We Interrupt This Broadcast for the Following
Want to know why I keep pursuing the questions of faith? Want some insight into what I am thinking about history, culture, language and exegesis? Want to know what role I think I need to play in all this? Then take a look at this video interview. I hope you will understand me a little better.
Skip
THANKS I NEEDED THAT!
Thanks Skip for continuing to invite us on this journey! You echo much of what I think at this point of the journey. There is one thing I believe is a solid guide post… if I love God and love people along the way, no matter the culture or creed, with all the questions and possible disagreements, God is pleased! It truly is about relationship!
Skip, thank you for being you. Without that, I am just not me. Same for everyone else, I do mean EVERYONE else, in this community. The ‘magic’ about the Body is that we enjoy a connection that benefits us all by virtue of a Head that continually makes of us an effective organism not only for the cosmos, but for us, personally, too In this scenario, while you are a vital part, providing the physical basis for interaction, once you have been obedient, you are a part of a much bigger picture than you are trying to paint. Thank you for being that humble.
LOVE the point that safety comes from who we know, not what we know. That is a huge comfort for me, as NO one around me even remotely resembles ‘me’ (what I cognitively subscribe to?). I was married to a person who bitterly challenged every single thing about me, along with every single thing in his history that he could superimpose onto me. This taught me to do the same to myself. It also taught me how you can grow in the teeth of a wind. I came to appreciate the wind of challenge. I learned to love myself in the process of learning how to love those who opposed me.
Safety is an internal job that does not depend on the surface of cognitive consciousness, or even conformity to a larger agreement with others. Safety is where I can love myself and you NO MATTER WHAT. This you have to experience to learn. Thank you for providing that opportunity for all of us, as you celebrate it, too.
Sparks. Oh, dear. We need that spark of life, but it only happens when we rub up against life. In the old days, when people went courting, it was referred to as ‘sparking’. That was the idiom for the Biblical understanding of “iron strengthening iron”. I cannot be unique if you are not likewise being faithful to your own uniqueness. Holiness is where we identify with NOTHING ELSE but our Creator. Now, THAT is “separation”! Otherwise, we are going to be just a wet blanket; no good for sparks! Life comes from the interaction with other life. We are also cautioned about “sparks of (our) own kindling”. This is profane fire, and Korah and Co. died because of it. We are not ‘sources’. For that, we must depend on others; and that is still not enough. We have to actually rub against each other. Thank you for ‘sparking’ a whole lot of us awake every day! Awesome!
Thanks Laurita for your comments, the hand is a good example of why the creator purposed opposition, the thumb is an opposing part to the other four fingers. They just don’t work as well without the unique power of the oposing thumb..
You always know just ‘how to say it’ … always. And after reading your responses I find myself either smiling, or nodding or saying ‘preach it sister’ …. and here it is again. While I’ve only been blessed to meet Skip in person a couple of times, I’ve had the rare honor of his words of wisdom when I reached out to him many years ago as I was going thru a personal and truamatic conflict in our lives. He was as real then….as he is now…and that’s why I keep ‘hanging around’ – even if it seems as if it’s on the outskirts of the community, not fully feeling as if I ‘belong’ … but assuring myself others probably feel the same way 🙂
The questions Skip asks….have swirled around many of us all the days of our walk on this path…and I for one find it refreshing to ‘hear’ and ‘see’ someone who not only is very humble, but subject to change when new information comes along, or when he even thinks new information may be on the horizon. His mode of ‘thinking’ (asking questions outloud no matter what the repercussion) helps bring me out of my corner. A corner that had been delegated for the ones ‘who question authority’. A corner where the inhabitants had it drummed into them that they were not ‘spiritual enough’ or maybe even bright enough to understand the deeper things of the Holy One…. but as Laurita has so eloquently described it … in that corner…because of people like Skip and this community … I have learned to ‘love myself’ inspite of myself. Thank you Laurita for your insights….
Blessings have come upon us today.
Thanks for this chance to see your gracious heart . You expressed what my wife Katheryn and I where discussing this evening we respect and appreciate about you Skip. You model the best of the true scholar. A love for and thirst for truth and integrity of mind while yet being receptive to the recalibration of understanding that comes from enlightened discourse and wrestling with others in a search for deeper truth. This is indeed a rare and marvelous forum. And we may seem to go round and round together, but I think in each turn we gain at least a little more depth individually and corporately.
