VERY IMPORTANT
I believe this is so important that I am interrupting the daily word in order to send it.
Distress Call
It doesn’t happen often, but when one of my faithful readers and long-time supporters asks to be removed from the community, I want to know why. Yesterday I heard from a friend and reader in Ohio. He said, “I remember one time you said that Rosanne told you that she can’t read your writings anymore because she doesn’t understand them. I guess in a way I am feeling like she was feeling.” He went on the say that the emphasis on the Hebrew background behind the Greek text and all of this etymological concentration makes him feel as if he will never really understand the New Testament. He is distraught because:
- The more he reads, the more distance he feels from the God he wants desperately to serve. He worries that he doesn’t have the right name, the right birthday, the right festivals and maybe not even the right church.
- The more he reads, the more complicated his faith becomes. He used to have a God who spoke compassionately to him. Now he longs for that immediate simplicity but it seems to be evaporating.
- The more he reads, the more commandments and lifestyle changes he discovers and this makes him feel as if he will never be good enough for God. He worries that the standard is just too high and to different to give him the personal connection he wants with his Lord.
With a broken heart, he said, “I see a God that came for the simple and the uneducated. I see a God who came to the simple, the broken and the uneducated and used them to spread love and His word to the whole world. I don’t see this in the community. In the community I see the educated and enlightened feeling sympathy for those who are not in the “know”. I see people who are more worried if someone knows that Jesus’ real name wasn’t Jesus, it was Yeshua, and that God is really G_d, then I see people who are broken by revealed truth and called into action to humble themselves and serve. I see people who understand the Hebrew derivative for a Greek/English participle of a non-delineated sentence, not people who understand the hurt of a 13 year old who almost died from alcohol poisoning and his eighty-one year old Grandmother telling me that she was in the ambulance saying, “This is not happening. My boy is not going to die, is he? Are we weeping over a nation in love with child sacrifice, as Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its blindness?”
When one of our own feels this way, I am quite sure he is not the only one.
Let me try to respond.
I also worry about the potential swing toward intellectualism. I try to balance this with the constant theme of righteous acts. But I can certainly see the tendency. On one hand, I am not surprised. We are at a loss when it comes to understanding the Hebrew way of life in the Bible, principally because we didn’t grow up Jewish. This is culture shock! It’s like being dropped into the center of a village in rural China. We lose out bearings. The language is different. The food is different. The topography is different. No wonder we feel as if the ground has been torn out from under us. After all, the Christian culture has been a part of the home of the West for 1800 years. Re-examining its foundations strains everything about the world we thought we knew. So, when we start to see little glimpses of the real biblical world, it’s pretty easy to grab those slices and talk as if we have a better understanding than others. Of course, that isn’t Hebrew either. Knowledge always leads to action, and in this case, the actions model the heart of God. Compassion, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, delight and hope should be the natural results of a deeper understanding of Scripture. In Hebrew, you really don’t know until you do! Intellectual correctness doesn’t mean anything unless we have malleable hearts listening to the Spirit.
For many who comment on the blog, it is important to be correct about names, words and theological constructs. There is no denying the fact that if you were on the Mount of Olives and asked to speak to “Jesus,” no one would know who you were talking about. But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t see His Son’s name written on your heart, no matter what comes out of your mouth. It’s important to return to the real Hebrew expressions, but it’s not so important that it puts walls between believers. Unity comes first. We are one family. When my children call me “Dad” instead of “Skip,” I know they are still talking to me.
I know that radical cultural shifts cause alarm, discomfort and anxiety. Just trying to eat a kosher diet has already created some raised eyebrows among my friends. Recognizing the pagan background of Christmas is like dismantling a sacred cow. So, the best way forward for me is often the “just live it” way. Just take the bacon off the cheeseburger. Just enjoy the gift giving at Christmas. I don’t make a big deal out of any of it until someone asks. But, of course, I have to write about this stuff everyday, so it’s a bit more upfront than the way I try to handle living with it. My job is to prod a little, encourage a lot and try to dig as deep as I can. But that isn’t everyone’s job. Some of us, some of my closest friends, still have to sit with the grandmother who worries about her grandson’s life. And I need to provide as much as I can for those friends. They are on the other firing line.
More than anything, I want to encourage all of us to stick with exploration with a deep spirit of humility and sensitivity. Some of us are much further along, but the goal is to get there together. Stronger brothers dial it back in order to bring along weaker brothers. As you can see, Paul (Sha’ul) faced the same issues. The clash of cultures can knock people right out of the picture and that would be the greatest tragedy.
I have encouraged all in the community to add to the blog. The intellectuals among us don’t seem to need much encouragement. They are in the flow when they are thinking about all this. But we need to hear often from those who are right in the midst of this shift. We need to hear from the hearts as well as the minds because my friend who asked to be removed isn’t the only one who is struggling with all this.
Thanks, Skip – Maybe this well help, too: Some years ago, we were called to pastor a church that seemed desperate for “the Truth and for the deeper things of God”. For the first few months, the folk were astounded at the ‘new interpretation’ of Scripture – they couldn’t get enough – then, suddenly, the church sent a delegation to us… Their description of how they felt was: “At first we felt like kids at a party. We were being given all our favourite food. Then we began to feel sick; like we couldn’t possibly eat another bite – but everytime we get together, the same full table of wonderful food is prepared. We like chocolate cake… but we feel like you are standing over us making us eat every crumb! We can’t eat any more of this rich food! Please just give us bread and water!”
Our answer was: “You don’t have to eat everything… you don’t have to eat anything if you don’t want to… it’s a buffet, not a state banquet! Take what you need to satisfy your hunger. If the food is too rich for you, just pick at the things you can eat. As your tastes develop, you may want to try a little more… or a taste that is new to you. But you can just look at it, give God thanks for the food He provides – then go home and eat the things you like, there! If we can give you some more information that would help you to appreciate the more unusual things, just let us know.”
We decided we would cut the teaching back to 30 minutes maximum, and we also backed off a little on the “Hebrew context” element, and we decided to put a little more effort into bringing the people together as ‘community’. Within 3 months, the same people were complaining that they were missing the deeper teaching! Over the next year, we did have some move from our church to a more traditional church – their input has slowly changed that church. Those who stayed with us went from strength to strength, ever hungry for more, until each member of the congregation had reached sufficient maturity to go off and start a new work – which they have all done! This ‘moving out’ happened very quickly – and put us out of a job! But, those folk who had told us they couldn’t “understand”, and that they couldn’t “eat any more”, are now feeding others from a similar table.
