Sukkot 2025

 

Sukkot - Feast of Booths, practice for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb - Yah is our sustenance and provider of all things - community of Believers, known as The Seed of Abraham with Yahusha as our High Priest, living in community.  This is how I understand this feast unto YHVH. Exodus 23:16, Deuteronomy 16:13-17, Leviticus 23:34-43 

This was our third year to keep the Feast with other believers. Before that, we kept the feast camping in our yard. We just have no fellowship, no meeting with like hearted believers, near us. We travel to SW Missouri to keep the Feast with Ancient Path Fellowship. Over these three years we've developed lifelong relationships with people from all over, and we are so thankful. It is such a revitalizing experience, we go home refreshed, and immediately begin planning next year's trip. 

Some things were a little different this year.  Location: new location, the Ministry now owns some land,  and are getting it cleaned and cleared, building bath and laundry facilities. Plans to add a few more rv sites are on the agenda as well.  So looking forward to that since we actually stayed off site and drove to the Feast site daily. Faces: some folks we are used to seeing just weren't there.  But some new people were.  In this movement of Walking in the Way, there are several variables.  Not everyone is on the same page on every subject. But perhaps this too is a struggle bringing us to maturity,  a purifying. How we love each other in these differences is a true test of character- fruit. 

Until next year beloved family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Just a work in progress

Teresa

Copy and paste in your search bar.

https://aroodawakening.tv/feasts-studies/feast/sukkot/

https://youtu.be/3PFwYVlKAHo?si=acrKUqOURYYmGXRQ

Charl!3 K!rk is Not the Only One

Christians are martyred every single day somewhere on this Earth. We never hear their names nor their stories. We don't hear about their incredible faith and trials. Western Christianity doesn't give much attention at all to the suffering of our fellow believers.  Christians were about 2% of the Palestinian population according to a quick Google search, it was 10% in 1948. This has happened right before our very eyes, and we didn't see it. These families had been there for over 2000 years. 

According to romereports.com, 4476 Christians were martyred in 2024. There are several websites that track this data. 

How about the whole communities of Christians slaughtered in Syria right now? The msm isn't covering it.

How would you know?

https://persecution.org/2025/09/19/update-on-syria-a-new-era-or-more-of-the-same-for-syrian-christians/

Congo? 

https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/100-plus-christians-slaughtered-in-drc/

Kenya?

https://persecution.org/2024/04/10/al-shabab-kills-christians-during-multiple-attacks-in-kenya/

Pakistan?

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/08/pakistan-one-year-since-jaranwala-attack-minority-christians-await-justice/

Nigeria?

https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/nigeria/

I can go on and on, there are numerous reports, year after year. Dear Disciple of Messiah, Charlie Kirk wasn't the first nor only martyr. He is the most recent famous martyr. This killing of Christians is coming to the west, Charlie won't be the last, he's your heads-up. More and more, the negative view and treatment of believers is applauded and celebrated. 

https://www.romereports.com/en/2025/02/01/4476-christians-killed-for-their-faith-in-2024/

https://www.osvnews.com/christian-persecution-on-the-rise-worldwide-new-report-says/

https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/

As I watch the world news,  changes in the Middle East, I hear within my spirit, "when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction". We are watching the birth pangs. Stand strong, hold tight, for your Redemption draws near. 

Just a servant 

Teresa

Saved From What?

Have you been saved? Have you ever asked someone that question? Has anyone asked you? Well, how about: saved from what? How would you answer that question? 

The Greek word so'zo' (Strong's #4982) meaning to deliver or protect, save and heal appears 106 times in 99 verses in the KJV. 93 times it means to save, 9 times it means to heal, 3 times it means to be whole, according to The Blue Letter Bible website. 