This was GOOD! Really needed to hear this! God has been challenging me by asking what do I know for myself? That’s great to read TW’s and other books I’ve read but are you truly getting a grasp on what you’re reading and or do I just want to simply repeat what Skip wrote. It was a good reminder to hear you say you’re on this journey questioning and learning just like we are.
Sometimes we need guidance and sometimes we need to be provoked. Sometimes God brings persons to intersect with you and the consequence is a change in your life’s trajectory. I have found this change moving me toward safety, but it has never felt comfortable. I’ve prayed for many years that I would not be trapped by the patterns my life has set for me. I prayed for change. Change, however, requires courage. Courage to not only leap away from the nay sayers, but even more the courage to spend considerable time in the sea of silence; alone, awaiting the still small voice. The voice that’s says, ”This is the way, now walk it.“
Skip! We LOVE you! We talk about you in our family and have made G-d a constant discussion as we strive along with you. Thank you a million times over for the frustration and angst you cause with words… oy! So vexing and yet such depth and richness…. deep, does indeed, call to deep. I love the comments, community and consciousness that is thriving here. I am not as learned as most of the readers (not self-depreciation, just aware of what I can know/comprehend) and I rely on my community to show up here and say what is on their heart and perhaps, write something that I haven’t considered. Right now I am struggling through “The Hidden Beast” as it is “chewy” and heavy and good and hard and clear and well-written – ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
This was a great video post and I look forward to being in community and continually being befuddled and encouraged along the way.
Thank you everyone of you!
Really loved the hidden beast read it twice, refer to it now and then and gave five copies away so far….
The first time I heard you speak (about 5 years ago), it was as if for a moment I was somewhat resistant because I thought it so much to take in, then I started digging for myself even more… You are a humble man and I thank you for the insight you brought to me. I had been listening to The Original Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon, Keith Johnson and Jono Vandor – and 119 Ministries which were eye opening in themselves and then found Rabbi David Fohrman’s site – learning and realizing exactly what you are saying today in your video. I sincerely appreciate your dedication and sharing of the information – I always look at the references you use and dig into them as well. Thank you for bringing Torah and providing such a wealth of information – as well as your books, videos and audio teachings… Shalom my friend!
Thank you Skip!
You are such a blessing. I’m so grateful for who you are and also for all you do. I’m very grateful to have you as a traveling “partner” and a great “tour guide” pointing at important things and questions.
Lots of love and blessings
Skip, I see where you are in your journey with God. I have met several members of your following. Some of them desperately want to have someone in their life with the absolute truth; they look to you as that person because you somehow led them out of where they originally were. I’ve seen how you respond to those who are squirming in the fear factor and are angry; I am very impressed with your skills to deal with this. I don’t think that you want blind followers, nor do I think that was ever your intent. As we come out of our settled places to find truth, there is great discomfort for many people. Often, they want to be passively fed instead of actively eating and learning; this is horrible. We can’t build our faith in a passive way. As you struggle with growing in your faith, I enjoy what you share and I enjoy the fact that I don’t have to conform to what you are doing or believing. I love to have my beliefs challenged by you as a provocator. It drives me to study more, to seek truth, to continue to change as God leads me. I think you embrace the importance of relationship in a way that more of us should. That challenges me to develop deeper relationships more in my life than I have in the past. As an introvert, this is really difficult for me. As someone whose life seems to be in constant turmoil, I fear abusing my relationships; I don’t want to lose the ones I have. It’s hard for me to cross the boundaries of different groups, not because I don’t want to, but because the different groups expect me to comform to their standards of behavior. I have to figure out how to not throw my pearls before swine too; I’ve just done that too many times with unpleasant consequences. Keep doing what you are doing. I think God is using you for His divine purposes. You have a platform that many do not have, and will never have. We have to bloom where we are planted and pray that the Father will take what we do and multiply it as He sees fit. I wish I could publish on a higher scale and be a frequent world traveler, but apparently, that’s not what God planned for me. I have to be faithful with what I have been given. Keep being faithful with yours. Don’t be discouraged or feel like you have to explain yourself. By the way, this video does explain your position very well. I respect and love you for that. Sometimes my life is so overwhelming that I can’t always read all of your emails but I keep up the best I can. I love to get them. I love your photos too. You are truly a blessing to many throughout the world. Keep pressing on. With love and admiration, Beth.