We could sum little message up and tell you what to take from this… but, hey, just take what you feel like eating!
Hi Skip,
Thanks for posting this brother’s expressions of distress. I understand how he is feeling and just to read his concerns helps me know I am not alone in this journey of transition.
I was raised in the Christian church and was a part of church community all my life until recently when I started meeting with a friend and his group of believers here in Adelaide Australia who relate to God in terms of the Hebrew understanding of the Bible. I feel shaken and disturbed as I learn (alot of learning on my own through websites such as yours and other similar ones) about the Jewish foundations of Christian faith in Messiah. I’m currently wrestling with the issues of the Christmas and Easter celebrations. I’m no intellectual but I can follow (and believe) the teaching that shows how our Father God has not asked us to celebrate Christmas and Easter but rather to celebrate the Feasts that tell the whole wonderful story of redemption. I understand how the transliteration of the Son of God’s name lead to a corrupted sounding word i.e. ‘Jesus’. These new perspectives (especially the light that Hebrew understanding sheds on what it means to be a ‘wife’; what the ‘Sabbath rest’ means; how love is action etc ) are a delight to discover but difficult to practice. It will take me years to implement just some of these understandings. The questions that arise in discussions with my friend are, “What difference does all this make to my relationship with Father? Is he going to cast me off if I don’t keep the Torah? Who is Jesus/Yeshua? What exactly has he done for us/to us in his death and resurrection? Is what he has done for us/to us in his death/resurrection dependent on how we follow Torah or dependent on who HE is and what HE has already done?” I tell you, the questions are coming thick and fast as we struggle to incorporate new understandings of the Bible which seem irrefutable into our life after fifty years in Christian church culture. However, one thing is certain (which is comforting as so many other things are unhinging and becoming uncertain) – right now, I know that God loves me because of who He is, not because of what I do or don’t do. He redeemed me ‘before the foundation of the earth’ and now he’s teaching me how to love him back and love others. It’s a long process. My growth in relationship with him and others is slow and fault-ridden, but his love for us all is constant, unwavering and not determined by our efforts. It’s determined by his character. Another certain thing – I can still have my quiet time with him and sense his love, thank him for showing me a little bit more each day about who he is through the words (their original meaning) of the Bible. The new Hebrew understandings of the Bible are shedding light for me on how wonderful and marvelous God is in his action of redemption of mankind.
My friends here in Adelaide are very inspiring. They have been walking this new walk for many years and I observe their humble hearts and loving actions towards needy people. I’m curious to learn more about what they are learning and living out because of the WAY they live. They have strong communal bonds, they treat me with total acceptance, push nothing on me and only talk theology when I ask the questions. Even though they see that I don’t do everything they do, they treat me like an equal – no hint of “holier than thou”, but rather an attitude of “we’re all beggars and we’ve found some bread, come and have some too!” Their lifestyle and the love that they exude in attitude and actions makes me increasingly curious to ask about their perspective of God.
They exhibit the “compassion, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, delight and hope” that you wrote about.
Thanks Skip for all your hard work.
In your words, may we have “malleable hearts listening to the Spirit” and may our knowledge lead to actions that “model the heart of God”.
Wendy
Knowledge always leads to action, and in this case, the actions model the heart of God.
“we’re all beggars and we’ve found some bread, come and have some too!”
excellent and exact!! thank you Wendy-
Wendy wrote,
Excellent, excellent, EXCELLENT!!! YES!!!
Giving up “Christianity” has been / was a difficult process for me, too.
But when *most* people ask me now, “Are you a Christian?” I still answer, “Yes” because I know their question is based on a “traditional” definition of Christianity.
I’m simultaneously 100% Christian & 100% Non-Christian. (Figure that out. 😉 )
The point is, as Wendy so elegantly stated, God loves us. So in return, be a generous and fair-minded human being to those around you. The rest will take care of itself. 🙂
Oh man, no need to leave the community. This stuff can be overwhelming for sure, remember God is full of mercy towards us. Because God is merciful we are slowly peeling back the greek influence on our lives. God knows our hearts, don’t fall for the got to get everything together so I can sleep at night. Its all about flow, take one thing at a time. Spend a year on just doing one thing, don’t think God expects you to get it all together. This stuff can be frustrating, don’t leave. Remember the prize is always worth the fight. Some of us have a greater understanding than others, but were all crossing the same finish line right? Remember its about unity, look were all apart of God’s army. We can’t go leaving each other behind. I have a bowling league on Sunday nights where I bowl with three Baptist Christians, its really hard for me. I hate it, they think I’m bound by the law. They laugh at me, and tell me I’m confused. The worst part is the lack of love they show towards me and the other bowlers. It can be so frustrating, I want to quit. Yet I wont because its about unity, sticking together. I can’t quit because they are having trouble understanding me, just like you “should not” quit on us…
Keith wrote
LOL!!! This reminds me of my Tuesday Bible study, almost to the tee! And I hate it too! But I continue to go because by my actions, I will display love and unity.
Too funny Keith. Keep it up brother! 🙂
Don’t leave the community….! The difference between the Greek and the Hebrew is mainly the human component! The written word has difficulty expressing the relationship because it is not flesh and blood. God works through HUMANS and a two dimensional description of a relationship cannot be substituted for a REAL relationship.
I have had the advantage of having one side of my family be Jewish AND growing up in a largely Jewish community where many of my friends are Jewish. While still attending church as did my mother’s family, I was able to assimilate Jewish culture just by being near it.
It’s not hard…Jewish people are loving, caring, sometimes larger than life people who are mostly not afraid to be intimate and confrontational…they look a lot like hmmmmm? Jesus! Try making friends with some Jewish people, just to hang around them, you’ll learn to love them…and understand Jesus much better! You don’t have to lose your God, just wrong headed religion!
I first heard of Skip from my mother-in-law who attends his bible study. Then I heard him speak at my church (which was awesome). I understand that feeling of being overwhelmed and not knowing which end is up, because the information is so completely different from what has been ingrained (I think especially about the information about the role of women). I still don’t know how to integrate that, and there’s a lot that I read and just think about. The complexity reminds me of my big question about our lives today vs. the lives of those in the Bible… why is it okay to pierce my ears, but people freak out about tattooing? How come we say it’s okay to eat bacon and wear polyester but it’s not okay to dance? Why do we insist on keeping some of the OT laws, but break others (that are literally one verse away from the one we MUST not break)? Things like that kind of boggle me… I am fascinated by the blog here but don’t always know how to process it. There are some blog entries from here that I’ve referred to in my own blog because they really struck a chord. And there are ones that I’ve read and reread and still am not quite sure what to do with it. Must we live by the laws of the OT? Under the grace and forgiveness of Christ in the NT are we exempt from living by those laws (then what about the Ten Commandments and tithing – I had someone get really upset with me on my blog when I gave a very OT view of tithing – give 10% and all that)?
