Top Seven Blog Posts of 2011

Ha ha, looks like I'm at a New Year's Eve Party - but I'm not... 

Aside from buying a new planning calendar, I typically don't pay too much attention to the change of the year on the 'Gregorian' calendar because, well, it's pagan (LOL! - no, really). But earlier this week I was reviewing my blog stats for the past year—you see my blog software categorizes and tracks the posts by month and year—anyway, some blog posts really stood out because of their substantially high number of visits. So, I thought I'd share with you my Top Seven Most Visited Blog Posts of 2011. These are not necessarily my favorites, but the most visited by you, the reader. Today's entry will be #87. Compare that to the measly nine blog entries I posted between July-December of 2010 (Man, that was lame!).

Okay, the Most Visited Blog Post of 2010 and the former All-Time Most Visited Blog Post is:

The "Donkey in a Ditch" Principle: A Quick Look (Jul 22, 2010)

Having been in a leadership position for many years now, I've heard a multitude of reasons and excuses for missing Shabbat Service that were deemed a "Donkey in a Ditch." So, in this blog entry I briefly examine this ambiguous principle in an attempt to put it to rest. It didn't work. This was my fourth entry ever on SetYourHeart.org and it has dominated as the top ranking post for the past year and a half! But in November 2011, a new post emerged as the most visited of the year and all-time. Before we go there, I'll run through the other six. Let's start with number seven of Top Seven Most Visited Blog Posts of 2011:

7. The Pagan Origins of Thanksgiving? (Nov 1, 2011)
This was a response to the feedback I received on the post previous to it call Easter, Halloween - Same Thing (Oct 31, 2011). Can you believe that some folks actually think that Thanksgiving and the 4th of July have pagan origins? Based on the amount views, this must be a popular topic!

6. The Date of Yom HaBikkurim (Apr 21, 2011)
Every year as we approach Pesach (Passover) many questions arise. The date of Yom Habikkurim (First Fruits) is one of those questions. This is the only area where we, at FRMC, deviate from the Rabbinic calendar in regard to the Moedim. So, I figured I needed to clearly explain our reasoning and our stance. This is a popular topic in the Messianic community. I'm not surprised that it got a lot of views. It also got a few lengthy comments.

5. Self-Excommunication and Matthew 18 (Oct 27, 2011)
In this post I took issue with some comments made on the website of a congregation where I once served as a pastor. I do not intend on attacking a brother on this blog, but I will defend myself, my family and my community. Also, I am finding it necessary to challenge faulty teachings that are made in public and have the potential of negatively affecting the body, especially our local Ekklesia. So, in 2012 you might see more posts like this. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)

4. Classrooms Are For Girls (May 27, 2011)
I have to admit, this post gained popularity as the new public school year drew near. As teachers desperately searched the Internet for new classroom ideas, they unwittingly stumbled upon this blog entry. Ha! I hope they actually read it and took the topic to heart or did research for themselves; why not? They are teachers!

3. The "Matthew 18" Principle: A Quick Look (Jan 4, 2011)
This post was a train-of-thought response to a number of injustices that took place at a local church. This church twisted Scripture and violated Biblical Principles in disfellowshipping some members who were long-time, faithful servants. It was a classic example of an abuse of authority. As I read the Scriptures, I wrote my thoughts about the passage with these injustices in mind. I followed it up with comments as more thoughts came to mind. Be sure to read my final comment on August 29, 2011. This post got such a high ranking because it was shared extensively through email.

2. FAQ: Are You Sephardic? (Apr 29, 2011)
If you are Latino (aka Hispanic) and you are walking in Torah, at some point you will be asked if you have Sephardic Roots, if you are a Crypto-Jew or if you are a Marrano. Sometimes I am told that I am Sephardic because of my last name. This post explains my experience with the Sephardic question and I give my answer. This post was widely shared throughout Sephardic forums and websites.

Finally, the moment you've been waiting for...

The Most Visited Blog Post of 2011 
and the NEW All-Time Most Visited Blog Post is:

1. Culture of Death In Children's Clothes (Nov 16, 2011)
I guess this post was, and is still, so popular because it was something that most folks can relate to. Why on earth is the Gap printing skulls all over children's clothing and selling it as if it's okay? As if it is the normal thing to do? As soon as I posted this blog entry, it spread like wildfire. I felt like I was delivering some breaking news! Maybe I was. I felt like a journalist! Maybe I am. The reason it got so many visits is because it was posted on the homepage of a couple of online news outlets and it was widely shared on facebook and through email.

