No Words to Describe the Way I feel

A tremendous week. This week has brought forward so many chapters and verses of the Holy Word that I cannot even begin to bring them all into thought. My mind is running rampant with all kinds of stuff. For one, I think much about “‘do I really have great faith in my Father? How trusting am I to let go and “let God”? ‘

So, in the midst of all this going on in the world (I will not speak about the atrocities in Connecticut or China), we have Worship Week. What a fantastic time for all to come together and focus only on our Father, YHVH Elohim. Yes, I was reluctant. For those who do not know: we gave the keys to the sanctuary over to those whom we do not know and entrusted them to be worthy of praising His name in our tent of meeting; The Peregrinnatti. They will facilitate for one full week. We accepted their credentials based upon the word of some who know us and we believe know them. It was a meeting of the Spirit. It turns out to be Divine Appointment!

This week, we, my wife and I, did as we were told to do. We asked how can we help bring this week of worship to fruition and we were told , “Nothing. Just come and worship”. My faith and my trust are being tested. I am very protective of the flock. Yet, I somehow kept being told, let it be. It will all work out. I let it go…with much consternation. So, I did as told, and it is as said! I am so thankful the Father held me in check to experience worship from days of my old school brought into the new school. My eyes are still wet.

Please permit me to just say a few words about “us”. “Us”, that is you and me. We are so very similar. If we were dissimilar, we would not be here at this moment.

You know and I know that the problem with this country, the United States of America, comes from turning our back on YHVH (G-d). The greater problem is; we, the believers in the peace and sanctity of the Almighty, are too reserved and hesitant to stand up, shout up and declare the strength and majesty of our Creator.

I had a discussion this evening with someone who is very intelligent; well educated and very rational at most times. I have known this person for more than thirty years. One of those who just knows so much about everything you wonder how he has the time to be so informed. But He Is! I respect this.

This educated person firmly believes that we, you and I, do not deserve to be here because of how this country came into being. He does not want to hear that we learned early on and repented for the way we came on board. And that became the foundation for our Constitution.

In fact, he does not accept that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian philosophy as an outreach for repentance for how we came about. He fails to accept that the founders were “not running from” but were “running to”. This is how the Constitution came into being.

This is what bothers me. I hate to see, hear or even think about any form of suffering in this world. It is not that I have not known suffering, (been around the world four times, visited most free countries and some not so free, career military, and not to mention my childhood, etc. ) What dismays me is the insistence of the people of this free world to be so quick to find excuses for every type of antisocial behavior. 

How did I get on this topic? That’s easy – the Spirit within me wants me to focus on Him and so I focus on the children. The children have been called. He has the power to take them away from any further harm. When will I learn that YHVH, Elohim, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, will have His way? When will we all learn that our El is a loving El; it is we, who stand in the way of the relationship! Yes, I mourn for children taken so early. I also relish in the thought that our Father has spared them for the trials and tribulations of the end of times. Elohim, YHVH, please bless their souls and comfort them as they gather to be called unto You. Thank You Father; thank You for permitting me to be called unto You.

And please forgive me for digressing and bringing up the Connecticut and China atrocities. Let me now get back to the “lost in worship” feeling with the Peregrinnatti, and this week of nothing but worship. Oh how easy it is to be distracted. Father, is that why you brought these traveling worshippers in to our lives? Thank You for the tremendous blessing. Thank You for placing Your arms around us one and all.

Time to head back to Shul and more spiritual growth.

B’shem Y’shua haMashiach, Amein and Amein!

Pinchas, 

aka Frankly speaking all the time.

It's A Family Matter

L to R, Trisha, Yocheved with Gila, Heather and Pinchas

Something is happening within me that I cannot explain. Things are taking place that keep me baffled. No matter how I try to decipher the phenomenon, and for me it is a true phenomenon, I just am not able to put rational explanation to the thoughts or the events. Yes, most will say that the Father is working overtime on me. He knows full well that I could use a good overhaul. Sidebar: There is always room for looking into the deep and pulling out more “see” weed. 

