Walking Meela

     Have you ever gone through a spell in life where you couldn't sleep all through the night? You get up to hit the john, but when you return to bed, instead of drifting back to sleep, your brain starts squirming and won't shut up no matter what you tell it. Well, I've been experiencing this annoying phenomenon a bit too often the past few weeks; and it's happened in the past for months. Now, I have learned to accept these nights or early mornings as promptings from the Lord to stop fighting my thoughts and listen to them. They are His inspirations, usually. Once in awhile these moments are just my enabling self trying to find a solution to a problem that I have no control over and that God hasn't given me responsibility to fix. In those times, I have to get down on my knees or sit out on the porch in the dark and talk to Him.

     Sunday morning, Memorial Day Weekend, I was up at 6:30am. I go to worship at Beth Sar Shalom on Saturdays, so some Sundays, including this one, I try to sleep in until 9:00am with the intent on staying home with no particular plans. Anyway, I rolled out of bed, grabbed my bible, went out on the porch and began to continue my studies through Acts and Romans, which also led me to James. To sum up what I read: the Old Covenant ( the Law of Moses) was established until fulfilled by Yeshua the Messiah's atoning work through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Yeshua established the New Covenant: Salvation by grace through faith in His atoning work. The Old was a covenant of works; the New a Covenant of grace. However, James says salvation without works is dead; there must be faith and works. This confuses many and becomes a seed of division in the Body of Messiah. But it shouldn't, because what God revealed to me is that the works to which James refers have nothing to do with the Law of Moses, but of love and compassion driven works of good deeds in service to others. I did wonder about the Sabbath, though, and looked up several verses in the Old and New Testament about the Sabbath. That will be another blog post.

     It so happened that my son Jacob was on vacation in Las Vegas, so I was pup sitting his dog Meela. She's a sweet four month old blue pit bull pup. At thirty pounds she's almost as big as my late Border Collie Dollie was full grown. Meela loves to cuddle and thinks she's a lap dog. She loves to crawl all over me, lick and slobber. I love it! I have missed going on walks with Dollie, so having Meela as my walking buddy was nice. Later that Sunday morning, I took Meela for a walk around the lakes.
    With Dollie, I seldom had to use a leash. She knew the rules, and if she began to forget, she was trained to obey my voice commands. I have worked with Meela on establishing boundaries in the yard, away from the street, using voice commands, but every now and then she will look at me and test those boundaries.Thus, I have to keep her on a leash.  Inexperienced on the leash, full of puppy energy and lacking in street smarts, Meela was tugging at the leash enough to choke herself a couple of times. She wasn't too bad at it, but she definitely needs more training.
    This experience with Meela inspired the following analogy of the Law of Moses and the Law of God or Yeshua--the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The Torah (Law of Moses) was a short leash to keep untrained, inexperienced or unruly dogs restrained and at the Master's heel. As the dog responds to his training and becomes more experienced on the leash, he is given a longer lead. As the dog learns to listen to His Master's voice and obey His commands, the dog is released from the leash and given more freedom as long as the pup continues to respond to his Master's voice. The New Testament is the Master's voice--and we hear it when we listen to the Holy Spirit within us.
    Some dogs always have trouble with obedience when out for a walk because they are easily distracted by all the noises, smells, and activity in the world around them. They don't keep a trained ear listening for the voice of the Master.
     Other dogs learn to obey and love the Master. Their love and devotion keeps them listening and watching ready to do the Master's will. They no longer need the constraints of the leash. They go and explore, run about, but immediately act obediently when the Master calls out His instructions.
    Unruly dogs that never bond well with the Master, always have to be restrained by a leash for their own safety. Without a leash, they run into traffic, dig in the garbage, fight with other dogs, sometimes bite people. If they won't stay on the leash, these poor dogs end up at the pound or dead.
   Then, there are those obedient dogs who prefer the leash. When the Master gives them freedom, they act confused, hesitant and uncomfortable, until they are once again on the tether. They never experience the joy of running free and pleasing the Master in their freedom.
     So like dogs we have a choice, the leash or the freedom to obey His voice without it.

