Abraham’s Faith in the Akedah
Akedah - Rembrandt, 1635
Haven’t caught this before in the Akedah. I always thought the significance of Abraham’s faith was that his trust in God was greater than the grief he’d feel from losing his son – and having to kill him personally. But…
Before Abraham takes Isaac and the wood up to the mountain, he tells his men (in Genesis 22:5) that “the boy and I will go over there to worship; then WE’LL come back to you.“
God had promised that Abraham’s seed would be traced through Isaac. Did he believe that God would raise Isaac from the dead? Or did he bank on God providing a lamb, as he tells Isaac in verse 8?
There’s no doubt that he trusted God either way, but I’ve never pondered the fact that he expected to leave with his son alive.
To me it seems that he was indeed trusting for God to provide a lamb – but he raised the knife to kill his son anyway. What an amazing display of obedience.
Thoughts?
Messianic Hanukkah
Are you a Christian or completed Jew trying to figure out how to celebrate Hanukkah with a Messianic focus? I am, and I know there are many like me. Over the past few years, I’ve scoured the Internet for information about what others do, but I’ve ultimately discovered that observing the Festival of Lights in worship of the Light of the World need not be forced or cut-and-pasted. Like other Jewish holidays (even though it’s not a Torah festival since it began in the Intertestamental Period), Hanukkah is really about Yeshua. Rather than throwing together a patchwork of repurposed traditions, all it takes is a deep study of the identity of Yeshua and the account of His words at Hanukkah in John 10. Do that and you’ll have plenty to celebrate. To make this even easier for you, I’ve included a devotional guide I’ve developed during my journey. Feel free to use it, modify it, and make suggestions. Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah Night 1
Chanukkah (or Hanukkah) is the Jewish Festival of Dedication, also known as the “Festival of Lights.” It is an eight-day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which typically falls in November or December on our calendar. The holiday of Chanukkah celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel. It begins in the reign of Alexander the Great, who conquered Syria, Egypt, and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs, and the dress of the Greeks, in much the same way that Jews in America today blend into the secular American society. More than 100 years after Alexander, Antiochus IV rose to power in the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. One of the groups which opposed Antiochus was led by Mattathias (Matisyahu) the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee (“The Hammer”). This small band of pious Jews led guerrilla warfare against the Syrian army. Antiochus sent thousands of well-armed troops to crush the rebellion, but the Maccabees succeeded in driving the foreigners from their land. According to historical accounts, Jewish fighters entered Jerusalem in December 164 BC. The Holy Temple, the Jewish religious center, was in shambles, defiled and desecrated by foreign soldiers. The Maccabees cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. When it came time to re-light the Menorah (the multi-branched lampstand), they searched the entire Temple, but only one small jar of oil bearing the pure seal of the High Priest could be found. Miraculously, the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil could be brought. From then on, Jews everywhere have observed a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil. The observance of Chanukah features the lighting of a special Chanukkah menorah with eight branches (plus a helper candle), adding one new candle each night. (Adapted from http://www.gotquestions.org/Hanukkah-Christian.html)
When we light the menorah, we remember that He is the Vine and we are the branches. The center candle which sits higher than the others is the “servant” candle, and we use it to light the others. It represents Yeshua, who is the source of light who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life —a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Tonight we can observe the rededication of the Temple by recognizing we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. When Yeshua took His last breath on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn to show that He is our Emmanuel, God with us.
Matthew 27:51- “Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split”
Because Yeshua fulfilled the Law and defeated sin and death, we no longer need the temple system, but we should glorify Him with our bodies.
1 Corinthians 10:31- “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.”
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 2
In John 10, Yeshua was there celebrating the Feast of Dedication.
22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 Jesus was walking in the temple complex in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and asked, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in My Father’s name testify about Me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not My sheep 27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”
His words were in reference to Ezekiel 34, which the Jews read at Hanukkah during that time. That passage reminded the Jews of the unfaithful rulers of the past and the God who would watch over His people all the time. It portrays Israel as sheep and YHWH as the Good Shepherd. Just before this, in verse 11, He said, ”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Yeshua clearly and plainly claimed to be YHWH during that Hanukkah feast so long ago. Tonight we celebrate Yeshua’s protection and salvation of His people as we remember His sacrifice and look forward to His return and reign.
