First I was listening to Marty Goetz and the song Psalm 1, which is from the Hope of Glory album.

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It is a wonderful song. Over at Kineti L’Tziyon, Judah spoke of this song and how the lyrics (which come straight from the Psalm) talk about taking delight in the Law, and he contrasted that to how many today, do just the opposite when it comes to the Law. In a similar vein, what hit me was how the repetition of the idea of taking delight in something was repeated throughout the song. In the song delight is taken in the Law, but I got to thinking what people take delight in today.

I am not speaking of out and out sin and wickedness, but more subtly the things that we do every day in and maybe take delight in. Maybe some of these things can be re-thought. It seems like the Internet is a place so overflowing with negative concepts, negative thoughts. A place of one-upping the other guy in a comment. A place of mocking others. It is like it breeds descent, derision, scorn and bitterness. There are many sites dedicated to mocking and putting down things, whether it be our results of someones labor; differing thoughts, whether political, spiritual or other thoughts and concepts. Even emotions can be paraded and mocked for the whole world to see. I guess we can feel better about ourselves if we can put down, mock or laugh at someone else’s folly and foibles.

Anyway the song got me thinking as to where I sometimes take delight and where I should be taking delight. Should I be more taking delight in the Scriptures as the Psalmist (and Marty Goetz) wrote? Do I take more delight in the negative things of the Internet than I should? Something to think about. Something this song got me thinking about.

The second song is much different in style and intended content. It is not a song that was marketed towards believers, however I felt the lyrics had a pretty valuable spiritual message. The lyrics do use a Bible story as a theme. The song is One Good man from the Rossington Collins Band.

The lyrics tell about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ignoring the accuracy of the lyrics in regard to Scripture, the lyrics ultimately paint a picture of the need for one good man, in the city of Sodom or in someones life, either as parent or husband. Driving along listening to the song, I was taken as to the capacity that G-d has given within us. We have the capacity to change lives, to save lives by our actions. That is a pretty awesome thing. I think that is a capacity that we have most especially when we allow G-d to work through us, when we come yielding our lives and through that humble act, G-d can fill us and He can use that created capacity to do some wonderful things, whether making a family a place of love, nurture and growth, or being a righteous life in a dark and troubled world.

It is such a blessing to be spoken to while driving along, in a sense, hearing from the Almighty. Thank you L-rd for the blessing of music in my life.

(By the way, I chose this YouTube video because I loved the blending of old technology and new. Turntables and LPs are a part of my past and to see it hooked up to a computer and putting music onto YouTube and Internet was a pretty cool combination that I enjoyed seeing. It was good to see a record spin on a turntable again.)

May everyone have a blessed weekend. I get to be a part of a Bat Mitzvah for a special family so I am looking forward to it. Shabbat Shalom.

B”H

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Over the years the subject of the Sabbath is a very charged subject, so much so that certain faiths are named because of it (Seventh Day Adventists, etc.). Some hold hard and fast to the Scriptural-based seventh day, while others claim the day has been moved. There are lots of reasons why some put forth the opinion that the Sabbath was moved from the seventh day to the first day. None of those reasons includes a Biblical command. Some say that because the believers met on the first day of the week, that tradition is the reason Sunday has become the day of worship/rest. Some might say it is because the Church has the authority to make the change even if it supersedes Scripture.

Regardless of ones opinion on the subject, to me as a Jewish believer I always find it a bit jarring to see Sunday being inferred as the Sabbath. The post even argues that having Friday and Saturday, encompassing the entire Sabbath time frame, is better used as a time of doing chores, errants and other non-employment based activities so that there would be more time for Sunday to be a day of rest.

To me, I am not arguing against the post of Think Christian, just stating that for me it (and the terminology used) really stood out. I think it is for each to make their own decision about the Sabbath based upon their reflection on Scripture and their personal relationship with G-d. For me, I as a Jew, believe that the Sabbath is part of a covenant that I belong to. I do my best to make the Sabbath a time away from work, chores and errants.I actually find Sunday is my day to do laundry, to do some honey-do item or go run some errants.

I do not have the animosity against those that hold Sunday as special that some do. To me, the seventh day is the Sabbath and if some choose to worship on Sunday that is their choice and I am OK with that. They can even consider it the Sabbath if they like, although calling it that sounds odd and forced to me.

So where do you stand on the issue of the Sabbath – has it been moved to Sunday, kept for the seventh day and if so, is it something to be mindful of? Does a Sunday Sabbath equal the Mark of the Beast? Sin? Just a personal choice? Let me know what you think in the comments and the poll below.

B”H

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Here is a story about it from Worthy News.

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Microsoft is designated as an official supplier to the 2008 Olympic Games.

It’s Windows XP operating system was chosen to run on all PCs used by the organizers a well as being the operating system installed on PCs supplied by Lenovo Group, the computer maker than is one of the major sponsors of the 2008 Olympics.

Microsoft’s newer operating system, Vista, was not chosen.

Lenovo chairman, Yang Yuanqing, was quoted as saying that because of the complexity of the IT functions at the Games, it was decided to not use the the more recent operating system. “If it’s not stable, it could have some problems,” he said.

