Currently Browsing: Prayer
May 25, 2006
Posted on May 25, 2006 in Events, FFOZ, Prayer | 1 comment
This past weekend, our Sabbath fellowship hosted Boaz Michael of FFOZ and his family. The culmination of the weekend was the Knocking on Heaven’s Gates seminar held this past Sunday evening. While the numbers were few, the message was challenging and very timely. And while the seminar was great & the words were powerful, the words spoken at the seminar were not nearly as powerful as the ones unspoken. What do I mean by this? Let me see if I can explain.
Just as I stated, the message of the seminar was timely, applicable and powerful. Please don’t misunderstand—they were exactly what we have been needing as a body of believers. The couldn’t have come at a better time. But from my perspective, it wasn’t the message of the words that Boaz shared that were the most challenging. It was the message of that which was unspoken that I heard the loudest. The silent words of which Boaz spoke during this past weekend were deafening. They are still ringing in my ears, almost to the point of nausea. It is these words which have been the double-edged sword of both frustration and anticipation that I expressed in my recent post on Self-Discipline. It is from this soil that all the weeds and flowers in my mind have sprung in the past few days. To put it in a nutshell, the phrase “actions speak louder than words” is more true than we will ever fully realize. Just seeing how Boaz and his family live out their faith day-by-day and hour-by-hour has caused serious pause within me.
I have thought for a long time that I was living out my faith through my actions, and that I was pretty much par for the course. Now I realize that I’ve got to switch my minature-golf putter for a nine-iron, and look beyond the tee. I’ve said for a long time that I thought Boaz had a lot of wisdom, and now I truly know what I mean by that statement—Again, please don’t misunderstand. This isn’t about putting Boaz on a pedestal. It’s about waking up and smelling the coffee (did someone say ‘coffee’???). Boaz just happens to be the catalyst for the metamorphosis (L-rd willing)—Here’s what I mean by wisdom. There are a lot of people out there that have a lot of knowledge. While knowledge is great, I would rather have an ounce of wisdom than a pound of knowledge. Knowledge is impressive, but wisdom is applicable and sustaining. Anyone can amass knowledge, few, however, cling to wisdom.
But what is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? We can get into a huge discussion of the differences, going back to the original Hebrew, etc. but this is not my point. My point is practical and observable. To me, the core difference between knowledge and wisdom is application. Let me briefly elaborate. Was not Solomon the wisest man in all the earth? But was his decision to marry pagan women wise? The answer is obvious. This leads us to a profound question. Why did the wisest man on earth make such an unwise decision? Answer: Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Foolishness is the refusal to apply knowledge. And this is where the unspoken words of Boaz grew in volume. Though he had a message of a disciplined prayer life, seeing his application of his knowledge of a disciplined prayer life this weekend spoke much louder than his words.
There’s an old saying that “those who can’t do, teach.” This was not the case this weekend. This was clearly a “lead-by-example” teaching method that is a standard of FFOZ that I appreciate immensely. I’m going to do everything within my means to rise to the challenge, and become a man of prayer and lead my family by example. Thanks for the challenge, Boaz.
As far as the specifics of the seminar, I’ll be teaching on the topic of prayer this Shabbat again, implementing some things I learned from this past weekend, so I’ll post more on the topic in the near future. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this:
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7, NIV)
ps. Thanks, Boaz, for standing on your knees in the photo of us together. ;-)
May 22, 2006
Posted on May 22, 2006 in FFOZ, Miscellaneous, Prayer | 0 comments
If you see this vehicle passing through your city over the next few months, beware. It is carrying a crew of six, who should be approached with caution. They should be considered armed and dangerous. They are armed with the Word of Hashem, and should be considered extremely dangerous to anyone who is smugly confident in their relationship with Hashem. Below is a photo of these desperadoes to help with identification purposes.
Don’t be deceived by their smiling faces, and relatively innocent appearance. Look deep into their beady, criminal eyes. These are the eyes of focused, single-minded, committed members of an international conspiracy to see people return to the Torah of Adonai, and live out their faith through love and good deeds, and are claiming that you have to “Pray just to make it through the day.” Yes, I know. It sounds like a cheap slogan they ripped off a defunct popular hip-hop artist. The next thing you know they’ll turn their prayer propaganda into an unforgettable melody like “It’s A Small World” and poison the minds of prayerless saints across the globe!
Let it be known—If you don’t want to be challenged in your relationship with the Almighty, STAY AWAY from these six Workers of Lawfulness! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
May 21, 2006
Posted on May 21, 2006 in FFOZ, Miscellaneous, Personal, Prayer | 0 comments
This weekend we have been privileged to have Boaz Michael and his family be with our community. We have really enjoyed being with them, and look forward to a great day today in the culmination of the FFOZ seminar Knocking on Heaven’s Gates tonight.
Having Boaz and his family has already been a tremendous blessing. Seeing the self-discipline of his family, however, has been both a huge inspiration as well as a little bit of a discouragement. The inspiration is obvious. Boaz and his family are an incredible encouragement in all that they are doing to live out their faith, and help those who are living a Torah-pursuant life.