Hey Skip,
In case you don’t know it…… you are loved. I hope you do know it! You have my continued support and I am thankful for EVERY twinge or overwhelming tidal wave of discomfort during this journey. There is a popular saying, “Keep calm and carry on.” But I have a much better mantra that is from A.J. Herschel in Man’s quest for God and that is, “Be afraid and pray.” The struggle is real, but I thank God for the opportunity to struggle. I am thankful for the online community and extremely thankful for the small group that I am a part of that wouldn’t exist without Michael C.
Skip, you continue to intrigue me and prod my faith in ways
no one else does. Thank you!
I am grateful for the encouragement to drop the dogma and allow the liberty of listening and studying another opinion. It is OK to understand another view and to perhaps even change ones own viewpoint.
Skip, thanks for over 8 years of this encouragement.
Bob
Hello Skip and others,
You raise some very interesting points during this video that I would like to respond.
– Journey: A term we all feel comfortable applying to this life. Something inherent knows what that is and feels like.
“I’m not your pastor or priest.” You’re right. You are though what some would call “a trusted Bible teacher” who consistently comes into the lives of those who allow you entry. The reasons may vary. For many it might be the 21st century Acts, meeting daily.
Shabbat. You remind me of something once read by Keren Hanna Pryor. Paraphrasing, God does not expect a perfect observance of Shabbat, but is honored at what effort is made to remember Shabbat. Some of us observe it quietly to keep peace in our households.
Community. I wrestle with this as an author who in part produces writing sympathetic to the Hebraic perspective, but find myself living in a world where believers might give blank expression when reference is made to “the feasts” or in a Bible study, I may read something from the Complete Jewish Bible versus the New Living Translation for example. I see my role as to serve an appetizer as opposed to a 5-course meal designed to treat the ailment of replacement theology.
These are thoughts from your video which I am glad came to the front of my mind in listening. I’m sure others have more to say! Thanks Skip, keep traveling.
David Russell
From Entiat…I don’t know what prompted you to explain your self, my first thought was that you are waiting on tables and preaching and teaching at the same time, I think scripture says something about that. The Ruach has led my wife and I onward through the years to people like your self as we became ready to get to know them (66 & 69 Yrs). 10 yrs ago you and your arguments and thoughts would have been totally foreign to us. We really appreciate what you say and do and have learned volumes from knowing you. I used to be a Seventh Day Adventist, a Wheelingite and a few other ites but I have learned to stop worshiping people and groups and just shut up and listen widely and do my best with what they have to say /present to folks like myself. Your ok, and that’s a good thing…Spokane
Thank you for continuing to invite us on ths journey. You have just expressed my most inner thoughts, specially when said nobody has the truth. Thank you very much. I wish someday you can come visit the Dominican Republic.
MAKE MORE VIDEOS!
This is an amazing journey. I am so thankful for your teachings, your perspectives, and yes, your challenging my thinking. I love the comment that was made that each day we can come for “Fresh Water”. I have led a group for over 3 years now…..I have had to bring them along very slowly. They are so willing to think outside the box. So many aren’t willing to that that journey. I think the most important thing I began to understand many years ago as I embarked on this journey is that “its not about me”. It is about a Him, HIs Kingdom and other people……relationships!! Thank You, Skip for sharing your heart!!!
In reading through these responses I’m am drawn back to the comment I wanted to post but did not have the guts. Because it was a personal word to me. It went like this. I had gone out to the coast to pray seeking resolution in a trubled relationship I was having with the son of a dear friend we had let into our home to help grow up and move into his life. It was very hard. After a night of praying and interceding, looking for emotional peace and resolution I had none. As I was heading home the Lord then spoke into my heart, by leading me to look out into the chuning surf. As I watched the tumultuous seas crashing on the rocks he said “Rest in me the way the waves rest upon the rocks. They become what they are by forces beyond themselves, it is enough that they do their part “. So I am learning and Skip and this fellowship help me see it is enough for me. It is enough to simply trust my Lord is moving in and through me even in all the tumult of my life and my reactions and responses to how life shows up for me today. That life is good albeit full of uncertainty and perhaps like the surf itself that is the only constancy we can expect out of it…
As I was reading through all of the comments, I realized what a LUXURY it is to be part of this group. How fortunate we all are, to have “hopped on” this bus!
