Parenting Encouragment

Lets play a little game shall we?  I do hope you will play!  I would like to come to reference this spot when encouragement is needed and to assist cultivating my own parenting, I hope you do too.

I am going to list a couple verses in the "comments section" of this post, that I find encouraging to my parenting, and add to them, as Yah bring  new ones to mind.   Would you also do the same?  

Parenting IS decipling, we must be deliberate in our approach and steadfast in our conviction and lifestyle. 

 1 Thesalonians 5: 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For Yah has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our lord Y'shuah Ha Machiach, 10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Biblical Overcomer - Salt of the Earth

 Being a Biblical Overcomer of adversity by standing in faith is a HUGE thing for us to "get" as Believers and children of YHVH.   It's not just a "good idea", it is expected of us!  This is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart, as it should be to all His people!  Have you come to an understanding of this facet of our walk?   If we are derailed or paralyzed by the circumstances in our lives, how can we be effective ambassadors for HIM?   If things don't go the way we think they ought to  - this is an opportunity for the Fruits of the Spirit to show them selves victorious in the situation when we yield to HIM in our process of managing these HARD situations.  Isn't this what the Bible teaches us from Genesis to Revelation?  Our best example in the flesh of course being Yeshua.  However, great props do out to "regular men and women" who have also proven themselves to be overcomers. This depth of commitment and character and trust is something I believe the Father is calling each of us to embrace and really live out.  There are so many facets to being overcomers!

1. We are first called to overcome ourselves (our own sin nature, habits, and belief systems).  This is by far the hardest- if we are truly honest with ourselves!   We are always there!  We can't get way from ourselves!  Although many fall into the trap of deceiving themselves as an attempt to try.

2. Then we are to learn not to be deceived by all these facets of OTHERS. (Romans 12:21)  (Every person in our lives comes with their own "built in" sin natures that they need to overcome and we need to love and walk graciously with them in the process.  Not allowing any of it "rub off" on us, and seeing it for it is, while at the same time - loving them anyway - in thier process.  (and vice versa!)  We also must resist the desire to find acceptance and comfort in walking with other believers before we seek the comfort in Yah.

3. When adversity or even tragic circumstances arise - these only reveal who we truly are underneath our social graces and attempts to live "Biblical" lives.  It is where the rubber meets the road, it reveals where we really are in our relationship and in surrender to Him.  Yet, too often we use circumstances as excuses as to why we responded wrongly, succumb to fear, act divisively or find ourselves making pour choices.  Instead we are to lean into HIM, in worship and pray, and say and do only as the Father instructs us in the matter - being wholly dependent and submitted to HIM and HIS will in the matter.  We do this by giving up all our fleshly "rights" and desires and doing as we're told with thankful hearts and in full trust - come what may.

4.  If that is not enough to keep us busy,  in the midst of all of this, we have to learn the difference between Yah's guidance and adversaries deception.    We need to recognize the difference between Yah's voice and the counterfeiter because our own father tests us and trains us.  The adversary also is very skilled at finding our weak spots and tries to disable us in our Kingdom walk, work and identity.  We learn how to do this - well....the hard way in most cases.  HOWEVER if we LEARN from our mistakes and we take head to the difference - and focus, exercise and strengthen our trust/faith in Yah and strive not be deceived.... then we become over comers.  Consistent and always on guard.  Ready now - not only to defend against attacks that come toward us - but also to help defend our families and community by applying wisdom and service, by sharp discerning and courage to do what is necessary, by standing in the gap, being peacemakers and being a living example.

I believe the "overcomers" are the true Elders of the church.  Not just those who have been doing this longer, or who have gray heads or who have the building - so to speak...but rather those who have shown a solid pattern of guarding and walking in Yah's Way in adversity and in calm. Those whos are hearts are that of servants, who always surrender themselves, and want to be peacemakers and restorers, those whose lives also unambiguously spill over the fruits of the spirit.  Yes - they have room to be "human" too - but these traits supersede their flesh as a rule.  These are overcomers and these are the elders whom Yah rises up among His people.  May all know the difference and may all Believers live their lives they may be evident that they are a Nation of Priests who rightly reveal Yah's name/character.