I think I’ve completely gotten off topic, but I know that someone here, intellectual or heart or both might have some interesting insight.
I guess my point it that I can understand where this guy is coming from about the simplicity. But, at the same time, I am also fascinated by the complexity revealed here. Ultimately, I’m still processing and trying to sort things out. But it’s really interesting in the meantime. Thanks Skip.
Amanda wrote,
I’ve felt that exact same way numerous times. In fact, I chuckled silently just yesterday morning when my Bible study teacher thanked God in His closing prayer for the “consistency” of Scripture. Are we reading the same thing?!?!?! (And it’s very possible we aren’t since there are 53 translations of the Bible in English… #thingsthatmakeyougohmmm… 😉 )
Conversely, I thanked God for blessing me with a different perspective: I thanked Him (silently) for the *tension* in Scripture. It enforces that we don’t/can’t know it all because God is awesome.
And as my favorite theologian (my fiance) said once, “I guess at the end of the day, He just wants us to trust Him.” 🙂
So for the time being, I’ve given up on reconciling, or “chasing”, doctrine which in Christianity is mostly just following tradition anyways…and focused instead on being happy and generous to every one around me…ie. just being a “good person” today. 🙂
Dear sir and brother.. we are one in the bond of love. By this shall all men (everywhere) know you are my disciples (learners/talmudim) if you love (serve) one another. This is a one-another community. We are not going to leave anyone behind. None. If we have to carry you, you will be carried. Posh on “intellectualism”. (Such a strong word “posh”- lol!) Fortunately (I don’t use this word!), I was born “knowing everything.” lol!- you think? As my little nephew used to say- “wrongy dongy.” lol!- NO, NO, and no. Every one of us are traveling the very same pathway. It is referred to in the book- (one book-remember?) as the straight and narrow path that leads to life. This is what “floats our boat” and “melts our butter”- the word of G-d. The Bible is our passion. We want to hear from G-d, but (all of us) need help to understand (to perceive, to know, to understand) these big “Bible” words. Words like righteousness, justification, propitiation, – even words like “love” and “truth.” Dear brother, I implore you, -please, do not turn your back and return to your “comfortable” life in front of your t.v. set. Everyone of us struggle. (may I repeat this?)- everyone. This “way” that leads to life is anything but a primrose path. If you are looking for a cheap, easy way to serve Christ- it just is not going to happen. I’ve even heard some (whom I respect, admire and love greatly), the true “Christian” life is impossible. Why? (where’s my “easy” button?)- because my friend- there is only one “perfect” person who ever lived. ( lol!)- newsflash!- (I am not Him!!). Ever seen this written in the book?- “Not I, but Christ?”
There is is wrapped up and tied up in a neat little package. (the size of a peanut the equivalent of an atom bomb!). What you need my dear brother and what I need is exactly the same thing. And we each have “equal access.” The veil of the temple was ripped from top to bottom. As the KJV puts it- “what meaneth this?” (lol!). It means the ground is level at the foot of the cross and “whosoever will” may come. Universal access. Do you understand this? Anyone, anywhere,(Jew,Gentile, eight or eighty, may come to G-d at any time and “he that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” (p.s.- that is “good news” or another fine word- the “gospel” truth).
May I explain why I have gotten (proper construct?) into the habit of writing “G-d” instead of God? Isaiah 53.6 reveals (-that is what the scripture does- it “reveals”, (just like shining a flashlight through the darkness), partially the “name(s)” of YHVH. It is a partial listing of His name. I would highly encourage you to do a study (if you haven’t already) to read concerning the “name(s) of God”. This can be found via a “google search” and is a very profitable endeavor. Why? Because He wants to reveal Himself to you more and more, precept upon precept and line upon line through His name(s), which reveal His nature or who He is. Just one example: Jehovah-Jireh: “the LORD provides.” Have you seen how He provides for His own? Both in the scriptures and in your life. Our daily bread. Our daily breath. Our daily blessings. Praise His name. His name is holy. His name is sacred. His name is Salvation. We (I say we- but it’s more like “they”- whoever “they” are!) really do not even know how to properly pronounce His name. YHVH has been “stretched” into Jehovah. This may or may not be correct! (I don’t know if I have helped or hindered here!). To show honor and respect to my Father, I write His name as G-d. It is because I really do not know Him in fullness. I am but a child in my understanding, but (praise His name!), I am His child. Hallelujah!- I belong to Him.
G-d reveals Himself to us through His words. Every word of G-d is pure (Proverbs 30.5) Jesus said, “the words I speak unto you- they are spirit and they are life.” (John 10.10). G-d has spoken to us (all): “and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4.4).
There is a pattern and there is a method Skip uses to teach us. Every day we pick up on one word or one phrase out of G-d’s book and dig a little deeper into the original language the Bible was written in. English is such a poor language. For example: “trunks.” Swimming trunks- elephant?, car?, attic?, or tree trunks? There is a reason our Father chose Israel as His picture book. Hebrew is so much more precise than English. I am (not by a long-shot) an expert in the Hebrew language. I am a novice and a putzer. (one who putzes!) lol!- However, I will say it and know it- “the Bible is a goldmine when we dig with a Hebrew shovel!” Ahmein and amen!
Jesus said unto the Pharisees – (“religious” dummyheads!)- “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”(Matthew 22.29) (Ouch!)
Do you have in the deep recesses of your heart a desire to know G-d? Do you have a hunger to learn? “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” This is step number one. Come to G-d’s table hungry. Come thirsty. Come expectantly. Our Father will not disappoint you. There are some prime cuts of meat flowing from the pen of chef Moen. I have “dined” here. These meals my brother are the real deal. Skip takes seriously G-d’s call on His life to “feed my sheep.”
If you have questions or doubts or comments…”speak”, “ask!”. Nobody here’s gonna bite your head off! (lol!) We (all) are learners just like yourself!. Everyone of us are ignorant- (just in different areas!).
I ask you my friend- continue with us.
