Thinking Back

This morning I was struck by an article about the challenges of being a teacher. Immediately I flashed back to a teacher I had who was determined that I would learn to read. Not just read words, but READ and comprehend what I read.

How can anyone teach someone to comprehend? Go ahead, pause and develop a lesson plan that teaches comprehension. So, does your plan teach or simply explain? Is explaining what a word means the same as teaching comprehension?

What I learned as a young child that has stuck with me forever is a simple fact that if I cannot read and comprehend what I read, then I will be extremely challenged in all other subjects. The school system uses reading to teach all subjects. Yeah...we have to be able to read and comprehend what we read in order to learn all subjects based on the method of delivery the public school system uses.

There are those who resort to pictures to learn by. They must read the picture in order to comprehend what it is "saying". Have you ever purchased one of those put-it-together-yourself in-five-easy-steps projects? Yeah....and do you go to the diagram because the first step says:

1. Holding part C in your left hand, insert the yellow cord in the slot provided and wrap it loosely about the end that is touching part A in your right hand. This is fun!

We all know that to comprehend what we read is to fully grasp all there is in relationship with the meaning of the word. Knowing what words mean is extremely helpful. So, we have to develop a thorough vocabulary. In developing a vocabulary, we can comprehend the meaning of a word if we increase our vocabulary so we can comprehend each word in the meaning and the meanings of all the words that describe it. This is exhausting! Can we really teach a child to comprehend? I read some place that the reason reading is so challenging is that the public schools do not drill vocabulary building as it was done ages ago when I was going to school. The reading is simply 'reading words' and the child, in time will self-develop and gain greater insight of the words read when able to visualize what is read. This I like but I do not agree with the concept.

We humans store knowledge visually. So, why not go to the picture first? Eliminates the need for learning the meaning of so many words! How silly this is. Mrs. Wellman alerted my teachers that I didn't understand what I read. Little did I know this was going on. But I soon realized that at any moment, anyone in the school would be asking me questions about stuff that was meaningless. It didn't take too long before everything had meaning. I was beginning to see things that weren't there. I now know that I was developing my brain to visualize the full concept of various things. Someone could mention something as simple as 'roller skates' and a picture of skates comes up. I now know that I see the skates in detail just by hearing the word. So, how do we teach reading comprehension?

The Webster dictionary states that synonyms for the word 'comprehend' include the following:

appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand, and pick up on.

When a child, or anyone, is able to mentally process a word using the above traits, the child can fully comprehend what is read. Oddly, those are the synonyms, the words that have the same basic foundation as 'comprehend'. The same dictionary states that the antonyms for comprehend, the words that have the opposite meaning are: hang on now.... don't laugh.... the antonym for comprehend is: miss..... yes... you either comprehend (do all the above) or you miss. Now, can we teach a child to comprehend? Yes we can. Mrs. Wellman and the entire staff of the school taught reading comprehension, not just reading.. I have been blessed. I would have been labeled learning disabled in today's school system. That stuff was frowned upon when I was a child.

ADHD (Attention Deficiet Hyperactivity Disorder) started out as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). In my opinion, ADD became the label that permitted the 'system' to not spend time teaching. I was ADD. As less time was spent teaching, a broader brush was needed to encompass more students who weren't learning. So in comes the ADHD. It started with a child that just stared at the wall because he/she "missed" understanding a word, thus the written statement had no meaning, or the child was attempting to 'make a picture' of it, thus staring into space; and soon began acting out, so now is 'hyper' and now we medicate. Once we label a child, we ultimately re-enforce that label by behaving toward the child as though it is real.

I didn't plan on getting on this tract, because it is very involved and includes but is not limited to parental authority, diet, etc..... I, me, who could not read, still am challenged and must make the dialog a visual image. I managed to obtain a Master's in Education and my thesis was on "The Antiquated American Education System and ADHD"; who would have figured? That one curled some eyebrows at the time. No, I don't have all the answers, I just know that I would have been one of the medicated students that started the day with a bowl of cereal and sugar, then near mid-day a sweet treat, then come home to more empty calories. I thank Mrs. Wellman for teaching me and all those that came in my path from that day forward.

Yes, teaching is a most difficult job. Teachers nowadays, as far as I can see, are not permitted to teach the average student. A few selected students get into the specialized courses, but they get there because they can comprehend. The average student does not have that opportunity any more. The public school system has not changed in hundreds of years. We still write on the wall of the cave and regurgitate what we have written which we got from someone else. The student sits and stares at the writings on the wall and is expected to comprehend, automatically.

Heavenly Father, giver of Life, the Great Physician, Teacher of All, thank You for the time You have granted me to walk Your earth. Thank You for placing people in my life who care for You and others as You have taught. Father, I am so grateful that You were permitted in the class room when I was a young child. Please be with all the teachers and education authorities as they strive to 'teach' the child that has difficulty learning. Please be with the children and help them to comprehend the big picture. Help them to see the unseen. Thank You Abba for Your kindness and love. In Y'shua's name I praise You.

Shalom and shalom, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly Speaking All The Time

Just When I Thought I was Becoming Torah Compliant

Our new friend Chaim listening to Steve Rees on Harp

For a while I actually thought and felt that I was doing a pretty fair job of reading the Word and acting on it. It has been a challenge for me for several years but as each day goes by I feel closer and closer to my Maker. Then I spent the month of October in The Land! Oh I could go on forever about the greatness and majesty of it all. But there is such an awesomeness not seen with human eyes about my last adventure. I am not going to take you along the "Chamber of Commerce Tour". I only want to release the pressure that has built up within me as I witnessed so many people that walk Torah without comment. People that just naturally and without hesitation epitomize Torah and all that it is meant to be.

There was the "thirty something" lady who was eating at a sidewalk cafe when a merchant attempted to bring his merchandise across the busy street on a hand truck. He lost control and the merchandise fell to the street. Ms 30something didn't bat an eye - as I sat stunned, she quietly got up from her meal, went over and started lifting boxes of goods back on the hand truck with the traffic never attempting to slow; then she came back to continue her meal. My Father was showing me Torah in action. As we continued to eat, (she was at a nearby table), a disheveled man came by, looked in the trash can, apparently for food, and this same lady packaged part of her lunch in a bag, quietly stood up, approached the man and offered it to him. Again, without fanfare or verbal exchanges. This is Torah. I must tell you; this lady was part of our 'group'...she is from Iowa and very much at ease in The Land.

Then there was the Orthodox Jew who met a member of our group earlier and befriended him. This man, the 'Jew" knew that we would be traveling in the north, the Golan and other areas. This same day the Chief Rabbi passed away and this 'Jew' called our friend to inform him that the roads back to our apartment would be closed for hours due to the million or some people converging before the funeral was completed. He invited us to his home to spend time and eat while waiting for the roads to open so we could return. He accepted a dozen people, unknown and not Jewish, to come and dine with him. Reminded me of the hospitality of Abraham. We sat, ate, talked, explored and learned so much from this one man. His daughter was present and obviously happy...genuine smile and forever ensuring our comfort. We met his wife as we arrived and she welcomed us as though she had known us for years...then off to work she went. That visit was more than three hours...and very difficult to leave. But it was midnight, and we had to get up "in a few hours" to do it all over again.

We met so many people with so much to offer...and they all had their hands out; not to take from us but to give to us! They each expressed a desire to learn about the people who strive to be Torah compliant while accepting Y'shua haMashiach as our Savior and our way back to Torah and YHVH .

We were invited to Shiloh where Joshua built the first permanent tabernacle that stood for 369 years. This was long before Jerusalem and the remnants of the Tabernacle remain to this day and in my mind are magnificent. There we met, among many people, the man who heads a rehabilitation center for children who are victims of terror. He started this endeavor several years ago, after becoming a survivor of an ambush attack, along with his three year old son. The son was shot in the neck at the base of the brain, one millimeter from the brain stem. He is now a healthy, happy pre-teen and is determined to overcome and move on to brighter days. They say it is the Torah thing to do!

Yes, the list goes on. The blessings were and are truly amazing. Word got out that our congregation did a weekly feeding of the homeless in our town. Next, we were invited to take part in feeding the elderly immigrants. Of course we agreed. So, we asked; where and when? The reply: you can come up here, to the heartland of Israel and purchase the food in a local grocery and you will be able to use the kitchen of our facility to prepare it and we will be forever grateful. So, my loving wife said, "I love to cook!" That was all it took. Everyone in our group participated. Keep in mind, we were not your usual tour group - most were members of our congregation; then there were a few we met along the way. All joined in and all seemed to enjoy demonstrating a Torah frame of mind. Our unofficial tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and flexible. For that, we are all grateful!

The experiences can go on and on. I think you get the point of the message. Just when I thought I was doing a fair job of being Torah compliant, I met Torah face to face. Let me wrap this up with Chaim. A fantastic man. Chaim is reaching out to be an instrument of peace in a land that has a three thousand or more year old war. Name the enemy, Israel has met them! Chaim is orthodox and teaches Torah at the Christian church. Yeah ... isn't it a hoot! This man is so gentle. He attends the Christian church and when the service is completed, he is asked to explain the "Old Testament" portion through the eyes of a Jew. Chaim and I were brought together by Divine appointment. That appointment would take me hours and hours to explain. Suffice it to say, he, Chaim, is guiding me and assisting me to better understand the wall that comes between "us" and "them". He is reaching out to all nations and nationalities to end the strife so the young people can have peace. Children are not born with a mindset to kill or disrupt. They are taught. He and I agree on this wholeheartedly. So, I asked for help in understanding and he wants help in overcoming. What a bargain! You all will be hearing more about this. For the moment, I will tell you, with a simple handshake, Chaim and I made a covenant relationship between Israel and North America. The Father above will guide us both.

Father in Heaven, You have the script. You can see the outcome. You and only You have the power to bring together two people of very different backgrounds. Two people with a heart's desire to see the children play in the streets again; to see the elderly sitting on the porch; to hear the laughter of infants pleasing their parents. Father, You know that I am not just referencing Israel, I speak of the United States of America and all other counties. This world has become so very callous and distrusting. When I was a child I could play outside alone ... now I can't even walk down the street where I used to live for fear of being accosted. When I was in Israel I heard the same stories ... but Father, they showed me the evidence that it is far worse. That tells me it will only get worse in my own country unless we reach out and embrace and come to terms. To do this, we must tear down the walls. Thank you Eternal One for choosing me to join hands with Israel, via my friend Chaim. Bless You Father and bless Chaim and those like him who strive for peace. In Y'shua's mighty and awesome name, Amein!

