Amish Grace is what We need now!

I promised that I wouldn't write much about the tragic happenings yesterday in Connecticut and China. However, I have become increasingly angry at the posts that I continue to see on the internet by so-called Christians. These people continue to represent a small faction of Christians in the world, giving the rest of us, totally bad names.

For those of you who read this, who sincerely believe that this evil happened because God wasn't allowed in the school, I would like to remind you that God was present in the Amish school (Nickel Mines, 2006) in Pennsylvania, where five Amish girls lost their lives.

And while right now, our wounds are open and raw, we must remember as the Amish did...

"On the day of the shooting, a grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls was heard warning some young relatives not to hate the killer, saying, "We must not think evil of this man." Another Amish father noted, "He had a mother and a wife and a soul and now he's standing before a just God." Jack Meyer, a member of the Brethren community living near the Amish in Lancaster County, explained: "I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts."

When Sick, it is tea and RICOLA I want!

There is a Scottish/Irish song called "When Sick, Is it Tea you want?" I love this song, even though I am not good at playing it; especially when sick! However, I am no writing because I am sick currently and am craving a good cup of tea, rather I am writing about something I think is totally off topic and really kind of funny!

When I am sick, I crave a good cup of tea, a quiet room, a good book and RICOLA! Lots and lots of RICOLA! Okay, so I am sure you are now hearing the Alpine horns and the Swiss man yelling out "RIIIIICCCCOOOOLLLLLAAAAAA" yeah, I am too! There is just something soothing in that blend of Alpine herbs that helps soothe my cough, my throat and my mind.

Most Americans skip right over this "natural" product and go straight for the chemical tasting Halls Menthol drops. Why? Seriously? Yes, I have had these drops, when I was younger! But from day one when I first laid eyes on the yellow and white package of Ricola, the imported from Switzerland title, I knew I had found my "cure-all!" Nothing can touch the feeling that I have after a Ricola. My throat soothed, my cough vanquished for at least 30 mins. I am a nearly new person!

Now I am not pushing an ad for Ricola, matter of fact, the company doesn't even know I am writing this, but I must say while "yes, it is tea I want when I am sick...also pass me the Ricola!"

Exciting!

I have finally reached someone in my beloved Ireland! Thank you for reading! I hope that you will stay with us for a long time...

For Every Season

For every season in a person's life, one must think about the expectations that are set before them. This blog, will have a new name in the coming week. It is my hope and prayer that you will continue to read it and be encouraged by the stories here.
No longer can I call this blog "Torah Rocks!" While yes, the Torah is good, it is not the ultimate good which is only found through Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashaiach).
Please stand by for this new season of ministry and photography. I know that God is going to do great things for this blog and it's followers!

To follow Jesus; you will loose things that are dear (for NIKO)

Saying goodbye is never easy. Especially when it is to someone you thought was not only a friend, but also a part of your family. As Christians or Believers, we often look at each other as family. Some of us are the goofy cousin; others the well educated, over informed annoying brother, and yet others are the over protective parenting types. But we are family none the less. So when we say goodbye to those we love, and care for, it leaves a hole in our hearts.

Recently, just under a month ago, I lost my dearest friend. We have known each other since 1998/1999. He's Finnish, who wants to be Israeli. I am American with Irish ancestry and a family history that goes back to the tribe of Judah. We had previously parted ways due to an argument about religion.  We had been parted for about 3-4 years. I had grown over those years; my grandfather passed on, my dog had died and I had some life struggles.

When we decided to talk, it was like nothing had changed between us. It was easy to speak to this friend again. So this time when we parted ways, it was much more difficult. I knew that he had been rejected by his former Rabbi and I had been accepted by my local Jewish congregation as a "true friend of the Jews." Yet, our friendship wasn't meant to last.

It wasn't until today, that I realized fully why our friendship ended. You see for years I had been a fan of Jesus, but I hadn't really been a follower of Jesus. You see Jesus wants all of our lives; not just those things which we want to give him. Instead He wants all of it; and for Him to have all aspects of our lives we loose something. For me, it was my best friend and former brother in faith.