The discouragement aspect is not the fault of Boaz and his family at all. It’s like running a 100 mile race, and reaching the first mile marker. The thrill of the race, and the excitement of the first milestone are motivating, but realizing that you’ve got 99 more of these to go is slightly disheartening. Seeing where Boaz and his family are and then looking back at where we are as a family and a community could easily open a floodgate of tears if I dwelt on this aspect alone. However, I know that I must not focus on the distance, but on the destination, and enjoy the journey in the process. Otherwise, the journey will be unbearable, and the destination unreachable.
Jason’s post, Inspiration that Creates Action, is a good summary of what I’m feeling. I (and also “we” as an infant Torah community) are making what feels like gigantic leaps on the one hand, but on the other hand they are merely baby-steps. I have an internal struggle that wants so badly to be in close proximity to those who are further along this road than I in order to excel in my learning and my application of Torah, but I know that Hashem is growing me at this pace for a purpose. Maybe I’m not as ready for something like this as I think I am. Maybe I’m not as malleable as I think I am, and would merely snap with all of the stretching that would be required in an environment like that. Maybe I just have a different calling and purpose. Whatever the case, I must keep in mind the words of Rav Sha’ul, which states:
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Messiah Yeshua. (Philippians 3:13b,14)
Mar 17, 2006
Posted on Mar 17, 2006 in Apostolic Writings, Judaism, Prayer, Torah | 0 comments
For some reason, I woke up hearing the words of many people’s prayers just prior to a meal, “Lord, bless this food that you have given to us…” It just won’t get out of my head. So, I thought I would just give some insight to this little phrase, and explain how this is sort of an oxymoron (and I’m not talking about myself on the ‘moron’ part!).
In Jewish thought, this is a foreign concept — and for good reason. Why? Well, let’s think about what we are saying. We are asking God to bless (in a sense “make better”) what He has already given us. When we ask the Lord to “bless” the food which He has given us, it’s almost a slap in the face.
Think of it this way… “Blessings are for kids, silly rabbit.” Yes, I’m playing off of the advertising slogan “Trix are for kids, silly rabbit.” But that’s the point. Blessings are for people, not for things. Blessings are to confer health, prosperity, longevity, etc. They are never to confer “edibility” or “nutritiousness.”
Yeshua sets this example when he breaks bread:
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.
Mark 6:41 (NIV)
In this case, the NIV has rendered this passage more accurately than other translations. The NASB renders it as follows: “And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves…” However, in the Greek the object of the blessing is missing. It simply states “He blessed.” It is assumed by the translators that the object of the blessing is the food, since this is our Western tradition. However, this would have been as foreign to Yeshua as bacon with his eggs. The object of blessing, especially in the case of food, is Hashem.
Paul agrees with this line of thinking and clearly states this when he says the following:
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
1 Timothy 4:4 & 5
- The food is to be received with thanksgiving — a prayer of thankfulness, which is the traditional Jewish bracha, which traditionally begins “Blessed are You, oh Lord, our God, King of the Universe…” — not “bless this food”
- because it is consecrated
(set apart, designated, distinguished) by the word of God (Vayikra / Leviticus 11; Devarim / Deuteronomy 14)
- and prayer. Consecrated by prayer, not blessed. One cannot bless what God detests and calls an abomination.
Let’s remember to bless Hashem for his provision, and not try to tell Him that what He has given us is not good enough.
Blessed are You, oh Lord, our God, King of the Universe Who brings forth food from the earth.
Aug 17, 2005
Posted on Aug 17, 2005 in Current Events, Israel, Prayer | 0 comments
It’s a very sad day in the world. Families are being removed one by one from the Gaza and West Bank areas of the Holy Land. They are being torn away from the Land which Hashem has promised them, and by their own people. Although there has been little actual violence, there has still been some. One woman even set herself on fire in order to resist. Please pray for the People of Destiny. Today a very sad day indeed.
The rabbis are asking all who would pray with and for Israel to pray Psalm 20 and Psalm 91 during these difficult times, especially today. I have them printed here for your convenience.
Psalm 20
For the Leader. A Psalm of David.
The LORD answer thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
Send forth thy help from the sanctuary, and support thee out of Zion;
Receive the memorial of all thy meal-offerings, and accept the fat of thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
We will shout for joy in thy victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our standards; the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the mighty acts of His saving right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will make mention of the name of the LORD our God.
They are bowed down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright.
Save, LORD; let the King answer us in the day that we call.
Psalm 91
O thou that dwellest in the covert of the Most High, and abidest in the shadow of the Almighty;
I will say of the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,
That He will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He will cover thee with His pinions, and under His wings shalt thou take refuge; His truth is a shield and a buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day;
Of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand may fall at Thy side, and ten thousand at Thy right hand; it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the recompense of the wicked.
For thou hast made the LORD who is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
For He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee upon their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and asp; the young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet.
‘Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and bring him to honour.
With long life will I satisfy him, and make Him to behold My salvation.’