 

It all goes back to “family”. For the last few weeks “family” has been constantly on my mind. There are many reasons, I suppose, but with the constant thoughts of family I become overwhelmed with the thoughts of those who are biological and those who are “grafted in”. Over time, I have become more in tune with those grafted in than those who are biological. Don’t misunderstand; I love my Yah-given family very much. The problem for me is the lack of communications. There is some credence to the rumor that you can pick your friends but not your family. 

This past Shabbat, a portion of our prayer for mishp’kha (family) read: “ We thank You Abba for giving us family. The gift of a family comes only from You. We want to please You by loving and pleasing all those within our family. There are times Most Holy One, when members within our own bloodline do not enjoy the freedom that we have to express ourselves to You. This saddens us. They seem unwilling to take hold of the garment”. I might add that most are unwilling to even talk about it. Yes, there are those who attend church and read their Bibles, but for some reason there is no calm, sensible, open discussion concerning Your Word. I thank You for holding me blameless in this situation.

This past month I was very blessed to be with members of my family whom I have not met until Thanksgiving Day. Ah yes, thanksgiving day. Not a Leviticus 23 feast, and not by history a pagan feast. A feast inferred by Scripture (agricultural) and somehow declared in this country a national holiday. (Unlike Christmas I might add…Christmas, first banned in this country because of paganism then embraced because the people wanted it and it is good for the economy and happiness of the population.) But, thanksgiving with family from the marriage side, not true blood line to me, but very much family. It was a great gathering. Full of joy and happiness. The prayer verse infers that there is more than bloodline family. There is the family that You, our Father, have gathered. You, YHVH, brought us all together; You introduced me to my wife which enabled me to have expanded family.

This past ‘turkey day’ I did something I have refrained from doing for many, many years. I spent a week with others and stayed in their house and they seemed okay that my puppies were included. For most of my adult life, I generally find residence at some commercial establishment rather than disrupt the household of those I am visiting. Now, wasn’t that a nice way to say I like my privacy? (You can laugh now.  LOL)

The week was fantastic. Met many that I had not met, and renewed acquaintance with many that I have. There were about 20 or 23 of us gathered and I am so grateful that the host and hostess (bro’ and sis’ in law) have a very large and welcoming home. During the course of the week we learned of the passing of two members in our congregational family. This is where the baffling thoughts come into play.

Don and Jo DeRocher were taken during a plane crash while on their way to his father’s funeral. Father, I am so grateful that I was able to speak with Don before he took off. He and his wife were doing what they love; not loving funerals, but loving being together as he pilots his plane and they joyfully explore Your beautiful earth. Don reminded me of our weekly prayers when we express a desire to see Your face. He told me, “…isn’t that what we all want? What could be better?”

With all this so current, I then started reflecting all who have gone before me. All who are gathering to be taken up. Oh YHVH Elohim. You are a most wonderful and merciful El. You can take life and restore life. You can put us where You want us to be and we most often have no upfront knowledge that You are the One directing all things. Sure, we say it is all about You, but most often, we tend to forget until something occurs that causes us to reflect back. You are the explanation for the unexplainable. You are the reason for the events that don’t make sense as they occur, but come back with memories of being an awesome experience.

Heavenly Father, again, I thank You for the blessings You give. The blessing of a family, both biological and grafted in is more than I can express. Thank You for creating Love. Thank You for demanding that we all love one another; not just our known family, but for the family we haven’t met yet. Father, thank You for being with me these past couple of weeks; actually, thank You for being with me my whole life; even when I had turned my back, You waited patiently. I am truly blessed Abba. The gift of family is a gift I cannot repay. Thank You for having me in Your family. Amein!

Shalom and shalom, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time.

Standing in the Gap

There is a whole lot of shaking going on in this world today. So, I won’t even try to go there and make any kind of sense of it. Let’s just say, it is written! And so, let’s look at Noach and Avraham. Noach and Avraham? Yes! That should direct your attention.