So to Niko:  I say that I love you, I still pray for you. However, I am not sorry that I have given my life to Jesus, and that I am called a Christian. I hope that someday, you realize that Jesus loves you and you'll fully turn your life over to Him.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur...a time to fast and pray.  Every year between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Jews are called upon to engage in an introspective process known as heshbon hanefesh, an accounting of the soul, to assess where we have missed the mark in the past year. We observe the Ten Days of Repentance by becoming conscious of our wrongdoings and asking God for forgiveness. Yet no amount of synagogue attendance or prayers will grant us forgiveness for sins that we have committed against one another. The Talmud teaches: “The Day of Atonement atones for sins against God, not for sins against man, unless the injured person has been appeased.” For that, we must go directly to the person we have wronged and ask for forgiveness. The rabbinic outlook on the subject may be most simply expressed as "God is just"; He rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked (Principle number 11 of Maimonides' 13 principles of the Jewish faith). Only the unrepentant sinner incurs His wrath; the sinner who repents is always forgiven. Thus the Talmud states, "He who sins and regrets his act is at once forgiven" (Ḥag. 5a; Ber. 12b) and the Midrash states, "Says the Holy One, even if they [your sins] should reach to Heaven, if you repent I will forgive" (Pes. Rab. 44:185a; see Yal. Ps. 835). The rabbis go even further in the ethical demands made upon the injured party, for not only must he be ready to forgive his injurer, he should also pray that God forgive the sinner before he has come to beg forgiveness (Yad, loc. cit.; Tosef., BK 9:29; Sefer Ḥasidim ed. by R. Margalioth 1957, 267 no. 360). This demand is based on the example of Abraham, who prayed to God to forgive Abimelech (Gen. 20:17). The reasons the injured party should be ready to forgive the injurer are mixed. On the one hand is the self-regarding consideration, already mentioned, that forgiveness to one's fellow wins forgiveness from Heaven. As Philo states: "If you ask pardon for your sins, do you also forgive those who have trespassed against you? For remission is granted for remission" (ed. by Mangey, 2 (1742), 670; see also Yoma 23.

The Christian teaching is much the same as the Jewish, in Colossians 3:13 we are told "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

So I must ask this, if one does not forgive another? What right does he/she have to ask the Almighty to forgive them?

If there is anyone you have wronged this year, and it's possible that the wrong that you have done has arisen from a misunderstanding, have you asked that person to forgive you? Have they hurt you and asked your forgiveness? Are you willing to extend that forgiveness and hit your mark this year?

Review of "The Gospel According to Isaiah 53"

The Gospel According to Isaiah 53*

Edited by Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser

Perhaps you have wondered about the interpretations held about Isaiah 53. Maybe as a Christian, you think “Why can’t a Jewish person read Isaiah 53 and see that it’s pointing straight to Jesus as Messiah?” Maybe as a Jew you are thinking “Why do Christians automatically point to Isaiah 53 as a prophecy that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah?” No matter, if you are Jewish or Christian, this book is a valuable addition to your library.

As a Biblical Studies student, I am constantly looking for books that will help me expound upon the themes in the Bible. Bock and Glaser have provided any seminary student with such a book. This book doesn’t come across overtly “Christian” nor does it deny the Jewish stance of Isaiah 53. This book isn’t written at such an academic/professional level that a lay member couldn’t read it, however, there could be some difficulty if you have never studied the Jewish roots of the Christian faith or are not at least familiar with Judaism and its history.

There are several questions that are answered within this book and by giving clear answers this book is one that will really help anyone who is interested in learning more about the interpretations of Isaiah 53. Christian or Jew, this book, is one that any seminary student or professional minister will benefit from; especially in helping to understand the ancient context of which this book and chapter was written.  

*This book was sent free of charge for a non-biased opinion of the book. No money was exchanged for the above review.

Literary Focus of the Olympics!

The focus of the London Opening Ceremonies was not about out doing Beijing, it wasn’t about Satan, religion or boundaries that separate us. No, the London Opening Ceremonies was about the contributions to society that have been made via the British people. 

I am proud of my English heritage, though many times it looks like I am a bit more proud of my Irish and Scottish ancestry. I am proud that members of this great country have made contributions that I as an avid reader have benefited from. If not for the British, I wouldn’t have adversaries like Lord Voldemort, the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Captain Hook, etc. I wouldn’t have had much childhood happiness beyond learning about the Royal family. 

