As for me, I will serve...

Fence #4  (fence defined)

(Los Olivos, California, taken by LinJane)

*Can you guess what they are *studying* from their side of the fence?

Choosing a side ... of anything really ... can be difficult, time-consuming, fearful, and intimidating for some, like me.  For others it is quite simple to make a choice.

Back in the day when a second language was mandatory to learn in high school (because apparently it's not anymore in the schools here) my options were French and Spanish.  It was only logical to take Spanish because a very large minority that lived where I did spoke that language. Consequently I passed the class, but for the life of me I can't imagine why I didn't become a missionary in Mexico!  Seriously, learning another language is very difficult for me, let alone understanding the Texan/Arkansan accents. (Please don't be offended by that...because I love all y'all's language. I lived there once, yes, in both places, and they're completely different I might add.) 

And I digress.

For about a year now I've had this urge in me to learn the original language of the Scriptures.  Um, Why?  Because I can, thanks to the ever growing technology we have in the internet!  But seriously, I'm becoming more aware in the importance of knowing who I am and who my forefathers were.  I'm not speaking about George Washington, or Lincoln, or even my great-grandpa, although they are a part of the descendants; what I'm talking about is our Biblical fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Because down in their lineage is Jesus Messiah!  I've had this ever-growing thought in the back of my head that if I'm to peel back more layers of His life-giving, action-breathing Word then I need to know what His Word says;  and to know what it says, I need to understand the culture and people that He wrote it in and to.  Why?  So that I can hear and do what it says in the way that He meant for His people to hear and do it.  I crave to know God because I *am* His people.

Alarming information was brought to my attention and it made my insides curl.  I am currently going through a culture shock because of it.  It's as if I've stepped into a *culture zone* and I'm more desperate now than ever to learn it's language.  The language is Hebrew; God's original language for His people, Israel. 
I'm going to link you to the website that offers these facts, because I'm not able to communicate it with any sort of loveliness...click here.





Shocking isn't it?  Why have we not used the correct term for our Creator in all these hundreds of years?  (This might peak your interest). I wonder what went incredibly wrong with the translation? Hmm, I wonder.  

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Quoted from Ephesians 6:12.

And *who* would this scripture be referring to?

"Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought"  

(This is not flesh and blood)

"But they (the dragon and his angels)did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Parenthesis mine.

Just sayin'!

I cannot say the word "God" or "Lord" now without thinking twice.  You will find that from now on I'm more likely to use these names as I write: (more fitting to Whom I serve)

Yehowah (pronounced with a "v" instead of "w" or Jehovah) for "God" 
Yeshua for "Jesus" (because "Yeshua" is actually His Hebrew name...the Englisher's just nick-named Him I guess). 
Yahweh for LORD (all caps)
Adonai for Lord (small letters)
Elohim for God ... not gods as it's sometimes used as a general term in the plural.

 (E-Sword is a great free download by the way :)

 Do you remember that churchy word "Hallelujah"? I use it all the time in worship.  We've known it to mean "Praise the Lord"...in Hebrew. (uh, praise Baal?? I don't think so.) No, that's partly correct.  It actually means "Praise Yah", a shortened version of YHWH (which is the name for the Creator).  This was used countless times in the Bible and apparently the shortened form was accepted.  So, if I use "Yah" you'll understand where *that* comes from :) Click here for more detailed information on this subject.

Remember, I'm not an expert, only beginning this new journey of our original language, and if there is a reference to my newly found information I will link you to it.  

"Test all things; hold fast to what is good." writes Paul in First Thessalonians 5:21

And now I will!

Which side of the fence will you choose based on this information given?  

Today I will call out to...

• Creator God (Yahowah, Jehovah, Yeshua, Yahweh, Adonai)

OR

• other lifeless gods (Baal, *Asteroth, etc.)

I choose Creator Yahowah!

  Joshua 24:15  "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD (Yahweh), choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Yahweh)".  

Parenthesis mine.

Interesting background about the "gods" mentioned in the above scripture: (strong's H2764 "under the ban" .. this is a start for further study)

  The Canaanites, Amorites, etc. were involved in worshiping two deities (gods): 1)for agriculture and 2) for fertility (*Asteroth).  They sacrificed babies (very sad, I know, but very real), made their children walk through fire and had sex with the priestess, just to name a few of the abominations.   This information lends to disgust in relation to the name/s that have been mis-placed or re-placed for our Creator...in our ignorance.  I don't want to stand in this disillusionment any longer.

What is the challenge that I'm overcoming?   

                                                                          A different language.

But the most significant one I could ever learn.

Remembering who I am....

                                                Cindy

*The answer is: Miniature Horses.   We aren't able to distinguish that fact from this side of the camera, can we?  They're too far away.  It would take doing some research and going to *that* side of the photo to understand what they are observing. ;)

Into His Sandals (Overcoming Defeat)

Fence #3

   Land surrounding Hearst Castle in California, taken by LinJane                                                     

"Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it." 

