The Tales of My Journey (Testimony)

My friends,

        Take a seat, grab a drink or snack (or both) and hear about my journey.  No......I haven't gone anywhere, but nonetheless I have been on a journey. 

       "The road is narrow and few will find it."  That used to only be a cute little verse that made me feel good about my religion, but it has become a reality to me.   At the start of my "journey" I was in the christian Church, I was content for the most part.  I went to Church every Sunday, took part in Church programs, sunday school, etc. Everyone at Church knew me. It was like my extended family.  As time went on, I began to study on my own, which is good.  However, it would also be the beginning of a never-ending path.  This path is awesome, in the true sense of the word.  It shows you just how much you have relied on others to explain YOUR faith to YOU.  Anyways, we noticed things that were wrong with the institutional Church, like being engrossed in paganism, so we began to home church.
        Home church was better, but yet the same.  We no longer had to deal with things like doctrine we didn't agree with, or greed of money, or any other thing in that sense, but our traditions, holidays, thought processes and all the like were the same.  About four or so years ago, I took a class with my mom on the spiritual roots of disease.  The man and woman who taught this class did something very curious to me.  They didn't call the messiah "Jesus Christ," but rather Yehoshua HaMashiach. Thus my "journey begins."
         This is what started it all.  Yehoshua, in His abundant mercy and love, told me His name........we've been friends ever since.  I began to learn about this new friend of mine in His culture and His world.  It turns out He's a Jew from Galilee.  I learned that He obeyed His Father (who is the King) all the time.  He "went by the book," so to speak.  In fact He taught me that I, too, should obey His Father's laws, not because He is power hungry, but because He gave us some laws in order to protect us, Baruch Sh'mo (bless His name)!  I decided to make Yehoshua my Rebbe (absolute master) and to serve Him faithfully.  So I began to listen to Him and began reading and puting into practice the gracious laws of my King.
         The funny thing is, He (the King) began opening up His word to me and breathed life into them.  I felt like, for the first time I had a true relationship.  I had a private tutor and it was the author Himself!  How cool is that?!
         I met some people along my journey who had alot of great wisdom and knowledge on how to keep the Kings laws.  They were called the "great Rabbis."  They wrote a book that went right along with the King's writings, in fact it is a commentary to the His writings.  This book is called Talmud.  It is full of stories and wisdom from people who have been on the very same path that I was trying to walk. It was a great tool for me.  I engrossed myself in this book called the Talmud, in order to become a better student of my friend Yehoshua, of course.  Hours a day, I studied it.  I grew in knowledge...........but, as you know, knowledge is different than wisdom.
         Too much of anything other than the King's word is a bad thing.  By studying Talmud more than the King's word and my Rebbe's teachings, I began to walk on the grass instead of the paved road.  It left me in danger of snakes, rocks for stumbling, and many other dangers.
         While in the grass I was introduced to yet another teaching, written by people who have also tried to walk this path, called the Kabbalah, which means "recieved".  It seemed to give more depth to the teachings of the King, they brought them to a new "level."  Some things I learned from this really were amazing and true, but at the same time many, if not most, were very dangerous.
         As time went by, I began walkig in the shadows.  The funny thing is, I didn't notice.  I thought I was still basking in the radience of the King; growing closer and closer to Him.  However, I was shaded from His presence.  All my new "revelations" caused me to downgrade the very one who started me on this wonderful path, my Rebbe.  I decided He was only a man.........a very righteous man, but still a man.  I still believed He was Messiah, but not HaShem (G-d).  I convinced myself that Yehoshua wouldn't want me to consider him G-d, after all............ He wasn't. 
       I guess I came close to being a typical Jew. I looked like a Jew, talked like a Jew, worshipped like a Jew, I had a Rebbe like a Jew, my Rebbe was a man like all the other Rebbes.  The only thing different was the fact that I believed my Rebbe was Messiah, ofcourse some of the other Jews believed their Rebbe was Messiah too (ex. Menachem Schneerson).  So really I WAS a typical Jew.
     I camped there for only a short time; the King saw my trouble and, thankfully, sent messengers (friends and family) to help me get back on track.  Since seeing how far off the road I went, I decided, obviously, to get
on the paved road again.  I have put things into perspective.  Is the Torah (the Kings law) evil?  Absolutely not!  It is perfect in every single way!  It is Holy, it is righteousness.  Is Talmud evil?  No, in it's proper place it is good and useful, but ONLY in it's place.  Is Kabbalah dangerous? Yes. Period.  Sure, it has some outstanding teachings, but, depending on what you're studying, it usually is very dangerous.  Is Yehoshua deity?  Whitout a doubt!
       Some people say that I shouldn't have ever gotten on this road because it is dangerous.  I should have stayed in christianity, where it's safe.  I say, ofcourse it's dangerous.  Every King has enemies.  My King is no different.  I am walking on the King's highway.  The correct path will always be the most dangerous path because the enemy has plenty to lose if he fails to knock you in  a ditch.  He will concentrate his forces on this path because this path produces battle ready warriors.
       Christianity is a sinking ship.  You have two choices; 1) stay on the ship and sink with it, or 2) abandon ship; jump into uncharted waters.  Granted, there are dangers under the ocean blue.  However if we will only take hold of the life boat (the grace and mercy of HaShem and His teaching) we will end up at our destination.
        So what has changed?  I still look like a Jew, talk like a Jew, worship like a Jew, and have a Rebbe like a Jew.  The difference is only my mindset.  I look, talk, worship, and have a Rebbe like a Jew because my Rebbe (the supreme ruler of the Universe, HaShem Himself) is a Jew and I choose to imitate Him in every way.     

May HaShem turn His face toward you and bless you with wisdom, grace, love, and peace. 
May He extend the merit of our Rebbe, HaTzaddik (the righteous one), to us.

Hey guys read this and really give thought to it.

Blessings,

 

 

AN END TO CHRISTMAS

David M. Hargis 

---

There will come an end to Christmas, One bright and glorious day;

When the King sits in Zion, And there are no more games to play.

 

When the holy ones of Israel, Are gathered 'round His light;

When the books are finally opened, And there is no more night.

 

The nations will be called that day, To finally make amends;

To deal with their lies and schemes, To put away their trends.

 

The L-RD will thunder from His throne, To ask "What day is Mine?

What day above all do you celebrate Me, What day do you find?"

 

Sighs of relief will fill the air, And many a voice will say;

"It is Christmas we celebrate, Lord, For You, we have set this day."

 

Then the King will simply ask, "What day could you set for Me?

Is it written in My book? What day therein do you see?"

 

One boldly will answer without knowing, "We keep Your birthday, Oh Great King!"

Another will shout with such glowing, "Oh it's such a beautiful thing!"

 

Then another will join, "It is time once again!

For soon 'twill be here, And gifts we will send."

 

"And then what shall happen?" Will question the King;

"What things of value, To Me shall you bring?"

 

"We send gifts to each other," Their answer will be;

"So we honor Your wish, That we act lovingly."

 

"You do this freely?" The King will inquire;

"You do this without selfishness, Or covetous desire?"

 

Then silence will fall, All over the room;

As the King takes His stand, In a way that spells doom.

 

"In My Word I declared, What days that are mine;

What days I created, And when I reclined."

 

"What day I was born, After I entered the womb;

The days that I died, Then came forth from the tomb."

 

"I made holy the Sabbath, Then I gave it to you;

As a sign of My care, To show I am true."

 

"I gave you the festivals, The appointed times of My grace;

To deliver and help you, To establish My praise."

 

"So which day among Mine, Have you set for My birth?

Which day is this Christmas, When there is much mirth?"

 

Then all will tremble, All over the land;

As men try to figure, What answer will stand.

 

But no one will utter, A word from then on;

As the L-RD will continue, To speak from His throne.

 

"You pretend to give Me, A day like a dish;

Can I be pleased, With whatever you wish?"

 

"And how can you know, How to love one another;

If the will of My Word, You take care not to bother?"

 

"I set the seasons by stars, And days by the sun;

I have appointed all times, From which you have run."

 

"No man can give Me, Other than what I have made;

No one can declare, Other than what I have said."