Shalom,

Pinchas

AKA Frankly Speaking All the Time

The Greatest Gift: Family

This day I am very excited to be writing this blog. In all honesty, my heart does not scream "write a blog."  I really am not fully motivated to create something that I believe will benefit the reader, but I am motivated to put to paper the happiness I feel for these past couple of weeks that have been so challenging that I wonder why I even think I have something that merits reading from the populace. (If you check the grammatical and syntax and structure, that last sentence is soooo wrong!) [Editor's note: You ain't kidding!! =/ ] 

In the last couple of weeks I have spent time with family. We all know that we spend time with family every Shabbat and with each class and in all the events; then, there comes a time when we get to enjoy the true delight of the namesake: the family that does not really understand or accept where we are in the Word and why we are here. Let’s not forget; for most of us, we are as guilty as those that came before us and taught us as truth the distortions that we now denounce as misguided efforts. Our kindred are experiencing the same thing.

A couple of weeks ago my son and grandson, age 14, came to visit for a few days… it was a time of chatting, learning and gaining insight where we all are in the spectrum of life. I enjoyed being taught the latest tech tips to help me learn about the latest technology. Then, this week, my other son and my two granddaughters came for a few days visit. The girls are age nine and seven (rounded off of course) and they are very “nine” and very “seven”. What a delight. They enjoyed the latest technology in operation that I just learned from the teenaged technologist only two weeks prior. Yeah! Laugh out loud! The young will teach the old.

So, the house is now quiet; the dogs are lost without the stimulus of being pampered, and resumed their role of pleasing the ‘rents; and I am blissfully drained.

With that said; I went back to business as usual and picked up with “gotta’ get it done” list: the problem of not enough line pressure in the water; the cabinets have to be moved this week; the freezer will remain in the room but against the other wall; so take down three cabinets and find a way to make them part of the new floor to ceiling closet; get the drains open on both lavatories and do something with the uneven stones on the walk way; while you are at it, don’t forget there are only about thirty days to Sukkot and the community showers must be reworked with new fixtures and CPVC aside from getting a schedule for maintenance while we are preparing to leave as soon as Sukkot is over for a long awaited vacation (it’s been ten years). It doesn’t end. That endless list "guarantees" me life forever on this planet, but I want to go home!

Yah, I love this stuff. Thank You for granting me the few days to spend with my grandchildren and my children. And thank You ever so much in granting me the privilege to serve You under all circumstances. Your blessings are beyond measure. I am truly delighted and I will add this: thank You for providing those who where here when I was unable to attend for a full year. I wonder how they ever did it all. I am grateful that they did. Just think, they are still speaking to me this day. What an awesome family!

Learning that I can not do it all has been very humbling; Learning that it all can be done without me humbles me to my knees! Father, thank You for including me in Your rehearsal for Your Kingdom. I pray to never ever let You down. 

In Y’shua’s mighty and glorious name, Amein!

Pinchas

aka, Frankly Speaking All The Time

Fifty Percent of the Problem

Twice today I heard that admitting the problem is half-way to correcting the problem. I didn't even know I had a problem until I reflected on those who were discussing problems. Now I am so problematic that I can't seem to focus on a very happy and joyful topic for this blog until I get the other fifty percent of the problem that I don't know I have under control.

Maybe my problem is that I am tired of hearing the talking heads with nothing to do in life but talk about something they know nothing about -- but it is their job to convince us that we are stupid.

Maybe my problem is that I get no joy from television -- can't afford the two hundred channels to watch and when I could and did and then turned it off because there was nothing on. Nothing then and nothing now.

Maybe my problem is that I have a fourteen year old car that runs great and have no logical reason to increase my debt by getting a new one....would really like a new truck. My truck is a 1984 GMC (yup nineteen eighty-four) and has less miles than my car. I don't want to buy a new truck, that might be my problem...I want a new truck, just don't want to buy one.

Golly, what could my real problem be? Could it be that I went to YHVH's Graduate School of Life and learned that I have no problems. I have only reasons to be grateful! Now that can be a problem when living in a world of nothing but gloom and doom! Just doesn't garner any conversation except at Shul events.

Then what is the reason for me feeling as though I need a problem? Oh, yeah! I have no topic for this blog! This can be a problem! So, back to the drawing board.

Maybe the problem is my back itches; right between the shoulder blades. That could be a real problem but not sufficient to warrant a complaint.

Well, I've got it! But it is not my problem. If it was my problem then I could and would do something about it. Since I don't own the problem that I could take an active interest in, I have no jurisdiction to do anything about it; unless it is to encourage the 'problem' to vacate my premises.

As I see it, the problem is the rapid decline in enthusiasm for standing up for what is Scripturally right! I am truly tired of hearing all the blasphemous rhetoric throughout this country and people not stepping up to the plate and condemning the words bombarding their ears! So, I don't own what "they" are saying; the only thing I can do, that I know of, is to encourage the 'problem' to vacate my premises.

