Prisonweekly Jan 29th 2005

Yitro For the week of January 29, 2005 / 19 Shevat 5765 Torah: Shemot / Exodus 18:1 - 20:23 Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1 - 7:6; 9:5 The First Step to Freedom "And God spoke all these words" (Shemot / Exodus 20:1). The past couple of weeks I have been discussing the freedom that we can experience in God. The deliverance of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt is a dramatic and clear illustration of the freedom that is available to all of us today through the Messiah. After many years of oppressive bondage God miraculously and decisively delivered the Israelites from Egypt. Finally they were free. When someone is set free they are not simply freed from something, they are also freed to something. Israel's deliverance was only the beginning of a greater process. They would then have to face new challenges and opportunities as God led them to the land promised to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, centuries earlier. This week's portion contains one of the most significant events in the entire Bible and a critical step in their new life of freedom: the giving of the Ten Commandments. There is so much that could be said about these "ten words," which is how they are referred to in Hebrew, but I want to focus on their relationship to this subject of freedom. The Ten Commandments, while providing us with a great moral standard, help us to see how morally weak we actually are. It is this moral bankruptcy that is the main cause of our bondage. The first step to freedom is found in accepting that we all fall short of God's standards for living. Every type of oppression in the world to some extent is a symptom of our moral and spiritual weaknesses. That does not mean that in the case of abused people for example, that they are to blame for the abuse that they endure, just as it was not the fault of the people of Israel that they were enslaved by the Egyptians. But the inability to live freely even in the most oppressive situations, is because we have fallen short of God's original design for the human race. The contrast of Yeshua's life illustrates this. From the beginning of his time on Earth, he was threatened by oppression. He began life with the stigma of illegitimacy, he was born in a stable, and then, since his life was in danger, his family spent his early years moving from place to place. Later he was misunderstood by his own family, friends, and authorities. He endured great temptations, had to avoid attempts on his life, was unjustly arrested and sentenced to a most cruel death. Yet in all these things Yeshua was free. In every hardship, God was with him. There was never a sense that his life was not under the loving control of his Father in Heaven. No one was ever able to manipulate him. While living a simple and poor life, not only did he have every need met, he was always able to give to others. In the end not even death could hold him, for on the third day he rose to life. The reason Yeshua could live a life of freedom was because he possessed in himself the moral and spiritual qualities that were part of the original human design. We, on the other hand, no matter how we try, are in bondage to a corrupt human nature that lacks the ability to live rightly. Whatever could be said about freedom from life's oppression, the greatest freedom we experience is internally. To possess peace in the midst of chaos, hope in despair, joy when grieving, and confidence when facing failure, is true freedom. To be generous in spite of poverty, to bring blessing when cursed, healing even while in pain, and so on, are the fruit of that freedom. Even though I wish that every one reading or listening to this message would be set free from every external oppressive thing that may be negatively controlling your life right now, my greater wish is that we would all find the inner freedom without which we would still be in bondage. Internal freedom is a possibility, but in order to experience it, we need to come to grips with our own corrupt nature. Acknowledging our bondage is the first step to the freedom that only Yeshua can give. TorahBytes
Yitro (Exodus 18-20) Family Parsha Yitro 5765 In this week's Torah Portion, Moses shows us one of the things that made him great. When his father-in-law, Jethro, criticizes him over something and suggests a way to do things better, Moses doesn't get offended. Even though he was more learned than Jethro and a great world leader, Moses calmly thinks about the idea, decides Jethro was right, and accepts his criticism and advice. We can learn from Moses how to be humble and accept the truth, wherever it comes from.
In our story, a kid faces the challenge of accepting criticism and putting the truth before his pride.
"GIVE ME A BREAK!"
I don't know why they call it baby-sitting - if it were up to me I would rename it baby-chasing, because after an hour and a half of substituting for my sister in her afternoon playgroup, I was ready to collapse. You wouldn't believe how much energy these little kids have! I'm a pretty active guy myself, but compared to them, I felt like an old man. The only thing that kept me going was the clock on the wall, and knowing that in just another few minutes it was going to be nap-time, when everyone would put his head down on his desk and rest quietly for 20 minutes. I wasn't really sure if any of these Duracell kids needed recharging, but I was SURE I did and I counted the seconds until I could grab a little peace and quiet. To wind them into their naps, I sat everybody in a big circle and told them what I hoped would be a bedtime story. I improvised and told them some things I had learned in Torah class that day about Moses, and even though he was the great leader of the Jewish people, he was willing to listen to Jethro's criticism and even change his ways when he thought his criticism was true. I admit, I had one eye on the clock, and timed my story to finish right on time for them to rest. "Okay kids, now we'll all put our heads down for a little nap. Remember we have to all be per-fect-ly quiet until the timer goes off." I was amazed. They were actually starting to do it! I sat back, grabbed a school book to catch up on my homework, and felt my own eyes starting to grow deliciously heavy. Maybe the 'teacher' would take a little nap himself. Just then I felt a tug on my sleeve. It was Brian, one of the most jumpy of all the little jumping beans in the group. "Now Brian, you know it's nap-time now, you must go back to your desk," I said, trying to hide the tension in my voice. "No it's not!" he said. "It's not nap time until later. Now it's snack time. You're supposed to give us cookies and juice." I couldn't believe it. I had finally settled these little dynamos down, and this punk was suggesting that instead I start pumping them all back up with sugar! "Now Brian," I said firmly, "no more trouble. Go put your head down on your desk right now." But the kid wouldn't budge. "No, I just learned how to tell time, and I know it's not nap time until later!" I was sure he was trying to pull a fast one on the sub, but just to make sure, I turned and pulled the small schedule out of my pocket my sister had given me, and took a quick glance at it. I couldn't believe it. The kid was actually right! I had misread the schedule; it really was snack time. Nap time wasn't for another 45 minutes! I looked at the nearly-settled play group, I looked at Brian and started getting angry. What a nerve this kid had ... who was he to tell me what to do ... I was more than twice his age. "You know what, Brian..." I could see him getting scared and I was about to send him into the next room and maybe even threaten to call his mother if he didn't tow the line. After all who knew better? They were the little kids, I was the big kid; they were my flock, and I was their leader just like Moses. 'Just like Moses...' I got a lump in my stomach as I remembered the story I had just finished telling them about how Moses didn't get upset when someone told him he was wrong. He only cared about doing what was right. And what about me? I took a deep breath. "You know what Brian ... you're right. The cookies are in the closet. Could you please bring them to me?" He flashed a big smile, happy he could tell the time. "Nap-time's in a while guys. Everybody line up for your snacks," I said. All the kids popped up like Jack-in-the-boxes. I put my book in the drawer, and grabbed a couple of cookies myself for a boost. The rest of the afternoon went really well - even nap time, once it finally happened. I still looked forward to giving the job back to my sister the next day, but felt good that I accepted Brian's comment. Even though I was supposed to be the teacher, I think I learned the biggest lesson of all. Aish.com
Mission Updates:Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, These were part of the Words I gave today at Randy Taylor's memorial service. As most of you on our lists may have read even a writer for the Wichita Eagle was amazed at how the city or at least some were not outraged. The Writer came from a town smaller than Wichita and he said "It had three Shelters"! The night Randy died temperatures were below 16 degrees. "A night most people would not even leave their dogs out!" A quote from the Wichita Eagle newspaper. Yes love thy neighbor....That is those around you and extends out. Messiah's ministry was among the poor so why is it not such a large priority with the Christian Church? At least not for the most part in Wichita. I have been very stressed out after dealing with his family and others on Randy's death which I guess really hurt me worse than I let on. Mom pointed out to me today how he would bring a drunk buddy into Sabbath service, make home eat and care for him. Yes I remember Randy...But Wichita has many Randy's. People whom I give first aid, prayers, blankets, clothing etc. Just like Friday I had to go out and buy cold remedies as man inside were sick with various colds etc. I find it so silly that I have to get help from people all over the world for people in a city the size of Wichita......But then again the Word tells us that the Love of many would wax cold. People would be more lover's of themselves than others....all contrary to Messiah.. It is not a wonder that this world is about to be judged. A Judgment that I think strongly has already started. Time will tell. Yes Of course it's time to pay bills such as electric and gas etc. I know The Father will use some of you to pay them. He takes care of His things. As many that are on this list...if all could just pray about giving something it would help so much. The need for blankets, coats, hats, gloves, and cold remedies is a great..... We got another 19 Bible print Bibles Friday from someone whom donated money for them. Mom can tell you about what has come in if she does not I will try and remember. It's just that there is so much to do.
