Prison weekly March 20, 2004

Va-Yakhel & Pekudei For the week of March 20, 2004 / 27 Adar 5764 Torah: Shemot / Exodus 35:1 - 40:38 also Shemot / Exodus 12:1-20 Haftarah: 1 Melachim / 1 Kings 7:51 - 8:21 Replaced by Ezekiel 45:16 – 46:18 Worship Changes You When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate (Ezekiel 46:9).In this week's Haftarah Ezekiel foretells of a renewed temple. One of the peculiar regulations of this temple has to do with the flow of the crowd during festival time. People entering by the north gate had to exit by the opposite gate, the south gate. Those entering by the south gate would have to exit by the north one.I imagine it is possible that the reason for this rule could simply be one of crowd control, since it seems this was only necessary at festival time, when there would be very many people coming to the temple.But while the reason may only be a practical one, it makes me think of something that happens or should happen as a result of worshipping God. True worship of God changes us.The Torah tells us that our original close relationship with God was ruined because our first parents chose to believe a lie. Ever since then we stumble about in life unclear as to what truth really is. Looking for fulfillment in all sorts of things, we are never satisfied.When we worship God we acknowledge who he really is and align ourselves with the truth. Worship turns us away from ourselves and enables us to face God, so that he can in turn nourish us, heal us, and lead us. Every time we face God we are transformed a little more into his likeness. So just as the people were not to exit by the same gate they entered, when we worship God, we should determine not to return to our old ways of thinking and living. We must be ready to keep moving forward in life as we are transformed by God. Vengeance Belongs to God "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them" (Devarim / Deuteronomy 32:35). Ice hockey is Canada's most popular sport. Very many Canadians have strong feelings about it. Last week saw one of the most grievous incidents in hockey history, where one player violently attacked another. Hockey is a rough sport. Players on ice skates are moving at very high speeds. Aggressive body contact is permissible. Tensions tend to run high, and it is easy for things to get out of control. The incident of last week was in retaliation of an earlier incident of a month ago, when a player from one team injured a player from another. The team of the injured player felt that the officials did not properly deal with the situation. It wasn't until these two teams played each other two more times that there was retaliation. On March 8, one of the teammates of the injured player sought to start a fight with the player who caused the injury, Since he didn't want to fight, he was attacked. The player who wanted to pay him back for the first incident, hit him on the side of the head, knocking him to the ice. By the time the incident was over, the result was two fractured vertebrae in his neck. All week long this was the top story in the nation. People are in shock that hockey violence could go this far. I am in shock that others are in shock. A few weeks ago I got to go to a hockey game. As it turned out the home team completely dominated the game. With less than two minutes remaining, the score was 2 – 1. People began to leave, confident that there would be no change in the score. What ended up happening was that one of the players on the home team decided it was necessary to pay back another player for something he had done that the officials had not noticed. But this time the officials did notice. The player was penalized, which set up the conditions that led to two more goals and a loss for the team that really should have won. That they lost when they should have won was bad enough, but what makes what happened terrible was that many of the fans thought the player who retaliated did the right thing. They felt that the need to teach the first player that he won't get away with what he did was more important than winning the game. That is the same attitude that caused the broken neck. Many assert that a broken neck was not intended, but until we learn that it is our desire for vengeance that leads to things like this, it will keep on happening. People were in shock at the degree of violence that was demonstrated in the midst of our beloved game. Yet we cannot see that what happened is the logical outcome of the way we mishandle our problems. This is not only a problem in hockey, but in our personal lives as well. Also the way we take vengeance on one another may not appear as violent as an attack on a hockey rink. Vengeful words can destroy lives too. There is a need for justice in sport, in society, and in our relationships. Yet how justice is worked out is as important as the justice itself. God has imposed boundaries on our behavior to keep us from destroying one another. Vengeance is his prerogative, not ours.Truah/TorahBytes Parsha: Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38) Family Parsha Vayakhel-Pekudei 5764 By: Nesanel Safran It's easy to get the wrong idea about giving. While it may seem like the giver is helping out the receiver, it's really the other way around. Giving is one of the main reasons we are in the world, and one of the best feelings a person can have is when he is gives. In our portion this week we learn about all of the gifts the people made to build the Tabernacle, and how some of the leaders of the tribes almost lost the opportunity to give by waiting too long. Let's not wait to tap into the pleasure of giving. In our story, a boy discovers that giving is really getting. "THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING" Seth and his friend Jonathan were having a good time shooting hoops one day in Seth's backyard when an ambulance drove by. "What's that doing around here? Did somebody get into an accident or something?" Jonathan asked, concerned. Seth tossed the basketball he had been dribbling up at the backboard, and shook his head. "I don't think so. It's going around pretty slowly. Wait, it's making some kind of announcement over the loudspeaker. Hold the ball a second, let's listen." The boys craned their ears to hear. "THE SEMI-ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE WILL TAKE PLACE THIS AFTERNOON AT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. DONATE BLOOD AND GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE...THE SEMI-ANNUAL..." "Hey, remember?" Jonathan said with an excited look. "We got the notice in school last week about the blood drive. C'mon, let's go." Jonathan put down the basketball and practically ran to get his jacket that he had slung over the fence. "Whoa, wait a minute," Seth said. "What's the rush? We're in the middle of a game!" But Jonathan was unstoppable. "It's a big opportunity and I don't want to miss it. Our Hebrew studies teacher taught us that the Torah says that if a person saves one life, it's as if he saved the whole world. Just think of how many 'worlds' we can save now by donating blood!" But Seth didn't budge and Jonathan was surprised