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Rosh Hashanah – The Head of the Year…or is it?

We are living in an extraordinary time for humanity, a period marked by a unique spiritual rediscovery. For centuries, Christians from all denominational backgrounds have largely disregarded God’s calendar, choosing instead to celebrate their own holidays. However, despite this longstanding gap between the Biblical calendar and church traditions, an increasing number of believers are embracing God’s Appointed Times.

In my household, our journey of rediscovery started about nine years ago with a Passover Seder. Nearly a decade later, we still believe these occasions hold immense prophetic significance. As I pen this, we are just days away from the Day of Trumpets, known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah. In Jewish tradition, this day is also referred to as Rosh Hashanah, or “The Head of the Year.”

I have yet to meet a Christian who, upon rediscovering these holidays, hasn’t been puzzled by this enigmatic title. The “People of the Book” refer to the first day of the seventh month on God’s calendar as the beginning of the year. This naturally raises the question: What happened to the first day of the first month?

Most Christians are acquainted with the Exodus story, in which God liberates the Israelites from their enslavement in Egypt. Whether through reading the Biblical account or watching a Hollywood adaptation, the story is generally well-known. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the concept of Rosh Hashanah as the “Head of the Year” can be confusing. After all, God explicitly stated that the year begins in the spring with Passover.

Exodus 12:2 (TLV)
2 “This month will mark the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year for you.

It’s difficult to misinterpret this clear directive from God, isn’t it? I must confess, I was rather steadfast in my beliefs when I initially reached this conclusion.

The Problem

The issue here is a common pitfall that many Christians encounter when interpreting Scripture. We often read a single verse and let it shape our beliefs, dismissing any other Scriptural context. This tunnel vision leads us to conclude that the first day of God’s calendar must be the first of Nisan, thereby shutting down any further discussion on the matter.

However, context is crucial in any interpretation, especially when it comes to the Bible. Without it, we risk making dogmatic assertions based on a limited understanding. Often, we embark on our spiritual journeys with a presumptive air of scholarly wisdom rather than adopting the humble role of a student. Instead of seeking guidance from the faith leaders that God has provided, we sometimes err by criticizing the Jewish people, accusing them of elevating their traditions above Scripture.

This is the wrong way to approach a life of faith.

The Solution

To address this issue, we need to broaden our perspective on Scripture. Instead of adhering to a narrow, dogmatic interpretation, we should be open to exploring the cultural context in which the text was written. Allow me to illustrate.

In the Talmud, there is an entire tractate devoted to Rosh Hashanah that delves into this very argument, offering a wealth of detail and insight. Studying it enables us to gain a deeper understanding of what Scripture truly implies about the subject, when considered in its proper context.

I will briefly outline a few of the numerous references and arguments presented in the aforementioned tractate. If you have reservations, I strongly encourage you to read it for yourself. The depth of their explanations and internal debates surpasses what I can provide here.

Let’s start with Exodus, where in Chapter 12, God declares that Nisan marks the beginning of the year. However, it’s important to also consider subsequent chapters for a more comprehensive understanding.

Exodus 23:16 (TLV)
16 Also you are to observe the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors that you sow in the field, as well as the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your crops from the field.

Exodus 34:22 (TLV)
22 “You are to observe the Feast of Shavuot, which is the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, as well as the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

In these verses, two specific points are explicitly mentioned. Holding steadfastly to the belief that Nisan is the first month presents immediate issues. Specifically, it would imply that the year consists of only seven months. If Nisan marks the beginning and the Feast of Ingathering (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot) marks the end, then what happens to the remaining five months?

Let’s examine the significance of the final annual holiday, known as the “Feast of Ingathering.” This festival occurs when the nation is in the process of harvesting its produce. If we consider Nisan as the starting point of the year, we encounter a dilemma. In the 49th year of the Jubilee cycle, planting is forbidden. The Jubilee is officially announced on Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, which falls on the 10th day of the 7th month. If the year begins in Nisan and the Jubilee has not yet been declared, how can the judges appropriately announce the year of Jubilee?