There you have it, the Top Seven Most Visited Blog Posts of 2011. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you have enjoyed it. Next year, don't be afraid to comment on my entries and please, continue to share them with your friends through email, on facebook, on Google+, on Twitter, etc...

In case you are wondering, this is my personal favorite post of 2011:

The Pink Toothbrush (Jul 7, 2011)

I laughed as I wrote it, and I still laugh when I read it today.



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Chanukah and the Legacy of Mattityahu

The Rockin' 3rd Annual Front Range Messianic Chanukah Fair

Imagine what it would be like to change history, to actually make history. What would it take? Being in the right place at the right time would be a good start; but more importantly it would take courage. Enough courage to actually make history happen. Keep in mind, making history and watching history being made are two totally different things—and I'm not talking about watching.

This year as I went through the Chankuah story with my family I couldn't help but notice that Mattityahu (aka Mattathias) was a model father. As he mourned for the sins committed in Judea and Jerusalem, Mattityahu and his sons tore their clothes and donned sackcloth and ashes. He didn't mourn alone, his sons joined him. Mattityahu was a priest and a descendent of Pinchas (Phineas) the grandson of Aharon (Aaron). Because he was a priest we can conclude that he taught his children the traditions of the Jewish people and showed them how to have a close relationship with Hashem. This was the duty of the lineage of Aharon, to pass along the traditions from generation to generation. Even the officials in Antiochus' army recognize Mattityahu as an influencial leader and a man who was well respected by his family. After Antiochus' officials try to persuade him with money and recognition, he speaks up for his entire family:

19 Mattathias answered in a loud voice, "I don't care if every Gentile in this empire has obeyed the king and yielded to the command to abandon the religion of his ancestors.
20 My children, my relatives, and I will continue to keep the covenant that God made with our ancestors.
21 With God's help we will never abandon his Law or disobey his commands.
22 We will not obey the king's decree, and we will not change our way of worship in the least."
(1 Maccabees 2:19-22, GNT)

After making this statement, a Jewish man steps up to offer a sacrifice to the pagan idol but Mattityahu kills him. He then gathers those who were still faithful to the Torah and along with his sons, they flee to the wilderness and began a campaign of guerilla warfare against Antiochus and his mighty army.

When it came time for Mattityahu to die, on his deathbed he charged his sons to remain faithful to the Torah and to defend it with their very lives. He encouraged them by recounting the faithfulness of their ancestors Abraham, Joseph, Phineas, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael and Daniel. After his death, all of Israel mourned for the great Mattityahu.

Before he died, Mattityahu placed his son, Judah, as the new leader of the small Jewish army. Judah was also a man of great faith. He fasted and prayed with his men and consulted the Torah on how they were to conduct themselves in the absence of the Temple. He led the Jews to victory after victory, giving all the glory to Hashem. Once they captured the Temple, they cleaned it up, made new vessels and instruments, and rededicated it to Hashem. Then they celebrated for eight days, like Sukkot. This was the first Chanukah.

Once a year for two millennia Jews have celebrated the miracles that Hashem did for the Maccabees and the Maccabees are remembered for their courage and great faith to step out and actually make history. Chanukah is like a tribute to the legacy of Mattityahu. A father who diligently taught his children the Torah of Hashem and the traditions of the Jewish people. He was a father who demonstrated great faith, courage and self sacrifice. He is a father that we can all learn from.

Are you raising world changers? Are you leaving behind a legacy like Mattityahu?

Suggested Reading:
1 Maccabees 1 (GNT)
2 Maccabees 1 (GNT)



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Sej Kandelikas - Six Little Candles

Chanukah 2011
Moses (6 mo), Michaela (13), Miryam (7), Aaron (5), Isaac (9), Maya (11)

The days of celebrating Chanukah will come to a close as the sun sets this evening. This has been a very fun and fulfilling Chanukah for our family and our community. Late last night, my children began the process of flaking the multi-colored wax off of their menorahs. As I listened to them laughing and joking around in the living room, I could tell that they had a good time this year; I hope a memorable one. At dinner last night Aaron said to me, "I am so happy. Our Chanukah has made me happy. I like Chanukah, Sukkot and Shabbat; but I like Shabbat the best." He's right. The Moedim and Minor Festivals come once a year, but Shabbat is celebrated fifty two times a year - that is, once a week.

We are a Messianic family, there is no question about it. My children have been brought up in the Torah, this is all they know. I pray that they, like the Maccabees, are able to come against the allure of the world around them and the temptation to assimilate and be absorbed into secular and pagan cultures. May they walk with Messiah Yeshua all the days of their lives. May their lights shine brightly in this dark world.