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 3
Ezekiel 34 -
11“For this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I Myself will search for My flock and look for them. 12 As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will tend them with good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will tend My flock and let them lie down.” [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD . 16 ”I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice.
25 ”I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate dangerous animals in the land, so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest. 26 I will make them and the area around My hill a blessing: I will send down showers in their season—showers of blessing. 27 The trees of the field will give their fruit, and the land will yield its produce; My flock will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the LORD when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslave them. 28 They will no longer be prey for the nations, and the wild animals of the land will not consume them. They will live securely, and no one will frighten [them]. 29 I will establish for them a place renowned for [its] agriculture, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land. They will no longer endure the insults of the nations. 30 Then they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people.” [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD . 31 ”You are My flock, the human flock of My pasture, and I am your God.” [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD.”
The biggest miracle of Hanukkah is how YHWH protected His people even when they were unfaithful. Though Israel strayed away to practice idolatry, then repented, then strayed and repented over and over again throughout their history, He kept His covenant promises to them. Even when they were conquered and exiled, He was good on His word. We see this demonstrated in the Hanukkah story. Even though prophecy had been silenced for about 250 years and many Jews turned to Greek gods and goddesses, He gave the small band of Maccabees victory over their oppressors who profaned His temple so they could restore worship to the One True God.
Like a shepherd to His flock, like a father to His children, and like a husband to His wife, YHWH pursues and protects His people even when they stray. Aren’t you glad?
Romans 5:8 - But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 4
Last night we talked about how YHWH protected the Israelites to show His love, receive their worship, and keep His promises. The greatest promise of all was His rescue plan: that a Messiah would come from the line of King David.
Isaiah 9 -
6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
Part of the daily temple function was sacrificing lambs for the atonement of sins. Because the Good Shepherd sustained His people, the Perfect Lamb and final sacrifice was born. He was one of them. He was a Shepherd, but also one of the sheep – the only one of them who never strayed. Because He was perfect, He was able to pay for all their sin. In fact, the lambs sacrificed at the temple really just pointed to Him, anyway.
When John the Baptist saw Yeshua for the first time, he said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” - John 1:29
Isaiah 53 -
6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth.
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 5
John 10 -
31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone Him. 32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. Which of these works are you stoning Me for?” 33 ”We aren’t stoning You for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because You—being a man—make Yourself God.”
During this great season of remembering miracles, Yeshua pointed out to His listeners that the miracles He had done authenticated His claim that He is, indeed, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. His works and His true character clearly demonstrated who He is.
Throughout His ministry, He showed that He has power to drive out demons, make the blind see, make the deaf hear, make the lame walk, cleanse lepers, cure diseases, multiply food, and raise the dead. He also has power over nature.
Matthew 14 (AMP) -
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, “It is a ghost!” And they screamed out with fright. 27 But instantly He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!” … 33 And those in the boat knelt and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
The phrase, “I AM” in verse 27 is often translated “I am here” or “It is I“), but in the original Greek, it is ἐγὼ εἰμι (egō eimi). That literally means, “I AM“. Here, Yeshua was claiming and demonstrating the identity of YHWH, and these Jewish disciples knew exactly what He meant. I’d bet that they were reminded of Job 9:8 – “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”
His greatest miracle, of course, was “rebuilding the temple” – rising from the dead! His sacrifice as the Perfect Lamb was not the end of the story. Those who believe in this miracle, hear His voice, and call upon His name are His sheep.
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 6
Here’s a story of another miracle of Yeshua from Luke 5:
On one of those days while He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power to heal was in Him.18 Just then some men came, carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before Him. 19 Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the mat through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith He said, “Friend,your sins are forgiven you.” 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think: “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, “Why are you thinking this in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk ’? 24 But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ”—He told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” 25 Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.
Among His other miraculous powers, Yeshua forgives sin because He is YHWH and the Spotless Lamb who was sacrificed and rose again to defeat sin and death. If you are one of His sheep, ALL of your sins are forgiven and forgotten. Your sinful flesh has been crucified with Him and you’re a new creation. You have been given everlasting life and your body will be resurrected, redeemed, and glorified when He returns. There is no condemnation for you and nobody can snatch you from His hand.
