Untranslatable
For God alone my soul waits in silence, from Him comes my salvation. Psalm 62:1 ESV (English text)
Alone – What does it mean to wait on God alone? We probably think this means that we are waiting for God and no one else. He must answer. No one else will do. That’s at least what the translation suggests. But the Hebrew isn’t quite like that. The word, ‘ak, doesn’t actually mean “alone.” In fact, while it sometimes is translated “surely” or “but,” most of the time it isn’t translated at all! Why? Because it is the expression of a feeling, not a verbalized concept. It’s like putting an exclamation point behind a word. ‘ak is an intensifier, not a word in itself.
Now let’s read this verse again. “For God!!! my soul waits in silence.” This is not an expression of the exclusion of all other persons. This is my heart cry, my agony, my utter inconsolable despair without Him. This is desperation in Hebrew letters.
Have you experienced ‘ak? I’m afraid that most of the time, even in those moments when we desire to hear only from God, we really aren’t desperate for Him. We may be desperate, but we are desperate for an answer, a solution, a resolution. We think that God is the only One who can provide it, so in that sense we wait only for His reply. But we aren’t really waiting for Him. We are waiting for what He will provide rather than waiting for just His presence regardless of the other outcomes. In the biblical account seeking God is not the same as seeking what God can or will do. But most of us know only how to seek His performance, not His person. In fact, most of us have no idea how to actually seek Him. We have been schooled in the fine art of making requests but we know little about attending to being.
David is king. He lacks nothing that the world could offer. Yet he opens his praise with the desperation that comes from the absence of God. He asks nothing. He can only sit in silence and wait. There are no words to express the feelings of his soul. If he could voice them, they would be tears of heaven. David speaks silence in a word that cannot be translated. Perhaps ‘ak isn’t really a word at all. Perhaps it is empty and that’s why it can only be uttered in silence.
Have you encountered this untranslatable empty word? Do you know the place where there is nothing left to say? David, the man after God’s own heart, seems to have spent a good deal of time there. Do you suppose we keep ourselves so filled with noise because we are afraid of what might not be there when the music stops?
Topical Index: ‘ak, alone, surely, silence, Psalm 62:1
‘ak’ – interesting – expression of a feeling, not a verbalized concept
This confirms what I suspected all along. Bill-the-Cat (or Bill D. Cat) is not only a theologian but a Hebrew scholar too. Hmmm – reddish and hairy – most likely from the line of Esau …
Sorry but one of the circus clowns in my head escaped momentarily – stuffing him back in the VW clown-mobile now…..
Seriously though, thanks Skip for the insight and your passion for others to grow. You have made us get out of our comfort zone and I don’t verablize that concept of thanks enough.
Secret, silent prayer. I’d like to say more, but it is secret and it is silent. So, what more can any man say about it? I must say this: “Try it, -you’ll like it!”
Secret, silent prayer may only be experienced. Are you experienced? Some things such as the taste of an orange, or a cool breeze upon the face, or toes in the warm sand may only be known by experiencing them or “going through” them.
Spend time in prayer. “Waste” time with God. Time spent (alone) with God is never wasted. Otium Sanctum or “Holy Leisure” is both critical and vital. This is, dear friends, the “only way to fly!”
I must confess.. -I’ve been (for most of my life it seems) “missing out.” I’ve seen a lot of “stuff”- been a lot of places, felt a bunch of feelings, -etc.. but nothing (NOTHING) nothing on this green planet compares to secret, silent prayer!
Set aside, (yes planning is necessary)- plan some time off. Go and “waste time” with God. Do it alone. Do it in silence. No distractions. None. Let nothing interfere. Close yourself in. Go into the “prayer closet.”
Where can we do this? Anywhere and anytime! This is one way we may “pray without ceasing!” Pray secretly. Not all prayers must be verbalized! View a neighbor who is in need and pray for them! See a child who needs guidance (I may be that child!) and intercede on their behalf! Plead their case before the Throne!
Good news! (far more than good!) Wonderful news,- amazing news! ~ the veil of the temple has been torn in two-from the top to the bottom! ~
Why is this such good news? Because dear ones- we (all of us) now have “access!”
Because of the atoning (covering) blood of our Savior, shed for all upon the tslav of Calvary, we have access to our ABBA Father and may pray (prayer is a privilege!) at any time and in any place!