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Are Chanukah Presents Pagan?

In the Messianic Movement we tend to ‘pagan-ize’ everything about all of the traditions we have forsaken. We link the gifts given at Christmas to ancient pagan child sacrifices; therefore giving gifts during this season is typically avoided by some Messianics. I never made this connection growing up in a Roman Catholic home. I was taught that the gifts were connected to our gift of the baby Jesus and/or the gifts given by the three wise men. However, as I got older I began to despise the gift-giving part of Christmas. The gifts became more and more the central part of Christmas overshadowing the birth of Jesus. It is common knowledge that the song ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’ and Christmas advertisements by Coca-Cola helped to create the image of Santa Claus in the US. Since then, the commercialization of Christmas (i.e, gift-giving) took off. The biggest money making season for the US retail market begins on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and ends on Christmas. Christmas is now a huge money making machine and a bona fide American tradition.

Just because pagans practice gift giving doesn’t make gift-giving pagan. Pagans do a lot of things that believers do. They light candles, they sing, they dance, they offer sacrifices and they hold communal meals. The practice of these things is not bad, but who, what, when, where, why, and how they are done is the important part.

Keep in mind that Chanukah is not a commanded festival (Leviticus 23). Did Yeshua recognize it? Yes (John 10:22), and He took advantage of it’s significance; but Chanukah is more like a ‘civil’ celebration than a Moed (Appointed Time) of Hashem. Therefore, the celebration of it is all tradition. Who makes the traditions? We do. In case you haven’t noticed, borrowing from surrounding cultures is a very Jewish thing. Think about it; Klezmer music, the Yiddish language, gefilte fish, lox and bagels, dreidels, latkes, homentashn, kreplach, kugel – all of these are considered to be Jewish customs and traditions, however they were all influenced by the Eastern European culture that surrounded the Ashkenazi Jews.

I’ve heard that there was a Jewish tradition to give roaming Torah Teachers gelt at the end of the year, around wintertime. This tradition evolved into giving the gelt to children, which has now evolved into giving gifts during Chanukah. Is this true? I’m not sure, but I have also heard that gift giving during Chanukah is an American Jewish tradition and not done so much in Israel.

So, when American Jews give gifts during Chanukah, are they borrowing from American culture or are they offering ancient pagan child sacrifices to Hashem? All the Jewish folks that I’ve talked to admit that gift giving during Chanukah is only a concession because of Christmas. It is an attempt to make Chanukah more appealing in order keep their children connected to the Jewish faith while living in a materialistic culture. Is that really a bad thing? I wouldn’t recommend going into debt to give gifts to your children, but spending a couple of dollars might be worth it.

If giving gifts during this ‘civil’ holiday bugs you, the next ‘civil’ holiday, Purim, is another opportunity for you to give gifts. In fact, Esther and Mordechai actually recommended that during Purim, everyone should give “gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” (Esther 9:19, 22)

Look at it all with a ‘grain of discernment’ and during Chanukah, give gifts as you feel led. My only caveat is to be careful not to make the gifts the central theme of your celebrations.

Related Articles:
Hanukkah, American Style, (MyJewishLearning.com)
Re-inventing Chanukah in America (Washington Post, by David Saperstein, December 24, 2011)

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Angels and Giants?

Nephilim in Denver?
(This photo has not been altered in any way, I promise.)

Over the past decade of studying and walking in the Torah I have noticed that, in the Messianic Movement, there are a few nonessential issues that seem to distract the well intentioned. These incidental topics seem to rise above the essentials and are given more time than they require. One of these subjects is the identity of the Sons of God and the Nephilim found in Genesis 6:1-4. I have to admit, early on in my Torah journey I was enamored with this topic. I marveled at the idea of a race of giant people who were part-human and part-angelic being. Not only were these men extremely large, they were also believed to have extraordinary superhuman abilities. This took me back to childhood fantasies of the mythological characters Hercules and Perseus. The belief is that, because of the sin between these fallen angels and man, and because of the product of that sin (i.e., these enormous wicked mutant half-breeds) Adonai flooded the earth.

