ARE RESIDENTS IN MURFREESBORO MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN RESIDENTS IN NASHVILLE? ARE RESIDENTS IN NASHVILLE MORE WICKED THAN RESIDENTS IN MURFREESBORO?
After all, one city suffered flooding rains, while the other only above average.
While I would not negate the likelihood that weather-related disasters are Divine calls to regional and national repentance, we must never presume that individually these incidents indicate personal sin or righteousness. Listen to the following lesson taught by Rabbi Yeshua:
Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
- Luke 13:1-5
Rather than speak of judgment, we should always see another’s disaster as an opportunity for us to come to their aid. We are called to rescue others, to strengthen them in dealing with tragedy and loss, crisis and hardship.
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:10).
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Now you are Messiah’s body, and individually members of it” (I Cor. 12:26-27).
How can we mobilize ourselves to help? Bail out water from basements, move items, bring food and water, shelter our homeless? While this may need to happen now, we can also plan to go after Shabbat Service Saturday to homes in need.
This Thursday, May 6, is the National Day of Prayer. We can show our seriousness to seek God’s Face and favor for our Land by gathering with others at the Grand Ole Opry for the evening, as well as other locations. As this week’s Torah portion teaches in Leviticus 26:40-46, we need as did Israel, to turn to God for His forgiveness and healing. If we confess, He will remember. We confess our rebellion and unfaithfulness; He remembers His covenant. Nationally we may be under judgment. But repentance will bring healing to our land. The Lord will restore us and realign us from our selfish ambitions to His eternal purpose.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
First Fruits Rejoicing!
Shalom Mishpacha shel Kol Dodi (Family of KD),
How grateful we are for this past weekend! After a wonderful “Resurrection” Shabbat Morning Service, filled with worship, a special song from Russ an’ da band, and teaching on Yeshua’s Resurrection from a Jewish perspective (order the tape from Nathan - 615-974-3819) - that evening we had the best congregational Passover Seder I can remember!
So many helped and made it so special. We laughed, we cried, we sang, we learned. The food was delish - yea Chef Laura! JoAnn shared a glorious testimony of God’s miraculous healing hand through prayer! I mentioned in the Shabbat sermon that God wants to use signs and the Scriptures, wonders and His Word - in convincing people of His reality (e.g. Yeshua used both in Luke 24). Yes, on our Seder night we made new friends, as we enjoyed spiritual Family. But nothing can top the testimony of Jill and Michael, which I share now with you. In Jill’s words:
“We had such a fantastic day yesterday! That was our first Seder as a family and it was very moving. When we arrived home I asked the kids what they had learned and the conversation took a delightful turn when Jason, our 5 year old, asked to pray to receive Yeshua. Praise the Lord! (Our older two children Cassie and Noah had previously prayed likewise.) SO many reasons for praise!!”
When I spoke with Jill about it the next day, she said, “First fruits!” - which is exactly the case!
The day of First fruits follows Passover and Unleavened Bread. The people of Israel were always to bring the first and best of their harvest to God in biblical times (Ex. 23:19); God would bless them and much more would follow. When we give our first fruits to the Lord - much more will follow (Prov.3:9-10).
Yeshua was the first fruits from the dead when raised by His Father - many more will follow (I Cor. 15:20,23). Our new birth through God’s Word makes us first fruits to God (Js. 1:18). We’ve received the Ruach (Spirit) of the Lord as the first fruits of much more to follow. I remember giving my life to the Lord in a predominantly Jewish and secular high school - I was the first fruits in my area - and many more followed! We had a revival in our school! The household of Stephanas was the first fruits of Greece to the Lord (I Cor. 16:15), and Jason’s new birth is the first fruits of this 2010 New Year Passover season to God (Ex. 12:2) - Halleluyah! Many more will follow!
Actually, several more already did, as three people came forward to give their lives to Yeshua after our Passover Presentation at El Shaddai Spanish Congregation on Sunday!
While we count down the fifty days until Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, we look forward to observing Yom haShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), and celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, both in April this year.
There’s no better time than to be found praying with HaShem’s Kiddushim (saints) beginning this Wednesday from 6-7:30pm - read Acts 1:12-14, 2:1. This was what the early followers of Yeshua were doing, and look at how God responded!
See you Wednesday evening & blessed First fruits!
Rabbi Ken Alpren
How grateful we are for this past weekend! After a wonderful “Resurrection” Shabbat Morning Service, filled with worship, a special song from Russ an’ da band, and teaching on Yeshua’s Resurrection from a Jewish perspective (order the tape from Nathan - 615-974-3819) - that evening we had the best congregational Passover Seder I can remember!
