Prison Weekly Chesvan 14,5770

Shalom

These Parsha's are for Chesvan 14,5770

Parashat HaShavuat That's Hebrew for Portion of the week.

Torah is Chai Sarah B'reshit [Genesis] 23:1-25:18‏ Haftorah is 1 Kings 1:1-31 Brit Hadasha is 1Corinthins15:50-57
Chai Sarah

Chai Sarah means the Life of Sarah, yet this portion deals not with her life, but with her death.  Sarah died in Hebron and Abraham bought the place of her burial.  Today, the wives of Abraham, Isaac and of Jacob are all in this burial cave in Hebron.  The place is attended by a handful of devout Jewish men and women surrounded by thousands of Arabs who hate them and try ceaselessly to kill them and to drive them away.  Yet, in their faithfulness to honor the Patriarchs and the Matriarchs of faith, they stay. The portion deals more with the finding of a wife for the son borne to Sarah as the next step in the story of the people of Israel.  In his old age, Abraham charged his most faithful servant, Eliezer, with the task of finding the right wife for Isaac.  He was to go back to the land from which Avram had come, so many years before and find there the one whom the L-rd had created to be his son's wife forever.  And so, Eliezer went, planning along the way just how he would know the right one.  As he entered the area, he stopped for water and was greeted by Rachel, the one whom G-d had fashioned from the earth to be the wife of Isaac and the second Matriarch of Israel.  She responded just as the L-rd had set into Eliezer's heart and her parents had, miraculously, become followers of the Living G-d, even in this place so far away from all that He was doing in Israel.  For when Eliezer told them how he had determined that Rachel was to be wed to his master, they replied, "surely this is of HaShem!"  You see, G-d can work in places and in ways so far beyond what we think or expect.  He is able to prepare our destiny without any help from us at all.  We must only seek Him and His way and we will surely find it. The parashah ends with the death of Abraham and of Ishmael.  But Isaac was to live on and to raise up a people to follow after G-d with their whole hearts.  Or so he wished. Keep praying. Marty

And these are the days of the years of the life of Avraham which he lived; a hundred years and seventy years and five years. And Avraham expired and he died in a good age, mature and satiated and was gathered to his people. (Breishis 25:7-8) In the summary of his life, Avraham is described as having lived an accomplished and satisfying life. How did he do it? What's the secret? It's no secret! It's clearly stated. About Yishmael it is written, "These are the years of the life of Yishamael..." How are living "the days of years of the life" different than living just the "years of the life"? What is the great advantage of living in units of days? It's a nice aphorism, "One day a time!" but how does that translate into daily life? What does it mean to live each day as if it was the only day? We might want to ask ourselves, "How would I behave today if I knew that this was not only my last day but my only day? Reb Avraham, the son of the Vilna Gaon, testifies about his father: "For over fifty years he never slept more than half an hour at a time…Even when his health began to fail, he did not set aside his holy learning. Immediately, he would rise like a lion, in fear and dread of his Creator, wash his hands, and recite his morning blessings with a joy and awe which is beyond description. Afterwards, he would stand on his feet from before midnight until the first light of dawn learning Gemora and Poskim in a beautiful and awesome voice…Whoever heard it was moved with deep feelings of holiness."

Today!

Chayei Sorah 5770

Arriving in Jerusalem, one summer, I immediately made contact with my good friend and study partner, Reb Reuven, and we agreed to get busy the next morning studying an hour or more before Davening. The next morning I made it on time but I was suffering from jet lag, sleeplessness, and exhaustion. I commented to my friend that I don't know how the Vilna Gaon did it. I can't imagine what it means to only sleep at half hour intervals four times per day for the course of a lifetime. He told me, "It's not true!" I insisted I had read an authenticated biography of the Gaon and that it was certainly true that he only slept two hours in total each day. He told me again that it was not true and so I argued my case again only to be countered with the "not true" claim. Eventually Reuven explained and I realized how right he was. He told me, "It's not true that the Vilna Gaon only slept two hours each day! He learned Torah twenty-two hours each day!" I understood that he was not into sleep deprivation as we imagine but rather the sublime joy of learning Torah. If we want a fuller appreciation of what it means to live "a day at a time" we might look retrospectively at the actions of Avraham Avinu at both the beginning and end of last week's Torah Portion. We meet Avraham at the entrance of the tent surveying the horizon for any sight of a guest on the hottest day in history. He acts as-if he had never hosted a soul in all his ninety-nine years. Let's not forget that Avraham was reeling from the surgery of his circumcision, and was reveling in a Divine visitation at that very moment. If anyone ever had an excuse to rest on his laurels it was Avraham. He had already accomplished so much in his life and yet he acted as if yesterday's achievements did not exist. Only today! At the end of that Parsha Avraham demonstrated his willingness to relinquish all future promises of historical greatness embodied in Yitzchok, proving that his focus was not "tomorrow". That can distract a man from what HASHEM wants from him today. Rabbi Label Lam and Torah.org

Mission Update: Ezekiel 20:19-20 I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.

Shalom In Yeshua our messiah, Well here I am as always pushed for time so this will be short, i have been able to get the food bank paid, get the newsletters out and pay all the Oct. bills. I have most of November paid the next bill due is November 17, i stock the Mission got two cases number 10 cans of veggies.I bought napkins,sugar,eggs,cheese,potatoes, pastas and enough meat for about six meals sp that's three weeks. I bought two 23pound turkeys and am needing help getting everything for our thanksgiving dinner. I will be making home made deserts this year because we are no longer buying from the food bank. Please pray about helping an jast be lead by Yahweh to do His will and His works. have a wonderful Sabbath. Shalom sisterlinda/family & Messiah's Branch

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prison Weekly 13 Cheshvan 5770

Shalom

13 Cheshvan 5770

Parashat HaShavuat That's Hebrew for Portion of the week

Torah: Bereshit / Lech Lecha "Get yourself" Genesis 12:1-17:27

The Haftarah is Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Legacy -- Of Threads and Shoelaces

To the victor belong the spoils, but sometimes he's just not interested. Abraham was cut from that cloth. He had just won a fierce war against four powerful Mesopotamian kings who had invaded the land of Canaan. After laying waste to the countryside, the Mesopotamians had carried off the population and wealth of Sodom and set off for home, but Abraham gave chase. He routed the invaders and pursued them all the way to Damascus, and in the process, he liberated the captives and recovered the stolen wealth..

