Passover is just around the corner! I am praying it will be a blessed time in our home. I have been looking for some cool things to share on the subject. Each year we learn a little more about this Feast that Abba commands us to remember.
I found this video on the blog of "Our Whole Hearted Family". It describes how the time of Passover is determined by the visible sighting of the new moon and the ripened (abib) barley found in Israel. Passover was not/ is not determined by a set date on the calendar...my guess is Abba wants us to be "WATCHMEN" right? And He wants us to be looking to see His plan as He brings it to pass before us at all times!!! That is so cool to me because it shows that He is still working His plan for creation before our eyes today just like in the time of the first Passover!!
I hope this is useful in your search to understand Abba's accounting of time and His Feast Days.
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the Last, shall rise over the dust;
and after my skin has been struck off, then in my flesh I shall see Eloah,
whom I myself shall see on my side, and not a stranger.
I just wanted to remind you that we love you and our hearts are with you. The above verse was one of my Grandma's favorite verses because of the hope it gave her, knowing that one day if she should pass on, she would still see Yah...face to face and not through another's eyes. What hope we have in His promises.
I know your heart is filled with the pain of loss but I pray for your peace and comfort and for your Dad also today and in the days ahead. I pray your memories are joyful and your hearts strengthened because of Yahuah's mercy and strength.
We love you both.
This time, this blessing is for you...
Num 6:24-27 “יהוה bless you and guard you;
יהוה make His face shine upon you, and show favour to you;
יהוה lift up His face upon you, and give you peace.”
“Thus they shall put My Name on the children of Yisra’ĕl, and I Myself shall bless them.”
I am so thankful that Abba watches out for my family. I am still pondering little B's words to her Daddy.
Abba is able to bring about what He chooses to do in spite of what the enemy has planned.
Jer 29:11-13 ‘For I know the plans I am planning for you,’ declares יהוה, ‘plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and an expectancy.
‘Then you shall call on Me, and shall come and pray to Me, and I shall listen to you.
‘And you shall seek Me, and shall find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I am thankful Abba is true to His promises. Thank you Abba.
The weather was nice so "B" has to get outside and she does love her kitties! This kitty is Sam and he's a friendly little feller who lets B carry him around like a baby. (I don't think he really loves it but he puts up with it for a little while:)
Papa gets home from work (still in his "worked hard today" t-shirt) in time to spend a few minutes with the Gracie.
MONDAY
Uncle Tanner is hanging out with B and Gracie on the couch so I asked Caleb to jump in so I could take a quick pic (they don't like me take their pics for the blog too much...they say I take pictures of everything!!!).
These are the new set of wipe-off alphabet cards for B. They help to learn letter recognition, learning to write the letters and other activities on the backs of each card. B gets to use dry-erase markers which she likes very much!!
Marker in hand!
Ah, Ah, alligator with your mouth so wide, open up and put an "A" inside! Can you find the "A"?
TUESDAY
Braelynne wanted to read to Gracie.
Matching the blocks to the shapes on the paper...so smart!
This is B's personal pizza made from Tortillas, pizza sauce, motz cheese and 4 little turkey pepperonis. I like these a lot better than regular pizza because there is a lot less dough than a regular pizza and she thinks they are just F.I.N.E.
Gracie catchin' some shut-eye...it's not easy being a baby ya know!
Corey sharing a smile with his new little princess:) It is such a blessing to have my children around me. I cannot ask for more.
Wednesday
This is one of B's new books. She is able to pick her "A" out of a line up. That is awesome. She asks to do "her school"...I love that she thinks it's fun...it should be fun.
Miss B helping Gramma make Parmesan chicken breading. She's helping me mix the herbs and cheeses. She's a gal who loves the kitchen. She says, "My mom says I'm a good cook." That she is:)
This is CPR class. It is our first class and we had fun with it. We have adult CPR, child and infant. Then we move onto Heimlich, and first aide. We had fun and learned at the same time!
Tanner is the "victim" and Caleb is the "rescuer" and yes, that victim DOES have a smile on his face! Haha.