So when I witness people putting on Facebook that the moment when Lord Voldemort shows up during the opening ceremony was “Devilment”; I get a bit ticked. I don’t see it that way, I saw it for what it was, a celebration of the “contributions of the British to the Literary world.” Books like Harry Potter made reading “cool” again amongst children. Think about that the next time you think VOLDEMORT is Satan and all you can do is complain that your children won’t read...maybe they just need some British encouragement!

Olympic Peace

I don’t typically write rants. Mainly because I find them completely uninteresting, dead common and unbecoming of writers. However, today, I have been placed on my soapbox. I know many will not agree with my stance, and that is completely fine. I know that my Israeli friends will think I have went off the deep end, that I am anti-Israel and pro-Arab. This however, isn’t the case. My plea isn’t that Israel give in to so called Palestinians. My goal isn’t that my Jewish friends lose their homeland, rather that instead of focusing solely on the negative that instead they devote more media time to the positive. 99.9% of the world knows the plight of the Israeli citizen, be they Jew or Muslim. 

Today is July 28, 2012. Last night, London hosted the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics. First thing I wake up to news wise is YNET’s complaint that the Lebanese team doesn’t want to train along side of Israel’s team. While this may be news worthy in Israel, Lebanon and other middle eastern countries, it is not news worthy to me here in the States. Do I see a team not wanting to train with another team as a problem? Yes, of course, but why are we giving them media attention? Is the TEAMS who are PARTICIPATING nicely not good enough news? 

In Psychology we are taught that if you give certain behaviors attention, then they continue. These behaviors can have positive or negative consequences, but either way they continue. However, we have also learned that if we ignore certain behaviors, then those behaviors go away. Now, I certainly am not speaking of acts of terrorism. That should never be ignored. However, why are we giving attention to a select group of people because they can’t, won’t or possibly have and this is just been made up to tick off society, train with another team? 

The real story of the Olympics is one that fosters for peace for 17 days. The Olympics truly isn’t about Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian of our time, or Team Israel getting more medals than her Arab neighbors. The real story is that for 17 days, the world unites to cheer on it’s athletes and for 17 days, we forget that religion and boundaries separate us all. For 17 days, we become citizens of the world. 

I don’t ask that you stand behind me in my efforts to forget YNET’s story which focuses negatively on the Olympics, I don’t ask that you support me at all, rather I ask that you look into your own hearts and seek what the 2012 London Olympics means to you. 

I do encourage all media outlets to focus on the positive and not the negative...because whether we like each other or not, we are stuck on this great big planet called Earth and the Olympics aren’t about who dislikes who; it’s about celebrating and fostering peace among the nations. 

Such Faith...

If you have known me for a long time, then you will know that I have an interest in the British Royal Family. This won’t surprise some of my friends, others will flip out and say that I am forgetting my Scottish and Irish roots and others will think that I am just weird. Now honestly I can’t say that the United States is better off having defeated the British Army during the revolutionary war; since really all that was accomplished was trading a tyrant 3000 miles way, for a tyrant we can vote into office 380 miles away--at least that is from my house.

Today, I received two magazines, Royalty and Majesty. Both celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This has had me thinking, I am 32 years old and at this age, I have a very real chance of seeing the United Kingdom having the longest reigning monarch in history. However, I also have the chance to seeing at least three monarchs reigning in the United Kingdom. 

This isn’t the only thing that I have been thinking about. I’ve also been thinking about a letter I wrote when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. I wrote in that letter that I wanted to meet the Queen, but if that was ever to happen, then I would have to trust God; and he’d have to work it out. So have I met the Queen? No. However, I haven’t given up that dream and I trust that if God wants to give me that dream, then He will work it out. 

3 commands...

     As I sat in my room yesterday, studying my Bible I came across 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. I got thinking, Jesus gave us the last commandment to go out and preach, make disciples and baptize others. On a public level, those are our last commands from God. BUT...Paul gives us three commands, that are private. Can they affect the way others see us? Of course! Can they change what someone will thinking of us? Sure! But sincerely, they are private commands with public outcomes. 


Starting with Verse 16, simply written "Rejoice Always!"Always give thanks to God. Don't spend a moment without thanking Him for whatever you have. Don't save your thanksgiving just for good times either! Remember that if we can rejoice in the bad times, then our rejoicing is just as sweet in the best of times.


