I am my beloved’s,
And my beloved is mine.
He feeds his flock among the lilies.
- Song of Solomon 6:3
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Will bring her into the wilderness,
And speak comfort to her.
I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;
She shall sing there,
As in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.
- Hosea 2:14-15
Elul is the month just before Tishrei, the last month in Israel's civil calendar, and is very significant to the Jews. It is a month of preparation for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, something like a "countdown" before turning the page from the chapter of year 5777 to the year 5778.
It is a transition period between the old year and the new.
Before I continue with this post, I think some things need to be made clear. I am not a Jew, and I am not about to become one. But as I have already mentioned in my previous posts, it has been my desire to re-connect to the Hebrew foundations of my Christian faith.
Larry Rowland of Messengers of Truth points out that to correctly understand the New Testament, "it is beneficial to have a working knowledge of the world from which it was birthed."
Mr. Rowland writes:
"…Most of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation was written by Jews, for Jews, about Jews, or with Jews in mind. Even the Gospel of Luke and part of the Book of Acts, while probably written by Gentiles, nonetheless addressed Jewish issues and concerns on behalf of an early Jewish Church."
"Only the knowledge of our Hebraic Roots, will allow us, as Christians, to span the bridge of time linking yesterday to today; allowing us to understand the full richness of Scripture." (source: To Embrace Hebrew Roots in Seek God website)
I agree that we as Christians need to understand and know more about our Jewish heritage. Without that understanding, we are in effect burning important bridges to the very foundations on which our faith was originally founded. When Christ returns, He will return to be King over a universal body of believers, both Jews and Gentiles standing together as one.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to "Gentile" Ephesians, admonishes us to remember our Hebrew foundations.
To state it bluntly, Paul says that before we Gentiles became Christians, we were: "Christ-less, country-less, covenant-less, hope-less and god-less!"
I have a number of Christian friends who have begun practicing the daily reading of Torah portions and are re-discovering the gems of the Old Testament. It cannot be denied that a deeper understanding of the Hebrew foundations of Christianity does add a vital dimension to our faith.
Having said all that, let me emphasize that I consider myself a New Testament Christian, not going back to a law-based religion of do's and don'ts, or a legalistic observance of new moons, festivals, and Sabbaths, but as one redeemed by my Savior Jesus Christ. I am an undeserving recipient of His grace and mercy. The Old Testament has tremendous value, because it is the foundation on which our faith is built, and Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that unites the Old and the New Testaments. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it.
I am aware of the dangers of fully embracing the Hebrew Roots movement, hook line and sinker, for the reason that certain teachings of Judaism lean towards the occult and are not in line with Biblical truth.
The last thing I want to happen is to fall into error or deception in my desire to understand more about the Hebrew foundations of my Christian faith.
It is within this context that I write about the month of Elul and its spiritual significance for me.
Elul is said to be a month of repentance, of returning to the King who is waiting in the fields, longing to have a more intimate relationship with us.
Rosh HaShanah is the beginning of the ten days of awe which culminates in the Feast of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. Jews believe that the books are opened on Rosh HaShanah, and we are given ten days to repent, before our "fate" for the coming year is sealed - whether it will be a good year or a bad year ahead of us depending on whether or not we have repented and have returned to God.
Elul is a 30-day preparation for Rosh HaShanah. (Note: Elul has only 29 days, but the last day of the previous month Av is also considered the beginning of Elul, thus the start of Elul, Rosh Kodesh Elul, is celebrated for two days, on the 30th day of Av, and the 1st day of Elul.)
This is the time to make New Year resolutions, promises to God and ourselves to "turn over a new leaf."
Our sins have been atoned for by virtue of Christ's death on the cross. We are saved not on the basis of works or performance, but by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the basis of our redemption from eternal damnation. But observing the significance of the months and feasts on the Hebrew calendar gives us good opportunities to deepen our faith.
Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)
Significantly, there are 40 days from the start of Elul until Yom Kippur, or the Feast of Atonement.
It is believed that on this month God releases into the earth the atmosphere of intimacy and spiritual desires to connect to Him. (source)
Thus, on this month, the Song of Songs and Hosea 2:14-23 are recited daily by Jews.
