Where’s Waldo?
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18 NASB
Preaching and teaching – About 39.8 percent of the people who receive this message will actually read it. Of that number, about 5.8% will look up the verse, spend a minute considering the implications or engage the Lord in prayer about what they learn. Those aren’t guesses. They are the average statistics for Today’s Word readers for many years now. And of the 40,000 people who view the page on the web site, less than 1/10 of 1% will make any commitment to join us. I find this extremely disheartening. It often makes me feel as if I am doing something wrong or that my efforts just aren’t good enough to attract most of these readers to a deeper walk and a greater commitment. Of course, those of you who are reading this right now might not feel this way, but I’m not writing to you (and I don’t know how to write to those who aren’t going to read). It’s discouraging.
In Israel last month one of the participants told me that she always believed I was simply a retired rich man who did this out of the goodness of his heart. She had no idea that my livelihood depends on those who follow my work. Most of you who read this realize that I am the ox, threshing God’s Word in order to sift the good grain. My call is to work His message so we will all understand it better. And the ox needs to eat too.
Last year (as usual), 20% of the 1565 subscribers to Today’s Word provided more than 80% of the support. 50% gave nothing. That support makes it possible for me to teach groups in South Africa, Central America, England, Europe and Israel. I could stay at home and write, but Hebraic ideas are often best communicated in person, especially with dialogue and a good soak in community living. You, the ones reading this, make all of this possible. I don’t know if you realize this, but you are changing the world by helping me do this. And anytime anyone of you wishes to come along with me, you are oh-so-welcome!! Please, join me and see just how much your support changes people.
But today, the question, “Where’s Waldo?” is answered by, “Waldo is at home, trying to understand how to make a significant difference to those who are marginally connected.” Waldo wants wisdom to welcome fellow walkers more effectively. Waldo needs your help. If you know one of the 61.2% who aren’t really participating, if you know someone in the 80% who hasn’t made a commitment to this community, if you find yourself holding back some of the threshing floor grain, maybe this is a day to do something.
Rosanne faithfully reminds me that I write for an audience of One. I know I will stand before Him when He judges me. But I am desperate to tell Him, “Yes, and I brought all these with me so that they could see You smile.”
Topical Index: threshing floor, ox, grain, statistics, 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Skip, Matt 25:37-40 came to mind as soon as I read this.
The way I look at it, if by some chance Adonai in His good pleasure, uses me to reach just one person in my whole life, then I’ll be very pleased with that. And I guess, just maybe, that one person may reach one other, and that one will reach another. But then again, maybe I won’t ever know until that day I stand before Him.
I don’t see it as what I do, I see it as what He may use me to do. And may it always be for His glory and purposes.
Do we really ever know how much of a difference we’ve made? I just pray that no matter what I see, may His name be glorified and honored, and may He receive all the glory. And may I always honor and represent, in whatever small fashion, the amazing and great things and people He’s brought into my life and placed in my path.
Skip, my heart is touched by your heart’s cry. I wake up each morning to read what you have to say. I share your words with those who are hungry and don’t get it “yet”. Sometimes Today’s Words gives me insight into what I ask the Father. Other times it is encouragement. Other times it is prodding. I am so grateful for your teaching. I have been arrested by your book Gaurdian Angel. Thank you so much for your writings, teachings, introduction to TWOT and your photographs. May He encourage your heart. What a walk you are in. Walking by faith and trusting Him through it all. Blessings and provisions.
Ditto to what Dianne F. Smith wrote. This blog has given me a sense of community and the push to go deeper. I am reading books and learning things I didn’t know how to find on my own. And Abraham Herschel is becoming one of my favorite writers.
Please forgive me for not thinking beyond the blog, I have never realized or really thought you needed funds to be an ox to share to the rest of us. Stepping forward to give is what I intend to commit to. Heaven knows the thousands I planted into the church’s baskets as they were passed my way.
Thanks Skip. If you ever head toward North Carolina you can pretty much count on seeing my face in the crowd.