 

"So now I command, Every nation to come;

And celebrate Me, No matter where they are from."

 

"And the day I have set, Was written long before;

There was ever a Christmas, Or any such lore."

 

"It is the Feast called Booths, Which I wrote in the book;

A day which announced, My coming to look."

 

"When I walked among you, Clothed like the poor;

To temporarily suffer, And knock at your door."

 

"So now you know clearly, The time should be plain;

And if you do not, You will have no more rain."

 

"Every day which I appointed, You will honor and obey;

No longer will you labor, On My Sabbath day."

 

"No more will you set, Your way above Mine;

No more will you offer, What I did not design."

 

"So, come to My festivals, Rejoice in My glory;

And concerning your Christmas, It's the end of the story."

 

Copyright 1996. David M. Hargis / PO Box 6070 / Chesapeake, VA 23323

"AN END TO CHRISTMAS" may be copied and shared freely only as is without alteration and with this full notice attached. However, it may not be sold in publication, or published compiled with other material, or placed online in a forum which is not free without written permission of the author. In any case, the author would appreciate notification of where, how, and by whom this piece is published and/or distributed.

Mishlei (Proverbs) 3

Hey guys (and gals),

    I will finish my last post..........................I think. lol.  But, I really want to post this scripture.  I know.......we've all probably heard this a million times, but read it again and really disect it.  Listen to it, love it, breath it, drink it in.

    "My son do not forget my teaching, but let your mind retain my commandments; For they will bestow upon you length of days, years of life and well-being. Let fidelity and steadfastness not leave you; Bind them about your throat, write them on the tablet of your mind, and you will find favor and approbation in the eyes of Elohim and man".  (This next part is the my favorite) "Trust in Adonai with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways aknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Adonai and shun evil".

   Weeks ago, I was really struggling with what I'm going to do with my life.  It seemed to me (and technically was true) that everytime I tried to find a trade to provide for myself and my (future) family, it would NEVER work out.  I'm dead serious!  For example, I was thinking about carpentry and I even found a school in Bedford!  I was set.  I knew what I was gonna do, how I was gonna do it, when............ everything!  Me and Mom went over there and guess what...................they went out of business.  Needless to say, I was dissapointed.  But...........never fear!  A few days later I found a school down south a little ways.  A guy in the carpentry field told me about this place.  Supposedly (sp?), it was the best school around.  Soooooooo, I got online to check it out.  guess what..................yup, out of business.  I had NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GONNA DO!   I cried out to the Father and said somethin' like, "what do you want from me?  every time I try to do something it gets slammed in my face! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO"??!! 

   After I was done throwing my hissy fit, I sat down and read, and read, an read.  When I came accross Proverbs 3 I saw my problem.  You guys are probably thinking, "duh, I could've told you from the beginning".  "I" was my problem.  Go back up and read it again.  All you hear is, "what I was gonna do", "I was looking", "I found", "I tried", "My life".  I was looking, searching, yearning to find a way to build MY Kingdom for MYself.  When I read this Proverb it hit like a ton of bricks, but at the same time it felt like a ton of bricks was just lifted from me.  "Trust in Adonai in all your ways, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways aknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight".  See? It's not MY effort, it's His.  All I have to do is trust Him w/ all my heart and not put any trust in myself. Make Him known in everything I do, then out of His unending love, He will guide my path and make them straight!  Beutiful, eh? 

B'rakhot al otem (blessings on ya'll)

Mashiach Part 2

 Listen to this. When I heard this it amazed me.  I gues I just had never really thought about it.  Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:18 says,

      "I will raise up for them a prophet like you (Moshe/Moses) from among their kinsman.  I will put my words in His mouth, and he will teach everything I order him".

So, the Father says that Messiah will be a prophet like Moshe.  How so?  When I read this in the past all I could think of was the fact that they both taught the Father's instructions.  However, their likeness goes much deeper than that.  We see that the very life of Moshe was a living messianic prophesy.  Okay, now that I started, I have to get off. lol. I'll be back later to finish....................I think. lol

Currently Reading JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh: Pocket Edition see related

Mashiach Part 1