What are your needs? (remember the name of the LORD your G-d?) What is His name? Let’s explore this together. We are children at play in the fields of the LORD. We have been instructed by the Teacher- “be followers of G-d as dear children and walk in love.” At G-d’s Table we break the bread of life and drink the wine of our new life in Christ together. G-d has sent out His invitation to His banquet- “whosoever will, may come.” (Isaiah 55)
In confession, I have, on occasion, felt the same way. I’m of reasonable intelligence and experience within the faith, but at times it seems as though if I’m not trying to retroactively become Jewish, I’m just an impish child wishing I could sit at the grown up table at the pagan festival of Christmas.
Dr. Moen is my professor and, in my opinion, one of the worlds foremost experts on his topic, and yet, I sometimes disagree with him. I don’t always say Yeshua when referring to Christ whe I preach because the audience may not be ready for that. I write God out because I don’t view it as disresptful to write it out. The age of law versus the age of grace, I can drink a beer while watching a blues concert but not while eating a bacon cheeseburger or steamed crabs?
I will learn a little at a time, while I worship and serve God.
I’ve got a lot to learn, I hope I live a long time. In the meantime, recognize, their aremany who are intimidated by some of the information presented here, but you are to be commended for such an articulate expression of what you, and others may feel. Don’t leave just yet, this is starting to feel like a family now!
You are a great instructor and your teachings are very important to move us closer to God. This person is talking like the pharisees, he is taking the teaching and trying to make up rules that he can not possibly keep. He needs to do a word study on condemnation and find out who is messing with his mind. Also mercy and grace, no one is good enough we are saved by grace.
God is not a respecter of persons we are all loved as His children.
I am sorry to hear of this confusion but you must not take it personally, your work is important and everyone did not understand Jesus so how can you expect that for yourself.
Move forward in prayer and love, sometimes a father has to kiss his child on the the cheeks and wish him the best until he grows enough to return to the father’s house.
Test the spirits; prove all things. Jesus said (roughly) I only do/say what my Father says to do/say, no more, no less.
Does quitting or staying on the list line up with that?
Hear God and obey. Period.
———————————————-
I require instruction on how to do all that. Even with instruction, there’s a lot I know about that I don’t know how to do…..like Love the lord my God with ALLL of who I am, and what’s this love my neighbor as myself? Does that have to there being no condemnation for those of us who don’t know much about Hebrew language and culture in applying the above?
In God’s creation sheep are always sheep; their nature does not change. Mature sheep do know a bit more than baby ones but do they ever learn to be anything beyond how to eat, drink and obey the Master’s voice?
Stay or go but make sure it’s Father.
one scary thing about sheep Saralou, whether mature or young- they (all) have a brain the size of a walnut and are totally Shepherd-dependent! (lol!!) How desperately we (all) need to stay clean and close to the great Shepherd of the sheep!! -Amen!
This is my source for learning beyond the norm. And it comes to me daily via email! I don’t worry about any part that is overwhelming, I simply chew on and digest the rich meat that’s offered. I don’t feel inferior to the knowledge presented, I just feel blessed to receive the instruction in the Word. There is much more to be revealed about God and His Word than we will know in this life. But, without these studies we would remain on a much lower level of understanding.
I, too, am an average person – but that only makes me appreciate the opportunity to learn all the more. If we are hungry and thirsty – we shall be filled…and this is a source of food that I treasure. If I am required to sit and stare at the screen for a few minutes and think it through – to finally grab the truths presented…that’s good. I’m learning.
We learn when we are challenged to understand information beyond what we already know! Thank you for raising our level of insight and contributing to our education!
A wise professor once encouraged me when I was having a hard time teaching others the biblical world view. When I asked, “How can I teach others that there is more meaningful commentary, hidden truth not reveal through the Greek lense, and a standard of living not taught in the Christian church without feeling as though I belittle them or come across as condesending,” he replied, “Go gently.” That friends, is simplicity. Skip, not only did you tell me to “go gently, ” you have proved it on many occasions by having patience with me. I understand this reader’s view, but I also understand why the rich young ruler walked away sadden by the words of Yeshua. Skip, I have nothing but love for ya, brother!
Jimmy
One of my favorite quotes from Skip, when asked, “How are we supposed to go back an tell our Christian friends that most of what they know is wrong?”…“Do it with hugs.” 🙂
I guess the first question would be: In the Lord Jesus Christ, who is an intellectual? In Acts 4:13, the “intellectuals” were blown away by their knowledge and understanding. Their only conclusion was that “these men had been with Jesus”! In the church I was raised in, there were a collection of “sayings” that were quoted often. One of them was: “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” I have watched your devotions move from a deep dependence on the Scriptures that answered questions about addiction and addicts. You were Skip Moen then. Now you are Skip Moen, PHD, and have become a teacher of Torah only. When in the Old Testament, it is all about Torah. When in the New Testament, the passage is mentioned, and then the teaching is from Torah, with only lip service to Jesus as Yeshua. I have two observations: First, the drift in commentary has forced me to go more deeply in the Word than I have ever been in my over 50 years of serving the Lord Jesus Christ. From a “non’demoninational”, is any one really that point of view, I agree that in the 500 years of Protestant teaching, much has been lost by the very division that set it apart from Catholicism, as a new restoration. Second, there is a constant pressure when handling the Word by those with “itching ears”. An old professor used to say in class, “Don’t quit, qualify”. God bless your service to Him in the Kingdom. I have only one degree, but that doesn’t give me the right to point a finger. We are “fruit inspectors”. (Unfortunately, sin still happens. Thank God for His forgiveness.) Larry R Beard
No desamaye Hno. Skip. Sus enseñanzas son importantes para nosotros. ¿Sabe? A mí también se me han ido ovejas de la congregación porque algunas veces predico “cosas” que ellos no aceptan. Habemos un buen poco de personas que seguimos aprendiendo de usted. Siga adelante y orare por toda la comunidad que sigue dia a dia la Palabra de Hoy. Bendiciones.
Life is all about perspective. Events, circumstances and even problems vary depending on how we look at them. I think Torah can be as burdening or as freeing as we decide it to be, depending on how we look at it. God never intended to use it to condem us, to put us down or humiliate us. We do that to ourselves. He gave it to His people to use as guidelines to live in the freedom of His boundaries,which serve to protect us, not kill us. We will never be able to do everything it says and He knows it. The only thing He requires of us it that we search Him “wholeheartedly”, and He is good to those “seeking Him out”(Lamentations 3:25).