to see that his enthusiasm wasn't contagious. "Didn't your parents sign the consent form they gave out in school?" he asked. Seth gave a nonchalant shrug as he bounced the ball. "Sure they signed. I have the form right in my pocket. But what's the hurry? After all, it's not like they're giving something away over there. We're the ones doing them a favor by donating blood. You can run off if you want, but I'm taking my time. I'm sure they'll be happy to see me whenever I get there." The two boys went their separate ways, and after Seth finished playing a little while longer and listening to a couple of CD's, he finally decided to head over to the hospital to donate blood, certain he'd find only a small line of givers, if any at all. But when he got there he got a big surprise. The whole lobby was packed with men, women and kids. "What's going on here?" he thought to himself. Maybe he had heard wrong, and they were really paying for the blood or giving out big prizes. Why else would so many people have showed? But after checking it out with a couple of people in line, he was amazed to discover, that like Jonathan, they were all just waiting for a chance to help save lives. As he stood at the back of the line Seth thought about what Jonathan had said. Maybe he was right. It did feel good to be able to give, especially something as important as this. He looked at his watch. It was getting late, and he hoped he'd still get the chance. Finally as Seth neared the front of the line, an announcement came over the hospital intercom. "We would like to thank you all for coming. Thanks to you, the blood drive has been a big success, and the blood bank is full and we won't need anymore donations this time around. Thanks again, and hope we'll see you next year." The nurses at the donation booths began packing up, and the few people left in line began to head out. Seth ran up to the one of the nurses and practically begged her to let him give blood. But the woman just smiled politely, thanked him, and put away her equipment. Seth couldn't believe it. He ran to another nurse, and fortunately she had room for one more donation. Although he was the one doing the giving, he felt like he had just won the lottery. Seth promised himself that next year he would be first on line. He had thought that by giving he was doing others a favor, now he realized that really they were doing him a favor by letting him have an opportunity to give. Aish.com MB updates Greetings Saints In His Perfect Peace, Discoverd what is wrong with the minsitry brakes. The front caliper on one side is dragging and needs replaced badley. In his time as soon as a donation for it comes in....Soon I pray.. We ordere tapes toady!!!!!!!!!! Cassetes. So as soon as they come in there are few people whom I am sending requests to like the family in WI.... We got the computer back but had to chnage some security settings and install service pack 4 but it seems to be fine now. My web master and friend is coming up on Tuesday to help set up the studio.. I found a satalie disk I think I can get for $100. By the way are you all ready for Sunday night? 6 PM central radio program....... I feel we are going to be forced to find another place for the Wichita Mission. I do not know how but pray saints pray... Well must go to bed so I can go in the morning..I cannot wait to get there and help the people...... Friday Under bridge Barry said after prayer " wait aminute, I want us all to thank Pastor Dan, everytime I have had a need or blanket he looks around or digs in his van to find what I need. He has always been there for us." Another fellow said' Yes they made Pastor Dan then broke the mold" I choled out just thank the Lord pointing up but I had to leave as I was put to tears for them....The FATHER bless thee and keep thee;The FATHER make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;The FATHER lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee shalom. (peace)Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26 In Yeshua's Name, Bro. Dan, Pastor of Messiah's Branch Shalom In Yeshua Our Messiah, Friday was a lot of fun as the children and I got to early with dad cause there was no school. Kathy still made the egg-n-cheese sandwhiches six dozen total. We had plenty of donuts throughout the day and took two left over boxes to the indepenant center for the hadicap. They really love the donuts and all of them want hugs before you go. I made homemade hamburgers on my inside grill and bake beans for dinner. I couldn't believe a couple of those guys ate three as they were way over quater pounders. we had a very plesent Sabbath service and the children did a talk show about Yeshua feeding the multitude of people it was great to bad we didn't tape it. The camera got broke somehow so that won't be happening till it's replaced.The only bill I have in that's not paid is the Mission storage electric it's 48 bucks. We really need big pots to cook with as the ones we have are pretty worn out. Pray about supporting these works Yahwhe will let ya know if your are to help in any way.Stay warm and in His Word more on the Mission next update Blessings & Shalom Is this a coincidence or was it a plan?Subject: attack on Spain Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 11:48:03 EST Hi friends, Last night on NBC news I heard the newscaster say that the bombing in Spain was on 3/11 & it was their 9/11. The amazing thing about it was he also said that the bombing in Spain happened exactly 911 days since the 9/11 attack here in America. Just thought it was pretty incredible. Remember to pray for the victims families this week. Marisa Last weeks answers What was Esther's birth name ? A.Hadassah Esther 2:7 7: And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.passage found:1 John 3:1-101>: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2>: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3>: And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4>: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5>: And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6>: Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7>: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8>: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9>: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 : In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.Question:What did Yahweh say would be a sign between Him and His people forever ? Find this passage: Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.with much love sisterlinda Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible




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QuestionWhat did Yahweh say would be a sign between Him and His people forever ? A. keeping His Sabbath Exodus 31:16-17 16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.John 5:25-29

25:Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26: For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27: And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29: And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

with much love sisterlinda & Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible