Life Is Too Short

Lunch with Ernesto at El Jimador in Thornton, Colorado | March 17, 2010

In January 2009 I parted ways with a good friend. We had some differences and decided it was a good idea to put some time between us before we tried to work things out. Shortly after we went our separate ways he was diagnosed with cancer in his throat. As he struggled through his chemotherapy sessions I encouraged him via the Internet. I wasn't sure if showing up in person would bless him or not so I kept my distance. After the chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission and he slowly began to gain his health back. It had been about a year since we had last met or talked in person when he called me up. He invited my wife and me over so we could sit with him and his wife and work things out between us. We accepted the invitation and that evening we cleared the air and were restored. He told me that life was too short for us to have issues between us. His bout with cancer had helped to put things in perspective. It helped him to understand what was really important in life—family and friends. From that point on we began to have lunch on a monthly basis; sometimes twice a month. It was good to have my ol’ friend back. Years ago, he was the one who took me under his wing when I was lost. He worked with me, prayed with me, prayed for me, and helped me to understand what a relationship with Yeshua was supposed to be like.

In December 2010 he and his wife joined our fledgling community. It was God’s timing. We were in the process of establishing elders in our community and, to make a long story short, Ernie was affirmed as an elder along with me. What an exciting time to be servicing God once again with my ol’ friend and mentor. Today, the community laid hands on us, prayed over us, and installed us as elders at The Front Range Messianic Community. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but that's what we are called to do; that's what charges us.

Life is too short to hold grudges against friends, especially when there’s still a lot of work to be done for the Kingdom.


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FAQ: Are You Sephardic?

A Marranito is a Mexican gingerbread-like pastry shaped like a pig.

Shortly after we embraced the Torah in 2000, after Shabbat Service one Saturday afternoon, a woman came up to my wife and I and told us that we were "Marranos." At first I was taken aback by her comment; I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Keep in mind, I'm not the most fluent, Spanish-speaking Texican but I know what a Marrano is--it's a pig! But the expression on her face was so happy and excited-like; I could tell that she wasn't trying to insult us but actually compliment us. I thought that maybe she had no idea what she was saying so I quickly repeated the word in my head, maybe I could tell if she was trying to say something else in Spanish. Nope, "Mar-ahhh-nose" sounds like "Mar-ahhh-nose." I had heard correctly, she was calling us pigs. Before I could wipe the confused look on my face she began to explain what she meant.

During the Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834) the Jews who lived in Spain, the Sephardic Jews, were either expelled, tortured, killed or forced to convert to Catholicism. Some believe that in order to prove that they had truly converted to Catholicism, they were forced to eat a piece of pork in public--hence the name 'Marrano.' This name has since been used to describe the 'Secret Jews' or 'Crypto Jews' who were forced to convert to Catholicism but kept their Jewish identity in secret. In Hebrew they are called Anusim which means 'Coerced Ones.'

Many of these Sephardic Anusim fled to Arabic counties in the Middle East, to North Africa, and to the Americas. Some historians believe that many of the people who came across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus in 1492, were actually Sephardic Jews fleeing from Spanish-Catholic persecution. Eventually, the Catholic Church would follow them to the New World.

During the Mexican Inquisition (1571-1820) the Jewish people were also tortured, killed or forced to convert to Catholicism. The 'Marranos' would continue to practice Judaism in secret and as generations passed, their secret Jewish traditions where handed down without an explanation. These traditions became unusual but unquestioned practices. For instance, women would light two candles on Friday evenings but they wouldn't know why; it was just something that their mothers had taught them.

Within the past few decades, more and more Sephardic Anusim have surfaced in the Southwestern United States; namely New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and California. Their eyes have been opened and their hearts are turning back to the culture of their forefathers. Their secret traditions are being traced back to Judaism and their true heritage as part of the Chosen People of Adonai has been revealed. Many believe that the Latinos who are now embracing the Torah and Hebraic traditions are actually long-lost Anusim, 'Marranos' being called back home.

When this woman called us 'Marranos' after Shabbat Service that afternoon, this is what she meant. She assumed that we were answering the call of our hearts to return to Judaism. It sounded convincing or at least I was convinced. But before we could say, "Yes we are Marranos" we first had to ask ourselves, do we have any of these tell-tale traditions or practices in our families? Or do we have any actual Sephardic Jewish ancestors in our family trees? After reflecting on our childhood and the religious practices of our grandparents and after thoroughly interrogating our parents, we could not identify the traditions nor could we find any Jewish ancestors. So no, I am not Sephardic, but I am a fellow heir (Ephesians 3:6).