The Hebrew word yasha (Strong's 3467) meaning deliver, rescue, and preserve appears 205 times in the the KJV Bible. 149 times it means save, 15 times it means saviour, 13 times it means deliver, 12 times it means help, 5 times it means preserved, 3 times it means salvation, it is also translated avenging, at all, avenged, defend, rescue, safe, and victory another 8 times. Again according to The Blue Letter Bible website. 

The Greek word soterias ( Strong's #G4991) translated salvation is used to describe the act of delivering from destruction, danger, or calamity" according to Bible Hub. And yeshuah is the Hebrew word (Strong's #3444) translated salvation in the Old Testament Scriptures. It breaks down as deliverance, rescue, welfare. 

I searched with BibleGateway.com and can see that save is mainly used in reference to people being rescued from their enemies and calamity, and disease.  But we do get some other examples. For instance Psalm 39:8 save from my transgressions, Psalm 120:2 saved from slander, Proverbs 2:16 saved from being seduced, also saved from shame and disgrace,  destruction,  exile, from false prophets, saved from the Day of the Lord. But mostly from Genesis to Revelation we get the consistent message that we are being saved from separation from The Most High due to our own transgressions that would result in the death of our eternal spirit being (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 2 Timothy 1:8-10). This is referenced in Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, and 21:8. Jude 1 speaks of this eternal fire we find in Revelation.  In my books that fits being saved from destruction, calamity, and my enemies.  It fits being rescued,  healed, made whole, and victory. 

He saved me from myself.  

Still a work in progress 

Teresa

Absolution Amnesia

I want to forgive so completely that I forget. I have always heard "forgive and forget" but I kinda figured only Yah could actually do it. Until recently,  I would have said exactly that.  

I walk myself thru this process of forgiveness, always setting boundaries and keeping an arm's length,  if you know what I mean.  And, Yes! Boundaries are good when properly applied. No doubt! But setting boundaries for self protection isn't really operating in faith.  Boundaries can put a buffer between yourself and the offender's possible future offenses, true. But the boundaries should serve in loving that offender as well. It's not love to allow someone to continue in sinful behavior.  Btw, Yah didn't instruct us to protect ourselves from future offences. More on that later. 

I have learned I can, and have forgiven to the point that I forgot. I forgot what happened, and I forgot the pain. I usually view myself as one who tends to hold a grudge.  I am distrusting of people. Sometimes the boundaries I set look like grudge holding, or self protecting to me and I self evaluate. This issue of forgiving is on the forefront of my mind often. I know I must forgive if I want to be forgiven (Matt 6:14-15, Luke 6:37, Colossians 3:12-13).  So....I wanna make sure I'm not missing the mark on this.

A while back I was hurt by someone, and a short time after it happened I remembered a few things that had occurred with that same person years and years(decades) ago. I had forgotten all about it. With the recall I realized this wasn't the first time this type of thing happened with this very same person. I had actually walked away from this person several times in the past.  So, it was the same stuff different day. The walking away was me setting up boundaries,  which were good. I really needed to separate myself at that time, you know how it goes bad company corrupts good character  (1Corinthians 15:33). I couldn't go down that path with them. But did you catch the part where I said I had forgotten.  I wasn't keeping a record of wrongs. I had forgiven till I forgot.  

What is forgiveness? Think of it like this: when you are hurt in some way by another, this creates a debt. Something was taken from you, that person can't and usually won't even try to make it right, make you whole again.  But Yah can, and does. Let Him fill that void. Now, the debt is between Yah and that person. Read that sentence again. You are in a place to no longer require payment from that person. It's forgiven on your end(and paid by Yahusha). To fully understand and receive this covering from Yahusha will take faith and time. Now this is where the boundaries go, and makes a lot of sense for unrepentant offenders. In most situations you can still be in relationship with this person withholding nothing Yah teaches us to do in love and obedience.  Other, more severe situations, may require a complete cutting of ties. 

