Have arrived back in the US

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Late yesterday evening, after traveling some 24 hours, Kelly and I walked into the house and for the first time in our lives, it did not feel like ‘home.’  Honestly, it has the comfort of

It is believed that this is the overlook where Yehovah promised the land to Abraham. Here we are looking out toward the Mount of Blessing.

It is believed that this is the overlook where Yehovah promised the land to Abraham. Here we are looking out toward the Mount of Blessing.

an old shoe, that pleasant familiarity, but our heart is 6300 miles away in Haeretz Israel.  Right now, I can’t wait to be back, particularly in Judea and Samaria.  That region and the Golan drew us more than any other!  There was an amazing connection in our souls to Northern Israel that we simply cannot explain.

I have learned and experienced so much in a profoundly life changing 12 days that it will take weeks to process it all and months to record snippets as I write.  I can’t wait to see how the Spirit leads and teaches as I move forward, but if it is anything like his work over the last couple weeks…  Wow!!

For now, I have the pleasant task of preparing presentations for multiple fellowships and congregations that I will visit with over the next 5-6 weeks.  There is also grass to cut and house to clean so we prepare for 50+/- Sabbath-keeping mishpocha (family) who will be here with us tomorrow.

More as I have time to write and share of the many pictures taken.  For now, thank you for your prayers and support.  May Abba bless and guide…

Shabbat Shalom!

 

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More Torah Portions are up!!

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Between my trip to Israel and Ray Gardner’s computer issues, we have fallen behind on posting his Torah Portions.  Well, hoping we made all that up with these additions…  See the Torah Portion page for the recent additions.

 

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Psalm 80

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Psalm 80 is such a wonderful cry to Yehovah concerning the restoration of Ephraim ( and Manasseh).  May He restore us soon and in our day.

Here are a couple verses over a photo of a mosaic tiled floor from Shiloh, the location of the Mishkan ( Tabernacle) for 369 years.  All Israel was still echad at that point.

image

http://bible.com/12/psa.80.4-7.ASV

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Foundations of Ephraimite National Identity

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Here is the full text of Al McCarn’s opening presentation to the Congress.

Foundations of Ephraimite National Identity.

I highly recommend reading in its entirety and pondering.

For us, the Congress is over and travel begins in an hour or so…  We, like all others, are anxious to see how our Father will lead in the coming months as we seek His face and will.

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B’ney Yosef Congress, Day #2

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Our second full day is wrapping up and it has been another fantastic day of presentations and discussions. Hanoch Young, Orthodox Jew and Israeli tour guide, led off with a moving presentation wherein he described and discussed the treatment of Jews by both Christendom and the Messianic community. A bit after his presentation, we gathered in round table discussions to further consider how we can best interact with Israel and how best to serve and bless our brother Judah without causing walls to be put up due to imposing improper paradigms on our relationship. This is a matter for future posts and thoughts.

Frank Houtz also made an excellent presentation for the school his congregation recently purchased with the help of other donors. Named Jefferson College at Pilot View, it will be a place of training in linguistics, methodology, philosophy and Hebraic thought. The purpose is to prepare the next generation and those of this generation in quality research methods and linguistics so that we can build a firm foundation of sound research and Bible scholarship. Hopefully, in the near future, Frank will have Continue reading →

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Congress, First Full Day Finished

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Here we are nearing at the end of the first full day of the Congress. Monday evening was DSCN1115[1]mostly introductory with worship, but today has been a very full day of business. The central focus has been defining what it means to be a nation and what practical steps can be taken across the planet to foster identity and cohesion.

Al McCarn led off this morning with a fantastic talk that might be classified as the Cliff Notes for parts of his book. (He told me a bit ago that he will post the text of his talk on his blog. As soon as he does, I’ll reblog here.) Not only was he well received, but the discussions that ensued were very helpful and unified in their understanding that we all need to be taking specific and measured steps that will help to foster national identity. Some easier than others, they included:

  • Get fluent in Modern Hebrew!DSCN1113[1]
  • Establish local communities in anticipation of eventually emigrating.
  • Network those communities for mutual support and helps,
  • By lifestyle and example, tell others of Israelite identity
  • Communicate our message through networked media outlets… (at least one delegate has national media access in their host country… But, also blogs, online radio, etc)
  • Ask Judah for help in understanding Torah
  • Offer to help Judah with making aliyah as well as supporting

Highlighted in the discussion was the centrality of Torah observance, but understanding that the Torah gives ‘general lines in which we are to color.’ Individual observances can vary, but we need to be inclusive enough to allow people to grow and observe in the manner the Ruach leads them. More specifically, we all need to learn Continue reading →

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B’Ney Yosef Congress Day 1

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Internet access has been a bit spotty and the distinct lack of time in a very full schedule have not allowed me to post like I had hoped…  The truth is I will probably be writing and posting for weeks as I decompress and process what I am witnessing here.

Yesterday evening officially began the Congress with introductions, worship, prayer and some exhortations.  As I previously mentioned, much of the initial hope and expectation for the Congress has already been met.  There is incredible peace and unity amongst brothers, both of Judah and Ephraim that have gathered from across the planet.