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 7
Hanukkah is known as a “festival of lights”.
Yeshua created light.
John 1-
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
2 Corinthians 4:6 - For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
Yeshua said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” - John 8:12
He also said, “14 You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5
His Word is light.
Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
Tonight we celebrate our opportunity to bring Light to the world.
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Hanukkah Night 8
Yeshua’s statement in John 10:30 – “The Father and I are one” – echoes the Shema, the basic confession of Judaism.
“Hear, O Israel! YHWH is our God. YHWH is one.”
Shema Yisra’el YHWH Eloheinu YHWH Ehad
This statement in itself was a claim of deity. It also points toward the unity Yeshua prayed for in John 17:
I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. 21 May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me. 22 I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. 23 I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation. 25 Righteous Father! The world has not known You. However, I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me.26 I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so the love You have loved Me with may be in them and I may be in them.
As we have acknowledged and celebrated throughout this week, Yeshua is a miracle worker, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Spotless Lamb, the King of Kings, Emmanuel (God With Us), the long-awaited Messiah, and of course YHWH Himself.
“Hear, O Israel! YHWH is our God. YHWH is one.”
Shema Yisra’el YHWH Eloheinu YHWH Ehad
Blessings
1. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam Asher Kidashanu Al Y’Day Emuna B’Yeshua HaMeshaich Or Ha-Olam Uv-veesh-mo Mad-lick- keem Ha-nair Shel Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, the Light of the World. And it is in His Name we kindle the Chanukah lights.
2. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asa nisim la’avoteinu b’yamim ha’heym b’zman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.
Get Motivated
I enjoyed most of the Get Motivated seminar. I was impressed with the emphasis on fatherhood, respect, and integrity. I appreciate the opportunity to have heard the likes of Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and Bill Cosby all within a few hours. I do wish they would have left God out of it, though. Doesn’t that sound like a strange thing for a Christian to say? Here’s my beef; I feel like several of them were taking the Lord’s name in vain and perverting the Gospel. Here’s what I mean:
When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they took, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.
“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. ”From now on you will be catching people!” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed Him.
I was very bothered how the polar opposite of this message was preached over and over. The main theme I heard was, “The Bible says ‘God helps those who help themselves’. Do your best to improve yourself and find God’s purpose in life – which is obviously playing the stock market to get rich so you can bless your family and enjoy a life of luxury.”
The Bible does NOT say that, and I remember Jesus’ charge to be quite to the contrary. Remember the rich young ruler? To follow Jesus means to count the cost – to be willing to give up everything in total trust and surrender to Him AND to expect (an rejoice in) persecution and suffering for His sake. Notice how in Luke 5, the disciples didn’t sell the insane amount of fish He gave them to create a comfortable nest egg for their families before they “left everything”? That would have made the most logical sense, right? But the abundant life is an adventure with Jesus empowered by the Holy Spirit where we trust and follow His plans.
I’m all for wise planning and stewardship; that’s Biblical. But God’s wisdom is so much higher than ours. I’m a Dave Ramsey nut myself, but I do NOT want to “improve”, “believe in”, or “trust” myself. I know my wicked nature too well.
Happy Yom Kippur! Celebrate Atonement!
It’s Yom Kippur 2012 (or 5772), the Jewish Day of Atonement. Christians, let’s celebrate and proclaim atonement through Yeshua, the perfect and final sacrifice!
Hebrews 9:11-28 [HCSB]:
“11 But the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation ), 12 He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God? 15 Therefore, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living. 18 That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. 19 For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you. 21 In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood. 22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For the Messiah did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that He might now appear in the presence of God for us. 25 He did not do this to offer Himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. 26 Otherwise, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once —and after this, judgment — 28 so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
Trooper of A Lifetime
Todd sharing Jesus in Haiti
A good friend of mine and a great man of God, Todd Wortham, went home to be with Jesus today. I’m very sad about that, and I hurt for his wife and two kids, but in many ways it’s okay, because Jesus is Todd’s absolute favorite. Anyone who knew him here would tell you that.
