (vss. 31-32)
“You have heard … but I say to you …” (vss. 33-34)
“You have heard … but I say to you …” (vss. 38-39)
“You have heard … but I say to you …” (vss. 43-44)

What was Messiah  showing the people? He was calling their attention to the moral precepts they had been taught by their religious leaders for years, precepts which had their source in the Old Testament Scriptures. But then, with the words, “but I say to you,” He readdressed those same issues as, first and foremost, matters of the heart. This and only this is the true way to live out the instructions of the Father. A true walk for the believer is in an inward, intimate walk with Elohim  by faith. Anything else is nothing more than religious hypocrisy.  We then walk according to the instructions as a demonstration of our love for the Father.

As an example, Messiah  teaches us that adultery and murder begin in the heart. You may not have literally committed adultery, but if you look at a woman or a man with that in view, you have already committed adultery. Where? In your heart! Mat 5:28  “But I say to you that everyone looking at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. . Our walk with God is always a matter of the heart.  This is where the Jews became confused regarding the Father's instructions for His set - apart people.  It was so much more than what was taking place on the outside.

However, as one of the consequences of the fall, people look on the outward appearance.  Elohim, however, is always concerned with the heart, with the reality and condition of what is on the inside. Why? Because if the inside of the cup is clean, so will be the outside.

Home School this Summer

Photography 101
 this was done by our 16 year old



















These next 2 were done by our 13 year old

 Home Ec.  This is the quilt that our 13 year old designed and put together with the help of an older neighbor.  The skirts were designed and sewn by out 16 year old without much help

 Science.  Can you figure out what kind of a moth this is?  We did.

 Science.  What causes this to happen with trees
 I enjoy the light effects on this photo.  art project for the future.  study
lighting on objects

 We are taking part in a traveling home school journal for Thinking Tree.  We were blessed to be able to color and work on a few pages in this journal.  It has been sent to the next family in line.
















This page was to be creative on.  We had some library books that told what different groups of animals are called using collective nouns.  I found out that a "congress" of baboons is inaccurate.  It is a "troop".   We discovered different books gave differing names and also found some on the internet.

 The girls designed on this page

 A collective art project.  This was worked on by most of the family

A Matter of Heart 1

How much have we considered our hearts?  The Scriptures, I am finding have much to say.  Many times as I share with people about what I am learning the phrase "But, God knows my heart" comes up. Usually in reference to something they are changing the meaning and purpose of.  In this and subsequent posts I am going to post what I am learning concerning my own heart and what the Scriptures reveal concerning the heart.

Heb 4:12  For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

Pro 4:23  Guard your heart with all vigilance,
for from it are the sources of life. (NET)

Some one has said the heart is so important to the things we think, say and do, we must regularly perform open heart surgery through the use of the Word of Elohim, but always under the guidance and direction of the great physician.  
   How is this done?  It can be done with the convicting ministry of the Ruach HaKodesh or Set-Apart Spirit.  It is done through the use of the Scriptures and making sure our lives are right before the Almighty.  Our lives as in our hearts, our motivations, our desires, our thoughts, 
2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 
2Ti 3:17  that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work. 

I am finding so much of what we do is motivated by self.  Our desire to be successful as the world views success.  How smart can I look, or what kind of impression do I make on others.  We live in a driven society, driven to look right, have the right house, the right car, the right family, and the list goes on.  There isn't much that would place an emphasis on the inner person, on the heart which Scripture points out is the very well-spring of life.  This is where the thoughts, emotions, motives, ambitions values, and decisions take place.  Here we also must be careful we do not become self centered because it goes against everything we are taught in this world we are in.  Today's spirituality has become more man-centered than centered around our Creator Elohim.  Most of what is accomplished is done for our benefit than for the benefit of the Kingdom.  We forget we are called to be ambassadors.  