Dearest Skip,
I think none of us are ever so precious as when we try and ‘fail’, as the world knows it,anyway. I am currently called to commit my efforts and days to a section of society that is so on the edge, so far gone, so hopeless, seemingly. The efforts I find myself having to make to meet them in their paradigm, as you might put it, are such a stretch for me, and I keep ‘losing’ them. And I want to go do something else; anything else. I don’t want to do what I am doing. If someone had asked me to list what I liked to do, and what I had any natural aptitude for, what I get up and find on my plate each day would rank just about dead last.
And yet, and yet. I don’t know why I am doing it. I may be here to learn more about where my Father is with us. His frustration that He most certainly has with us, I find myself identifying with a lot with these days. YES! The “percentages” are staggeringly abysmal, by any way the world can calculate them. And I think you should be yelping, and that we should be listening.
BUT, I do not know how to calculate the worth of one person. I do not know how to calculate one person’s efforts, faithfully disseminated. I am beginning to get a profound sense that, somehow. it must be important to my God that I identify with Him in His frustrations, and stand, in some extremely small way, next to Him and see the field from His point of view. If nothing else, it has sure given us a good deal more to talk about! And lastly, I surely do not know how to measure how that seeming ‘failing’ changes me. Every time, I realize I see deeper into what the real problems that exist on this planet must really be like. It is staggering to me that ANYBODY ever gets it! And also, it challenges me to examine my own heart; what really, at bottom, motivates me? What should it be? Jesus died alone on that cross. That has always been the most stupendous thing of all to me. What was that like? As a child, I wanted to go to Calvary and be the one person that did not leave Him. Yes, I was surely there,in my guilt, helping drive the nails and spitting, but I wanted to be able to go back there, too, and be with Him in commisery. But, maybe this is His way of ‘letting’ me do a little of that!
I realize that I sure do not know much.
I am deeply grateful to you and this community. It is such a challenge to reach across differences and distrust and commit to a common fellowship, and it is critical that we learn how. I want to thank you for your faithfulness, and, at least for me, the Word of God is so very special when ANYONE chooses to let It work through them. The rarer you may be, I think, even by the world’s standards(!) the more precious you are. I know that TW is a marvelous gem for me! Thank you.
~ Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes , they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah ~
(Acts 5.42)
Shouldn’t we then, do the same?
I would not want to start my day without your word for today Skip. I am continually spreading your insight to everyone in my sphere of influence. I have convinced one or two people to read your word, but most are too busy with their life their way, or too blinded by the Systematic Religion of today to take the time. Now I am going to church to teach a class where not one person will have read the lesson and only one will have opened a Bible since last Sunday. Satan is having a field day in the organized church. I keep working, because I hope to influence some to truly follow God’s word and not the words that men have placed in God’s mouth.
You might want to consider re-vamping somewhat. Many informational websites are becoming pay as you go, with different tiers of payment which then receive different amounts. We know of one teaching site that offers up to 60 minutes a month of free teachings, with two paid tiers. Premium gets you everything and is $12 per month, $9 gets you almost everything but not quite. Another site varies from $10 per year which is the basic to $25 per month, which opens the floodgates, and there are two tiers in between. Another site we know of is $60 per year, period, with no tiers. So, that might be a way to go.
Skip , many of us as we become the senior in the race are looking forward to what yet lies ahead.
When GOD is leading us…GOD will provide for us.
How can someone like myself encourage another who is well on the way and with the gift of interpretation !
But I am of the understanding that GOD said HE would provide for all that HE desires for us to be and to do until we hit the dust.
Know that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the ONE that is to be preached and taught in an out of the temple of GOD for GOD’S sake and for the KINGDOM’S SAKE.
Until He Come !
Appreciate anyone who is in the Race of all races for all races, nations and statis.
Blessings
Amen, Skip!!! My husband and I learn so much from your writings/teachings! Our mall congregation reaps the benefits of your efforts and we share our resources (your web site) with everyone. Friends of ours have a much larger congregation in Mesa, Arizona and we hav blessed them with two of your books and now they have ordered several times from your site.