Another “confession!”- I (do) love to pray! For something that is secret and silent- this guy sure has a lot to say! Exactly.
If any man or woman is not doing this daily, (help me!)- you sir, you m’am are missing out! Moses went to the top of the mountain. Ever been there? Isaiah saw the LORD- high and lifted up.. Ever been there?
Pray.- Do it. Do it now! Find out (for yourself) what you have been missing! ~ At Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore! ~ I delight to do Your will, O my God! ~
May I inquire? Is prayer a duty? a drudgery? or a delight? Need I say more? Yes.. “please!” Allow me to testify “silently!” silently (‘ak).
~ and when he prayed, the heavens were opened ~ (‘ak). May I offer a timid “Hallelujah?” (‘ak)!
I get closer to him through study,and obeying.I need to learn how to listen better.
Me too Brian, me too. Buy how do we learn to listen to silence, to nothing? I am trained by my mind and culture to fill in the blanks, the quiet, the AK-exactly the opposite of what I need to do to really hear YHWH. I think I suffer from ADDDD – Attention Diety Defiect Dishonor Disorder. But as with all disease there is a cure -the Word. Isaiah 30:15 “For thus says the Lord God , the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Shalom, Michael
Secret and Silent (‘ak)!
Secret, silent supplication/prayer. I’d like to say more, but it is secret and it is silent. So, what more can any man say about it? I will say this: “Try it, -you’ll like it!”
Secret, silent prayer may only be experienced. Are you experienced? Some things such as the taste of an orange, or a cool breeze upon the face, or toes in the warm sand may only be known by experiencing them or “going through” them.
Spend time in prayer. “Waste” time with God. Time spent (alone) with God is never wasted. Otium Sanctum or “Holy Leisure” is both critical and vital. This is, dear friends, the “only way to fly!”
I must confess.. -I’ve been (for most of my life it seems) “missing out.” I’ve seen a lot of “stuff”- been a lot of places, felt a bunch of feelings, -etc.. but nothing (NOTHING) nothing on this green planet compares to secret, silent prayer! We may lead a horse to water, but we cannot make him drink! Mr., ‘take a long drink of this and be refreshed! (please!) Stop and pray! Do it!
Set aside, (yes planning is necessary)- plan some time off. Go and “waste time” with God. Do it alone. Do it in silence. No distractions. None. Let nothing interfere. Close yourself in. Go into the “prayer closet.”
Where can we do this? Anywhere and anytime! This is one way we may “pray without ceasing!” Pray secretly. Not all prayers must be verbalized! View a neighbor who is in need and pray for them! See a child who needs guidance (I may be that child!) and intercede on their behalf! Plead their case before the Throne!
Good news! (far more than good!) Wonderful news,- amazing news! ~ the veil of the temple (the parochet) has been torn in two-from the top to the bottom! ~ (Matthew 27.50)
Why is this such good news? Because dear ones- we (all of us) now have “access!”
Because of the atoning (covering) blood of our Savior, shed for all upon the tslav of Calvary, we have access to our ABBA Father and may pray (prayer is a privilege!) at any time and in any place!
Another “confession!”- I (do) love to pray! For something that is secret and silent- this guy sure has a lot to say! Exactly.
If any man or woman is not doing this daily, (help me!)- you sir, you m’am are missing out! Moses went to the top of the mountain. Ever been there? Isaiah saw the LORD- high and lifted up.. Ever been there?
Pray.- Do it. Do it now! Find out (for yourself) what you have been missing! ~ At Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore! ~ I delight to do Your will, O my God! ~ Is our Father pleased when we spend time with Him? Love is spelled T-I-M-E! Spend time (waste time) with the One you love!
May I inquire? Is prayer a duty? a drudgery? or a delight? Need I say more? Yes.. “please!” Allow me to testify “silently!” silently (‘ak).
~ and when he prayed, the heavens were opened ~ (‘ak). May I offer a timid “Hallelujah?” (‘ak)!
