How to keep up discipline and maintain priorities in place without becoming hard or even rough towards people?
How to keep beggars and intruders from stealing my time and attention?
Abba - I need Your strength and Your love!
Kindness is not a question of good manners, but a fruit of the Spirit.
Showing posts with label Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Community. Show all posts
"How are you?" - when to ask, when not to ask?
When to ask "How are you?":
when meeting someone I care about or are concerned about, when I am ready to listen, pray, help, invest more into that person, especially when meeting people, who have shared with me challenges of their life, and which I accompany in their walk through it.
When not to ask "How are you?":
When I have no time to listen or no strength to care, when I have no help and no solution to offer, when I see that the person is hurting or depressed.
when meeting someone I care about or are concerned about, when I am ready to listen, pray, help, invest more into that person, especially when meeting people, who have shared with me challenges of their life, and which I accompany in their walk through it.
When not to ask "How are you?":
When I have no time to listen or no strength to care, when I have no help and no solution to offer, when I see that the person is hurting or depressed.
Seeds of the Kingdom of G-d
The Kingdom of G-d is like a mustard seed ...
A tiny seed, not very visible, put into the soil, where it grows and grows.
Abba, let me sow those seeds everywhere, all the time!
A tiny seed, not very visible, put into the soil, where it grows and grows.
Abba, let me sow those seeds everywhere, all the time!
boldness to speak up
The certainty of some people proclaiming their beliefs which do not match with mine, should neither intimidate me nor cause me to doubt, but should cause me to speak up, express my disagreement and question them how they derived at their belief.
False Gospel and false prophecies
harvest time to separate the wheat from the tares and for the latter to be burned.
But how to relate?
The relationship would have to be rebuilt, as there is no foundation for trust left. But she is wanting to escape again, it seems, this time through death.
And only now, when looking forward to die, she had the courage to meet me, trying to fix her bad conscience. It hurts, again.
What weight is there to her words, if it is not backed by actions? Is there love without courage? Doesn't love drive out fear?
And only now, when looking forward to die, she had the courage to meet me, trying to fix her bad conscience. It hurts, again.
What weight is there to her words, if it is not backed by actions? Is there love without courage? Doesn't love drive out fear?
not a dream this time
Reconciliation after 9 years!!! So good to talk. And according to her, it couldn't have happened earlier.
9th of November, a remarkable day. And I still feel I'm dreaming, but this time it's real.
9th of November, a remarkable day. And I still feel I'm dreaming, but this time it's real.
Psalm 27 - with a new dimension of personal meaning:
[[[A Psalm] of David.]] The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.
One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
dealing with harmful responses
When fear creeps in, when the body starts to feel uncomfortable - this feeling upon opening the response to a bold email, expecting to get attacked, accused, belittled, humbled, degrated and criticized, blamed and rejected - all of these harmful and ungodly responses should deserve a standard answer informing the sender about acceptable ways to express disagreement, question the content and offer constructive criticism.
Thoughts for Prayer - Israeli politics/ political choices
Three very fundamental points for repentance on behalf of the nation and individuals of the nation stick out to me:
- Repentance for being self-centered instead of G-d-centered
If we were G-d-centered as a nation, our first response in times of troubles or of making decisions would be prayer. Now, there are many religious people living here, which do open their prayer books and pray and expect miracles, but a G-d-centered nation would expect prayer to be 2-way communication in which the well tested prophetic voices are part of the decision making process.
- Repentance for unbelief and lack of knowledge
Trying to reach our goals in our ways led to a lot of harm. Even actions in self-defense are usually quite different from actions in the Spirit of Yeshua. It is all about Him, not about us. Therefor, believing Him and getting to know Him and His ways better and better is an essential pre-requisit for doing what is right.
- Repentance for hatred and lack of care and love towards Arabs, and especially towards Gazans
Finally, it might be necessary to take initiatives in order to stop and prevent evil, but when we enter the discussion of right and wrong and justified and unjustified, we have to constantly remind ourselves that we all are wrong and unjustified except through Him, Yeshua, and that any hatred for the lost is out of place, that we are commanded to love our enemies and that any necessary means of restraint of evil and discipline have to be motivated by care and love for them, the enemies. Our own fears, hurts and anxieties we have to give to the Lord and let Him take care of us. We can not act in response to them with our fears, hurts and anxieties serving as fuel for our actions, except if the action is turning to the Lord!
Thoughts for political leads
If we are in the Land because we truely love the land - not a selfish love - but a love that wants to see the land restored, not for ourselfs, but for G-d's purposes, let's not fight about to whom it belongs, but what we can do, together, to heal the land. The water crises breakes the land, let's see how we can develope the desert to make it bloom!