Thursday
Aaah, look at that little face:) Gracie likes her Uncle Caleb, he makes her smile.
Child CPR. Hahah, look at that face! She kept laughing and squirming when we tried to check her pulse because it tickled. We learned where to place the hand for CPR compressions.
Doing her "ABC" puzzle. She doesn't know where they go yet but she's learning!!
This is B's "Kosher" fish. In this week's Torah portion, we talked about what Abba says we can eat and what we cannot eat...what is food and what really isn't food. So B made a fish with fins and scales...Kosher!
This was part of our Heimlich training...as you can see, it's hard to get everyone to take it seriously...but we're gonna keep on practicing so everyone knows what to do!
Friday...It's on to cleaning, cooking and a nice little hair trim for me:)
If you were with someone who had a heart attack or almost drowned, would you know what to do? When blood flow or breathing stops, seconds count. Permanent brain damage or death can happen quickly. If you know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), you could save a life. CPR is an emergency procedure for a person whose heart has stopped or is no longer breathing. CPR can maintain circulation and breathing until emergency medical help arrives.
Even if you haven’t had training, you can do “hands-only” CPR for a person whose heart has stopped beating. “Hands-only” CPR uses chest compressions to keep blood circulating until emergency help arrives. If you’ve had training, you can use chest compressions and rescue breathing. Rescue breathing helps get oxygen to the lungs for a person who has stopped breathing. To keep your skills up, you should repeat the training every two years.
Basic CPR is on this weeks "prep list" here at our house. It's been a while since I got my CPR certification so I need a brush up and I want the boys to know what to do in the event of an unforeseen emergency. Better safe than sorry. So, I started searching for some on-line info. on things I want to be sure everyone here knows how to do. First on the list is CPR, so we watched this quick "how to" You tube" video and did some roll playing with each taking turns being the victim and the rescuer. We also practiced making "the 911 call" so that didn't feel foreign to them. Here's some of what we've learned:
Before you begin
Before starting CPR, check:
Is the person conscious or unconscious?
If the person appears unconscious, tap or shake his or her shoulder and ask loudly, "Are you OK?"
If the person doesn't respond and two people are available, one should call 911 or the local emergency number and one should begin CPR. If you are alone and have immediate access to a telephone, call 911 before beginning CPR — unless you think the person has become unresponsive because of suffocation (such as from drowning). In this special case, begin CPR for one minute and then call 911 or the local emergency number.
If an AED is immediately available, deliver one shock if instructed by the device, then begin CPR.
Remember to spell C-A-B
In 2010, the American Heart Association changed its long-held acronym of ABC to CAB — circulation, airway, breathing — to help people remember the order to perform the steps of CPR. This change emphasizes the importance of chest compressions to help keep blood flowing through the heart and to the brain.
Today it is adult CPR, next is child and then infant. Following that, we will move on to Heimlich and then First Aide.
This video is the "up-to-date" method of providing CPR for anyone even if they are not "certified". For more advanced information, it is best to sign up for certification. There are classes offered frequently. You can check these sites for finding local CPR, First Aid, AED and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) classes.
Here's our "victim" and our "rescuer"...hey, is that victim smiling?
Here's a video that's quick enough to hold every one's attention, however, I suggest you go through the process with everyone you're teaching because it helps them to remember the technique better. (**Note: Do not actually do chest compressions on someone with a beating heart but do learn where on the chest to place your hands to perform compressions.) Also, it's a great idea to practice occasionally, perhaps try to get back to it every 3 months or so.
During the video you may have noted that they suggest doing compressions to the beat of the song by the Bee Gees called "Stayin' Alive"...hahahaha! So I found the You Tube for it so my kids would have the approximate rhythm in mind to follow... hahaha! So here you go, just in case you have kids who aren't old enough to remember this one!
(The boys thought the Bee Gees had on strange pants!)
Well, if you actually watched that to get the beat or just for the heck of it, I'll bet you're at least smiling right now (or smirking). Making preparation doesn't have to be all serious, (even though it is serious business) it should be a fun time to learn things together that benefit us and those around us.
