Shabbat Reflection 6/52

It never ceases to amaze me that when I actually have a “Shabbat Reflection” written or at least know what I want to write that God changes it!

I had been studying this week about “leaven” and how Jesus used it in a positive manner of teaching--as well as a negative. However, as I was studying the Bible I got reading in Matthew, where Jesus gives the Parable of the House built on a firm foundation and one on sand.

Have you ever really studied that question in light of Jesus’ other teachings? Just prior to telling this story, Jesus tells us that He had not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill, complete it (Matthew 5:17). Then He tells His disciples that you can’t judge others, and about the fruit in others lives.

So let me tell you how God spoke to me through Matthew 7:21-27. I love how “The Message” paraphrases this scripture:

21-23 "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

24-25 "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

26-27 "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

Basically what Jesus is saying here is that “Yeah, you can know the right things to say, and you can know the right way to walk, but if you aren’t doing these things...what good are you doing?”

So what is the firm foundation? Personally I have found it in obedience to God’s word as exemplified by Jesus. He not only fulfilled the Torah, but He also FOLLOWED the Torah. Not only was Jesus loved by people He UNCONDITIONALLY loved others. He didn’t condemn their beliefs, He didn’t give them a rock upon which to stumble. Rather He liberated them!

I have chosen to follow Torah, but not because I believe it will lead to salvation (I am already a Child of God through my acceptance of Jesus Christ) rather I follow the Torah, because it provides me protection in my life.

According to Ariel and D’vorah Berkowitz in their book Torah Rediscovered “The mishpatim, mitzvot, chukim, and torot function as a protective border for the people of God.” Also pointed out is that the “Torah tells us the truth and describes the difference between holy and unholy, between clean and unclean, between life and death, it is, therefore, a protection for us and a written revelation of the grace of God. Every man, woman, or child who chooses not to live within the teachings of God, which produce life, is consigned to a place outside of the blessing and protection that these teachings establish. (Remember Deuteronomy 30:19-20.)”

Okay so following the Torah produces a firm foundation in our lives. Then when we get saved, we have a foundation on which to build, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t take care of that foundation. Do we not take care of the foundations that our homes are built on? Then we must take care of the foundation that our faith is built upon. We do this through study of both the Tanakh and the Brit Hadasah (Old and New Testaments).

I know what you all are thinking, didn’t Paul tell the Galatians that law and grace cannot co-exist? Yes, however, he was talking about the legalistic form of Torah observance. During this time gentile believers were being faced with the demand the "Judaizers", those Jewish Believers from Jerusalem who wish to compel the Gentile converts to Christianity to follow the Law of Moses as they do.

Paul told them, in Galatians 5:1-6:

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.

I, myself, do not see anywhere that Paul tells them NOT to follow the Torah, rather he’s telling them aside from Christ there is no means of salvation. Your obedience, no matter how great, can ever save you from certain death--however there is a way to be saved. That is through belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul in Colossians 2:16-23:

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increasing with the increase of God. If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, "Handle not, nor taste, nor touch,"

(all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

We are told here that NO MAN can judge us because we choose to respect a certain feast day or a Sabbath, because the BODY belongs to Christ. And we are also told that no man can rob us of a prize for our voluntary humility in obedience to Christ’s word.

So no more will I let someone’s unjust reasoning about my obedience to what God has placed in my heart bother me, no longer will I let someone say “Rachel, you only have the letter of the law...you need more (which translate, you don’t have the Spirit of God in your life) hinder me from obedience to what God has placed in my heart.

I will continue to take care of my FIRM FOUNDATION through obedience of God’s word...all of it, not just what I pick and choose, and through the following of the example of Jesus Christ.

I encourage all of you to do the same!

Shabbat 5/52 - Yes, NASCAR did mock God and Prayer

I really wanted to write about this weeks Torah Portion and Parsha, however, I am feeling led to write about the invocation at yesterday's NASCAR race. If you haven't heard it or seen it, I will provide a website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J74y88YuSJ8

Below are my three Comments that really matter on the subject:

1) For those who think this is "Funny" and are hating on us for thinking it's inappropriate...Not once did he pray for our service men and women, not once was he serious about his prayer. It was a mockery of our faith. If he was mocking Islam, don't think the Muslims in this country wouldn't flip out.