I had the wonderful privilege of knowing Todd very well during his time at New River Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee. I was blessed to meet with him for a men’s Bible Study almost every Thursday morning for a few years. He is the most authentic (and hilarious) person I think I’ve ever known. When I think about Todd, I remember that he was a caring friend, a Bible scholar, a hardcore Jesus follower, an avid Captain America fan (he got a kick out of my name – I was glad to be his sidekick when I could), a WWII buff, a gun aficionado, a family man, occasionally inappropriate, and a devout Texan! He’s leaving quite a legacy. I think he shared Jesus with anyone who ever gave him the time of day. As legend has it (well, I heard it straight from his mouth), he once snuck backstage to witness to Eddie Van Halen. He did the same for Gene Simmons (that time, he was so nervous that he stuck a tract in Gene’s fishnet legging and made him promise to read it before he went to bed that night – he realized how weird that was after the fact). Todd was always a straight shooter – honest about life, his beliefs, his strengths and weaknesses, and never afraid to encourage me or call me out when I needed it. I also had the honor of ministering with him both here and in Haiti. It was always great to work under Todd’s leadership because he had an amazing ability to motivate people and keep the focus on Jesus.
The Tennessee/Texas Haiti team in 2010
Let me tell you something: Haitians loved Todd. His selfless compassion for people shined through when he was telling complete strangers about the grace of Jesus or acting out stories and playing wild games with Haitian kids.
Haiti gets straight-up HOT; Todd always encouraged us to push through the fatigue and sweat to make the most of our time and “leave it all on the field” — and he led by example. When someone had a hard day, but bucked up instead of complaining, he would award them with the honorary title of “Trooper of the Day”.
I’m really shocked that he went home so suddenly and so young. I’m devastated for Cassi, Jackson, Bethany, Wells Branch, Restoration Ministries, and the thousands of others who love him and will miss him. It’s strange to think that Todd’s earthly journey is complete. But I know that he finished well and left it all on the field. I nominate him for “Trooper of A Lifetime”. I’m forever inspired.
Here’s a video from another Haiti trip. The first voiceover is Todd, and I think it represents his life philosophy very well.
He treads on the waves of the sea.
The story of Jesus walking on the water is pretty cool. It’s iconic, it’s fun to imagine the event, and it gives us a variety of lessons. Most of the teachings I’ve heard from this passage are about faith, trust, or stepping into a calling. Unless you read Greek, however, you’ve probably been missing the most significant element of the narrative.
At the end of the story, “those in the boat worshiped Him and said, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’ ” (HCSB)
That’s a Messianic title in the Hebrew scriptures with which these Jewish men were familiar. In this instance, the disciples understood who He is. What convinced them at this point? Several hours and one mile before, they had seen Him feed 5,000 men and their families with only five loaves of bread and two fish — and they had no such response.
Jesus was not merely pulling a Criss Angel.
He certainly was displaying His command over nature, but He was more importantly declaring and demonstrating who He is. In verse 27, he says,
“Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” (NLT)
The phrase, “I am here” (or often translated “It is I“) in the original Greek is ἐγὼ εἰμι (egō eimi). That literally means, “I AM“. Boom. Here, Yeshua was claiming the identity of YHWH, and these Jewish disciples knew exactly what He meant. I’d bet that they were also reminded of Job 9:8 -
“He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.” (HCSB)
Wow.
Charity Kay
In case you didn’t know, Kimmie and I announced a new pregnancy during the first week of July. We, along with family and many friends, were very thankful and excited to welcome a new baby. We immediately started dreaming and making plans for the new addition, stoked about Ella Jane becoming a big sister and being able to use the plural phrase, “our kids”. We imagined and welcomed the new challenges of driving, feeding, changing, teaching, and training two children at the same time. Ultimately, we realized that we were not only ready for a new baby, but we wanted one!