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Can we get along?

www.bizarrocomics.com

During our middle school years my neighborhood friends and I would walk to the mall and mess around on the Apple computers at JC Penney's. Yes, JC Penney's used to sell Apple computers in the 80's. Anyway, we'd play the mine-sweep game or chess until the Penney's employees would kick us out. When we were in high school one of my friends got a Mac II from his parents. We would all gather in his room and huddle around him the as he played games or typed out his name in interesting fonts and colors. I don't think I would be too far off by saying that at the time, he was the only person in the neighborhood who had a computer. I remember I was impressed with the interface of the Mac. It seemed so much more advanced than the black-screened IBM that we worked on at school. There was something about this computer that impressed me. The name 'Macintosh' and the rainbow Apple logo was embedded in my memory. At that point I had no idea that I would eventually pursue a career that would require working on a Mac.

Over twenty years and many Macs later, I am still a Mac user. At this point I've worked on a variety of Apple computers and I've watched as the OS, the interface, and the design of the computers evolved into what they are today. To name a few, I've worked on a Performa, a Mac Clone (by Power Computing), many versions of the PowerMac, a G3, several versions of the G4, a first generation iMac, a third generation iMac, two Powerbook G4s, and a MacBook. I am currently using a MacBook Pro 17". I have worked on PCs (we actually have one at home) but I always come back to the Mac. It's what I grew up on. It's what I am familiar with. It's what I prefer.

After all of these years of being a Mac user I've never been a diehard fan. What I mean is, I've never thought that the Mac was the 'only way to go' for a computer. I have never 'dissed' anyone for being a PC user. But I have been berated and belittled by PC users for working on a Mac; and I've watched many an argument between Mac and PC diehards as they verbally abuse each other's choice of computer. In my opinion these arguments are a waste of time. It's like the football fan who goes to blows with a fan of the opposing team. Why? Or the car window decals with Calvin, from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, urinating on the logo of a rival automobile manufacturer. What does this accomplish? Why the need for an outward expression of such hatred over a preference?

The data of a recent survey of Mac vs. PC users has caused a stir in the computer world. So much so that when CNN wrote an article about the survey, harsh words were exchanged between Mac and PC users on the CNN website. Then the author of the article wrote another short article addressing this unexpected reaction.

In the words of Rodney King - "Can we get along?"

Here is the survey:
Mac vs. PC: A Hunch Rematch
Our latest data project was to analyze how self-described Mac and PC people are different. The infographic below, designed by the talented folks at Column Five Media, breaks it down. Keep reading after the Infographic for more background and analysis, including some comparisons to findings from 18 months ago when we first looked at this issue.

Here are the articles:
Mac vs. PC: The stereotypes may be true
By Brandon Griggs, CNN
April 22, 2011

Mac, PC users bash each other over survey results
By Brandon Griggs, CNN
April 25, 2011


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The Date of Yom HaBikkurim

If Pesach (Passover) is on Nisan 14 at twilight and Chag HaMatzah (The Feast of Unleavened Bread) is from the 15-21 of Nisan, then what is the date of Yom HaBikkurim (Day of the First Fruits)?

The interesting thing about Yom HaBikkurim and Shavuot is that, in Leviticus 23, these two Appointed Times do not have a specific date assigned to them. For Yom Habikkurim we are simply told that on ‘the day after the Sabbath’ the priest is to wave this first fruit offering before HaShem (Lev 23:11); and then for Shavuot (Pentecost, lit. – Weeks), we are told to count seven complete Sabbaths after Yom HaBikkurim, that is fifty days to ‘the day after the seventh Sabbath’ (Lev 23:15,16). It is clear in the text that these two unique, dateless festivals are inextricably connected. But what Sabbath is being referred to in Leviticus 23:11? When should we start counting the fifty days to Shavuot?

Let’s take a quick look at the context of verse 11…

4 ‘These are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them.
5 ‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD’S Passover.
6 ‘Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
7 ‘On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.
8 ‘But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’”

The Dates for Pesach and Chag HaMatzah.