Personally I think God does have a sense of humor, I bet He laughs every time a Christian picks up a "self-help" book, in a Christian store no less, I am sure He laughs when I think my plans are going to work out and He changes them. But God does NOT laugh at MOCKERY of anyone's faith. I believe in Galatians 6:7 reminds us that God won't be MOCKED.

Every Christian who truly is would be offended at the way this man thinks this is funny. It's not, it's a mockery of Christian belief.

So if you think I am closed-minded, that's fine. At least I know my brain is tucked up in my head working properly, and don't have to worry about it falling out!

2) Where in that prayer did our troops get honored? Where in that prayer did our flag and those who have died for our faith and flag get honored? Where in that prayer did God get glorified? Other than his "smokin' hot wife" and the things that keep those drivers safe, he wasn't thankful, he was mocking prayer.

Don't get me wrong, yes, I am glad that NASCAR still allows prayer, it's because it's a SOUTHERN sport and evidently we still believe in God in the South. And many of you are right stating that it's relationship over religion, I feel very much the same way, however my way of approaching the Throne of God calls for reverence and humbleness...two qualities that I did NOT see in this prayer, which is why I deem inappropriate. Remember that we are all of different faiths, some Christians, some not--and we all have opinions, just like we all have arm pits and sometimes they stink, but as Christians we are called to Stand up for our faith and that is what those who found this inappropriate are doing, just as those who think it was appropriate.

If 99.9% of you actually knew me, you'd know I am the first person to crack a joke and take things very LIGHTHEARTEDLY, but that doesn't mean that I think mocking prayer (whether ripped off for a movie or not) is appropriate.

Everyone who comments on this is getting in a huff for no reason other than attacking each other--WCNC asked for our opinions and that is what this is...

3) I am tired of every comment about yesterday's NASCAR prayer that says "At least they allowed prayer..." Either you call it for what it was "A MOCKERY" or don't...stop being so LUKEWARM about this subject!

Logos Bible Software Scholarship!

Hey all! Going to Seminary is expensive! On top of that, finding a scholarship can be really difficult. That's why I was so excited to find www.seminaryscholarship.com today. Not only are they giving away a $1000.00 scholarship and digital theological library, all I had to do to apply was watch a short video and answer a few questions! It took less than 15 minutes.

What is best of all is that if you are in seminary and apply for the scholarship..and put my name as the person who referred you (Rachel Anders), if you win, SO DO I! We both get a $1,000.00 scholarship and digital theological library! So, so us both a favor and go apply for the Seminary Scholarship!

The Star and The Cross

If you know me, then you've probably seen this symbol, a Star of David superimposed with a roman cross, hanging around my neck. And if you are a Christian friend of mine, you've probably asked me "Why do you wear Jewish symbols?" Further more, you've heard my answer..."If it weren't for the Jews, then we Gentiles wouldn't have a Savior." If this symbol has worried you about my beliefs, you've probably asked me "Why and did I know that Jesus was the only way to heaven?" To reassure you I did, I said "Yes." To your dismay, I have continued to wear my "Messianic Star of David."

So I need to know, why does this symbol bother "Christians" so much? For me, it symbolizes how interwined our faith actually is with that of the Jewish faith. What does it symbolize to you? Instead of asking me in the name of "concern for my understanding of truth or salvation" why don't you tell me why you are so upset by the true understanding of 1st Century, Bibilcal Faith?

Personally this symbol, shows my understanding that if it were not for the Jews rejecting Jesus as their Messiah, then I may not have the opportunity to know Jesus as my savior. I can't prove this stance, but I can however, state that rejection turned salvation my way and for that I am grateful. Also I wear this "Symbol" because it shows others that I recognize that my religion and faith is based in both "testaments" of the Bible. And lastly, I wear this symbol because my Savior is a Jew.

So tell me, what about this symbol makes you feel so uncomfortable?

Reflections on Shabbat 3/52

This past Shabbat rest, I spent my time thinking about Jesus as a Jewish Theologian. Mainly because my friend Nehemia gave me a book by that title and because I have decided that I want to understand more of the “history”

of my religion, and to develop my own “Theology” as I was once told to do.

This week my studies took me in to the drama of Messiah (Jesus/Yeshua) life. The main study is about his baptism. As we know John, called the Baptist, (though not the founder of the Baptist church) came before Jesus to proclaim the coming Messiah; to show people before Christ came how they were to live. Before baptizing people, he commanded Jews to exercise virtue, both in the set of righteousness towards each other and piety towards God. (Whiston 1998) Then they could come for baptism. Even today this is our way of doing things. We ask God to save us, to purify our lives and to make us righteous, and then we go for baptism.