Pro 3:5-8 Trust in Elohim with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear Elohim, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Blessings to your home:)
Here's advice from the American Heart Association:
Untrained. If you're not trained in CPR, then provide hands-only CPR. That means uninterrupted chest compressions of about 100 a minute until paramedics arrive (described in more detail below). You don't need to try rescue breathing.
Trained, and ready to go. If you're well trained and confident in your ability, begin with chest compressions instead of first checking the airway and doing rescue breathing. Start CPR with 30 chest compressions before checking the airway and giving rescue breaths.
Trained, but rusty. If you've previously received CPR training but you're not confident in your abilities, then just do chest compressions at a rate of about 100 a minute. (Details described below.)
The above advice applies to adults, children and infants needing CPR, but not newborns.
Take a look at the blog hop "Preparedness Challenge" which is inspired by the events in Japan over at Homestead Revival
I finally received my new kefir grains, Yay!! I got milk kefir because my old grains finally gave up the ghost, R.I.P., they served me well! And, I also got water kefir grains, which I have never had before and a butter milk culture which I have also never used before. I purchased these because I love using kefir AND I think that having live cultured foods in the days ahead will be beneficial for us.
Also, water kefir makes a nice alternative drink that has low sugar content and is slightly effervescent and has lovely probiotic properties.
Here's a picture of the water kefir grains in their dehydrated state, just out of the package. The process for re-hydrating the water kefir grains is very simple.
Supplies
1 quart glass jar
1 wooden or plastic spoon
1 tea towel or coffee filter
water kefir grains
1/4 c organic sugar per qt. of water
(Rapadura or Sucanat are good)
Non-chlorinated water
Rehydrating Water Kefir Grains
Dissolve 4-6 tbsp. of sugar in 4 c of water ( you may need to heat water to get sugar to dissolve, BUT BE SURE TO ALLOW WATER TO COME BACK TO ROOM TEMP. PRIOR TO ADDING YOUR KEFIR GRAINS)
Place the kefir grains in the sugar water. (This water is dark because the raw sugar is unrefined so the color is more like "brown sugar" so the water color reflects to color of the sugar)
Cover with a towel or coffee filter and secure with a rubber band. Allow mix to sit for 3-4 days until grains are plump. Once grains are rehydrated, we'll be able to begin making our water kefir.
I'm so excited because I've heard so many cool things about water kefir, so I can't wait to make some and see how it turns out! I'm really hoping that my kids and B. Faith will love this "new bubbles pop" because it's so good for their tummies:)
For more information about kefir and it's benefits here are a couple of sites to look into:
This is my favorite home made pancake recipe and it's a healthy one (as pancake recipes go)! It's a "soaked" pancake recipe from Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions." It's very easy, but does require a little pre-planning the evening before...however, you can make these ahead and freeze them for future breakfasts or snacks.
Pancake Recipe:
2 c fresh whole wheat flour, Kamut, or spelt
(I use whole wheat flour)
2 c buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt (choose only one)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
butter to fry cakes in
Mix flour in buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt. (I have used all three and it doesn't seem to make much change in the final out come although I would say kefir is probably my favorite, if I had to choose.)
Cover and set in a warm place for 12-24 hrs. (for those with milk allergies, you can use 2 c filtered water and 2 tbsp. whey or 2 tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice instead of buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt)
After this has soaked...stir in remaining ingredients and
cook on hot oiled cast iron skillet.
These cakes cook a little more slowly than unsoaked cakes and texture is much more moist.
Serve with real maple syrup or raw honey or berry jam. We like ours with maple syrup and over easy eggs...Yummmmm!
To read about the benefits of pre-soaking grains, go to:
Soaking or fermenting grains prior to consuming them is an important step that the industrial age has removed from our food preparation in an effort to save time at the expense of our health.
The Weston Price foundation is an excellent resource for healthy food prep. information (although they do not follow "biblically clean eating"), they teach "lost" information related to proper food preparation and eating things the way Abba intended for us to eat such as butter, meat, eggs, etc.