In this passage, verses 4-5 explain the date and time for celebrating Pesach. Pesach is on the fourteenth day of Nisan at twilight. Twilight is understood to be in the evening, or near sunset, on the fourteenth leading into the fifteenth.

Verses 6-8 describe Chag HaMatzah, the seven-day festival that is given as a specific span of dates, Nisan 15-21, but not specific days of the week. In contrast, Shabbat is a weekly Moed (Appointed Time), therefore a specific day is assigned to it but not a specific date (Lev 23:1-3). Because Chag HaMatzah is an annual Moed it may start on the first day of the week in one year and on the third day of the week the following year. This is why specific days are not assigned to these dates. The day of the week that Chag HaMatzah begins and ends is not important, but the dates are.

The corresponding dates for this year’s calendar.

Let’s continue in the text:

9 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
10 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.
11 ‘He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

In this passage, HaShem is talking to Moses about Yom HaBikkurim and He tells him that it shall be observed on the day after ‘the Sabbath’. What Sabbath? Keep in mind that the word sabbath is used in a number of different ways in the Bible, especially in Leviticus 23. In verse 3, for example, the word sabbath is used to refer to ‘rest’ and the ‘weekly Sabbath’.

3'For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings.

Putting verse 11 in context, we’ve already established that the focus of verses 6-8 is the seven-days of Chag HaMatzah. In verse 11 then, the Sabbath that is mentioned is a reference to one of these seven days. This is because one weekly Sabbath will occur during this seven-day period and the day following it, will be Yom HaBikkurim. Keep in mind that Chag HaMatzah can begin on any day of the week, therefore the weekly Sabbath will inevitably ‘move around’ within this seven-day period from year to year. But once the seven-dates for Chag Hamatzah are determined for the given year, then the weekly Sabbath can be identified. Once the weekly Sabbath is identified then we know that ‘the day after the Sabbath’ will be Yom HaBikkurim and the counting to Shavuot can begin.

The Sabbath is identified in BLUE and Yom HaBikkurim in PINK.

Continuing in Leviticus 23, verses 12-14 prescribe the various sacrifices made on Yom Habikkurim. This passage ends with the command that ‘this is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places’ and then in verse 15 the explanation of Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer) and Shavuot begins:

15 ‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths.
16 ‘You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD.

In verse 16 we are told the day that the festival of Shavuot is to be observed, but like Yom HaBikkurim, this day is vaguely described. It is simply referred to as ‘the day after the seventh sabbath’. Seventh Sabbath?

We have already established that the first ‘day after the sabbath’ is the day following the weekly Sabbath that falls within the seven days of Chag HaMatzah. This day would be the first day of the week known in Hebrew as Yom Rishon (First Day). We call it Sunday. But now regarding Shavuot it says there shall be ‘seven complete sabbaths’ and then the following day is Shavuot. Here we have another use of the word sabbath; this time it refers to a ‘week.’ Shavuot means weeks in Hebrew so this festival is literally called the Feast of Weeks, seven weeks to be exact. You can say it is a week of weeks. But what kind of weeks are these? The text says ‘complete’ weeks. In some cases a week can simply mean a seven-day period but in this passage it is clear that these are to be seven ‘complete’ weeks. In Hebrew the word for ‘complete’ is tamim. It is the same word used to describe animals that are without blemish and it is also used to describe a person who is blameless or perfect. So, what would a perfect week look like?

A week starting on Yom Chamishi (Thursday) and ending on Yom Revi’i (Wednesday).

In Rabbinic tradition, Yom HaBikkurim is reckoned on the day after the first day of Chag HaMatzah. In other words, Yom HaBikkurim will always be on Nisan 16. The Rabbinic Sages consider the first and seventh days of Chag HaMatzah as ‘Sabbaths’ since no laborious work is to be performed. But in the Tanakh (Old Testament), Chag HaMatzah is never referred to as a ‘Sabbath.’ Now what about this description of a complete or perfect week? In the Rabbini tradition, if the first day of Chag HaMatzah is on Yom Revi’i (Wednesday) then Yom HaBikkurim will be on Yom Chamishi (Thursday). So each of the seven weeks that lead up to Shavuot will start on Yom Chamishi (Thursday) and end on Yom Revi’i (Wednesday). Is this a perfect week? In Genesis the week of creation, the archetype of all weeks, began with Yom Rishon (Sunday) and ended with Yom Shabbat (Saturday). The week of creation is a Biblical example of a perfect week.