Leviticus 25:9–10 (TLV)
9 Then on the tenth day of the seventh month, on Yom Kippur, you are to sound a shofar blast—you are to sound the shofar all throughout your land. 10 You are to make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It is to be a Jubilee to you, when each of you is to return to his own property and each of you is to return to his family.

If the year starts in Nisan, then by the seventh month, the year is already more than halfway over. This raises a question: How can one consecrate the year as holy if the Jubilee is not officially announced until Yom Kippur?

No Contradiction

Fortunately, there is no contradiction. Despite initial skepticism, even from myself as a Christian, both perspectives can coexist. In fact, according to Jewish tradition, there are four new years observed each year.

They are four days in the year that serve as the New Year, each for a different purpose:[1]

The four new years are as follows

  • Nisan 1 (First Month) – New year for Festivals and Kings
  • Elul 1 (Sixth Month) – New year for cattle
  • Tishri 1 (Seventh Month) – Reckoning of years, Sabbatical cycles, Jubilees
  • Shevat 1(Eleventh Montth) – New year for trees

If you delve into the tractate on Rosh Hashanah, you’ll find a robust debate over the various meanings, purposes, and scriptural proofs for the multiple new years. You’ll notice that some individuals prioritize the new year of Nisan over that of Tishri, while others argue in favor of elevating Tishri above Nisan. While there’s consensus on the existence of multiple new years, there’s disagreement over which one holds the most significance.

Armed with this new insight, let me pose a question: Which new year holds the most importance for you? Take your time to ponder it—I’ll wait.

So, how many of you chose the Exodus 12 option, believing that Nisan is the most important new year? I suspect that’s the majority opinion. However, I must inform you that this is incorrect. If you believe that the new year starting on Nisan 1 holds the most significance in Scripture, you are mistaken—no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

The Jewish community has grappled with this question for centuries, arriving at some unexpected conclusions. Unbeknownst to many, both culturally and nationally, those who regard Tishri as the more significant new year are in complete alignment with the views of Yeshua (Jesus) and the Apostles. The prophetic implications of this are remarkable. Consider the following quote:

Ismar Schorsch and others focus on the roles of the two new years as exemplars of the particularist/universalist balance in Judaism — the relative weight Judaism gives to an inward focus on the Jewish people vs. an outward focus on all of humanity.[2]

Every Christian understands that the most anticipated event in history is the return of our Messiah. Upon His return, the expectation is not just for the liberation of the Jewish people, as was the case in Egypt, but for the ingathering of the entire Body of Messiah. During the first new year, God’s focus was on the emancipation of a single nation. In contrast, the second new year will center on the liberation of humanity as a whole.

As we contemplate the significance of the various new years and their implications, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate promise awaiting us—the return of the Messiah. This isn’t just a historical or cultural discussion; it’s a spiritual journey that leads us to a profound truth. As the Apostle Paul tells us:

1 Corinthians 15:52 (TLV)
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

This verse reminds us that the ultimate liberation—the one that transcends time, culture, and even death itself—is yet to come.

Shana Tova! Happy New Year!

[1] Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah

[2] How Rosh Hashanah became New Years Day

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Precipice

The circuitous route which God has led me on offers me a view into social circles I would not otherwise have. These circles consist of both faith and secular groups. Some faith groups are faith-based “in name only” and some groups I count among the most devoted followers of Yeshua on the planet. The secular groups span a similar spectrum going from loosely moral to more rigid in their morality. It’s quite the eclectic bunch! 

Most of these social circles only manage to intersect via social media and the majority of these circles I no longer take an active role in, but I still pay attention. While I have many reasons to deeply despise social media, it has the benefit of offering a view into the various parts of the world I would otherwise not have. Why does that matter though? 

I pay attention to the world around me, but I try to do so with a very specific order of influence and order of authority. I read the articles that are sent through various blogs, I read from a variety of news sources, and I observe the attitudes of people in my midst. If I get consumed with it all, I end up with a mess of knotted up information and pointless opinions. However, if I step back and try to take it all in at a bird’s eye view the picture becomes instantly clearer.  