So many helped and made it so special. We laughed, we cried, we sang, we learned. The food was delish - yea Chef Laura! JoAnn shared a glorious testimony of God’s miraculous healing hand through prayer! I mentioned in the Shabbat sermon that God wants to use signs and the Scriptures, wonders and His Word - in convincing people of His reality (e.g. Yeshua used both in Luke 24). Yes, on our Seder night we made new friends, as we enjoyed spiritual Family. But nothing can top the testimony of Jill and Michael, which I share now with you. In Jill’s words:
“We had such a fantastic day yesterday! That was our first Seder as a family and it was very moving. When we arrived home I asked the kids what they had learned and the conversation took a delightful turn when Jason, our 5 year old, asked to pray to receive Yeshua. Praise the Lord! (Our older two children Cassie and Noah had previously prayed likewise.) SO many reasons for praise!!”
When I spoke with Jill about it the next day, she said, “First fruits!” - which is exactly the case!
The day of First fruits follows Passover and Unleavened Bread. The people of Israel were always to bring the first and best of their harvest to God in biblical times (Ex. 23:19); God would bless them and much more would follow. When we give our first fruits to the Lord - much more will follow (Prov.3:9-10).
Yeshua was the first fruits from the dead when raised by His Father - many more will follow (I Cor. 15:20,23). Our new birth through God’s Word makes us first fruits to God (Js. 1:18). We’ve received the Ruach (Spirit) of the Lord as the first fruits of much more to follow. I remember giving my life to the Lord in a predominantly Jewish and secular high school - I was the first fruits in my area - and many more followed! We had a revival in our school! The household of Stephanas was the first fruits of Greece to the Lord (I Cor. 16:15), and Jason’s new birth is the first fruits of this 2010 New Year Passover season to God (Ex. 12:2) - Halleluyah! Many more will follow!
Actually, several more already did, as three people came forward to give their lives to Yeshua after our Passover Presentation at El Shaddai Spanish Congregation on Sunday!
While we count down the fifty days until Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, we look forward to observing Yom haShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), and celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, both in April this year.
There’s no better time than to be found praying with HaShem’s Kiddushim (saints) beginning this Wednesday from 6-7:30pm - read Acts 1:12-14, 2:1. This was what the early followers of Yeshua were doing, and look at how God responded!
See you Wednesday evening & blessed First fruits!
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Monday, March 29, 2010
So Who Eats Matzah Balls, Anyway?
This week is Pesach (Passover), beginning tonight, Monday evening at dusk. Depending upon how you observe it, I’d encourage you to remove the leaven (chametz - yeast and fermenting products) to an “out-of-sight” location, or trash it if it’s going to go bad anyway after a week. Then open your first box of matzoh and get excited about eating only unleavened bread for the week!
If you get a late start on it - that’s ok! God looks at the heart and our desire to please Him. Removing the leaven is mentioned in Ex. 12:15, 18-20, 13:6-7 and also by Yeshua and Paul in Mt. 16:6, I Cor. 5:6-9, & Gal. 5:9. You’ll be surprised how hard it is to not eat bread and yeast products, especially if out for a snack! But that’s the beauty of it. Every time you realize you can’t eat that ‘burger on a bun’, or that bowl of cereal, you remember that you love God more than your belly, pleasing Him more than pleasing your flesh, and the joy is in that decision to refrain and replace BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM! Do I receive extra points with God for doing this? No. But I do increase within, strengthening my spiritual self, my ‘new man’. I recommend carrying around a container with matzoh when you’re out and about, so you’ll have it ready.
Bread was first made in Egypt, and leaven represents pride, malice, evil, hypocrisy, and erroneous teachings. Our decision to not eat of it for the week is a renunciation of the old life and darkness from which we’ve been redeemed. Our eating matzoh is an embracing of Yeshua who is the bread of life, a proclamation of our new life in Him. It was a dramatic deliverance when G-d called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, transferring us into the kingdom of His Son (I Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13). Unleavened bread represents humility, sincerity, and the truth about grace. Like Yeshua, who was without sin, it does not ferment. He came in humility, to sacrifice His life (Zech. 9:9; Is. 42:2-3; Mk. 10:45). Eating it also signifies our readiness to leave this life instantly and meet Him when He calls us to do so. It is both retrospective and prospective.