The belief that the Sons of God were angels is not unique to the Messianic Community and it is not a new concept. This debate has been around for a long, long time and it has been the topic of many articles, books, conferences, and websites. Because of it's popularity as a fascinating subject some Bible teachers focus their entire ministries on this and other unusual Biblical topics and conspiracy theories. It is important to note that there are many well-known and well-respected scholars who believe that the sons of God were angels. Likewise, there are many well-known and well-respected scholars who do not. The fact that not all scholars agree on this issue should give us a clue that we are not going to figure out who is right anytime soon, but that's okay. We don't have to figure it out because it is a nonessential issue; but it is also okay to have a stance on the subject. We can have varying perspectives on this topic and still fellowship with each other because it is not a reason to divide.

In October 2009 we began a three-year journey through the Torah as a community. We slowly covered the book of Genesis over a period of one year. After this slow and deliberate study I have come to the conclusion that the Sons of God were not angels but men. Once I understood the context of the passage in the chapter and how it fit into the context of the Book, it was clear to me that the Sons of God could not be angelic beings. Here's a quick overview of my new perspective:

1 Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.- Genesis 6:1-4, NAS

Leading up to this passage we have The Creation account in Chapters 1 and 2, The Fall of Man in Chapter 3, Cain and Abel in Chapter 4, and The Generations of Adam leading up to Noah in Chapter 5. In The Creation account Adonai made everything and it was ALL good. With The Fall, sin enters the picture and with Cain and Abel we see the result of sin, which is death. The descendants of Cain are then traced down to the 7th generation. The generations of Cain prove to be an ungodly line of men. These wicked men are contrasted against the line of Seth, who was born to Adam as a 'replacement' for the righteous son, Abel, who was killed by Cain. After the birth of Seth, the text says that "men began to call upon the name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:26, NAS). This event was a revival that kicked-off a line of godly men that lead up to Noah, who was righteous, blameless and walked with Adonai. The generations of Adam through Seth proved to be godly sons, righteous men.

I believe that the Sons of God are the descendants of the godly line of Seth and the daughters of men are the descendants of the wicked line of Cain. Back in Genesis 3:15 Adonai promises to put enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between the serpent's seed and the woman's seed. This promised seed of the woman would bruise the serpent on the head, and the serpent would bruise the promised seed on the heel. We understand that this promised seed who was to come from the woman was Yeshua. Do you think Adonai would allow His promised seed to come from the generations of wicked Cain? Of course not. This is why Seth is born to replace Abel; and when Adonai saw that the godly line of Seth was becoming tainted by the wicked descendants of Cain, He was grieved. The result of the marriages between Seth's descendants and Cain's descendants was a generation of violent people or Nephilim. We don't know for sure what Nephilim means. Some hypothesize that it is a name derived from the Hebrew word naphal which means 'to fall upon' as in an attack. Were the Nephilim giants or a race of extremely tall people? Could be. Were they superhuman-mutant half-breeds? I don't think so.

That's a quick overview of my take on the Sons of God. It's not a new perspective but it's the one that I see fits the overall context of the Scriptures. In my opinion, angels and giant superhuman-mutants are a distraction that lead well intentioned believers down the wrong path wasting their time. Besides, there are some significant problems with idea that the Sons of God are angels. Here are two:

1. Yeshua said that angels don't marry (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:34). But in Genesis 6:2 it says the Sons of God took the daughters of men to be their wives (i.e., marriage). I know, "He said 'don't' not 'can't'. These were bad angels and they didn't follow the rules!" The point is that angels do not reproduce, they are asexual beings.
2. Adonai only judged man (i.e., human beings). If the Sons of God were angels, and they were the ones who seduced the daughters of men, wouldn't they be punished too? In the garden didn't Adonai mete out justice to the serpent first for his part in the whole deal before judging Adam and Eve? Why are the angels in this passage allowed to get away without any consequences?

If you don't agree with me, before we talk about this topic, I challenge you to reread and closely study Genesis 1-7 and remember, the entire book of Genesis is tracing the line to the seed promised in Genesis 3. This is why the phrase 'these are the generations of...' is repeated over and over again throughout the book.

Remember, this is a nonessential issue so if you don't agree with me, we can still be friends ;)

Related Links:
Who Are The Sons of God?
(A post from the Front Range Messianic Community website.)



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The Smooth Tongue of the Foreign Woman

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
To keep you from the evil woman,
From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
- Proverbs 6:23,24 (NAS)

In the Proverbs there are two types of women described in detail. One we warn our sons to stay away from, the other we encourage them to look for as a wife. One we teach our daughters not to be like, the other we encourage them to model their lives after. The latter half of Proverbs 6 is about the one that boys should avoid and girls should not emulate. Verses 20-35 contain a parental warning to a son to stay away, far away, from her because she is an adulteress woman.