From the high level view it would seem the world is on the precipice of its next Great Leap Forward. Evidently those three words mean something to more people than just me, because my spell check capitalized them for me without even asking.  

If you haven’t noticed the division between people, between people groups and even within nations, you aren’t paying attention. History speaks toward what we’re seeing, and I wager we are at a very uncomfortable point in the historical cycle of time. Whenever you see this level of division and baseless hatred (yes, even from you toward those you don’t like) history suggests that short term, we’re in for a real nightmare. Long term though – we are in for a real treat!  

History repeats itself often.  

You can often follow the headlines of the news from week to week by reading the pages of Scripture. No, I’m not exaggerating. Last year, I read a news story about locust swarms in Africa with a really curious quote from a man living in the midst of it. He said “even the cows are confused.” Have you read Joel 1:18 recently? I mean – right off the pages of Scripture!! In December, I read of a politician speak with three ominous words that most every Believer in Yeshua recognizes. Speaking of coercing people to follow the expected behavior he used the words “buy, sell, and trade” in terms of government limiting the abilities of those who do not comply. 

Coincidence? Only if you’re willfully blind.  

Sometimes it’s blatant as though God gives you the words right out of the mouth of those speaking them. Other times, it’s more subtle and you won’t see a direct quote, but the repetition of history is still apparent in daily life. God knows the evil plans of mankind and in the end He wins and the forces of evil lose. Every. Single. Time. This time will be no different. 

For the last several years we have been following the Torah cycle. We read a weekly portion of the first five books of Scripture, study it, talk about it, dwell on it – and we strive to live by it (often failing). When we get to the end of the five books, we start over again. It’s invigorating in a dozen different ways.  

That’s not so crazy I guess. It does get more crazy though. It took a couple of years to see it, but eventually it became apparent. As the Torah cycle begins again, so does the news cycle. Maybe not with the exact names, or the exact location. I would struggle to say the dates don’t align because they usually do. It’s crazy to think it, but pay attention long enough and it’s quite apparent.  

Coincidence? Maybe the first time. Every year? Yeah, there’s something deeper at work. It’s really quite fascinating to watch how it unfolds from year to year. You may not catch the exact event in the news that aligns with your portion one week, but then the next week you pick it up with the next news story. For those of you that join us in the Torah cycle I’d be curious to see how many of you have noticed this phenomenon?  

While observing a variety of news sources and social circles I often see some people frantically preparing for the next great event of history. Others appear to meander through life partaking of every distraction they can experience because life is “too stressful.” Then there are some that dissect the words of each news channel to decide how they should live their lives and get angry when a news anchor doesn’t align with their worldview and political opinion.  

Take a moment to consider. In the face of history unfolding around us, how do you tend to respond? Are your actions “reactionary” or “intentional”? 

Although I sometimes catch myself reacting in a negative way, I strive to take a different view. I look at what is happening from a Scriptural viewpoint through the weekly Torah portion. It makes the hair on my neck stand up at times – but it works. 

Take this week’s Torah portion for example. This week we’re in Tetzaveh which is from Exodus 27:20-30:10. This portion is all about Moses listening as God is describing the intricate details of the priestly garments, the consecration of the priesthood and the incense alter. It’s a lot of fun to study once you really dig into it. Moses is getting ready to set up the Tabernacle of God so He can dwell with His people.  

Now put that into terms of our current existence. Are you sitting on the proverbial Mount of God receiving instructions for building a house of worship? Or is your heart stirring with the masses below preparing for outright rebellion against God? In reality, these are your two options. There is no middle ground. 

If you fall in the place of preparing for what is to come, I would ask if you are a prepper out of fear or if you are preparing for the building of the Kingdom of God? These two things are quite different.  

If you are the news junky – are you watching in order to build your own worldview and complain about your political adversaries?  Or are you observing the patterns of history and striving to hear from HaShem about your current assignment? I struggle to see a middle ground on this point as well.  