(from here via /.)

A 2 year old OS that has had it’s first service pack is still not considered stable enough. What does that tell you, the consumer buying a new PC. If it is not stable enough for the Olympics, is it stable enough for your children, for your budget, your photographs? Imagine the havoc that would have been evident if Vista was used. It most likely would have been more than a BSOD caught during the ceremonies. At least the technical experts who set it up made that decision. What decision should you make with your computer? (Hint, something other than Vista, maybe a Mac, or Linux.)

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Many spiritually advanced people I know (not coweringly religious, mind you, but deeply spiritual) identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment. These kinds of people actually help us evolve. They are philosophers and peacemakers of a very high order, and they speak not just to reason or emotion, but to the soul.

And:

Dismiss it all you like, but I’ve heard from far too many enormously smart, wise, spiritually attuned people who’ve been intuitively blown away by Obama’s presence – not speeches, not policies, but sheer presence

So why do people have this love for Barack Obama that goes beyond just liking his policies or campaign promises? That his “sheer presence” can blow away “enormously smart” people? Well, I was watch a YouTube video with parts from a PBS special about the Weather Underground and came upon one small section that had a clip from an Obama event. The words hit me in a way and gave me the answer as to why so many are so infatuated with the presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate. He said:

then you and I together, we will remake this country and we will remake the world.”

You can see the quote in it’s whole here and compared to former President Reagan by the Washington Post. I found the comparison based on this quote and one listed by Reagan to be a bad comparison as Reagan’s words were a summation of his Presidency according to him, not a promise for a future. If what you do changes the world, that is far different that promising to change the world. I personally see very little similarity between Reagan and Obama. You can view the quote being spoken below.

So what does this quote reveal to me? Well, my Rabbi has often said that we are His (God’s) creation. He is the creator, we are the creation. He goes on to say that if we could be gods, creators ourselves, we would, and he points out that we all do desire this in some way. If we could we would choose to become gods ourselves and make creation what we think it should be. And that is what Obama is promising; that his supporters and those that vote for him can change the country, can change the world. That they can become gods. Quite a bold promise!

Well, now I can see why people are so enamored with him, after all promising godhood is a powerful promise. Whether he would be able to keep that promise, of course, is another question, one that I will leave for others.

B”H

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• Shabbat: Go Beyond the Law

“My only message is simple,” Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. “The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century.”

A pitcher hitting and running the bases is old fashioned and antiquated is the message he seems to be trying to get across. By why stop ay just a designated hitter for the pitcher. Chien-Ming Wang got hurt running the bases. The major leagues are full of slow lumbering hitters. Maybe we should have a designated runner. Get some track star to stand to the side and moment the ball is he, this person can sprint on down the line to first base, most likely in a scant few seconds. Why should fans be forced to see Frank Thomas, Brian McCann, David Ortiz and others “clog up the bases.” Replace them with a designated runner.

While we are at it Hank, why have a player who is a great hitter, but a terrible fielder out on the field. Why not an offensive unit and a defensive unit, like football? Then you have nine designated hitters. Think of the runs, think of the battle. Now, that is 21st century thinking.

I, for one can do without the DH and without interleague play. Let athletes be athletes. The best will rise and will do so by excelling at more than one function of the game.

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I did a similar evaluation and spoke with the author of this paper about the faith of Mitt Romney back when it seemed like he might be the Republican candidate for President. Even though I might like his policies, it was hard to get past the fact that he accepts the Mormon teaching. Richard John Neuhaus writing in the Catholic journal, First Things stated:

Not to put too fine a point on it, the founding stories and doctrines of Mormonism appear to the outsider as a bizarre phantasmagoria of fevered religious imagination not untouched by perverse genius.

To me it was difficult to get past someone who accepts this “bizarre phantasmagoria” as truth to have the sound thought patterns to be the President of the United States. Of course, non believers would say that the faith I prescribe to is also hard to believe, but the point Neuhaus was making was that Mormon leaders do not allow questions of the faith, where the faith of the Bible is open to discussion and dissension. Also, archaeological findings that have confirmed some of the things spoken of in the Bible, wherein Mormonism has none of that. These same concerns are true for the presumptive Democratic candidate. Looking at this past gives at the very least a cause to pause when deciding whom to trip the lever for this November.

Another aspect of the paper that I found enlightening was that it revealed more than I could ever find via the typical outlets. We all have seen the YouTube videos. Outside of those little sound bites it helped me to learn more about Liberation Theology and Black Liberation Theology. I hope it will help you.

Regardless of your choice this coming election I would hope and pray that the choice is not based upon sound bites, but by prayerfully looking at the candidates, their positions and values and how they might represent you and this country. Choose the best candidate and not vote against the one that you have been lead to hate. That is what the 527 groups want and that is part of this terribly divisive time for our country.

May God continue to shine His blessings upon this country. May this country continue to bless Israel.