Now the next part: what do you like to put on your matzoh? Eat with your matzoh? Make with matzoh meal? Let’s send in our favorite complement to our matzoh or recipe and share ideas together! Not being much of a chef, I love making matzoh brie - scrambled eggs w/ matzoh mixed in (soak in milk first). But mostly you’ll see me eating peanut butter on matzoh a lot this week!
This coming Shabbat we will focus on the Resurrection of Yeshua, the Lamb of God (Seh HaElohim). Though He would actually have risen this coming Thursday, April 1 (as I understand it), we will take this opportunity to remember, review, and rejoice in this historic and eternal event. Did Yeshua actually redeem Israel? Are there reasonable arguments substantiating His resurrection? What was the ancient Jewish or rabbinic view of a future resurrection? What did this event mean to His Jewish followers, and what does it mean to us? Would you pray with me that the Lord would speak, and bring an awesome visitation and illumination of His resurrection?
Oh, and of course I can’t wait to see many of you at one of our congregational seders, April 1 & 3! "Shevet achim gam yachad" (Ps. 133:1)! [Seders are listed on our website: www.koldodi.org].
Chag Pesach v’T’chyayah Sameach!
(Happy Passover & Resurrection Holiday),
Rabbi Alpren
If you get a late start on it - that’s ok! God looks at the heart and our desire to please Him. Removing the leaven is mentioned in Ex. 12:15, 18-20, 13:6-7 and also by Yeshua and Paul in Mt. 16:6, I Cor. 5:6-9, & Gal. 5:9. You’ll be surprised how hard it is to not eat bread and yeast products, especially if out for a snack! But that’s the beauty of it. Every time you realize you can’t eat that ‘burger on a bun’, or that bowl of cereal, you remember that you love God more than your belly, pleasing Him more than pleasing your flesh, and the joy is in that decision to refrain and replace BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM! Do I receive extra points with God for doing this? No. But I do increase within, strengthening my spiritual self, my ‘new man’. I recommend carrying around a container with matzoh when you’re out and about, so you’ll have it ready.
Bread was first made in Egypt, and leaven represents pride, malice, evil, hypocrisy, and erroneous teachings. Our decision to not eat of it for the week is a renunciation of the old life and darkness from which we’ve been redeemed. Our eating matzoh is an embracing of Yeshua who is the bread of life, a proclamation of our new life in Him. It was a dramatic deliverance when G-d called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, transferring us into the kingdom of His Son (I Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13). Unleavened bread represents humility, sincerity, and the truth about grace. Like Yeshua, who was without sin, it does not ferment. He came in humility, to sacrifice His life (Zech. 9:9; Is. 42:2-3; Mk. 10:45). Eating it also signifies our readiness to leave this life instantly and meet Him when He calls us to do so. It is both retrospective and prospective.
Now the next part: what do you like to put on your matzoh? Eat with your matzoh? Make with matzoh meal? Let’s send in our favorite complement to our matzoh or recipe and share ideas together! Not being much of a chef, I love making matzoh brie - scrambled eggs w/ matzoh mixed in (soak in milk first). But mostly you’ll see me eating peanut butter on matzoh a lot this week!
This coming Shabbat we will focus on the Resurrection of Yeshua, the Lamb of God (Seh HaElohim). Though He would actually have risen this coming Thursday, April 1 (as I understand it), we will take this opportunity to remember, review, and rejoice in this historic and eternal event. Did Yeshua actually redeem Israel? Are there reasonable arguments substantiating His resurrection? What was the ancient Jewish or rabbinic view of a future resurrection? What did this event mean to His Jewish followers, and what does it mean to us? Would you pray with me that the Lord would speak, and bring an awesome visitation and illumination of His resurrection?
Oh, and of course I can’t wait to see many of you at one of our congregational seders, April 1 & 3! "Shevet achim gam yachad" (Ps. 133:1)! [Seders are listed on our website: www.koldodi.org].
Chag Pesach v’T’chyayah Sameach!
(Happy Passover & Resurrection Holiday),
Rabbi Alpren
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dayenu!
How grateful to the Lord I am for our Kol Dodi Family. God has truly given us a remarkable group of individuals with hearts who “give themselves first to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5). And He continues to call more “set apart ones” to come, be planted, and flourish at Kol Dodi (Ps. 92:13).
A great example of this is Joy’s testimony of response this past Shabbat when, at Service’s end, she asked for volunteers to help at the upcoming Passover Seders. “So many of you answered the call to help”, she wrote. I counted at least twenty names.
