What I learned from a triathlon.

1. Triathlons are hard.  They are in your face, down and dirty plain ole hard work.  Life can be that way.  Our journey can be hard,  and flat out unpleasant at times.  Our only choice is keep moving forward and when our strength is gone, cry out to the One who gives strength.

2. Yes triathlons are hard but there are good times along the way.  Cheers from others, a refreshing breeze,  and the joy the comes from completing each leg of the race.  Most of all there were precious memories and wonderful friends that were made. It's those things that carry you through the journey.  Abba gives us many blessings and good things to be thankful for in life.  It is those good things to meditate on that help us get through the really hard times.

3. Giving is good.  We were each running our own race, but we also rallied together to help each other with their races (Although I came in last so I didn't give much help).  There were some awesome ladies there who ran their race but didn't hesitate come help me complete mine.  Life is like a triathlon.  We are certainly walking our own journeys but we can also reach out and help someone else with theirs. Running the triathlon helped to comprehend that we aren't here just to please and indulge ourselves.  We are here to be light and blessing to others.  And remember we are on the journey together. :o)

4. You are never really alone.  There was a point in the bike leg that I was physically alone.  I mean there was NO ONE around me.  It was me and YHVH.  At that point I began to sing. Audibly.  That's all I can say.  When you feel like you completely alone, sing. sing as loud as you can and you will find that Abba is there helping you. Blessing you.  Holding you.  Then at just the right time encouragement came like a breath of fresh air.

5. Women have an uncanny ability to come together despite situation or background.  I met some truly wonderful ladies yesterday.  I also made memories that I will NEVER forget.

6. One more thing.  NEVER tell yourself you can't do something. Yes. Yes you can.

Shalom

Ramblings

I can hardly contain my excitement  about Passover and Unleavened Bread coming. I stayed up till 2 am Saturday morning so I could catch the post about the new moon being spotted in Israel.   I have learned so much about the God that I serve through keeping His feast days.  It truly blesses my heart and as far as I'm concerned christmas and easter just don't hold a candle to YHVH's appointed times.  It's a year long journey of getting to know Him a little bit better than last year.  It's a constant reminder that we are to serve only Him, and not other gods.

We are finally having some spring like weather, and although my allergies don't agree, I'm ready for spring and summer.  I love sunshine.

I'm anxious to get my garden planned for this year.  It won't be big like I'm used to, but I think it will still be good.  It will be very simple with just snap peas, cuccumber, tomatoes, spinach, maybe some eggplant, and of course, herbs.  I'd love to hear about your favorite herbs, not just for cooking, but for my medicine chest as well.

Well, If you are celebrating Pesach{Passover} and unleavened bread I pray your plans go well.  I will try to share my plans, and I hope that you will share yours.  Where ever you are I pray YHVH gives you His Shalom!

What I believe. Such as it is.

1.  I believe we should still be keeping the Sabbath.  It is the 4th commandment.  It seems we are ok with obeying the other nine but the fourth is ignored.  I do not believe the Messiah changed it from the 7th day to the 1st day.  The Messiah kept the Sabbath; the apostles kept the Sabbath.  That's enough for me.  I could list every single verse here but go search for yourself.  You will not find the command to worship Him on Sun-day.

2.  I believe the whole bible is still for us today.  The commands of YHVH are important for us to keep just as they were for ancient Israel.

Matthew 5:16-19 

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy , but to fulfil . 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass , one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled . 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The Messiah also said "If you love me keep My commandments."  I know you must have a pocket full of verses that Paul wrote that says otherwise, but we can't validate the words of Yeshua through Paul, It must be the other way around.  We must validate Paul's words through Yeshua the Messiah.  Furthermore, If you don't know the front of the book really well,  you are going to misunderstand the end of the book.

3.  I serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  His name is YHVH{pronounced Yahway}.  I will not go so far as to say that someone who uses God or Lord is sinning; YHVH knows we are dust and I believe He knows who we are talking to.  However, consider, Psalm 68:4: Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.  Also Psalm 91:14: Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. His name is YHVH.  Once you learn that YHVH is who you are talking to and about, the Creator of the universe, Elohim, YHVH, why would you want to call Him by a common title that false gods are known by?  I love and call upon the name of YHVH.

4.  I believe in the two houses of Israel.  Ephraim and Judah.  I believe from the very beginning YHVH's plan has always been about Israel.  Ezekiel 37 is a very good chapter to read.  In Jeremiah 31, the new or renewed covenant is with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  That's it.  It's not about Jews and non-Jews.  You're either in the house, or you're not. period.

This is a summary of what I believe. Such as it is. You will notice that I did not list every single scripture to prove to you why I believe the way I do.  You may have scripture already coming to mind that you think proves me wrong.  The TRUTH is YOU will have to read the bible and decide for yourself.  However, I encourage you not to just take what you have been told for years as the truth.  Take everything you have been taught, everything you have believed, everything that has been preached to you, and just for a little while set it aside and read the Bible just like it was the first time.  You may be surprised at what you find.  Maybe not.  But remember in the end, the Truth will set you free.

So in keeping with what I believe now, I no longer celebrate christmas, easter, valentines day st. patricks day, or any other pagan holiday.  I choose to celebrate YHVH's feasts of Passover, Unleavened bread, First Fruits, Shavuot{penticost…remember that word?} Trumpets, Atonement, and Sukkot.  These are His Feasts, His calendar, and they are for us today.  If you have questions,  feel free to ask.

Shalom!

Catching up

I don't know how so much time gets between my posts. I always have good intentions to write but my plans always end up on the back burner.  A few weeks ago I reached my one year mark of walking in Torah.  I sure have enjoyed the journey of learning My Father's commands.  It seems like so much of His heart has been shown to me by keeping His feasts and learning His commandments.  I can hardly wait for  next years feasts to begin.

I don't know who all reads my blog but I'm sure some people were surprised and maybe even a little offended at my choice to not celebrate christmas. I know how you must feel for I have felt the same way a little more than a year ago.  Sometimes Truth can be hard.  The book of Hebrews describes YHVH's word as quick, powerful, sharper than any two edged sword.  The Truth can be sharp and dividing,  but in the end it sets you free.  I must say that even with all the high emotions the month of December flew by very quickly.  I didn't really miss the tree, or the decorations and surprisingly enough, I didn't really miss the music.  Truly the joy I felt in keeping His feasts this year, even though not perfectly, certainly cannot be matched by any of that.

Believe it or not, my family and I are still reading through the Bible.  Little by little each night we read and we are already beginning the book of Leviticus.  Personally I am enjoying reading through the Torah at this rate and I love reading through His commands with "new eyes".  His Word really is a breath of fresh air,  A spring in a dry and thirsty land.

Well, that should catch us up.  I'll leave you with this thought.  Grace is not a "New Testament idea,  YHVH's grace has been apart of His plan from the beginning. I'd mention Noah here, but if we serve a God who has always been,  I believe His grace has been......from the beginning.

Shalom!

Brittany and I spent our morning listening to Vivaldi's Four Season's while working on her science project. Brittany is 12.  Abba, I know I should have been doing this all along, but please help me to cherish ever single moment with my daughters.  Brittany's childhood is slipping away.  Please help not to waste any more time. Amein.

Brit Science Project

Brit Science Project, a photo by rolicreps on Flickr.

Wordless Wednesday: Swimming Swan