I could care less if someone disagrees with me. That is their business just as it is my business if I disagree with them. I do have a problem with those who actually believe that living against the Word of our Creator is something I want to discuss. Someone wants to live a homosexual life, that is between them and whoever, but not me. Someone professes to be atheist, so what? That doesn't mean I agree, that is their business. Someone wants to watch filthy movies and listen to trash music...enjoy! Just leave me out!

So, maybe my problem is that if someone wants to profess a belief in a power greater than man; a creator of the universe; a God of all gods -- so what? That is their business! And that is my business too. I know that I know that I know, I would not be sitting here this evening looking for a problem just to have something to rattle on about! I have no problems. I have situations that call for my attention; but believe me, I have no problems! My year at YHVH Graduate School of Life taught me this.

If you think you have a problem, ask yourself; does it fit 'my' definition of a problem? If it does, then ask "What attachment do I have to this problem? What Emotional Attachment binds me and the problem? Without emotional attachment, there is no ownership. We are borrowing from someone else's problem. Then, if there is emotional attachment, and we own the problem, we ask; "What do I want to do with this problem? Since I own it I can do whatever I want with it! By time we get this far down the check sheet, we find that we really don't own this problem and we can just let it go. We can stop trying to tell others how to live their lives and focus on living our own. If they ask, what would we do if we had the problem; we tell them. Now, be prepared -- they will have every excuse in the world to tell us why that won't work. So, then we just back off. Don't try to take someone's problem from them. That is not only stealing, but it is coveting and could be construed to be false witnessing.

Folks, I have no problem. Did any of this make sense? The "editor" is waiting for me to write something. I think I'll just let this go as is (it is not what I was going to write about) and see if it gives "her" a problem. Tongue in cheek and LOL, etc. Life is fun!

Father, thank You for opening my eyes and I cherish the year of meditation You granted me. You, and You alone, have the power to cause us all to lift up our eyes and smile and be glad. The joy comes in getting to know You. I pray the learning never stops! Please continue to guide me and all those about me in Your Will and Your Ways. Those who choose not to follow You have no idea what happiness they are missing. But I believe they do know. I believe they know but the pride stops them from saying: Enough is enough. Let me grab those Tzitzits! 

 

In Y'shua's name we are so grateful to You....Amein!

[The remaining fifty percent has disappeared!]

Shalom and blessings,

Pinchas

aka, Frankly Speaking All the Time

Gotta RUN!

There's a whole lot going on...and sometimes things get done!

"Gotta" get this blog to the "editor" before ten tonight. Hummm it is now 10:28PM and I am getting started.

"Gotta" get my cave cleaned up before tomorrow, company coming! Started on Monday of this week because company was coming Tuesday and they did and they are now in South Florida and new company coming tomorrow. If I keep having things 'pop up' the company will be already come and gone and no need to rush!

"Gotta" get the quarterly water sample to health dept before the 30^th; let's see, what day is this? The testing started tonight at eight and I draw the sample in the morning at seven thirty. That's way before the end of the month!

"Gotta" get the stuff laid out for the family fun day on Sunday; this is easy; will conquer it after the water sample is delivered downtown.

"Gotta " get the car checked out in the morning; have weird noise coming from front suspension.

So, I'll get back to tomorrow's schedule in the afternoon and steal time from Friday if I can get the grass cut before it rains. It's only five acres...Four hours if I rush...but what's the hurry?

There are a lot more "Gotta's", but there is one that rings loud in my ears right now.

"Gotta" spend some time with my favorite therapist, "Jet". Told him when I left the house this morning we would have time to play a little later. Now he is sleeping at my feet waiting for me to give him his "ten minutes a day". Yep, that is what he wants, just ten minutes a day.

About the blog; remember, it is a blog to share my thoughts along the way as I seek the Father's face. I don't want to run but I Gotta!!! Thanks for understanding; goodnight; my 'therapist' is next.

Shalom for now, and may YHVH bless you one and all; give your favorite 'therapist' a big squshie hug! 

Father above, thank You for sending me the best therapist in the whole world. He has done wonders with me and for me. In Y'shua's mighty and awesome name, thank You. Amein!

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time.

Getting a Grip

These past few weeks have been full of trials and tribulations. Not for me, but for so many people around me. And a lot of them are children. Just when I was starting to wonder if I would ever catch up with all the "to do" stuff, I would get word about someone having a bit of a problem overcoming an obstacle in their daily life. This got to the point that I wondered just what the purpose of it all was. Is YHVH telling me something?

Looking back on the trials and tribulations that I thought I had gone through, and the difficulty in getting back into the rhythm of my life as I knew it, the message came. Basically, get off your posterior and get out there and do something! Even if it is wrong or not necessary, do something! As I became more motivated to 'do something', the people around me began reporting the Father intervening in their lives and things beginning to be more tolerable. Was this my Father telling me that I have nothing to complain or grumble about? Didn't I already learn that? Wasn't that the reason I sat for almost a full year, waiting for the healing to take hold? How soon I forget!