I have been doing ‘investigative reading’ on Avraham and Noach, two leaders of the Word. The more I read, the less I understand. Until lately, I did not realize that Noach, a man deemed righteous by our Father, did not stop to pray for the peoples of the earth that would soon be eliminated. Whereas, Avraham prayed for the people of Sodom and some were spared. Avraham’s devotion was attributed to him as righteousness. Noach is said to be righteous all the way back to Adam. But who really knows? Avraham’s heritage indicates that he came from “the other side of the tracks”. 

So, lets stir this up a bit. Is it necessary that we pray for everyone or anyone that we think is going to get swallowed up? Where is the boundary for our responsibility? Do we even have a responsibility? What do you suppose would have happened between The Father and Noach if Noach had prostrated himself before the door of the ark was shut and prayed for the Father to change His mind? The way I read the story, the flood was the Father’s will. Are we to intervene and tell Him that we know better? 

You may be saying, Sodom’s destruction was the Father’s will also. Avraham prayed and it seemed to have made a difference in the numbers being destroyed. Does this mean that YHVH did not really want to wipe out Sodom? Couldn’t Noach have at least attempted to show compassion for his neighbors? Hang on a second. The Sodom and Gomorrah event was a direct punishment by the Father. Remember that the ‘visiting angels” said they were going to Sodom to check things out (Gen 18:20-25). The implication is that YHVH was going to go into the area to see for Himself up front and personal all that He had heard from afar. When the validation of the behaviors was without doubt, the punishment would began. At the same time, the prayers from Avraham began. 

Lets go back to Noach. We can easily see that in Avraham’s situation, the sinful people were being punished. In Noach’s case, there was no punishment. YHVH had already stated that humankind is so evil that He wished He had not created them (us). So, He would eliminate them and basically start over with the righteous man Noach. Even though there is no mention of Noach’s sons being righteous, YHVH did not eliminate them. He used them to repopulate the world. Noach had no reason to pray for the Father to change course. Noach accepted YHVH at His Word. So, he did as he was told and no prayer was indicated. He was that righteous! Then, to top it off, YHVH said He would never again do to the earth what He did in the days of Noach, and still maintains that humankind is so sinful it makes Him sick. 

On the surface, Noach does not seem to be empathic to those around him. Avraham shows great empathy from the beginning. (It took him about forty years to do as YHVH said: leave your kinsmen and follow me) Yet, Noach was deemed righteous from the beginning (Gen. 6:9); Avraham was deemed righteous through his faith (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6). In James 2:23 we read; 23 and the passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled which says, "Avraham had faith in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness."He was even called God's friend".

Some say that the flood was enough to instill the fear of YHVH into the hearts and minds of the survivors. Some say the behavior of Avraham and the blessings bestowed on him was enough to solidify the fear of YHVH. Then there are those who acknowledge that Avraham was not Hebraic (Jewish) but he crossed over from an environment not worthy, and became the Father of the Present World. From this, the tribes developed, and Brother Judah came on the scene. 

So, we have a stern follower, Noach, along with an empathic follower, Avraham; and we have a man of prayer, Avraham; along with a man of devout adherence to what he is told, Noach. Both goy who answered the call. Thus the world began to follow the Creator. 

Nothing has changed. YHVH maintained that man was sinful, yet redeemable. Within our own community we find the same. Empathic and prayerful plus stern and devout. I wonder if I could be just a little bit of both. Father, I pray that I have the strength to stay the course while at the same time have the compassion to reach out to others. Please help me to not have a hardened heart while still maintaining that Your Word can never be compromised. YHVH Elohim, You spared us and provided us a means of redemption from our sins. We love you and pray that we may be worthy in Your sight. We love You and pray to see Your face. In Yeshua’s most awesome and wonderful name, Amein. 