Check 'em out...there's a LOT of news you can use there!
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle and the herb for the service of man, that He may bring forth food out of the earth.
A febrile virus seems to have been making it's way around these parts lately. It is accompanied by a wet cough and sore throat. Here is a helpful "sore throat tonic" recipe you may find useful and easily made with ingredients on hand.
Sore Throat Tonic
1 c raw honey
2 1/2 c raw apple cidar vinegar (Bragg's)
2 tbsp fresh garlic crushed
2 tbsp fresh organic ginger
1 tsp organic cayenne pepper (I use 140,000 HU)
top off with filtered water
Place all ingredients in 1 qt. glass canning jar.
Shake gently.
Leave all ingredients in mix (don't strain)
Stir and sip 1 oz. of this throughout the day for cold and sore throat symptoms.
If you are not ill, you can still take one tsp. each day with cod liver oil (during cold season/winter months).
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospereth.
We love Mexican dishes in our home!! Tacos, Enchiladas, salsas, hot sauces, sour cream, cheese...yummmm! And I,m always looking for recipes that will replace the store bought stuff but tastes just as good or better (according to my family's tastes). So started my quest for a replacement Enchilada sauce. Here's what I found...
Enchilada Sauce 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1Tbsp Garlic powder
1Tbsp onion powder
1Tbsp ground cumin
1Tbsp chili powder (you can use up to 2 Tbsp but that is a little too much for me)
4 Tbsp flour (I use organic whole wheat but you could use your preference)
4 C chicken broth
1 8 oz. tomato sauce (I just use bionature strained toms in a jar)
Place oil, spices and flour in a pan ( the pan will need to be large enough to hold all ingredients) and heat the spices, flour and oil until fragrant and just starting to brown...but don't let them burn. Then slowly add broth and tomato sauce and be sure spices are not clumpy then allow to simmer for about 20 min on very low heat, covered.
I use this for any kind of Enchilada, beef, chicken, or cheese and we think it's really good!
To Assemble
If I use beef, I will brown my hamburger and season lightly, add some cooked brown rice and cooked beans (any kind...black, red...I usually mix mine when I cook them).
I use sprouted corn tortillas by Food Life which I purchase from Azure Standard
heat the tortillas til warm on both sides in a ungreased pan
For the filling: Add meat or cheese or cooked chicken and roll up placing rolled side down in baking dish
(I usually make about 18 in a dish and squeeze 'em in tightly)
Pour in all the Enchilada sauce doing your best to coat the tops of all the tortillas
Add your cheese (I uses Cheddar, mild or sharp...I like sharp best)
Bake in a 375* oven uncovered for about 25 minutes
Top with sour cream, more cheese and hot sauce, fresh onions, avocado...and if you have time, mix up some home made salsa to serve on them and these are delicious!
May you have a blessed day of preparation and a Shabbat filled with family, friends and SHALOM!
These are just a few pictures of our life since we married, I hope they make you smile like they make me smile!
The song is from our wedding day.
As your card to me said: Thinking about the life we've built together, remembering the ups and downs we've weathered, feeling proud of the family we have...
Craig, you have been a rock through our ups and downs. You have honored the words of this song all through the years of our life together. You honor me and love me even when I am far from deserving. Your heart is to love and protect and you are a faithful provider and loving father to our whole family.
Thank you for loving me and our family with such commitment in good times and bad.
I hope you like the slide show!
I love you, Traci (sorry about the quality...it's the thought, I hope:)
Thank you "Wholehearted family" for this lovely idea!!
This post is in no way intended to be a fully detailed plan. Simply a reminder of the times we live in.
Around the world
By now everyone who is watching world events is aware of the chaos occurring in so many places. The situation in Japan is the worst thing I think I have viewed in my life time. The pictures that I have seen are unimaginable, Ships larger than two-story houses brought inland onto roads, entire villages gone without anything left of the people who once lived there. The wall of water that surged inland at 500 miles an hour, the nuclear power plant explosions, all of it more than I can imagine, more than anyone can imagine.