The king of Sodom begged Abraham to keep the wealth, but Abraham absolutely refused. "I will not even take a thread or a shoelace nor anything else that is yours," he declared, "so that you should not be able to say, `I enriched Abraham.'"

The Sages of the Talmud greatly admired Abraham's refusal to accept a reward from the king of Sodom. In fact, they point out, because Abraham spurned the strings and shoelaces of Sodom, his descendants were rewarded with the two commandments of the tzitzith fringes and the tefillin straps.

The commentators, however, are puzzled by the connection. They also wonder why Abraham chose to mention these trivial articles. Why wasn't it enough to say that he would take nothing at all? That certainly would have been perfectly clear. Furthermore, why indeed did he refuse to take them?

The answer, they explain, lies in Abraham's attitude toward his great wealth. He never thought he had been blessed with wealth so that he would be able to indulge all his whims and desires. Rather, he saw himself as a caretaker. He believed that the Almighty had entrusted him with all that wealth so that he could spread sweetness and light in the world and draw people closer to Him. He saw his wealth as a sacred trust that extended even to the smallest part of it, because even the most minute things can be used to bring honor to his name.

Abraham, therefore, specifically mentioned threads and shoelaces to show that everything must be seen as a gift from Hashem. And he refused to accept these things from the king of Sodom, because he was concerned that the king would claim the credit for having given these gifts to Abraham, thereby bringing dishonor to the Name of Hashem.

With profound insight, Abraham had discerned the transcendent value of even the smallest things. The Torah, therefore, rewarded his descendants with the tzitzith fringes and the tefillin straps, seemingly insignificant items which play a very exalted role in connecting people to the Creator and bringing them untold Heavenly blessings.

A young man came to a great sage and asked to be accepted as a disciple. The sage took the young man for a stroll through the garden as they discussed various weighty philosophical and ethical issues.

The young man was very astute and intelligent, and he impressed the sage with his sharp questions and insightful observations.

After an hour, they returned from the garden. The sage shook the young man's hand and said, "Farewell and good luck to you."

The young man was stunned. "Do you mean that you will not accept me as your disciple?"

"That is correct."

"But why? Haven't I passed the test? I thought I had made such a good impression on you."

"Young man," said the sage, "when we were walking in the garden you were pulling leaves off the bushes and tossing them on the ground. Why?"

"I don't know," the young man replied. "What does it matter?"

"That exactly is the problem with you. You think the leaves on the bushes don't matter. But they do. Everything has a purpose, and I assure you that those leaves were not put there for you to destroy so casually.."

In our own lives, we live in a society that pursues riches at breakneck speed with barely a backward glance. Everything is expendable and disposable as long as it gets us from one moment to the next. Nonetheless, it is important that every once in a while we pause and take stock. It is important that we see and appreciate the value in all the little things Hashem has placed in the world as part of His divine plan. And in the end, we may even find that focusing on those little things may actually be the most enriching pursuit of all.

Legacy, Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Naftali Reich and Torah.org.

Mission Updates:

Greetings, The biggest problem as I have seen it over the last 10 years in Wichita, Ks and the Homeless is this. There are several agencies that deal with the homeless, add the Christian based ones and you find the general problem. What the very people helping the homeless are the problem? (Okay not all are like this but most) Yes you see every time someone does a study or like the last venture with the rallies etc that led to having a task force on Homelessness, the agencies circle their wagons saying "Oh we can care for everyone" hmm why would they say that when all the beds in the city are taken? There is NO ROOM at the Inn for many and general proof is if they can care for everyone and there are enough beds then why do they have to open an overflow EVERY WINTER? When I first started I was literally accused by one Church lady who feed once a week that I was trying to steal her ministry, Heh I was not even feeding on HER day? At the end of the study by the task force that had people on it that had shelters or fed people, the study said that their was only needed 50 more beds in Wichita a number that could be met by currant agencies. Wow, what an un-truth, again go see how many is in the overflow next month, then tell me how many beds are needed. Even with that not all get inside. The Truth is women are desperate in the city of Wichita I know I see them every day we are open. Yes the men to but it is a shame for a woman abused by her husband has to go live in the street and be preyed on! Yes men and more men than women need beds also; many only need temporary beds and a address so they can get help. A safe place to stay for a few weeks until they can find a job if possible. You will always have the poor among you but that does not mean they are to be ignored. 10 years we have been fighting this battle and I still pray for the money to open a full time shelter or as now I just pray to be able to stay open. With all I do for Wichita I get no support. And of course I will get fallout from these guilt agencies, BUT truth is truth! Pray for the homeless in Wichita and pray for our ministry so we can just stay open……..In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin

Nahum 1:2-3 KJV God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Shalom in Yeshua our Messiah, wow what a very trying month this has been with trial after trial an ending with the closing of our food bag program. I managed to get the bare minimum paid on all the bills however most all of them had doubled and were on shut off notices that I barely made on the shut off dates. I still need 1239.72 to finish paying the Oct. bills that are either past due now or will be as of Oct 31st. I did get the Mission stocked with everything but go plates, toliet paper, trash bags, vegtables and pastas. I will need to make a trip to Aldi's in the next few weeks to get brownie and cake mixes because we will not be getting the free sweets that we were getting from the foodbank any longer. We still owe a bill of about 550.00 that we need to get paid as well. The local sales paper came Wednesday and ground chuck is on sale for 1.49 a pound it takes 12 - 15 pounds to make a meal depending on what I make. Potatoes are also on sale but i do not recall what they are right now.

We did get word that we will be getting a lot of clothing for the clothes room, I'm just praying that it is winter clothing and not summer. WE NEED COATS! Sleeping bags would also be a plus as there are people still outside. The over flow shelter should open up Sunday we;ll see....Please Pray about supporting these works! We really need your help! Yahwheh knows our needs so we just ask that you seek Him to see where He wants you to help and be lead by Him to do His works. We want nothing we are not suppose to have we just want to be able to serve without all the stressfulness of finanances. We love you all and pray you a very restful and peaceful Shabbat. Shalom sisterlinda/Messiah's Branch

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prison Weekly 6 Cheshvan 5770

5 Cheshvan 5770 Torah: Bereshit /  Genesis 6:9 - 11:32;  Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24
Parashat HaShavuat  That's Hebrew for Portion of the week.