It reminds me of a portion out of this past week’s Parasha, in Exodus 35-36 when Moses had called for the people to bring an offering and their skills to assist in constructing and decorating the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with it’s furniture and priestly garments.
“Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.”
“And they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.” - Ex. 35:21; 36:5
The response was so abundant that he finally had to ask them to stop! Dayenu! i.e. enough for us (the Hebrew word “dye” is used)! We sing the joyous song every Pesach during our Seder. “You have done for us more than we deserve, O’ God” - I call it the Romans chapter 8 of the Seder.
The Torah mentions three qualities of heart that were expressed in the Jewish people’s response to Moses’ call. I mentioned them Saturday, and will do so again here:
Chacham Lev
Nasa Lev
Nadav Lev
Wise hearts, Uplifted hearts, and Willing hearts.
Divine Intelligence, Divine Enthusiasm, and Availability to the Divine.
And how are these qualities acquired? By:
my submission to the Word of God - being teachable (James 1:21; Jn. 8:31-32)
my yielding to the Spirit of God - being prayerful (Eph. 5:18-20; Jn. 6:63)
taking my place with Messiah on his Tree - dying to self (Gal. 2:20; Jn. 12:24)
I believe that the response and blessing at Kol Dodi is due to people who are praying , hungry hearts for God, and healthy Biblical teaching. It is God’s chen (grace), not a formula. We must grow in both solidity as well as fluidity, in structure with great flexibility.
That is why we have initiated our Discovery and Network Classes, defining what it means to be Family, learning individual gifting for service, and more.
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth”, said the Sh’liach Yochanan (Apostle John) - 3 Jn. 1:4.
I feel the same way about our Family members at Kol Dodi.
Shavua tov b’Yeshua,
Rabbi Ken
A great example of this is Joy’s testimony of response this past Shabbat when, at Service’s end, she asked for volunteers to help at the upcoming Passover Seders. “So many of you answered the call to help”, she wrote. I counted at least twenty names.
It reminds me of a portion out of this past week’s Parasha, in Exodus 35-36 when Moses had called for the people to bring an offering and their skills to assist in constructing and decorating the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with it’s furniture and priestly garments.
“Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.”
“And they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.” - Ex. 35:21; 36:5
The response was so abundant that he finally had to ask them to stop! Dayenu! i.e. enough for us (the Hebrew word “dye” is used)! We sing the joyous song every Pesach during our Seder. “You have done for us more than we deserve, O’ God” - I call it the Romans chapter 8 of the Seder.
The Torah mentions three qualities of heart that were expressed in the Jewish people’s response to Moses’ call. I mentioned them Saturday, and will do so again here:
Chacham Lev
Nasa Lev
Nadav Lev
Wise hearts, Uplifted hearts, and Willing hearts.
Divine Intelligence, Divine Enthusiasm, and Availability to the Divine.
And how are these qualities acquired? By:
my submission to the Word of God - being teachable (James 1:21; Jn. 8:31-32)
my yielding to the Spirit of God - being prayerful (Eph. 5:18-20; Jn. 6:63)
taking my place with Messiah on his Tree - dying to self (Gal. 2:20; Jn. 12:24)
I believe that the response and blessing at Kol Dodi is due to people who are praying , hungry hearts for God, and healthy Biblical teaching. It is God’s chen (grace), not a formula. We must grow in both solidity as well as fluidity, in structure with great flexibility.
That is why we have initiated our Discovery and Network Classes, defining what it means to be Family, learning individual gifting for service, and more.
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth”, said the Sh’liach Yochanan (Apostle John) - 3 Jn. 1:4.
I feel the same way about our Family members at Kol Dodi.
Shavua tov b’Yeshua,
Rabbi Ken
Monday, February 15, 2010
M’at, M’at
God is not in a hurry. Such is the title of a book by long time pastor and radio host, Dr. Warren Wiersbe.
The Lord would prefers to build a solid foundation slowly, as opposed to a soft foundation swiftly. God can do more with a few who are pliable and humble, than He can with many who are proud and adamant (Jdg. 7:4,7).
Poor and hasty construction has cost many a life during natural disasters in places where strict building codes either did not exist or were not enforced. How sobering are Yeshua’s words in metaphor in Matthew 7:24-27 when he warns of building a house upon the sand vs. a rock.
How many marriages entered into through sweeping infatuation, have ended up in painful divorce? How many speeding tickets have been issued, or worse - accidents suffered - due to rushing to save ten minutes!