Love Minus Zero, No Limit
by Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuwVlZKGNsE
My love she speaks like silence
Without ideals or violence
She doesn’t have to say she’s faithful
Yet she’s true, like ice, like fire
People carry roses
Make promises by the hours
My love she laughs like the flowers
Valentines can’t buy her
In the dime stores and bus stations
People talk of situations
Read books, repeat quotations
Draw conclusions on the wall
Some speak of the future
My love she speaks softly
She knows there’s no success like failure
And that failure’s no success at all
The cloak and dagger dangles
Madams light the candles
In ceremonies of the horsemen
Even the pawn must hold a grudge
Statues made of matchsticks
Crumble into one another
My love winks, she does not bother
She knows too much to argue or to judge
The bridge at midnight trembles
The country doctor rambles
Bankers’ nieces seek perfection
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
The wind howls like a hammer
The night blows cold and rainy
My love she’s like some raven
At my window with a broken wing
This fits together nicely with a more recent post regarding “waiting.”
I really appreciate these thoughts regarding experiencing the presence, the being of Y-H. I have been a part of a discussion that is heart rending regarding answered prayer. Everyone is looking for the answer, solution, resolution to problems. Folks are discouraged that Y-H does not seem to answer them. (at least clearly–you know–like a Post It from heaven!)
The world around me is crazy and I’m not sure it has ever been not crazy since that choice made in the Garden. It is not the absence of conflict that brings peace but the presence of Y-H in the conflict that brings peace.
Go drink deeply at the well of life. Find shalom. It is freely offered to all who come. I get glimpses of it at times and it is wonderful. How I would like for that to become the rule of my life rather than the exception.
One must stop doing and simply be. That is where shalom is to be found.
Practicing the presence of God…there is a moment in every day life when you can catch a glimpse of Him. In the still of the morning while the grass is slightly damp from dew and the animals are lazily looking at you to feed them….when the sunrises and sets…when a cloud drifts across the sun on a hot summer afternoon providing a moment of release from the unrelenting heat…when the flowers poke through the ground covered in snow in the spring, or you discover the buds on your trees, or the birth of children (human and otherwise), when you walk out to your pasture and realize He has caused the increase.
Isn’t ak a bit about recognizing that it is only your soul that can “see” God, “feel” God’s presence and it only happens if you prepare your soul to be open to it…the still small voice that we hear not in our ears or in our head, but in our heart
“isn’t ak a bit about recognizing that it is only your soul that can “see” God, “feel” God’s presence and it only happens if you prepare your soul to be open to it…the still small voice that we hear not in our ears or in our head, but in our heart”
Hi Jill,
I think that is an interesting question and I obviously don’t have the answer to it
But I tend to think of the “issue” in slightly different terms, which seem a bit more “concrete” to me
I tend to think of soul and heart as metaphors in language that are “other” to me
I can “hear” myself speak and think, so I see language as “other” to me as well
But at the same time I can distinguish between my voice and the voice of another being
So I like to think in terms of the word “consciousness”
I can be conscious of having an open heart or a hardened heart
A relatively pure soul or not
We study to learn about God and, in the process, become more conscious of his will
In any case, that’s how I like to think about it
In terms of consciousness vrs unconsciousness 🙂
YES! Michael, conscious of His presence. It is more of a feeling than anything else…some one mentioned Shalom, in my mind it is kind of that too. I’ve heard it said that our emotions are there to appreciate God. I have to go see the brand new kittens being born on my porch…
“more of a feeling”
Hi Jill,
Feeling makes me think of the “true colors” personality test
Which sees personalities in terms of qualities and colors
If you are a compassionate, feeling type, you’re a blue
I tend to be more of a conceptual type, a green
More head than heart, unfortunately
An orange person might experience God in helping others
And a gold might experience God in leading groups
Blue – Compassionate
Gold – Responsible
Orange – Spontaneous
Green – Conceptual
Well, despite blabbings all day, I want to join the comments on this beautiful TW — for it is the sort of thing I came here to learn. And sometimes I learn from other bloggers, thanks to someone for the recent info that the word for blessings and bending the knee are the same.
“only to God is my soul silent”
I resist all but God. Only to God is my heart quieted to submission, rest, and acquiescence.
Not a rebellious word or thought breaks the peaceful silence.
The proverb that ‘speech is silver but silence is golden’, is more than true in this case.
Nothing speaks more eloquently than trusting in God enough to be quiet and patiently wait on Him.