So the book explores why Jesus, Son of God, yet Son of Man had to be baptized? Is it because He was a sinner? No. Jesus, himself never knew sin. However, the modern Christian church teaches that he was giving “Christians”

an example of how we are to live. This is only half true. Since Jesus never knew sin, he didn’t have to exercise virtue or turn from his “past.” The people that John had baptized prior to Jesus are our example on how we are to turn from

our ways and receive Grace. Dr. Brad Young says in his book, Jesus: The Jewish Theologian, Jesus went for baptism so that he is “identified with all humanity”; Young goes on to say that “At baptism Jesus didn’t become a child of God, rather God PRESENTED Him for the entire world to see.” (Young 1995)

So I want to move on from this very important point. God presented Jesus. We often think, “Well didn’t God present Jesus at His birth?” To this I would have once said “yes!” but today I have to say that I now know that while

he was presented to the world, it wasn’t until His ministry was ready to start that He was truly presented.

At the time of Jesus’ baptism I believe that He was submitting to the Will of the Father. So it is when we too are baptized. Many Christian churches teach that “When we are immersed in the water the old man is dying and we

are raised with Christ.” That to me is a feel-good explanation. The reason I believe this is that when we are saved, we receive Christ into our lives, we are immediately changed. The old man dies; we are immediately changed into the “New Creation/Creature.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 states “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (NIV). So regardless of our “baptized” state, we are new and united with Christ. Our

baptism is our “Presentation” to the body of believers and it is truly during our baptism that we are submitting ourselves to the Will of the Father.

Bibliography

Whiston, William. "Josephus: The Complete Works." In Antiquities of the Jews, by Josephus, 581. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1998.

Young, Dr. Brad. Jesus: The Jewish Theologian. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.

*Note to reader: Recently I challenged my friends to seek a “Shabbat Rest.” The writings here, are my observances and things that I am studying and learning during my “time of rest.” The views held here are my own observances and opinions. If you disagree, you are free to comment on this or any notes. I welcome your own observances in that we may learn and grow in faith together.

RA

Short Note/Explaination on Mitzvah/Torah according to Examples of Jesus

This is just a short "update" on my "The Word of the Law" note--I've had a few emails telling me I am wrong about Torah Observance and Grace...many think they can't go hand in hand. So let me elborate on Matthew 5:17-20.

The Message reads: 17-18"Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures— either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.

19-20"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

The KJV reads:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled, 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The English Standard Version reads:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you(I) will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

So according to many study notes that I have read and these that I am going to post are the ONES I AGREE with. To fully understand these verses one must make note that there were THREE categories of law: Ceremonial, Civil and Moral.

1) Ceremonial Law: These relate specifically to Israel's Worship. (See Leviticus 1:2, 3 for an example). Its primary purpose was to point forward to Christ; these laws, therefore, were no longer necessary after Jesus' Death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principles behind them--to worship and love a Holy God--Still apply. Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of violating ceremonial law.

2) Civil Law: These applied to daily living in ISrael (See Deuteronomy 24:10, 11 for example). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct. Jesus demonstrated these principles by example.

3) Moral Law: (Such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God, and it require strict obedience (see Exodus 20:13 for example). The Moral Law reveals the nature and will of God and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the Moral Law completely.

I realize that several people will not agree with me on this, and that is alright, to each their own. However, I believe that if we as Christians start to really look at our lives and begin to live life with GRACE and OBEDIENCE then our lives will truly shine forth the LIGHT of God.

*Explanations taken from "Life Application Bible: NIV"

Deeper? Yeah, we can go there!

et’s talk about our relationship with God. Do you ever feel as if you are walking through a dry desert? You know the place, you are walking and walking, the heat is getting next to you, you are dirty, sweaty, don’t know where your next meal is coming from. All you can focus on is the “heat wave” that you can see in front of you, then within that heat wave, you see a mirage--an oasis, with water, and shade, you take off running; thinking “This is it! I’ve made it!” only to get ready to dive next to the water and drink and only pulling up more sand--you heart sinks. You rollover and think “Why me?”

Maybe this is a visual of your relationship with God. So you are thinking how can I have changed things? Is it possible to change this? Before you loose heart, yes, you can change things.