G-d commands His blessings where brothers dwell together in unity (Hineh ma tov u'ma nayim...) I believe we need to seriously take the lead and face our internal problems of disunity, rejection of one another or of groups within, of blame, of corruption and dishonesty, of selfishness ... and challenge one another regarding our beliefs and life-philosophy-systems, whether they are coherent and true and leading to G-d or not and engage together on an honest quest for truth and for the presence of G-d in our midst as a nation.
- Repentance for being self-centered instead of G-d-centered
If we were G-d-centered as a nation, our first response in times of troubles or of making decisions would be prayer. Now, there are many religious people living here, which do open their prayer books and pray and expect miracles, but a G-d-centered nation would expect prayer to be 2-way communication in which the well tested prophetic voices are part of the decision making process.
- Repentance for unbelief and lack of knowledge
Trying to reach our goals in our ways led to a lot of harm. Even actions in self-defense are usually quite different from actions in the Spirit of Yeshua. It is all about Him, not about us. Therefor, believing Him and getting to know Him and His ways better and better is an essential pre-requisit for doing what is right.
- Repentance for hatred and lack of care and love towards Arabs, and especially towards Gazans
Finally, it might be necessary to take initiatives in order to stop and prevent evil, but when we enter the discussion of right and wrong and justified and unjustified, we have to constantly remind ourselves that we all are wrong and unjustified except through Him, Yeshua, and that any hatred for the lost is out of place, that we are commanded to love our enemies and that any necessary means of restraint of evil and discipline have to be motivated by care and love for them, the enemies. Our own fears, hurts and anxieties we have to give to the Lord and let Him take care of us. We can not act in response to them with our fears, hurts and anxieties serving as fuel for our actions, except if the action is turning to the Lord!
Thoughts for political leads
If we are in the Land because we truely love the land - not a selfish love - but a love that wants to see the land restored, not for ourselfs, but for G-d's purposes, let's not fight about to whom it belongs, but what we can do, together, to heal the land. The water crises breakes the land, let's see how we can develope the desert to make it bloom!
G-d commands His blessings where brothers dwell together in unity (Hineh ma tov u'ma nayim...) I believe we need to seriously take the lead and face our internal problems of disunity, rejection of one another or of groups within, of blame, of corruption and dishonesty, of selfishness ... and challenge one another regarding our beliefs and life-philosophy-systems, whether they are coherent and true and leading to G-d or not and engage together on an honest quest for truth and for the presence of G-d in our midst as a nation.
And again - balance, order, continued growth and good stewardship
Getting back to a disciplined and well-ordered life.
The loneliness of a forerunner and the distance to those following is a reason to stop from time to time. What's the purpose to continue running ahead? Time to connect and help others, time to take care of the body of believers, of the weak and downtrodden, time to share and encourage and to carry burdens of others to enable them to continue on.
Yes, our love is for the Lord, but His love, for which He gave his life, is for this world and for mankind. When there is no going deeper in dedication and longing for Him, just following His footsteps in love and dedication for what He loves leads us into deeper fellowship with him. Continuing on day by day to do His commandments and to trust Him may produce at the end a fragrant offering to Him.
And still, growing in knowledge and understanding of the scriptures enhances a treasure of which the whole body can profit, at all times. Growing in knowledge and understanding of the proper operation of the gifts of the Spirit helps to prevent harm and to open doors for their healthy use to empower the body to be victorious. Exercising and developing skills to be able to master tasks well, even if few people seem to care about it, is a matter of good stewardship and faithful service to the Lord.
Times for study
Times for prayer & intercession
Times to exercise and develop skills
Times to build and establish relationships, to help and support those in distress
The loneliness of a forerunner and the distance to those following is a reason to stop from time to time. What's the purpose to continue running ahead? Time to connect and help others, time to take care of the body of believers, of the weak and downtrodden, time to share and encourage and to carry burdens of others to enable them to continue on.
Yes, our love is for the Lord, but His love, for which He gave his life, is for this world and for mankind. When there is no going deeper in dedication and longing for Him, just following His footsteps in love and dedication for what He loves leads us into deeper fellowship with him. Continuing on day by day to do His commandments and to trust Him may produce at the end a fragrant offering to Him.
And still, growing in knowledge and understanding of the scriptures enhances a treasure of which the whole body can profit, at all times. Growing in knowledge and understanding of the proper operation of the gifts of the Spirit helps to prevent harm and to open doors for their healthy use to empower the body to be victorious. Exercising and developing skills to be able to master tasks well, even if few people seem to care about it, is a matter of good stewardship and faithful service to the Lord.