Lori Vidak
5-29-14
   

Walking by Faith, Keep it Simple

     My previous post about walking by faith was a simple analogy taken from the Psalms comparing the walk of faith to walking in darkness by the light of a lamp. Some perhaps thought it too generalized. The more I ponder walking by faith, and not by sight, the deeper my understanding that it is simple. Simple is not always easy.
     The Father has given us Salvation in Yeshua the Messiah. Yeshua sent the Holy Spirit as a counselor and comforter for us. We have been given the scriptures as tutor and guidebook. Prayer is our open line of communication with God. We have a family of fellow believers for encouragement, support and accountability. We don't have to over complicate our lives with legalistic observances or overwork ourselves to prove our worthiness. We are loved. We are saved. Everything else we do is motivated by love for God, for each other and for our enemy. Anything we are called to do, God will provide the means, the strength and the know how.
    Jesus said that we are to come to Him as little children. This could be an entire blog post of its own, but for now, I use it to show that being a child is simple. The child receives food, shelter, clothing, love, teaching, chores and discipline because the good parent wants to provide these thing. God is Good. He is our Father. Let's rest in this.
    When I don't feel the perfect peace of Yeshua, then I know that I am trying to take control of my life out of His capable hands, instead of simply asking what am I to do, listening for a reply and if I don't get one, just relax and trust Him. This is simple, but it is hard to do. It is our nature to think we must do something! We must control! We must figure it all out! Yeshua says we don't. We just have to trust Him.
     Well, I can't just sit here and do nothing! If that's what He wants me to do, then I better do it. If He wants me to do something, He'll reveal to me what that is. I have had to learn to seek His counsel and will in all things, and stop trying to tell Him how to do things. That's the secret to walking by faith. I have to resist the urge to take control of the steering wheel. It's a much more enjoyable ride if I let Him do all the driving.

Lori Vidak
5-17-14

Walking by Faith

     Walking by faith is much like Psalm 119:105--Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Through the scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am given enough light to keep my feet from stumbling along the path as I travel through the darkness of this world. My faith in Yeshua is the light unto my path. He is is the light and the life. If I focus on the path that He has illumined for me, then I am not afraid. His light that shines through me now is only a sample of the brighter light of eternity to come, in which I maintain my hope. Yet, the light that I carry with me now is only bright enough to get me where I need to go, and point others I meet along the way, who have no light, in the right direction.
     It is a blessing to see only what the Lord wants me to see. How many demons have shadowed my path? How many evil intentions were thwarted by Him of which I was unaware? When I worry about what could be out there, what might happen, I take my focus off the path and off of Him, for He is the path as well as the light. Then, I might stumble, or wander off the path toward the dangers in the darkness. When I am faced with trials in my path, I must remember that I am not alone on the path, for He is with me and will help me through.
     I may hear frightening sounds in the bushes, behind the trees, up ahead or behind me. I may see dark shadowy figures in the darkness, or feel the steamy hot breath of some fearsome beast, and then I must keep a firm grip on the light, and seek my brothers and sisters who also carry lamps. Together our lamps grow brighter and chase away the creatures who fear the light. I think this is why we are encouraged as believers to not forsake gathering together. We encourage one another and the Lord's light shines brighter, giving us islands of brilliant sunshine in the midst of a turbulent sea of darkness.