On Saturday, July 9th, Kim (about 4-5 weeks pregnant) called our midwives about some bleeding. She told us that it’s fairly common and could be something normal, but that we should go to the emergency room for peace of mind if it got worse (we wouldn’t be able to get an appointment to see a midwife until Monday when they re-opened). That it did, so we went to the Vanderbilt Emergency Room at about 4 p.m. that evening. We were there until 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. They ran various tests, but none were conclusive – it was too early to see the baby on the ultrasound and they’d have to compare lab work with more of the same conducted on Monday to diagnose what was going on. Painfully disappointed and deeply concerned, we went home to pray and sleep. That morning, we texted our pastor to let him know what was happening and we went to church for prayer. During that time, we felt very loved as our Conduit family rallied around us to share prayers, hugs, and encouragement. That afternoon, our housemates spent time with Ella Jane while we caught up on sleep. Later, we spent a few hours contacting a few friends and family members to beg for prayer. That night, we prayed very intensely and earnestly for quite some time before going to sleep. We prayed for healing. We prayed for survival. We told God that we trust His sovereignty, His wisdom, and His plan, but that we desperately wished to steward this life that belonged to Him. We closely felt the Father’s love and our faith was strengthened. I believed for this miracle without a doubt – I was “stepping out of the boat” as best I knew how, anointing Kim with oil, claiming the promises of the Lord, and speaking life over our baby. We even asked for a name, which we received: Charity Kay.
The next day we booked an appointment with the midwives at 1pm – though not without difficulty; the receptionist was not listening well and kept assuming Kim already had a confirmed miscarriage despite her repeated explanation to the contrary. We went in and they drew blood and told us that it “probably won’t go to the lab until 5 p.m.” and that they’d call us with results in the morning – or we could look up the results later that night online. How sensitive and compassionate. Well, that we did; sitting in our living room with our beloved housemates, we logged into Kim’s patient records and saw a steep fall in hormone levels. We had lost our precious baby Charity.
We are devastated not to be entrusted with her upbringing, but she brought us joy for several dreamy days and we fully trust the Lord and His plan. We’re crushed and we don’t understand, but we are confident that He knows what’s best for us and for our unborn daughter. We have no idea why He gave her to us for such a short time, nor do we know from what physical problems He might have been sparing her (perhaps that was the answer to our prayers for healing). We don’t know how He gets more glory by taking her than by letting us raise her – but we’re sure He does. We don’t know her purpose and legacy, but we’re sure her short life is not a waste and that we’ll learn something from this by which we can praise the Lord and comfort others. We are baffled about why He gave us such great faith for a miracle we didn’t get to see. We don’t know how we can miss someone so much who we’ve never met. What we do know is that GOD IS GOOD all the time! We just have to trust Him.
We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the prayer, concern, love, comfort, encouragement, and support you’ve given to us. We couldn’t ask for better family or truer friends. The only further thing we ask from you is that you’ll continue to walk with us on our journey with an appreciation for Charity’s significance and a grateful heart toward our great God.
Why support Israel?
Here are some quotes from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent address to a Joint Meeting of the United States Congress which I found significant. I have no personal spin to put on this; I just want people to educate themselves about what is really going on and what Israel’s position is, because it seems to be overlooked in the media. These quotes speak for themselves. The full transcription can be read here.
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“We’re proud that over one million Arab citizens of Israel have been enjoying these rights for decades. Of the 300 million Arabs in the Middle East and North Africa, only Israel’s Arab citizens enjoy real democratic rights. I want you to stop for a second and think about that. Of those 300 million Arabs, less than one-half of one-percent are truly free, and they’re all citizens of Israel.”
“If the benefits of peace with the Palestinians are so clear, why has peace eluded us? Because all six Israeli Prime Ministers since the signing of Oslo accords agreed to establish a Palestinian state. Myself included. So why has peace not been achieved? Because so far, the Palestinians have been unwilling to accept a Palestinian state, if it meant accepting a Jewish state alongside it.”
“You see, our conflict has never been about the establishment of a Palestinian state. It has always been about the existence of the Jewish state. This is what this conflict is about. In 1947, the United Nations voted to partition the land into a Jewish state and an Arab state. The Jews said yes. The Palestinians said no. In recent years, the Palestinians twice refused generous offers by Israeli Prime Ministers, to establish a Palestinian state on virtually all the territory won by Israel in the Six Day War.”