Posted on Tue, Jan. 25, 2005 Service for homeless man turns into plea for a shelter BY RON SYLVESTER
The Wichita Eagle
Randy Taylor died alone but not forgotten.Eighty family and friends, some who had known him for decades, turned out Monday to pay respects to the homeless man, who froze to death last week sleeping in a van.Taylor, 47, was mourned by his mother, daughters and many of his friends off the streets who cherished his friendship and kindness."Randy's death isn't about another drunk who died in the streets," Pastor Dan Catlin told the crowd at St. Paul Episcopal Church. "But rather it's about a man who died needlessly."The memorial also became a plea for improved shelter space in a metropolitan area that has no 24-hour walk-in shelter for a thousand or more of Wichita's poorest who scrounge for a life on the streets.The street is where Catlin got to know Taylor, and where the man's life would tragically end.Catlin is pastor of the Messiah Branch Church, a storefront mission in a strip mall in the shadows of a baseball stadium and the multimillion-dollar developments sweeping across downtown and Delano."Pastor Dan," as he's known by his street-corner disciples, often takes his ministry outdoors to spread the word to people who sleep in parks near expensive public sculptures and in the parking lots and lawns of bustling urban development."We can build new arenas and buy shiny new pieces of art, but the city can't build a homeless shelter," Catlin said after the service. "I know the money is out there, if people just knew of the need."Pastor Dan sees a multitude of reasons so many become downtrodden. Some are laid-off aircraft workers. Others are men who couldn't find work and had to leave their families so their wives and children would qualify for state aid.Others, he said, are displaced by a form of trickle-down economics. Laid-off skilled workers have to seek jobs requiring fewer skills. The people who once held those jobs are forced further down the unskilled labor ladder. That leaves the unskilled out of luck and on the streets."Some are just trying to survive on Social Security disability checks of $185 a month," Catlin said. "But just where can you live on $185 a month?"Catlin said he's convinced that there's little help because Wichita residents aren't aware of the scope of homelessness in their home town."We can't just turn a blind eye while people die in our streets," Catlin told the congregation.Wichita has one homeless shelter and an emergency shelter, but homeless advocates say neither comes close to serving the community's most impoverished people.Taylor died after sleeping through a frigid night in a van. The van's owner has said he often let Taylor sleep there when he had nowhere else to go.The crowd mourning Taylor remembered him as someone who would help others who had nowhere else to go. A skilled mechanic, Taylor would not walk past a stranger stranded because of a stalled car. He'd try to get them rolling again.Like many homeless men, Taylor found an antiseptic to his hard times through alcohol.The friend who found Taylor's body told the congregation that maybe he had suffered enough on the streets."When I found him, he had such a look of peace on his face," said Lloyd "Josh" Maddox. "He was sleeping."Added Pastor Dan: "How do we know that God didn't take Randy out as an act of mercy?"The friends left on the street, however, hope someone in the city will learn of Taylor's death and find inspiration to lead the effort for a 24-hour shelter accessible by everyone who needs help."He suffers no longer, but we still do," said Larry Collins, who remembered benefiting from Taylor's kindness on the street. "I know he's looking down here, hoping we get something done." Reach Ron Sylvester at 268-6514 The LORD bless thee and keep thee;The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;The LORD 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 Kathy made seven dozen egg-n-cheese sandwiches they served with chips-n-sauce and many fresh baked donuts coffee, ice water -n- tea. Some milk came in along with sliced cheese, and perminto cheese spread. Together we made chicken-n-bow ties, fresh mashed potatoes, buttered corn and bread-n-butter everything but a few potatoes was ate and the potatoes went home with Larry. For our Sabbath dinner Sarina made a wonderful mexican dinner, chicken enchaladias, spanish rice, and vegetarian beans it was a WINNER, Pastor Dan told he "Sarina this is Great Your hired" everyone loved it. Pray for John he is slipping back into the world this is the young man who was baptised in the freezing river last month. Linda II has started back teaching the children in Sabbath school and we now have our skits after the reading of the Psalms these are great. Manny (Elijah our baby who has grown up at the Mission) will be four this Thursday. He loves the people an has several of the guys he calls buddies. We had a donation of 1000 come in a few weeks ago that covered all the then bills, fixed the ministry van heater, got two new tires,paid four weeks Radio and put 200 in the food account. Then another 600 came for food and gas. We were open Monday last week also because everything else was closed so the gas has been used five fill ups in the ministry van two in mine and we filled Sarina's (she does lot's of running for the Mission).We got another 200 for Bibles and that bought 19 realy nice KJV giant print Bibles at Sams I picked them up Saturday night. This same source sent a 100 for the food account. I was able to stock the Mission with cooking spray, toliet paper,paper plates, go plates, disenfectant spray and cleaners, hand soap, cups and paper towels enough for about three weeks (maybe) we have been packed both days all day and this really deplenishes the supplies. I bought 50 pounds of ground round this morning and the other meat from New Life has not come in yet I plan on trying to call him sometime later this week. The food account still has 400 but I'm praying I can get a shipment of #10 cans when I call, I need greens, green beans, carrots, pinto beans, navy beans, potatoes and fruit. Dillions and Walmart both have large eggs 18 pks on sale for a dollar so I plan on getting at least 60 of those in the morning. It's time for the newsletter and I'd like to see it go to print next Tuesday and mailed out Wednesday the cost 200 to print 118 to mail. Feb gas and electric came in today both due on the 7th the gas is 117 someting and the ele 57 something. Dan has gas for tomorrow but Friday we take both vans so gas is a need for Friday.Yahweh will supply all the Needs we just ask that you pray about it and see if your a chosen vessel to supply. We love you all and Thank those of you who do help, May you be richly Blessed in Yeshua. Please pray for the homeless and those who are sleeping outside. Granny came in Friday and wanted to help out again she will be helping Kathy with sandwiches. We allow everyone that comes to help to help in one way or another because we believe they were sent for a reason. More on the Mission next update sisterlinda
Last weeks Answer : Isaiah 42:1-17 KJV 1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. 13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. 14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. 15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. 16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
Find This Passage:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen

Shalom sisterlinda Messiah's Branch Mark 9:23,10:27

Prisonweekly January 22, 2005