  This week our Troah portion is called Noach which you probably already figured out is the Hebrew way to say Noah! It is from Genesis 6:9 through11:32,  Interestingly, although the opening verses tells of Noah's character, the text begins with "These are the offspring of Noah."  This should be an indication to us that we are known by our children, and so should pay very careful attention to how we raise them.  But his character is of great importance.  The text reveals that "Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generation."  Now this qualifying phrase has been the root of Rabbinic debate for MANY generations!  Does the phrase "in his generation" imply that even though his was so corrupt and debased, Noah's righteousness was to be especially applauded.  What if he had lived in a time when he could have had the support of other righteous men and women; how much more righteous would he have been?  But, the other side postures that for someone in the generation of total corruption, Noah looked pretty good.  He may not have be totally righteous, but in the crown in which he lived, he looked better than the rest.  Something to think about, hmmm?

Speaking of something to ponder, here is my offering for this week.  How many of each animal did Noah take into the ark?  Forget your Sunday School lessons of old and look at the Word of G-d.  Read Genesis 7:2, "Of every clean animal take unto you seven pairs."  So, the ark must have been even more crowded than we had presumed.  But the point I want you to ponder is why this distinction?  What was so important to G-d that He made this distinction so important to Noah?  First, it was because G-d would require sacrifices made with clean animals when the flood abated.  But, more important was the fact that G-d was making provision for Noah and for all of his descendants for the food they would eat.  Too many have chosen to ignore G-d's commandment to eat only of the animals that He declares to be clean.  I know that Peter saw all sorts of animals and that the Voice of G-d told him to rise and eat.  I know that G-d told him not to call unclean what G-d calls clean.  But if you read the rest of that story, you see that what G-d was calling clean was the Gentiles to whom Peter was being called, not pork chops and shrimp cocktails!  No, G-d made a clear distinction to Noah as He does to us.In chapter 11 we find the story of the Tower of Babel.  All the world was of one language and of common purpose.  That purpose was, however, to become as G-d; not to serve Him. So G-d confused their languages and set them at enmity with one another.  In strife there can come focus on what is really important.  G-d establishes mankind in nations with different purposes for His own reasons. He causes one people to rise up against another to accomplish His plan.  Throughout history, He has set nations at war with nations.  Yet, His heart is for unity for His purpose.  How confusing.  I believe that the only thing that can unite us is to fall at the Feet of the Messiah. 

Only there can we come to the place of oneness that we long for.  So, the most important thing that you can do this week is to share your faith with someone who is different than you.  Only by shared faith can we come together in the way described in Psalm 133.  May  this be your quest and mine today and always. Keep praying.  Marty

Catastrophes "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month - on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights" (Bereshit / Genesis 7:11,12). The story of the Great Flood is a very important event for scientists who believe the Bible. For them, the flood explains many of the things that other scientists claim could only have happened over long periods of time. While geologists see evidence in the earth of great dramatic changes, observation cannot determine how long it took for these changes to take place. The nature of these changes leaves us with two possibilities. Either they happened over a long period of time, or they were caused by a catastrophe or a series of catastrophes. If we accept the validity of the Scriptures, it is very likely that instead of a long slow process of change over millions of years, it was the catastrophic flood that put the earth in the state in which we find it today. It is important to note that unlike the way this story is told in numerous children's picture books, what happened was not simply a major downpour for 40 days and nights, but as we read at the start, "all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." This suggests an unleashing of water far greater than a very bad rain storm. Mount St. Helens has been in the news lately after many years. In 1980 half the mountain blew up due to a volcanic eruption. This provided scientists with a modern, first-hand look at the effects of a catastrophe, demonstrating that one catastrophe can do in a few minutes what would normally happen over a very long period of time. Recently we have also seen the catastrophic effects of an unusual number of hurricanes. Towns and villages in some of the most beautiful places on earth were devastated. Thousands of people have died, houses and possessions destroyed. Losses are in the billions of dollars. Those of us not directly affected may have difficulty imagining what it would be like to have our lives either destroyed or radically changed in a moment or within a few hours. A couple of months ago the house of some friends of ours was burnt to the ground. They barely got out with their lives.. They lost just about everything. When we got the tail end of Hurricane Francis a few weeks ago, our city experienced double the record of rain. We didn't expect that we would be facing anything like what others had in the Caribbean or Florida. Most of us didn't. But about 44 homes in one neighborhood, due to a malfunctioning sewer pump, had their basements flooded - some knee deep with raw sewage. Every single thing the sewage touched had to be disposed of. It will take a long time, if ever, for that neighborhood to recover from this catastrophe. Anyone who has any understanding of life knows that catastrophes can come upon us at any time. Yet it seems that most people live much like the people of Noah's day, thinking that no serious danger would ever befall them. Catastrophes cause us to see how fragile and vulnerable we really are. Through them we learn that nothing in this life is indestructible or predictable. How many of us find our security for tomorrow based on the things we possess today - most of which carry no guaranty of being there for us tomorrow. The story of Noah not only reminds us that the world as we know it can be transformed in an instant, but that our only true and lasting security in the whole universe is found in the one who rules over all creation. If we put our trust in him, he will see us through even the most devastating catastrophes.

Mission Updates: This is from last weeks Torah portion as I taught it this week.......

As Satan that ol Devil was receiving his punishment from Yahweh, the woman that he had deceived was even being blessed! Yes blessed you our Father thought it was fitting for the woman's seed to crush that ol Devil. So yes even though woman kind would receive her punishment she was blessed first!

Genesis 3:14 "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life.¹⁵And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." WHAT a blessing for woman kind! So yes what an Awesome and wonderful God we serve! Righteous in all things! But beware women, hatred was also placed bewteen you and the Devil.......

In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin

^{Luke 11:33-36 33} "No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a bushel, but on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is sound, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound, your body is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. ³⁶ If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."

Shalom in Yeshua our Messiah, It's been a long but short week for me, we are all still battleing with different symptoms of this or that trying to get ourselfs nursed back to normal an feelimg better. As you all know we went to the food bank for the last time this week due to finances. It breaks our hearts that we had to cut this program because it fed so many. I know in my heart that Yahweh knows best and if this is what is best then so be it. I know HE WILL SUPPLY for HE IS THE ULTIMATE PROVIDER! I am in need of pasta's and vegtables I have meat in the freezers for nine more meals after tomorrow. I bought twelve cases of egg beaters to make our egg sandwhiches and I still get breads, sometimes sweets from another sorce. We need tolit paper, napkins and spoons at the mission i bought 100 pounds of flour and 25 pounds of sugar and i still have plenty of mustad and ketsup but need mayo.  I got word Tuesday that we will be recieving a lot of clothing over the next few months but have no idea if it is winter clothing or not. We still need anything that will help keep those who are battleing the outdoors warm. Pastor dan told me Tuesday he was OUT of socks and now itt's time for winter ones so PLEASE pray about helping with these needs.