Times for study
Times for prayer & intercession
Times to exercise and develop skills
Times to build and establish relationships, to help and support those in distress
The reality of Yeshua
Getting to know Yeshua by the lifes of His disciples: What if the self-acclaimed disciples fail to display His character and do His deeds? When salt looses its saltiness?
Even though we might not have an example of Yeshua's life in our time and our surroundings to look up to, I think we can still try to just live according to His commandments preserved in the scriptures and by that provide some kind of example of Yeshua's character to others. I also see that we understand what is told about Him and preserved of Him better while trying to do His commandments, because this very doing leads on His path and we recognize some of His footsteps.
Even though we might not have an example of Yeshua's life in our time and our surroundings to look up to, I think we can still try to just live according to His commandments preserved in the scriptures and by that provide some kind of example of Yeshua's character to others. I also see that we understand what is told about Him and preserved of Him better while trying to do His commandments, because this very doing leads on His path and we recognize some of His footsteps.
Jewish Identity in Messianic Context
For the Messianic Jewish community, as well as for the broader Jewish world, I think it is time to come to a definition of the Jewish identity and what it means to be Jewish.
Obviously we can't use the historical definition of being a descendant of the Jewish people - or adopted into it - and not believing in Yeshua.
Is there a distiction to be made between Jewish believers and followers of Yeshua and non-Jewish ones?
One of the definitions of messianic Judaism being offered at Youtube holds that Messianic Jews are Jews and Gentiles united by the Messiah Yeshua, which refrain from certain "Christian" traditions, and keep certain other Jewish ordinances. This sounds like an attempt to reform and correct the Church, creating a new, more biblical-correct movement within the Church.
The common-use definition of Messianic Jews here is Israel means believers and followers of Yeshua within an Israeli Jewish context, whereas non-Jewish (mainly according to their own self-definition) members of the community just call themselfs messianics.
The original realization standing at the birth of the messianic Jewish movement is G-d's faithfulness regarding the promises given to the Jewish people and the irrevocability of the calling. Replacement theology is found faulty. Being a Jew is not a curse that needs to be washed off at baptism together with all the sins, but it is a responsability, which remains, just as a parent retains the responsabilities of a parent after baptism, - surely not without relying on G-d's help, guidance and direction in order to fulfill these responsabilities.
I would want to try to state these special responsabilities of the Jewish people, which are incumbant upon all Jews born as such and upon those that join the Jewish people and are adopted into it.
One might think of the "obvious" answer to the responsabilities: the 613 Mitzvoth. But this is not a very applicable answer to the question. They might supply a theoretical framework of action, but the reliability of the rabbinical translation into halacha is a matter of dispute for messianics. The reasons are manyfold:
-disagreement about the adaptation to the new reality: on one side to the absence of the temple and living in exile, on the other side to the time after the coming of Yeshua and the multitude of gentile believers in Him.
-mistrust towards the rabbinic judgements, their intentions and the spirit guiding them.
-the dichotomy of the Letter and the Spirit might require rather an understanding of the heart of the Mitzvah, its intention and normal practical application, leaving the specific details for each instance up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, instead of arguing about specific applications based on the Letter in a kind of legal debate.
With this last point in mind, one might also in regard of the responsabilities rather look to describe them in terms that touch the heart of the calling of the Jewish people. The framework of the 613 Mitzvoth are just the instructions given by divine wisdom in order to live out this calling to G-d's honor. They reflect G-d's love and character and are a way which He chose to bless.
... to be continued. Comments welcome!
Obviously we can't use the historical definition of being a descendant of the Jewish people - or adopted into it - and not believing in Yeshua.
Is there a distiction to be made between Jewish believers and followers of Yeshua and non-Jewish ones?
One of the definitions of messianic Judaism being offered at Youtube holds that Messianic Jews are Jews and Gentiles united by the Messiah Yeshua, which refrain from certain "Christian" traditions, and keep certain other Jewish ordinances. This sounds like an attempt to reform and correct the Church, creating a new, more biblical-correct movement within the Church.
The common-use definition of Messianic Jews here is Israel means believers and followers of Yeshua within an Israeli Jewish context, whereas non-Jewish (mainly according to their own self-definition) members of the community just call themselfs messianics.
The original realization standing at the birth of the messianic Jewish movement is G-d's faithfulness regarding the promises given to the Jewish people and the irrevocability of the calling. Replacement theology is found faulty. Being a Jew is not a curse that needs to be washed off at baptism together with all the sins, but it is a responsability, which remains, just as a parent retains the responsabilities of a parent after baptism, - surely not without relying on G-d's help, guidance and direction in order to fulfill these responsabilities.
