I Am a Jew, part 1

I Am a Jew, part 1

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

Isaiah 10:20-22 (KJV)

YUYUY

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,  Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Romans 11:1-5 (KJV)

UYUYU

Defining the Term Jewish:

How do you define someone as Jewish?  What parameters does one have to fulfill to be an authentic Jew?  Is a person who is descended from Abraham truly Jewish?  Does someone who has his or her lineage from one of the 12 Tribes of Israel Jewish?  Maybe it is only somebody who keeps, kashrut or kosher?  Is a Jew only someone who lives by the orthodox oral traditions of Mishnah, Midrash and Talmud?  Perhaps a Jew can only be someone who fanatically studies Torah?  Is a person Jewish if they do not believe in Rabbinical Judaism?  Or is someone only Jewish if they live in Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel?  Maybe a Jew is someone who refuses to accept Yeshua as Messiah or Mohammed as a prophet?   

Well… Do you have an answer?  Allow me to make the question a little more difficult… 

If an acknowledged Jew (Rabbinical approved) decided to follow the practices and meditations of Buddha or Tao, would they still be Jewish?  How about if they believe in ghosts and spirits?  What are the criteria to distinguish who is and who is not Jewish?  Can you tell me?  It is not so easy an answer, is it? 

The fact is that there are so many possible ways to say that someone is a Jew or is Jewish.  Yet, always one statement must stand true:  JEWISH DOES NOT EQUATE TO JUDAISM (Orthodox, Chasidic, Humanistic, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionists, etc.).  Just as an Irishman could never stop being what his lineage is so to a Jewish person cannot be “de-Jew’d.” 

Part of the problem is that so many throughout the world define Jewish or Jew in a variety of ways.  Think about it, to be Jewish can be defined as: a bloodline or lineage, a nationality, a culture, a tradition, obviously a religion, and it can also mean to be a non-Christian or a non-Muslim.  So before we go any further I think it essential that we define what is a Jew.

Unfortunately, many Jews and Gentiles today believe the following is an applicable definition for Jewish and Judaism,

Judaism may be defined as the religious expression of the Jewish people based upon the Torah (Pentateuch) believed given them by God and on the teachings of this Torah elaborated by trained sages (the Talmud) for the sake of sanctifying human behavior and guiding nearness to God” (Fishbane, 18). 

Personally, I feel that definition is much too narrow, not to mention incorrect.  Why should the defining aspect of Judaism be based upon the Talmud, which are the admitted oral interpretations of ancient rabbi’s and not divine scripture?  It has been fully documented in several sources that the Talmud and its forerunner, the Mishnah, were both heavily influenced by Zoroastrianism during the Babylonian exile.  It was this predominance; along with both Persian and Hellenistic influences that helped to change the way Judaism was to be interpreted by the trained sages who created the first books of the Talmud.   Therefore, instead of keeping Judaism a religion based upon the Torah we now had a new movement, based on oral Torah interpretations, instructing Jews on how they should live their daily lives.  It was this exact form of legalism that Yeshua was denouncing in his sermons.  Yeshua stated time and again that legalism is not what God wants; he wants faith and love in Him, not rituals and liturgy. 

I believe the same theory holds true in regards to many Jewish traditions including Secularism.  Being a secular Jew often holds the greatest danger of misinterpreting the truths of Jewish traditions. I always joke and say that as a kid my family would hold a Pesach (Passover) seder by throwing on a VHS of “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston as Moses.  Whatever Jewish denomination we may refer to the simple truth is that these traditions have in many ways become more important then all other aspects of the religion.  This means that as observant Jews we must perform traditional acts of faith in certain specific ways because that is what has been passed down from father to son to grandson to great-grandson to great great grandson.  The purpose behind performing these traditions is many times not even for the purpose of reaching towards God’s nearness, but instead to keep Judaism as a cohesive religion and to keep the newest generations from assimilating into other religions and cultures.   For example, where in the Torah or the Talmud does it state that Jewish men must wear a yarmulke (skullcap)?  The answer is nowhere; yet can you find a Rabbinical Jewish service without a man wearing one?  Of course not, and that is because the tradition of men wearing the yarmulke have superseded the laws we were originally given by Moses.  Now please keep in mind that by stating this I am not denouncing any Jewish tradition; I am only stating my belief that the traditions of Judaism has become the focal point of the religion.  I always sat hate the sin and love the sinner.