We have 4 from our congregation of 20 from Bethlehem Messianic Congregation in Apache Junction, Arizona, already registered for your July conference in Phoenix. We are so excited to be able to meet you and hear you in person. Please know that although we do not communicate often, we follow your travels and pray for you and your wife and the folks that travel with you.
We use your books, the One New Man bible, and the Aramaic New Testament to learn and teach the scriptures to our folks out here who are the “called out ones”.
We are so thankul to Yahweh to have found you and we ask Him to bless you abundantly for all you do. Yes lives are being changed because of your obedience. Know that there are pastor and congregational leaders who also live on faith and you encourage us to keep on going.
Shalom shalom brother,
Jim and Sara Trout
Bethlehem Messinic Congregation
Thank you so much. I am looking forward to seeing you in Phoenix.
I know many people think, “I just don’t have the finances….or my small donation wont make any kind of difference…..” So we let the next subscriber take up our slack, hoping that they will donate enough to cover themselves, us as we continue to glean from the spiritual meat offered at God’s Table every day.
Let me be completely transparent. My wife and I began reading TW in 2011. We read it for one year with the very thoughts above (well at least I thought the above). In 2012 as a delayed result of over investing during the real estate boom, we lost our home and virtually everything we owned to bankruptcy. There was no way around it, no working hard enough to come out of it. We made unwise, unbiblical and just downright selfish investments and we could not pull out. It was during this time that YHWH really began to speak to our hearts about giving to TW. We budgeted and we saw that we could budget 10.00 a month. Yep a whopping 10.00/month. Yet, because of that 10.00 a month we felt so much more connected to what YHWH was doing through TW, and quite honestly I didn’t feel like we were “mooching” or stealing from God’s table. I can also tell you (and I know many will think its purely anecdotal) that the moment we began to do so, we began to see our finances take a turn. Miracles began to happen and today because of our obedience to YHWH in this (and other areas of course) we are debt free.
The moment we became debt free, we sat back down, and one of the first things we did was see how much more we could give on a monthly basis. I wont comment on how much more, but I can tell you its not nearly enough for the blessing and guidance we receive everyday from Skip and the Wisdom he shares everyday. I know you cannot put a price on preaching or teaching HIS word, but He has chosen and gifted those among us, like Skip, to bring us the word as their occupation; and I DO BELIEVE that we will be accountable to YHWY for making sure that HIS word is sent froth from those He has chosen and gifted to bless the nations!
I know this is lengthy but one more thing: Having now had the opportunity to meet both Skip and Rosanne, I will say this, they are certainly NOT your typical “evangelical” stereotypes (in more ways then one of course!) I told my wife after they came and shared with us, “You know, Skip has instructed huge companies on financial issues and structuring. Even became a millionaire doing it. He could certainly apply those same principle to his website and travel itinerary and be a very wealthy entrepreneurial minister.” But that’s certainly NOT who he is. I wish I could share with you just the opposite stories of them being here with us. Things that blew me away, that NO OTHER minister has ever done for us, truly showing the heart of a servant and “Christ-likeness”.
So all of that to say, skip that one meal a week eating out. Stop frequenting Starbuck for that 6.00 coffee and set it aside for something more eternal. Sit down with your spouse (if you are married) and budget what you can give. Or go ahead and send your 10% for those that can and are not part of a general assembly where you do so already. BUT JUST DO SOMETHING! Those who lead a congregation and you use Skips material or get “nuggets” to teach on: Tell your congregation, small home group or assembly that you are going to start tithing some of your offerings to TW. BUT DONT EAT FOR FREE ANY LONGER! I know that this has been long and I rarely post, but I feel like you needed to hear from one (among others) who I am sure have similar stories.