It is an amazing work of grace to bring down the will and subdue the emotions to such a degree that the whole mind lies before the Lord like the sea beneath the wind; BE STILL! He still says to the turbulence, and I am still.
now finally, quiet on the blog, too, good day to all
Dorothy, I believe the word for Blessing and for bending the knee may be the same but it may be referring to UNIVERSAL SALVATION.
It is the Word BAW-RACK as from where I am standing and it is used by those who believe EVERY KNEE will bow and be blessed by GOD including all the world.
Correct me if I am wrong here …
I relate to what David is saying. Having a relationship with God is pretty much the most frustrating relationship I have had. Its also the most boring and disconnected conversation i experience. Yes there are times when I’m backed up or in a situation where I’m not sure where or what to do and God leads me in the right direction. Sometimes when I make the wrong choice I’m guided out of the mess I created back to calm waters.
The pain of it all is seeking God with talking, reading, prayer, and the still silence. Being still before God, He is quiet, absent, when I want Him He is not to be found. He is hiding, when I get tired of searching for him and lose interest in Him due to His hiding and lack of companionship and go search out something less boring He then throws a rock at my backside to get my attention again.
Human relationships can be difficult, yet God is the most difficult being to function a relationship with, God is disturbed. Like David I know this God all to well, the God of Devotion. “Be completely devoted to the Lord your God” only to be left with disconnection and silence. God is like the Ex girlfriend, when you want Him He ignores you. When I don’t want Him He manipulates my life to bring my attention back to Him. When I see Him looking my way I come back only to be disappointed once again. How long will it take before you God realize your incompatibility in functioning a relationship with me. You scamper around to and fro searching for one who understands, one who seeks you. Open your eyes, am I not to your liking?
Most of us will pull back from your comments and say, “Oh, God is never like that. It must be YOUR fault.” But you echo so much of what David says. There is a constant interplay between seeing and not seeing, hearing and not hearing, times of intense relationship and times of absence. It seems to me that if we are going to be honest about the text – and with our lives – we will have to acknowledge that God’s view of relationships with men is not the same as our view. Our expectations are often (apparently) completely out of alignment with His. All we can really do is turn to the story about Yeshua to see how it works when it is working perfectly. And then press on. David is a man AFTER God’s own heart. That does not mean he arrived.
Keith,
Oh how I agree with you! What a journey to know Y-H. It is not easy and can be frustrating but can be so rewarding with such a sense of shalom too. One must keep running the race though or be utterly left behind. (not the book series either!) I often wonder if I am just unlovable to Him at times. I feel unlovable sometimes. (and behave that way much to my chagrin) repenting yet again at His feet.
Yes yes, the “church” is distracted by cheap grace and selfish motives. The focus is wrong in a lot of situations. We naturally look to our own comfort and expect that God wants us to be comfortable after all, He is a God of love, right? Gotta love that health and wealth idea that’s preached! Give me a break plez!
I hear folks offer that argument all the time and it falls flat on my ears. So much chaos out there as people are searching for contentment in all the wrong places! It literally breaks my heart to see the self imposed suffering in failing to be still and know that He is God. Belief in God has really morphed into a very selfish thing driven by worldly desires. Another discussion though.
That final question in TW is pretty valid, what do you hear when the music stops? Anything?