What took me so long to realize that I have no problems? There were so many times when I would be thankful just for an hour without pain... such a feeling of gratitude that I did not suffer what some would call permanent damage. So why on earth would I be distressed because I haven't cleaned the place up yet? All I can see is the debris from fallen trees and the bugs and the erosion. Once I got on my feet, I didn't see the puppy that nursed me back to health. All he wants from me is to give him a few minutes a day. I became too busy and was getting nothing done, according to the way I saw it. I won't even begin to start on the my neglect of the Proverbs 31 woman who brought verse eight and nine to life! To my life! How neglectful I can be?

I became so caught up in what I "had" to do, I completely missed opportunities to do what I needed to do. Reaching out and helping others is more important than picking up sticks in the back yard! Oh how soon I forget! Maybe that is why my foot became inflamed periodically, like yesterday and today! My Father is great in sending E-mail (Emotion mail).

There are many instances I can identify in regards to overlooking relationship issues. But let me shy away from getting too personal. Instead, let me just let the random thoughts come forward; as in the days when this blog first started. For those who have not gone back to the beginning, this little ditty was started just to share thoughts that I have had along the way in seeking to see my Creator's face. Then life happened and the thoughts went crazy!

While I was 'laboring' in the heat and dirt the other day, I spoke openly to no one in particular; I was the only human present; the doggies were present; they keep me guessing - I know they fully understand me more than I understand them. Anyhow, I uttered aloud that I sure wish we could get some rain. Guess what? YHVH hears our petitions! It started raining yesterday and continued today and now I have just learned a tropical storm is coming tomorrow! Yeah, I caught myself expressing how I won't be able to get the sticks picked up and spray for the bugs and etc. I just can't seem to get it right, can I? What a hoot!

Speaking of prayers answered; I told the dogs, the ones that nurtured me while I couldn't walk, that I sure would like a full night's sleep! Going to bed at one in the morning and getting up at three to 'go outside' was getting old. Lo and behold, we went to bed at ten, didn't tell them; and got up at five; went 'out' for the moonlight stroll and back to bed before six; slept till eight and felt agitated that I slept too late. So you tell me - when will it all sink in? When will I laugh a little more as I did this morning? Slept too late, complained, the rains came booming, got a break and clear sky at two this afternoon, got the tractor out, positioned it way out back, and came in for tea and the rains returned! Yeah, I laughed! He gives me everything I ask for. And I know for certain, He does it all "in His time" and with a grin! You gotta love Him! The one entity in my life that I know I can count on! Just as Shabbat is the only day of the week that makes perfect sense! Oh, before I get too far away, for those who don't quite understand this - His time is anytime He wants....LOL....  And my time is up..... she who must be obeyed is waiting for this blog-post so she can finish getting the newsletter out.

There, I did it...back to blogging...luv u guys...Shalom for now and do take the time to enjoy the humor He bestows on us. Life is just too precious to be in crisis mode all the time! Again, love you all...

and Father, I love You! Thank You for all the blessings and for Your fantastic patience.... I am learning....although there are times when I feel as though I have forgotten more than I ever knew...I pray that I never ever forget You. In Y'shua's Great name.... Amein

With gratefulness, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time.

86,400 And Counting

On the way to a recipe, I took a turn down a path I have not traveled in many years. Came upon a book about Paleo foods and the “paleo lifestyle”. Oh my! Talk about getting my attention. We, the book “Paleo 101”, and I, took a nice tour. You can find it on Amazon and it is fascinating, even if you aren’t interested in “how it used to be”.

How it used to be? Yeah, back in the hippie days. This book helps the vegan live a healthy lifestyle and ensures proper nutrition, according to the book. My fascination was roused with two sections; a. 86,400 and b. Mind-body awareness. Don’t run away…I once taught/facilitated groups for self-awareness and development of a positive mental attitude. Today we call that “Torah Study”.

One of the modules I facilitated focused on making each moment count. In the book, Paleo 101, the 86,400 framework was explained. Very simple; each day we are given 86,400 seconds to spend as we like. If we do not use all the seconds, when the day ends we lose the left-over. Another day comes and we are given a fresh set of seconds. In the book, we are not told where the seconds come from, if they will come at all or when they may just suddenly cease. We just pretend it is like a direct deposit bank account. Therefore, and I know you have already figured this out, we are encouraged to make every second in our lives count. Not for ourselves, but for others.

In Torah, we learn almost the same thing; except, we learn that our Creator grants us the seconds. We also become aware that we have no control over the next heart beat. The modules that I used ‘in the day’ were close to the same as from the book. The difference was, although I could not at that time invoke Scripture, it was implied. To have this thought come alive, we would use a Big Ben wind-up alarm clock. As the clock ticked loudly, the goal was to focus on the silence between the ticks. You might want to give it a try. When you experience the sound of silence, it is phenomenal. 

 

This may just make sense in a bit. 

Another topic Paleo 101 focused on was “Mind-body awareness”. I won’t detail their take. It was close but again far from Scripture. The basics of mind-body awareness are to learn to focus on what is happening in your physical self and from that gain insight into your spiritual self. This can be very involved so I will short-cut a lot and hope it simplifies and does not disturb anyone. 