Psalm 119:35

"walk just as He walked"

(I John 2:6)

autumn

winter

spring

summer

His very feast steps.

(John 7:14,37; 10:22; 13:1)

Recently the question was asked among a group of people "How are we to live?" as the topic of the Fruits of the Spirit was being discussed.     

"This is how not to live" came the reply.  And the list of all the what-not-to's were read:  "adultery, fornication, uncleanness ... idolatry, sorcery, hatred ... jealousies ... selfish ambitions ..." Galatians 5:19-20.   

Many of the characteristics that this world has to offer and that are, unfortunately, so familiar to us today.  However, these only give us half the picture of what it means to live.  (100% true, but only 50% Truth.)

How are we to live?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

But the fruit of the tree is apple, orange, banana, coconut, cherry, fig.

But how are we to eat it?

The attributes of the tree are beneficial, but if we don't know what to do with them then the benefits are mute.

Similarly, the marks of the Spirit are wholesome and lends to a profitable end, but if we are ignorant in how to live them out in a practical way then what good are they but decorations on a temple?

How are we to live?

God's Word states it clearly...

"walk just as He walked" (I John 2:6)

Who's "He"?

Jesus (Yeshua).  And the only way for you and I to know the *who* and the *how* is to *do* what He says to do.  When I do what He says to do God's Word says...

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments."I John 2:3

How did He "walk"? 

"though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience..."

(Hebrews 5:8)

Jesus walked in obedience...perfectly.

"and having been perfected..."

(verse 9)

What was Jesus being obedient to?

To His Father's voice...

"Therefore you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today." (Deuteronomy 27:10)

He was all about His "Father's business" (Luke 2:49), and He walked out His Father's business perfectly.  Thus, was the spotless Lamb of God (I Peter 1:19).

Back in the day when I was under the guidance of my own parents we attended a church where I learned about the Ten Commandments in Sunday School.  These were days that stories were told with felt boards and puppets.  Remember?  

Today these commandments are but a vintage thought left on a dusty fence as a law that's been deemed done with...forgotten...put away...but never abolished; no, because, alas, Jesus said it himself that He did not come to "destroy the Law or the Prophets...but to fulfill."  What's the difference?  The difference is in the two verses that follow in Matthew chapter 5 verses 18 and 19 that seemed to have been nestled in to the dust for the rest of time.  Why is that?

There are way too many times we wonder why we are facing defeat in life; our marriage is crumbling, our friendships are dwindling, our health is deteriorating, our spiritual walk is a constant fumble;  and we find ourselves asking God to come to our rescue and "make it better, stronger, more meaningful", but yet there is a screaming silence, or worse, a variety of confusing voices that are indiscernible. Though we seek, and we ask, we can't seem to find; because we're not searching in the right direction? Perhaps we're not asking the right questions?  Quite possibly we're hung up on our own traditions and the age old response "because that's what I've been taught my whole life" unwilling to turn over yet another stone of remembrance that our ancient descendant (Joshua) set up for us to ask "what did you mean by that?".

I'm committed to getting off that dusty, old, vintage fencing of rusty ignorance, rebellion, and pride and onto the fresh pasture that line the footsteps of Jesus in order to move forward in overcoming defeat in my life.    Why?  Because I can, because I am His sheep who hear His voice, and because I desire to walk just as He walked.

How about you?

Remembering who I am...

                                                      Cindy

A Full Stomach (Overcoming Idleness)

Fence #2  

It doesn't take any effort at all to find oneself on the fence of indifference, laziness, and selfish behavior.  How ever unbalanced life might be on this fence, to the picket-lounger this debilitating tilt takes no precedence and is gone unnoticed.   






(Los Olivos, California, taken by LinJane)

Feeling ill yesterday put me curled up on the couch most of the day when I wasn't ordering my machines to wash and dry the laundry.  
Consequently, while going back and forth to the laundry room I had to pass the kitchen, and that made me feel more ill.  Two days worth of dishes with a family of five were not going to clean themselves...and being out of dish soap naturally gave our dishwasher a Sabbath's few days rest.  There are 10 hands in this family and only 2 of them desired to do the dirty work...and it wasn't mine.  I heard it from my half slumber early this morning; pots and pans clanging, water running, *somebody* being the most generous of all man-kind with their time, and I smiled as I fell back into deep sleep.  Later, I discovered that it wasn't a dream, my dear husband cleaned the kitchen and oh how grateful I am!

(Introducing my husband, Steve, caught red-hatted .. haha!)

But back to the laundry.  Although I was feeling yucky yesterday, today did come...it is here, and I'm feeling a bit better as I sit on my couch only to find a mountain of unfolded laundry staring back at me. 

 "I don't feel so well...again" I thought, as the temptation to be *that* picket-lounger crept up behind me.