Keith,
I usually welcome newbees to this site and look forward to their input and track, with joy and prayer, their spiritual advancement, but from your very first post (8-2-13) you were critical of this community when you stated: “Let me be offensive here, are people really so dull…” and “I just don’t see these as great comments or great questions”. I can see by your thumbnail photo that you are young, but did you not learn any manners or rules of social etiquette in your life? Please respect your elders, which from the looks of it, is most, if not all the members of this community. And then there was this post a few days later.”God is like the Ex girlfriend?” Maimonides said:”God cannot be compared to anything. Note this”. While Skip gave you a “free pass” on your above post I am apparently not so liberal, understanding or forgiving. I found your attitude toward YHWH so offensive
( “how long will it take before you God realize your incompatibility in functioning (in) a relationship with me.”) and your arrogance so contemptible ( “Open your eyes, am I not to your liking?”) that I can only pray “Father, forgive him for he knows not You, nor what he speaks.” Maybe I am wrong in the first judgment and the second can perhaps be explained by your desperate pursuit to be seen as both an intellectual and a mature spiritual man, both of which you have failed to attain. Choose one and master it before attempting the other. I would suggest the later first, as it seems to be the most lacking and, of course, is the more profitable, both eternally and presently. If you decide to pursue this path my first suggestion would be that you fall on your face and cry out to YHWH for mercy for your blasphemy and pride. I pray I am wrong about you Keith, please prove me so by your deeds, not by your self-justifying rebuttal. And please don’t think of me as the TW policeman or moderator, I am neither. I look forward to your spiritual growth and (appropriate) posts, just as I do with all who choose to participate in this community. In hopeful admonition, Michael
These are not my first comments, I just don’t comment very often. I have been around here for about seven years or so. As for my comments toward God, I spoke from my heart. Life with God is disturbing at times, other times it is full of Joy and a sense of fulfillment. Often times it remains a struggle, He is just difficult to comprehend and understand. Yet I question Him and search to understand Him and along the way I discover that God is very interesting and full of wonder. At the end of the day I don’t get bent about not understanding God, I’m content with the sense of Wonder He leaves me with.
As for Skip giving me a free pass, I’m not so sure that the idea of Skip giving me a free pass on my thoughts toward God ever crossed his mind. Perhaps I stepped out of your “comfort zone” if my words about God or the words I direct towards God effect you in such a way where you are left offended or disrupted, I’m more than happy to not express my prayer towards God via this blog in order that you remain at ease and free of any disturbance brought forth by myself. This also means you wont experience the times when I’m jumping for joy because God did something wonderful in my life or the life of someone else.
As for my comments about the constant back in forth talk about Torah and Grace, it needs to be put to rest, The back and forth talk about the Law being current or the Law being done away with expired along time ago in my opinion. I waited along time to make that comment, it needed to be made.
I find your judgments towards me typical, I’m sure you would feel the same about David. In fact I say this with all do respect, I encourage you “not” to read the Psalms. They are full of ups and downs with God, and apparently the downs are upsetting to you. I mean is what i said really any worse than David wishing the Babies heads were smashed into the ground?
Ultimately I think I offended your concept of God, my God the God I worship invites me to pour out my feelings to Him, good or bad. I’m so glad He still appreciates my sense of frustration when i don’t understand Him. He thankfully has a long nose.
I would rethink your idea of me being critical of the community, I have been apart of the community for along time now. I care about it, and I simply expressed what was on my heart.
A few days ago when I read TW what David was feeling hit home with me. I went about my day, As I was driving home from the book store I felt a great sense to voice my frustration in relation to what was going on in my heart. I went home laid down and as i laid there I felt the urge to get up and voice it on TW. Afterwards i felt a great relief, this is nothing new in my relationship with God. I had no intention of diminishing God’s character. Looking back I believe God wanted me to voice my issue’s with Him. Why? Because what i said is real, raw, and full of passion.
To finish my response, I forgive you for you “false” assumptions about my character. I understand, your not the first person to be insulted by my voice of concern with God. I would on the other hand like to accept your challenge to prove myself by my deeds, this will require us spending some time together. Do you have time to flow with me? Perhaps we can help each other in our spiritual growth. I know by your comments that you see me as a young prideful student. I may not be able to offer you much with all your years of wisdom, but I do believe a Rabbi once said “A teacher learns most from his students”.
So what do you think? I’m up for the challenge to show you my deed’s by what i do. You said you look forward to my spiritual growth right? Lets make an attempt to start living life together.
Keith,
Also Michael I encourage you to go back a bit further in TW and see my comments towards Dorothy and her struggle with Law and Grace. I do believe I encouraged the community to embrace Dorothy with compassion and to shift the focus from a discussion of wrong and right to the idea that disrupting what Dorothy knew to be true about the Torah being done away with and her living under grace centered more around her safety net. Fear in my opinion often times keeps people from putting aside what they already know to be true to in fact understand what is true. I encouraged the group to help her through this, after all we all have fears. I guess you missed that one?
Keith,
Hi Keith, May I interject? Re Dorothy or anyone else on this blog, the main theme of this blog is to try to firstly be informative of Scripture history that Skip is so well equipped with,
secondly, that folks will come out of Babylonian religious systems, be that Christianity or otherwise.