I have overheard and participated in dozens of discussions over the last three days that have a singleness of focus and maturity: Learning to walk at peace and let Abba work out the differences we have. In truth, He loves diversity and variety and as Frank Houtz explained, Continue reading →

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International Congress

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Pete Rambo

So much peace and fellowship as we enter the first day of the Congress.  We do not officially begin until this evening, but are traveling today as a group to Shiloh.  Currently, nations I have seen represented include Sweden, Holland, Finland, Switzerland, Jordan, Israel, America, Canada, Sri Lanka, Germany, UK, etc…

Keep us in prayer.  Several still traveling.  One speaker with significant challenges exiting India.  Pray specifically for him.  The work begins this evening.

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In the tribal country of Ephraim

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Northern Israel is beautiful.  Easily my favorite.

image

http://bible.com/12/psa.80.1-3.ASV

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Pre-Congress Continues…

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Pete Rambo

The Congress does not even begin until Monday evening, but the general consensus is that we have already accomplished more than we dared hope for in this first meeting,  We acknowledge that the Messianic movement has been plagued by individualism, pride/arrogance toward Judah and incessant division.  Times of worship have been heavily focused on repentance as individuals and corporately.  Multiple times we have been brought back to Leviticus 26:40ff.

Small groups gathering around the pool, in the lobby and at the dinner tables continue

Tzefayah and Reyyna from north east Georgia, USA on the left and Dorothy Pantuso, of south Texas on the right.

Tzefayah and Reyyna from north east Georgia, USA on the left and Dorothy Pantuso, of south Texas on the right.

with introductions and getting to know each other, but the tenor of each I have seen, heard or participated in remains the same: humility, focus on loving Judah, asking the Ruach to change us, and seeking unity.  If we left today, we would all be on the same page with the general hopes of the Congress already met.  Praise Yah!!

Al McCarn has been busy speaking with many as he clarifies the premise for his DSCN0926[1]previously reviewed book, Give Me A Place Where I May Dwell, and discusses refinements and additions for the Second Edition.

Here are a few other quick pictures…  It is 6:35 and I scored a major opportunity that I have to get ready for.  Continue reading →

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Give Ear O Shepherd (Psalm 80)

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Pete Rambo

We have been blessed with an absolutely amazing and gifted musician for this Congress.  James Block has led the music at the pre-Congress gatherings with Spirit-filled renditions of the Psalms that are so worshipful!  I hope to sit down with him for a few minutes so I can share more about him.

In the meantime, here is a taste…

And, a song that is original, concerning the return of Ephraim.

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The Congress, some early thoughts and video

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Pete Rambo

The Congress does not begin until Monday evening.  We decided to get to the host hotel on Friday evening because travel on Shabbat was undesirable and Sunday is Shavuot, another holy day/feast day.  Arriving on Monday would not give us the time we wanted to settle in and be focused/rested.

When we walked into the lobby around 3 PM the proprietor of the hotel hustled us to an adjacent shopping mart to purchase supplies for lunches the next couple days and advised everything would close at 3:30.  So, we picked up some fresh fruit, cheese, crackers and juice even before getting our luggage out of the car.  Next we began wandering around the meeting area talking to a number of others who apparently were thinking exactly as we were.  By dinner, I realized the group had swelled to nearly 80!

We have more than two thirds of the delegates here a full two days early!  And the peace and fellowship is incredible with a palpable sense of purpose.  Many couples and representation from multiple countries, though mostly the US at this point.

IMG_20150522_185657930[1]Dinner was lively, beginning with Ephraim and Ramona Frank offering praises to Yehovah and a short erev Shabbat liturgy.  When Ephraim came to the blessing of the bread, he commented that he had asked Tuvia, the hotel propietor for two loaves of challah.  In stead, Tuvia made a massive single loaf woven together expressing the nature of our gathering.  The crowd broke out into applause.IMG_20150522_185611935_HDR[1] Continue reading →

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Shabbat Shalom from Ari’el, Israel.

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Pete Rambo

We have checked into the hotel hosting next week’s Congress and are meeting other delegates.  Dinner and erev shabbat gathering in a bit.  Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare our hearts.

I’ll be posting more as we go.

Shalom!

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It Is Often Said: “Two Thousand Years of Christianity Cannot be Wrong!”

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Pete Rambo

It Is Often Said: “Two Thousand Years of Christianity Cannot be Wrong!”.

Terrific article worth reading and pondering!!

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How long will you waver between two opinions?

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Pete Rambo

Elijah again asks this very question:

21 Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you [i]hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.  I Kings 18

Malachi 4 has just six quick verses concerning the future.  the last three tell us,

4 “[d]Remember the Torah of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will [e]restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a [f]curse.”

I’ve written about this several times.  Here is one.

After traveling to Dan, earlier today, we traveled to Mt. Carmel to read and recall Eliyahu’s attempt to turn the people from their apostasy and idol worship.  The view was absolutely

IMG_20150521_162851129

IMG_20150521_162803011

spectacular as we again gathered and prayed for our Father to awaken his people and to restore all Israel.  We had some challenges finding this monastery that occupies the top of the mount and arrived only minutes before closing, but the quiet serenity and time of pray was more than very special.

I ask you, dear reader, choose this day Whom you will serve.  Will you walk in the Ways of the Father?  Or, will you stand in your traditions?  I love and challenge you!!

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