That is exactly what we do when we come to Today’s Word every morning, we are seeking Him out. In order to understand who He really is, we need to know everything about Him, the language He wrote us in, the culture, the history, the customs, the foods. If God had been American then we would need to study the English language, we would be learning about the American holidays , maybe learning how to square dance and trying to get the best recipe for chili. The truth is we need to go that deep to understand Him and His Word better, in order to apply it in our daily lives. I thank God that He has given Skip the ability to understand it, so that he can transmit it to us, so that we can apply it in our lives and help others around us do the same. Yes, it can be very overwhelming, but we need to remember that Torah was not given for salvation. The people of Israel were already saved when the Lord gave it to Moses. So, if we have trusted in Yeshua, or Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, if we are searching Him and seeking Him with all our hearts, minds and strength, if we are living as to please Him, He’s totally happy with us- even if we forget to take the bacon off the burger, if we exchange presents during Christmas, or we don’t go to synagoge on Saturdays. It’s a process, and He will direct each one of us in the direction He wants us to take in His specific and perfect plan for each one of us. All we need to do is keep searching Him, and keep our hearts and ears open to hear what He wants to say to us. Maybe one day we’ll wake up detesting the barbecue ribs we used to love, or feel the need to join a Messianic congregation that meets on Saturdays instead of Sundays. All that is in God’s timing, He’ll put a conviction in each one of us in different areas. In the meantime, lets take the yoke off our necks,it doesn’t come from God, that’s for sure.
Maria wrote,
WELL SAID!!
And *doing* acts of righteousness is seeking after God because from the Hebrew perspective, it’s not about what you know or your intentions (your nouns), it’s about what you do (your verbs).
Therefore, *doing things* that reflect God’s character (full of hesed/lovingkindness, graciousness, etc. from Ex 34:6) is — if I may be so bold — greater seeking than reading Today’s Word.
Both are good, of course, but it’s hard for me to imagine that a God full of lovingkindness gets more pleasure from us reading emails from Skip than He does from us helping a friend meet a car payment or whatever.
I never implied that God was more pleased with us reading something than doing it. My point is that by reading Skips deep analysis of the Word, we get to understand the true meaning of the Word. That will then enable us to understand better what we can DO. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing the Word of God. It’s not either or, it’s using what we learn by reading Today’s Word, other Christian writings, and especially the Bible, that we can go and apply it in our everyday life. They go together, in my opinion.
Dear Maria,
You’re so right: “I think Torah can be as burdening or as freeing as we decide it to be, depending on how we look at it.”
But when it you say “In the meantime, lets take the yoke off our necks, it doesn’t come from God, that’s for sure”, I can’t help remembering that Someone said “My yoke is easy, and my burden light.” He’s the One Who delivered Torah in all its perfect-fit to us. He’s the One Who gave us 6 commands about Shabbat, instead of the 1000+ that the legalists whipped up.
The more I snuggle into His yoke and carry His burden, no heavier than a set of tzitzit, the happier I am. Takes a long time to lean that this really is true.
Think I should sign myself “YHWH’s ox”. But He calls me His son!
Intellectuals…………hummm, only in the minds of men. The more God shows me, the more I realize that I know NOTHING! The closer I draw to God, the more I feel His awesome power and righteousness, and the more I feel unworthy to be in His presence. In spite of this, I seek Him often and with dilligence. He is my Father, my LORD and my redeemer. He is YOURS also.
May this person REJOICE! Glory to God, it isn’t about the intellect. The great Jewish sage Mamonides was asked “where will we find the Messiah?” His answer was “not in the palaces, but in the hovels of the poor.”
God has extended His mercy and Grace, and looks at your HEART my friend. As Skip has written, we should LIVE BY the commandments and judgements of God. To do this, we must learn what they are and just HOW to do this. However, God KNOWS every one on this list, INTIMATELY, and He desires that we know Him intimately as well. Please, do NOT leave this list, as it can show you much about God and His character. It isn’t about the intellect as much as it is about sharing what God has done, or what He has given or what He is doing.
Along with Paul, I do NOT consider myself to have apprehended or already attained, but I forget what I left behind and press forward, hopefully more than a year ago, to the prize of the high calling of God through Jesus Christ.
Speak to our Father, and then be STILL, and listen for the reply. You WILL inherit the promise if you faint not.
Maybe many of us have an opportunity to use our minds and to develop new ways of thinking and learning. Not unlike physical exercise. It’s a good challange but it may not be for everybody.
Jim Milonas
My advice: Don’t worry even if you only understand a small fraction of what is being discussed. The main thing is your relationship with Jesus Christ. All of us are like little babies trying to understand our Wonderful God. Parents don’t expect their babies to run an Olympic Marathon, the baby is applauded just for taking a few steps. I enjoy all the deeper looks into Scripture and the meanings behind the Greek and Hebrew that Skip shares, as well as his sometimes “non-traditional” views that I also hold, such as on the Scriptures concerning women. But I also remember that you and I possess eternal life right now by the Blood of Christ, and that is a very simple and powerful truth, which gives us always a reason to rejoice!
Vince Latorre
I don’t see myself as an intellectual of the Bible. I learn the word of God because He tells me to study it. And the Holy Spirit guides me. God has given Skip the tools to teach us to go back to our roots, the Hebrew roots and get us out of this Greek world that we have lived and enjoyed. The devil’s greatest tool has been deception and you can’t imagine how that has been a catastrophe, up to to point of His second coming. Skip, maybe we should get together some day and see how we can teach the community of the TRUTH about the end times.
I think we have a couple of problems in our culture that have probably lead to the above note of distress. Its funny how we talk about community in all of this stuff but is it really community? Just because our culture has defined “social networking” as community does an avatar community really define community?? I can read the comments above but that doesn’t really mean i know any of you. I just know your thoughts not your heart, life, desires, history etc. etc… This isn’t community and i tend to struggle with the thought that we think that we can really support each other in this community via the internet.
Our second problem is if we just read this stuff alone, it really becomes about me doesn’t it? Sure i can put these into practice and start living these things out by myself but aren’t the scriptures written for the benefit and purpose of community? If the above is true then how do we apply this in a non social networking community? If we were truly taking to heart the Hebraic mindset wouldn’t we be taking this, learning then bringing others into our lives, doing life with them and teaching through our actions and words what this lifestyle is all about? In a culture of anonymity i would encourage that all of this information should be something done in real community. if all i do is read this for myself then i think we have missed the point.
Grace and Peace to all of you,
Matt
“If we were truly taking to heart the Hebraic mindset wouldn’t we be taking this learning then bringing others into our lives, doing life with them and teaching through our actions and words what this lifestyle is all about? ”
Thanks Matt, how true, how true! You’ve struck at the kernel of the matter.