Be-Shallah For the week of January 22, 2005 / 12 Shevat 5765 Torah: Shemot / Exodus 13:17 - 17:16 Haftarah: Shoftim / Judges 4:4 - 5:31 True Freedom "But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore." (Shemot / Exodus 14:29,30) Last week I referred to how the deliverance of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt was truly an act of God. Pharaoh had been relentless in his stubborn refusal to keep Israel enslaved. Even after God sent nine terrible disasters upon Egypt, Pharaoh continued to unjustly keep Israel in bondage. Following the tenth plague, where every first-born human and animal offspring among the Egyptians died, Pharaoh told Moses and the people to leave. Yet again Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after them to bring them back. So many of us know what it is like to be dogged by oppression. That oppression might be of a social nature much like that of the ancient Israelites. There are many people today who are held in bondage to slavery, various forms of physical or emotional abuse, and racism. Those who enjoy social freedom tend to be slow to realize that this kind of oppression really does exist today; but it does. Others live in all kinds of mental, spiritual, or emotional bondage. Many long to be free from fear and other destructive thought patterns, addictions, demonic oppression, depression, mental illness and so on. Whatever our bondage, getting free is not easy. Like Pharaoh these things are relentless. For even when we get glimpses of freedom, our oppression constantly hounds us, seeking to overwhelm us again. In the story of the people of Israel crossing the Red Sea, we see a case in which the oppressed are truly delivered from their oppression. Whatever other struggles they would have to face later on, Pharaoh and his taskmasters would never again have any control over their lives. Last week I referred to how God desires to free us today just as he did the Israelites of long ago. I stated that the freedom God offers us through Yeshua the Messiah is both effective and complete. If we believe in Yeshua, we are cut off from every oppressive force in our lives. I am surprised that I received no comments to the contrary. I know how difficult life can be. I am well aware how even believers continue to struggle with all sorts of issues – both physical and spiritual. As I mentioned last time, I hope to deal with this in the weeks ahead, but what I want to make clear here is that this freedom is real. Just as Israel was freed from Pharaoh's grip, so we too, can be freed from whatever our oppression is and live according to how we were really meant to. When we believe in Yeshua, we are freed from condemnation. His sacrifice for us is the full and absolute price required to set us free. There is nothing we can do to secure our freedom, and there is nothing more to add to what he has done for us. While in this life we may continue to have struggles, if we have a right relationship with God through Yeshua, we have a wonderful eternal destiny to look forward to – a destiny that can never be taken away. Once we come to God through Yeshua we have the assurance of his love and presence forever. No matter how difficult life gets, there is nothing that can ever separate us from God and his love. Torah Bytes
Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) Family Parsha Beshalach 5765 There is nothing wrong with taking what we need, but taking more than we need just because we can, is called being greedy. When our ancestors left the slavery of Egypt and traveled through the desert toward the Land of Israel, God gave them a miraculous super-food called manna. This food came down from the sky, fresh each day, and could taste like whatever you wanted. One of the miracles of the manna was that no matter how much of it a person would go out and gather, when he got home, only exactly as much as he really needed - and not a drop more - would be there. This was to teach them, and us, that it doesn't pay to be greedy. In our story, a kid learns there's a difference between greed, and what you need.

"ALL YOU CAN EAT"

Jackie's plate was starting to resemble a mountain as she made her way through the line. "Maybe just a couple more of these egg rolls, and another scoop or two of that sweet-and-sour stuff..."She and her friend, Andrea, had gone out to celebrate acing their latest math test at the Great Wall of China, the all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant-buffet, and Jackie wanted to make sure she got her money's worth and her stomach's worth."Isn't this great, Andrea?" she asked, turning to her friend behind her on line. "Hey, what's the matter? Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, looking with surprise at her friend's half-empty plate."Of course I'm going to eat," smiled Andrea, "we're at a restaurant, aren't we?"Jackie stretched hard to reach several thick slices of fresh-cut pineapple. "But we're more than halfway through the line, and I can still see the bottom of your plate." "So what?" "In case you've forgotten, this is an all-you-can-eat buffet." As she spoke, she tried hard to find room on her plate for the dozen or so fortune cookies she had grabbed from the basket.Andrea shrugged. "Okay, so this is an all-you-can eat-buffet, and this," she said looking over her plate, "is just about all I can eat."Jackie wasn't sure if Andrea really didn't get it or she was only joking, but she was too busy filling up her plate to think about it that much.As they continued through the line, Jackie took more and more. At last she looked carefully at her packed plate and smiled with satisfaction, convinced that there wasn't enough room left on it for even another pea-pod."I think I'm just about ready to sit down. Come on Andrea, pile it up, we're almost at the end of the line."But her friend only placed a single tiny piece of pineapple on the corner of her plate, and said, "Okay - I took some desert, let's go sit down."The girls made their way back to their table through the crowded restaurant. Jackie had trouble balancing her plate, and almost lost an egg roll along the way when it began rolling like a runaway log down the side of her food mountain. One of the fortune cookies she had lined up around the edge of her plate prevented it from plopping down onto another diner's lap. She thought she noticed several people pointing at her plate and giggling, but figured they were just jealous over how she was taking advantage of the deal to the max.They sat down to eat and Jackie began to dig in full-steam. It didn't take long for Andrea finished her modest portion. "Hey that was really yummy, wasn't it?" "Yeah," said Jackie, "I'm feeling pretty full, but it was worth it." "Should we get going?" Andrea asked."What are you talking about?" Jackie said, waving her hands, "Let's go up and get some more!" "But you just said you're full. Why do you want to take more?" "Because we can, that's why." "So what? Does that mean I have to be greedy and take more even if I'm not hungry, just because I can?" Jackie rolled her eyes. "But if we don't take as much as possible, then we're not getting the most for our money!" "So what if we don't?" "Because if we don't," Jackie huffed in exasperation, "then we will lose out. Get it?" Andrea gave her a blank look. "Lose out on what?" Jackie was at a loss for words, but was sure she'd figure out what to say after a couple of more egg rolls. "Look, you do whatever you want. I'm going up to get some more." After a repeat performance on the buffet line, Jackie sat down to dig in. But after a few minutes she was moving things around her still crowded plate, with a frown on her face. "What's the matter?" asked Andrea. "I don't know. Nothing really tastes good any more. My egg rolls got soaked with pineapple juice, and there's sweet-and-sour sauce all over my cookies. Plus I'm really, stuffed." "So what's the problem, just stop eating." said Andrea simply. Jackie shook her head. "You don't get it. They don't let you take home a doggy bag here. If you don't eat it, you have to leave it here." "So what?" "So, I want to enjoy every drop I possibly can." Andrea shook her head and smiled. "Jackie, think about what you just said...'enjoy every drop.' From the look on your face it seems to me that you would enjoy nothing more than to stop eating." "I admit I'm more than full, but I want to get the best deal I possibly can." Andrea smiled, "That is, if you consider forcing yourself to eat food you don't like until your stomach bursts - a good deal." Jackie thought about it. Her friend had taken much less than she did but was having a much better time. Jackie had been sure she had been acting sensibly by trying to take as much as she could, but maybe she was really being greedy. Jackie put down her chopsticks, and pushed her plate away. "Doggy bag or no doggy bag, I'm finished." As they stood up to leave, Jackie opened one of her soggy fortune cookies, winked at Andrea and pretended to read; "Wise friend will advise, taking more than you really need-y is called being greedy!" Aish.com