So what is my opinion on who is Jewish?  I believe a Jew to be someone who is a descendant of one of the 12 Tribes of Israel and who lives by edicts of Biblical Judaism.  You do not have to follow the Talmud’s legalistic laws or every Jewish tradition to be Jewish; rather you must follow the Torah exclusively.  For example, as stated earlier, I am against wearing a yarmulke during prayer or services, for nowhere in the Tanakh, or even in the Talmud does it say to do so.  On the other hand, I am for wearing the tallit (prayer shawl) during prayer and religious services.  Yet, keep in mind that when I say that Jews must follow the Torah, I do not mean that they must follow the Law to the letter.  Instead, I believe that to be a Jew you must live with the Torah in your heart, with the Shema always in the forefront your mind, Hear O’ Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord is One.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.  That ladies and gentlemen, is my definition of a Jew.  It does not matter what else they do, think, or believe, they are Jewish and nobody can take that away from them; not a country, not a family, and most definitely not any member of another system of belief.

Ends Part 1

Back to Adonai (the Lord)

I have a new outlook on life.  Just recently I have been feeling a strong connection continuing to grow to Adonai (the Lord).  It has been a long time since I felt this way and I must say I am enjoying it immensely.  Physically, I remain a mess, a disaster really, but Yeshua (Jesus) is holding my head for me as I continue to live day-in and day-out.   I don't have to hold to the feeling that I am all alone with my medical condition, for I know Mashiach (Messiah, Christ) is present even at the worst of my ailment.  I know he will never give me more then I can handle.  I trust in Him.

That's all, I just wanted to comment on how good it feels to be present with Adonai.

Holy Father.  I thank you for staying with me and leading me out of the pit I live in day to day.  May I be like Jeremiah whereas I may emerge from a pit to speak the Word of God to all the people I may meet.  Lord, I pray that I am never ashamed to speak Your truths through the Bible.  I pray that I may become a vessel for the Holy Spirit.  I pray in the name of our Risen Lord and King Yeshua ha Mashiach.

The Messed Up Holiday Known as Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day everyone...yeah, right?!? (heavy sarcasm here)  Now please do not mistake me as anti-romance, I love wooing and being wooed.  I will must admit that I refuse, simply refuse to do anything on the Fall marketing holiday known as Sweetest Day.  On Valentines Day, it is something different, something worth noticing.  First, long before I even read the New Covenant, Valentines Day was the wedding anniversary of my Bubbie and Zaddie (Yiddish for grandma and grandpa).  When I was young and in elementary school Valentines Day was a day when all the students had a brown lunch bag with everybody's name on the outside.  The entire class would then dispense one generic card to each lunch bag.  Silly I know, but it defiantly beat being picked last in gym!

As for my daughter-Valentine, we went for the fifth year to the local Daddy-Daughter Dance.  SF will always be my Valentine.  I always cry, actually we both cried as we danced to "Butterfly Kisses .  I know, aaahhhhhhhhh.  For my beautiful wife I assembled an assortment of cool things, and of course chocolate; if she doesn't eat I will!

Even though we are passing gifts this year, we are not a couple that usually does this, exchanging gifts.  For me Valentines Day is an extremely "messed up with the facts" day.  Today is one of those failed experiments created when the early Church merged a pagan holiday to a Christian theme.  Read this blog by the NPR for a great short history of Valentines Day.  Dark Origins of Valentines Day.  You see?

Still, if we recognize today, then we must go to 1 Corinthians for a true look at love & charity.  Never forget that charity is love.

 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.   Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

1 Cor 13:1-10 (KJV)

Who Am I?

Eliyahu (Elijah)

At times I wonder if I am a denominationaly-insane Christian.  In July of 1968, when I was a newborn Jew, a Jew with all the proper "Jewish credentials", no one ever denied my Jewishness   A little known fact is that I truly considered going to a yeshiva (Reform Jewish seminary) in Cincinnati, Ohio until my senior year in high school.  That is where I first read the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant), and that is where my 20 years of religious study began.  