Also, the workers who remained at the power plants in Japan have actually sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others, exposing themselves to deadly doses of radiation…can you imagine that?!
This is not a panic message. It is a message to remind you that we are living in an uncertain world at this time. Government and nature both seem to have stepped out of their boundaries all around the earth. It is a message to urge you not to take your “peace and safety” for granted. This is a message to practice setting time apart to seek Abba’s leading. More than half of the earth is in turmoil at this time. It is just a reminder that we cannot forget that we don’t know what tomorrow holds but there is one who does.
Preparations in the home
Everyone’s situation is different no doubt, but if possible, you might consider at least one week of extra groceries, more if possible (I suggest a month or more). Remember special needs of elderly, children, babies, and animals (meds, special foods, diapers, etc.). Have a plan for communicationor a meeting place for those who are away from home at times or with others who may or may not live nearby. It may be a good idea to have a well stocked backpack near the door for everyone in the house who might need to leave quickly during an emergency and possible, a predetermined meeting place if you must leave. Have a few items in the car, blankets, food / snacks, water, tarps, matches (whatever is seasonal for your area), any tools that you may need and maybe even a couple of books, paper and pens, even a deck of cards...something to occupy time if needed. Keep your gas tank full (make the half way mark the mark that reminds you to refill).
Don’t forget to keep your medicine cabinet up to date and stocked with tinctures which are long lasting, and simple things like Epsom salts, peroxide, drawing salves, pain killers, water, essential oils (keep a list of what to do with them posted on the medicine cabinet door), herbs, activated charcoal, Grape fruit seed extract, colloidal silver (learn how to make your own), zinc oxide ointment, cayenne pepper, and vodka (for tinctures and bartering) are a few ideas. (I hope to elaborate on this information soon.)
Also, parents, teach your children to listen to your voice. Be sure the young ones are able to follow simple instructions (come, stay, sit...that may sound strange but it may save a life!) Make sure you've discussed the "possibilities" with older children who can comprehend emergency situations. If you are like us, you discuss all these matters with you family, not to frighten them but to make them aware so that if an emergency were to arise, we won't be taken completely off guard.
The Real Disaster Prep
As for me, I have done all the above and then some, but the real disaster prep is allowing my heart to become tender. I feel I have been hardened by distractions, hardened by sadness and maybe even anger or fear. I don’t want those things to come between me and Abba’s plan for me and His plan for those who I am to be praying for. I pray that I am in His will, doing the things I was created to do and saying the things I am to say, nothing more, nothing less. So I pray that Abba will wash away my hardness and heal my heart to hear Him and be where He is. There, I am assured that He will keep me in the palm of His hand come what may.
Php 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Messiah Yahushuah. Amein
Here is an update from the "Natural News" folks regarding the Iodine situation going on in the U.S. There is some debate on the type of Iodine to be taken in the event of a nuclear emergency...Iodate vs. Iodide. Regardless of which you choose (if you do) both are going to be hard to come by because of the current situation in Japan. So, if you haven't already thought ahead, here is some info that may be useful to know. I really can't say that the events taking place in Japan are events that will dramatically effect those of us in the Midwest or Eastern states but all things considered, it is best to be armed with information so you can make plans that are right for you and your home.
for great ideas about adding iodine naturally to your diet see the "Iodine sea vegetables" article below!!
Dear NaturalNews readers,
Things are getting far worse in Japan. As of this writing, a partial or total nuclear meltdown event seems increasingly likely. Nuclear engineers have essentially surrendered to the laws of physics now at the Fukushima power plant and pulled all the workers off the site. Now it's just a matter of watching and praying.
This is Japan's worst nuclear nightmare coming to life. The future of civilization on our planet will be forever altered after this event. Expect massive changes to be set into motion on issues like energy use, fossil fuels, the false promise of "scientific progress," the destruction of our planet's environment and other life-and-death issues.