Mission Updates:Matthew 5:3 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, Well It was a very good day at the Mission. We were packed. I had to run all over and pick people up and bring them in. Mom made Chile and it was served over Bow tie noodles with bread and butter. Everyone always goes all out to thank us of course and brag on Mom's food. They really enjoy getting out of the world for a little while, getting the peace and shalom of our Father. UPS brought us a box up from Florida. It had some jeans, shirts and a few men's coats in it. Please when you send things do not send to the Wichita Mission address please send to our Florence address, thank you. Out of the coats was a green army field jacket like the ones I saw online for $5 a pieceThese would be a great blessing. Women and men can wear this over their clothing large and extra large needed! Saints these would be a great help! we still have many without hats, gloves and coats. We have no blankets at the mission to give out. Since just the short move next door we have had more and more people come for help. Just like yesterday I had a woman about late 20's to early 30's come ask for deliverance from demons. She has been to some many churches she really is unsure of being saved. I did pray with her and asked her to come back on Friday as she showed up about the time I was just taking the people back. I can take 6 people at a time. So of just 30 people needs a ride that's 5 trips across Town... trips to take people or pick up can be 6 miles or more round trip so 6 trips twice a day is 6o miles plus the 120 round trip I make over there and back from Home..So you can see gas, oil, etc is always a great big need. I drive a 1988 dodge ram van. That is not a mini van. Now I need two tires thanks to yesterday's ice. While most of the ice storm melted over the weekend, the weather around Wichita refroze come Sunday night! By the time I went over On Tuesday it was real bad. On the side street behind the Wichita mission I slid right into a curb....cost me $15 and some change to get the spare fixed and now I need to have the rim made round again. Radio is doing well. I have been putting out cd's and I saw yesterday a little thing that imprints directly on the cd with no labels! 593812 Disc Imprinter CW-50 CD-R Title Printer. This would be a great help and make our CD's look more professional than the marker I have been using to label them. Spirit1 had sound problem over there. He is working to fix the problem. We donated a hard drive for just our programs. He needs one of these real badly You know Spirit1 has been donating radio and net time for us so pray about helping him out. It will also help us. Contact Pastor Bob at spirit1broadcasting@hotmail.com Saints make sure you tune into our broadcast as so many people email or call and say they are being blessed by the programs. This Sunday I have asked for David Eells to come back and talk more on faith I have some questions that need asked of him as I think many misunderstood part of what he is saying about not being prepared etc. yes we have to live by Faith. By Faith I believed the Lord when he led me to live a prepared life style. Example the recent cold Ice storm not electric. I put in a wood stove a few years back in preparedness for bad times. Then I found the gas went up and I could not no way afford a $300 or a month gas bill. So it saved me by Faith. last week when the power went out my family had plenty of food, a warm house, lights from lamps and candles, etc all because of what the Lord put on my heart. So this week I am asking him back and more than likely it will run from Sunday 6 PM Central PM through the Next program on Spirt1 The Valley Of Decision at 8 PM central the next Thursday.........Speaking of Which we have a program tomorrow night at that time. I am still waiting on the father for a guest or to tell me what he wants but tune in I am sure it will be edifying...Want to do a program with me? Email me and tell me your concept or idea and we will see! Pray about it.We need your support so please pray about it! let us all show Mercy and Love towards the poor! ell my daughter is calling me to eat, and my whole family eat's together...I will leave you with this from beliefnet.. /12/05 How to Have a Perfect PastorA recent survey has compiled all the qualities that people expect from the perfect pastor:Results of a computerized survey indicated that the perfect pastor preaches exactly 12 minutes. He frequently condemns sin but never upsets anyone.He works from 8 a.m. until midnight and is also a janitor. He makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives about $80 a week to the poor. He is 28 years of age, but he's been preaching for 30 years. He is wonderfully gentle and handsome. He gives himself completely but never gets too close to anyone to avoid criticism.He speaks boldly on social issues, but must never become polically involved. He has a burning desire to work with teenagers, but he spends all his time with senior citizens. He makes 15 daily calls to parish families, visits shut-ins and the hospitalized, spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is always in his office when needed. The LORD bless thee and keep thee;The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;The LORD 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 Kathy made five dozen egg-n-cheese sandwiches and we served several dozen donuts with coffee,ice tea,milk and ice water. I made spaghetti sauce and Kathy made the spaghetti heated the potatoes-n-greenbeans and made garlic toast. We were still packed when the children and I got there at 4:30. There was plenty of sauce left over so we saved it to use today served open faced on hoagie buns. We opened today because everywhere else was closed when Sarina arrived there were thirty people waiting to get in outta the cold.Friday I made burritos for our Sabbath dinner that was not ready till 7:15 because I had a friend stop by that I had'nt seen for 14 years. We tried to cram 14 years into 20 min. an that wasn't very easy to do. She will be coming now on Friday's to do some catching up she read about us in the paper. The Mission phone is in and is 96.00 , the electric and gas will be coming this week. The internet will also be coming it's 19.95. The storage ele was 69. something but it's been paid an the water bill was 43 which is up from what it use to be 15 at most. It's been paid but we think the guts in the toilet need replaced is why the bill almost tripled from what it was next door.The meat has not come in yet and I have not heard fro Brother Brent he may show up Friday, Grandma is doing a little better she got a new car but please keep her in prayer an stand with us for a complete healing.We need things to keep a body warm and personal items as well, everything you need we need for the people. Please pray about helping these works, be sure to log in to the radio programs go to the web site for times and station links Pastor Dan is on Sunday's morning and evening,Thursday evenings and Friday evenings. All the programs are Archived for you to listen to when you have time. Thanks to all of you who support these works we love you all stay warm and in HIS WORD more on the Mission next update: Shalom sisterlinda messiah's Branch
Last weeks Answer: Isaiah 25:1-10 1 O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 2 For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. 3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. 4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 5 Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low. 6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. 7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. 9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Find this Passage:Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

Shalom sisterlinda Messiah's Branch Mark 9:23,10:27

Prisonweekly Jan 15th 2005