 

A simple approach is to bring attention to your heart beat. Get in sync with it mentally. Contemplate the time it takes for a pulse of blood to go from the heart to the big toe. We’re stretching this now so don’t give up on me please. Let’s say, theoretically, it takes 28 seconds, more or less, and so we time from the next beat and track the flow through the body. You are now in contact with your physical self. Now, with the ability to focus on the silence and the ability to focus on the life-flow (the blood flow), we can spiritually connect with our Creator through our “self”. He created us! 

 

Altogether, imagine what all takes place within our “self” within a single space of the silence – between the heart beats! Go ahead, take your time and experience being within your “self”. Listen for the silence while hearing your Father’s Creation. We are a wonderfully and beautifully. There is no doubt in my mind that our Creator wants us to know all about us.

I believe He wants us to come in contact with our “self” as a first step in coming in contact with Him.

HarvestMag http://harvestmag.com/ on its Facebook posting the other day, presented an info graphic stating “Be authentic. The real you is the best you”. The posting is supported in part by the following statement: “We're bombarded by plastic messages, hypocrisy, and people hiding their true selves from others. We are called to be real, genuine, and authentic in our relationships with both Yahweh and others.”

I agree with the posting. There comes a time when we need to wake up and realize that our lives easily become controlled by the environment we live in. If you believe in Teshuvah (Hebrew for return or repent), then you must also believe in order to ‘return’ you had to have already been there at least once. We can lose track of our “self”. Our heavenly Father wants us to come to him fully aware of who we are and where we came from. The more we know about our “self” the more equipped we are to serve the Father. There may be times when we must just sit and be with our “self”. In doing so, we invite our Father in. 

 

There are only 86,400 seconds in a day – let’s not waste them. May our Father be with us and we with Him. 

 

Heavenly Father please continue to guide us and help us on our journey back to You. Thank You for removing the scales from our eyes, in Y’shua’s mighty name, Amein!…..

Romans 12:2, 9, Hebrews 4:13, Philippians 4:8,9

P.S. What recipe was I headed for before all this unfolded? Glad you asked: Paleo Pizza -awesome. Let me not fail to encourage each of you to visit HarvestMag.com or go to their Facebook page. Great insight for young people of all ages – I know, I go there!

Love you all, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time

Where Am I?

This is the day that I promised to get back to what I said I would get back to. Time to write the bi-weekly blog about things that go through my mind while I am striving to see the Father’s face.

Let me tell you just the thoughts that are going through my head… the past week with all the hate and destruction going on. It doesn’t seem to stop. I am going to shut down the cable. Don’t need it; don’t watch it. Everyone seems to want to identify the problem with the world in light of all the murders taking place.

I won’t go into refreshing your memory…. just heard another arm-chair psychoanalysis of why the haters did what they did in Boston…that has got me off track for this blog. It has triggered in me a re-run of my child-hood. I was a mean and angry kid… and why did I do what I did? Father, I did not know You then…. All I know is on one occasion, I was told one night to take a bath and while I was in the tub with the cold water (there was no hot water available unless you took your bath outside in the big tub on the fire) so, anyhow I was in the tub and I remember as if it was now; if I drown in this tub they won’t make me take another bath and it will serve them right! Well, I did not drown, and I did wash behind my ears and I continued to be angered and not understanding why we, my family, had to struggle so hard for what? Times have passed. My Father in Heaven brought me through it all. And as I look back I have realized that all that was wrong in my life was I did not have faith in a Savior I could not see. I also realize that I could not hear Him either because I refused to buy into this “stuff”. 

The young boys in Boston were searching for something. They did not find it because they would not permit themselves to hear it. Yes, this is my arm-chair opinion. The people in my early life told me repeatedly that I need to find God. I told them repeatedly that their ‘god’ was not for me. If he was, I wouldn’t be so miserable. This went on for years. I knew within me that something greater than me must exist…but I also knew that the people in my life was not it! All I heard from them was that I was no good, would never be any good and that I needed to be on my knees everyday praying. Praying? What are you talking about? I have been praying! Can’t you hear?

Well, for me, this is a short and brief moment for a blog but I truly believe, the only thing that is wrong with this country, the problems with the world, the only reason anyone would want to harm others or themselves, no matter where they live or who they are is so simple. We, you and I, and all those we know, have permitted this country to turn its back on the Creator of the universe.

It seems that on most Shabbats when we worship there will always be a portion of a prayer someplace asking for the forgiveness of the sins of the fathers. Asking for help in overcoming that which was placed upon us. So, when do the sins of the fathers stop? When do we realize we are the fathers of the subsequent generations? When do we stop permitting haSatan to have way over us?

Oh my, I must be fired up. Got up for a drink of water and looked back on the diatribe! Please don’t misunderstand. I firmly believe that everything that has occurred in our lives was absolutely necessary for this moment in time. For me, this moment is one of joy and gratefulness; as is every moment since my loving and caring Father has welcomed me. He prevented me from turning my back on Him. One day I may explain that, but it is not really necessary. Many of you know what I am saying.

So, where was I? Oh yes! What is going on in my mind at this moment while I seek to see His face? Let me tell you. For about two months now I am fully on my feet; I am regaining so much zest and energy; I am permitted to be the me I was before I got careless; I am excited and delighted and the place is looking good and I only get obnoxious when I hear the news! So, turn off the cable. Gotta’ go!

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives vent to all his feelings; but the wise, thinking of afterwards, stills them. Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy.