One last things, not to sound to preachy, but, “Let him who is instructed in the Word share in all that is good, with him who is instructing. Do not be lead astray: Elohim is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap……” (Galatians 6:6-7, The Scriptures Bible)
Dear David,
Thanks for your transparency, and your willingness. Amazingly, if all those who don’t give at all contributed just $10 per month there would never be any need and we could do so much more for the community. It really doesn’t take much. It just takes a lot of little beginnings.
But this is not my biggest concern. My biggest concern is reaching all those who are only marginally connected, who read but never give. Why? Do I want the money? Well, not really. I mean God has been very good since Rosanne and I experienced our complete financial collapse. What I want, and what I know really matters, is that when someone finally decides to give something, they experience the care of the community now in 63 countries around the world. They become part of us, not just outsiders looking in. What I really want is 67% reading, not 39%. What I really want is some way to reach into the minds and hearts of the ones still looking and pull them into this new way of living. To connect them.
So, help me figure out how to do that, and the rest will take care of itself.
Dear Skip,
I have just returned from a 12 day visit to Australia, though I did not have much access to read TW I listened to the downloads from your Israel trip this year and I brought my dog-eared copy of Guardian Angel for my first pilgramage to the land where I was born to visit family that I had never met in 56 years. I shared your valuable studies with my family (my cousin left Australia for to live in a kibbutz at age 18 and married a sabra) and thought that I would send them your books as a gift. Though they are not participating in any formal fellowship, I wondered if I would be casting pearls before swine, but I have decided to invest anyway and leave the opening of the eyes to the Creator. I second all the previous positive affirmations about the value of your studies, and know that your work is treasured. In gratitude, Pierann Walsh
Today’s word from TW= so timely and it is staggering how little people support real FEAST teaching. We gleaned so much from our time in Israel with you and Bob (and Yoav) that it blows our minds that so many take the teaching of Yahweh for granted. It is very western/greek mindset of us to be so selfish. Thank you, Skip, for all you do. Know that we are with you and look forward to seeing you in Phoenix in July.
FOLKS! IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT TO GO LISTEN IN PERSON!
Baruch HaShem! Thanks again, Rabbi Skip. 😉
Jeff and Lesli Moser
San Antonio
A week ago I was thinking about designing an ad for our local buy&sell promoting Skip’s blog. Everybody around here reads that little paper and I think a well-designed display ad would prompt many to check it out.
What do you think? Is there a PDF we could share and pay for promotion in our own communities?
Take heart! I suffer from a severe chronic illness, which eats up all our resources, but I have occasionally eked out enough to buy some of your materials and I hope to buy more in the future. My tithe goes to other places as I’m instructed, but I will set aside a little more for your ministry; it is very important to me! If I was well I would probably be following you around the world!
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR WALDO…
Skip, may you turn your eyes upon the brighter, more cheering pictures that our Master has presented to us. These are blessed assurances of His love that we may look upon continually. The Son of YAH leaving His Father’s throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to man, revealing to human vision the presence-chamber where Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged them, and brought again into connection with the infinite Elohim, and, having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer (which is what you are going through), clothed in the righteousness of Yahshua and exalted to His throne. These are the pictures with which our Father bids us gladden the chambers of our souls.
May you look unto the Author and Finisher of your faith walking with an eye single to the goal before you, doing the work that the Master has given you to do; leaving the results in His hands. Only the Ruach Qadosh can accomplish the work of conviction, just as He has done to you.
“In every religious movement there are some who, while they cannot deny that the cause is Elohim’s, still hold themselves aloof, refusing to make any effort to help. It would be well for such ones to remember the record kept on high – that book in which there are no omissions, no mistakes, and out of which they will be judged. There every neglected opportunity to do service for YAH is recorded; and there, too, every deed of faith and love is held in everlasting remembrance.”