Meanwhile, online sellers of potassium iodide supplements are now engaged in widespread price gouging and profiteering. Our report by Ethan Huff exposes these highly unethical pricing practices that seek to exploit fear for obscene profits:http://www.naturalnews.com/031716_potassium_iodide_price_gouging.html
As a service to those who are desperate to get sources of iodine before the possibility of a nuclear fallout event (which could strike the U.S. West Coast), I've put together an article that highlights natural sources of iodine in foods and superfoods, many of which you should still be able to get at local health food stores if you hurry:http://www.naturalnews.com/031717_iodine_sea_vegetables.html
You Shall know the truth and the truth shall make you... odd.
-Flannery O'Conner
I saw this quote on another blog (on the blog of a Jewish woman) and I thought how true it is...as much to them as to us.
I have known for a long time how our beliefs set us apart from all mainstream faiths but I didn't realize just how much it set us apart from some Jewish people too. I understood how different we were from Christianity now that we have begun to understand that the OT is as much for us today as it ever was at any time in history. And I have felt the sadness when people who we loved looked at us like deer in head lights when we shared the things we had learned with them...thinking they would leap with joy at the revelations. But, what I did not understand was how the Jewish community views those of us who have left mainstream Christianity because of a desire to apply the whole word of God to our lives...Many Jewish people see us as misfits too because we do not fit the accepted norms of either faith. It seems to me that they have had the first half (OT) of the book and the gentiles (the Goim/gentiles) have claimed the second half (NT) and there is a vast river in between that apparently is there to keep us apart. I no longer believe that is how it will remain in the end. I believe two (Old Test./New Test.) are created to be one, thus, the example of the union of Adam and Eve and the example of the two sticks that become one in Abba's hand. Why? Because that's the business Abba is in, making two into ONE or maybe this is more clear...Abba places two parts together that make something whole...but it wouldn't have been whole without both parts...get it? Remember He is ONE...(Gettin' off track, sorry.)
I have often heard how the Jewish people have long felt themselves as "strangers" or outsiders. People without a place to call home, outcasts. I have begun to understand how we too really have become "strangers", people who have no "earthly place" to call home, no place we fit because of how we believe.
The thought that has kept going through my head today is the general message given to the Jewish people during the Passover, given to them I believe, to remind them that when they felt they could remain exclusive...not to forget that they too were once a people without a place of their own. He told them:
Exo 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Abba has made provision for those of us who desire to come in and partake in His Torah as long as we agree to abide by His ways in faith and because of that, He reminds those who were already in His house to remember what it was like to be a stranger and not to treat people as such, He said:
Exo 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Exo 23:9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Lev 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Anywho...if you don't know by now, the truth does set you free but freedom doesn't usually make you blend in with the crowd...in fact, often there isn't a crowd anywhere around you.
Thank you Abba for the eyes and hearts that you are opening as you bring your promises to pass to restore your house out of all tongues and nations. Amein
I have been hoping to get to this post for quite a while now. I am so fascinated by this topic. I ran across this wonderful study a while back and I wanted to post it because I found it very helpful in learning about the new moon and how we use it to observe the biblical months.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
What Is a Biblical New Moon?
Yahweh in His wisdom has given us a calendar in the sky for all to see. He uses the sun and moon to establish days, months, years, and also His appointed observances, Genesis 1:14. A critical component to His calendar is the new moon, which starts each Biblical month. Yahweh commanded special offerings on each new moon, and one special new moon is even a Feast day called the Feast of Trumpets, Isaiah 66:23.
Yahweh uses the new moon to establish moedim, or commanded observances, Psalm 104:19. Special offerings were also given on the new moons, 2Chronicles 2:4; 8:13; 23:31.
We find many references to the new moon or beginning of months in the Scriptures, including the obligation for True worshipers to observe them, Numbers 10:10; 28:11-15; 1Chronicles 23:31; 2Chronicles 2:4; 8:13; 31:3; Ezra 3:5; Ezekiel 46:1, 3, 6; Colossians 2:16.