The signs of the times point to a precipice. When the entire world is divided, we can see ourselves approaching a time where the Messiah will speak the words of Moses and ask “who is on the Lord’s side.”  That is next week’s portion.  How will that play out on the pages of history I wonder? 

As you pore over the news stories, stay curious not presumptive. There’s a comical story in 2nd Kings 6 where the King of Aram thinks he has a traitor in his midst because his plans are always foiled. Will you be reading headlines in the news that come straight from the pages of Scripture? I would argue yes. Just pay attention.  

What hour are we in? Are we standing on the precipice of the next leap forward in history? Is it simply our generation’s era of war or are we at the end of the sixth day? The sunset of this day will ring in the Sabbath day – the return of the Messiah and the establishment of His Kingdom in Jerusalem. It’s always hard to go into a season of darkness. Most of those living have not experienced that darkness yet, but I have little doubt that it is coming. We are at a season when the love of many has grown cold. Warm your heart and stand with the Creator. He will win in the end – whether this is just another battle or the conclusion of the war.  

Bo Yeshua 

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Count the Blessings

Over the past several weeks Earlene and I have continued to re-establish our new life in Missouri. It’s a strange experience to press pause on significant parts of life and then return three months later to reestablish things in a new state with new jobs and a new home. There’s no amount of legwork that would have prepared us for this new challenge and cleared the path of all obstacles. 

In many instances, I find myself in an odd state emotionally and spiritually. I miss Israel. My soul longs to return there and to dwell there until the Kingdom comes or until I take a dirt nap. However, this is not what HaShem seems to have planned. 

Since I could not stay in Israel, my second choice was to serve the Kingdom by working with a ministry in Marshfield. Based on conversations we had and intense times of prayer, I found myself in a place of expectation. I had this vision of how life would come together when we got back and the approximate area we would end up living in once we settled in Missouri. My expectation was to return from Israel and to have an immediate position working for the Kingdom in a tangible way. 

This is not how it turned out. Not at all. Perhaps I will say “not yet” – but really, only God knows.

The way HaShem has lined up our lives, it’s obvious that He had a hand in it so I’m confident we aren’t wandering our own path apart from Him. I still can’t help entering into a bit of a funk on some days where I speak with God and say “this isn’t what we discussed” – as though, I really had a say in how things were going to happen. When you strive to live a life of “hineni” or “here I am,” you don’t direct the path, God does.

The moments I find myself in that place of frustration and doubt, I have to begin recounting the blessings. “Count your blessings” is a common idiom, but do you ever really stop to consider the blessings of your life? Without reviewing our blessings, we may find ourselves adrift in our own misunderstandings. When we review the path He’s given us, and we count the blessings He has bestowed, the picture becomes clearer and some of the misunderstandings are reconciled in truth. 

Since returning to the United States we have both been blessed with jobs. We have been blessed with a beautiful home that we own without a bank’s involvement. We get to see Earlene’s parents weekly. Our Torah Club is having some of the most incredible discussions and we have seen (and continue to see) evidence of God moving in the midst of that small group. I won’t bore you with the whole list, but the blessings are abundant. Who am I to say to God “this isn’t what we discussed”? He seems to have it all well in hand. 

Our prayer list is extensive as we seek His continued guidance. 

He moved us from Colorado and planted us here in Missouri after a spectacular time of refreshing in Israel, but we don’t really have much more to go on in terms of planning. 

We are yearning for a faith community in Joplin. We miss our “mishpacha” (family) in Golden, Colorado immensely. However, Messianic communities here are few and far between. Are we supposed to seek out a congregational community here even if it’s not a similar congregation to what we had previously? Can our Torah Club small group hold us steady for the interim? How do we ensure that we are growing deeper roots instead of becoming withered and shallow in this time of transition? 

We are yearning to serve the Kingdom in a more tangible way, but what does that mean from His view? He is presenting opportunities daily in smaller ways. Perhaps we are serving the Kingdom as necessary at the moment. But, what is the long-term goal? What is the purpose of the jobs we’ve been given? 