Shalom
Skip, I pray that you will not limit our Father who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills”! Freely He gives to us and freely we must give to others. He promises to open the “windows of heaven and pour out for you boundless blessings!” Many of us have left organized congregations who are constantly asking or laying guilt trips for money. To me, this stymies the Spirit from convicting me. David says the righteous do not have to beg for bread and that means you Skip. YAH of hosts will rebuke the devourer for you and you will be blessed! He is stripping all of us from those things that we think we need in order that we stand “naked” before Him and then He will cloth us with His robe of righteousness. Amein?
@ Dot Olsen:
Hey Dot,
I know when I first met Skip last year at a Guardian Angel talk and introduction to the Hebraic paradigm, I was very appreciative to be able to explore MANY TWs and comments and 30 days of the Biblical worldview before making the commitment to support the work here. I don’t know how it was for most of us, but when I first encountered Skip’s teachings, I was very shocked, scared and challenged. I can’t say I would have immediately paid or after 60 minutes a membership fee of some sort after the talk to read more, when I could of just retreated back to my safe, organized, Greek worldview. It took a couple of months of reading TWs and praying before God really broke through and I’m so THANKFUL he did. I’m so glad Skip has made available 1000s of writings for newbees like me then and many of people we refer to his teachings. I just don’t know if an hour/month trial would suffice. I know the answer is the community stepping up and considering how this ministry affects not only current subscribers, but also the ones coming behind us.
Skip I know were you are coming from. I many times feel the same way pastoring, but my wife tells me the same thing your wife says. We are ministering to an audience of one. I have share with the people I pastor many of your teachings and they are growing in the Lord because of them. I thank the Lord for your labors in the Word.
I will make an effort to donate. I’m relatively new to your site. I discovered it maybe 4 or 5 months ago. It has kind of rocked my world in a scary (but good!) way. I have just moved to an area in the southern US (read: Bible Belt! 🙂 ) where there are (to my knowledge) no congregations/churches that support this path. Nothing Hebrew-roots, not even so much as a Messianic Jewish congregation. I’m feeling overwhelmed at the seemingly insurmountable task of walking this walk “alone”. I know I’m not alone and Yahweh is holding my right hand, but it is such a strange and unfamiliar way that He’s leading me that I wish I had a community (local) to support it. Who knows what is in store, though, right? 🙂
Thanks for your work here. I will be mindful about regularly supporting what you are doing here. It is appreciated!
You’re in good company. Most of us are alone in a culture where even considering such changes is looked upon as becoming a legalist or joining a cult. But the TRUTH is the truth. History doesn’t lie. The evidence is overwhelming once we are willing to actually look at it. Unfortunately, most are like the man in South Africa who told me, “Well, I’m comfortable with what I believe.”
Recently Bob and I discovered the FIRST Messianic Jewish synagogue in Israel. We are going to attend when we return to Israel next year. Bob remarked that this is the ONLY ONE he knows of in the entire world. And he has been part of the Messianic movement for 30 years. Yes, we are alone. Together.
Shalom Brother Skip,
I deeply appreciate what you have shared here and I am glad you did share these thoughts with the At God’s Table community. The following comments I will make are not to attempt to justify myself in any way BUT RATHER to share with you the effect what you do every day has upon the lives of us in our home because you need to know.
Every morning when I awaken, your Today’s Word is in my “inbox” There are several other items in my inbox, but Today’s Word is all I look for. I read it first thing every morning and it sets the tone for my day so many times. My husband reads them too and we study them, discuss them, look deeper into issues on Shabbat of concepts you bring forth from your faithfulness to the TRUE text and culture. I should comment more, but I confess I get lost in the tasks of the day and do not comment as much as I could or should. Remarkably (and I have said this before) about 80% of the time, the Today’s Word is bringing forth information that coincides with my studies, my questions on things, certain items I am “working out” personally.