Shalom and shalom,

Pinchas 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time

The Sins of the Fathers

In the early days this blog was supposed to be about my thoughts throughout the week as I prepared to see His Face. On March 2, 2011 I begged off from writing about a person I know who was raised in an Orthodox home but married goy. This was in the blog One House, Two House, Whole House, HIS House! She wanted to know what is the difference in being brought up in the church to love God and pray to Jesus and being brought up in the synagogue to love Elohim and pray for the Messiah to come. We discussed this over the several years that we have been acquainted. “She has not found the Messiah as I understand Him and she acknowledges that she was raised and trained up to listen to the Rabbis and do as they say.  She says it is not different than being raised in the Christian church and told to listen to the Pastor and do as he says.  She currently attends a Christian church! She also feels both are kind of misleading when it comes to the truth of the word.” (Blog 03-02-11)

That was almost two years ago. Now, the time that I asked for to unravel my thoughts has come. She has informed me that she will be leaving town soon to do yahrzeit with her family for her husband. In speaking with her I learned more than she had ever disclosed in the fifteen years or so that we have known each other. It would not be kind of me to give examples. Suffice it to say, my friend has lived with a deep conviction towards YHVH, but very tolerant of the teachings of the church. As she put it, she would not force religion on her family, and she didn’t. Now, her husband, her kipparah, is passing. All preparations have been made. In those preparations, after the “church” rituals, she will join her family at the synagogue for services. She will grieve for twelve months. She will light the candle. Then she will “move forward with her life”. Her children are grown and she believes they will understand.

So, what is this blog about? The question, rather the statement was: there is no difference in the church teaching to love God and pray to Jesus than there is being brought up in synagogue to love Elohim and pray for the Messiah to come. YES THERE IS! But who am I to say? I was brought up in the church and loved most of it. I say most, because the leadership failed to answer my questions when I asked. The same is true in the synagogue. Ask a Rabbi to tell you about Ezekiel 37. That is just the beginning. Question where the 613 comes from. Talk about Abram not born a “Jew”. The more I think about it the more correct the lady is. So, what takes her back to her roots now? Why not ten years ago? Why not thirty years ago? What an eye opener!

This lesson was meant for me. Thank you for permitting me to share. Humans find great solice in comfort things. What makes one person comfortable doesn’t necessarily comfort another. Yes, there are a great many psychological theories we could discuss. But lets do this. Lets discuss Spiritual theories.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not attempting to explain what my friend is doing to condemn or condone. I am using her manifested behavior to explain the thoughts that go through my head as I strive to see my Master’s Face.

Lets say for the sake of establishing a base; the friend has enough roots in Judaism from childhood to know that at some point, when she chose to leave the teachings and join the goyim, she carried with her the guilt of knowledge put forth in Psalm 34: 18-23. In this she is aware that we all have evil inclinations. She also is aware that the Father saves the righteous from all evils that the righteous person suffers. While evil kills the wicked, YHVH redeems His servant.

Now that her life is literally changing about her, without her consent or decree, her spirit becomes reflective. Thinking about all those years. Those years of quietly giving in to the abuses of the church. Yes, they were abuses to her because she knew the difference between the sacred and the profane. Maybe even subconsciously she felt the intrusions of the “sin”. Knowing that the evil inclination cannot attach itself to us without an invitation, an opening, does she carry the guilt of opening the window that brought in a bit of darkness? She is at a very emotional point now in her relationship with her Creator. She wants to do the right thing. Even though she herself said there is no difference between the synagogue and the church, the pastor and the rabbi. Where can she turn? She seeks her roots. But from the discussions, she has been seeking her roots mentally for years. She never acted on it.

The cabbalists teach that this is the final emotive attribute within Creation; the power to express one’s thoughts and emotions to others. Establishing an identification with outer reality. This power of expression is associated with the soul, the very core of our being. It is my belief, should this be valid, this is the point at which we can have a verbal dialog with our Creator; this is the point where the natural and supernatural meet. But that is another topic.

At Exodus 20:4 we are taught not to worship pagan gods. In doing so, we will place these sins upon the children to the third and fourth generation. This is a most misunderstood verse. It does not mean that YHVH holds all the succeeding children responsible for these sins. It indicates that a person, born into this world, was placed in this world for correction and discipline in order to join the Creator in His set-apart world. It does not imply that a child is to pay for his or her father’s sin. The person sinning is the ‘father’ who is to pay. The fourth generation indicates four opportunities to return (teshuvah). In the literal translation, the word ‘generation’ does not appear in this verse in Exodus, thus making it easier to understand the verse.