The Song of Songs speaks of how God's love finds us in our lowest condition, and causes us to grow and mature in that love. It is really a story of God's unconditional love for us.
I have been reading and meditating on this book for over a year now, and I am nowhere near to understanding its depth and richness. I often look at myself as that Shulamite maiden, longing to draw near my King in a growing intimate relationship with Him.
The Scripture passage in Hosea 2:14-23 is one that God has spoken personally to me time and time again over the past fifteen years or so. God has led me through many wilderness seasons, and has indeed opened up a door of hope in the valleys of Achor that I have found myself in.
I am amazed to discover that Jesus was led to the wilderness for forty days during the 30 days of Elul, and the first ten days of Tishrei!
Moses also re-ascended to Mt. Sinai on the first day of Elul, and went down 40 days after, on the tenth day of Tishrei. During these 40 days, Moses received the second set of stone tablets with the ten commandments inscribed on them by the hand of God. (The first set of tablets was broken by Moses when he discovered that the Israelites had worshiped a golden calf.)
Indeed, God has a precise time frame for all the significant events of our history. I would be a fool not to appreciate how important the month of Elul is to Him.
It is interesting to note that the word “Elul” means “search” or “inspect”.
This month is a time of returning to God, repenting for complacency, and receiving a fresh assurance of His favor!
There is much to repent from. Quality time with my Abba Father is my deep desire. Rather, I have been distracted by other concerns and seemingly urgent priorities. I acknowledge where I have been remiss and make a renewed commitment. This season is indeed an important one in my faith journey.
As the month of August ends, I call it Tenacious.
I look at myself as that Shulamite maiden in the Song of Songs, like a flower blooming in the most unlikely places, holding on to my faith, and asking my heavenly Father to honor it and make it grow strong.
Ancient Paths Basic Seminar
Cagayan de Oro City
August 7-8, 2017
me, Val, Bembi, Sheryl, and Lyn
Transforming Hearts (Ancient Paths Level 2) Seminar
Cagayan de Oro City
August 9-10, 2017
in CDO airport, waiting to board the tiny turbo prop plane bound for Bacolod
Family days of bonding with my children and grandchildren are the icing on my cake.
It has been an amazing thirty one days! I treasure how each of the past four weeks has been so special and heartwarming.
As this month ends, I know that my Abba Father is calling me to return to Him, and He is welcoming me with open arms.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to "Gentile" Ephesians, admonishes us to remember our Hebrew foundations.
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh
—who are called Uncircumcision
by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
that at that time you were without Christ,
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
-Ephesians 2:11-13
To state it bluntly, Paul says that before we Gentiles became Christians, we were: "Christ-less, country-less, covenant-less, hope-less and god-less!"
If you don’t understand the history behind the Gentile nations and where Israel came from, then you don’t really understand the significance of how powerful the before/after truths in Ephesians 2 really are. Most of us are Gentiles and naturally we have a "Gentile mentality" thinking we deserve salvation and the Jews have received their due. We mistakenly think that God immediately came to save Gentiles. Many even forget that Jesus Himself was a Jew! Gentiles don’t seem to understand we are the late comers. We were the ones far off who have been brought near as Paul describes in Ephesians 2:13. (source: Precept Austin)
I have a number of Christian friends who have begun practicing the daily reading of Torah portions and are re-discovering the gems of the Old Testament. It cannot be denied that a deeper understanding of the Hebrew foundations of Christianity does add a vital dimension to our faith.
Having said all that, let me emphasize that I consider myself a New Testament Christian, not going back to a law-based religion of do's and don'ts, or a legalistic observance of new moons, festivals, and Sabbaths, but as one redeemed by my Savior Jesus Christ. I am an undeserving recipient of His grace and mercy. The Old Testament has tremendous value, because it is the foundation on which our faith is built, and Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that unites the Old and the New Testaments. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it.
I am aware of the dangers of fully embracing the Hebrew Roots movement, hook line and sinker, for the reason that certain teachings of Judaism lean towards the occult and are not in line with Biblical truth.
