Tending the Temple Daily

       "Abba, Father, give me a heart for people" because I don't like them very much.  That's an ugly thing to admit,  but mostly true. I don't want to feel that way.  I want to be warm and inviting, a social butterfly, open and comfortable around others. But I am not. I am guarded and distrusting, keeping people at arm's length. That way they can't stab me in the back while hugging me. How do I love people when I feel like this?  Avoiding people is a natural reaction, yet not a righteous one. I can't avoid people outside of my inner circle all the time, even if I was inclined to do so.  I am NOT inclined to do so because I want to love people, even if my only motivator right now is to walk in obedience to my El and Messiah.  Why I feel this way is key for me to overcome the lack of faith I have in this area of my life. I feel this way because of my life experiences. People, including myself,  can pour out on us the ugliest thing t...

  "God knows my heart". Yes, yes He does.  Let's see what He says about that:  Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 17:9  “The heart is crooked above all, and desperately sick – who shall know it?" ‭Marqos (Mark) 7:21-22  “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil reasonings, adulteries, whorings, murders, [22] thefts, greedy desires, wickednesses, deceit, indecency, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." Ok. So,  the inclinations of our hearts are wicked, self serving and in opposition to Yah. What now? Ask him to show you where you're in error, and to lead you into repentance. The goal here is to let Him change you and your heart to be in unity with Him. ‭Tehillim (Psalms) 139:23-24  Search me, O Ěl, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; [24] And see if an idolatrous way is in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. ‭Tehillim (Psalms) 66:10 "For You, O Elohim, have proved us; You have refined us as silver is refined. One day He will giv...

  Life in The Way is a series of tests. Will you be obedient to Yah's instructions? Will you be wise enough to shut up when necessary? Will you put others before yourself? Will you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? Will you choose Yah's ways over your own? And on and on. Learning to abide in The Spirit, living moment by moment listening for the direction of the Holy Spirit, is truly our safe place.  My new favorite quote is from Jim Staley, goes like this: The trials you hate are the proving grounds for your spiritual promotion.  And I say Amen and Amen. In going thru these trials we must be constantly checking our behaviors, and attitudes,  to measure if we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.  We can clearly see the errors of others and severely judge them, but are we checking ourselves?  It's been my experience that when I've severely judged someone,  I soon find myself in a position to be judged for the same th...

  At the end of February I broke my arm. This put me in a position to have an unplanned vacation for two months.  During this time my husband also had a surgery.  So here we are,  stuck at home,  recooperating together, limited in what we can do.  So we binge watched tv. "Vikings" and "The Last Kingdom" are two of the programs we enjoyed.  This morning as I was driving to work I was thinking about the Danes and how they were portrayed in these programs. The wanton indiscriminate slaughter as they raped and pillaged their way thru England really struck me. As I'm thinking about this, I'm also listening to "Redacted" on my phone tell me how many fighting age men have illegally crossed our Southern border. Of course we don't really know how many,  the number given was an estimate, but it's into multiple millions.  Many concerns have been voiced concerning these "migrants" and what we don't know.  This is what I do know.  Yah is i...

  Light Expels Darkness  Should you ask around in a Christian community, “What brought you to Yahusha(Jesus)?” You will get a variety of answers. Ask enough and you will hear of stories much like your own.  Though I have known Him since I was a little girl, I haven't been as faithful to the relationship as He has. Going my own way, being my own god, didn't usually pan out the best consequences. When circumstances brought pain, misery, and despair I always fell to my knees seeking Him whom I knew still loved me. The one who made all those beautiful promises written in His Holy Word was still faithful. In those moments, full abandonment, full disclosure of those deep hidden things I can't stand to look upon, is the only way to redemption and healing. When I can clearly see my part in the circumstances and take responsibility I can grow.  Our Bibles, The Holy Inspired Word of Yahuah, is Yah's instructions for life and life abundant. He loves us and instructs us in what ...

  Romans 8:28 "and we know all things work together for the good for those who love YHWH and are called according to His purpose." Not just the lovely, the yummy, and the fun things, ALL things. This includes the painful, the ugly, the shameful, and the yucky things too.  Romans 8:28 has been my go-to verse for any and every difficulty I experience. Yah is going to do His part for He is entirely faithful. The question is, will I do my part? What is my part? Get honest, self reflect and look at it. First off, I made a lame attempt to not offend a friend by compromising the standard I was committed to. In doing this I pleased no one. I offended the person I was trying not to offend and I offended Yah, I also disappointed my husband. He expected me to protect our home and I dropped the ball. Second, where do I need to seek forgiveness ? I asked for forgiveness from the offended person in a way where she was not put on the spot. Third: forgive others and myself.  Forgiving, y...

Dear Seeker: Welcome to the faith and your journey to The Kingdom. Be ready for a wild ride. Yahuah accepts you just as you are, but He promises not to leave you that way. He is going to make you like Yahusha. He will rid you of the baggage you brought with you. This world sure piles it on. He will tear from you the things you once cherished, those things that put distance between you and Him, and replace those things with peace, contentment, obedience, joy everlasting and deep abiding love.  This is not an easy journey, not for the weak. They will not make it to the end. There will be sorrow, persecution, pain and a myriad of difficulties. You see, you will need to die to yourself and desire to live for Him. Yep, this is a selfless journey. If your need to be special, to shine on your own, isn't something you can put down, then I suggest you exit the path now. All of your unique qualities were given to you to serve Him, not yourself.  He is the refiner, He puts us thru the fi...