The bills HELP! HELP! and HELP! nuf said:

Thanks to all of you who have been supporting this ministry this is an expensive work and for those sending one. three, five an ten bucks know that every little bit adds up. Yahweh knows your situation and your heart an He will bless you for doing his will no matter how great or small your gift is. The one dollar you sent may have just bought twelve eggs or helped buy a child a gallon of milk. PLEASE PRAY ABOUT HELPING we love you all good nite have a wonderful Shabbat,Shalom sisterlinda

The Star of David - Defending the Shield

Psalms 18:36;"You have given me Your shield of salvation."

Over the years I have weathered steady criticism by sincere, yet sincerely wrong returning and grafted-in Israelites who have criticised the Star of David as being a pagan symbol. To this end I feel it necessary to add a small entry that explains the origin and meaning of the Star of David to set minds at rest. This symbol is completely in harmony with Scripture and has its origin in the Davidic reign. The "six pointed star" is made up of two inverted superimposed paleo-Hebrew "daleths" (delets), the beginning and ending letter in King David's name."The Magen David ("Shield of David") has six-points, which symbolise that (YHWH) rules over the universe and protects Israel from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. A similar symbolism is found in reading the 'Shema.' ('Code of Jewish Law' O.C. 61:6)" - Rabbi Shraga Simmons Though King David is believed not to have ever literally worn the symbol in battle, it was latter utilised by his descendants. During the 1^st century Bar Kochba rebellion, Jewish troops equipped themselves with shields in the shape of two overlapping inverted triangles to signify that the Almighty shields them in war. Interestingly Bar Kochba means "son of the star." It is also believed that the Macabees adorned their battle gear with the Magen David and in the 1500s the threatened Jewish community in Prague flew a flag with a six pointed star. Triangle based interlocking designs, as we know from the construction of the pillar of Enoch (aka The Great Pyramid), are the strongest forms of construction known to man. The triangles represent the reciprocal relationship between heaven and a future harmonic world summed up as, "as above, as below." The triangle facing down represents the flow of goodness down from heaven and the triangle facing up represents "good deeds" that will provoke Messiah Yahshua's return. The overall shape of the great Pyramid at Gaza, which was not built by Egyptians at all, was built based on this premise. So the foundation or premise for the Star of David has its origin in the Enochian period. When Yahshua returns it will be as if another pyramid descends from above to form a three dimensional Star of David. The inner core of the Star of David represents the spiritual dimension whilst being surrounded by six equally sized directions. The centre hexagonal shape is the Shabbat, which is balanced by the six weekdays. I have personally seen and photographed, not only the "Star of David," but the "Pentagram (or seal) of Solomon" carved on the arch of the ruined Natsarim Synagogue, which Yahshua taught at, on the shores of the Galilee.

This partially erect structure still stands behind the remains of Kepha's (Peter's) parent's home. Surrounding the Synagogue is also the location of a large crumbling Yeshiva, which is evidence that the fishing community that Yahshua recruited students from was not a collection of poverty stricken fisherman, but that of a flourishing fishing business, whose profits went to constructing the prestigious building that housed the school of Yahshua. This alone is ample evidence that the Star of David and the Pentagram of Solomon was alive and well in Yahshua's day, and not a set of seventeen century afterthoughts that got attributed to Israel's beloved King David or his son. Criticism of the Star of David calls into question the symbol of the early Natsarim (Offshoot Branch Watchmen) movement, which depicts a menorah interlocked with the Star of David and the fish symbol, the latter adopted exclusively by modern-day Christianity. This symbol has been discovered on pottery in the locality of Natsarim communities within Israel. It grieves me that the memory of Jewish soldiers (both ancient and modern) have died in battle trying to uphold this standard and it gets branded as pagan by "Johnny come lately" Ephramites who usually also broadly criticise Rabbinic Judaism, but quite happily help themselves to small portions of it. Flying Chariot Ministries Where Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

 

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prison Weekly 21 Tishrei, 5770

Sukkos

The Secret of Perfect Joy
The solemn majesty of Rosh Hashanah has come and gone. The white-clad awe of Yom Kippur has cleansed our hearts and souls and passed into the treasure house of our memories. We are now prepared for our annual outburst of . . . joy! Sukkos, the Time of Our Rejoicing! The Torah tells us to be "only joyous" for seven full days. This joy was realized to its fullest when the Beis Hamikdash in Jerusalem was still standing. The streets bursting with throngs of excited people from near and far. The air perfumed by the aroma of the sacrificial offerings and the burning incense. The sounds of music, singing and dancing reverberating through every window and doorway. The spectacle of an exalted people united in a common outpouring of love and gratitude to the Creator of the Universe. At the center of these splendid festivities was the Simchas Beis Hasho'evah, the celebration of the drawing of the water for the nisuch hamayim, the water libation on the altar in the Beis Hamikdash. The Talmud draws a vivid picture of the exultant singing and dancing that accompanied this ritual. It even tells of great and venerable sages juggling and leaping about like young acrobats. Indeed, the Talmud assures us that "whoever did not witness the Simchas Beis Hasho'evah has never seen true joy in his life."

But what was so remarkable about the ritual of the drawing of the water? What made it the most powerful stimulus to joy imaginable? The commentators explain that the Hebrew word for joy, simchah, is related to the word for erasing, machah. Joy is not something that must be generated. It is our natural state. Nevertheless, the pain, sorrows and disappointments of life overlay and obscure our natural joyousness. When we erase these impediments to our happiness, we achieve true joy by default. Still, why indeed is joy our natural state? Because joy is an expression of a perfect existence, of fulfillment to the highest degree possible. The essence of a person is the immortal soul, the neshamah, our spark of the divine. When our souls cleave completely to their Source and Creator, we are in a state of perfect existence, and we experience joy. However, when our sins and misdeeds come between our souls and their Divine Source, we feel the anguish of estrangement, and our joy is extinguished. Consequently, all the commonplace vexations of life become magnified far out of proportion to their true significance in the greater scheme of things. Therefore, in order to achieve true and perfect joy, we must erase the taint from our sublime souls so that they can again cleave perfectly to the Creator. Only then can we achieve fulfillment and the joy that results from it.