Too often, I hear of trials of the flesh that are NOT overcome righteously and humbly in The Body; squabbles between brothers, squabbles within families, poor self discipline, fear of man, fear of the adversary  (fear of anything except the one true Elohim!) are present instead. Doctrinal disputes without contrite hearts are argued, political disputes and personal preferences that people insist are "Yah's preferences" even cause more destruction in The Body, the list goes on.   People try to govern others before they have effectively governed themselves in Yah's ways and the results are tragic. Too often I hear excuses and justifications, accusations of others and self righteous reasoning and lack of responsibility of ones OWN faults in a matter.  Too often I see conditional commitment and pride prevailing in conflict.    We may say we 'forgive', but if we honestly do, this profession is one that starts a chain reaction of change and comes from a contrite and selfless place or peace making and resolution put in action.  So often people say one thing but do not follow through with the "doing" which proves the truth of the confession.

So the question must be asked:   What do you do?  What do you see in others who say they are His??? Too often I see self preservation instead of selfless surrender.  (Romans 12)  Do we realize that just because we may have left behind so many 'traditions of man' that were in our "churches", still the "religious spirit" can reside in a man to build his own religion with misplaced authority? Things get off track by just adding a little interpretation here and little expression there to better glorify the vision that they say The Father has given them.  It is so subtle even to him who is doing it - it goes unnoticed and it is done in layers.  Even the faithful who want to please Yah can stray off the path one step at a time unknowingly from their good intentions.

Family, we have been given the keys to The Kingdom.  Are we showing ourselves as good and faithful servants and examples??!  Are we not guardians and protectors of His ways???  How can we be that if we are not doing them ourselves?  Wouldn't that make us hypocrites?    MAY IT NOT BE SO!!  We have been given everything we could ever need and MORE to BE overcomers of things of the world.  Can we not see it??  We have the ability to walk intimately with the HIGHEST of counselors, and He has given us every weapon more powerful than any adversary's, yet when we do these things, we are proving that we are not IN HIM and we are choosing to stray.  When we are doing these things, we have stepped off the path my friends!  How much more harshly will we be judged, than those who were ignorant and have never been trained or tasted his goodness?  (Romans 3)

We have been given salvation (Yeshua) and all the gifts of the Spirit to equips us.  We have been given the Torah to also light our path.  Yah has a better plan for His people if only we remain faithful  as overcomers until the end. Only seeking HIS rewards.  Only seeking His appointments.  Only seeking HIS will.  Auditing ourselves weekly, daily and hourly - lest we find ourselves veering off the path.

May we all be convicted, encouraged, and equipped to develop and exercise the faith and trust muscles that it takes to be the overcomers that we are called to be.  May we be examples of this in our families and communities, so that others may also yearn and learn to be guided by the light of truth as well!  For by their fruits they shall know them!  (Matt 7)

Shabbat Shalom!

In Him,



Here is a study snippet Who is the Overcomer?  that sites verses in Scripture about overcoming.   I pray that it might spark your study and prayer in this direction, even though it only scratches the surface of the many facets and ways that we must overcome!

Here are a few positive verses about overcoming in Yah's name:

When Yah ordered scouts to survey the land (in Numbers 13) which they were about to be given.  Some men gave bad reports of fear unwilling to go and unable to stand in faith, but it was Caleb who was faithful and saw what Yah's plan was and was willing to carry it out in faith  regardless of the circumstances and without fear.
³⁰ Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