Bo For the week of January 15, 2005 / 5 Shevat 5765 Torah: Shemot / Exodus 10:1 - 13:16 Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28 What Will it Take? "Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country." (Shemot / Exodus 11:10) The depth of Pharaoh’s unwillingness to comply with the will of God is astounding. You may think that it took ten plagues to twist his arm (or heart), to make him willing to let the people go. But it didn't. After they left, he and his army pursued them in order to bring them back (this part of the story is found in next week's reading). What it actually took to free the people was God's decisive act of placing a body of water between Israel and the Egyptians and drowning the Egyptian army. Pharaoh never really complied with God's demand at all. For Israel to be set free, God had to do it himself. While I have been writing this we are currently in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters of all time. I hesitate to comment on the tsunami that hit Asia recently. The great loss of so many people and a devastation that will be felt by the whole world for many years to come deserves careful reflection and understanding. From where I sit I don't feel adequate to address this. Yet this will not stop others saying and writing all sorts of things. Maybe some of their comments will be helpful. My guess is that most will not be. Since I have been writing TorahBytes over the last seven years, the world has experienced many disasters. I don't know if there have been more these past seven years than before, or if I am more aware of what's going on in the world. People, like myself, who are concerned for the moral and spiritual state of the world have tended to refer to disasters as wake up calls – warnings of the coming judgement of God. We have urged people to pay attention and make life adjustments before it's too late. But now thinking about Pharaoh, I realize that we don't change that easy. How many of us after experiencing warning signs in our lives, resolve to change our lifestyle, but never do so, or if we do, revert to our old habits after a short while. I know there are exceptions, but it is pretty clear that making significant changes do not happen very often. As we read the story of Pharaoh and the Israelites, we see that neither really had a desire for change. At one level the Israelites didn't really want to leave Egypt. The dramatic circumstances that resulted in their departure were as much for them as it was for the Egyptians. And even if they did want to leave, they couldn't. It took God's doing. Therefore whatever message we want to derive out of the difficulties of life we need to realize that in order for us to come into the kind of freedom we need, we too. need God's intervention. Whatever is oppressing us – internal or external forces, only God can set us free. If you have experienced this freedom, if you are someone who can relate to the Israelites finding themselves on the other side of the sea, have you ever given thought as to how you got to where you are? Do you realize that you have been set free – not by anything you yourself have done – but by the power of God? Are you aware that not only has salvation been made available to you by Yeshua's offering of himself and his defeat over death, but the actual faith that is now in your heart is a gift from God to you (see the New Covenant book of Ephesians 2:1-10)? Since God is the one who has freed you, then you are truly free. God has struck down every oppressive force in your life. Everything that kept you from being what God intended has been defeated. You have been cut off from your oppression. This is not to say that life automatically becomes easy. We may look at why we struggle with the things we do in the weeks ahead. On the other hand perhaps you have never experienced the freedom the Scriptures speak of. Thankfully you can. You can because God wants to free you. He has provided everything you will ever need to live life as you were meant to. There is no reason for you to stay in the oppressive state you are in. If you turn to God in the name of Yeshua the Messiah, he will set you free. Torah Bytes
Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16) Family Parsha Bo 5765 Who doesn't prefer for things to go the way we'd like them to? But when they don't and we stubbornly refuse to accept a reasonable compromise, we can really lose out. In this week's Torah portion, Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to listen to God and free the Jewish slaves. Even without the slaves he still would have been the most powerful king in the world. But rather than give in, he was willing to destroy himself and his whole empire. We can learn from here how destructive it can be to behave stubbornly over relatively small things. In our story, a boy discovers the price of being stubborn.
"MONKEY BUSINESS"
I'm the kind of guy who's used to having things go my way. My motto has always been "It's either my way or no way." But as I sat home all alone, bored as anything, I was starting to wonder if maybe there was another way. The day had started out great. My brothers and I were all excited about our annual family trip to the Safari Land Zoo. We got dressed in record time, packed the cooler full of good stuff, and were ready to go. But when my mom pulled up in the mini-van, we all began fighting over who would sit in the front seat. I called it first, but when I jumped in, my brother, Joe, was already sitting there! Mom explained that we both couldn't sit in the front - there was only one seatbelt - and she couldn't drive until we worked it out. She suggested since we both wanted it, we should compromise: one of us could sit there on the way to the zoo, and the other one on the way back. Joe went for the idea. After all, why shouldn't he? He was the one who stole my seat. "No way!" I said, folding my arms, "I called the seat first, and I should have it both ways. If I can't, I'm not going!"My mom and brothers tried to get me to change my mind. "What a shame it would be, Andy, if you missed out on a trip you've been waiting for all year," she said. Joe even offered to let me have the seat first. But I stuck to my guns. "It's either my way, or no way." When they realized they weren't going to get me to budge, my mom said, "Fine, you have made your decision," and drove off. I didn't care. I might have missed the zoo, but the important thing was that I made my point. I felt like a real hero for not giving in. I went into the house, sat down and called up a few friends. But for some reason no one was around. I guess the long weekend was a family trip time for a lot of the guys. I flipped on my favorite CD. But somehow I could hardly pay attention to the tunes. I kept thinking about the zoo and all the cool shows and exhibits there, that everyone - except me - would be seeing. I began to wonder if sitting in the front seat was really so important that it was worth missing the whole trip over. But I quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. I had made my point, and not given in, and that was worth it all. Wasn't it? The clock seemed to be moving at a snail's pace. I went from books to games, to anything else I could think of to pass the time. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they came back. Everyone looked like they had a great time. My brothers must have felt bad that I missed the trip so they tried to fill me in. I laughed at some of the funny stories they told about dancing bears, and an elephant that could stand on two feet. "But the funniest thing, Andy," Joe said, "was the monkey show. The man told us about the painless way they trap monkeys in the jungle. You see, they put out this box with a banana in it, and a hole just big enough for the monkey to stick his hand into. But once the monkey grabs the banana he can't get his hand out of the hole again. Now all he has to do is let go of the banana and he'd be free, but the monkey is so stubborn that he won't let go of that one little banana, even if it means he stays stuck in the trap and gets caught! Crazy, no?" Joe burst out with a laugh, and I did too until I stopped short and almost felt like crying instead. Hadn't I just done the same thing as that dumb monkey? Because I hadn't been willing 'let go' of that one little thing about having to have my own way about the seats, I had 'trapped' myself into missing out on the trip of the year. I think from now on I'm going to think twice about whether what I'm standing up for is worth it or not, and whether always insisting on having it "my way or no way" is acting like a hero, or just a stubborn monkey! Aish .com