“I will drive out the occupants of the Land that I am giving you,” said the Lord to Israel, “but not in one year - not all at once - m’at m’at - little by little, and you will gradually inhabit the Land” (Ex. 23:29-30). “I’m protecting you from what you cannot now understand. You think you can handle it all now, but you cannot. The beasts of the field will take advantage of the vacant areas and destroy you! No, I will intentionally hold you back, limit you, yes, even frustrate you - and wait until you are fruitful enough (mature) to possess the Land.”
Rabbi Paul cautions concerning being too quick to place someone in a position of authority (I Tim. 5:22); not to give a new believer responsibility over others (3:6). One paraphrase states, “lest his head get in the clouds and the clouds get in his head!”
Why does my prayer go unanswered? My goal go unrealized? My dream seem so delayed?
God is wiser than I am. He knows what is best for me - and for others whom I will affect (Rom. 11:33). He knows that an oven is to be preferred over a microwave.
“I’m ready Lord!”, we insist. “Now is the right time!”, we presumptuously proclaim - as if we are smarter than He. “No, you’re not (ready). You are not fruitful enough yet (v.30) - you do not evidence the fruit of a self-sacrificing love which serves others, expecting nothing in return” (Gal.5:22; I Jn. 3:16; Is. 42:1, 52-53; Jn. 13:15-16).
Like Peter, we think we are ready. “Why can I not follow You right now?” (Jn. 13:37). “You will, Peter - but not yet.” (13:36).
Be faithful in that which is least, and you will be one day promoted and given responsibility over much (Ps. 75:6-7; Lk. 16:10; 19:17). Do not despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10). The Lord may be protecting you from the beasts of the field. M’at m’at.
Rabbi Ken Alpren
rabkba@gmail.com
The Lord would prefers to build a solid foundation slowly, as opposed to a soft foundation swiftly. God can do more with a few who are pliable and humble, than He can with many who are proud and adamant (Jdg. 7:4,7).
Poor and hasty construction has cost many a life during natural disasters in places where strict building codes either did not exist or were not enforced. How sobering are Yeshua’s words in metaphor in Matthew 7:24-27 when he warns of building a house upon the sand vs. a rock.
How many marriages entered into through sweeping infatuation, have ended up in painful divorce? How many speeding tickets have been issued, or worse - accidents suffered - due to rushing to save ten minutes!
“I will drive out the occupants of the Land that I am giving you,” said the Lord to Israel, “but not in one year - not all at once - m’at m’at - little by little, and you will gradually inhabit the Land” (Ex. 23:29-30). “I’m protecting you from what you cannot now understand. You think you can handle it all now, but you cannot. The beasts of the field will take advantage of the vacant areas and destroy you! No, I will intentionally hold you back, limit you, yes, even frustrate you - and wait until you are fruitful enough (mature) to possess the Land.”
Rabbi Paul cautions concerning being too quick to place someone in a position of authority (I Tim. 5:22); not to give a new believer responsibility over others (3:6). One paraphrase states, “lest his head get in the clouds and the clouds get in his head!”
Why does my prayer go unanswered? My goal go unrealized? My dream seem so delayed?
God is wiser than I am. He knows what is best for me - and for others whom I will affect (Rom. 11:33). He knows that an oven is to be preferred over a microwave.
“I’m ready Lord!”, we insist. “Now is the right time!”, we presumptuously proclaim - as if we are smarter than He. “No, you’re not (ready). You are not fruitful enough yet (v.30) - you do not evidence the fruit of a self-sacrificing love which serves others, expecting nothing in return” (Gal.5:22; I Jn. 3:16; Is. 42:1, 52-53; Jn. 13:15-16).
Like Peter, we think we are ready. “Why can I not follow You right now?” (Jn. 13:37). “You will, Peter - but not yet.” (13:36).
Be faithful in that which is least, and you will be one day promoted and given responsibility over much (Ps. 75:6-7; Lk. 16:10; 19:17). Do not despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10). The Lord may be protecting you from the beasts of the field. M’at m’at.
Rabbi Ken Alpren
rabkba@gmail.com
Monday, February 8, 2010
(Children's) Shabbat School!
Dear KD Family,
I want to relate how Shabbat School experienced this historic day as well.
I was teaching, so I didn't know what had occurred until I listened to the CD of the service.
Our lesson was on listening to the voice of God. The older children made a prayer journal and the younger kids completed a craft around the verse," Speak Lord your servant is listening."
[That day, I was not as prepared as usual, so was praying all morning for the Lord's guidance. Without worrying about it, I simply did what I had planned and followed what came to mind!]