We are worshiping the Elohim of Israel, and that means learning from the Hebraic paradigm would be the best and only way, as Scriptures were written by Hebrew-speaking authors.
What, may I ask, is wrong to try correcting the way Dorothy posts her comments, insisting on writing the way she does? You have read her many posts, and Skip’s and others’ replies to her, yet she hangs on to her perspective, unwilling to have a change, but stubbornly rebuts those who try to help her.
Perhaps you can do a better job, do give it a try then? Do you read all the comments here?
Would you find them exasperating reading the same defending comments she makes, and simply quoting Bible verses, without really seeking the depth of their meanings from a Hebraic perspective?
We are here for the purpose of re-learning, not to prove our Scriptural knowledge we learned from Christianity a long time ago, knowing they have been wrongly taught, and our understanding of them are different once we seek from Hebraic perspective.
We/I look forward to your replying to her posts, Keith.
Shalom!
Ester, when did I say there was something wrong with trying to correct someone’s worldview in relation to scripture? My point was Exactly this, I don’t think pumping Dorothy with “Scripture History” or the “Hebrew Paradigm” is what is needed in HER situation. That approach was taking and there was nothing wrong with that approach. Eventually when a person or a community realizes the approach is not working its time to seek to understand what is going on with the individual and look for another form of communication.
Ester, I will share with you a short story. I have a sister who is five years older than me, a believer in Yeshua. About Seven years ago I realized the importance of Torah and its current validity. My sister who was a Baptist believing Christian was very threatened by me. I could not understand why she was so scared of what i was saying. I could tell she was scared, she on the other hand denied it. I used “Scripture History” and tried to show her the Hebrew Worldview. This did not set well with her, She pretty much shut me out and I could not speak about Torah in her presence. I honored her demands, yet I prayed to God to help me understand why my sister was so angered when Torah or the name Yeshua was mentioned. We grew apart and God showed me that it wasn’t my sisters worldview or misunderstanding of scripture that was leading her to fight back at me with distorted scriptural verses in regards to the Torah being done away with. It was her “FEAR”. When I understood her better my approach to her changed, I functioned the second commandment and remembered that I’m to love my sister as myself. I put myself in her position, if i spoke about God I used the name Jesus. I certainly never brought to her attention that her eating pork was wrong. I just put aside trying to show her the Hebrew worldview and focused on her needs. Eventually my sister went to some community worship event and little did she know it was a Torah believing community. Her heart was opened to the validity of Torah that day. So God’s timing worked it out. Now my sister embraces Torah and her fear was faced.
Ester, you said “the main theme on this blog is firstly to be informative of Scripture history” if this is true we as a community need to reconsider what we or Skip is trying to accomplish here. Yes scripture history is very important, yet loving your neighbor as yourself is MORE important. I have concern for Dorothy, I want her to see the Bible through Hebraic eyes. So I pray for her, no words just prayer because not everyone will come by what we speak. Sometimes we have to STOP speaking and begin praying. Then while we are still praying , we change the subject. Shift our focus to something else that will hopefully edify the community and bring Unity to the community.
I hope this helps you understand where I’m coming from.
Also you wrote “Perhaps you can do a better job, do give it a try then? Do you read all the comments here?”
Think about how you just worded all that to me? Is that how you would like someone to approach you on how to help someone? I will answer: Whether or not I can do a better job is not a concern of mine, I have and will continue to pray for Dorothy. That is the effort I putting forth, God will work in His timing.
Lastly you put “Do you read all the comments?” this is arrogant, but I forgive your comment. I’m not sure how you can say that comment and finish with Shalom.
I have a question for you, are you really interested in “Shalom” when you make a comment to me like that ?