What are we to do with this blog? Are we to continue posting random life experiences such as this as part of our ongoing testimony? Are we being led to share a weekly post on our Torah portion thoughts to fill a gap left behind by not having our congregational community? 

Who can we share the joy of Shabbat with in Joplin, Missouri? We don’t know anyone nearby. We are still establishing our Shabbat routine and incorporating some of the lovely elements and impactful songs we were introduced to while we were in Israel. But right now, it’s just a Shabbat for two. 

When these questions and prayers come to mind and the doubts start to creep in, I have to remind myself to count the blessings. To review the path He has laid out is to recognize the epitome of what this website was named for. Our journey is His path as long as we trust in Him to lead in spite of our uncertainty and frustrations. We may not be satiated with the full list of our fleshly demands, but HaShem is going out of His way to provide for us exactly what we need and in His timing. All we have to do is continue to say “hineni” or “here I am.”

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Job Hunting

What did your last job search look like? Was it an active search or was it quick and simple to find that next job?

We’ve been preoccupied these last few weeks with a transition back to the U.S. after three months in Israel. Part of that transition has been looking for jobs. Reality was setting in that we were returning home and that we would need to begin looking for employment according to our plan. In an effort to get a jump on it, we used the various digital tools available to us to submit applications to employers while we were still in Israel.

We are each at different points in our career. I graduated in May with a new IT degree so I’m basically starting over. Earlene was well along in her career in accounting and wanting to find work in that field. There are a lot of jobs available, but we both were wanting something that served Messiah’s Kingdom more than a regular 8-to-5 gig. That was our plan. Now what is His?

For me, I didn’t really know what I was looking for so I cast a wide net. I looked high and low for a Kingdom-oriented job including “the one” I’m continuing to pray toward, but nothing is currently open in the area of serving the Kingdom directly. At least not that I was able to find. “The one” may come open at another time, so I have expressed my interest should something open and I’ve moved on to looking in the secular world until such a time as they call me.

There are many technology jobs available, but it would surprise me if I submitted more than twenty applications. The patterns of life repeat though and our life this year has been a *wild* ride with God paving the path of exactly what He wants us to do. As much as I’m looking for a job, I’m depending on Him to point me toward what I’m supposed to be doing – of course as I constantly express my opinion about the job I really want that will take us toward Springfield Missouri. There’s an open dialogue there, but of course, HaShem wins out over any opinion I have.

Out of all the jobs I applied to, I had a only one job call and set up an appointment. Just one. Without exaggeration, every other job replied with a “thanks but no thanks” response. That’s odd. In all of my previous job hunts I found half a dozen jobs that I interviewed with. I’ve turned down several jobs and others just didn’t work out for various reasons. Not this time though. Not in the year when God is so tangibly present that doors open and we just step through.

My first interview was very short, but before it ended, I had a second interview set up. That was just the gatekeeper in my mind and the next interview would be the real test. It was Thanksgiving week so my interview was the following Monday and my second call lasted longer than the first. When I finished the call I honestly wasn’t sure if I “passed” or not, but it wasn’t too long after that where I got an email setting up the third and final interview. I knew ahead of time it was a three-interview process, so I got excited. The final interview came, one of the two people on the phone had many questions and the other had a single question to which he said “that’s all I have I’m good.” I hung up the phone with an official offer for employment while still in Israel.

Now, it may seem like a compact interview process that I just shared with you. How much could I actually explain in a paragraph anyway? But, seriously my interview process *felt* like a quick paragraph with only six different faces and a job offer. What?! That doesn’t happen. So much so that Earlene and I were starting to wonder if I got scammed. That’s right! I starting digging into this company to ensure it’s real!! I laugh now, but the thought did put a pit in my stomach at first. Now I’ve started my new employment that God seemed to appoint.