Shalom…love you … 

Pinchas, aka Frankly Speaking all the time.

The Hidden Revealed

Each year at Purim the young people of our congregation seem to be able to surprise us with a different twist to Esther and the upheaval of Purim itself. This past Shabbat was no exception. I was told that the “children” would step in at various times to take charge of the service. We have done that in the past and it is always quite refreshing.

Leave it to the young folks to take it up a notch. This past Sabbath we were going to keep it simple with a special dance/worship presentation along with the youth participating as the leaders in the service.

In recognition of Purim, there would be a focus on prayer and Purim. The ultimate focus would be on the unseen. When we are in “Prayer”, we acknowledge the presence of YHVH, although He is unseen physically. Prayer is when we put pride aside; when we demonstrate a faith in an unseen; when we express our trust in a Supreme Being. For me, our weekly Sabbath prayer is when we collectively lift YHVH Elohim on high. We literally look up to Him and not at Him.

Psalm 121 says “If I raise my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come?” The operative word is “IF”. If we look elsewhere, where does our help come from? It doesn’t tell us. It does tell us that if we look up to the hills our help will come from YHVH, the maker of heaven and earth. It tells us that He is our guardian. We are assured that He never slumbers nor sleeps.

Purim is about more than just the casting of lots. Purim is about the hidden, the unseen. Some say that Purim is not a true Scriptural celebration because “YHVH (God)” is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. And how can we have Purim without Esther? Rather than go into a detailed teaching, let me just ask you to take note that Esther by definition means to conceal. In Deuteronomy. 31:18 our Father says that He will “surely hide His face from them.” The Hebrew for “I will surely hide” – haster astir – contains the letters of the name Esther. So, the implication is that He will guide and direct from an unseen position. A friend of mine informed me that in the Bible Code of the Hebrew of Esther (the equidistant letter spacing), "YHVH" does appear. I haven’t found the opportunity as yet to search this out. (But, my friend has never misguided me so I am not rushed.)

We speak about coincidences, often referred to as Yah-incidences. In the reading of Esther on Shabbat, we were told ahead of time there would be no need detailing that which would soon be presented. This added to the excitement! We were encouraged however to listen for the Yah-incidences; ie. when the queen (Vashti) just happens to refuse to go to a banquet; when Esther just happens to be chosen as a new queen; when Mordecai just happens to be sitting outside the gate to over hear plans for evil against the king and when the king just happens to rise from a sleepless night, he recalls that Mordacai saved his life. How did this happen if YHVH was not present? He said he would hide. When was the last time that any of us saw Him? Although the Face of Yah is not seen, believers know deep within themselves, that He is not far away.

We are told in Ezekiel 39:21-29 21 "'Thus will I display my glory among the nations, so that all the nations will see my judgment when I execute it and my hand when I lay it on them. 22 From that day on, the house of Isra'el will know that I am YHVH their Elohim; 23 while the Goyim will know that the house of Isra'el went into exile because of their guilt, because they broke faith with me; so that I hid my face from them and handed them over to their adversaries; and they fell by the sword, all of them. 24 Yes, I treated them as their uncleanness and crimes deserved; and I hid my face from them.' 25 "Therefore YHVH Elohim says this: 'Now I will restore the fortunes of Ya'akov and have compassion on the entire house of Isra'el, and I will be jealous for my holy name. 26 They will bear their shame and all their [guilt from] breaking faith with me, once they are living securely in their land, with no one to make them afraid. 27 This will be after I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, thereby being consecrated through them in the sight of many nations. 28 Then they will know that I am Yahweh their Elohim, since it was I who caused them to go into exile among the nations, and it was I who regathered them to their own land. I will leave none of them there anymore, 29 and I will no longer hide my face from them, for I have poured out my Spirit on the house of Isra'el,' says YHVH ELOHIM."

The reading from Ezekiel is very pertinent during Purim. Reading the white of the page, we can see that our Father has not “hidden” so much from us as He has made available a lot to us if we just seek His face. The eye opener for me this past Shabbat is what I felt our Father has hidden in His young people. I now realize He hid nothing in them. It was always there. It is just that some of us didn’t see it because we failed to look for it. The Father is truly present in the Book of Esther and He is most definitely present in the hearts of our young people. Their ability to carry-out a complete service, ensuring that nothing was missed, and their joy at doing so, without rehearsal of script, is so very moving. Just when you think they are too young to understand, the Father surprises you and takes another scale from our eyes.

Heavenly Father, thank You so very much for taking the scales away. Thank You for the children that You have brought to teach us. Yes, Father, they do listen, as unlike I have ever noticed before. Sure, they have always been great at programs and such, but this time they stepped up and took the places of the elders without hesitation. Thank You Abba, Most Gracious and Benevolent One, we do pray in earnest to see Your Face. We want to continuously experience Your presence. May the day come soon when You will make restoration of all things a reality in our lives. Oh Abba, may the day come soon when we will all have complete faith and trust in You, seen or unseen. Please let this be a reality in our lives and in Your presence. We come in Y’shua’s Name , Amein!