Like our earthly relationships, we must dig deeper in our relationship with God. So I know you are asking “How?” I mean it’s true we can walk the walk, talk the talk, but are you really connecting with God?

According to Crosswalk.org there are several steps to help you dig deeper roots in your relationship with Christ.

1-Look beyond what you can see to a deeper reality. We have to look beyond the current circumstances of our lives and see how God can use and will use those to make life better for us and to His glory. Then we must be passionate about them.

2-Define who you are accurately. How you define yourself, is how you will grow. If you define yourself as a certain thing, then you will go in that direction. Don’t define yourself by what others think of you, or by negative descriptions. Define yourself as God sees you.

3-Come out of hiding. God knows everything about you. He knows your sins and weaknesses. So don’t withhold yourself, instead let God use those things in your life as your strengths.

4-Focus on who you are rather than what you do. Don’t focus on the roles in your life (husband, wife, friend, volunteer, etc.) yes, they are important, but they don’t define you! God’s love for you and your love for Him define who you are.

5-Immerse yourself in Scripture. Don’t take at face value what the preacher says on Sunday. Every day, you need to make time to study, read, and meditate on God’s word. This is prevalent in Jewish society. It is an HONOR to sit in a Synagogue or a Yeshiva and study God’s word. Sometimes they study only one or two verses at a time, to get the full meaning that God has for them.

6-Learn from your History. Reflect on the important events of your life so far. Reflect on what God has taught you and how He walked you through them. Then pray and think about how God wants you to apply the lessons so far.

7-Trust in God’s Protection. This is the best type of protection. Take America’s history. We were the minority in soldiers during our Revolutionary War, but with God, we became the majority. God will guide you and walk with you every step of the way. And when the adversary decides to try to harm you, God will protect you. If you fear anything it will block you from a deeper relationship with God.

8-Trust God’s Plans. God created us all and he has a plan for each of us. All we have to do is believe in it and trust that God is in control. Nothing in our lives happens by chance! It’s been preordained!

9-Replace unhealthy thoughts with healthy ones. When negative thoughts enter our lives, replace it with one that is positive and reflective of God’s love for us!

10-Choose a new direction. Even though we can’t control what happens to us, we can change our attitudes and the way it affects us. Make sure that God is in your attitude and the direction your life takes!

11-Depend on the Holy Spirit. Instead of relying on your own limited strength, you need to rely on the Holy Spirit and God living in your life. Pray daily that the Holy Spirit will guide you and fill your spirit in a way that is pleasing to God.

12-Become an everyday vessel. Everyday of our lives is a gift from God. And most of the time God didn’t use the “special” but rather the mundane, ordinary and frankly the boring people to show His goodness! At the wedding in Cana, Jesus turned ordinary water, plain old H2o and turned it into the best wine. There was nothing special about the water, there was nothing different about the vessels that the water came in. Rather the difference was the “Creator” or Vintner in this case. So if God can take ordinary water and turn it into the BEST wine--what MORE can He do for you?

*the points were adapted by Crosswalk from Debbie Alsdorf’s Deeper: Living in the Reality of God’s love. Available from www.christianbook.com

All elaborations are the understandings of the “Note Author”

Random Acts of God

Ya know, God works in AMAZING ways! Truly He does. Recently I had been attending the local Synagogue, and was hurt by a guy stating that "Christians should be held accountable for the Holocaust!" However, the Rabbi told him that "Rachel is a Christian and look where she is tonight..." I got an apology. But that isn't the amazing thing...you see this opened my eyes to understanding that the TRUE roots of Christianity are found in Judaism. Yes, the roots of the Christian faith are Hebraic and to understand them is to understand Biblical Christianity.

Recently God felt it good to return a friend to my life that I hadn't really been close to in about 3-5 years and BOY did I miss him! Even though we were close, I'd send emails, write letters and tell him what was going on in my life--he was the first to hear that my grandfather had passed--outside my family and church family.

Earlier this year, as I began to really understand the Hebraic roots of my faith, I got back in touch with my friend (Nehemia). I shared what was going on, he shared where he was in his life and we are back to being BEST FRIENDS!

But you see if God hadn't returned Nehemia back to my life, I wouldn't have the support that I have in researching my faith, learning Hebrew and finally coming to understand the things that I know God is revealing to me daily.

So when you think your life isn't what you want it to be, more than likely it isn't, however, it is what God wants it to be--because if it weren't for your present situation, God's probably not implementing you fully into his plan!