Earlene’s story is equally crazy… no, probably crazier than mine. She had no one respond to her dozen or more applications for days. It was enough to make her start questioning herself in various ways. It all started to fall in place though just as HaShem seems to have desired. Earlene is in a place of incredible humility before God. She’s well into her career and therefore the number of positions equal to where she left are far and few between. Out of humility and awareness that the Father will place her where He chooses, she has been applying to jobs that would be basically a complete reset to her career starting at the bottom of the totem pole. She’s also been applying to jobs that are equal to her position and even a step up if she found them.

Earlene had three interviews set up for the Tuesday and Wednesday after we got back. It all happened kind of suddenly, but it’s like all of a sudden people looked at her resume and thought to give her interviews. It was super cool to see it come together though.

She had her first interview and unlike my 1- or 2-person interview calls, she had a panel of 6 people on her first call. We joked beforehand that they were just trying to get all the interviews over with in a single call. She also had a couple of normal interviews set up where it was just a couple of people on the calls. It’s the first one that was interesting though.

Earlene hung up from her interview and came to tell me how it went. She was talking to me for maybe 15 minutes and then she checked her phone. She had missed a call. Her voicemail said she had a message and upon checking the call she discovered she had a job offer. Wow!

It’s the conversation that clinched it though. She called the person back to discuss and not only was she getting the job, but the woman offered a candid personal remark as well. It’s not something you will normally hear a secular job utter because of the risk it entails. She told Earlene that she felt that God was calling her to this position. There’s more, but we have to provide minimal details to protect against any troublemakers, but the way that news was delivered was astonishing. It wasn’t just a person sharing their faith. For us, it was like God reaching in and saying this is the job. It was earth shifting, yet again.

God is continuing to pave the path. We just have to follow. Now we’re in a mad rush to find a place to live. Her new job requires that we move to the Joplin area and mine is remote. So, Joplin it is! Please pray that the Father appoints for us a home as well. He’s been so tangible and present through everything we’re praying that He’ll make this option clear as well.

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Testimonies

Scripture has Biblical subdivisions within the text that you likely don’t know are there. It is not a subdivision that is marked by chapters and verses, nor is it a division that is highlighted by the big bold letters that you probably see at the top of a major story in your Bible. There actually is a Biblical division of the Bible. It’s not as apparent to you and I, but God sees it.

God often speaks of it when He specifies something like Genesis 26:5 where HaShem says of Abraham that he “obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Each of these words are a God ordained subdivision of Scripture. Each word carries tremendous meaning and purpose and shouldn’t be neglected in deep study. Those aren’t all of them either, there’s several more. The one that the Father has been speaking to me about recently is “testimonies.”

Over the past 5 years, He has often pulled me into the Hebrew word and taught me the deeper context through that. Recently, He’s been taking a different tactic with me and He’s been speaking to me through this English translation of testimony. I’ve never sat and dwelt on it before, but it actually carries some deep context. Usually I’m irritated and frustrated by English in that it’s just too shallow to convey the full meaning of what Hebrew is saying to us. It lacks the depth and purpose required to convey God’s full message. The example I often use is the word “shalom” which English usually translates as “peace.” Peace conveys such a small message compared to the word shalom. A person would likely need to write a book to convey the full message that inhabits this single word because it speaks of a fullness of life that is given by the Father in a way that “peace” simply doesn’t accomplish.

Testimony, however, seems to be different; at least for me over this short time that the Father has been bringing my attention to it. This word carries with it some deeply profound legal context, but a lot of faith context as well. As I think through how to explain this, I realize this post could easily expand into a series by itself, if not an entire book. In short form, I understand in the grand scheme of things that God Himself is on trial in the Heavenly Court. Long ago the accuser (satan) accused God of being an overbearing dictator and now we’re in an elongated court case where the testimonies are being given by the various witnesses.

Now I realize that these are deep concepts that could no doubt lead to many hours of discussion as we all try to piece together the mysteries of God, so I’ll leave that for another time. What He’s really been showing me recently is how our testimony (yours, ours and every other person on the planet) tie into this concept. It’s really super fascinating, beautiful and all-too-often tear jerking.