Bloesch writes:  In our society today, the humanist ideal of happiness or interior well-being was incorporated into Christian faith without any drastic modification so that religion was given a decidedly anthropocentric orientation. It is generally acknowledged that much popular religion (both conservative and liberal) is narcissistic (egocentric), focusing on inner feelings and on purely personal hopes and goals. God is deemed necessary to help his people attain the desires of their hearts or to find perfect happiness. Some even make the object of religion sound like capitalist consumerism—acquiring the goods of this life. But is prosperity an inevitable concomitant of true faith?1

We must all ask ourselves this question: How well am I guarding (keeping) my heart? Is the condition of my heart my greatest concern? It should be because it is so determinative of every aspect of life. It ultimately determines our love for God and for others. It determines who we are and what we do.

There is more to come as I share my heart and what is happening to it and in it.  Hopefully making a difference in the outside of me for the right reasons with the right results.  May Yahweh Elohim create in me a clean heart for His esteem.

A House of Faith

This goes with the previous post.  Concerning the interpretation of the Scirptures.  I would invite you to read the post on Questions first.  

This is exactly how the Scriptures should be viewed and interpreted

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH

This is a very good image showing the authority of scripture from the foundation up.

The Torah is the foundation

The writings and Prophets must be understood from the Torah

The Gospels must be understood from the Torah, Writings and Prophets

The epistles must be understood from the Torah, Writings, Prophets and the Gospels.

The epistles do not replace or trump the TeNaKH (O.T.); they depend fully on it. Yeshua/Jesus did not come preaching a new Gospel; he came fulfilling (accomplishing) the promises found in the TeNaKh regarding the Gospel. The Apostles did not begin a new religion; they did not sit down to write scripture; and they certainly had no authority to alter the already revealed word of YaHWeH. The Apostolic writings (N.T.) is perfect because it agrees with the TeNaKh (O.T.) which is perfect; the Apostles speak with authority because they stand in agreement with what was previously spoken and written. All later revelation and or scripture stands or falls on the foundation of scripture - the Torah.

Don't build your house upside down!

The Torah Thumper
Image designed by: Paul Todd

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Questions Being Answered

Today I am posting some questions that are being raised by someone on my friends list.  I am making it available here for those who may have some of the same questions.  I will be completing the answers over the next few days.  I hope you all find this of interest and may it lead you all to a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and why you believe the way you do.  Most of all I trust it will lead you to allowing the Scriptures to speak for themselves and you will question the doctrines of your church while you hold them up to the refinement of the Scriptures.

Friend 1:  

Mike, I wanted to consult some friends of mine before I fully replied to your comment "churches are sinning because they don't keep the Sabboth."

Mark chapters 2 & 3 say that Christ fulfilled the Sabboth as well as ALL the other requirements of the Mosaic Law.

Hebrews 7 goes on to explain that believers are under a NEW LAW with Christ's Priesthood.

Romans 7 is very clear on how believers are completely and utterly DEAD to the Mosaic Law.

Was Christ sinning because He didn't keep the Sabboth?

Were the Apostles sinning because they didn't keep the Sabboth?

Regarding the post you shared about Constantine, he tried, but was not able to burn all the manuscripts. The University of Michigan library has an original partial manuscript from the 2nd. century A.D.

I believe the translators of the Bible we have today were very careful to hide and preserve the original texts, so that God's complete and inerrant Word could be passed down to all generations.

Friend 2. 

 Keeping the sabbath...
God told Israel that the sabbath was to be kept thru the ages.
Jesus came with his disciples and said he was the Lord of the Sabbath. He said it was ok to do good on the Sabbath. I don't remember many times in the word that Jesus chose to be idle on the sabbath, rather he diligently did his work on the Sabbath usually at the disgust of those who were respected as leaders.
That is not to say that he didn't spend the time with fellowship with the Father which was the main point of the Sabbath. 
I believe Jesus completed and fulfilled the law concerning the requirement for the need for blood to receive forgiveness when He, being God in the Flesh and the perfect being, went to the cross for our benefit. Belief in this concept is a requirement for being a follower of Christ. That being said Jesus gave us instruction in love and forgiveness

Mike:  