Lori Vidak
5-16-14

God's Not Dead Review

     I know this movie has been out for bit, but I don't go to the movie theater very often. I utilize the library and Redbox. However, I still enjoy going to the theater when the opportunity presents itself, as it did yesterday for Mother's Day. My son Jake, gave me two tickets to a Cinemark Theater, so I took my Mom, who would never get to go unless I take her. She wanted to see God's Not Dead, and I so did I, so that's what we saw.
     The movie was enjoyable, thought provoking, uplifting, exasperating and moving. I have seen some negative reviews, and I can see where some critics that are addicted to special effects, murder and mayhem, adulteress affairs and other such carnally appealing plots might not like this film. Sadly, many Christians might not appreciate it either. Anytime that main characters live according to their faith, in all aspects of their lives, those who don't are hard pressed to relate. Christians should be strangers in a strange land. We should be like aliens living away from home, or like alien ambassadors. But, I hope that those who took the chance and watched the God's Not Dead, for good or for bad, were given a glimpse of two very different worlds that are shared in time and space. A world where God is the source and guide for His people, and a world where people are a guide unto themselves.
     I found the ending both disturbing and hopeful. This is the point. For believers, life is filled with trials, tribulation, persecutions, tragedies, etc. of which we have no control, no one on this earth does, and yet in our faith in the saving work of Yeshua, (Jesus), and the teachings found within the bible, God works to bring us understanding, acceptance, hope, peace and love, in spite of the worst--while at the same to god works out all things to His Glory and for the good of those who trust Him. I don't have to understand the way everything works to trust God, anymore than I have to understand everything about how a car is designed in order to drive it. I just need to know the basics and the rules of the road for safety and I am ready. This life is not the end of all things. And in this light, true believers live for an eternal future, not just the here and now.
    I hope that many more people will see this movie when it comes out at the dollar movie and at Redbox. I hope that it stirs up conversations. I hope that some atheists, agnostics and peoples of other religions are encouraged to search for God and find salvation in Yeshua the Messiah, (Jesus the Christ.) The rest, at least, understand that for people like me, sharing my testimony of faith with you is an act of love, because from my perspective, I'm sharing love, peace, joy, hope and eternal life--you have the free will to decide for yourself. And, I'll still love you.

Lori Vidak
5-12-14

Is the Holy Spirit Impotent?

     As a believer and follower of Yeshua the Messiah, I have been given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as has every true believer, but I have never spoken in tongues, fell down laughing or trembling, or healed someone with the touch of my hand. Why not? I hear His voice, feel His tugging at my conscience, and His overwhelming comfort during times of trouble and pain. I'm supposed to receive gifts from the Holy Spirit? Has He forgotten me or does He no longer have the power to work miracles and express Himself through the lives of believers? That would make Him impotent? This can't be!

    In 1 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian believers concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Chapter 13 he describes the more excellent way. 1Corinthian 13 is the love chapter. Paul explains that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each and every believer such as tongues,interpretation of tongues, prophecy, healing, miracles and discernment. These are by no means the only gifts, only a sampling. From what I read, and what the Holy Spirit reveals to my understanding is that all these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit as He wills. Along with these gifts come a calling or responsibility to which the gifts are suited. The Power of these gifts is in the Body of Messiah, the Church. We are all members of His body, as a body, are individual gifts fulfill the will of the Father, through the direction of the Holy Spirit in the name of Yeshua. But, these gifts are impotent--without love. They are merely self serving displays of tricks and wonders that make no real impact upon people or the world, maybe an individual or two through the faith of the recipient and the grace of God.
     Paul encourages believers, that includes me, to desire the greater gifts of prophecy, healing, tongues, but appreciate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness and self-control. Always be active in love to share these gifts, but even more importantly to share the message of the Gospel which is the reason we have been saved, that we have been born into new life, are a part of the Kingdom of God and have received these gifts. If I feel that I am weak, it is because I am. If I act alone, I am impotent, not the Spirit. When I am a part of the body, when I am acting as a part of the whole, doing the tasks that have been assigned to me, then I see miracles, whether as a witness or the vessel used to make the miracle. My faith and love adds to the power of the whole body. The faith and love of my brothers and sisters in the faith add to me.
   To wrap up my pondering, I conclude that the apparent impotence of the Holy Spirit is the result of the society in which I live. We are detached from one another. We work at computers, in cubicles, at desks facing away from our fellow man. We communicate via internet or text on a phone. We play computer games that allow us to interact with others without ever meeting them face to face. We spend hours in front of the television, but only a few hours a week assembled together at Church--and usually we are reading the bible on our electronic devices, listening to the pastor, or studying the scriptures, but we don't spend enough time hugging each other, listening to each other, praying with our hands touching one another. We have lost our love. How can we truly love, or show our love, if we aren't physically, mentally and emotionally involved with each other, involved in life? To see the fruits of the Spirit, to find and express my gifts, I must be a part of the family. I must seek this involvement. I'm not saying these devices are bad, that we can't reach out through them and keep in touch through them, but this is not enough. And spending time with the Church does not mean inside the building. It means spending time with my family, my friends, and also my Lord--where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The Grafting of a Wild Branch

  I am a believer and disciple of the Lord Yeshua, the only begotten son and anointed of God. Though I have traced possible Jewish roots in my genealogy, I am a Gentile. This means that I am not a Jew. I was raised in a God-fearing home where we tried to follow the Ten Commandments. Our Sabbath was Sunday, but  in my early childhood we did not attend Church. My father and mother read us kids bible stories and sang simple songs about Jesus. Before special meals, we gave thanks to God and at bedtime we said a simple prayer.