The Word of the Law? Well At Least I am in Good Company! Shabbat 2

Recently I was met with the idiom “The Word of the Law.” But why you may be asking...well because I asked a Rabbi to help me with my Hebrew. Wonder what I would have been met with had I asked a Greek Orthodox Priest to help me with my Greek?

So what does it mean when someone says “all you have is the word of the law...” It means you don’t have Jesus (Yeshua) and you don’t have the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). However, literally “The word of the law” means that the law is interpreted in an absolutely literal way which goes against the ideas that the lawmakers had wished to implement.

So lets think about this in a Biblical way--Jesus was a Torah Observant Jew, so was Paul--even after he became a ‘Follower” of Christ. However, in the 1st century AD “Ignatius of Antioch, the early Church authority, encountered Messianic Jews who continued to be Torah-Observant (Shomar Mitzvah). He didn’t regard their observance as positive, but rather wrote “We have seen how former adherents of the ancient customs have since attained to a new hope, so that they have give up keeping the Sabbath [on Saturday], and now order their lives by the “Lord’s Day” instead [Sunday].” (Freidman, 2001, p. 101) What is interesting is that Jews in the New Testament aren’t regarded as not being Jewish considering their belief in Jesus as Messiah, they are considered just as Jewish as non-believing Jews.

Christians seem to have fallen for Ignatius’ thought process that one can’t be Torah Observant and saved by grace at the same time. This belief simply isn’t true! I have many friends who are Jewish, Torah-Observant and believers in Messiah Jesus.

So if “Word of the Law” is all I have, if all I have is an absolutely literal interpretation of the LAW, which is GOD’S LAW, then I must be in good company, because the early church held the same beliefs.

52 Shabbat Challenge

Okay, so I have told you all that I have a challenge for you all. This challenge came to me after I was caught writing in a synagogue on Shabbat. Not realizing that writing or taking notes on the "sermon" was "forbidden", I continued to write down my ideas or understanding of the service.

My challenge is to do a 52 Sabbath challenge. For those who are not familiar with a Jewish Shabbat, here is a basic understanding: "it is a precious gift from God, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits." (Judaism 101) One day of complete rest--instead of being online, you can spend time studying the Bible; instead of TV go to a museum or spend time with your family; instead of writing or studying for school or work, take time to read a book.

This challenge came along because I was told by a Rabbi “We don’t use writing utensils on Sabbath...” not understanding why I couldn’t write or do work on a Saturday I just refrained from working. Then I spent some time learning the “why” behind the “we don’t...” This challenge relaxed me. I spent one Saturday reading, studying the Bible, prayer and learning more about my own faith--especially as it pertains to being rooted in the Jewish faith. This also allowed for me to be able to realize my own need for more study time and more understanding of the scriptures to better my relationship with Christ.

Most Christians that read this will argue that it’s “Letter of the law” or “legalistic”, but my argument is this: “How have you been able to focus on your relationship with God lately, when you are constantly bombarded with work and worry?” By taking this conscious rest, you are reminding yourself to take time to focus on your relationship with God. I can honestly say that had the Rabbi not came to me and told me that I may offend someone by “working” I would never have discovered the joys of a Sabbath rest.

My challenge does NOT take place of daily worship, study or prayer, nor am I advocating that it take place so that you can neglect your regular church worship or fellowship. To recommend such a thing I would be in violation of my own personal beliefs--and a command given to us in Hebrews--to NOT neglect the gathering in a fellowship with Christians.

My challenge does not include any legalistic forms of following the mitzvoth or “the law” outside of the “no work, rest” ruling. Even that isn’t legalistic, it’s given to us through God’s commandment to “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” To keep something holy means to “set aside” for the glory of God. We are considered holy through our salvation in Jesus Christ, provided we have accepted it, this means that we are set aside to do the work of God.

So if you are willing to do this challenge, let me know--this way we can encourage one another, maybe you will do a Saturday evening to Sunday evening rest, this way you can incorporate it in your own worship experience--the day doesn’t matter to me, just that we as Christians begin to take our faith more seriously and that we use every opportunity we have to advance our own learning, beliefs, personal theology and understanding.

During this journey I will be making comments on what I learn and how it has and begins to affect my life. I can already tell you that my first Shabbat rest allowed me to realize that I needed to take this time with God so that I can improve upon my own spiritual experience. Will you join me?