After they had finished, we sat on the floor in a circle to pray and I asked if anyone wanted to share what they had written in their prayer journals. After a long pause, Cassie said she didn't have a prayer exactly, but she wanted to share her dream. She said she wants to be a singer when she grows up. So I prayed for God to give her wisdom and insight on how to sing to glorify Him. The children were very quiet again. Then Lexi said she wants to be a policeman, and Luke said he wants to be a fireman. Soon everyone had shared their dreams and we prayed for each person to be led by God to grow into the dream that God has given them. Then we moved on to acting out the crossing of the Red Sea. It didn't feel prophetic or historic, but God met us as we moved through our morning!
Shalom to all,
Ginny Powers
Thank you, Ginny. Your ministry and oversight of the children's ministry (SS) is so weighty before God. What an impact you and those investing their lives and God's Word in our children has!! I am so jealous (w/ a godly jealousy - 2 Cor. 11:2). We impart not only the gospel of our God but also our own souls, because they are dear to us (I Thess. 2:8).
rk
I want to relate how Shabbat School experienced this historic day as well.
I was teaching, so I didn't know what had occurred until I listened to the CD of the service.
Our lesson was on listening to the voice of God. The older children made a prayer journal and the younger kids completed a craft around the verse," Speak Lord your servant is listening."
[That day, I was not as prepared as usual, so was praying all morning for the Lord's guidance. Without worrying about it, I simply did what I had planned and followed what came to mind!]
After they had finished, we sat on the floor in a circle to pray and I asked if anyone wanted to share what they had written in their prayer journals. After a long pause, Cassie said she didn't have a prayer exactly, but she wanted to share her dream. She said she wants to be a singer when she grows up. So I prayed for God to give her wisdom and insight on how to sing to glorify Him. The children were very quiet again. Then Lexi said she wants to be a policeman, and Luke said he wants to be a fireman. Soon everyone had shared their dreams and we prayed for each person to be led by God to grow into the dream that God has given them. Then we moved on to acting out the crossing of the Red Sea. It didn't feel prophetic or historic, but God met us as we moved through our morning!
Shalom to all,
Ginny Powers
Thank you, Ginny. Your ministry and oversight of the children's ministry (SS) is so weighty before God. What an impact you and those investing their lives and God's Word in our children has!! I am so jealous (w/ a godly jealousy - 2 Cor. 11:2). We impart not only the gospel of our God but also our own souls, because they are dear to us (I Thess. 2:8).
rk
Sunday, February 7, 2010
An Historic Shabbat at Kol Dodi
Shalom KD Family,
We witnessed an historic day this past Shabbat. As Dr. Finto said, mark the date - February 6, 2010. A nearly packed shul experienced the undeserving and overwhelming Presence of God.
I asked Val Waters if she would attempt to write a synopsis of the event. When the Living God speaks, it truly is eternal Event, as the word D'var in Hebrew indicates. It is active, not static (Heb. 4:12), and we are brought by His Ruach (Spirit) into a separation (Holy) unto the Eternal One who IS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and will ever BE. This happened in a most significant way this past Shabbat, as a new covenant and covering was publicly pronounced.
Val's summation is superb - far better than my memory would have been able to recall. I have added some of the gems I had written down from Dr. Finto's message - but I believe it was recorded and you can secure a copy at Kol Dodi (see Nathan).
If you were there, you may be able to add something else - please feel free to do so.
We have great days to look forward to if we walk closely with Him:
"Be strong (in Messiah's grace - 2 Tim. 2:1) ... keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep ... what is written ... that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me (you)..." (I Kings 2:2-4).
Rabbi Ken
rabkba@gmail.com
--------------------------
Covenant blessings for Kol Dodi!
When Pastor Don Finto came to speak at Kol Dodi for Shabbat services on February 6, 2010, we expected, as always, to be blessed by prophetic pearls of wisdom from the written Word. Before Papa Don spoke, however, he wanted to ask our forgiveness! He said that as member of the Toward Jerusalem Council II, and involved in gathering with Jewish and gentile leaders all over the world, he recently had recognized that he had never honored the Kol Dodi congregation, and he wanted to correct that error by apologizing to Rabbi Ken and his wife, Frances, and also to the members of the congregation!
He then publicly affirmed Ken and Frances’s ministry, and said that a prophetic word had been spoken during a prior gathering of believing and non-believing Jews and other gentiles about honoring leaders. The prophetic word was that Don was to spread a tallit (prayer shawl) over Rabbi Ken and his wife Frances and declare his Caleb ministry would stand as a covering for Kol Dodi and Rabbi Ken and Frances’s ministry!