2 Peter 2:20

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 2:14

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

Revelation 2:7

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

Revelation 2:11

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Revelation 2:17

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

Revelation 3:5

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Community and a Bat Mitzvah

A Bat Mitzvah

First a little about us:   This not a traditional Jewish style Bat Mitzvah, because our way of worship is not a formal one in a synagogue or church, which is most often the case in Judaism or Christianity.  Rather, we gather in homes and may rent larger public places to meet for special occasions, such as this.  Each individual man is the head of his household and student of The Word and is responsible for guiding his family is living out Scripture based life.  Each family is responsible for their own Halahkah (walk).  This is a carried out in partnership with their committed wives, who most often are homeschooling their children.  There is no "leader" except YHVH (God).  There is no "creed" like you find posted for each denomination, but rather  the entire Bible, every verse in it's proper context, is our creed.  There is no distinct organization except by people within the group connecting through the Father's leading.  There is order and respect for our elders, however everyone who is committed is encouraged to contribute and participate; man, woman and child. This is done in respect and love, with humble hearts and reverence for our King.  He is our governor and it is HE whom we are ALL under. We encourage the older men to train the younger and likewise the older women to train the younger. There is a strong desire for purity and raising families for service to our King.  We have chosen to follow the examples given in Scripture to live set-apart lives, while at the same time being a light to the world.   We have realized that we are constantly growing and changing IN HIM and that each individual needs room and encouragement to do that!  Because this specific event was recorded during Sukkot, which is a Biblical FEAST of The LORD, this group is a larger community of people coming together from many areas and from out of state, but who are connected through the love of the Father and the love for His ways.  This made the Bat Mitzvah quite special.  

 The Hebrew term "Bat Mitzvah", means "Daughter of the Commandments". This is the first Bat Mitzvah this group has ever done.  The parents created a outline and invited the group to contribute.  It's purpose was to encourage and recognize the girls as coming to a place of responsibility and accountability in their faith. This is a transitional time in their lives, they are no longer small children and they are on their way to becoming women.  It is a beautiful and tender time of life.  Each family has had their private times of recognition and encouragement for their daughters, prior to recording this event.  This event was to further encourage the young ladies, while also encouraging the community to continue training their children up in the The Way.  It is not a short video -- 2 1/2 hours long.  We hope you are blessed.  Feel free to comment or ask questions at the bottom off the page.

Audio Bible

I am recently reminded how precious it is to my spirit and soul to HEAR The Scriptures. There is something about audio that penetrates my soul so deeply. It takes me back to the Mountain as recorded here in Deut 4:9-13:

9 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 10how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.' 11And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. 12Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. 13 And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and he wrote them on two tablets of stone. 14And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess.

Maybe I am a little crazy or I am "over spirituallizing" something...but there is something to the spoken Word which is so strong! I can't imagine what it must have been like coming form the very mouth of Yah in person echoing over the mountain...The power it must heald...I can see how the people present were so very fearful of His might to ask Moshe to be their mediator!

I have enjoyed the spoken Word in recorded form from many resources over the years. It is so nice to listen too while I walk along the way. As a momma of 6 (with one now on the way - halleluyah!), I find my hands always full. So I am reminded what a blessing it is to HEAR the Word when my hands and eyes may not be able to hold a Bible or read the lines. When I am not well, it is like being anointed with healing salve all over to convalesce in the midst of the Spoken Word. It is good to go to sleep with it being spoken over me and wake with it still being spoken over me. It is encouragement, edification, correction, conviction and education all rolled into one!
I have purchased different audio Bibles on disc and for download over the years. Some that were maybe a bit too dramatic, and some that were maybe a little bit too dry in delivery for my taste. Yet, I have still been blessed by them, because it is the Living Word! As my knowledge and understanding of Hebrew grows, I am very much looking forward to listening to the Word in Hebrew!! My soul longs to understand His precepts in Hebrew! It is my heart and goal to one day have the Torah memorized. However, until then, in this most recent season, I have discovered a wonderful and FREE resource that I just had to share with you. It is called Faith Comes By Hearing FREE Audio Bibles They have over 500 Bible versions in many many languages (including two choices in Hebrew). They have several English choices in different versions and also in different styles of some versions, some being more dramatic than others. My favorite so far, is ESV Old Testament.