Matt wrote,
Matt, I agree. The limiting factor is that we’re online, instead of in face-to-face, day-to-day relationships with eachother.
But…this site still ties us all loosely together in a very positive way. Numerous online “community” members have received aid and comfort from one another by using this site as a platform to get the word of their need out.
So it’s obviously not a real, 1st century Hebraic city like Capernum or whatever, but it’s still pretty cool. 🙂
Hi Matt,
I think you make a good point about community; for me there is a difference between virtual and real communities, but obviously we have a “real” experience of both types.
I don’t, however, think our virtual community is a problem 🙂
You mention Avatar and I must say that that community, which I IMAX experienced with my young son and daughter, was pretty real, to say the least.
Didn’t the “god” in the movie, called ehway if I recall correctly, seem a little bit like Yahweh?
I thought so.
The movie’s director, James Cameron, also directed the first Terminator, which I thought was a great sci fi flick.
Remember the Son of Sarah Conner, who comes back from the future to save the world from our Governor here in California 🙂
very funny
I can identify very strongly with the three points your friend has made, Skip. I have been feeling very unsettled of late, and wrote to you privately about it, but decided to “hang in there” because I am frequently blessed by what I read here. Intellectually, I am having more doubts about my faith than ever before, but realize that the only One I can cling to is our Lord Himself – he will see me through…
But it’s been a rough road for me…Often I don’t understand some of the very sincere replies that are recorded here, and probably like a few others, feel very much on the outside. But that’s ok; the Lord has me in His grip!
John wrote,
I was in that state two years ago for at least 6 months when I first met Skip and he “ruined” my life. 😉
At first, flying through outer-space because I no longer had my faith to grasp onto was terrifying and discombobulating.
And it got worse when I tried to learn more and more and more about all this new/old Jewish doctrine so I could grasp onto it as a replacement.
But then God blessed me by changing my perspective and showing me that all these things — religion, tradition, doctrine, yes even Scripture itself — are not HIM! They are substitutes, with varying degrees of accuracy, that attempt to *represent* Him.
And so I began enjoying the free-fall.
And I’ve been blessed beyond measure ever since. Not because God has given me more possessions or favor, but because I’ve recognized how thoroughly blessed I’ve *always* been! 🙂
John and all Skip subscribers, this terrifying/discombobulating part of the journey that many of your are experiencing is common to all Christians who have sincerely followed Jesus for most of their lives. It’s heart-wrenching to find out there’s a really good chance you and most everyone around you have been doing it “wrong” your whole lives.
Oh well. God still loves us. 🙂
And dare I say, even if God DOESN’T love us and we’re all going to burn in hell (or to no afterlife at all) can’t we all just be decent and generous human beings to those around us?
Patrick,
I think you have ‘hit the nail on the head’ for me!
It seems I was born without a proper FEAR gene. I, too, enjoy the free-fall! As Gen. MacArthur said, “There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity.” Whatever opportunity we have to experience God, we must learn to make the most of it, even if it is terrifying.
Gayle, love the MacArthur quote! One of my favorites from him is, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” 😉
I have to admit I have often felt totally overwhelmed by the content of the daily emails. Sometimes I read them and sometimes I don’t. Depending on how much time and energy I have.
Having said that, I do love to hear about the Hebrew culture. It’s a beautiful culture. I wish I were more like that. But I am who my heavenly Father made me to be. He programmed me the way I am. He included my strengths and weaknesses in that programming. I use all that I am and all that I have to seek Him.
However right or wrong I am, I am chasing the Invisible One.
Lorie
I understand (I think) the predicament this loved one finds himself in. I was there and occasionally find this state of mind all too familiar today. As I read Skip’s post today, the love of the Master resounds in my Spirit. As we see Jesus leaving the 99 to for the purpose of finding the 1 stray sheep, I am reminded of how He rescues us and continues this work even now. Brother, I do not use this example in any way to define your status as saved or unsaved. I say this as one who lost her bearings when she realized that the denominational teachings she “grew up” in were insufficient for the reconciling of God’s people around the planet and and I was being lead by the Holy Spirit to grow more in my knowledge of who He is and who I am as one belonging to Him.
My neatly packaged theology left questions that I was not finding answers for and I could not settle for this. So the Lord lead me through the Scriptures and away from the teaching of man, away from the “cultic” separationism of today’s Christianity. This has not been easy for me. Maybe for some, the journey has been less difficult and some of my issues are not a problem for them. Each one has been granted an individual walk with Him, however, He loves us the same and provides for us the same, it just appears different. At times this has been a bitter pill to swallow and at times I still fight to keep from choking on the bones while endeavoring to chew on the meat. But as the song goes, He gets sweeter as the days go by! Our Lord strengthens us as we wait upon Him. Wait patiently for Him.
Pray intently, dear Brother, ask the Holy Spirit to tear down the strongholds, the mindsets that often bring along captivity and condemnation. He has promised to provide and He will. Know that we love you here and we are praying for the perseverance of all the Saints!
Mary wrote,
Indeed Mary. Read what I wrote in reply to John Adam here.
Shalom!
I came to Christ less than three years ago. I just started reading the bible regularly about a year and half ago. There are many days when I read Today’s Word and I’m like what the heck is Skip trying to teach us here? There are some days where the message goes right over my head. I can also tell you there are many days where GOD SPEAKS RIGHT TO ME THROUGH SKIP’S MESSAGE. There are many more days when I “get it” than when I don’t. I also can tell you that I have begun to understand God’s Word much better as a result. Take what God gives us each day and don’t fret about the rest. God is sovereign, right?
Brannon Rue wrote,
LOL! You nailed it buddy! 🙂
The simplicity and quietness of body, soul and mind does not reside in our own capacity to reason (intellectualism), does not reside on the group we hang with (church/denomination), does not reside in the body of good works we perform and it does not reside in our ability to use the right theological nomenclature or engage in the correct practices…it ultimately resides in the person, the work and the supremacy of Christ Jesus, our Lord. And that relationship, dare I say it, is truly personal. Though that relationship is not without objective criteria (God on God’s terms through the revelation of His Word and through the Spirit of God), it is deeply and profoundly experiential….as I walk with Him, He proves Himself faithful and trustworthy to me. Not because of my life circumstances but because He takes me through and above my life circumstances. But that means that I must trust Him exclusively. I must keep my eyes “fixed” on Him only. And then be prepared to follow Him no matter what. That is a matter of “simple” trust. It is the answer to “is God there?” and “does God care?”…for me.