“So peace must be anchored in security. In recent years, Israel withdrew from South Lebanon and Gaza. But we didn’t get peace. Instead, we got 12,000 thousand rockets fired from those areas on our cities, on our children, by Hezbollah and Hamas. The UN peacekeepers in Lebanon failed to prevent the smuggling of this weaponry. The European observers in Gaza evaporated overnight. So if Israel simply walked out of the territories, the flow of weapons into a future Palestinian state would be unchecked. Missiles fired from it could reach virtually every home in Israel in less than a minute. I want you to think about that too. Imagine that right now we all had less than 60 seconds to find shelter from an incoming rocket. Would you live that way? Would anyone live that way? Well, we aren’t going to live that way either.”
“Less than seven decades after six million Jews were murdered, Iran’s leaders deny the Holocaust of the Jewish people, while calling for the annihilation of the Jewish state.”
“Leaders who spew such venom, should be banned from every respectable forum on the planet. But there is something that makes the outrage even greater: The lack of outrage. In much of the international community, the calls for our destruction are met with utter silence. It is even worse because there are many who rush to condemn Israel for defending itself against Iran’s terror proxies.”
“As for Israel, if history has taught the Jewish people anything, it is that we must take calls for our destruction seriously. We are a nation that rose from the ashes of the Holocaust. When we say never again, we mean never again. Israel always reserves the right to defend itself.”
“In Judea and Samaria, the Jewish people are not foreign occupiers. We are not the British in India. We are not the Belgians in the Congo.
This is the land of our forefathers, the Land of Israel, to which Abraham brought the idea of one God, where David set out to confront Goliath, and where Isaiah saw a vision of eternal peace. No distortion of history can deny the four thousand year old bond, between the Jewish people and the Jewish land.”
“I appreciate the President’s clear position on this issue. Peace cannot be imposed. It must be negotiated. But it can only be negotiated with partners committed to peace.
And Hamas is not a partner for peace. Hamas remains committed to Israel’s destruction and to terrorism. They have a charter. That charter not only calls for the obliteration of Israel, but says ‘kill the Jews wherever you find them’. Hamas’ leader condemned the killing of Osama bin Laden and praised him as a holy warrior. Now again I want to make this clear. Israel is prepared to sit down today and negotiate peace with the Palestinian Authority. I believe we can fashion a brilliant future of peace for our children. But Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by the Palestinian version of Al Qaeda.
So I say to President Abbas: Tear up your pact with Hamas, Sit down and negotiate! Make peace with the Jewish state! And if you do, I promise you this. Israel will not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state as a new member of the United Nations. It will be the first to do so.”
Super Speed Score!
I’m pretty excited. I picked up this 1958 Gillette Red Tip (Heavy) Super Speed razor at a yard sale last week for $4. I’m not a collector, but I do have an appreciation for vintage manly things and thought it might be worth something.
I later identified it online and went to eBay, where I saw that they’re going for as much as $80 – sweet! Then I read some rave reviews. Many of the gents on this forum say it’s the best razor Gillette ever made. Um … I think I’m keeping this one. What a find!
BONUS: I also found this commercial for the Super Speed line from the ’50s
Haitian Adoption
People often ask me about Haitian adoptions. I’d love to adopt from Haiti, but it will be awhile before we can (parents must be at least 35 years old. For married couples, one parent may be under 35 if the couple has been married at least 10 years). I know a couple who has done so, but it was a long, irritating, agonizing, and dramatic process. I’ve copied & pasted text from a blog about the process below.
Folks: while protection from trafficking, abuse, and exploitation is important, this process takes WAY too long. Haiti has an orphan epidemic. Let’s pray this gets easier.
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from All Blessings International:
The Hatian Adoption Process
The many steps listed below must be followed for each and every adoption. Add to their number the extreme difficulty of accomplishing each one: every step must be accomplished in person and by hand. Most of the offices listed do not have computers. There will be no communications by fax or email or even by official phone calls. Facilitators must visit each office personally to check on the status of each case, and carry it by hand through the traffic of Port-au-Prince to the next stage of the process.
Pre-IBESR
Before an adoption case can be presented to IBESR the adoption facilitator must gather all of the following documents:
- Passport pictures of the child
- Birth Certificate
- Attestation of signature on Birth Certificate or extract from the National Archives
- Legal relinquishment of custody from the biological family to the orphanage from the local judge
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical evaluation
- Laboratory tests
- Social history
- Proces Verbal (A court process in which the biological family grants the creche the right to place their child with your family specifically for international adoption. Can only be completed after your dossier is in Haiti.)