So if you would like to add another dimension to your personal study; your family time in the Word; being ministered too while sick; raising your children up in The Way; Shabbat meditations; blessing the elderly to those who may struggle read...This may be a very useful tool to help you do that.

May Your time in the Scriptures be blessed and draw you closer to The Creator of the Universe and and His Precepts!

In Him,

pamela+

Working in the Heat

Our first approach to working in the extreme heat- is NOT TO if we can help it. That is not always possible on a farm whose demands are many. However, we try to get started early, take breaks in the middle of the day and go back after about or 4 or 5 until dark. With the long summer days, we still get a lot of work done - but we don't put ourselves at risk doing it. Even then - it is still hot in Southern Middle TN.

This is a little trick my Momma taught me a while back:
You take a hand towel and drench it in very very cold water, ring it out and then lay it across the back of your neck bring it in front over your shoulders. It is amazing how it helps cool and refresh you! As the sun blazes so does the coolness fade from the cloth. So one of things I have learned to do is to have a small cooler with cold (even iced) water or peppermint tea in it in our work area. Every so often you can recharge your towel by dipping it in the cooler and wringing it out and reapplying. Wipe yourself down with it is also quite refreshing. The peppermint is especially cooling, as it effect last longer than the water. You can also just hang the towel on your head - not as attractive I know...but hey, working in the heat "ain't pretty". :-)

When I was in at the orphanage in Haiti, an older lady told me how they beat the heat and that is by taking a cool cloth and wiping behind the knees, in the bend of the elbows and around the neck and face and lastly on the bottoms of the feet if possible. This was how they would comfort the children and work at lowering/controlling fevers in the orphanage too.

It works! Ladies, remember to do this for your men (and boys)...they will LOVE you for it!

Stay cool!

This post was shared at the Barn Hop

The Way of Love

In a recent post we shared about some "personal growth" type studying were are doing as a family during this season of Counting the Days Between First Fruits and Shavuot. We mentioned a list of "5 things" Ben and I had made to work on in our own character and also to instill into the children by example and correction...Well...long story short...Yah put 1 Cor 13 on our hearts...so this is what we have chosen to work on in this season together as a family (in addition to our other studies). Doing this will be our main focus, our overarching "theme" to cultivate and develop in our "way". This 50 day period is kind of like our "Love Boot Camp". (Is that a contradiction?? Yah Help me!) Our goal is to really shift our focus in this direction as a family...We pray that this be our direction and aim always and forever after...This 50 day period is one of changing habits, accountability and correction for all of us...If we come to mind please pray for us during this time...Yah has probably brought us to mind for that reason! :-)

These are our initial plans - but of course we will remain open to hear the leading of Yah through all this (adjusting things as needed)!!

1. Hide the word in our hearts! We have started memorizing chapter 13 together as a family. Each morning, we will read the whole chapter. Then we pick the first section (often a verse - but it will be done in "thought chunks" not just by verse numbers). Mamma or Pappa will read the day's section we intend to memorize and discuss it. (Defining words, and making sure everyone in the family has a clear understanding of it's parts and it's context to the whole chapter.) Then we will spend time exercising it together and repeating it until everyone can repeat it without looking - word for word - and it is committed to memory. Sometimes hand motions, faces and makeshift sign language can be very helpful for the little ones in this process! Then the next day we read the whole chapter, review what we memorized, and repeat the process with the next new section, adding on to the end of the last and always reviewing them together the next day. We will try to review it "as we walk in the way" through out the day. We will also repeat the whole chapter at bedtime.

2. Love Song It is my hope that I can put this chapter to a tune, and we will start singing our love chapter. We have found that music is a very effective tool to remembering the Scriptures - not to mention a very pleasant one. It is recalled more often in the day and really implants JOY into the process which lightens our souls. If we are successful with this, we will record our little song to share with you.

3. Changing Habits This is the hard part... catching ourselves and correcting ourselves when we behave in ways that are not "loving" as is so clearly defined in this chapter. We will need to make new choices in considering others as more significant than ourselves!! We have pledged to remain teachable and pliable and WANT this to be our normal way...there is no place for impatience, irritability, pride, selfishness and haughty attitudes in Yah's house.