A week starting on Yom Rishon (Sunday) and ending on Yom Shabbat (Saturday).

Notice that Chag HaMatzah is also a seven-day period but it is not referred to as a week. This is because this seven-day period may not always be a complete or perfect week.

Yom Habikkurim and Shavuot are not assigned specific dates in Leviticus 23 because the days that they fall on will be different year after year. Like the rest of the Moedim, Yom Habbikurim cannot be determined until the date for Pesach is identified. Shavuot can only be determined when the day for Yom Habikkurim is identified. Finally, if Sefirat HaOmer begins on Yom HaBikkurim, which is on Yom Rishon (Sunday), and we count seven complete weeks, then the following day, Shavuot, will also be on Yom Rishon (Sunday). For the two dateless festivals, the days on which they will be celebrated will always be the same, but the dates on which they are observed may change.

Shavuot - fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; seven complete weeks.

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Career Enrichment At Jones

Learning the ropes from the local HVAC expert at C.D. Jones.

At work they signed me up for a short course in Basic Refrigeration Theory and System Dynamics at C. D. Jones in Denver. I don't have a problem taking classes that will help me do my job better. In fact, I prefer working for a company that provides their employees the opportunity to take enrichment courses like this. I believe it was the training that I received in the Army that helped me to understand the importance of continuing education. Some of my goals in taking a class like this is to learn a new skill, to expand my knowledge, or to get a refresher on those areas that I may think I am already proficient in. I have come to realize that since I can never know everything, I can never stop learning. In this case, this course is helping get a general understanding of HVAC. Since I am not a service technician, it's a bit over my head right now, but I'll catch on.


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A Family Integrated Seder

My Children (on the left in the back) sing traditional Passover songs during the Seder.

Today we had the opportunity to lead a group of Christian families through a Messianic Seder. They are part of a Life Group at Calvary Bible in Erie. Calvary Bible has many different kinds of Life Groups, each with a different focus. The focus of this group is Family Integration. They meet and study the Bible or do activities together as families.

It seems to me that Family Integration is becoming a more talked about topic among Believers in both Christian and Messianic congregations. From my observation, many people misunderstand the Family Integrated concept and make assumptions of what it looks like and why it is done. For others the Family Integrated model is challenging because in order to integrate families in their communities, many changes in their church organizational structure would have to take place.

Another observation: Family Integration is not only popular among homeschooling families. This group of families, that we led through the Seder, is a mixture of home, public, private, and charter schooling families. In one case, a family is homeschooling one child and sending the other to a charter school. In our community, we have a mix of homeschooling and public schooling families.

As the world around us gets darker and darker, believing families are seeing the need for more intentional and consistent family Bible study, especially on the Sabbath. As parents, we are commanded by God to teach our own children (Deut 6:6-9, Eph 6:4). I pray that more believing fathers would be moved to take time out of their busy schedules and lead their own families. I believe the current Family Integrated movement is being led by the Spirit, preparing us for the return of Messiah.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers...”
- Malachi 4:5,6

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Hermeneutics Class at Agape Bible Church

Class 4 of 10 with Dr. Darrell Ferguson of Agape Bible Church in Thornton.

Although my schedule this week is totally jam packed preparing for the upcoming MSI Classes, Shabbat Service, and the Passover Seder(s) and Service for next week; I still made time to take a class in Hermeneutics tonight. Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures. Bible Study classes charge me. Especially good ones; and Dr. Darrell's class is downright awesome!

I first heard Darrell Ferguson back around 2001/2002 on FM 94.7, KRKS. He had a show called Food For Your Soul and at the time, he led a church called Creekside in Louisville. The show went off the air for a while and I stumbled upon it again about a year ago on AM 560, KLZ. Evidently Darrell started another church about 3 years ago in his living room. When they outgrew the living room, they met in a high school gymnasium and then they moved to a small church building and now, they are in their own building on the corner of 84th and Huron in Thornton. The church is called Agape Bible Church. The radio show is still called Food For Your Soul but it is no longer on AM 560, KLZ but you can hear it weekdays on FM 94.7, KRKS at 5:30am and 12:00pm.