So, with that said, what if my friend has been taught the misunderstood word. What if she bears guilt for all that has occurred in her family; not only her husband, but her children’s suffering too? In my mind, she is right in wanting to return to her roots. Our roots comfort us. Our roots give us reason. Our roots are all we have that can make sense on the most senseless days. Even when we find that our roots are distorted, they give us warmth. Like afternoon sunshine through an open window laying across grandma’s bed. Maybe my friend will see from her roots just how close she is to seeing the Father’s face. Just maybe she will see Messiah Yeshua on every page of her Bible!

Father, please grant my friend solace. You are the One Who speaks to us when no one else makes sense. Through Your kindness and mercy we find peace. Let it be Your will that my friend, and everyone experiencing a sudden loss, can overcome the grief. Grant them the ability to celebrate the life and rejoice in Your Holy Word. In Yeshua’s Blessed Name, Amein.

Shalom and shalom, Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time

Everyone Needs an Advocate (Pro. 31:8-9)

This little bit of a blurb will just be that…. A little bit of a blurb! 

Just coming off a fantastic ten day celebration of an eight day feast, getting in the groove has been a challenge at best. 

On this past Tuesday, I managed to remove my tent from the Shul property. No big deal… yes it is! My tent only takes five minutes to put up and five minutes to take down. Where have I been?

Having a ball! Yes, I have been keeping a promise I made when I was laid up and unable to lend a hand. Now, because I make myself so readily available, I have to actually say, I don’t have time right now….got XYZ to do!

I won’t go on to tell you what a fantastic, Spirit filled feast we had! For those who were here, it would be redundant; for those who were unable to be here, I apologize. It was GREAT!

My position, for most of my adult life, has been to challenge and ascertain the net gain of all proposals placed before me. Since Oct last year through Sept of this year, I have been able to enjoy the feeling of being busy while not being able to run and play. During this ‘down time’ it was brought to my attention that I negate or refuse most offers, proposals and requests that come before me. This is probably true. I only question those kinds’ of acts because of a history demanding of a few targets: How much, how many, what for??? So, if someone proposed anything, I mean anything at all, my mental silent drill was how much will it cost, how many will benefit and what are we really doing this for? 

What this leads to is, I am on a program to say “yes” more than I say “no”. Can you even begin to imagine what the outcome will be? I couldn’t imagine it or I would have kept my mouth shut. Remember, make no oath unless you are prepared to cut off your arm should you think about changing your mind! 

Where in the world is this going? In a nut shell; if you were at Sukkot with us, you met Gila…the sweet little dog that was afraid of her shadow. Gila now has a brother. Because of many reasons, but especially because I am practicing saying “Yes” 

In a nutshell (from a nut job) Yocheved called, texted the pix and through the digital love, we then redeemed a little puppy that needed love and nutrition. So, today Jett (Jethro) is alive and driving us nuts. Beautiful mixed terrier. Looks like a “mutt” on the Chinese side … but that’s only because I saw a picture of one just the other day. 

Let me simplify this little jewel and tell each and everyone of you; I truly love and respect and admire you all. This Sukkot was a joy. Our Father put my legs and feet back to an operational position just a couple of weeks before we had to begin the preparations. He managed somehow to make me capable of doing that which I love doing – serving you and thus, serving Him and His Beloved. There were moments when I was just amazed and tears entered my eyes from the joy of knowing that He let me do what I love to do. It was one year ago, almost to the week, that I lost all capability to function in an upright and fast paced environment. No, I won’t go into the details any longer. A person can wring the rag so much and squeeze all the water out, but it still remains damp! I have been rung and I am still damp. For this, I feel blessed.

Please come again and visit, stay, camp, homestead, build, move in, fortify and etc. our surroundings. Our Father in Heaven has taught me to say “Yes” when normally I would say “Why?” He has taught me beyond any shadow of doubt, trust in Him requires more than saying I trust in Him. Faith in Him requires more than just saying I have faith. To be on His side, we must be willing to put our foot in the water. Not to challenge "will He part the sea?" but to show Him, we know in our hearts the seas part because He loves us. 