B”H

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First of all at the very start, the Jewish non-believer is likely to be hostile to the idea of the faith of Christianity. Not all Jews are well versed in the Old Testament, but almost all know the history of Christian antisemitism, including forcing Jews to debate the subject of the Messiah and also being forced to lose the debate. This might not be something many Christians today are aware of, but Jews certainly are knowledgeable about these debates. Zionism and Israel – Encyclopedic Dictionary, as part of its definition of antisemitism includes this:

Disputations – A characteristic persecution consisting of holding a public debate between a Christian priest or church official and a Rabbi or leader of the Jewish community. The debate was meant to “prove” the correctness of the Christian faith. At the conclusion of the debate, Jews were killed or subjected to mass conversion, or Jewish books such as the Talmud were burned.

Another Jewish view is the idea of “winning prizes.” Since Rabbinic Judaism is not interested in converts and actually discourages conversation in order to ensure that those wanting to convert to Rabbinic Judaism are truly dedicated and interested and not a passing fad. So, Jews often look at Christian evangelism as some sort of numbers game, a power play, so to speak. It can be at times and that is a shame, however most that share about their faith in Yeshua, or Jesus are doing so because their personal lives have been changed and they want others to find that joy and freedom as well. The distrust however is seen as business. Sometimes things like scandals involving TV evangelists give the impression that the numbers are about money, other times the distrust might be that the Christian is doing their good deed, earning their keep as a Christian, and thus roping in others is the way that Christians earn their stripes, so to speak. Believers, of course, once again are interested because of the joy they found, so it is natural and it is something that is instructed in Scripture, to share your faith with others. While the message of repentance can sink in with those that follow no god, a Jew will look at himself as in good shape spiritually, for we are the children of Abraham, the chosen people.

Rabbinic Judaism teaches a respect for Christianity, for non-Jews. Basically, it is taught that it is great, for them. It helps them, but we have our thing, our relationship with God. Michael Brown, one of the debaters in the article has an excellent article about the uniqueness of reaching the Jewish people called, Jewish Apologetics: Christianity’s Ongoing And Unique Challenge. Dr. Brown offers a number of suggestions and is a great resource in this subject.

Recent years have shown increasing numbers of Jews that are finding the Messiah. The time is drawing near. The Spirit is moving and calling many Jews back to the Scriptures. It is a wonderful time to see these happening and experience them. Messianic Judaism is even, in small ways gaining some acceptance by some in the Rabbinic or secular Jewish communities. That can only happen when our faith is genuine and our expression and love true. Forced debates server no purpose but stroke the ego of those doing the forcing.

Lastly, the article shows a great deal of traditional Jewish humor. It is true that traditionally, most of the Jewish holidays have certain foods associated with them, and many of them recount victories over enemies, so the association is natural and just humorous. Used here the author actually seems to be saying he defeated and enemy in a similar manner, so let’s celebrate the victory and eat. He closes the article with a quote from some unlinked site that finishes, “Above all, pray that many Jewish people will attend the meetings and be compelled by the evidence…”, and that serves to close his argument and call for the food. While many Christians might not see a problem, once again the word compelled might bring forth an idea of being forced. Better wording and what I will close with is:

Above all, pray that many Jewish people will hear the good news of the Jewish Messiah and that the Spirit move through the evidence revealed.

B”H

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The leader of this particular church, , Gretta Vosper is quoted in the article as saying,

“The central story of Christianity will fade away,” she explained. “The story about Jesus as the symbol of everything that Christianity is will fade away.”

If this is so, then what she is saying is that Jesus is not the Messiah and that forgiveness of sins via His death and resurrection is not actually available to anyone. What the point of a faith at all and exactly what it is in, I am unsure of, but it is not a faith in God, not a faith in Messiah and not a faith and confidence in salvation through Messiah. Vosper is looking forward to a time, “when the label Christian won’t even exist.” Personally I would rather see that come to be for her congregation and for the church it is a part of, for then the confusion it brings would come to an end, and those that believe in the Bible and what is told there can follow their faith, without being associated with those that want the Bible and God to yield to them and their fleshy worldview, rather than figure out how their own lives can be yield to God and the teaching of the Bible.

So there is absolutely no unity with this group in my view. Their thoughts are so far from the truth of Scripture, and more precisely they reject the salvation message of the Scripture and instead use the words of the Bible in a twisted, perverted way to move forward with their own agenda. This is and issue of the inside of the circle, and thus there can be no unity. I think there is a circle of core beliefs that all believers must agree upon and these deal with our salvation. Anything outside of that circle we can agree to disagree on and still have some form of unity, however the things inside the circle, if there is disagreement then there can be no unity, for we have not even a foundation to stand upon.

So once again, for clarity the unity I think is a worthy goal of all believers, and one that can bring great and wondrous things for the glory of God is different from a unity as described by Vosper:

“Here in the context of seeking out harmony with all things, the purest understanding of those values that enhance and sanctify life becomes the foremost spiritual practice,” she writes.

This is gobley-gook, feel good mumbo-jumbo and is as far out of accord with Scripture as anything I can think of, short of being openly hostile to God and Scripture. I actually think this is movement of the adversary, more than it is of any fellow believer in Messiah and Scripture. Truthfully, very sad.

B”H

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