Shalom and shalom, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly Speaking all the time…

Brass Tacks

Brass tacks! That was an expression that one of my early school year teachers used to say. Third grade; one of the few grades I remember. My memories of early childhood got buried in the desire to escape…for various sundry reasons. Oh but I remember year three… the year I had to make a decision; do I write with my right hand or with my left. Another experience I encountered only because I was different from the others. So, I chose the left hand. And from that day forward I wrote with my left hand. To this day I write with my left hand, even though in all other instances I am basically right handed. But I refused to be put in the corral. I refused to be put upon. I chose to be different. Not my fault, I was born that way. (I am laughing now..if you could see the grin I would stop grinning, again, to be different, I suppose.)

But what does any of this have to do with brass tacks? Very simple. This bi-weekly blog is being devoted to ‘brass tacks’. The teacher would sit me down, tell me to sit up straight and inform me that “we” are going to get down to brass tacks! And we did! The only brass tacks that I really knew of at that time were the tacks that held the fabric to the worn out chairs we had in our house. So, her instructions to me were met with a silent grin but I paid attention and I learned from her.

The time has come for us, you and me, to get down to brass tacks. On the 3^rd of this month I learned a lot. The brass tacks were shining! Our congregation had its annual meeting. The once a year gathering to discuss where we have been and where we believe we are heading. An informative, albeit lengthy time spent gathering of the minds. The part that I felt the brass tacks sticking me was the discussion about fund raising. Yes, we are a blessed congregation and very grateful for all the support we receive. As most of you know by now, I have no working knowledge of the financial side of the operation as far as extensive detail goes. But, I do know that many people have expressed an interest in enlarging our space.

In fact, many of you, when we first uttered the thoughts a few years ago, jumped on the band wagon and started the basic foundation for laying a foundation. Apparently the interest waned. Please hear me out. I don’t normally mix people and money, but this expansion decision was made a while back and made with the best of the best minds to cross the threshold. Please do not misunderstand, I am not admonishing or condemning; I am simply getting down to brass tacks.

According to the data, as of 3FEB2013, via Goodsearch/Goodshop, KHM has netted $653.00 (six five three point zero zero dollars) since we started using it. We started in 2007 and that year netted fifty dollars. So, from the first fifty we now add up to six fifty three. There are 402 registered supporters of KHM according to Goodsearch. With the generosity of an unknown benefactor that dissolved the mortgage, our total annual average expenses, not counting the stuff that comes up that can’t be planned for, equates to $6720.00 That breaks down to $560.00 a month and based on a four week month, $140.00 each week. With Goodsearch, this takes 14,000 clicks of the mouse each week to cover this aggregate amount. With 402 people signed up, each person’s ‘fair share’ (forgive me for using that expression..it won’t happen again) would be 35 clicks. Using a five day week, that means seven clicks of the mouse each day. Now, the sticky part is this – someone saw fit to eradicate the mortgage which to me meant we have an open road to enlarge our space. How much is it to ask that all who use the internet avail themselves to ask the questions of Goodsearch, what they ask each day of a person? Curious about something? Go to Goodsearch and ask. Plan on shopping on line? Go to Goodshop and enjoy the shopping experience. Even if you do not plan to purchase on line, when you go looking to be sure of what you want, go via Goodsearch.

In actuality, there are not 402 subscribers. I, for one, am logged in under three different names. Depends on which computer I am on what name I am under. But, on each machine, my homepage is Goodsearch. I plan to speak with Yocheved about asking us in this newsletter to make Goodsearch the home page/search engine instead of the calendar. Both can be done, but to really simplify it, maybe just for a while make Goodsearch the homepage and the search engine for the opening transaction.

So, pull up Good Search and read the historical data of all the enterprises that make literally thousands of dollars a year and not one cent comes from their pockets. This is an advertising expense. The advertisers are very happy to pay it. The money is ours. Let’s go get it! Of course, we want to follow the rules as established by Good Search. They changed the rules about a year ago and thus it is harder to raise bundles, but it can be done. 

 

Before I retire each evening, or early morning as the case most often is, I research various topics of interest. I have no knowledge of established URL’s for what I am searching for and Good Search is very good at finding the data I want. It only takes a little repetition to develop a habit. This is a good habit to develop. I like to ask various questions concerning Scripture. There is no end to what can develop.

Thank you for hearing me out…. Now lets all Goodsearch the expression “brass tacks, getting down to …..” Lets make the new building a reality.

Before I cut and run, here’s my final say on this brass tacks thing… consider that we are in the process of live streaming our Torah portions. It will be a week or so but it is basically a done deal. We can do it with no cost, except each person logging in gets to watch a brief commercial that we have no control over, or we can pay…here comes another bill. Here is a better idea – real brass tacks item….as soon as four hundred people commit to donating one thousand dollars each, we can go to the drawing board. We only need the money in the bank when we get down to the brass tacks of building. Did you do the math? Four hundred people at one thousand dollars each pays for a very nice and roomy sanctuary. They don’t come cheap. So, let’s pull together and have no more barriers to attendance for Sukkot and Rivers. And watch the influx. A Messianic Conference Center; a way station for fellow travelers; a place of worship where we can all be under one roof!

Again, thank you for hearing me. YHVH bless you and keep you. YHVH make His face shine on you and show you His favor. YHVH lift up His face towards you and give you peace. Amein!

Love you all, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time…