On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we cleansed and purified our souls. On Sukkos, we are finally capable of cleaving to the Creator and achieving true joy. The water libation symbolized this concept. Water has the property of absolute adaptability. It can attach itself to any shape or form so perfectly that no gaps or crevices are left unfilled. The ritual of pouring the water over the altar in the Beis Hamikdash, therefore, symbolizes the perfect and absolute attachment which the Jewish people have achieved to the Creator through their prayers and repentance during the High Holidays. And perfect attachment leads to perfect joy. If we aspire to that perfect attachment, we can all achieve it, no matter what walk of life we pursue. If we only allow ourselves to be like water, gladly adapting to Hashem's will, we can find the key to true contentment. We must only seek it. And the reward for finding it is a joy unlike any other we have ever known.
Legacy, Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Naftali Reich and Torah.org.

MB updates:

HAVE A BLESSED FEAST!

Greetings Saints,
Below is a description of the Feast that Starts Dark Friday and runs though the 7th day at Dark…..8 days and nights.
We Have celebrated the whole 8 days by bringing in the homeless in the Mission Church all week long day and night you can see those pictures here
http://pictures.messiahsbranch.org/2007/10/feast-of-tabernacles.html
The reason for this is we are required in the Torah to care for the poor, but to a believer we do this naturally as guided by the Holy Spirit.
This last we gave out meat sacks so the poor should have a good week with the meat, bread and sweets we have given them.
Unsure of what we will be doing this feast as do to bills.
Radio was paid on the 30th Amen! Good till the end of the month! But if you feel led to any money sent for radio I will pay to them. Really for this time of year and slow donations I should try and get caught up through January 2010.
I have been feeling in the spirit I need to build something out back, you see out back of this ministry radio and store house is a wonderful yard with trees, grass, etc. I walk out here to be close to the Father, walking with HIM so to speak. I could do it I think for $5,000.
No, right now I will not disclose what it is but ask you to pray these things.
1. If I am to do it, then it will come easy
2. I will have to know the money is specific
Oh yes I have a DVD from the TV program but it has the whole hour program on it, I was only on about 6 minutes. Pray I find a way to cut those minutes out so I can place on u-tube.
This being the first of the month hardly any mail in donations have came so we are late on the mail out newsletter which will hurt us badly this month. Then with the Holidays starting next month donations will be slow….So we really need your prayers if we are to keep helping people, this part of our ministry is in it's 10th year but the economy has almost crushed us……I am serious we need your help, it is very hard you see with being Messianic makes it hard to gain donations, then you have radio that not everyone agrees with.........then you see many people just do NOT want to help the homeless even though we are also helping poor families......
At the bottom of this I placed something for you to read about the Feast, Lift us in prayer, help if you can and have a great Feast!
In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin Messiah's Branch "Prophecy Hour" Radio

Today's Proverb:
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

^{Proverbs 13:3 / KJV}

Wednesday October 18, 2004

Today's Psalm:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

^{Psalm 22:27 / KJV}

Wednesday October 18, 2004

Today's Promise:
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

^{Colossians 3:23,24 / KJV}

Wednesday October 18, 2004

Today's Verse:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

^{Philippians 2:10,11}

Shalom In Yeshua our Messiah

Well we made it back safely as the Father carried us there and back.

Before we left early Sunday morning the boys checked all the tired and made sure the fluids were full. Everything went well but as soon as we hit Oklahoma the front end started making a clunking noise but only when we used the brakes. We went ahead and picked up the camper in Tulsa then headed on up to Okmulgee. The noise seemed to get louder an sounded like a tierod was gonna break or somethin so we knew we had to try and figure out what was causing the noise before we left. Well tro make a long story short the boys had not tightend the lug nuts on the drivers side tire it was so lose it bought fell off when they jacked up the van. The rubbers on the bars behind the tired were gone and the insides of the tires were wore to the wire. YAHWEH carried us to a safe landing amen. Well we didn't have the tools to fix the rubbers but we had to buy new tires to make it home. All in all the trip was very joyful and we spent time together in joy.

Tonight we come to a close of our feast and I must hurry an close to get ready for service. Thank you all who make our trip possible we could of not went without your support.

The rent, morgage and loan were paid today however we still need the newsletter money and I have shut offs for the 15th on all the electric bills. I totalled the up an they come to 978.48 if I remember correctly I know it was 970 something. Pray about helping us we love you sisterlinda

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prison Weekly Tishri 15,5770

HAVE A BLESSED FEAST!

Greetings Saints, Below is a description of the Feast that Starts Dark Friday and runs though the 7<sup>th day at Dark…..8 days and nights.
We Have celebrated the whole 8 days by bringing in the homeless in the Mission Church all week long day and night you can see those pictures here
http://pictures.messiahsbranch.org/2007/10/feast-of-tabernacles.html
The reason for this is we are required in the Torah to care for the poor, but to a believer we do this naturally as guided by the Holy Spirit.
This last we gave out meat sacks so the poor should have a good week with the meat, bread and sweets we have given them.
Unsure of what we will be doing this feast as do to bills.
Radio was paid on the 30th Amen! Good till the end of the month! But if you feel led to any money sent for radio I will pay to them. Really for this time of year and slow donations I should try and get caught up through January 2010.
I have been feeling in the spirit I need to build something out back, you see out back of this ministry radio and store house is a wonderful yard with trees, grass, etc. I walk out here to be close to the Father, walking with HIM so to speak. I could do it I think for $5,000.
No, right now I will not disclose what it is but ask you to pray these things.
1. If I am to do it, then it will come easy
2. I will have to know the money is specific
Oh yes I have a DVD from the TV program but it has the whole hour program on it, I was only on about 6 minutes. Pray I find a way to cut those minutes out so I can place on u-tube.
This being the first of the month hardly any mail in donations have came so we are late on the mail out newsletter which will hurt us badly this month. Then with the Holidays starting next month donations will be slow….So we really need your prayers if we are to keep helping people, this part of our ministry is in it's 10th year but the economy has almost crushed us……I am serious we need your help, it is very hard you see with being Messianic makes it hard to gain donations, then you have radio that not everyone agrees with.........then you see many people just do NOT want to help the homeless even though we are also helping poor families......
At the bottom of this I placed something for you to read about the Feast, Lift us in prayer, help if you can and have a great Feast!</sup>

In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin Sukkot begins Friday evening, Oct. 2nd, 2009. Browse our collection of short films, inspiring essays, family activities, recipes, greeting cards,

Following on the heels of the High Holidays is Sukkot, a seven-day festival (8 days in the Diaspora) characterized by the outdoor Sukkah-huts that we sit in, and the "Four Species" of plants waved together each day.