Apostolic Believers, who remained true to His Word, continued to honor new moon days as well as observe Feast days in the New Testament, Acts 18:21; 27:9; 1Corinthians 5:7-8.
Further, we learn from Ezekiel’s prophecy (46:3) that new moon days will be kept in the coming Kingdom: “The people of the land shall also worship at the doorway of that gate before Yahweh on the Sabbaths and on the new moons.”
Make no mistake. The Biblical admonition to observe the new moon as a special marker in the Biblical calendar is not a pronouncement about worshiping the moon itself. Yahweh prohibits worshiping any celestial body: “And beware, lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which Yahweh your Elohim has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven” (Deut. 4:19). At the same time He commands us to watch for and observe the new moon each month so that we honor and follow His unique calendar and the setting of His special holy days.
What Constitutes a New Moon?
What exactly is a new moon according to the Scriptures?**Click on "read more" to continue...
We talked about the Book of Ester this week even though we are past the celebration of Purim for Adar Aleph which was back on Feb. 18, 2011 ( Biblical accounting of time is based on the biblical sighting of the new moon and ripened barley IN ISRAEL...) Because it was video that we caught on "g-dcast.com" this week instead of our weekly Torah portion video and B'lynne Faith wanted to watch it over and over... There was a princess (queen) involved so you know my girl B'lynne Faith would love it! We had fun with the video:)
Purim: An Overview.
Purim is not considered by many to be a "commanded festival" however, as with all of the word of G*D, the Book of Esther is for our learning as the days of Purim may likely be "A shadow of things to come" so it is needful for us to hear and learn from this story...I hope you enjoy:)
Purim occurs on the 14th of Adar (This year is a Jewish Leap Year and Friday, February 18, 2011 was the holiday of Purim Katan, or Little Purim, which takes place on the 14th day of the month of "First Adar" - in Hebrew "Adar Aleph". (There are two months of Adar during the Jewish leap year: Adar Aleph and Adar Bet). The little-known, yet important holiday of Purim Katan takes place seven times in the course of the 19-year cycle of regular and “pregnant” years (as Jewish leap years are referred to) that make up the Jewish Calendar.
In a leap year, Purim Katan is frequently overlooked by the popular Purim Festival, which takes place during the "Second Adar" - in Hebrew "Adar Bet". Following Purim Katan is Shushan Purim Katan, which begins Friday evening and falls on Shabbat--February 19, 2011. Shushan Purim is regularly celebrated on the 15th of Adar Bet.)
The main event of Purim is reading the Book of Esther. Set in Persia 2,300 years ago, the "Megillah" (as it is commonly called) recounts how a seemingly unrelated series of events spun together to save the Jewish people from annihilation. The quickie version is as follows:
When King Achashverosh throws a huge six-month party and the queen refuses to follow orders, she is replaced by a new queen – Esther the Jewess. Esther's uncle Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, uncovers a plot to assassinate the king -- putting him also in a favorable position with the king. All this comes in handy when Haman, the king's top advisor, obtains a decree to have all the Jews destroyed.
In the end, through a complex twist of events, Esther gets the decree reversed, Haman is hanged on the gallows, and Mordechai becomes prime minister.
The name Megillat Esther (Scroll of Esther or book of Esther) actually mean "revealing the hidden." Unlike every other book in the Bible, Megillat Esther never mentions God's name even once. The hidden hand of God is revealed through the maze of events. There are no coincidences.
Megillat Esther teaches us that life challenges work out for the best, because what appears as obstacles are really opportunities to develop ourselves for the better. And it all comes from God's invisible hand that guides our fate, every step of the way.
Coincidence?
The message of the Book of Esther is that God is there even when He doesn’t seem to be there. God’s presence in History is felt not just when the sea splits or when divine fire descends upon a mountaintop in full view of an entire nation. These fireworks are nice, but they aren’t the be-all-and end-all of Divine influence in the world. God is present in the everyday workings of life and history as well.
.God’s Will is present not just when the laws of nature are suspended. To the contrary...(Click here to read more...)