For more information on "Shabbat": check out: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/shabbat.html

I will be also publishing a newsletter called "SHABBAT" so if you are interested in the journey, let me know, I will hopefully be able to email them out...so I will need emails from anyone wanting to join me on this journey.

Also, I will be posting this journey on facebook.com/rachel.anders79 (under Notes) :) Rachel

Albums for Joplin spread awareness and hope!

I can't honestly say that I don't know someone in Joplin, Missouri, I do. Two people matter of fact...I am a lucky one...the two people that I know made it through the tornado on May 22, 2011 without incident from what I have been told. However, there are thousands of people who didn't get to be so lucky. People have lost their homes, businesses, family and friends. Buildings and businesses can be rebuilt, lives lost can't be replaced. But if you are like me, you are probably saying...what can I do?

I know of two CDs that you can download for free, I have both albums. The album "Songs for #Joplin" started as an idea to help a tragedy-stricken town and quickly became a charity that people were talking about. With acts like Derek Webb, Waterdeep, Sara Swenson and Oil Boom this charity album gained social media attention from all over the country… before it was released. With your help, Songs for #Joplin can be a success and a major blessing to Joplin, MO. Background on "Hope...for Joplin": On Sunday, May 22, 2011, the worst tornado in recorded American history destroyed the town of Joplin, MO, claiming the lives of untold numbers of innocent victims. In the following days, a group of musicians, united in compassion, came together to create an album of HOPE for the people of Joplin. Their music is simply the means to an end; the end of the suffering of the people of Joplin. This is a way to provide HOPE in a seemingly hopeless situation. To show mercy and provide justice in a place that needs it most. By downloading this album and donating money for it, you are helping rebuild Joplin. 100% of the proceeds from this album go to the Salvation Army and the rebuilding of Joplin, MO. So whether you can give $1, or $100, know that you are making a difference in the lives of others.

Check out both links and please do what you can to bless the people of Joplin, not only with your money, but also with your prayers and if you haven't planned a vacation, maybe you and your family can go out and help them clean up so that we can rebuild Joplin.

http://noisetrade.com/hopeforjoplin

http://noisetrade.com/songsforjoplin

To my friends and even those I don't know in Joplin, We love and are praying daily for you all! God bless you!

(Information taken from noisetrade.com)

Spiritual Quandaries? Yeah, we all have them!

What exactly sends us into quandaries of faith? What makes us question those things that we have learned our whole lives as being 100 percent correct to “well what if...” Influence has a lot to do with it--influence of our friends, family and community.

So if influence throws us into spiritual tailspins, we also know that it is through influence that we can find out way out of them. However, Spiritual Direction is "a conversation in which a person seeks to answer the question, ‘What is spiritual growth and how do I foster it in my life?’” So what does it take to get out of a spiritual quandary? I think it takes prayer, and the conversation that answers the two questions I just posed: “What is spiritual growth?” and “How do I foster it in my life?”

Shuttle Endeavor

Tomorrow at 8:56 a.m. we will say good-bye to the Space Shuttle Endeavor, in 16 days we will say good-bye to Endeavor as a usable space vehicle. Space is truly our final frontier, and a frontier that only a few have been able to explore. To these brave men and women, we owe a hand of gratitude. For without their courage to go where no one has gone before, we wouldn't have the information we have today about space...

More Important???

^{Genesis 3:1-4}

¹ Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, ³ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

⁴ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3 speaks about the fall of man…human kind. In the first part of the chapter we read that the woman (Eve)  was walking through the garden, and a crafty creature, a serpent speaks to her. “Did God really say ‘you must not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden?’” Eve answered him stating that God did indeed say “You must not east the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor could they touch it, because they would die.”
The serpent told Eve “You will not die, but rather you will gain knowledge of good and evil…just like God.” So Eve picked some fruit and ate it, she gave some to Adam and he ate. So ends how man fell from God’s grace and favor.

In the moment that the serpent had deceived Eve and she took from the tree, fruit and ate it, she gained worldly knowledge of this workings in the world. So it is today, when we accept Jesus as our savior, we gain the eternal spiritual realm, we gain a spiritual “Garden of Eden”, but in our Garden there will not be one to deceive us, rather we as humans on earth put things in our lives that are our “Trees of Knowledge”. I have personally experienced this, in my life I have put relationships with others in the place of honor or before God. Instead of having God then the relationship…

So my question for you today is, What Tree have you placed in front of God? Which Tree is more important to you than God?