After I publicly declared my faith in Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Christ), I became an intense Messianic Jew (denomination).  There I was a Jewish believer in Yeshua and I was in a congregation that had other Jewish believers and I was overjoyed.  Even though my new wife refused to attend worship services due to the lack of her understanding of Hebrew in the worship liturgy I continued to attend the congregation each shabbat.  I became friends with the Messianic Rabbi and I was even granted a special ministerial post to reach the addicted.  It was during this time that I began preaching.  But as I continued to study and read Scripture I found what I think of as (I hate to say this word) hypocrisy in the movement.  

MJAA Worship

Each Sabbath the congregation would gather and go through a "Rabbinical Jewish-like" liturgy.  High Holiday worship services praised often and lovingly of Yeshua, but I always believed that the liturgy was "off" in some manner Biblicaly.   You see, like many present day Jewish Christians I do not adhere to any of the many volumes of the Jewish Midrash, Mishnah or Talmud.  These works, all of them, are not the Word of God; rather they are simply the interpretations of Torah written down by the Rabbis.  The Oral Traditions as these works are called where first created during the Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE.  It was a manner to hold together the Jewish nation when they were in Exile.  It was the only way they could think of as they had no way to sacrifice to the Father.  These works of the ancient Rabbi's should be prized; culturally and historically.  Thus came about my first issue with the the entire worship service.  If we, as Jewish Christians, disbelieve in the Oral Traditions then why are they such a huge part of Messianic worship today?  The answer will often be that they still practice Rabbinical rites and customs in the hope that they will remain Jewish to those non-believing Jews.  To show the non-believing Jewish community that they can accept Messiah Yeshua and remain Jewish.  That is hypocrisy.

The second odd practice was with the Messianic Jewish movement as a whole.  Though it is contrary to everything within Scripture the Messianic Jewish denominations of today worships in divisions with their Gentile counterparts.  It has been inferred that there needs to be a division between believing Jews and Gentiles.  The rationale says that as Jews we should have our own Messianic Synagogue and the Gentiles may have whatever denominational church they so wish.  I am a firm believer in Olive Tree Theology, the belief that Jews and Gentiles can and should be worshiping together without fear of assimilation or cultural assassination.   I declare openly that I became a far better Jew after coming to Yeshua.  In fact, I am the most Jewish member of my immediate family.

After I decided to leave the Messianic Congregation, I worshiped at an United Methodist and a Pentecostal church.  Neither church felt right, so we (now as a family) began to tour church's in our area.  Long story shortened we ended up in Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) church.  My wife and I love it spiritually, but the true gift was that this church was eager to learn the Jewish roots of Christianity.  The pastor and I became good friends.  I know that there are some church members who thinks I am a IFB and that I am just hanging on to my Jewishness and that I am at risk of becoming a Judaizer.  This line of thinking has never bothered me.

That leads up to when I got sick.  Keep in mind that I have always been a bit sickly.  But it was 19 months ago the the gastroparesis started, that's when my life changed, vomiting two or three time a day does that to a person.  It has only been over the past week that I have begun to feel spiritually healed.  Physically I am a mess.  The issue here is that during these past 19 months I have turned off everything in my life.  Except for archery shoot here and there, there was nothing to aid my health, but I will continue.  La Chaim! (to Life!)

Now this absence for 19 months have left a noticeable change in my family.  It centers around a question of identity.  What is my family?  Are we a Messianic Jewish family?  No way ho-zay!  I believe my wife considers herself an IFB, same with my daughter.  But I am not sure what I am.  I know that I am part Jewish, part IFB.  So what could I call myself but a Jewish Christian.  I also like Hebrew Christian.  But make no mistake, of all the Gentile and Jewish churches available my belief structure is definitely IFB.  Call me an IFB-Jew. lol

Victory is Mine!

Today was a momentous day for me!  I made it to Sunday worship at church!  I know that doesn't sound too exciting.  Anyone, and I do mean anyone who suffers from gastroparesis (GP) will often believe that leaving the house is quite "dangerous", as we GPers will often randomly vomit.  This factor has been the central reason I have been absent from church.  Still, it was great to be there!  Victory!!

