Five Ways to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath

Shabbat shalom is translated as a wish for a peaceful Sabbath day. How can you do that? While peace in general comes from repentance and living in YHWH's love and mercy (I love Colossians 3:15 to let the peace of YHWH rule our hearts!), and finding healing for our emotional hurts and baggage, today we are talking about a special kind of peace on the Sabbath. There is an art to resting on the Sabbath, and it requires us to do things a little differently than the rest of the week. While the world around us doesn't stop, we are commanded to take a holy pause in the busyness of life. Sometimes even when we have the day off it can be easy to get swept back into the rush of things. Here are five simple ways to avoid that and to have a more peaceful Sabbath day.

Five Ways to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath:

1. Leave the mail in the box. You know what is not restful? I'd say going through the mail, opening up bills, sorting out junk mail, getting notices that you need to schedule a dentist appointment, etc. Almost every time I open up the mail it gives me something to do. Let the mail stay in the box for an extra day so that this doesn't interfere with your Sabbath peace. The same goes for email.

2.  Switch off the wifi. I probably don't need to tell you that most people are addicted to their smart phone. Picking up the phone to check the time can all too easily lead into scrolling away the next twenty minutes (or more!) of the precious day of rest. And what does browsing social media add to your life or day? Possibly frustration with someone, probably comparison of yourself to others, and maybe a to-do list of cute projects. I think the Sabbath was intended to be more restful and joyful than what our phones can offer. Switching off the phone entirely might not be a reasonable option for you, but not having wifi on can be good incentive to stay off of your phone, and be present where you are. Some doctors believe that turning off the wifi can be more restful and healthful for your body as well.

3. Find a peaceful place. By no means does the house need to be perfect in order for you rest on the Sabbath, but if resting in the midst of a mess is hard, consider where you'll spend the day. That could mean making it a point to stay out of the messy kitchen, or hanging out in the seldom-used guestroom. Spend time on the patio or relax with a hot bath. If it's nice out you could spend the Sabbath day at the lake, a nearby playground, or a park.

4. Don't cook. While I normally have a solid plan in place for Sabbath lunch, can I just say that I haven't had a dinner plan for Saturday night ever? I try to cook enough throughout the week to have leftovers and I make it a point to stock easy snacks, as I shared in this post. And while it doesn't usually make for an Instagram worthy meal it works out just fine. We eat leftovers or something that takes five minutes or less to put together (like quesadillas or salad), and it's not a hassle. There's no need to spend your Sabbath in the kitchen or to overwork yourself beforehand with making an elaborate meal. Simple foods really work out.

5. Make a list. Snuggled up on the couch, I'm cozy under a blanket and have a cup of tea ready to enjoy. I have read three verses of Scripture and then I remember something to do. I find myself rereading the same passages as I'm distracted by thoughts like: I need to order a gift for the baby shower. I should make enchiladas for dinner this week. Oh yeah, I need to return that library book. Maybe you've been there, where you are kept from engaging in rest on the Sabbath because it's hard to switch off the to-do list. Keep a pen and paper nearby, and when one of those things comes up you can write it down and be done with it. I know this doesn't sound like it should work but it really does! Once you've written it down you know that you'll remember it, so your brain isn't focused on reminding you of what you need to do. Go back to your book now!

Other ideas for Sabbath rest:
Five Ways to Honor Shabbat
20 Tips to Simplify Shabbat Prep
Encouragement for the New Shabbat Keeper
Five Things I Love About the Sabbath

Serve YHWH Printable

"Serve YHWH with all your heart." -1 Samuel 12:20

I love having Bible verses displayed in my home: the ten commandments framed, on my homemade chalkboard, and in any of the many printables that I frame or put on the fridge or on the mirror. The reason I have made so many different printables is that I find after a while you tend to notice them less. Switching out Scripture verses or moving a framed verse to a different spot is a great way to freshen things up and to have that Scripture resound in you while you're getting ready for the day or heading out the door.

Click here to download this printable. It's free for your personal use.

Diligently Guarding the Commandments

Let's talk about diligence today...recently I read one of the worst books I have ever read. It was tremendously awful.

The story was about a Christian couple who decides to implement the Sabbath day into their lives, but not once do they mention turning to Scripture see what it says about the Sabbath or how it should be honored. They had a rough idea about this but really fell short when it came to diligence.

They spent a lot of time on articles, read books (from other religions) on the Sabbath, and conduct Facebook polls but they don't turn to the Word! Because they don't turn to truth they are left with a confused muddle of an idea on how to honor Shabbat. They shuffle around days they observe it, or skip it altogether, according to what fits best in their schedules. Their Sabbath day activities range from work meetings to family time at home to grocery shopping to going to carnivals. Sometimes they have work to do or do yard work. They schedule other commitments on the Sabbath, and then just "start later." It wasn't surprising that they weren't overjoyed with the production and at the end of the book they weren't sure if they would continue to honor the Sabbath.

Honoring the Sabbath day is a key ingredient to having more peace and joy, and of course to pleasing the Creator. This couple had that ingredient, so what went wrong? It was when they stopped at the idea of the Sabbath day, and brushed aside the details. They had a rough idea of the importance of a day of rest, but the instructions were not guarded.

"Diligently guard the commandments of Torah." -Joshua 22:5

What does diligence mean to you? Is it paying attention to seemingly insignificant details? Is it being consistent? Is it putting time and energy into this effort? Is it showing great care for this task of guarding the commandments? 

Having diligence can make or break a task...if you were following a recipe would it be a good idea to be diligent about it or would you just haphazardly do what you want and hope things come out correctly? Would you say salt and sugar look enough alike that you can sub one for the other? You could have a perfect cookie dough mixed up, but if you aren't diligent about checking the recipe for how long to bake them you could end up with burnt cookies and be very disappointed that this isn't the product the creator of the recipe promised. So often in recipe reviews you will see someone announce that they made some major changes in the recipe and that it turned out awful. If that's the case, the blame is on the one making the changes, not the one who made it.