Everything else then becomes about discernment – discerning between who or what message(s) will I trust. Every message has a source, a medium and a receiver. Every message has an appeal to trust the message. Messages bombard us daily from any number and variety of sources. But God’s message begins and ends with Christ and walking with Christ and becoming like Christ. What that means (to walk with Christ) is largely what Skip’s devotionals challenge. I for one, like the challenge. But it doesn’t mean that I am about to join some newer or more enlightened or more educated compound of believers….because my focus and walk is still on Jesus first. What follows from that focus becomes quite personal. And frankly, a ministry of the Holy Spirit, tied tightly to the Word of God and hopefully, with the admonition and encouragement of other Christ-followers. The fact that Skip’s ministry is so strongly tied to the Word (and the challenge for each of us to remain humble, submissive and actively obedient to the Word) is what has kept me “hanging in there” in this community…or I would have been gone a long time ago.
My mother was a missionary of near 40 years, sacrificing and serving in Venezuela, under often-times difficult conditions and separated from her family for years on end. Her life would conclude with a massive stroke that kept her bed-bound, tube-fed, mentally confused and mute for more than a year. At that point, it didn’t really matter what her theological bent might be nor what church she had attended nor what her worldview was nor how long her life and how many her good works had been over the years. Those things would only be measured by God in heaven (like the experience of Job). What mattered, and my prayer for her, was that if Jesus was real, then He needed to be real for her right then and there….only Jesus mattered at that point. Nothing else. And that really is a simple truth. The only Truth that really matters.
For almost a year now I have read the messages each day and been stretched, comforted, exhorted, edified, enlightened and in many other wonderful ways blessed to read Today’s Word. I have also read the comments each day. I have always felt that Skip was opening exciting new possibilities of relationship to God in my life. Sometimes his words were way above my understanding, but I still read and meditate on it. Some things are perfectly understandable to me because I grew up with farmers. Other things are a huge surprise because I realize that centuries of teaching have been incomplete/incorrect. Many things I’ve learned are providing freedom for me. So much of what I had been taught I felt deep inside was not the whole story. This is a wonderful adventure.
However, I quit commenting after the first few times. I’m not sure how to say this, and I especially don’t want to give offense. There have been times that I felt that some were feeling a little special because they were further along than others of us. They carefully used the “correct” wording, etc. On the other hand, perhaps that is only my perception and not their intention. I do believe that everyone who contributes comments is truly seeking to please God and contribute to this community with love. Sometimes we just can’t hear that tone of voice, see that smiling face, or feel a gentle hand on the shoulder as though we were in the same room with each other.
I wholeheartedly believe that respect and love for the God of the universe is extremely important. I do not yet believe that it matters so much to him whether I spell it G-d or God, Jesus or Yeshua. He loves me and I am trying to love Him with all my being and love my neighbor as myself.
I can relate to each of the responses above, and I also very much understand the feeling of the one who is distressed. I, too, at times feel that way. Perhaps when I have words to better communicate I will not feel that way. But no–I don’t just want the right words, I want the right heart! I know that I “should” have been born Hebrew because I have been taught far too much Greek world view. There has always been this sense of seeking the God I should know rather than the one I was being taught. I am asking God to renew my mind and give me an “instructed tongue”.
Skip, I thank you for the work you do each day to help me be more instructed. God brought you into my life, and I thank him each day for that! You came to my church. I would never have looked on the internet for this teaching.
Gayle Feibel
My apologies Gayle. {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.tv/thumbnail/FzDuoSm61T_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”My apologies Gayle. “}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/Eof7sXDOQZ”}}}
“I felt that some were feeling a little special because they were further along than others of us. They carefully used the “correct” wording”
Hi Gayle,
I don’t get the sense that people feel special, rather just strongly about what they feel/believe.
I try to focus on correct wording in order that others won’t misunderstand what I’m trying to say.
I hope you can start feeling more comfortable (change) about expressing your views and feelings.
To quote Carl Rogers: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Hi…I just want to say to the reader who has asked to be removed from the community to consider that he might be under attack. Satan loves to fill our heads with self doubt, discouragement and fear. I’ll be praying that you resist his ploy and let God’s love and the love of the community carry you along until you feel stronger. We are all part of the body and designed to work together. Skip is obviously “the brain.” But can you imagine losing a little toe!! Each part of the body is equally important. So, hang on and don’t let go. Everyone starts with out with baby steps…there’s no way around it.
I know how this brother feels. I’m trying to understand it all and it’s just overwhelming. I guess I know enough to be dangerous, and I’m afraid I might start trying to please God by religious rule keeping. I’ve been discouraged by this and have started asking God “why” a lot. I want the freedom I had with the Holy Spirit back and by focusing on too much Torah, I’ve noticed my grace for others diminishing due to their unenlightened western living. I guess I’m trying to find that balance because on any road, there are ditches on each side and if I over correct from one ditch, I’ll just end up in the other. There are so many questions and….well, I’m rambling, so please just pray that God reveals exactly what He want me to do in this, and how to move forward from here.
Skip, I admire you for bringing this out in the open. I’m probably in the middle somewhere – pursuing a doctoral degree, yet relating more to the member who wishes to opt out of the community. Two things in your posting today remind me of the simplicity aboiut which he speaks.
1) You mention that if we were on the Mount of Olives and asked to speak with Jesus, no one would know who we were talking about. I hate to sound critical, but so wha? I was on the Mount of Olives a few years ago with a group of 40-50 people and everyone know who Jesus was/is. On the other hand, had I been there 2000 years ago, neither I nor anyone with me would have known a word of English (except the Son of Man/God). So what?
2) You mention being dropped in the midst of a Chinese village and not being able to relate to the culture, language, etc. Well, the Gospel has been dropped into the midst of China, and millions are living the gospel, even at the risk of their own lives. Who are they worshipping and serving? Jesus, Yeshua, Christ of @&%*?&^ (Neither I nor my computer know Chinese).
I love it when you take us deeper, but it is disturbing when years of practical faith and understanding are undermined by an intellectual argument, which leaves one wondering whether he has ever understood anything? It’s disturbing when in dozen’s of clear English translations one can read that prohibitions against eating certain foods has been removed (1 Timothy 4:2-4; Romans 14, etc.). Do I have to become a master in Greek and Hebrew myself before I can understand this? I hope not. By the way, I’m staying in the community.