We have ordered items to receive what you produce there and wish we could order more. We have a certain comfort and trust with you that we do not have with many “teachers and preachers” that you truly are committed to the text and information as it was given and as it was intended without adding “leaven” that we are constantly warned against. You are a great, great blessing from God in our lives. Please know that. I think that all the time. I should tell you more often 🙂
Additionally, I hear this issue of finances and it is always there isn’t it? We are on a fixed income as I recently had to quit my job because of a family emergency but will take a good look at our ledger to see what we can do to support At God’s Table on a regular basis financially. I only say that openly to you now because I want you to know, “yes” what you are doing IS important, it IS needed, and we most assuredly need to you be able to continue and the blessings to us is so great we can and should do more (even if it is not a huge amount… it is the principle of the matter).
We love you, we pray for you, we thank you immensely for all your hard work. YOU BLESS US.
May you and your family have a week full of blessings and receive the gift of having God’s Face toward you.
Lora
Very valuable write up – and thought provoking. It is often very surprising how evil grows easily and good seems to be rejected. Even when you consider that Yah gave us the green herbs to consume – yet even with education people still choose to eat chemicals and easy comfort type foods. The Word is life – water for a people who thirst after RIGHTEOUSNESS – the question is – who is seeking to live a life worthy of His Name?
Skip, I have met you and learned so much and have re-read “The Guardian Angel” at least 3x. I read most of your daily mails (not always on the day I receive them) and this is the first time I have made a comment.
I do not generally comment because I tend to agree so perfectly with what I read that you have written. I have supported your ministry in that I have purchased “The Guardian Angel” for others and passed on your message.
I will keep you and yours in my prayers also.
Skip
What you are teaching and what you are saying are vitally important to those in whom the grace to understand it (a bit) has been set. I believe that what He is giving you to teach has specifically given guidance and direction to my stumbling. I know that’s important to me! Thank you for laboring and please keep threshing with joy.
Praying for you and the expression of your ministry out of Colossians: …that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work….Col 1:9,10
Skip, your teachings (among others who are likeminded) have radically affected my understanding of the Scripture and thus, God Himself. My worldview has changed and I am changing as a man. I’m very grateful. Thank you for doing what you do. Thank you for being transparent with your frustrations as well. As a fellow minister, I can relate.
Please continue your fantastic work and keep your head up, brother. Much peace and joy to you and your family.
Hi Skip:
When I first discovered your website (early in 2011, I think) and signed up to receive the 30 day intro, most of those emails sat unread in my inbox for months. I read some of them but I was exploring so many avenues looking for “truth” that it took awhile to stabilize my focus. Most people get here because they are looking — but it takes time to recognize the treasure.
Another several months later, I ordered the first Spiritual Restoration book on Smashwords for my Kindle (the e-format big print has become easier for me than print). It was probably a year later that I ordered my first MP3 teaching. During this time I was learning and sharing with those in my congregation, but not making entries on your website. Frankly, I was a bit intimidated by the level of scholarship – it’s not what most of us have experienced in our churches. So for a time I was comfortable sitting in the back. Plus many blog sites eat you alive if you disagree — it took time to trust that that didn’t happen here and then to reveal something about myself. 🙂
I wasn’t getting the daily email (probably because my first purchase was from Smashwords?), but that didn’t really matter because by then I was just going directly to the site. And that tends to be my pattern today — often I don’t open the emails (I’m too easily distracted by the tyranny of the urgent) but go directly to the website from the link on my Bookmark bar. You can’t always judge the number of readers based on email stats showing how many are opened.
So from my perspective, there may be many out there who are in the observation stage now but will show signs of “life” soon. What I’m reading here from you is that it’s not about the money but about knowing that people are growing. People are growing. I can say that to you with confidence from my own little community. Three years ago it was just me here — the really ODD man out. Now we’ve shared Spiritual Restoration 1 with our congregation’s board, we have a board member coming to the Phoenix conference with us in July and we’re hoping that we’ll get you to our community next year. We’re still the minority version but it’s progress. Here a little, there a little. Line upon line.
Be encouraged. Please. 🙂
I am late in the day getting on but I thought I would express a few short thoughts anyway on growing TW
Multiplication is an awe inspiring part of mathematics. Here is what I mean:
Just 1000 people giving $10 monthly = $120,000 annually
Just 1000 people giving $20 monthly = $240,000 annually!