Shalom for now and please accept this short note: I have been so busy saying “Yes” to a little dog that was headed for the chambers, I just can’t seem to stop loving on him or Him.

Love you all, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time.

Chag haSukkot hazeh, ziman simchatenu!

(This is the Feast of Tabernacles, 

the time of our rejoicing!)

There is just too much to focus on right now… I have touched these keys about six times since six this evening and now it is after 10P.M.  My initial focus is on Sukkot and the excitement I am having in the preparation stage.  If you remember, it was this time last year in prepping for Sukkot that I injured myself.  And a year soon passed by and I contributed little to nothing in all other Father centered activities.  But I am fast catching up.  Our Beloved King of kings saw to it to repair my legs and feet and the last surgery was the best yet.  I can run! And I can dance! Maybe it doesn’t look like dancing but it sure feels smooth and graceful as YHVH teaches my foot to pivot and turn where there is no pivot and turn to be had!

This Sukkot is going to be super!  The entire congregation is coming together, as usual, to make sure that we are well prepared to receive everyone the Father sends our way.  People have risen to the call for help not only from nearby, but from West Florida and South Georgia too.  That, my friends, is just how it is in this Congregation.  People helping people.  During the scheduled work day, they came in all ages!  We had believers from age 3 (yes three) to 73 taking part in the preparation.  Yocheved grinned and grinned. She was truly delighted with the turn out and was able to get a jump on so many items on the list.  Meanwhile, outside, the weed eater was buzzing and the pressure washer scouring.  Not to mention the new doors to those “ugly” showers being installed -- custom made and fitted for the temporary structure that has been temporary for about six years now and still holding.  Word has it that after the Rivers Conference we are going to revamp the inside walls.

All-in-all, as for Sukkot prep, we are right on track.  Even after all the flooding and raining and grass/weeds growing to two and a half to three feet tall; it all got cut and cleaned up.   The contracted workmen doing the parking aprons and new septic system managed to dig between storms and got enough drainage to get all plumbing requirements buried before another flood.  I felt for the electricians; they came three times to do the hook ups and had the power company basically on stand-by to throw the switch.  I found out that they all knew each other over the years and the guys at power company were only too happy to see this all come together.

Through it all, I managed to get in a little ‘church’ with the workers.  They had questions about us and the Father answered them.  He provided just the right words. Little by little each one disclosed about their belief and the more they disclosed, it seems the more detailed their work became.  We talked about the difficulty others are having securing jobs; they are all independents.  They knew that I have met many of their friends.  Avoiding lashan harah, we agreed that all workers today have need for prayer.  Of course, I was happy to oblige and we all just seemed to be at peace and relaxed as the work progressed.

With all this goodness occurring in front of me, I become grieved when I see so much strife and discontent around me.  Not in the congregation, but in my treks into town to pick up parts or mail parcels, etc.  Many people are very angry and lash out for no reason;  full of questions but not willing to pause long enough to receive an answer.  Too often I am asked “How can you be so happy after having gone through so much in a full year?  Do you really think God loves you to do this to you?”  My response: loudly – YES!  In fact He has healed my legs for such a time as this.  Shehekianu!  He loves me so much that He ensures that I know it.  He has given me a sign so that I never forget His Power nor His Love.  If I ever have doubt, all I need do is take off my socks and look.  You see, YHVH did not injure me, that was my doing by not listening to the still soft voice that said; “get someone to help you” before I wrestled with trencher.  It is hard for me not to think about Jacob and the wrestling match.  In a nut shell, Jacob wrestled with Yahweh, lost the match, but won Yah’s blessing.  I failed to listen when the Spirit spoke, I lost the match and Yahweh has blessed me immensely.  Yes, I am delighted!  I truly have grown closer to my Savior.

There is so much to say but I am not going to spend another year talking about me.  I want to spend the rest of my life talking about my Heavenly Father Who has granted me life!  One day I will give more detail about the two minutes spent waiting for the next breath. But not now.