Some Bibles translate 'the adulteress' (nok-ree': foreigner or foreign woman - i.e. harlot) as the wayward wife, the promiscuous woman, the strange woman, the estranged woman, the loose woman, the vile woman, and the seductress. Obviously she's not a good person to 'hook-up' with. She's trouble, big trouble and if you get involved with her you will regret it for the rest of your life.

We can surmise by the use of the word 'adulteress' that she is a married woman. She already has a husband so why is she looking for another man? Well, she's evil; she's worldly. Her desire is for self gratification; she lives for the moment. She is a foreigner; a pagan. Her standards are contrary to the standards of Adonai; covenant faithfulness is not something she is concerned about. Stay away from her. She is seductive and will only lead you down the path of destruction.



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What commandment is a lamp and what teaching is light?

When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
- Proverbs 6:22-23 (NAS)

This morning during family devotions we continued our trek through Proverbs. Today we looked at Proverbs 6:20-23. In the context of the passage the commandment and the teaching that are being referenced are the commandment and teaching of parents. If we keep reading, in verse 24 we learn the reason for the parental instructions. The parents are sharing wisdom "to keep [their son] from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress." Although the world is a much different place today than it was during Solomon's time, we still have these same immorality problems. Sin seems to transcend time but so does The Word of God. The principles found in the Proverbs still applies for us today.

Children are commanded to honor their father and their mother; this includes obeying them. The commandment and teaching of the parents in Proverbs 6 are basically their interpretation and application of the Torah in the daily life of their family. In the Torah, Adonai commands us not to commit adultery. In Proverbs 6, these parents share some insights with their son explaining to him how he can avoid adultery by telling him what or who to stay away from. They also explain to him the consequences if he does succumb to this serious transgression.

As parents, we must impart godly wisdom to our children. We have to take the time to teach them the Word of God and to help them apply these principles to their lives in our modern society. The times have changed but the Word of God remains the same.



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The Many Flavors of Messianic Communities

Messianic Congregations vary in flavor like these fruits.

Recently, while talking to an 'old-timer' in the Messianic Movement, I mentioned the idea of fellowship between the congregations in the Greater Messianic Community of our local area. He said, "Greater Messianic Community? There is no local Messianic Community in our area because Messianic doesn't mean anything anymore." He went on to explain that back-in-the-day (in the early 80's) the title 'Messianic' meant one thing which basically included Yeshua, the Torah, Jews and Gentiles. Nowadays the title 'Messianic' is used to describe a very wide variety of congregations with varying beliefs, doctrines and values. He lamented over the changes that he has witnessed in the Messianic Movement over the past 30 years. To him, this change has not been positive.

I began my walk in Torah at a charismatic Messianic congregation in 2000. Coming from a Catholic background with no exposure to Christian denominations, I found this charismatic expression of worship very interesting and I assumed that all Messianic congregations were just like it; but after visiting a few others I realized that they were not. Also, after investigating the Christian Church and Rabbinic Synagogues over the past 10 years, it seems to me that some Messianic congregations are just Christian Churches with a Jewish veneer and others are just Rabbinic Synagogues with Yeshua inserted here and there. There are even some congregations who call themselves 'Messianic' but deny the divinity of Yeshua! Oy vey! 

I can understand why this 'old-timer' was not happy with the changes that he has seen. I've only been doing this for a decade and I've seen some changes that I don't like; but just like God gave people their individuality, I believe every community will be and should be unique. It's the people who attend that make the community unique and special. The people are the DNA of the community.

Are you looking for a Messianic Community in Colorado? Visit: messianiccolorado.com

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I'm Upgrading, Again

Oodles of old, stretched wrapped CRT Monitors
sit on pallets in the Goodwill warehouse.

It's been about two and a half weeks since my last post (which, by the way, generated close to 1,000 unique visits in just 2 days! A new record for www.SetYourHeart.org!). It's hard to follow a post like that. Besides, I've got a lot of 'stuff' in the hopper these days; plus, I've been feeling like old, sluggish hardware. You know, when you get a new computer it's fast, fun and exciting. There are new gadgets, software and options to explore. It's inspiring. When you get a new, larger monitor the picture is clearer. You can see more of the desktop. You can open windows larger. You can get more done, or so it seems. I'm needing to make some changes in my life in order to ignite that fire of creativity and inspiration. I'm needing an upgrade, or should I say—I am in the process of upgrading.

Lately, it's been a very busy, but a very creative time for me, my family and our community. More ideas and more projects are popping up and some are just over the horizon. It's time for a change—I am changing.

Suggested Reading:
How To Change Your Church



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