Don said he felt he was to use a tallit that he and Joseph Shulam and carried with them in Jerusalem over the years. Don and Todd prayed over Ken and Frances, and asked the LORD to create open gates from heaven to allow a fullness of His power over Kol Dodi and all of Nashville! Don emphasized that he was covenanting with Kol Dodi and with all Jewish believers, to encourage their willingness to express themselves as Jews in their worship of Yeshua! He said that the Jewish expression of worship of Yeshua today helps reconnect today’s Jewish believers with the original Jewish believers, the followers and disciples of Yeshua Himself.
Papa Don described this covenant as correcting a previously established connection between believing Jew and gentile believers was based on what Asher Intrater had called the wrong kinsman-redeemer. Just as Ruth’s husband’s closest relative was not willing to take her as a husband, and the right of kinsman-redeemer then passed to Boaz, the original idea for Jewish believers involved giving up their Jewishness and being ‘converted’ to Christianity. They were to be blended into a church body, no longer recognizable as Jews. Asher then symbolically re-covenanted with Don (as a gentile) saying that he needed to bring the fullness and completeness of being a Jewish believer in a Jewish Messiah and thus add blessings to the church body. This fullness and richness of the Jewish expression of our Jewish faith is what Don was now covenanting to cover and bless.
The shofar was blown at the end of the ‘covenanting’ and the mishpochah, the family of believers, spontaneously broke into a clap offering unto the Lord! This was truly an exciting and momentous day for Kol Dodi!
Val Waters
February 6, 2010
---------------
Some of Dr. Finto’s nuggets from his message (which was recorded – see Nathan for a copy):
• We can only enter into covenant with believers (Messiah’s Body); we have relationship w/ non-believers, but not covenant. My pastor used to say we have a ministry to unbelievers, but fellowship only w/ believers – same truth said another way. Don mentioned this in connection to his relationship to the Jewish Community and leaders at large, vs. the Messianic Community.
• Read the entire Word (Gen-Rev) throughout the week, always, even if it seems laborious at times. Grab hold of its treasures.
• Dreams in the heart – “God-dreams” – don’t stop praying regarding them – even if it takes several decades for a dream to be realized! Stand on the Word of God! He related this to the time when synagogues will believe in Yeshua, including here in Nashville! There will be a remnant of believers in every ethnic group in the world! I would add that P. Richard Wurmbrand had the same vision and writes of it in his book, Christ on the Jewish Road.
• There will be a restoration of power seen and experienced in the Body of Messiah. Moses didn’t hear God’s voice for 80 years, but then he did!
• We must ask God to fill us with compassion – His compassion for others. This will bring the power. I would cite that the Scripture says “Yeshua was moved with compassion” and “virtue (power) went out of Him” to heal. As Don said, the two are inseparable. If there is something in my life preventing this from taking place – some sin – agree with God about it and let God cleanse and use me. We are to provide a landing pad for the Holy Spirit, said Don.
• The Book of Revelation is a book about Passover. As with the plagues in Egypt, some affected Israel, and some did not. We will experience tribulation and be affected in the upcoming confrontation between good and evil. But we will be spared from wrath. God’s wrath will not affect us (because of Yeshua).
• As Moses’ hands were held up by Aaron and Hur, and thus Joshua won the battle (Ex. 17) - so we will only win the battle inter-generationally. It took both generations working together to win.
• We need to share the burden – God’s leader cannot bear it alone (Ex. 18).
We witnessed an historic day this past Shabbat. As Dr. Finto said, mark the date - February 6, 2010. A nearly packed shul experienced the undeserving and overwhelming Presence of God.
I asked Val Waters if she would attempt to write a synopsis of the event. When the Living God speaks, it truly is eternal Event, as the word D'var in Hebrew indicates. It is active, not static (Heb. 4:12), and we are brought by His Ruach (Spirit) into a separation (Holy) unto the Eternal One who IS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and will ever BE. This happened in a most significant way this past Shabbat, as a new covenant and covering was publicly pronounced.
Val's summation is superb - far better than my memory would have been able to recall. I have added some of the gems I had written down from Dr. Finto's message - but I believe it was recorded and you can secure a copy at Kol Dodi (see Nathan).
If you were there, you may be able to add something else - please feel free to do so.
We have great days to look forward to if we walk closely with Him:
"Be strong (in Messiah's grace - 2 Tim. 2:1) ... keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep ... what is written ... that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me (you)..." (I Kings 2:2-4).