17. Pray without Ceasing--Spend every moment you can in prayer. Again, don't just go to God when things are bad, pray when things are good! Every time you pray you are conversing with the Father of all creation! HE wants to SPEND time with you! Amazing!


18.  in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  -- giving thanks to God for everything builds your relationship with Him. You are able to really tap into joy, and into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

a sinner saved by grace?

Recently I posted that you can’t be a sinner and saved by Grace at the same time…in other words, you shouldn’t say “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” Before we are saved, yes, we are sinners, but once we put our faith in Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) we become so much more…What I call myself becomes who I am. So if I continue to refer to myself as a sinner, then I am giving Satan a foothold in my life. However, if I declare “I am a Child of God” or “I am a friend of God.” Then that is exactly who I am.

What we feed our spirit is what helps us to continue in the journey of faith.

If you are comfortable being a “sinner saved by grace” continue calling yourself that, however, I was once a sinner, who is saved by grace. Do I slip up and sin? Of Course, but I am not a sinner, I am forgiven, because immediately I realize what I did wrong and I ask my Father to forgive me.

It’s like this, if I was an alcoholic for 30 years, then I stop drinking and don’t drink for 20 years, I have no real desire for it. I will stop calling myself an alcoholic. Could I slip up and have one drink? Yes, but would that make me an alcoholic? No. It makes me someone who made a mistake.

So if you are saved by grace, you are one of the following, but a sinner…no! If you can prove to me that “Sinner saved by grace” is in the Bible, I’ll change this post…

Who I Am in Christ

1.      I am a Child of God                                                                                 (Romans 8:16)

2.      I belong to Him                                                                                         (1 Peter 2:9)

3.      I am born again                                                                                         (1 Peter 1:23)

4.      I am loved by God                                                                                    (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

5.      I am a chosen by God                                                                               (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

6.      I am God's temple                                                                                     (1 Corinthians 3:16)

7.      I am redeemed from the hand of the enemy                                            (Psalms 107:2)

8.      I am forgiven                                                                                            (Colossians 1:13,14)

9.      I am reconciled to God through Christ                                                     (2 Corinthians 5:18)

10.  I have been set free from the law of sin and death                                  (Romans 8:2)

11.  I am saved by grace through faith                                                            (Ephesians 2:8)

12.  I am justified                                                                                             (Romans 5:1)

13.  I am sanctified                                                                                          (Hebrews 10:10)

14.  I am crucified with Christ, who lives in me                                              (Galatians 2:20)

15.  I am a new creature                                                                                   (II Corinthians 5:17)

16.  I am a follower of God                                                                             (Ephesians 5:1)

17.  I am a partaker of His divine nature                                                         (2 Peter 1:4)

18.  I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ                             (Romans 5:1)

19.  I have everlasting life                                                                                (John 5:24)

20.  I am holy and blameless in God's sight                                                    (Ephesians 1:4)

21.  I am redeemed from the curse of the law                                                             Galatians 3:13)

22.  I am delivered from the powers of darkness                                            (Colossians 1:13)

23.  I am called by God                                                                                   (2 Timothy 1:9)

24.  I am led by the Spirit of God                                                                   (Romans 8:14)

25.  I am brought near by the Blood of Jesus                                                  (Ephesians 2:13)

26.  I am a daughter (son) of God                                                                   (Romans 8:14)

27.  I am free from all condemnation                                                              (Romans 8:1)

28.  I am kept in safety wherever I go                                                                         (Psalms 91:11)

29.  I am having all my needs met by God                                                     (Philippians 4:19)

30.  I am forgetting the past                                                                            (Philippians 3:13)

31.  I am pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. (Philippians 3:14)

32.  I am casting all my cares on Jesus                                                 (I Peter 5:7)

33.  I am caused by God to triumph in Christ                                                 (2 Corinthians 2:14)

34.  I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might                            (Ephesians 6:10)

35.  I am living my life by faith in the Son of God                                         (Galatians 2:20)

36.  I am doing all things through Christ who strengthens me                        (Philippians 4:13)

37.  I am hearing the voice of Jesus and following Him                                 (John 10:27)

38.  I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus                                        (Romans 8:17)

39.  I am an heir to the blessings of Abraham                                                 (Galatians 3:13,14)

40.  I am observing and doing the Lord's commandments                              (Deuteronomy 28:1)

41.  I am the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath                     (Deuteronomy 28:13)

42.  I have been given every thing I need for llife and godliness                    (2 Peter 1:3)

43.  I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ                                  (Ephesians 1:3)

44.  I am blessed coming in and blessed going out                                         (Deuteronomy 28:6)

45.  I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit                                               (Ephesians 1:13)