Sukkot is a holiday of immense joy, where we express our complete trust in God, and celebrate our confidence in having received a "good judgment" for the coming year.
Throughout the week of Sukkot, we eat, sleep and socialize in a Sukkah, reminding us that:
The Israelites lived in huts during the 40 years of wandering in the desert.
God is our ultimate protection -- just as He protected the Israelites in the desert with the Clouds of Glory (Exodus 13:21).
The Four Species
On Sukkot, we are commanded to wave the Four Species, each noted for its special beauty:
Esrog – the citron, a fragrant fruit with a thick, white rind. It is often picked from the tree while green, and then ripens to a bright yellow.
Lulav – the palm branch, which is defined in beauty by having a straight shape and leaves tightly bound.
Hadas – the myrtle branch, which has a beautiful plated pattern of three leaves coming out from the same point in the branch.
Arava – the willow branch, which should have oblong leaves with a smooth edge.
We bind all the branches together -- two willows on the left, one palm branch in the center, and three myrtles on the right. We then lift them together with the Esrog and shake it in all directions, as a symbol of God's mastery over all Creation.
The Four Species are waved each day (except for Shabbat) in the synagogue, during the recitation of the Hallel prayers of praise. Hallel is followed by Hoshanot, where everyone circles a Torah scroll held on the Bima.
It is a special tradition to "beautify" this mitzvah by getting the nicest species available. At the very least, there are specific requirements to be valid for the mitzvah. Since the details are many and technical, it is not recommended to search through the forest on your own for these species! (Particularly the Esrog, which can easily be confused with a lemon.) Purchase a complete set from a reliable distributor; your local Jewish bookstore should have a "Four Species Set" with a rabbinical seal certifying their validity.
The Sukkah Hut
Building your own Sukkah is a great activity to share with your family and friends. The Sukkah must be at least 27 inches by 27 inches square. It can be built in a yard, apartment balcony, or even on the back of an elephant.
Your Sukkah needs at least two complete walls and a small part of a third wall. The walls can be of any material, as long as they are sturdy enough to withstand a normal wind. The walls should be at least 38 inches high (96 cm), but not higher than 30 feet (9.6 m).
You don't have to build walls especially for the Sukkah; you can use the side of a building, or even a hedge of bushes. And if you can find an area that is already enclosed by 2 or 3 walls, then your job will be that much easier!
The roof material (S'chach) must be made from material that grows from the ground -- i.e. branches or leaves (but not metal). If you're using unfinished boards, they cannot be wider than 15 inches. Also, the material must be presently detached from the ground. This means that nothing can be overhanging your Sukkah – not a tree, a gutter, air-conditioning unit, etc.
The roof must be sufficiently covered so that it gives more shade than sun during the daytime, yet it should be sufficiently open so that the stars are visible through the roof at night. The roof material can only be added after the requisite number of walls are in place.
Since the Sukkah is designated as your "home" for the next seven days, it is customary to decorate it nicely. Many people hang fruits and flowers from the ceiling, and tape posters of Jerusalem and other Jewish themes on the walls.
It is also traditional to "welcome" the seven shepherds of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moshe, Aaron, Joseph and David) as guests (ushpizin) into one's Sukkah throughout the festival.
More Sukkot Traditions
It is a special mitzvah to rejoice on Sukkot. To this end, the intermediate days of Sukkot are marked by celebrations called Simchat Beit HaSho'eva, commemorating the water libations that were offered during Sukkot in the Holy Temple.
Sukkot is closely connected to "water," as it is the day of universal judgment with regard to the blessings of rain and irrigation for the coming year.
Sukkot is also a time of universal blessing for all peoples -- symbolized by the 70 additional offerings brought in the Temple, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world.
The Book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, is read on Shabbat during Sukkot. The theme of Ecclesiastes is the folly of pursuing temporal pleasures of this world, as opposed to more eternal spiritual pursuits. Indeed, the Sukkah's flimsy construction reminds us that material possessions are transient.
The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabba, which features seven circuits around the bima, with the Four Species in hand. The procession culminates with the beating of the willow branch. Hoshana Rabba is known as the day of the final sealing of judgment which began on Rosh Hashana. On Hoshana Rabba, some have the custom to read the Book of Deuteronomy and stay up all night studying Torah.
Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Immediately following Sukkot is one more holiday called Shmini Atzeret, literally the "Eighth Day of Assembly." This is a time to cease the busy activity of the holiday season and simply savor the special relationship with the Almighty before heading out into the long winter season. It is a separate holiday from Sukkot, meaning that the She'hecheyanu blessing is recited, and the obligation to sit in the Sukkah does not apply. The next day is Simchat Torah, which celebrates the completion -- and new beginning -- of the annual Torah reading cycle. In the synagogue, all the Torah scrolls are taken out of the Ark, and the congregation dances "seven circuits" amidst great joy and song.
On Simchat Torah, Yizkor is recited in the synagogue.
In Israel, Simchat Torah is held the same day as Shmini Atzeret.
Wishing you a joyful Sukkot!

1 JOHN 2:1-11

1: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2>: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3>: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4>: He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5>: But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6>: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 7>: Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8>: Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9>: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10: He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11>: But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Mission Updates:

Shalom in Yeshua our Messiah

I'm so excited to be entering into a week long feast with like minded people and to grow even closer to Yeshua. I do not want to burden any of you with begging for more money for this and that so i will just make you aware of what I need and leave the rest up to you. I ask that you pray about helping this ministry and be lead by Yahweh to do his will.