OK,Lets start with some common ground. The Scriptures in the original is the inerrant Word of Elohim (God). Paul said in 2Ti 3:14 But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, 
2Ti 3:15 and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah יהושע. 
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 
2Ti 3:17 that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work. The Scriptures at the time of Paul's writing this letter did not consist of the NT. Just the OT. So, we have the OT and the NT. In the original languages it is inerrant. Any time you translate from one language to another there are things lost in the translation. It is just the way languages work. You can ask any Biblical translator. For instance. Isa 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says יהוה. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. There are places in this world where there are people who have no idea what snow is. The translators found something that could take the place of snow the people would be understand but yet still not change the understanding and meaning of the passage. So yes, we have a set of 66 books making up the Scriptures that are trustworthy. They must also be handled with care. In understanding the Scriptures there are 2 main tenants. 1. Scripture interprets Scripture. 2. There are no inconsistencies in Scripture. Where there seems to be an inconsistency or a seeming contradiction it is in the interpretation not in the Scriptures.

Now, for how to understand the Word of Elohim I am going to put something here I found on line today that sums it up well. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH
This is a very good image showing the authority of scripture from the foundation up.
The Torah is the foundation
The writings and Prophets must be understood from the Torah
The Gospels must be understood from the Torah, Writings and Prophets
The epistles must be understood from the Torah, Writings, Prophets and the Gospels.
The epistles do not replace or trump the TeNaKH (O.T.); they depend fully on it. Yeshua/Jesus did not come preaching a new Gospel; he came fulfilling (accomplishing) the promises found in the TeNaKh regarding the Gospel. The Apostles did not begin a new religion; they did not sit down to write scripture; and they certainly had no authority to alter the already revealed word of YaHWeH. The Apostolic writings (N.T.) is perfect because it agrees with the TeNaKh (O.T.) which is perfect; the Apostles speak with authority because they stand in agreement with what was previously spoken and written. All later revelation and or scripture stands or falls on the foundation of scripture - the Torah.
Don't build your house upside down!
The Torah Thumper
Image designed by: Paul Todd
I will share this image on my page in awhile

Friend 2:  Ok. Jesus did not write a new gospel but he did change the way it affects our ability to worship in a way that pleases God. In fact God himself came in the Flesh and did so to show us the way. He did fulfill the promises listed in the prophets and He taught the apostles. Then he sent the Spirit to be with us, also God in the Heavenly Form

Mike:  Now, with that foundation established. You say the Messiah and apostles did not keep the Sabbath. Your salvation is at stake with that statement. If the Messiah did not keep the Sabbath then He was not without sin. You see Scripture defines sin for us in 1Jn 3:4 Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. The King James Version says it is the transgression of the law. In order for the messiah to be the perfect lamb of Elohim which takes away the sin of the world he would have had to observe the 7th day Sabbath. This is the 4th command. As a side note, if Messiah was the Word of Elohim in the flesh, then He would be keeping it as well. Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. 
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Also the testimony of the Messiah himself say He kept all the Father's commands. Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. So, what are the commands of the Messiah? They would have to be the exact same ones as the Father as Messiah was the Word.
The Apostles understood this and also were in observance of it. Where the seeming contradiction comes in is with the argument with the Pharisees. They accused Him of breaking the sabbath because He was not observing the man made additions to the law. That was the messiah's whole problem with the Pharisees. There is a whole list of Scriptures where the apostles kept the Sabbath. Act 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. Act 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Act 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Act 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Act 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Please also note Stephen and Messiah were falsely accused of breaking the law. If it was a false accusation then it means they were keeping the law. Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 
Now, all that being said, who is to be our example? Paul says to be followers of him just as he is following Messiah 1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. As it is getting late I will continue to answer more tomorrow.

Book Part 4 The Set-Apart Family

How Do We Get There? 


     Getting to the point where people see a difference in the way our 

children act and behave means raising our children on purpose. There 

are reasons why we do things differently. If you desire to see results 

that are different in your children from the normal behavior of other 

children around you then you must be willing to walk a different path.

 Someone once said “insanity is doing the same thing over and over but

 expecting different results.” If we desire to be set-apart we cannot 

accept the post-modern view of the world and the raising of our family. 
     In the post-modern world of today the family and or assembly has

 become impotent. The family and church are either one step behind the

 world or running in step with it. A family which desires to be set-apart 

for Elohim ought to be different. Yahshua told us if we are followers 

of Him the world would hate us as it hates Him. 