The last thing I want to happen is to fall into error or deception in my desire to understand more about the Hebrew foundations of my Christian faith.
It is within this context that I write about the month of Elul and its spiritual significance for me.
Elul is said to be a month of repentance, of returning to the King who is waiting in the fields, longing to have a more intimate relationship with us.
Rosh HaShanah is the beginning of the ten days of awe which culminates in the Feast of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. Jews believe that the books are opened on Rosh HaShanah, and we are given ten days to repent, before our "fate" for the coming year is sealed - whether it will be a good year or a bad year ahead of us depending on whether or not we have repented and have returned to God.
Elul is a 30-day preparation for Rosh HaShanah. (Note: Elul has only 29 days, but the last day of the previous month Av is also considered the beginning of Elul, thus the start of Elul, Rosh Kodesh Elul, is celebrated for two days, on the 30th day of Av, and the 1st day of Elul.)
This is the time to make New Year resolutions, promises to God and ourselves to "turn over a new leaf."
Our sins have been atoned for by virtue of Christ's death on the cross. We are saved not on the basis of works or performance, but by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the basis of our redemption from eternal damnation. But observing the significance of the months and feasts on the Hebrew calendar gives us good opportunities to deepen our faith.
Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)
Significantly, there are 40 days from the start of Elul until Yom Kippur, or the Feast of Atonement.
It is believed that on this month God releases into the earth the atmosphere of intimacy and spiritual desires to connect to Him. (source)
Thus, on this month, the Song of Songs and Hosea 2:14-23 are recited daily by Jews.
The Song of Songs speaks of how God's love finds us in our lowest condition, and causes us to grow and mature in that love. It is really a story of God's unconditional love for us.
I have been reading and meditating on this book for over a year now, and I am nowhere near to understanding its depth and richness. I often look at myself as that Shulamite maiden, longing to draw near my King in a growing intimate relationship with Him.
The Scripture passage in Hosea 2:14-23 is one that God has spoken personally to me time and time again over the past fifteen years or so. God has led me through many wilderness seasons, and has indeed opened up a door of hope in the valleys of Achor that I have found myself in.
I am amazed to discover that Jesus was led to the wilderness for forty days during the 30 days of Elul, and the first ten days of Tishrei!
Moses also re-ascended to Mt. Sinai on the first day of Elul, and went down 40 days after, on the tenth day of Tishrei. During these 40 days, Moses received the second set of stone tablets with the ten commandments inscribed on them by the hand of God. (The first set of tablets was broken by Moses when he discovered that the Israelites had worshiped a golden calf.)
Indeed, God has a precise time frame for all the significant events of our history. I would be a fool not to appreciate how important the month of Elul is to Him.
It is interesting to note that the word “Elul” means “search” or “inspect”.
This month is a time of returning to God, repenting for complacency, and receiving a fresh assurance of His favor!
There is much to repent from. Quality time with my Abba Father is my deep desire. Rather, I have been distracted by other concerns and seemingly urgent priorities. I acknowledge where I have been remiss and make a renewed commitment. This season is indeed an important one in my faith journey.
As the month of August ends, I call it Tenacious.
I look at myself as that Shulamite maiden in the Song of Songs, like a flower blooming in the most unlikely places, holding on to my faith, and asking my heavenly Father to honor it and make it grow strong.
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
I've been to the rheumatologist several times the past weeks. Blood tests have been taken, and an X-ray. The blood tests are all normal. But the X-ray results show that in addition to my flat foot (Pes Planus) deformity which has caused a collapsed arch, there are two areas in the ankle bones where spurs have grown. This is the culprit, for they push into the soft tissue of my foot and causing pain and swelling.
I'm relieved to know that the pain is not nerve-related. "It's an anatomical deformity," the doctor said.
Surgery to remove the spurs is one option, but I'm not taking that path. There are other human remedies, including using arch support rocker shoes, medication, and physiotherapy.
And I am definitely not allowing myself to be hindered from what God intends me to do in the remaining days of my life.
I'm returning to God, seeking a deeper relationship with Him, holding on to tenacious faith as I continue in my journey.