Past due bills as of 9/30/2009 $970.08

October Newsletter Approx. $400 needs to go out next Friday

Bills that are in and due beginning 10/05 thru 10/18 $891.90

Food bank bill $291.25

Thak you all for all you do Be Blessed and have a wonderful Sukkot

Love sisterlinda/family and Messiah's Branch

 

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prison Weekly Elul 23,5769

Shalom

 This weeks Parshas  are for Sabbath Elul 23, 5769

Torah Nitsavim " you are standing " / Va Yelech "And he went" Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30 Haftarah Isaiah 61:10-63:9 Brit Hadasha  Romans 10:1-13 & Hosea 14:2-10

Next Weeks Readings are Torah Ha'azinu " Give ear" Deuteronomy 32:1-52 Haftarah Isaiah55:6-56:8 Brit Hadasha  IISamuel 22:1-5 &  Romans 10:14-11:12

Nitsavim " you are standing "

For this Mitzvah that I command you today- it is not foreign to you nor is it distant. It is not in the heaven (for you) to say, "Who can ascend to the heaven for us to take it for us?" Nor is it across the sea (for you) to say, "Who can cross to the other side of the sea for us to take it for us so that we can listen to it and perform it?" Rather, the matter is very near to you – in your mouth and in your heart –to perform it." (Devarim 30:11-14) What is that Mitzvah that we would think we need to climb the heavens or cross the oceans to fulfill? The verse doesn't say explicitly what it is. The Ramban says that it's talking about the Mitzvah of Teshuvah (repentance) while Rashi claims that it is in reference to the Mitzvah of learning Torah- both the Oral and the Written. Which is it? Why is left obscure? How is the Torah so close and ready to be performed for one who never had a Torah education? Why is the order offered- "in your mouth", "in your heart", "to perform it"? Why is the sequence 1- speech then 2-thought and then 3-action? Many moons ago I was just an all-American guy, a recent college grad living and working in the big city, New York. For some mystical reason I found myself in a small mid-town Synagogue on Saturday mornings regardless of where I had been on Friday night. Sitting in the back of the Shul I would read the archaic, "thy", "thou"- Old English style translations of the Hertz Chumash and the Birnbaum Siddur. I never knew what page we were on. It didn't matter much. I stood and sat when everyone else did. The words tickled my mind even in translation. I often glared at the Hebrew side of the page longingly like Moses looking into the promised-land. I knew something major must be lost in translation.

One weekday night back at my Manhattan apartment I turned on the desk lamp and with trepidation opened a Chumash to page one and started to read in Hebrew for the first time since my Bar Mitzvah. The words crawled out slowly from my mouth and by the time I had finished the first verse I was experiencing an unusual phenomenon. My heart was pounding so wildly I suspected that it may be a medical emergency. It was not at all painful but rather curiously pleasant. I didn't understand what had happened to me that night till years later when I was already a Yeshiva student. One of our regular Friday afternoon rituals was to go with a group of guys to the local nursing home to sing and wish Gooooood Shabboooooos to the elderly folks. There was one woman there who was not so old. She was a stroke victim and unable to express herself except for a few desperate grunts. The nurse tried to wave me away from paying attention to her claiming she was just a bitter but I sensed she was trying to tell me something. It was frustrating for her. I knew that her boys came to visit her at lunch time so I positioned her near to the elevator bank. She then carried on more frantically than before. In spite of the nurse I persisted and somehow figured out that the face of her watch had slipped downward on her frail wrist so I turned it upright. She began to cry and laugh with joy like a weepy Shofar. Someone had finally and for once understood what she was trying to say. Soon afterwards, I was able to relate that incident back to my encounter with the words, Breishis…Bara…Elochim" and the sublimely emotional response that awakened within me. I realized that for the duration of thousands of movies, ball games, and poetry of the highest order my Neshama had been waiting patiently for me to say those words, words of Torah. That simple exercise of reading triggered an inner ovation. I was intrigued to know more and eventually to do more. It all started with words of Torah, "the mouth", which opened up new thought avenues in "the heart" before being born into action, which is better than being forever lost in translation DvarTorah, Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Label Lam and Torah.org.

Nitzavim

"You are standing, today, all of you, before HaShem, your G-d..."  So does this portion open and so is it named, "Standing."  It is a short parashah, and one that I will deal with briefly before we explore the second reading for this Shabbat, Vayeilech. This portion details the blessings for our obedience and the curse that will befall those who walk away from His ways.  Deuteronomy 30: 11-14 gives us hope.  It says, "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.  It is not in heaven, that you should say, ' Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?'  Nor is it beyond the sea, that  you should say, 'Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?'  But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it."  Carol and I have had the privilege of bringing two Torah scrolls from Israel for Messianic congregations in America.  For one of them, I ordered a custom made cover.  When I entered the shop of the rabbi who makes these wonderful dressings, I immediately saw just what I wanted.  It was an incredible flame that nearly danced on the velvet cover.  He asked if I knew what it said.  Perplexed, I said, it is the Fire of HaShem.  He nodded and asked again if I could read it.  Only then were the Hebrew letters clear to me.  The fire was created by the very word of the L-rd.  It said, "Torat HaShem t'meemah."  This is from this week's parashah, "The commandment is not too difficult."

Our hope is in obedience to the word of the L-rd.  Dear friends, because the Spirit of G-d dwells within us, we can walk in obedience.  Those who have rejected the Son cannot obey the Father; yet for so long, we have run away from obedience as we cling to the promise of the Son.  The Son did only what He saw the Father doing, and that, beloved is Torah. Rabbi Marty

Mission Update:

Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Shalom In Yeshua Our Messiah

Wow we are nearing another NEW YEAR ! ("they sure seem to wiz bye now days") We just harvested a big ol bag of Giant jalapenos and they are hot. We got a few bananna pepers and lots of cherry tomatoes but the tags must of been switch at the store this year cause we only wound up with three big tomatoe plants. I plan on canning the pepers next Tuesday at the mission. Sunday I plan on making our third batch of fried squash, green tomatoe and cucumbers.

Most of the bills are paid and I just got another 200 for the Food bank leaving 599.that needs to be paid before we continue with the meat bags. We are only planning to do the meat bags the Last Wednesday of each month unless we recieve the funding to do more. The Mission electric was due on the 8th and it is 347. something so by Tuesday I expect to get another bill in the mail that will be double that or more. Coming due the 15th I have 457.00 worth of bills so PLEASE pray about sending even a small tithe or offering to help do these works. If EVERYONE on our various list would commit to five bucks a month we wouldn't have to continually ask you for support and help. We NEED you to be WILLING VESSELS for THIS MINISTRY for us to be able to do these works.

We thank all who do help an we love you all we pray you have a very restful Sabbath an now I must go it is time for our Sabbath Service.

