Almost Winter

As social media erupts once again with the debates and dogma regarding Hanukkah, I found myself searching Scripture.  I'm not really too interested in the debates as I see a real "spirit" of Constantine pervading the movement to return to Torah truth.  There are some "teachers" who continue to bring division in their exalted understanding . . . It's hard enough for folks to come out of all the traditions of Judaism and Christianity, only to find the nitpicker debates . . . I, personally, think those are the worst!

So far, the annual debate and "greater revelation" of Jeremiah 10:3,4 began surfacing shortly after Halloween.  Halloween is getting to be a "safe" social media "anti-observe" holiday.  Seems a great number of Christians are realizing the implications, as well as most of the HRM, Messianics, and Torah Observant believers.  Most of us can agree on that one day we "don't do!"  Even much of our secular society realizes there is just too much risk and potential danger associated with Halloween, to even think it's just harmless fun.  Too many times, it's proven to not be harmless and far from fun!  I do find it interesting, though, that so many complain about Christmas decorations up in stores around Halloween, and I tend to feel the same disdain about the debates beginning so early.  Many folks are moving away from the traditions of Christmas, as well, in search of well, something more meaningful . . . and perhaps even mentioned in Scripture!  Which is where the newest, latest debate comes in.  Hanukkah, historical truth or pagan tradition?

Last year was the first year I remember receiving warnings on social media about celebrating  Hanukkah.  I'll be honest, though, I was deeply troubled by the brazen mockery in 2011, of someone who decided to crash my Hanukkah traditions, which led to some serious personal introspection.  How much of "my" Hanukkah celebration was truth and how much was simply tradition?   Very little research was needed to realize Hanukkah in America is basically a Christmas knock-off, and not celebrated the same in any other country, so . . . I knew 2011 would be the last year of gifts and not really sure how I would explain that to grandchildren.  I also wasn't sure what else would fall away.  As it turns out, their parents made it very easy, as I was basically an outcast by the end of 2012.  It wasn't easy to deal with how that problem was solved, but it was obviously solved!  So much was resolved in a relatively short time.

So, here's the short list according to history.  Truth:  Antiochus did erect a statue of Zeus in the Temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar, desecrating it completely.  Truth:  The Maccabees did stand against Antiochus and ultimately prevailed. Truth:  The Temple was restored and dedicated.Truth:  Feast of Dedication is found in John 10:22, and Messiah revealed himself as Messiah through that time on Solomon's Colonnade.

Tradition:  Latkes.  Tradition:  Fried food for 8 days.  Tradition:  only in America are gifts given.  Tradition:  Playing dreydl every night and gelt.  Tradition:  Candle lighting

Now, as for the traditions . . . gifts have gone by the wayside, and I can only stand about 2 or 3 days of latkes, then I'm completely done frying . . .  As for candle lighting, I do use an Hanakiah rather than the official style menorah, because it is not a commanded Holy Day.  The temple was restored and rededicated, and it does not seem inappropriate to do the same with myself, since my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. . . another reason to nix a week of fried food.  As for playing dreydl, when I have guests, it's a fun little parlor game.

Meanwhile, it gets rather tempting to just become a recluse until January, and all the holiday mayhem is over.  Clearly, it won't be resolved, but over and done is nice.  When all this clears and the January 2016 calendar is placed on the kitchen wall, that means only 45 days til the garden can be started!

Interesting Development

Debate and disagreement about Shemitah was really intimidating to me for a time.  I have prayed earnestly in regard to this topic for many months, seeking Abba's will in the matter.  I finally heard that it was time to stop asking and step out.  So, I stepped out cautiously, which has also resulted in some strained relationships . . . but I stepped out.  I've not been stiff necked about it, but I've also pointed out that most folks with an opinion, or even a book aren't living off the land anyway . . .

As more individuals are seeking Torah for answers, I've seen a great many posts and comments about debt being resolved in 7 years.  My comment on that is simple.  If  you feel your debt should be resolved in 7 years, don't sign a contract that goes beyond 7 years, but that's not the point anyway in Shemitah.  Jubilee is the year of debt resolution and Jubilee comes every 50 years.  Back to Shemitah, and it gets interesting.

When I sold the beginning homestead, I owner financed.  It wasn't until this last year that it dawned on me, that while they were very conscientious in their payments, I still held the deed to the land.  As long as they were paying, the land was theirs to use as they desired; of course, but I did question my possession of the deed through shemitah . . .  I didn't know how to handle that.  They do not believe what I believe.  I've shared my beliefs, given them a copy of "Simply Abundant" and although we have discussed some mutual disdain, such as Monsanto and Agenda 21, their choice of direction at this time is not that of being a "set apart" people.  So, what to do about the "owner finance" contract?

As I looked over the paperwork, I knew the contract would be paid in full just following the planting season next year, which some claim to be shemitah.  I really had no problem just calling it a "done deal" a couple of months early, releasing the deed and moving on in life, if that were the year of shemitah or the jubilee year, but . . . I believe this year is the shemitah and I didn't want any land in "my possession" to be worked this year.

It was one of those childlike moments for me.  Abba had told me to stop asking, but this is a new question, so . . . early one morning in prayer toward the end of January, I simply asked if I should resolve and release the contract before planting season this year.  Planting season officially begins mid February.  I heard an amazing response.  "Stand still and watch."  So, that was my answer and nothing more was said on the matter.  An unexpected town day brought an interesting development.  The message light on the phone was blinking when I walked in the door, indicating a voice message.  An amazing offer was contained in that voice message.  The young couple who I'd financed wanted to make arrangements for an early payoff.  I'd remembered the day of the closing, the young woman had asked if there would be a penalty for an early payoff.  I assured them there would not!

I returned the call, and said I'd make inquiry at the Title Company and relay the information and time to take care of the matter.  I was surprised at their request, as this late in the contract, the early payoff would save very little money in interest, so the principle and payoff were nearly the same; but that wasn't my call or my business.  As of, February 11, 2015, just three days before the planting season officially began, the deed to that land is no longer in my name!  I stood, I was "still," and I saw!