46.  I am an heir of eternal life                                                                         (I John 5:11,12)

47.  I am the salt of the earth                                                                           (Matthew 5:13)

48.  I am the light of the world                                                                                    (Matthew 5:14)

49.  I am a fellow citizen with God's people                                                   (Ephesians 2:19)

50.  I am a member of God's household                                                          (Ephesians 2:19)

51.  I am loved with an everlasting love                                                          (Jeremiah 31:3)

52.  I am healed by the wounds of Jesus                                                         (I Peter 2:24)

53.  I am free                                                                                                    (John 8:36)

54.  I am more than a conqueror                                                                      (Romans 8:37)

55.  I am establishing the kingdom of heaven on earth                                   (Matthew 16:19)

56.  I am an overcomer by the Blood of the Lamb                                          (Revelation 12:11)

57.  I am an overcomer by the word of my testimony                                     (Revelation 12:11)

58.  I am exercising my authority over the enemy                                           (Luke 10:19)

59.  I am daily overcoming evil with good                                                      (Romans 12:21)

60.  I am overcoming the world by faith                                                         (1 John 5:4)

61.  I am not moved by what I see                                                                  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

62.  I am dead to sin                                                                                        (Romans 6:2

63.  I am alive to God                                                                                      (Romans 6:11)

64.  I am raised up with Christ                                                                                    (Ephesians 2:6)

65.  I am seated in heavenly places with God in Christ Jesus                         (Ephesians 2:6)

66.  I am walking by faith and not by sight                                                     (2 Corinthians 5:7)

67.  I am casting down vain imaginations                                                      (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)

68.  I am bringing every thought into captivity                                               (2 Corinthians 10:5)

69.  I am being transformed by renewing my mind                                         (Romans 12:1,2)

70.  I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ                                                            (Romans 1:16)

71.  I am offering my body as a living sacrifice to God                                  (Romans 12:1)

72.  I am qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints                             (Colossians 1:12)

73.  I am a laborer together with God                                                                         (I Corinthians 5:21)

74.  I am an ambassador for Christ                                                                  (1 Corinthians 5:20)

75.  I am a kingdom and priest to God                                                            (Revelation 1:6)

76.  I am the righteousness of God in Christ                                                   (2 Corinthians 5:21)

77.  I am kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation                   (1 Peter 1:5)

78.  I am forever in the hand of Jesus                                                              (John 10:28)

79.  I am built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets                       (Ephesians 2:20)

80.  I have Jesus Christ himself as my chief cornerstone                                 (Ephesians 2:20)

81.  I am blessing the Lord at all times                                                            (Psalms 34:1)

82.  I am continually praising the Lord with my mouth                                  (Psalms 34:1)

83.  I am declaring the praises of God                                                             (1 Peter 2:9)

84.  I have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light                (1 Peter 2:9)

85.  I belong to a chosen people                                                                      (1 Peter 2:9)

86.  I belong to a royal priesthood                                                                   (1 Peter 2:9)

87.  I belong to a holy nation                                                                           (1 Peter 2:9)

88.  God's Spirit lives in me                                                                             1 Corinthians 3:16)

89.  I have a ministry of reconciliation                                                            (2 Corinthians 5:18)

90.  Jesus Christ in me is the hope of glory                                                     (Colossians 1:27)

91.  He is my Savior                                                                                         (Luke 19:10)

92.  He is my Lord                                                                                           (Philippians 2:11)

93.  He is my Love                                                                                           (Romans 8:38, 39)

94.  He is my Peace                                                                                          (Ephesians 2:14)

95.  He is my Righteousness                                                                            (2 Corinthians 5:21)

96.  He is my Deliverer                                                                                    (Luke 10:19)

97.  He is my Example                                                                                     (1 Peter 2:21)

98.  He is my Sufficiency                                                                                (2 Corinthians 9:8)

99.  He is my Fulfillment                                                                                 (Matthew 5:6)

100.          He is my Everything                                                                           (Ephesians 3:20-21)