     After moving to the small farm town of Creighton, Missouri, we did find a Church, a true family of believers that walked by faith in love and service to God and their fellows, a very hospitable group. My dad, mom, brother and I were baptized in the quarry, the closest swim hole open to the public with water clean enough for emersion. Everyday life was work, play, education, some entertainment—our local rodeo, ice cream socials, caroling in the winter, hayrides, and riding horses— and gatherings of both the Church Family and the community (most were Christians of only a few different protestant denominations) as a whole.  We worshiped God in gospel songs and listened to the Pastor preach his sermon, and then went to Sunday school. There was bible school during the summer. Every kid in town went to at least one of the four offered, many all.  How simple was my life and faith back then. My limited knowledge of Jews was what I read in the bible and in a book called Pia Goes to the Holy Land, also from the movie Fiddler on the Roof, but I knew that I loved them. They were God’s Chosen people. Chosen for what I did not understand.

     In my teens, we moved to Texas, living with my grammie. The church we attended had the same name, but was far different in spirit. I felt pretty out of place. Home life was uncomfortable, six people (my baby sister had joined the family) in a three room shack. My high school didn’t have much to offer after my junior year, so I graduated early and took off across the country to Utah (a great time, but a spiritual tangent) and California where I met my husband Tony, a Jew. My education about all things Jewish began.

     Tony, our daughter Sabra, and I moved to Texas, after which my son Jacob was born. My children and I attended Church because it was what I knew, and I believe in Jesus (nothing will change my faith in Him.) Hopefully, the kids would follow Him, but I wanted the them to learn of their Jewish roots. So, I studied books on Judaism and took a couple classes in Hebrew at the Jewish Community Center. It was there that I met some Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus’ Hebrew name) the Messiah and was invited to their Sabbath services. This led to further studies and a spiritual journey that has deepened my understanding and strengthened my love for the Lord. Who would think there would be any danger in these studies? There is. Legalistic observance of the Torah is seductive. I have witnessed the split of a few Messianic congregations over Torah observance.

     How can we observe the Torah—the Old Covenant, when we were given a new one? Did the New Covenant replace the old? If Gentiles are the wild olive branch that has been grafted in to the cultivated tree spoken of in the New Testament are we to follow Torah and believe in Messiah? Yeshua told us that he did not come to do away with the Torah (Law), but to fulfill it. He admonished us to obey His commandments, but according to whose interpretation? The Ultra Orthodox, the orthodox, the conservative Jews. Do we seek to follow our Lord, or to be Jewish? I have sought, through prayer, clarification from the Holy Spirit.

     In the wee hours of the morning, this question came to me: What does the cultivated tree represent— the Jewish people, the Torah, or Messiah?  (Read Romans 11:11-24) Here is what I perceived:

     The tree is the seed of Abraham, the promised Messiah, who was cultivated through the Torah to fulfill the Torah, and the wild branch is the offspring of Abraham by faith in the seed of Abraham. We are not grafted in to be “Jewish.” We are grafted in as offspring of Abraham to be children of faith in the promised Messiah, who came first to the Jews, but offered salvation to all who believe in His death on the cross to pay for sin, and also His resurrection from the dead to give new life, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and become children of God—even the Gentiles. The Torah was put to death on the cross. Yeshua’s commandments are fulfilled when we trust in Him, love God with all we are, and love one another as He loved us, even unto death.

     This is how my family and community lived in Creighton. It wasn’t overly complicated. We spent time with God, studied his word to keep us on track, spent time with family, church family, community, sharing, being helpful in whatever way that we could—especially to those in need. We enjoyed the wonders of God’s Creation and were thankful for our great blessings. Even in hard times, we had peace, joy and hope because there was love, the kind only God can bestow through the indwelling of His Spirit.