If you aren’t doing anything this Sukkot, come spend some time with us.  Just go on-line and let Yocheved know you want to pitch a tent.  All it takes is a quick sign-up on the website.   This year is a bit different than times gone by.  Maybe that is why I am so excited.  Or maybe it is just because I am here, preparing the way.  Most people find difficulty being at Shul and not being happy and excited! It takes work to be miserable when we are focused on YHVH Elohim.

Thank You Blessed One, the One Who makes things happen!  Thank You for teaching me that only You make things happen while we can only do things that You direct. My joy comes from getting to know You.  This Tabernacles’ season, I pray that You will find pleasure and shalom within our Sukkah.  We want to please You.  Nothing else matters.  Father, again, thank You and Bless You for all You do for all of us.  

Your servant through the love of Yeshua…

B’shem Yeshua Mishichenu

Pinchas a/k/a Frankly Speaking all the time!

P.S.  The last water samples for the annual testing to detect e-coli go to Health Dept tomorrow; the last inspection for the county is supposed to occur tomorrow; the inspection for the drain field passed today; the analysis for the water submitted Monday and Tuesday had satisfactory results; the upgraded wiring for outdoor lighting is completed; the food cooking has begun and smells great!  I am having a hard time staying calm! The submission for testing for lead will be done ‘early’ in the morning … sheesh!  Where is Moshe????? I don’t think he had to have so much approval just to have a bite of food and talk to our Father!  This is going to be a great Sukkot!  I feel it in my bones!!!! Thank You Abba!

The truth or not the truth… that is the question!

Maybe it’s the political season, maybe it’s my age, maybe I am out of touch, but I cannot grasp the concept that lying is an acceptable trait or behavior. I don’t mean the bold, blatant bald face lies that everyone knows is wrong. I mean the subtle little innuendos that are the mainstay of sane, rational adult conversations these days. I heard a business man say that being late on an assignment is no big deal; that it is commonplace in the ‘real world’. There also are those who say they will be at a certain place or occasion, only to just not show up. When asked later, they normally respond that they forgot. 

 

According to Webster, to lie is to make a statement that one knows is false, especially with the intent to deceive; to give a false impression or action or false statement, especially with the intent to deceive; to make a false statement in order to evade the truth; and is an invention of a false story or excuse in order to deceive.

Almost every week, someone approaches my wife or me with questions concerning our beliefs and faith. Sometimes they see us while we are out and about; sometimes they simply call on the phone. The questions are valid and legitimate and we do our utmost to be up front and respond as mature sensible adults, without excuse. So, after we have explained our trek in this ‘calling’, they express how thankful they are and how relieved they are. They most often state that they have been searching for some truth to the Word, without man’s distortion. We, of course, encourage them to research the whole Bible (Old and New; Torah/Tanak/Brit, etc) for their self and feel free to join us at Shul. Here is where the lie comes: After establishing the times of service and what to wear and can anyone come, “I’ll see you this Saturday”. Saturday comes but they do not. Neither does a call to let us know not to expect them.

We hear this so often. Why say this when they know it is not true? Do they not know about making oaths? Several years ago, one man told me up front the truth: We have been acquaintances for many years. I watched his children grow to adulthood; he tells anyone who will hear how the truth is spoken at KHM. One night, several years ago, I asked after a thrilling discussion of Scripture, “Will I see you this Shabbat?” His reply – when football moves to Sunday! I loved his honesty! He was up front and within his belief. A shining example of Col. 3:9-10 – Never lie to one another; because you have stripped away the old self, with its ways, and have put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its Creator. He has moved and I don’t see him anymore, but I wonder how he would answer now; -- now that he has gained fuller and fuller knowledge.

Some philosophers debate the difference between lying and false beliefs; some say anything that is not true is a lie – others adhere to the thought that if a person believes something, even if it is not true, is not lying when their opinion is verbally expressed. To call someone a liar is a very strong statement. It does not limit itself to the verbal expression. Calling someone a liar labels everything about them. However, bringing someone’s attention to their behavior being incongruent with their verbal expressions can strengthen them, when they are receptive to feedback.