Les,
1) Good point. And hilarious! (“No one would speak English.”) 🙂
2) *Which* gospel has been dropped into China? 😉
Maybe we have never quite understood anything? Unsettling though it may be, it could still be true.
Shalom & Cheers buddy! Glad you’re staying in the group. 🙂
Just down the road from house and many other homes in the United States is a Super Walmart and a Super Target. Inside these stores I can place in my cart toiletry items, a new shirt, a pair of jogging shorts, a new DVD, a lamp for my table, oil for my car, prescription medicine, and all the items on my grocery list. I can do all of this and only need to park my car one time and stand in line to check out one time. It is my favorite one-stop shop. It’s amazing.
People have come to expect such service and conveniences in other ways too. It seems so reasonable to assume that the same source providing insights into the Hebraic worldview would also the provide it’s practical application. It is not enough for Skip to present the results of his research and long hours of exegetical study; it is not enough he has arranged for these articles to be posted online and delivered daily into hundreds of mailboxes; it is not enough for him to respond to the many posted responses to these articles; no it is not enough. He is now expected to deliver a “balanced” message; he is expected to give hints and illustrations of practical application; he is expected “feel” everyone’s pain; he is expected to counter the shock factor that comes from discovering the ground on which one stood may not be so solid; and he is expected to be god-father of a community who needs him so desperately.
Everyone is urged right now to follow some familiar advice. Just STOP… WAIT… LISTEN… And then act. Re-read 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. Let the Word remind us all that no on person is a brain, arms, hands, legs, and feet. Each one is gifted/talented differently. Anyone of us alone is at best incomplete. Remember Genesis 2 – “it is not good to be alone”. We cannot function or be in health unless we recognize not only the gifts of others, but also their natural limitations. “A man has got to know his limitations (Eastwood, alias Callahan).”
Hold on I am about to make a judgment statement and I do so in love. I love Skip Moen, Roseanne, and this whole community, and I say this because I love you. We all would be better served if we stopped leaning so much on Skip and began to include other voices in our life. Stay in the Today’s Word community, keep reading, allow yourself to be challenged and made to feel uncomfortable; but, start reading other works, do your own research, and/or become a voice yourself. I would further suggest starting a local community near where you live. Meet with these people weekly for study, live life with them weekly, and move beyond the limits of cyberspace. Skip Moen has a deep well and like you I draw from it regularly, but God has other wells too. Wells like Bob Gorelik, First Fruits of Zion, Todd Bennett, Brad Young, and maybe you.
It is more about doing than knowing, but it is also more about community than one voice or one source. Skip Moen is my instructor, my mentor, and my friend. After spending time with him I have come away glad, angry, enthused, embarrassed, encouraged, depressed, reassured, and with doubts. I am grateful for all of those emotions and states of being. In them I have come to realize the work and presence of God. He is working all things to good. Good is as painful and disappointing as it is pleasurable and fulfilling. If balance is what you seek, then know that the very word itself demands more than one.
Roderick wrote,
Love it buddy! 🙂
And for those that don’t know Roderick, let me assure you that he is an angry, honorary, stick-in-the-mud that is never any fun, hates to laugh, and probably kicks puppies when no one is looking! 😉
Aside from that, he’s been a great friend and counselor to me over the past two years. 🙂
boy isn’t that the truth. 🙂 LOL.
I liked Rod Logan when I met him because he, in a more cogent way, presents my thoughts on this topic. I too am a doctoral student that spends countless hours in study of the word using ESV, NASB, NKJV, etc and I too read of food restrictions lifted yet here I read of restrictions that if I were better enlightened I would observe. It is indeed a conundrum.
Another way to look at it, to quote Maria from earlier in this thread…
So once could substitute “restriction” with “fence”, and say that God placed a fence between us and certain animals like snake, camel, and pork because He knows more than we do.
That fence around bacon is a bummer, obviously. (“But bacon tastes good.” to quote John Travolate, aka. Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction.)
But is the fence “Law?”
I would suggest no.
Skip recently posted Loose Torah, written by our friend, Bob Gorelik. Read it if you haven’t. It challenges one’s operating system if that system is set “doctrinally”.
But it is poetry to a “contextual” operating system.
My current position on bacon is this: I *choose* not to eat it, unless my abstaining becomes an inconvenience to those around me.
For example: About a year ago, I was headed over to my then girlfriend, now fiance’s, mom’s house for dinner where her mom was making pork tenderloins. I told Ashley, “No problem, I’ll eat the pork tenderloins because I don’t want your mom to be burdened with making something different/special for me.” This shocked Ashley, because at the time we were fighting the “Bacon Wars” with me trying to convince her of a restriction against bacon and her trying to convince me that the New Testament lifted said restriction.
But I stopped making decisions doctrinally and started making them contextually, based on, “what is the most loving thing for me to do for this person.”
After all, didn’t David’s men eat the bread which had been consecrated for priests alone?
Sometimes, we have to go outside the fence. And God knows that.
Oh, it’s confusing as all hell because there’s rarely a black and white formula to follow.
But thank God all the more for His Grace and forgiveness. 🙂
PS – Ashley’s mom put a turkey breast on the grill special for me anyways.
Hi Patrick,
My sentiments exactly; and thanks for reminding me of Loose Torah, written by our friend, Bob Gorelik.
It is very comforting.
You might have known that I couldn’t resist responding to the two Hitmen discussing the Hebrew position on unclean meats:
Vincent: Want some bacon?
Jules: No, man. I don’t eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain’t Jewish, I just don’t dig on swine, that’s all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don’t eat filthy animals.
And it just gets funnier 🙂
FUNNY, Michael. I’m not in the loop, where is this?
“That fence around bacon is a bummer, obviously. (”But bacon tastes good.” to quote John Travolate, aka. Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction.)”
Hi Mary,
In Patrick’s comment above, he refers to the famous scene in Pulp Fiction, Directed by Quentin Tarantino, where John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are in a Denny’s-like 50’s mode diner.
I quoted a portion of the conversation where the two killers are casually discussing the pros and “cons” of eating pork.
Samuel Jackson is the worst of killers with a very foul mouth, but often quotes “Ezekiel 25:17” and thinks he is on a mission for God.
It took me many years to learn to appreciate the humor in Tarantino’s bloody movies, but one thing is for sure, he has read the Bible many times and it is deeply woven into the fabric of his films.
Whether for good or ill is unclear to me 🙂
LOL! Indeed it does get funnier Michael. 🙂
I hope that in light of these heartfelt responses our friend will stay in the community. We need him…