Here are the events of the past weeks, in a "nutshell":
On August 3, Tata and I went on a land and sea trip to Cebu City with Pastor Hann and Eva Layawan to be part of an Ancient Paths Seminar at their church. Valerie, our FFI (Family Foundations International) ministry team member from Cagayan de Oro arrived to join us.
I'm relieved to know that the pain is not nerve-related. "It's an anatomical deformity," the doctor said.
Surgery to remove the spurs is one option, but I'm not taking that path. There are other human remedies, including using arch support rocker shoes, medication, and physiotherapy.
And I am definitely not allowing myself to be hindered from what God intends me to do in the remaining days of my life.
I'm returning to God, seeking a deeper relationship with Him, holding on to tenacious faith as I continue in my journey.
Here are the events of the past weeks, in a "nutshell":
On August 3, Tata and I went on a land and sea trip to Cebu City with Pastor Hann and Eva Layawan to be part of an Ancient Paths Seminar at their church. Valerie, our FFI (Family Foundations International) ministry team member from Cagayan de Oro arrived to join us.
Ancient Paths Basic Seminar
Cebu City
August 3-5, 2017
On August 6, Valerie and I left Cebu City for Cagayan de Oro City where I conducted three seminars, assisted by our ministry team there.
Cagayan de Oro City
August 7-8, 2017
Transforming Hearts (Ancient Paths Level 2) Seminar
Cagayan de Oro City
August 9-10, 2017
Financial Foundations Seminar
Cagayan de Oro City
August 9-11, 2017
While in Cagayan de Oro, I was happy for the opporunity to be with my first cousin Bobby and his family again.
I left Cagayan de Oro on August 12, with my heart full of joy, grateful to be part of what God is doing in this city. It was rainy when I arrived in Bacolod, but it always feels good to come back home!
on my way home from the Bacolod Silay airport
On Monday, August 14, Melanie, Miriam, and I celebrated Miriam's birthday.
birthday brunch at Ann Co's resto
My dear friend Fely was in the country for two weeks for a short visit. What a joy it was to be able to spend some time with her!
lunch at Italia restaurant
breakfast at my home
That same week, it was a privilege for me to be part of the ministry team at an Ancient Paths seminar in my city.
Ancient Paths Basic Seminar
Bacolod City
August 16-17, 2017
On August 21, my sister in law Sue prepared a special dinner for our Monday night Bible study. We celebrated the special destiny that God had given each one of us!
On the last weekend of this month, the Women of Purpose of our church had a two day retreat at Dan and Jing's beach house in Pontevedra. Our topic was the healing names of God, truly a fitting one for the month of Elul.
Family days of bonding with my children and grandchildren are the icing on my cake.
It has been an amazing thirty one days! I treasure how each of the past four weeks has been so special and heartwarming.
As this month ends, I know that my Abba Father is calling me to return to Him, and He is welcoming me with open arms.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.
- Hosea 6:3
This song by Martin Smith touches me to the depths of my being. It is indeed a fitting one for this season.
Song of Solomon
by Martin Smith
When I feel the cold of winter
And this cloak of sadness, I need You
All the evil things that shake me
All the words that break me, I need You
Over the mountains, over the sea
Here You come running my Lover to me
Do not hide me from Your presence
Pull me from Your shadows, I need You
Beauty wrap Your arms around me
Sing Your song of kindness I need You
Over the mountains, over the sea
Here You come running my Lover to me
All through the valleys
Through the dark of night
Here You come running to hold me till it's light
I'll come running
Come running
Come running, back to You...
Song of Solomon
by Martin Smith
When I feel the cold of winter
And this cloak of sadness, I need You
All the evil things that shake me
All the words that break me, I need You
Over the mountains, over the sea
Here You come running my Lover to me
Do not hide me from Your presence
Pull me from Your shadows, I need You
Beauty wrap Your arms around me
Sing Your song of kindness I need You
Over the mountains, over the sea
Here You come running my Lover to me
All through the valleys
Through the dark of night
Here You come running to hold me till it's light
I'll come running
Come running
Come running, back to You...
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