Rabbi Ken
rabkba@gmail.com
--------------------------
Covenant blessings for Kol Dodi!
When Pastor Don Finto came to speak at Kol Dodi for Shabbat services on February 6, 2010, we expected, as always, to be blessed by prophetic pearls of wisdom from the written Word. Before Papa Don spoke, however, he wanted to ask our forgiveness! He said that as member of the Toward Jerusalem Council II, and involved in gathering with Jewish and gentile leaders all over the world, he recently had recognized that he had never honored the Kol Dodi congregation, and he wanted to correct that error by apologizing to Rabbi Ken and his wife, Frances, and also to the members of the congregation!
He then publicly affirmed Ken and Frances’s ministry, and said that a prophetic word had been spoken during a prior gathering of believing and non-believing Jews and other gentiles about honoring leaders. The prophetic word was that Don was to spread a tallit (prayer shawl) over Rabbi Ken and his wife Frances and declare his Caleb ministry would stand as a covering for Kol Dodi and Rabbi Ken and Frances’s ministry!
Don said he felt he was to use a tallit that he and Joseph Shulam and carried with them in Jerusalem over the years. Don and Todd prayed over Ken and Frances, and asked the LORD to create open gates from heaven to allow a fullness of His power over Kol Dodi and all of Nashville! Don emphasized that he was covenanting with Kol Dodi and with all Jewish believers, to encourage their willingness to express themselves as Jews in their worship of Yeshua! He said that the Jewish expression of worship of Yeshua today helps reconnect today’s Jewish believers with the original Jewish believers, the followers and disciples of Yeshua Himself.
Papa Don described this covenant as correcting a previously established connection between believing Jew and gentile believers was based on what Asher Intrater had called the wrong kinsman-redeemer. Just as Ruth’s husband’s closest relative was not willing to take her as a husband, and the right of kinsman-redeemer then passed to Boaz, the original idea for Jewish believers involved giving up their Jewishness and being ‘converted’ to Christianity. They were to be blended into a church body, no longer recognizable as Jews. Asher then symbolically re-covenanted with Don (as a gentile) saying that he needed to bring the fullness and completeness of being a Jewish believer in a Jewish Messiah and thus add blessings to the church body. This fullness and richness of the Jewish expression of our Jewish faith is what Don was now covenanting to cover and bless.
The shofar was blown at the end of the ‘covenanting’ and the mishpochah, the family of believers, spontaneously broke into a clap offering unto the Lord! This was truly an exciting and momentous day for Kol Dodi!
Val Waters
February 6, 2010
---------------
Some of Dr. Finto’s nuggets from his message (which was recorded – see Nathan for a copy):
• We can only enter into covenant with believers (Messiah’s Body); we have relationship w/ non-believers, but not covenant. My pastor used to say we have a ministry to unbelievers, but fellowship only w/ believers – same truth said another way. Don mentioned this in connection to his relationship to the Jewish Community and leaders at large, vs. the Messianic Community.
• Read the entire Word (Gen-Rev) throughout the week, always, even if it seems laborious at times. Grab hold of its treasures.
• Dreams in the heart – “God-dreams” – don’t stop praying regarding them – even if it takes several decades for a dream to be realized! Stand on the Word of God! He related this to the time when synagogues will believe in Yeshua, including here in Nashville! There will be a remnant of believers in every ethnic group in the world! I would add that P. Richard Wurmbrand had the same vision and writes of it in his book, Christ on the Jewish Road.
• There will be a restoration of power seen and experienced in the Body of Messiah. Moses didn’t hear God’s voice for 80 years, but then he did!
• We must ask God to fill us with compassion – His compassion for others. This will bring the power. I would cite that the Scripture says “Yeshua was moved with compassion” and “virtue (power) went out of Him” to heal. As Don said, the two are inseparable. If there is something in my life preventing this from taking place – some sin – agree with God about it and let God cleanse and use me. We are to provide a landing pad for the Holy Spirit, said Don.
• The Book of Revelation is a book about Passover. As with the plagues in Egypt, some affected Israel, and some did not. We will experience tribulation and be affected in the upcoming confrontation between good and evil. But we will be spared from wrath. God’s wrath will not affect us (because of Yeshua).
• As Moses’ hands were held up by Aaron and Hur, and thus Joshua won the battle (Ex. 17) - so we will only win the battle inter-generationally. It took both generations working together to win.
• We need to share the burden – God’s leader cannot bear it alone (Ex. 18).
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