Just 1500 people giving $30 monthly = $360,000 annually! And so on…
And I suspect many of us who find Skip’s blogs meaningful and live in western economies can afford to give more than $10
All of us should be active promoting TW to friends we have in various Christian Messianic communities where we are known.
Skip, I would like you to consider making promotional materials available to promote TW.. I have in mind simple things like “business cards” with TW contact info and 8.5 x 11 tri folds for people are talking to leave on the table at Messianic conferences or other appropriate gatherings.Some of us could chip in for the cost of print runs and let those desirous of promoting TW pay a modest fee to have the materials shipped to them. Network marketers and the business community at large know that these things are proven effective promotional tools. Then what about the old fashioned car bumper stickers?? I do not do the Facebook thing but it seems to be a great promotional outlet for many who are active in that community. So perhaps we could make a digital marketing piece available for web promotional purposes?
And most important of all, if we all bring TW before the Father every day in our prayers, praying that everything done on TW is His WIll and asking Him to bless this work, TW will explode as He blesses it.
Shalom
Thanks John,some good ideas. But the most important one is the last. Prayer about what this community of searchers is doing. And that God will use it as He sees fit. Then, when we have asked, we need to let Him work and be content. Maybe it’s not supposed to be about 1000’s, but if we never ask, we will never know.
Skip, what is the name of the synagogue? I think there might be more than one.
It’s not Messianic ASSEMBLIES or CONGREGATIONS. There are plenty of those, but they are churches with Hebrew overlay. What we are looking for is a Messianic SYNAGOGUE and, as far as I know, Joseph Shulam’s Roeh Israel is the only one.
Here is a source for other messianic congregations in Israel.
http://www.kehila.com/about
Small world, I was going to post the Joseph’s link, http://www.netivyah.org/ as I knew he had messianic congregation/synagogue.
On the other hand my study of Second Temple period leads me to understand that synagogues of the time were very varied and the majority may not resemble the current rabbinic model. If I recollect correctly Jerusalem may have had 400+ synagogues. If that being the case, Acts portrayal of believers meeting in homes fits the synagogues of the time, not a new thing.
Right you are. But as you know, most “messianic” congregations are really churches with Hebrew vocabulary. A true synagogue is very rare
I recently was able to purchase “Guardian Angel: What You Must Know About God’s Design For Women” and “Jesus Said To Her: Life’s Secrets from Conversations with Women” although I know it will likely be a long while until I can actually read them both. Between work, and raising children, time is not on my side. I confess that is why I don’t comment or participate in the forum community,
Honestly, I came so close to purchasing used on Amazon to save a few bucks, but then decided to buy directly from your site.
Your site is THE place I send everyone who I know is searching for information on Hebraic roots. I frequently use the search function on your site to study a certain topic. What I love is that the posts are rather brief. I also love the in-depth scholarship, although it’s often way over my head.
Don’t be discouraged. Your work is very much appreciated. I am sorry I haven’t taken the time until today to say so.
Thanks Melissa. When you buy from Amazon or other secondary sources, they keep about 65% of the money, so it doesn’t really help my work too much. I really appreciate you buying from my web site even if it is a bit more expensive.
I hope you find time to read Guardian Angel soon.
Thanks for replying. I promise always to buy directly from your site from now on. In fact, I ordered the devotion book just today 🙂
If it’s an encouragement, please know my daughter, who’s attending a conservative Christian college, is using the Hebrew words you teach in “Guardian Angel” to debate her dorm mates about the role of women 🙂
@ Skip, wow, what a blessing such a Messianic SYNAGOGUE would be. That would be the first place of seeking ABBA I would ‘rush’ to.
Absolutely, I agree with and have been saying with a heavy heart that the many Messianic congregations are “churches with Hebrew overlay”. They are not Hebraicly inclined.
We seek ABBA for those who are hungry for truth to be delivered from these congregations, to have discernment to know/sense the difference.