In this episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections I share my thoughts and reflections on the Mountain of God Conference that Hilary and I attended in Charlotte North Carolina, December 11th-13th. Additionally, I discuss the latest world news of relevance to believers in Y'shua; the latest happenings in and around Hebrew Roots; and a commentary on Struggling to Make it Through this Christmas Season. Shalom and welcome.

In this episode of Torah Living Daily Challenge we examine the highlights of the real Hanukkah Story as contained in the apocryphal book of 1st Maccabees. We glean from that historical accounting the tremendous, significant and relevant prophetic and spiritual shadow pictures contained therein. Have a blessed Hanukkah. Shalom.

Hanukkah is a time of re-dedication and dedication--of our bodies as the Temples of the Most High--and of our lives to the work of the Gospels. There are tremendous spiritual and life lessons to be learned from Hanukkah--it's up to us to embrace them.

How does Catholicism view the doctrine(s) of grace? You might be surprised to learn that the Church has given herself the authority to forgive sins through her sacraments. We discuss this topic along with news you can use and updates on the goings on in and around the Hebrew Roots Community. Shalom and Happy Hanukkah!

Parashah 48 section 1 instructs us on how we were to select and place a king to rule over us. The primary emphasis was that Yahovah chooses those who He wishes to rule. That same principle applies even today and applies throughout the world. But in the West, how should we as Torah Observant Believer's in Y'shua Messiah view and participate in the political/election process? I have some thoughts that might challenge your perspectives on this issue. Shalom!

In the last 8 episode of this multi-episode series on Grace and the Law, we've built a case against the naysayers who insist that Torah is done away with and that all one needs in their walk with Jesus Christ is grace. In this 9th installment of the Grace and the Law series, we step back and reflect on that which we've discussed and most importantly, what we do with all that we've learned and discussed. Grab a cup of tea or coffee, sit back, and let's reason together. Indeed, Yahovah our God is AWESOME. Let us prepare for the work of the Gospel. The fields are ripe and the harvest is plentiful. We are His laborers. Let us work while it is still day. Shalom. 

Torah teaches us that all lives matter as a primary focus of Yahovah's concept of justice. Man's concepts of justice are designed to guarantee some semblance of order and peace in society. God's concept of justice focuses on the fact that all lives matter. This torah living daily challenge is so appropriate today as the Black Lives Matter Movement seems to have the country's attention and the leader's concept of justice guarantees some type of race war. 

What did Paul mean when he wrote to the Galatians in the 3rd Chapter that we are no longer under the law? That the law was once our tutor or guardian but now we a children of God through Faith in Jesus Christ? Does this mean that the Law/Torah has been done away with and replace by grace? Additionally, we look at the latest terrorists attack in Paris, France from the perspective of how a Torah Observant Believer in Y'shua Messiah should view and respond to such an event? Grab a cup of coffee or tea, settle down and let's hash this stuff out together. Shabbat Shalom Saints!

The Haftorah associated with Parashah 47 is Isaiah 54:11-55:5. Here, Isaiah speaks of an Israel in the future where the peoples of the world will be drawn to for purposes of learning about Yahovah and His way of life for mankind. This Israel will be unlike the Israel of yesterday and today. Where should we be in this equation as Torah Observant Believers in Y'shua Messiah? We discuss. 

Yahovah chose to have His Spirit--His Glory--dwell in the Tabernacle at Shiloh and in the Temple in Jerusalem. When Father's glory departed, He left a void and the only time we experienced Father's Spirit dwelling among us was in the Person of Y'shua Messiah. But after Y'shua departed, where did Father choose to have His Spirit dwell? How do we prevent another departure of the Father's Spirit-His Glory-from us? We discuss. Shalom.