Keith,
Keith, Thank you for your quick and mature response. I was wrong to assume you were new to this site, but in my short 2 years here I can’t recall any of your previous posts; and certainly not one, as you say, so ‘real, raw, and full of passion’ as this one, which I admit did ‘offend my concept of God’. I know YHWH does not need me to come to His defense and would have me to be more concerned with my offending others in the attempt-as I just did-but, I too am prone to “pour out my feelings (about) Him, good or bad”. Forgive me. As for your statement: “I’m more than happy to not express my prayer towards God via this blog in order that you remain at ease and free of any disturbance brought forth by myself. This also means you wont experience the times when I’m jumping for joy because God did something wonderful in my life or the life of someone else.” Recall that I did close with the hope that you would continue to post and obviously I would love to see some of those ‘jumping for joy’ testimonies to balance out your “voice of concern with God” diatribes. That you said: “I understand, your not the first person to be insulted by my voice of concern with God” is perhaps a clue that there is an opportunity for growth here. That you have these thoughts are one thing, ( and no, ‘the downs are not upsetting to me’) but to share them in this forum, in the manner in which you did, to me, indicates a problem. At the very least, it shows a lack of respect for the communities mores and standards. Not that we can’t share our deepest feelings with one another, but just as in Scriptural exegeses context is supreme. And yes, as you state: “the God I worship invites me to pour out my feelings to Him, good or bad”, but you might want to work on developing a solid relationship with any community or individual before you “confess your faults one to another’. Just a suggestion. Finally, you stated: “I would on the other hand like to accept your challenge to prove myself by my deeds, this will require us spending some time together. Do you have time to flow with me?” Yes, I do and I am both willing to learn and teach, so we will see who is who in your statement: “A teacher learns most from his students”. In order to keep the community space free of our private discussions please e-mail me at stanleynm@aol.com. I look forward to our brotherly friendship and mutual spiritual growth. In Him, Michael
Replying to Keith.
Apologies, I didn’t mean to sound arrogant, I was simply throwing the ball in your court, and that question ‘have you read the comments’, is a simple “raw” question. You could have tried explaining to Dorothy what this blog is about, and if she is seeking, instead of jumping at us.
Skip graciously gave you a long reply too.
You came in here venting your frustrations, and agitation, reason why I wish you shalom!
All of us need that too, what better departing word should I use? No arrogance here.
“Eventually my sister went to some community worship event and little did she know it was a Torah believing community. Her heart was opened to the validity of Torah that day. So God’s timing worked it out”
Thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony! HalleluYAH! May I point out that it is God Elohim’s work too, and your sister’s seeking, probably challenged by you, and being an elder sister, who definitely loves you and loathe being apart from you. Also her friends have been reaching out to her too, thus the invitation.
She is precious to HIM.
Most of us here would be praying for Dorothy, I do too.
Anyhow, we are moving on, it’s all up to her to seek, to hunger and find.
Keith, I wish you well. YHWH bless and keep you.
General comment: I want people on this blog to feel that they can share what God is doing in their lives with passion, whether those feelings are positive or negative. What I don’t want to happen is for these feelings to turn into personal accusations. God can handle how we feel. We must learn to give each other the same latitude. I only time I have ever removed anyone from this blog was when the person was unwilling to respect the others in the community in spite of many requests.
In my opinion, and that is all it is, we need to embrace differences (hairesis) because these differences challenge us all and help us grow. But GROWTH is the objective here, not simply expression of feelings or reiteration of doctrine. And as far as I can see, we are doing a pretty good job of that. So let’s open-heartedly embrace our differences and grow together.
My 2 cents. I know Keith well. And I have come to appreciate Michael and Arnella – great people. I am quite sure that the three of you will soon become fast friends. Keith has been a major supporter of my work in many countries and is a man who seeks God’s heart with raw passion. I am sure that is also true of Michael and Arnella. So it’s no accident that you are all now connected. Bless you all.
Skip,
This is a question that does not have to do with Today’ Word today – My friends and I are working our way through your Galatians series. We also have been reading TW for probably 2 years. (We like both!)
The question is this – when you did the Galatians series were you contemplating the ideas you have shared more recently about ‘Yeshua’s being slain before the foundation of the world’?
We do not seem to find this concept in the explanations…. are we missing something or did these ideas come after the Galatians study? And if you did it again – would things be explained differently in light of this? Thanks – (Is there a better way to ask questions not pertaining to the TW?) (PS My e-mail address changed – could you please forward the TW’s to this new address? Thanks again!)
This is as good a place as any unless you want to write directly to me on my email.
Yes, I started thinking about the cross problem after I did Galatians. It is a journey, right? Unlike politicians, I am not responsible for things that I used to think.
But, no, I don’t think it would change much about my understanding of the THEME and CENTRAL ARGUMENT of Galatians. It might, however, change a verse here and there. Did you have something in particular in mind?