Proverbs 10:19 tells us that when we talk excessively, we set ourselves up for transgression. We are cautioned to minimize our words. Thus, our walk and our talk will be congruent. We must learn to inventory our vocabulary. When we use a word, do we know what it means? Even though we have been speaking for many years, and have a super education, etc. do we really know what we are saying? Listen to those about you, especially when in a crowded place. Hear the expressions they are using. Most of us use that which we heard in early development. This caution, for me, is vital in reciting rote prayers. My vocabulary does not include some of the words in very old texts.

Simple expressions such as… “I swear..this and that"; Yeshua says it is better not to swear anything in order to avoid being guilty of not keeping your promise or word. There are two common expressions I find amusing. The first is; “I’ll tell you the truth….” Does this mean until now it has all been a charade? Yeshua said let your yes be yes and your no be no. In other words, don’t waste words. Avoid the inadvertent transgression. The other is, when someone sees me unexpectedly in a public place and they begin the contact with; “Oh my goodness, I was just thinking about you and have a note to give you a call.” There is nothing I can say about this. Can it be true? Why would there be doubt in my mind?

Several years ago, while active in a counseling career, I would do various workshops for cognitive restructuring. Most of the encounters were fun and uplifting; some were extremely challenging. However, one of the classes I held focused on lying and green beans. For years the Green Bean Theory was the most receptive and eye opening class. The following synopsis explains it.

Setting the stage for future disaster; A little deception goes a long way. Suppose you just met someone and you want to know them more. You arrange to have a small dinner and you fix a simple but flavorful meal. During the course of passing the food, along come the green beans. Your guest dishes some up with the other foods and no big deal. The two of you eat, enjoy and find a mutual relationship. Time goes by, the inevitable happens. You both fall in love and marry.

Ten years later things aren’t going so good. The two of you are screaming at each other and threatening to split. In the heightened verbal altercation, you hear “And another thing… I hate green beans. I have always hated green beans. I can’t stand your green beans.” Wow! Is this what started the differences? Were we separating before we even got to know one another? Why did someone pretend to like green beans all these years? What would have been wrong on the first visit, when offered the beans, to simply say “Thank you but I don’t care for green beans?”

Of course, the green beans are just a metaphor for anything we may or may not care to engage in. Honesty up front usually opens for a heartfelt dialog. Honesty of the heart. What if the other party takes offense? Ask yourself – what future relationship do you believe you would have if someone could be offended by your honesty; if you were not petitioned for input to the plan and you did not condemn or attack the other party? You only stated that which affected you. Nothing about green beans being yucky or wrong…just that you don’t care to participate in the green bean portion. Is this just too complicated? There is no right or wrong party here. What we have is “not a good match”. Finding out early on makes life more bearable later. 

 

As a side note: A participant came to speak with me about a year after her group involvement. She said she wanted me to know that she and her husband keep a can of green beans in the car front seat, and a can on the table in the house. She told me it has made a big difference in their communications and they do not have to even mention the beans. 

 

Communicating honestly with one another does require forethought. We do not want to belittle or put down. Using tact and kindness goes a long way. Always keep in mind, if you have nothing to defend, then don’t become defensive. Sometimes just standing down and giving the other person space to hear themselves does wonders. From that, learn to get rid of the attacking expression; “I told you so.” As mentioned earlier, the fewer the words, the less opportunity for transgression. Let the actions do the speaking. Show kindness without explaining how kind you are.

According to Zechariah 8: 16-17 (CJB) we are told by YHVH ‘These are the things you are to do: speak the truth to each other; in your courts, administer justice that is true and conducive to peace; don’t plot harm against each other; and don’t love perjury; for all these are things I hate,’ says YHVH.

 

So simple. Why didn’t I think of that? No need to answer that…….thanks.

Heavenly Father, please continue to guide us and strengthen us to be a light for You. Help us to help others who seek the truth of Your Word. We want to always welcome others to come and join in the dance. As a child wrote the other day, “When words aren’t enough, dance!” For me and my house, we choose to follow You. We want to be a positive influence without brow beating. We want to be an example more than a lecture. You are awesome and wonderful in Your caring ways. Please don’t stop. In Yeshua’s magnificent Name, Amein.

Shalom for now…

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time