A Montana Message
One of our community, Tom, lives in Montana. He and his family have made a bold move for Torah obedience. He wrote to me:
“Prayer Request.
We own a small ACE hardware and IGA grocery in Sheridan Montana, about 650 people, that my grandfather started in 1889. My brother, who is not a believer, just retired and my wife and I bought him out. We believe with our whole heart, now that we are sole owners we need to close on Shabbat and the required appointed times. We are priming our customers and staff for the change. Don’t know how the community will accept that as we have pretty much been the only game in town for 125 years. Our accountants think we’re crazy and won’t be able to make the payments. The local Baptist pastor who works for us part time and is always slamming Hebrew roots and torah teaching said if we do this he may change his theology… We could use lots of prayer. Please pray for the salvation of our families and our community and let our business honor the King in success or failure.”
I have an idea. What would you think about ordering something from Tom’s ACE hardware? I talked to Tom and he is willing to do whatever he can to make this happen. Why don’t we do this and help him? If you arfe looking for something that might be at ACE Hardware, just call Tom and see if he can ship it to you. You will have to pay shipping but so what? Isn’t this about community?
Tom’s store is 406 842 5413
SAVE THE NUMBER
Skip
Wow! this could not have been more timely for our little community of followers here. We had this very discussion (again) last night. Its a very scary move for some, but I love Tom’s statement, “let our business honor the King in success or failure.”
I feel like I practically live in ACE hardware these days, so, YES, we will order from a brother!
Hi David,
Don’t know what you are planning but we will be praying for you…Tom and Marilyn
Awesome, Tom!!! My wife and I own a real estate office in a VERY remote part of N Central Washington State. 90% of my business is selling land, acreage, and recreational properties to the people from densely populated west side of the state (Seattle +). Obviously, those sorts of folks generally come out on the weekends to look at that sort of thing and Saturdays (that is what we knew the 7th day to be) were our busiest days for property showings. When YHVH convicted us we knew we had to step out in obedience and close the office on Shabbat. Now, several years later I can honestly say that I am not aware of loosing one “buyer” because of it. In fact, often times the clients head out on their Saturdays and do the looking and then call me on Sunday or later in the week to make an offer and I save the expense of gas and travel (it is not uncommon to put 200 miles on the vehicle to show 4 or 5 properties so that is a huge savings!) I also find other agents referring clients to me for Sunday appointments because they want their day off. While the sales held steady, my expenses went down! Praise YAH!!!
Yes, I will be ordering from Tom’s Ace! Do you offer grocery delivery from your IGA!!! LOL
Ric, Thank you so much for the encouragement…sure we will ship groceries. Please know that it is not just about selling, Marilyn and I also want to give, especially to the widows, orphans and the oppressed. Let us know if we can ever help…Tom
Ric G,
Awesome testimony! You know, I think that we were given the test of the Sabbath as not only the one sign to the world that it is YHVH, and NOT ANY OTHER GOD, that we worship, but also that we are not passive experiencers of reality. To choose to honor the Sabbath is an incontrovertible example to the world that reality is subject to choice; that free will IS a determiner of reality. The Sabbath honors a Creator. It also honors and showcases the most precious part of our creation; namely, our ability to choose. It demonstrates again to the world that the correct way to move forward is carrying the Law on our shoulder and confidently putting our foot into the raging flood – there’s that river of TIME again. To carve the Sabbath, a set TIME, out of time as the world knows it, AND GET AWAY WITH IT, is an amazing thumb on the nose to the flesh that knows nothing else but getting pushed around by time. Halleluah! I love the Sabbath, my time-out-of-time. I consider it my first taste of eternity. And no, it hasn’t bankrupted me yet, either, but even if it did, it is a luxury for me that is worth it.
I want to cheer Tom on, too. You are fixing to get rich in a whole new dimension! You’ll love it! Rest puts us ahead, instead of behind. Its better than coffee! In the military, rest is considered a weapon. I think it is my best weapon, too. It is a precious gift. May Hashem bless and keep us all,
Greeting Tom.
I’ve been interested in relocating to Montana as soon as my finances pick back up. Unfortunately, I am a carpenter and I’ve ended up having to sell all my tools and truck just to keep my head above water. That was in 2011. Now, I have nothing but my love for Torah.
I just read your story here on Skip Moen and it has given me hope that there are Torah observent followers in Montana. I’m praying to Abba for your success in honoring our Creator and King of the universe.
Can you tell me if Sheridan is a good town for a young 47 year old man to make a fresh start? I know that September is not the time of year to look into making a fresh start in Montana, considering all I have now are clothes and a tent/sleeping bag, but I’d like to know if there are any opportunities in or around Sheridan?
Sincerely
Lynxx
Lynxx, Give me a call and I can give you some ideas and contacts. 406-842-5413
Thanks for your reply Tom. Sorry for the delay in responding. I just found it tonight while checking my spam folder. I’ll contact you as soon as I can. Thanks again.