Boundaries are not simply self protection. Boundaries should help the forgiven person.  Structure. It's not love to allow a person to mistreat you, or continue in sin in any form. Forgiveness is not about facilitating sin, it isn't saying it's ok what they did. ***Abuse is never ok. Get away, big boundaries, seek help that is appropriate for the abuse you are experiencing***. 

Yahusha taught to turn the other cheek, and to forgive 70x7 times, if someone takes your coat give to them your cloak as well. (Matt 18:21-22 and 5:39-40) How do those principles apply? Well first off, you only have 2 cheeks, and two items of clothing mentioned here so on face value it seems to say we should feel secure enough to forgive immediately, nothing of earthy value is more important than being obedient in this command for forgiveness. My faith is stronger than this offence. No one should be smacking you around and taking all your stuff, both cheeks and both your outer garments seems plenty: boundaries. But if they do...forgive anyway. Forgive an endless amount of times, just as your Heavenly Father forgives you. (Luke 23:34, Colossians 2:13 and 3:13, Hebrews 8:12, Matthew 6:12, 1 John 1:9) He will make you whole. There is nothing someone can take from you that matters more than walking out this faith. 

I want to forgive to the extent that I forget. There's such peace in that. 

Charlie Kirk was assassinated today. A bright light for the Kingdom and commonsense values was extinguished. Bless his family Yah. 

A work in progress 

Teresa

But Why?

 

You know that kid, the one who always has "Why?" on the tip of their tongue? I think I might be that kid.  I realize I have a "Teresa" perspective, I'm trying to make sense of the information,  and therefore, I question much. 

I question what the teacher presents, not to be contentious,  but to gain more understanding. As a Bible student in church, I moved from sitting in front with my hand raised to sitting in the back just observing.  I was not getting answers that actually answered. With enough of that, the teacher and student become frustrated, for far different reasons.  I learned to repeat the Church doctrine, being reassured I would understand with time... Yeah, not so much. 

I could easily read my Bible, seemed pretty straightforward to me. But why didn't we as Christians do what it says? It says to do this, but we do that. But why? Sometimes the response was a Bible verse...ok. I guess I don't see what I'm supposed to.  For instance: 

Question: The Bible says the 7th day, each week, is a Holy Sabbath, set apart to Yah. So why do we not meet at church on Saturday? Why is it Sunday?

Answer: Sunday is the Lord's Day- it's the day Jesus/Yahusha resurrected. Jesus is your Sabbath rest. You are no longer required to keep a specific day as Holy. 

 Question: Ok, but where does the Bible say to do that? 

Answer: it doesn't 

Question: Why do we celebrate Christmas and not the Holy Days Yah said are His Holy Days? 

Answer: Those old testament Holy Days are only for the Jews, Christians have their own holidays. 

Question: but why? Where does the Bible say that? 

Answer: it doesn't, but not one should judge you for what days you celebrate.

Question: why do Christians eat pork when the Bible definitely says not to, it says pork is not food? ( neither is shellfish,  rodents, reptiles, birds of prey- not everything was designed to be fuel for your body) 

Answer: Jesus made all food clean. Peter's dream says we can eat anything.  You can eat anything as long as you thank God for it.

Question: Which Bible verse says Jesus changed what is not food into food? Didn't Peter himself determine that his dream was about people,  not food? I need more proof.

Answer: ummmmm, I'll get back to you.  

That's just a sample.  I could go on, and on. Many times the "church fathers" would be invoked and quoted. No offense to those guys, but really I gotta understand this on my own. Those "church fathers" aren't going to stand with me on judgement day. "It's the way we were raised" is also a common response to my questions.  Sorry that's not an acceptable answer either.  One must not rely on a rehearsed quote you don't understand,  ask questions.  