Love sisterlinda / Messiah's Branch 

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

Mark 9:23,10:27 " THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

    

 

 

 

Prison weekly Sabbath Elul 1,5769‏

SHALOM

This Weeks Readings are Torah Shoftim " Judges" Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 Haftarah Isaiah 51:12-52:12 Brit Hadasha  John 1:19-27 Next Weeks Readings are Torah Ki Tetse " When you Go out " Deuteronomy 21:10- 25:19 Haftarah Isaiah 54:1-10 & Brit Hadasha 1 Corinthians 5:1-5

When you go out to battle against your enemy, and you see horse and chariot - a people more numerous than you - you shall not fear them, for HASHEM, your G-d, is with you, Who brought you up from the Land of Egypt. It shall be that when you draw near to the war, the Kohen shall approach and speak to the people. He shall say to them, "Hear O' Israel, you are coming near to the battle against your enemies; let you heart not be faint; do not panic, do not be broken before them. For HASHEM your G-d is the One Who goes with you to fight for you with your enemies." Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, "Who is the man who has built a new house and not inaugurated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in war and another man will inaugurate it. And who is the man who has planted a vineyard and has not redeemed it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in war and another man will redeem it. And who is the man who has betrothed a woman and not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in war and another man will marry her." The officers shall continue speaking to the people and say, "Who is the man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, and let him not melt the heart of his fellows, like his heart." (Devarim 20: 1-8)

One section here has three different cases of those who had initiated a house, or a field, or a marriage and not yet benefited from the fruits of their efforts and the fourth category is listed separately; those who are afraid. The stated concern is that their sense of fear will spread and dishearten others and therefore they are sent home. Our sages tell us that the root of this fear is due to his even slightest of sins. The reason for his exemption is that since fear is contagious, he will affect and infect others. Who then was left to fight the war? The story is told and from reliable sources that a group of Maskilim, western intellects that presumed they were already too sophisticated for the Torah, made a play to mock the Torah and its contemporary sages. They portrayed the scene described above of a large band of troops ready for war and receiving their final marching orders from the Kohen. As he announced each separate exemption the numbers of soldiers on the stage continuously depleted until after the ones fearful were given their chance to exit and then only two elderly men were left standing alone, and those two men were the Vilna Gaon and the Shagas Aryeh.

An alarming report about their irreverent representation of Torah was delivered to Reb Chaim of Brisk. He remained surprisingly undisturbed responding that "what they showed on that stage was not at all absurd but rather completely correct. They only failed to include one important detail and that is with those two sages they won the war." How?
When Daniel entered the lions' den it was the lions that were afraid of his G-dly presence. Similarly, when the children of Yaakov exited from Schem the verse testifies, "They set out and, and there fell a G-dly terror on the cities which were around them, so they did not pursue Yaakov's sons." (Breishis 35:5) Why was it necessary to mention that it was the "G-dly terror that kept the surrounding enemies at bay? Shimon and Levi had just flexed their militant muscles! That probably contributed more to their exposure to danger. It certainly wasn't their saving grace. However, when the "G-dly Image" is intact and untainted the oppositional forces are more scared of us than we of them. We are told to not be afraid of "them"-the enemy, but rather to be fearful of countermanding HASHEM. When we fear G-d, they fear us, because either way fear is contagious. Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Label Lam

Greetings,  Is this little girl just as precious as can be? Yesterday when I saw her I went into my off and found this hand made doll with a long dress, I then snuck up on her and pull the doll out Walking closer and closer with the doll in from of me her eyes got bigger and bigger. Finally when close she reached out and basically snatched the doll from me. She and her mother were very happy and pleased. Ha I beat my wife to it as she generally gets to give things like this to the children. Mom my wife told her that when she comes next week for food she will giver one also. Oh yes mom gave her a huge tray of cookies.......Many people different stories, one man got laid off from Cessna them lost everything including his wife, it is so hard just not to cry all day long as I know so much more is coming to the people. If you have a job praise His mighty name.We had put it before the Father to stop this or at least cut back to just on day, them when someone heard this the Spirit hit them and now next week the food is provided for. Again we still need to raise $700 to pay up the rest of our bill but I believe by faith it will come.One woman with 2 children came in all beat from her husband, that was Tuesday, mom made her a food box up and Harvey and I tracked her down as she had already left. Overjoyed to say the least as in her house she had nothing…..I could go on with story after story........This is a worthy cause is it not? Please pray about supporting what the Lord Yeshua is having us do……

Scriputre for this week

2 Timothy 3:12

12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. ¹³But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. ¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Very Important to note here is that He points out that Timothy whose mother and Grandmother were boths Jews, had the HOLY SCRIPTURES from his youth, Paul would only refer to what most would call the Old Testement as the HOLY SCRIPTURES. The Only thing we know of his Dad is that he was Greek, and there was no New Testement written yet.....My point Paul said all is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.....pray about it...... In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan

Glatians 5:16-25 16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18: But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Shalom in Yeshua Our Mssiah

I can't believe that it is Friday again past time for service and i'm just now getting to the computer for my update. Glory to Yahweh He Is In Control!

As this Sabbath draws near I look back at the many blessing that were recieved this week alone. Tomorrow marks our ONE Year anniversary for being in the food bank and making Meat bags to feed the POOR. Over the past several weeks i have been pulling steaks and savings for a BBQ with the people to celebrate. I had planned to ask my sister in law to get a band to play while we cooked but it just kept slipping my mind again and again. She works in advertising and promotions so I knew she could get one with enough notice but I never remembered to ask.

This past Tuesday I ask her and the first thing she said was "on this short notice". After thinking a minute she said let me call kathy maybe she can play accustic.

To make a long story short she said yes but the rest of her band had day jobs so the would be working the time we were wanting them to play.

Tuesday she told me that another member would be coming and then today a third member took off work just to come play for us. I didn't get much listening in because i had to be on the run doing everything and in the kitchen cookin the rest of the meal. Alll in all we had a wonderful PACKED time and served seven an a half egg & cheese sandwhiches. One case of chips, three trays of cookies, one tray of assorted sweets thirteen trays of pumkin tarts and 154 steak dinners.

ALL PAISE AND GLORY TO YAHWEH AMEN

I have ALL the bills PAID as of today except a few that are in for September. I will deposite 600 tonight on the way home to pay our bill at the food bank leaving 766 due the total was 1366. somthin after wednesday when we made 107 meat sacks.

pRAY ABOUT SUPPORTING THIS WORK I GOTTA GO TIME FOR SERVICE.

LOVE YOU ALL sisterlinda

 

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y