Mission Updates:Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, We had a good week last week at the Mission. Many got fed and were happy to get in out of the cold. You see Kansas had an ice storm and it knocked power out all over. We had no power for about 20 hours. I need to get my generator going as we sure could have used it. I just need minor parts for it. We have a wood burner, candles, and k lamps. Also a btteryradio was helpful. The children just played board games or cards. Many are still without power! It was wake up call as to what we did not have ready. There is no reason in teh world not to have a heat sorce, a light source, a radio, extra blankets, water and a food source...It's ether have your home ready or go to a shelter.....My self I would rather just stay at home. By faith the Lord had us be ready. Wichita still has people without power and that hit last Tuesday! I have people coming and calling for coats, hats blankets and I have none...So saints pray about doanting some of these military coats. get the Large or x-large! They are ONLY $5 for a new coat but you have to buy three at a time. They have some great deals on other coat for $10 or so.. We need donations to the food acount and the general account badly. Bills are coming in now! We also need trip expense donations ( Gas, oil, need sapre tire, etc. ) Last week's programs are up you should go listen if have not. More tomorrow and mom's weekly will be up also.....Please pray about supporting this minsitry as we can use your help now....... We also are in need of food for food boxes! 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 Kathy made five dozen egg and cheese sandwiches that we served with chips and salsa, donuts, coffee, ice tea and ice water. We didn't have a packed house but we were still full without being crowded. Many were so happy to be able to come get outta the cold and fellowship together in the warm with hot coffee an something to eat. I fried salmon patties while Kathy made home made mac-n-cheese Velveeta type cheese , milk an butter. She also opened up green beans -n- blackeyed peas and Bootsie buttered up some hamburger buns for the bread-n-butter. It was really good we all snacked but held out for our family Sabbath dinner we started having at 6:45 before service. For our second Sabbath dinner we had mac-n-cheese chili dogs and corn chips. The bills will be coming in this week the gas bill was in the box at the mission but it was left so i'll get it Tuesday when Pastor Dan goes to feed. The meat order did'nt come an I'm not sure what the reason was both Dan and I were running errands when Pastor Brent came. I was so busy when I came back I'm not for sure what Sarina told me he said. I'm sure it will come either this Friday or next. We really need small things we can put into food boxes for those who do come in asking. What we like to give are soups, cereals, ramen noodles,tuna,things that can be a meal all in itself for a person. We need coats, blankets, gloves, hats, sweaters anything that can help keep a person warm. We also need large print bibles or money to buy them at Sam's 9.95 plus tax each.We Thank all those who support these works an we ask that you would all just pray about helping then do as our Father instructs you. There are so many who depend on Messiah's Branch either at the Mission , the newsletter, the news service on-line and the radio. The expense is paid through the Father in who He has used as His vessels and He has never failed to supply the needs in any of these works. We know He will support His work we just ask that you ask Him if your a vessel He chooses to use. More on the Mission next update Shalom sisterlinda Messiah's Branch
Last Weeks Answer: Proverbs 6:1-8 1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Find Ths Passage: O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low. And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
WorldNetDaily Disaster mystery No dead animals
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com As the human death toll from Sunday's earthquake and subsequent tsunami continues to skyrocket in Asia, a mystery is unfolding in Sri Lanka. Somehow, the animals survived the disaster. According to reports out of Colombo, Sri Lankan wildlife officials are said to bestunned. "The strange thing is we haven't recorded any dead animals," H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of the national Wildlife Department, told Reuters. "No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit." "I think animals can sense disaster," he added. "They have asixth sense. They know when things are happening." The sentiment was echoed by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, whose Jetwing Eco Holidays runs a hotel in the Yala National Park, thecountry's largest wildlife reserve where hundreds of wild elephants dwell along with some 130 other species. "This is very interesting. I am finding bodies of humans, but Ihave yet to see a dead animal,'' he told the Associated Press. Floodwaters reportedly rushed up to two miles inland at the park, where 41 human bodies have been recovered so far, including 13 foreigners, according to Lanka Business Online. Wildlife officers reportedly found a 13-year-old boy yesterday morning, the only survivor of the tsunami at the park. Wildlife Conservation Director General Dayananda Kariyawasam told the paper except for dead fish, no carcasses of animals have been found. The human death toll in Sri Lanka exceeds 21,000. Tsunami Animals: A Sixth Sense? Sunday, January 09, 2005
By Catherine Donaldson-Evans
By now, the stories of wild animals fleeing the deadly tsunami (search) before it struck Asia and Africa are near legendary.There’s even been talk that the animals possess a "sixth sense" that may have saved them from the huge waves spawned by the massive 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra (search) two weeks ago.Animal behavior experts and scientists say it’s probably overplaying it to suggest that creatures of the wild are psychic. But they do agree that animals can hear and feel things that humans can’t."I don’t think it’s a sixth sense — at least nothing we can measure at this point," said Diana Reiss, Ph.D., director of marine mammal research at the Wildlife Conservation Society, based at the Bronx Zoo (search) in New York City. "Animals have very refined senses. In many species, they have sensory abilities beyond ours."For years, scientists have been trying to determine whether those sensory abilities can someday be captured and used by humans — and their governments — for detecting natural disasters.Researchers in China have been studying the issue as early as the 1950s and have found that some animals, like snakes, can detect earthquakes in advance. Snakes were seen slithering out of their dens in the middle of winter hibernation, and other animals also seemed to sense quakes before they hit.And in Kenya, Africa, one of the longest-running projects studying elephants (including their keen senses), the Savanna Elephant Vocalization Project (search), has been going for 25 years."I don’t know that it’s something that can be quantified and repeatedly observed," said Ravi Corea, president and founder of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society. Corea is in the badly hit island nation helping the government in the ecological relief effort."The study of animals has really only been going on in the last 50 years. A lot has been learned in a short time, but it will take a couple of centuries to come to a point where we’re truly understanding what they’re saying."There have been stories in Sri Lanka and Thailand of elephants running for the hills up to an hour before the tsunami bore down on the coastal lands, wiping out entire villages and killing up to 150,000 people.In Sri Lanka’s second largest wildlife preserve, Yala National Park (search), people reportedly observed three elephants running away from the shore area to higher ground an hour before the tsunami hit, Corea said.There were other reports that elephants in Thailand carried tourists on their backs to safety before the coastal areas were inundated.Reiss and Corea said the explanation lies in the fact that the beasts have phenomenal hearing. They said elephants can both respond to and produce infrasound — sound