I would want to try to state these special responsabilities of the Jewish people, which are incumbant upon all Jews born as such and upon those that join the Jewish people and are adopted into it.
One might think of the "obvious" answer to the responsabilities: the 613 Mitzvoth. But this is not a very applicable answer to the question. They might supply a theoretical framework of action, but the reliability of the rabbinical translation into halacha is a matter of dispute for messianics. The reasons are manyfold:
-disagreement about the adaptation to the new reality: on one side to the absence of the temple and living in exile, on the other side to the time after the coming of Yeshua and the multitude of gentile believers in Him.
-mistrust towards the rabbinic judgements, their intentions and the spirit guiding them.
-the dichotomy of the Letter and the Spirit might require rather an understanding of the heart of the Mitzvah, its intention and normal practical application, leaving the specific details for each instance up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, instead of arguing about specific applications based on the Letter in a kind of legal debate.
With this last point in mind, one might also in regard of the responsabilities rather look to describe them in terms that touch the heart of the calling of the Jewish people. The framework of the 613 Mitzvoth are just the instructions given by divine wisdom in order to live out this calling to G-d's honor. They reflect G-d's love and character and are a way which He chose to bless.
... to be continued. Comments welcome!
Arab leads Jews in worship - Amazing
Shmuel Aveida - Congregation Beit Immanuel Haifa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK6NtWYwbZM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK6NtWYwbZM&feature=related
Learning to be strong in face to face meetings
How to pray about a problematic statement, which is surprising, hurting and upsetting in order to respond properly?
=> Immediately expressing the surpise, hurt, being upset and continue the conversation from there.
=> Asking for time if necessary and for a continuation of the meeting after a time of prayer and discernment.
=> Immediately expressing the surpise, hurt, being upset and continue the conversation from there.
=> Asking for time if necessary and for a continuation of the meeting after a time of prayer and discernment.
links to precious articles
http://www.conservapedia.com/Eucharist
http://www.conservapedia.com/Aramaic_Church
http://www.conservapedia.com/Midrash
http://www.conservapedia.com/Targum
http://www.conservapedia.com/Aramaic
http://www.conservapedia.com/Hebrew
http://www.conservapedia.com/Christianity => the meaning of the resurrection for Christians
http://www.conservapedia.com/Aramaic_Church
http://www.conservapedia.com/Midrash
http://www.conservapedia.com/Targum
http://www.conservapedia.com/Aramaic
http://www.conservapedia.com/Hebrew
http://www.conservapedia.com/Christianity => the meaning of the resurrection for Christians
Family skills
The need for others when being upset, hurt or discouraged
There is the tendency to with-draw at such times, but actually, being together with loved ones which know to take one along into the presence of G-d is much better.
Someone elses Bible is easier to read! Good songs can change a world!
There is the tendency to with-draw at such times, but actually, being together with loved ones which know to take one along into the presence of G-d is much better.
Someone elses Bible is easier to read! Good songs can change a world!
to die and be born again
I'm troubled by the Amalek passages in the bible. How can it be an eternal command to hate and destroy Amalek? Is there no repentance? Aren't they, like all other human beings, created in the image of G-d and therefor to be loved and respected?
Didn't Yeshua die for each and every sinner?
Yes, the sinner needs to die and be born again. (And I don't mean - as my flat mates might want to understand - in a reincarnation. I believe in resurrection, definitly not in reincarnation, - except as the very same person at the time of the resurrection.)
How can I get through to the people, my flat mates, which hate the Arabs and justify this hatred with the commanded hatred for Amalek?
I'm used to differenciate between people and their actions: I hate sinful actions, but I love the sinner. I'm used to look at people groups which are full of hatred and abominations as people that need to be reached by the love of G-d. I'm used to pay the price, if necessary with my own life, to get the message of the Gospel across. How many missionaries got killed, but the people were reached through the remaining family or team by the surprising absence of hatred and vengance and the experience of continued and even more fervent love.
Didn't Yeshua die for each and every sinner?
Yes, the sinner needs to die and be born again. (And I don't mean - as my flat mates might want to understand - in a reincarnation. I believe in resurrection, definitly not in reincarnation, - except as the very same person at the time of the resurrection.)
How can I get through to the people, my flat mates, which hate the Arabs and justify this hatred with the commanded hatred for Amalek?
I'm used to differenciate between people and their actions: I hate sinful actions, but I love the sinner. I'm used to look at people groups which are full of hatred and abominations as people that need to be reached by the love of G-d. I'm used to pay the price, if necessary with my own life, to get the message of the Gospel across. How many missionaries got killed, but the people were reached through the remaining family or team by the surprising absence of hatred and vengance and the experience of continued and even more fervent love.
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