I must admit that there where other reasons I was not attending church.  One reason is the aforementioned random puking.  Another reason was due to a "barrier" or "wall" that I placed between the Holy Spirit and myself   I have known all along that this rift between God and I was of my own making.  I always knew it was not Adonai's fault for my condition, the fault arises through sin.  "It rains on the rich as well as the poor."  My only excuse is that I have been a washed in a sea of digestive illness for over 18 months.  What I label as my daily stomach flu.  All I could think about is the next five minutes, just get through the next five.  Yet, through my GP symptoms I have learned a huge lesson on humility and the destruction of pride.  Believe me, you can be in no humbler of a state when your sleeping on the bathroom floor at four o' clock in the morning.  Victory!

Finally, I was also absent from the church because of certain individuals I was having trouble with (not the pastor).  One of the good things about my condition (which are hard to find) was the lesson that feelings, factual or imaginary, are meaningless in our love, fear and worship of the Lord.  We cannot allow ourselves to become in fear of anyone at any church.  So I stopped it.  Victory!

With that in mind please note that I take it as a special event when I can get out the house.  Thus making it to church today was so uplifting for me.  Make no mistake, I did run to the bathroom to vomit once.  But regardless, I WAS THERE! 

I want to especially thank KM for her help with the Ministry's blog.  Your kindness really did help in breaking down that barrier between the Spirit and I.  Thank you for bringing back Victory to the Ministry.

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A Braveheart Morning

As I sit here, having another "green" morning (my self-wit for nausea) I have found myself watching the movie "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson.  Now I am not particularly fond of Mel Gibson as I know him to be anti-Semitic.  OK let's not bandy words here, I seriously dislike him.  His one redeeming feature, his one act of repentance was the movie Mel created called "Passion of the Christ."  But I digress...

Something came to mind as I was sitting and watching this movie.  The first is that we as human beings often seem to remember the good times just as we often unconsciously forget the rough times in our lives.  Of course we can remember the big life events, whether they be positive or negative.  It is the small, the day-to-day negative events that we forget.  It's human nature to do this, after all we are all sinners (see Romans 3:10-11). I have come to the realization that every time we forget the bad and only recollect the good then we are in truth stepping away the "perfect" life that Mashiach (Messiah) lived.  Are we not to be Christ-like in all that we do?

Now I know that some naysayers would argue that I am being to "Steve", to philosophical about this subject.  Let me defend myself by stating that I do not refer to lost battles or even the loss of a loved one.  I am not referring to those poor soldiers who come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  This need to remember the bad times must include those little things in our lives.  For example, this movie I keep referring to, "Braveheart", I am not thinking of the main movie characters and their loss.  Rather, I cannot help thinking about those family members who have lost their loved ones.  How will they survive without their husbands and sons?  How will they go on?  

It's the bad times that makes the good times so special.

For example, this weekend I am taking my daughter to a Daddy-Daughter Dance, our fifth year.  For me it is the past 19 months of digestive-illness that will make this weekend so wonderful.  And I cannot even dance!

Precious Father, I know I have been absent over the past year and a half, dwelling in my infirmities.  Yet I KNOW that you have been with me.  I know that you will never give me more then I can bare.  Adonai, I pray that I can keep my family's faith pure and true.  Lord, I pray that you be with the following: Cliff, Tom, Dana, KM & CM and their families.  Father, I pray you be with my nephew and niece Jeremy and Ann as they continue to serve in the military in both the United Sates and in Afghanistan.  Please be with my family, with all of my loved ones.  I pray you touch the hearts of all my Lost family members.  Open their hearts to the truth of Mashiach.  This I pray in the name of our Risen King Yeshua ha Mashiach.  Amen.

Ministry New Update

As anyone who is a fan of the Ministry currently knows, there is no longer a The Road to God Ministry (TRTGM) website.  The Ministry is going through many changes in the days and weeks ahead.  You may come across the words "Site Under Construction" so I pray that you do not become discouraged with the Ministry as a whole.  I have two advisers on aiding the reconstruction of the Ministry blog, one a young wife/mother/and all-around blog guru.  Thank you in advance KM.

  

I also need to mention some friends at First General Baptist Church as they travel to the Dominican Republic.  May they be safe and may the Harvest be overwhelming.  Here is a link to the Inside the Box Fair Ministry web page.  

God Bless you all!