And how many such groups are active around the world? Think about what the Father is doing!
I am so grateful for you, Skip, and for everyone here, because I am challenged to reconsider what I thought I knew on a regular basis. That’s a gift we give to one another!
Your work has made an impact in my corner of the world that’s broader and greater than what I can articulate to you. Thank you. From the deepest part of me, thank you.
I’ve had countless opportunities in an array of different environments to introduce people to the biblical worldview. There is nothing that brings me more joy than doing that. In a sense, your cause is my cause. I’m certainly not alone in feeling that way. You’ve cultivated a tribe of people that are working alongside you in their corners of the world, working to help others have a more informed perspective on the Bible, God, and our role in this world. I hope this reminder serves to hold your arms up and encourage you. We’re with you.
Let’s keep going Skip! I appreciate every word, even when its difficult. Thanks for a platform to be able to agree, and, disagree. There are many places like it in Christianity.
Sorry, there are NOT many places like it
shalom brother. I have read your ‘word’ for a short time and felt you were in a difficult place. I too find myself as a leader, but of a small congregation of believers. I keep reminding myself that Yahshua asked us to ‘make disciples’ and told Peter to ‘feed my sheep’. the disciples, the sheep, are His. not yours or mine. the statements you make help me to ‘be a disciple’ following truth to its origins in the scriptures. I am blessed by the ‘breaking of bread’ you provide as you ‘feed His sheep’ on a daily basis. I know the struggle as you feel the pressure to ‘just tell me what I need to know’. I want encourage you Skip as you fight the good fight. continue to feed His sheep. continue to cause us to think, making us disciples of Messiah Yahshua. not of Skip Moen. Yah bless.
Skip, GREAT video! Spoke your heart! A “light in the darkness”. Keep doing what you’re doing!
I always appreciate looking at and thinking about what you have to say.
Skip, six years ago when our paths crossed so serendipidously in the Mediterranean I had just given up on my Catholic faith and was on my way to ground zero to try to find a truth that I could live with. Our fleeting meeting totally changed my life and understanding of the bible. Would that it could do the same for others.
You and this diverse community are a breath of fresh air each and every day for me and Penny. Long may this continue. Shalom
Skip, loved your video. I just want to express how thankful I am for you & how you so readily share your thoughts, your work & your heart.
I love how you said our faith boils down to how we treat our family & community, not how much knowledge we have.
You make me wiggle & squirm sometimes. I don’t always feel comfortable with what you “throw out there,” but I love how you stretch & challenge what I think I know, what I believe & how I live.
Keep on keeping on. God bless you!
Gaynor
There really isn’t much more to add to this conversation Skip – except to say that I agree whole heartedly with every single person who has left a comment! Your various styles of imparting different perspectives of who you are keep me grounded, keep me in touch with who I am and who others are, and gives me assurance that there are those out there with no desire to belong to the ‘status-quo’ group. Each day I look forward to seeing what the Holy One has revealed to you – because it always seems to hit home in my own life. And that not only astounds me – it amuses me. I leave off shaking my head at not only how small the world is – but how big HE is!
I find myself still in the position, for a total of about 10 years now, answering email for many beginning on this journey – ten years, and two different ministries, but always the same questions come across my desk. And my go to answer – well, has always been the same when one wants to jump right in, do everything in the ‘right’ way, throw everything else out the window and demand all around them to do it the same way they are doing it now. ….. My suggestion to those in a hurry to get it ‘right’, is to always “Remember … it’s a journey …. so B R E A T H E …. do what you know to do today, and tomorrow will be another day for the Holy One to share more with you.” It never fails, they write back and are so relieved, so filled with peace that they don’t have to jump off some proverbial cliff. And I have learned to take that same advise – especially when i feel as if I’ve been painted into a corner, devalued because I’m a woman, or simply feel that I don’t measure up. I remember the words you have penned in your various books, and either think of Jabbok, or the ezer Kenegdo descriptions, or a daily word insight….and I take a deep breath …. and B R E A T H E.
Thank you Skip for just being you! So glad to be on this journey with others that are learning how to BREATHE! 🙂