One good christian man recently remarked, "some laws didn't transfer over"...what? Look all of Yah's laws still stand, for the natural born and the foreigner (adopted/grafted-in) alike. One family of Yah, one Kingdom of Yah, one law. Because there is no temple, no Yah accepted alter, and no Levitical priesthood some of Yah's laws sit on the books, not applicable right now. Some laws are only for men, some only for women,  some only for the Levitical priests, so forth and so on. The laws are still there, they just don't all apply right now.  Just like US laws for selling raw milk don't apply to me, I don't even own a cow.  

I also must address the fact that Judiasm now and in Jesus/Yahusha’s day believe Moses was given an Oral law along with the written law Yah gave him. This is called Talmudic law.  Adding burdens on the people. Those are the "laws" the Pharisees  were hasseling Jesus/Yahusha about. He knew the Torah, He IS the Torah. Ha Satan has done a bang up job causing confusion regarding this Torah of Yah. So much adding to and taking away(Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:6, Revelation)

I start from the premise that YHVH is the same yesterday,  today, and forever,  He never changes. The word obedience is preached from a multitude of pulpits each Sunday. Obedient to what? How about obedience to the Whole Word of Yah? Do all that you can right now. Why? Because He said "if you love me,  keep my commandments". That's why. 

Still a work in progress 

Teresa

A Birds Eye View

 

I often wonder about my place in The Kingdom of Yahuah.  Sometimes, it's a season of time that I dwell on the subject. I can be very hard on myself.  What have I accomplished? Have I made a difference? Even for one person. Have my flaws out shined my positives? I wish I could run into so-n-so that I could apologize for my really bad behavior way back in the day. My mind can run on and on. 

There are so many people who have come in and out of my life. Some for a short time, some for a while. And I wish I could say I  have no regrets, but I can't.  Really at the end of it all, being a positive for whomever crosses my path, a light, a sign pointing to Yahusha, is my goal. But it wasn't always so.  And it's during those moments where "it wasn't always so" that I have sorrow and remorse.  How I long to see Michaela again, so I can ask her forgiveness.  I want to speak with Lisa, and apologize for not doing more to help her. But I can't find them. If you're reading this and I  wronged you,  please give me a chance to seek your forgiveness.  

Once in a while Yah allows someone from the past to find me. And so far, when someone finds me, it's been to express that I left a good and helpful deposit in their life. What a beautiful gift. I rejoice in it. I'm so thankful.  And I was surprised.  Yes, I didn't think they were listening,  or watching,  but they were.  Seems like it takes a birds eye view of one's life to see where you made a difference.  

For years I was just trying to hang on, when I look back I see no "work for the Kingdom". Then Yah showed me I was developing a strong foundational faith. I may have been barely hanging on, but He had a firm grip on me. Where I see I failed my children,  Yah has brought them up to be wonderful people,  strong competent men. In spite of or because of, I may never know,  but Yah blessed them.

One day we will all get that birds eye view of how our lives, words, and deeds affected others, for good or bad. All of us will have some regretful moments. All Glory to Yah that can even use our shameful unChristlike past to further His Kingdom.

One day you will be a memory,  be a good one.

Still a work in progress 

Teresa

Why It Matters

 

My last blog post was about all the grievous sin running rampant across the earth. I wrote about revealing the sin, acknowledging it is happening, looking that horrific darkness in the face.  And now let's discuss why it matters. 

We know from Genesis and the story of Cain and Able, that the blood of the innocent who have been slain cries out to the Most High. And He hears them. These cries are for justice. We are reminded of this in the Book of Revelation when the blood of the saints who are killed for their testimony cry out for justice. "How Long Adoni?" Ezekiel 9:4 gives the example of men being marked by The Most High because they were grieved by the abominations that were occurring around them. The marked men were a righteous remnant.  I want to be marked by Yah as His own, and to be counted in the remnant of the righteous.  

Let our voices join with the cries of the slain innocent. Let our hearts be grieved over the abominations happening around us. Let our eyes be opened to the evil hiding in plain sight. Let our King come back and set things right. I do not relish to see what happens when He does come back, but I know it's necessary. 

A work in progress 

Teresa