I will change your email in the database, but I need to know who you are. Do you live in Australia?
Thanks
Skip
Silence is golden. When I hear the birds so happily chirping away, some feeding their young, and lots going on, as they respond to their parents, other birds respond to their kind, I hear ABBA’s voice.
I do not need to speak, nor ask anything of Him, He knows what I am going through. I know He is watching. HE understands, though I may not.
I want to hear His still small voice in my innermost being, I feel His comfort. HE fills me with Shalom.
I love the quiet times with Him, no questioning in my mind, but simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings of His creation. 🙂
Like a Rock (‘ak!)
Do we have grip on grace? (or does Grace have a grip on us?) Do we know, have we come to the place of seeing, our Creator became (has become) the creature? ~ He humbled Himself and became a man. ~ (but wait..- there’s more).
He not only humbled Himself to become human (oh,- there’s so much more (‘ak)! He was obedient even unto death, and not only death, but death on a cross (‘ak)!
If it at all possible, think of God entering into the world He created through the portals of a virgin’s womb. He was the only man (ever) to be “virgin-born!” No virgin birth- no sinless Savior. This was only the beginning! (but wait.. there’s more (‘ak)!
The story of this man, (the second adam) is written for any man to read in a Book. This book, God’s Book, is the story of a people and of a Person. It is a book of history and it is also His-story. The Bible is full of stories, but these stories are all “real people!” ( or are “real,” people!).
Adam was a man. And so was Moses. Does anyone “doubt” the existence of a man named Moses? Do we (today) have evidence of his existence? of his being born? -did Moses leave a legacy? Yes. Moses was a man. Who else is mentioned or recorded in this Book of record? David? Solomon? Isaiah?- Is there (today) any other evidence of the “existence” of these men?
We have numerous records or accounts of Old Covenant “saints.” How they achieved sainthood is another story for another day, but each of these had one thing in common,- they were all human.
After a period, a silent period of four hundred years- Why the gap? – What was God waiting for? -that’s another story for another day- but in God’s timing- in His always perfect timing-But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law.. and this man, the man Christ Jesus was born into the household of a Jewish carpenter.
Do you know His-story? Have you ever read tHis-story? It is written in a book- a book authored by God.
A book written by men (the tools God uses) and “breathed-out” or inspired by God.
God inspires humans and uses us to do what needs to be done.
This young human, the man Christ Jesus ~ increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man ~ and in the fulness of time came unto John the Immerser to be baptized of him in the river Jordan. Why John and why Jordan? – that’s another story for another day.. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (ak!)
The time had come for this man, the second adam, the perfect adam to begin His ministry. This man was born for a purpose. This man, this “sent One” had a mission.
~ For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed ~ (Isaiah 50.7)
~ And it came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.. ~
The Son of Man set His face- He became resolute to do what needed to be done, and knowing it was the will of God.
What a moment this was! Jerusalem is now the focus of the God-man, the man Christ Jesus (‘ak!)
But why? What is the “rest of the story?”
His-story unfolds like a scroll,- doesn’t it?
~ and it came to pass..~ in the fulness of time ~
~ Therefore the Lord GOD said:” Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious Cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable ~ (Isaiah 28.16)
Hear Habakkuk, here is his-story:
~ For even if the fig tree doesn’t blossom, and no fruit is on the vines, even if the olive tree fails to produce, and the fields yield no food at all, even if the sheep vanish from the sheep pen, and there are no cows in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation ~
(Habakkuk 3.17,18)
Yes, Habakkuk! Hallelujah! – A joy that remains, – “like a rock.” (‘ak!)
“Have you encountered this untranslatable empty word? Do you know the place where there is nothing left to say? ”
I have been there and in at least a few of the First Peoples (Indian) languages there are untranslatable empty words/sounds. I have spoken out these word/sounds before. “Ak” seems similar. Ahna is a word/sound that comes from the soul in unspeakable times of pain, anguish etc. I find it interesting that tribal groups have these word/sounds. I can not really think of one in the English language, Ahhhh maybe?
“ahhh” and aha!- many “universal” groanings (and grinnings) which cannot be uttered! (even though we just did!)
~ We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time ~(Romans 8.22)
Oh?? or oy!- or ‘ak