1Jn 3:13 Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you.1 Footnote: 

1See John 15:18-19, John 17:14. 

Joh 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it

 hated you. 
Joh 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But

 because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for

 that reason the world hates you. 
     Peter also tells us we are a peculiar people set-apart for the 

purposes of Elohim. 

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation (race), a royal priesthood, an 

holy nation (set-apart), a peculiar people (people for a possession); 

that ye should shew forth (proclaim) the praises of him who hath called

 you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

     Peter is quoting from the Old Testament. 

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my

 covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: 

for all the earth is mine: 

    In the post-modern world of today children are viewed as an economic 

burden. Children are to be delegated to the care and instruction of 

others. There is no distinct difference between male and female. 

Daughters are taught being self-supporting and independent is more 

important than the high calling of motherhood or of being a helpmate 

to a husband. 
     I am in no way endorsing the the patriarchy movement here. What I

am saying is that society has given up on the biblical mandates for men 

and women and the roles they themselves are to play in the family. The

 underlying current I am trying to suggest is, as parents we are 

responsible to promote a generational faithfulness to the whole word 

of Elohim. It is only in this way we are able to be set-apart and 

influence the society in which we live. 
     Post-modern society tries to fragment the family rather than

 keeping it together. Wives are encouraged to be independent of husbands 

or to serve men other than their husband through work. Husbands are viewed 

as the breadwinner rather than the spiritual leader of the family. 

Children are seen mostly on weekends and in church the family is 

fragmented more. When at home time is spent watching television or 

computer not to mention outside activities of sports and recreation. 

The post-modern family sees personal comfort as the main objective in 

life. 
     Finances are usually handled through adding of debt into the mix.

 When it comes time to take care of our elderly parents it becomes easier

 to allow someone else to care for them. Again our own personal comfort is

 more important. We forget the wisdom and influence an older generation is 

able to have upon our lives and the lives of our children and 

grandchildren. 
     For achieving different results we must begin to see things 

differently. We must reject the glitter of the world. As a set-apart 

person or family we set ourselves up to be somebody different. The world

 around us may see us as being strange. In some cases we don't fit in with 

our extended family. In reality we have become a lesson in faith, a visual 

aid where Elohim has said we do things purposely to be different. He wants

 us to be different so that when people see us they will understand they

 have to be different. What are we to be different from? Different from

 the culture we live in. We are to be faultless, in the world but not of 

it. 

Php 2:15 in order that you be blameless and faultless, children of Elohim

 without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among 

whom you shine as lights in the world, 

     Sampson is an example of being called to be different. His was the vow 

of the Nazarite. He was to be unique, set-apart for Yahweh’s purposes. 

Sampson was not effective in his calling as a visual aid for one reason.

 He went down to the Philistines and rather than being in confrontation 

to the culture there, he chose to participate in it. This is what I see 

in the churches today and why following Abba’s instructions are so 

important. Sampson’s big failure was not so much in violating his 

Nazarite vow but in beginning to participate in the cultural value 

system that he was supposed to be confronting. 
     It is completely impossible for us to live out this Elohim – 

centered existence in confrontation of the cultural values that we 

live with and with which we disagree if we are openly or even secretly 

participating in the value system in which we oppose. The great failure 

of Christianity is its tendency to adopt the cultural values and the 

lifestyle values of the very culture we are supposed to be distinct

 from. Just as when Sampson lived a lifestyle completely separated to

 Elohim’s values he was effective, so to when we live according to 

Abba’s instructions we can be effective. When Sampson compromised 

with the value system he represented he lost his power and effectiveness.

 The same thing happens to us. Our task is to be a part of this 

confrontation between the culture of Elohim and the culture of the

 world. Our task begins and ends with discipleship for ourselves 

and our family. We must recognize that “faith is more often than not 

counter-cultural, that the values it elevates – selflessness, love,

 faith – are often ignored, belittled, or perverted by the society 

we live in. And if Jesus really is Lord, as the Gospels, the apostle 

Paul, and the church insists, then nothing else is, so why should it

 matter what society thinks, does, or says?”3