I like Darrell's teachings because he is so thorough in his studying. He told me he spends 35 hours in Bible study each week preparing for his Sunday sermon. That's a lot of time and I'm sure this is why his teachings are so awesome. He is also a proponent of Expository Bible teaching. If you are familiar with Expository Bible Study/Teaching, you know it takes time and effort.

The radio show rocks but the live class is better. I'm glad he has allowed me, an outsider, to join his class and learn from him. I greatly appreciate pastors and teachers who freely share their knowledge and experiences.

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Sidney Lumet, 1924-2011

One of my movie heroes, director Sidney Lumet, died today. He was 86.

When we moved to Colorado in 1999, one of my aspirations was to make short films. A few years before we left Fort Worth I began researching independent film making. During this time I found a ‘gem’ of a book in the bargain bin at Walden's by Sidney Lumet called Making Movies (1996). In the book, Lumet explains his process of film making by recounting the production of some of his movies. Not necessarily his best or most popular movies but the ones with unique shots, interesting techniques, and big production challenges. As I went through the book I rented and watched each of the films he described. I think this is why I have a great appreciation for his work.

Below are some of my favorite movies by Sidney Lumet:

12 Angry Men (1957)

Plot Summary: A dissenting juror in a murder trial slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it seemed in court.

A classic. If you've never seen this one, you need to.

A Long Days Journey Into Night (1962)

Plot Summary: Author Eugene O'Neill gives an autobiographical account of his explosive homelife, fused by a drug-addicted mother, a father who wallows in drink after realizing he is no longer a famous actor and an older brother who is emotionally unstable and a misfit. The family is reflected by the youngest son, who is a sensitive and aspiring writer.

This movie was filmed with the camera angle starting up high and then slowly descending as the movie progressed; like the sun setting. This technique was used as sort of a play on the title.

The Pawnbroker (1964)

Plot Summary: A Jewish pawnbroker, victim of Nazi persecution, loses all faith in his fellow man until he realizes too late the tragedy of his actions.

This movie was very hard to find; I remember subscribing to Netflix for the sole purpose of renting it. Once I returned the movie, I cancelled my subscription.

A Stranger Among Us (1992)

Plot Summary: When a Jewish jeweler is found dead and his store is missing more than one million dollars in diamonds, a New York police detective goes undercover in a community of Hasidic Jews to find the criminal. Once she is immersed in the community, she falls in love with one of the most devout members, who helps her find the criminal.

I admit, this was probably not one of his best movies and, actually, he was accused of ripping off the movie Witness which took place in an Amish community. But, it is one of my favorites because about a year after we watched it, we were turned on to Messianic Judaism. I remember watching it again after we had learned about Jewish traditions and it made more sense to me.

Watch some film clips here: Sidney Lumet: a career in clips

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Run for your life!

My morning run with the kids... today we ran in the fog.

First Lap Around the Track

Right now I have the older three running three times around the track. The girls surprised me this morning and ran four times (one mile). They got ahead of me. I was going to require one mile next week. Maybe next week will be a mile and a half!

I don't require the little ones to run, but they got up anyway and joined us. 

I want physical activity to be important to my children. In order to instill this principle I have to teach it and demonstrate it. It's tough getting up early in the morning and being consistent with this but it will be worth it in the long run (Hey, nice pun).

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Lunch with Alex Strauch...

How often do you get to have lunch with a hero in the Faith?

I had lunch with Alexander Strauch today. He is a former Elder at Littleton Bible Chapel, where he still preaches once a month. He is also the author of Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership, one of the few books that thoroughly examines Bible-based Church Government.

When Thomas and Caroline Graumann came to visit our community a few weeks back, they heard that we were trying to establish elders. They asked me if I had heard of Alex Strauch and that I should meet him; so they hooked us up! I was encouraged and inspired with all that he had to share with me. I am so grateful that he took time out of his busy schedule to meet with me. I am overwhelmed by all the leaders in the local Body of Messiah (Christian and Messianic) who are willing to assit me and share their experiences, information, and advice as we try to establish this community. Baruch Hashem!

Here is a FREE abridged version of the book online:
Biblical Eldership: Restoring the Eldership to Its Rightful Place in the Church
You can find more books by Alexander Strauch here: Amazon.com