After we do this with 1 Cor 13 - we intend to do the same thing with Philippians 2:1-12

The Way of Love
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Messiah's Example of Humility

Philippians 2:1-12
So if there is any encouragement in Messiah, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Messiah Y' Shua, who, though he was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Elohim a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore YHVH has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Y'shua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Y'shua Ha Messhiach is Lord, to the glory of YHVH the Father.

Halleluyah!

Unity, Diversity, and Passover

Unless we have purposefully restricted ourselves to one teacher or one school of thought, it doesn’t take long to realize that there are many “disputable matters” in this ‘Torah and Messiah Centered’ walk. There are at least 8 ways to pronounce YHVH (or is it YHWH?), not to mention His ‘nicknames’. I know of 4 reasonable ways to determine when the year begins and therefore 4 different schedules to celebrate the other appointed times. Some Torah keepers avoid speaking the commonly known names of the days of the week, as each one is named after one false god or another. There are even some who won’t eat bananas or mushrooms because, according to modern scientific definitions, they don’t have “seeds”. (Genesis says only green and seed-bearing plants are for food). From the outside, modern Christianity may view these disputes as legalism run wild, and from the inside, this may seem like chaos or even a good excuse for a good old fashioned schism. Instead, I have come to appreciate this reality as an object lesson of The Creator’s love for diversity, and as evidence that the “Restoration of His Kingdom” is HIS job, not ours. The Passover meal is both an opportunity to celebrate our unity with the Father despite the complex variations of our specific theologies and doctrines, while at the same time it is also an important object lesson reflecting who is NOT part of the Body.

Be Encouraged

I am sensing a need to encourage my brothers and sisters in Him. May you worship him with a clear conscience and a clean heart this Shabbat.

Struggling with Biblical Living?

When The Father shows us truth in His Scripture and a "light goes on" inside us, but it does not go on in those around us, those whom we love and respect are left in the dark. We find ourselves at a crossroad of decision. Do we press in and take the turn that YHVH has put before us, even though it will means leaving others behind? Or are we to wait and let Him do a work in them before we "press" anything? These people of whom I speak may be the very people who the Bible says we need to love and honor, such as parent, extended family or community leaders or church leaders. These are people whom we have trusted and that have been kind and good to us in our own great times of need. Do we put our own conditions and parameters on our levels or change, or do we let YHVH?

These are Yahshua's words on the matter of being persecuted for standing for YHVH's Ways (not mine):

In Matthew 10: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

We are to let go of those things to which we hold dear and cling only to HIM. We are to do this in LOVE and HUMBLENESS and, in the context of Torah, with the willingness to submit our words and our ways to HIM while considering others as more precious than ourselves. We are called to willingly suffer long if need be, and to fight and flee as it is explained in the full context of Matt 10...and if YHVH tells you the time has come...we are to heed that voice and make a very clear CUT from that which we once knew and cling to Him with all we are and recognize that we have been adopted into a new family, a new life, a new way, a new understanding, a new house...the house of YHVH - the House of Israel. We are no longer to hide our light under a bushel.

That application looks different for different people, some people are called to make physical cuts...to leave physically, some are called to make emotional and spiritual cuts and remain right where they physically are in that season (the harder call in my opinion!). It is very important to know the difference and follow YHVH...this is not a "one size fits all" walk. We must be cautious with our counsel to other believers in this matter, because that is the MIGHTY Counselor's job...not ours.(So keep that in mind as you read my post.) :-)