at a lower frequency than human beings can hear. Other mammals with a similar capability include certain types of whales."It’s possible that geographic upheavals create low-frequency sounds that are not audible to us, but for an elephant … it absorbs the sound waves and can hear them," said Corea.Yala National Park, which had been home to at least 250 elephants, was particularly hard-hit by the tsunami. About 40 visitors were washed out to sea among the roughly 200 who died there, according to The Associated Press.Two of the elephants in the park had tracking collars, though Corea declined to comment on what, if anything, researchers have discovered in the data analysis.And elephants weren’t the only animals seen turning away from the shore before the tsunami hit. Birds, monkeys, dogs and other creatures were all reportedly acting differently on the morning of Dec. 26.Corea, a Sri Lankan who immigrated to the U.S. 20 years ago, said he has seen few animal carcasses in his surveys of the park, as well as in Colombo (search), Galle (search) and other places affected by the disaster. In Yala, there were only a couple of dead buffalo after the water receded."There have been no reports of elephant carcasses, deer, leopards, black bears, sloth bears," Corea said. He drove through towns like Galle, which are full of stray animals, and "didn’t see any dead cows or goats. … My colleague saw only one dead cat."Animals might be highly sensitive to their environments, but they also look to other animals for cues that there's danger coming, according to Corea.But some scientists have scoffed at the notion that animals have "super sense" and doubt they survived in the large numbers that others have suggested."It’s an urban legend," said Brooks Hanson, deputy managing editor for physical sciences at the journal Science."Different people feel earthquakes differently, so maybe animals could, too. But a tsunami? No way. … I have heard rumors that none of the animals were killed, but how do they know that? Did they take a census?"Reiss agreed that there could be other explanations for the vast absence of dead animals among the human casualties and ruin wrought by the tsunami."It’s conceivable that some of the animals were washed out to sea," she said. "Lots of animals died in the tsunami … goats, dogs, cats, etc."Still, Corea has heard several accounts of strange animal behavior in the minutes before the tsunami hit the region.He said a friend saw some bats — which are nocturnal and normally sleep upside-down during the day — very active about a half hour before the wave came. Another of Corea’s friends who lives in the hills told him his two Doberman Pinschers refused to go for their daily jog along the beach about 90 minutes before the tsunami. "They wouldn’t respond to his enticements," Corea said. "These are dogs that would normally be happy and bouncing and waiting for their run. That day they were totally disinterested." Corea also heard a story about visitors to the park who were trying to feed bananas to some monkeys when the tsunami came ashore — and the monkeys turned their noses up, literally. Bananas would be something normally that would make monkeys go bananas," he said. "These monkeys were totally disinterested, staring up in a confused mode as if they were reacting to something." If nothing else, perhaps these stories teach people that they’re best off watching the wild for cues. "It does show that there is some value in being more aware of what’s happening in nature," said Tom Dillon, director of endangered species at the World Wildlife Fund.Added Corea: "Wild animals survive by being always alert. That's what keeps them alive. Nature is very resilient. We shouldn't forget the fact that we are also part of nature."

Shalom sisterlinda Messiah's Branch Mark 9:23,10:27

Prisonweekly Torah Jan 8,2005

Va-Era For the week of January 8, 2005 / 27 Tevet 5765 Torah: Shemot / Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21 Obstacles to Freedom "You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites." (Shemot / Exodus 7:2-4) The role of Pharaoh in the story of the Exodus is crucial. It seems that not only was God intent on delivering Israel from oppression, he was also determined to display his power. It is not as if God has a need to show off; it is that people need to know who he is and what he can do. It was Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to let the people of Israel go that provided this opportunity. Some people think that Pharaoh had no choice but to play the part he did. They think that God caused Pharaoh to be stubborn. The Torah certainly gives that impression. Out of the 16 references to Pharaoh's hard heart, ten refer to God making it so. Of the other references four simply describe his heart as hard, while two say that Pharaoh himself hardened his heart. I think spending a lot of time struggling over how much control God has over people, misses the point. What we have in Pharaoh is an illustration of a heart that is turned from God. I think we would do well to take a look at the things that entrapped Pharaoh’s heart and mind. While these things may be secondary causes – the things that God used to harden his heart – taking note of them will help us avoid them and their hardening effect. The first is fear. The original motive for enslaving the people of Israel was the fear that they would one day side against Egypt by aligning themselves with Egypt's enemies. Fear breeds nothing good. Fear causes us to act in an unloving and irrational manner, by blinding us to the truth and creating a culture of unreality. Fear often leads to violence and destructive behavior. The second thing is an unhealthy focus on the economy . For Pharaoh to comply with God's demands would mean economic disaster due to the losing of Egypt's vast cheap labor force. When we focus on economic matters instead of God, we will be controlled by them. Yeshua said that there was no way to serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). No matter how hard we try, we will never prove him wrong on this point. It can't be done. The third thing is pride. To let the people go would mean to give in to God's demands. Pharaoh was king. As far as he was concerned no one tells him what to do. His pride in his place and position prevented him from seeing how wrong he was to the point that he would rather see his country destroyed than to accept that God was greater than he. Fear, money, and pride. While these are not the only things in life that keep us from knowing and following God the way we should, they are certainly three of the most significant. It seems to me that most of us struggle with these things, but just because they are common to our existence as humans doesn't mean that we have to put up with them. For us to live in the freedom we so desperately need, we must allow God to confront things like these in our lives. To resist is to remain in bondage. Pharaoh didn't know that he was in a greater bondage than the people whom he had enslaved. As for the people, it would take some time before they would come to realize that they too possessed within themselves the very same things that enslaved Pharaoh. Their freedom from Egypt was just the beginning of what God wanted to accomplish in their lives. Torah Bytes