During our time here in Israel, we have had the opportunity to meet no less than 50 people. (I think HaShem is stirring a blog post in Earlene’s heart on this…but maybe I’m wrong.)  For many of them we’ve had the opportunity to sit over meals or coffee and really get to know them. There’s a common theme that seems to drop constantly. It’s a common phrase that I personally have never noticed, but I now realize we need a lot more of.

“I want to hear your testimony”

It is constant. I didn’t hear it in this way initially, but over our weeks of being here, I realize just how important this is. Put this in synonymous form. “Tell me your attestation” – “tell me your evidence” – “tell me your proof.” Google “synonyms for testimony” and there’s likely a dozen more legal terms wrapped up in this. It’s replete with legality. Heavenly legality.

Perhaps you are beginning to see where I’m going? I’m still not confident I can put into words what’s in my heart on this topic.

Biblically speaking “every matter is proven by the testimony of one or two witnesses.” The more we listen to others stories the more we hear testimony to God’s existence and His faithfulness to those that follow Him.

In Scripture we get a view of hundreds of men and women who are each deeply flawed humans. Each of them falls prey to their own snares in life whether murder, theft, idolatry, false doctrine and more. Yet each of their lives are spread across the pages of Scripture for you to see all their proverbial dirty laundry. They don’t get to hide the embarrassing parts. They don’t get to share only the success stories. You see it all.

During our time here and the various testimonies we’ve heard, we see the very same phenomenon lived out in modern day. Each of the people have told us of their emotional roller coasters, their falling into evil ways, their repentance and discovery of The Way, The Truth and The Life. Each story seems more random and difficult to believe because the stories are just so astonishing. If you walk away and don’t see the hand of God reaching into these individual lives, you are willfully being blind.

In the American church that I’ve experienced, there’s not enough of this. Each of these testimonies are not just a fantastic life story, they’re evidence. They aren’t just going to be evidence used in the High Court of Heaven either! Each of these testimonies should be regularly shared over a meal, coffee or email. These testimonies build each other’s faith.

If I were to meet a random person on the street and hear any one of the testimonies that I’ve heard in the last few weeks, I would walk away and say “that person is a bit off their rocker, stay clear.” But if you put them all together you walk away with two choices. Either all of these random people, who don’t know each other are a bunch of liars and crack pots about their life story or they are testifying to a living God. A God who is not just active and pushing this world toward the Kingdom of Heaven, but a Master that is intimately involved in your personal story.

I remember about six years ago when we were trying to start a church with a group of folks. Each of us were given the opportunity to share our story. I recall myself saying something about how vanilla my life had been and my story wasn’t actually that fascinating to share though I don’t remember my exact phrasing. I wasn’t very polished at sharing my story (and I’m still not) because I am not accustomed to talking about myself that much. I want to hear other people’s stories, not tell my own. Nevertheless, I finally shared mine after avoiding it as long as possible. I don’t really remember what I said, but a response that one of others said afterword sticks out pretty clearly even now – she said “that’s a really great testimony.” At the time I thought it was strange and *only* since being here has that come back to mind. It’s strange how HaShem uses random memories as a teaching moment.

Since that time Earlene and I have been on such a wild ride in our walk of faith and I think we’re both gaining confidence in telling that testimony when we’re asked. Our day-to-day lives are rather boring, but over the period of time it’s a fantastic story of how God has taken us to another level in this journey. Why shouldn’t we share that when people ask?

For myself, I’m realizing how much it’s actually a boost to my own faith hearing others share theirs. It’s a continuing lesson for me and it’s something I know HaShem still has some more details to share on, but testimonies are important. Not only are you testifying in the Heavenly Court when you share your life story and walk of faith, but you’re also boosting the next person to help them maintain their faith as well and even helping to bring those who doubt into the Kingdom.

The big lesson for me here is don’t hold back asking people for their testimony and sharing your own. By sharing with each other, you are building each other up through your own experiences. It is a bit addicting though. Who can I have coffee with next to hear their story? Or who can I share a meal with again to hear the next “episode” in their unfolding journey? More and more I realize this simple truth – I want to hear your personal testimony. Anything and everything that you’re willing to share.