Disclaimer: There is a very important distinction that must be made here. When a husband and wife have not been given revelation at the same time...this is a dynamic that is very different than any other relationship that exists. Especially if a wife is given revelation before her husband. (I am NOT addressing a very abusive or dangerous marriage here.) I have experienced this myself and YHVH seems to put women in my path who are going through the same - so that I may encourage them in their place. It would be wonderful if our husbands always "got it" first...but that isn't always the case. We are made ONE with our husbands, they are the spiritual heads of our homes...even if we are more spiritually mature in some areas or get a revelation they do not (YET). Our job in this instance is to be prayerful, be still and to exercise our TRUST MUSCLES in YHVH. He is sovereign and He knows exactly what is happening. He is faithful and if we are wives that respect our husbands and glorify YHVH with trusting Him fully...He will do amazing things in our families. If however, our actions do not show this and we press ahead and lead, "because someone has to" or because we can't submit to our husbands, than we have turned the tables. If we come to that place, we need to see that on the spiritual level it is YHVH to whom we are refusing to submit, not our husbands! Even though we may have revelation in one area...doing this would be evidence that we are clearly missing the revelation in the area of submission and Trusting YHVH. (Which TRUMPS ALL!) The price we (and our family) pay...is a big one! If we do this, we are going against the very order of YHVH's Creation and have stepped out if His will. Our attempts to prove we are right or to enforce principles which we understand to be true, above our husband's authority, result in turning the situation away from glorifying YHVH to glorifying ourselves. This is a recipe for relational and spiritual disaster. Instead "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto YHVH." Ephesians 5:22 (The same is true for older children in a father's home.)

Back on the general topic: We all must walk with the Creator of the universe intimately to guide you through the course He has put YOU in, so that HE may be glorified in the end. If you seek Him first, He will make it clear to you, but you must understand that your heart needs to be submitted completely to YHVH. THAT SUBMISSION is what opens your spiritual ears to hear. If we SAY you are submitted, but you "do not hear"... it has been my experience that this is evidence of "a condition". In other words, I have put a condition in place that interrupts by ability to fully submit. I am not FULLY and honesty letting go of that which He has called me to...(consciously or even unconsciously!). If this is where our growth stops we are (consciously or unconsciously) choosing to remain in that place, which is out of the will of YHVH. However, if we recognize that the road block between our "hearing" is something that we are not "letting go of" (even if we honestly don't know what it is) and we make the radical decision to not accept that condition and we flush it out the offending issue ...we can focus on prayer in that way and HE WILL DO IT! You may be surprised to find there is more than one obstacle there! If so...press in! He is doing a mighty work in you. Your reward will be great for the tears you shed and the pain you face. He is faithful!!!

Even though for a season, you may feel quite "alone" He allows this, so that you may learn to cling and rely on HIM. This is training our hearts to trust and obey HIM as a "first response", not a last resort. After that has been seasoned in us, He opens the doors to another area of the house...where all your TRUE brothers and sisters (in Him) are, and who have all been through the same process...who wait for you with open arms to welcome, edify and encourage you. We serve an awesome El (God) whose ways are so much higher than ours! Halleluyah!

Be encouraged..you who are struggling with "separation anxiety" from things which you THINK are 'yours' ". (Later you will find our they are not.) Also be encouraged, those of you who have separated from those things already, but feel quite alone and are being taught to TRUST YHVH as a first response in areas of habit and choice. Your faithfulness is being developed, your courage, discipline and strength in Him being honed. He is shaping you into a tool for the Kingdom. This refining is not easy, or even pretty, but the result will declare the beautiful craftsmanship that can only come from the mighty hand of YHVH. He will be glorified as you remain faithful, steadfast and true.

Also be encouraged those of you who have been taken into the other part of the house...you too continue to learn and grow and be challenged, shaped, molded,and humbled- however you walk in a fuller understanding of WHOSE you are and where you have come from and would give your life in a second for Him (because you have 100 times before!)...never forget...that is EXPECTED of you. It is not above and beyond the call of duty...it is your duty, your privilege and your honor to be there. You are to practice these things without ceasing. To whom much is given much is expected - your responsibility is great in the kingdom!!! You are the elders and the Tzadik. Embrace that status with joy and glorify your Father with gladness, thanksgiving, praise and honor as you serve Him with all you are and all you have.

Shabbat Shalom,