Va'eira (Exodus 6:2-9:35) Family Parsha Va'eira 5765 Although we can't see it or touch it, our word is one of the most important things we possess. Keeping our word means doing what we say, and not going back on promises that we make. When we keep our word we are being considerate of others, and building ourselves into better people. Unlike the wicked Pharaoh, who in this week's Torah portion keeps promising Moses he will free the Jewish slaves then goes back on his word, we should always try to take our words and our 'word' seriously. In our story, a kid goes shopping and comes back with a new understanding of the power of a promise. "FEET FIRST" Wendy and Janet walked quickly down the wide walkways of the Main Street Mall. Normally they would have taken their sweet time and done some serious window shopping along the way. But this time they had only one thing on their minds: shoes. They couldn't wait to get to 'The Shoe Tree' shoe store that had advertised its once-a-year, super blowout sale. Wendy couldn't wait to stock up on dress shoes, casuals and boots, all at a fraction of their usual cost. The only damper on Wendy's excitement was the uncomfortable cell phone conversation she had just finished with her friend, Sarah, on the bus ride there. Since they got word about the big sale, Sarah had asked Wendy to let her know if and when she was going so they could go together. Wendy had said that she would, but somehow when she was getting ready to go, she just didn't feel like taking the time to call Sarah and make all the arrangements. Now Sarah had called Wendy at home, and when her mom told her that she had gone off to the shoe sale, Sarah called Wendy on her cell phone to say how hurt and upset she was. "I think Sarah's overreacting in getting so upset that I didn't call her, don't you?" Wendy expected Janet to readily agree, but the girl merely frowned and kept her silence. "Janet, come on, answer me, you have to admit it wasn't such a big deal. After all, people say and promise things all the time and nobody really expects you to do everything you say you will, right?" More silence. "I'm sorry, Wendy," Janet finally said as they walked on, "but I just can't agree. You gave Sarah your word to invite her along, so I can understand why she was so hurt when she found out you went without her. We even learned in school this week how Pharaoh kept promising Moses he would let the people go, and then not doing it." "Are you calling me a Pharaoh?" asked Wendy, feeling a bit put off and on the defensive. "No, not at all; I'm just saying that a person's word is a big deal, that's all." Wendy really didn't understand what was so bad about not doing everything you said you would, and was about to say so, when the sight of the Shoe Tree in the distance grabbed both girls' attention like a laser beam. "Okay we can argue later, but now it's time to shop!" cried out Wendy excitedly. Almost breaking into a sprint, the two of them got to the door, but to their shock and disappointment it was locked! Wendy tugged at the door in frustration, and groaned when she read the sign, 'CLOSED FOR INVENTORY UNTIL 6:00 P.M.' "I can't believe this!" she said. "Well, we might as well head home." shrugged Janet. "We can't sit around four hours waiting for a store to open." But Wendy wouldn't budge. "This is so unfair!" she cried. "I mean how can they say in the ad they are open all day, and then just close down like that? It's false advertising, it's, it's..." "It's like making a promise and not keeping it?" Janet said. "That's right!" Wendy blurted. Then she put her hand up to her mouth, as she realized what her friend was getting at. She was getting upset because the store had done to her just what she had done to Sarah. Maybe it really was a bigger deal to stick to your word than she thought. "Janet, I have to hand it to you, I'm going to leave here without any new shoes on my feet, but certainly with my foot in my mouth. I'm going to call Sarah right now and apologize, and from now on really try to stick to my word." Aish.com
Misson Updates:Mark 12:28 KJV
28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29And Yeshua answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, Well we do have this months bills paid as we are in the first week of the new year. Praise the Lord. But we are in bad need of men's clothing. At Sabbath about 10 PM I had a man come in very dirty looking for a change of clothing and a coat. We on had a couple of t-shirts he took with him. He was dressed in some very dirt sweat pants. My heart was broke but I had nothing for him. He even slipped out the door and was gone before I could talk further with him. I am holding him up in prayer. The Word of our Lord tells us to love our neighbors as oursleves...so whom is your neighbor? From Strongs...... 4139 plesion { play-see’-on} neuter of a derivative of pelas (near); TDNT - 6:311, 872; advAV - neighbour 16, near 1; 17GK - 4446 { plhsivon }1) a neighbour1a) a friend 1b) any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew race and commonwealth 1c) according to Christ, any other man irrespective of race or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet So are we treating those we meet with the Love of Messiah? Pray about it. So yes as this season starts we need clothing, coats. hats. gloves, blankets, razor's, cold medacations, Tylenol, you get the picture we are in need of most everything. Yes Mom Ordered some food but we still need money badly in the food account. After the Newsletter goes out and I buy gas we will be basicly drained. So much hardship as we see the victims of the Roaring waves in the ring of fire! But why is this nation so blind to those just down the road or even in some case right out side their doors? This is not the Love of Messiah to ignore those close to us. We need to start efforts at home first then the nations secound. Yes it's a great thing to help those poor people but do not our own deserve the help also? I am setting up a computer at the Mission. I greatly need a CD burner and a decent moniter for it. The CD burner will help me fill orders I get for CD's as I have a needs minister willing to make them for me. I am sending out CD's but I could get more out if I could do this faster. This would help the minitery as thsoe whom get CD"s in turn help the mission. I also need a scanner for it that is not ancient! Printer I think I have that covered, when I can buy ink to set it up. It's an HP ... Moniter wise at home I am still using a 15 inch moniter that if you bumb it it goes out....Sometime soon this needs replaced. Friday at the Mission I got a couple of calls of saying just how thankful they were that we had the radio programs. I know the key to getting more help with the mission is getting more CD's of the radio programs out to people I already have on my mailing list. So hold us up in prayer saints, the needs are great! Gas is a big need right now, then the food acount, Of course we need Large print Bibles...we canget these at $10 a Bible at Sams...... The LORD bless thee and keep thee;The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;The LORD 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 Kathy made seven dozen sandwiches an we sereved several dozen donuts. The milk people came with lots of chocolate, straberry an white milks. They also brought in snack plates filled with beef sausage, crackers, cookies, pretzels and nuts.Sarina made two turkeys,three pumpkin pies,an a strawberry cake. Milo brought in an apple and a pumpkin pie. I made diced boiled potatoes, dressing and greenbeans plus I baked a turkey for our first family Sabbath dinner we had at 6:45.It is our goal this coming year for the Messiah's Branch family to sit down together before our service and have dinner together. Friday we also celebrated Sarina's birthday.All the bills have been paid and the newsletter will be mailed this Wednesday. I was able to order food from New life and it was delivered Friday. I placed an order for meat from Tyson of 400 pounds and it will be delivered within the next few weeks.We are in need of everything as the new year begins, we need Blankets, coats, stocking hats, gloves, sweaters, flanels, anything that will help a person stay warm. Thank you all who support these works all we ask is that you pray about helping then do as the Father leads. We can not do any of these works without you support. As always the accounts are low and the need for gas is present. Please just pray about becoming a part of this ministry an it's many outreaches. The new radio program "The Vally of Decision" did it's first program Thursday the 30th, be sure to follow Pastor Dan's updates for details about both Radio programs.Shalom in Messiah more on the Mission next update:
Last Weeks Answer: Isaiah 9:8-17 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, 10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. 11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; 12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. 14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. 15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17 Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Find This Passage: My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest

Shalom sisterlinda Messiah's Branch Mark 9:23,10:27