IBESR and Dispensation
Your dossier can now be submitted to IBESR. If your family does not meet the criteria of the law of 1974, your dossier can be pre-approved for Presidential Dispensation and delivered to the Presidential Palace by IBESR. Dispensations are published in the Haitian legal journal Le Moniteur. Following Dispensation, IBESR will sign off on your dossier and grant an Authorization of Adoption.
Parquet Court
The ‘step’ we refer to as Parquet court is actually a very complex series of steps and processes involving multiple offices and repeated trips between them.
- Attorney addresses a Request for Judgment to the Chief Justice of Parquet Court
- Birth parents are interviewed in Parquet Court
- Parquet Court signs off on “approval judgement for adoption
- Facilitator takes approval to DGI for stamp of authorization
- Back to Parquet for enforcement of the approval judgement
- Authorization and redaction from the Civil Registrar Officer for legal Adoption Decree
- Verification in Parquet of the adoption documents by the Civil Registrar before signing the adoption decree
- First Legalization of the Adoption Decree, in Parquet Court
- Second Legalization of the Adoption Decree, at the Ministry of Justice
- Third Legalization of the Adoption Decree, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Obtain attestation of Adoption Decree from the National Archives
Ministry of the Interior
All international adoption cases are reviewed by the Ministry of Interior. In order to obtain authorization to request a passport, the following documents must be submitted for each child:
- Four passport sized pictures
- Birth Certificate
- Attestation for the Birth Certificate
- Extract from the National Archives for the Birth Certificate
- Relinquishment
- Proces Verbal of adoption
- Adoption approval judgement
- Adoption Decree
- Attestation of the Adoption Decree
- Power of Attorney for creche director and/or attorney
- Stamp from DGI
- Notary letter for the passport
- Identification card of facilitator and/or attorney on the case
- Biological parents’ identification cards
- Adoptive parents’ MOI form, identification, and passport photos
The Ministry of Interior will grant authorization to submit the dossier to Haitian Immigrations for a passport.
Haitian Immigrations
The facilitator will submit authorization to apply for a passport to Haitian Immigrations. This is generally a quick process – one to two weeks, if all equipment is working properly.
US Immigrations
Note to international readers – US Immigrations performs the most rigorous investigation of international adoptions. Other nations’ Immigrations process are different. Please check with your agency to learn about the process for your home country.)
Parts of the US Immigrations process can occur concurrently with the Haitian process, however USCIS cannot sign off on the case until they have verified the final Adoption Decree and the child’s passport. DNA may be requested at any time.
American families are advised to work closely with their agencies to ensure a smooth and efficient US Immigrations process for their child.
Approximately three to four weeks following completion of all USCIS investigations and adjudication of the I600 for the child, the case will be forwarded to the Department of State for issuance of a Visa. The Department of State also has the right to request DNA testing for birth parent and child. Adoptive parents need not be present for the Visa appointment.
Parents who can prove that they visited their child prior to the issuance of the Adoption Decree by Parquet Court will be issued an IR-3 Visa. Their children will be automatically granted full US Citizenship upon arrival in the US.
Families who did not visit their children prior to the date of the Adoption Decree must file for citizenship for their children. Failure to file for citizenship will leave the child as a legal immigrant and unprotected by the rights of full citizenship. Please refer to the USCIS website for form N-600 and instructions on how to file.
Summary
These steps were provided by Margarette Saint Fleur of BRESMA orphanage. All legitimate adoptions facilitators must follow each one of them, and must do so under extremely difficult conditions.
Haitian adoptions take far, far too long. Children wait in orphanages for months and even years while the adoption proceedings drag on. And yet, when we look at the immensely complicated process, we must realize what a miracle it is when each child comes home.
When you travel to pick up your child at last, thank the people who made your adoption possible. No amount of money could ever cover the exhaustion and frustration they endure for each case, and most of them work for very little or no pay at all. Their reward is seeing the children they live for go home with families who will love and cherish them for the rest of their lives.
Thank your Haitian adoption facilitator by telling her how grateful you are for her work, and thank her by sending her pictures over the years of your child growing up safe and happy. It is their sacrifices that make our adoptions and our families possible.