This is where I switched modes of thought, remembering that I had a sick kid in bed and possibly witnessing my inaction (because it's always wise to set the example, right?), and made the decision to get on my bare feet with computer on and in hand to set it next to the laundry mountain and accomplish two things at once (because I needed material for another blog post of course!  Ok, I'll admit, I wanted to please my family too):

1. Fold the laundry.
2. Stay connected with my Lovelies 

And with that, look what I've accomplished with an hour!

"Come and get it fam, cus it's not gonna put *itself* away!"

"She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:27

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

Proverbs 19:15

I don't want to go hungry...that would be the *other* side of the fence that lends to no green grass, but instead weeds, thorns, and a lot of dust!

• Idleness?

OR

• A Stomach filled?

You choose!         :)

Remembering who I am...

                                                  Cindy

I Choose Lovely (Overcoming Rejection)

 Fence #1  (I encourage you to read this first to understand my concept of the fence)

(Santa Ynez, California, taken by LinJane)

“I need friends! I need friends! I need friends!” I wailed this desperate plea to my Creator.  I stood outside of an office sobbing uncontrollably after just being verbally attacked by those I thought I could trust; people I called friends.  I was devastated. 

Someone once shared “Choose your friends wisely.  You can be friendly to all, but they don’t ALL need to be your close friend.”  I agree completely.

Yahweh's timing is always perfect.  I had not realized at the time what a blessing was entering into my life, but looking back, I remember sharing this situation with a *secret* group on Facebook consisting of 15 women from all over the U.S., and only one I had known previously.  I really had not understood the reason why I was invited to be in this group, but I began to participate anyway, probably because I was lonely.  I found that I was the oldest in this clan, which kind of boosted my self-esteem a bit (because growing up I was ALWAYS the youngest in a group of friends and felt inferior).  I asked them to pray for me and my family.  And this was a starting of a very significant relationship.

I’ve been “meeting” with this group of ladies for 9 months now via Facebook.  I meet with them because it has been a safe place full of honesty, building one another up, studying Yahweh's Word, lots of praying and carrying each other’s burdens, an overabundance of joy to be shared, we joke/tease each other…in love of course, LOL with each other, and cry with each other, have I missed an emotion?  We come from Washington, Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, New Mexico, Indiana, Iowa, and Virginia.  We are all believers in Yeshua (Jesus) and we all strive to love Him with everything we have, say and do.  This is what keeps us alive as kindred spirits.

For the 1^st time EVER, only a week ago, several of us did a Meet-Up that had been planned since *I* met them…one of which spent precious money and flew to the rest of us in Colorado.  Renee (preggo mama who’s about to pop!) hosted; Christi drove from Louisiana to meet with Beth in Texas, who then took the wheel and drove up to New Mexico to pick up Sarah and myself (remember, we have *never* met each other in person previously…yet it was as if we had been best of friends for years).  We then drove another 4 hours to the hosting house and picked up Renee, who then took the wheel, and the 5 of us went to meet Tiff at the airport.  Jenn, living in Colorado already, met up with us that evening.  Sadly, the rest of the 15 were not able to make the trip….this time. Ashley, Ellyn, Danielle, Amanda, Fe, Tiffany, Wendy, Carolina, and Lisa we’re looking forward to meeting you at the next Meet-Up!

Meet the Lovelies…

(Our 1^st meal together at the Melting Pot.  Yeah, we spare no expense!)

This is a Lovely “Hello” and “Nice to meet you!”

(The flying Lovely being greeted at the airport)

We stayed at the Colorado Lovely’s beautiful abode for 3 awesome nights while her husband and son graciously left us to laugh and cry and eat…alone. Together. As women must do at times.

These women have become my dearest Study Buds.

My Precious Prayer Partners.

My Worship Warriors.

(with wine of course)

(my Lovely band)

My Chatty Sistah’s!

(although, I’m not sure why they’re just sitting there all looking at ME)

My Reason to Eat….HEALTHY! 

(Lessons on eating Gluten-Free)

                            (A couple of Lovelies had to...so we all joined in...."Chicken anyone!")

                                                                                          (The Lovely Mascot...the Chicken that Beth gifted each of us...really it IS a chicken, can't YOU see it?)

We had a tremendous weekend together and we thanked our Awesome Yahweh for gifting each of us so generously as we huddled together and bowed our heads and got all teary eyed…at least they did ;)  My time was later.

(12 feet, one very pregnant belly … not mine … and 6 voices calling upon Yeshua)

PRICELESS

          and then we had to say goodbye.

 (a Lovely goodbye to our flying Lovely)

These Lovelies I choose.

Because I choose to BE Lovely!

Yes there is a side of the fence you must choose …

·       People who are lovely

OR

·       People who are unlovely

Philippians 4:8 “Finally…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

Take that step to get off the fence of fear, rejection, pride, self-pity and onto the side of the fence that will lend to you freedom, love, right way of living, and support. 

I’m a whatever person …. Whatever is Lovely! 

Who are you?

Remembering who I am…

                                                Cindy

*Pictures taken by Tiff, Renee, and Sarah ;)