Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Coming Holy Days

Sukkot 2017 is just a little over two weeks away and I'm looking forward to hosting a gathering, while also experiencing a bit of trepidation.  I truly want this to be pleasing to The Father!  Father knows I lack confidence . . . Outside of Him, I have no confidence . . . NONE!  I feel I have the social skills of a broken lamp, and yet, I truly do love people!  I long to be a gracious encourager.  A kind word and gentle encouragement goes a long way for many of us!  Then there is the fellowship that is shared in these Holy Day gatherings that truly does remain in the heart for many seasons!

I'm focusing on the book of Ecclesiastes, fellowship, and encouragement.  Those of us who are gathering for Sukkot spend the year seeking Father and His will, while many do so alone, or worse, in a divided house.  Social media is pretty much a place of argument or a platform for the self proclaimed preachers, teachers, and rabbis to condescend.  Don't get me wrong, there are some very gifted folks who are obviously called of Father to preach and teach, but . . . I have come to the place in life, if someone has to continue to announce their call/title, I have trouble hearing their message.  So, to extend fellowship and offer encouragement seems to be a much needed and often overlooked ministry.

Here in the Land of Goshen, we'll be enjoying what looks to be a rather small gathering of women.  I'm thinking we are going to be able to share and encourage each other, as well as drawing a serious correlation between Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 . . .  Of course, we're not going to be exclusionary, but at this time it does appear to be a sukkot for ladies of the grandma years.  I felt a very strong unction to extend this invitation, first and foremost to those who Shabbat solo.

Shabbatin' solo is definitely better than ignoring Shabbat, but having little to no fellowship can also result in some traditions or tangents that may be misleading when it comes to Torah truth and following Messiah.  So, we are definitely looking forward to sharing fellowship.  Now the invitation is not closed, nor is it exclusive to women, only . . . but I would like to offer this.  We do not have a large program planned, nor is there an extensive list of activities.  There are family oriented Sukkot gatherings and I would strongly recommend young families get involved with other young families.  Meanwhile, we Grandmas will be encouraging each other and praying for all y'all!

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear Elohim, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  Ecclesiastes 12:13



Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Family / Tribe

Oh what revelation has come in the past few weeks, regarding family and tribe!  It all began on social media . . . who knew???  Father knew.  I read of a woman having some vehicle issues and sent a little gift her way, via paypal.  I then read of this same woman posting an ad to sell some goats.  Two were purebred with papers for registration, but the other was what I like to call a "Jacob's herd" or cross bred, described in Genesis as "spotted, mottled and streaked," which is what I'm raising.  Crossbreeds are just heartier animals in that they rarely display the recessive genetic weaknesses of the purebreds.

We discussed the specifics and price via private messenger, after Shabbat.  I got off the computer and told Mr. B, we needed to go buy a goat Sunday afternoon.  His reply was, "I thought you were downsizing the herd."  To which I responded, "I don't really need a goat, but this is about something bigger."  I told him the asking price, and that I had no intention of haggling.  That came as a shock to him, but since he's always up for an outing, he agreed.  To be honest, I truly thought I was simply going with altruistic intent to help the young woman.  It was delightful to meet her and her children and through the course of the conversation, she asked me if I knew a woman who lived in the town just east of where I live.  I didn't, but she invited me to look at her friend's list and send this woman a friend request.  The woman and I immediately became FB friends and began to make plans to meet in person.

There were scheduling conflicts, the first couple of attempts to meet in person.  Imagine our delight when we finally had a time set and exchanged addresses.  Although our addresses are two different towns, we are closer in proximity than either of us are to our given town of address.  As it turns out, we both live two miles the opposite direction off of the same highway.  We've now visited each other's homes and have made plans for Shabbat that also include other folks she knows.  But there's more . . .

I'd already planned to host a Sukkot gathering this year, but was not terribly confident in my hostessing skills.  A wonderful sister from a neighboring state had already made reservations and a few others have made inquiry and indicated interest.  My new sister/friend will be joining the celebration here, and ask if she could invite others.  Through her, a gentleman has gracious offered some teachings as well as some labor on the homestead.

Isn't it interesting?  Here, I thought Father wanted to use me to bless someone by buying their goat, and I even knew the meeting was about more than a goat, but I had no idea . . .  The blessings I've received in that one short visit have certainly exceeded abundantly more than I could have asked or imagined!  Looking forward to this family gathering!

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.  Matthew 12:50