We aren't just instructed to guard, but to guard diligently. Diligence with a recipe means you would do what it says. It would be totally unreasonable to expect a recipe to turn out like it's supposed to if you don't crack the eggs or turn on the stove. Same thing with Scripture's instructions, if we want the blessings that come with Sabbath then we need to do that how we are instructed. Be diligent with the details.

Why Bible Believers Don't Sacrifice Animals Today

Animal sacrifice often comes up in Christian circles when discussing the Hebrew faith or Torah observant believers. If you don't sacrifice animals you're not keeping the whole law, right? And if you're guilty of breaking part of the law, what's the point in trying to keep the rest? Or if you're keeping the Sabbath and dietary regulations, doesn't that mean you want to sacrifice animals? The arguments go something like that.

Let's be clear here: we don't sacrifice animals. We don't need to sacrifice animals. We don't want to. And we shouldn't.

Hebrews teaches that the old Temple system of the Levitical priesthood is no longer needed thanks to the Messiah's sacrifice. Though the Levitical system was tremendously valuable, it is inferior to the priesthood of the Messiah. That seems fair, right? What could ever top the Messiah himself?

Yahusha the Messiah is our high priest and he operates under the order of Melchizedek. He is not a Levitical priest and doesn't act like one. Scripture tells us that the blood of bulls and goats can't take away our sins. But the Messiah's unchangeable priesthood remains forever and saves completely! (Hebrews 7:24-25)

I like the phrasing there, "saves completely!" Not "mostly saves." Not, "Hey I'm doing all this - can I get a little extra help from a goat?" He saves completely, so no one else needs to do this. If someone has completely cleaned my kitchen, do I need to go wash everything again? Or would that maybe be insulting to the cleaner? Wouldn't I be saying, "I appreciate you doing this an all, but I don't quite trust that you did it right, so I'm going to rewash the dishes"? Unlike how my kitchen will need cleaned again later, Yahusha does not need to sacrifice himself repeatedly.

"He entered into the Most Set-apart place once and for all, not with the blood of goats and bulls, but with His own blood, obtaining everlasting redemption." -Hebrews 9:12

His sacrifice was once and for all. His blood obtained redemption for us that is good for yesterday, today, and forever. It would be an insult to treat his sacrifice the same as the continual animal sacrifices.

-Does this mean that the Levitical priesthood was bad? Not at all. It was created by YHWH for a specific purpose for a specific time (Hebrews 9:10). It was not meant to be a substitute for the true, Heavenly plan for redemption, but was rather a copy and shadow of the Messiah's blood poured out for us (Hebrews 8:5).

-Doesn't Scripture say forever? How does this idea fit with verses like Exodus 40:15, "They shall be an everlasting priesthood"? It's important to note that the word translated as everlasting or forever (olam in Hebrew) does not always mean literally forever. It is necessary to discern if olam is used to mean for all time or for a set time. This is similar to how forever gets used in English. If you have a long shift at work, you might remark to a friend that you'll "be there forever," and of course that doesn't mean you'll be on the job for all eternity. Or if a teacher tells students that they want homework turned in a certain way, "forever," or "for the entire time," they don't mean they want students to do that for the rest of their lives, but the rest of the time they are in their class. Olam is often used to mean for all time (YHWH is the same forever), but in this case olam means a set time. Considering that the Levitical priesthood hasn't operated in close to 2,000 years it is not an everlasting priesthood.

-Aren't we just waiting for a Temple to restart sacrifices? Animal sacrifice and the Levitical system was instated long before the Temple was ever built, so no a Temple is not a prerequisite to animal sacrifices. While it's true that Judaism (a religion that does not love or accept the Messiah) is making plans to rebuild the Temple, we need to strongly consider if we should align ourselves with another religion on this matter.

-What about Ezekiel? Many people believe that Temple sacrifices and Levitical priesthood will continue into the Millennial reign because of Ezekiel 43. It is imperative that we understand that the book of Ezekiel is actually a collection of thirteen scrolls and that the book does not place these in chronological order. According to the dates found in the book, chapter 43 and the vision for Temple service actually predates chapters 1-7 by five years! If we read the book chronologically, we see that this chapter was a conditional offer for Israel at that time, and that it is not regarding the Millennial reign, or any time after the Messiah came. Which is why John didn't see any kind of Temple in his vision of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:22).

-What about Daniel? Contrary to popular belief, Daniel doesn't prophecy of Temple sacrifice getting taken away in the end times. It's actually about sacrifice being reinstated! The literal translation of Daniel 8:11 would be, "He was magnified before the prince of host and the daily sacrifice was exalted, the exalted cornerstone of the Holy Place (the Messiah) was cast down." Daniel's abomination of desolation is the exaltation of the daily animal sacrifices instead of Yahusha's. Let's take note that animal sacrifice isn't just unnecessary thanks to the Messiah's sacrifice, but it's actually an abomination according to Scripture!

-Does this change in priesthood mean a change in the rest of Scripture as well? Not at all. The regulations for the Levitical system are not the same thing as the commandments given by YHWH to the people as to how to live. Nowhere does Scripture say instructions on eating, Sabbath observance, keeping the feasts, the ten commandments, etc. are done away with or changed, or that those commandments were intended only for the members of the Levitical priesthood. A change in priesthood doesn't mean everything else is changed too. If it seems like your Scripture says this, chances are you have a poor translation mixed with man made beliefs. Hebrews tells us that Sabbath keeping remains and that YHWH promises to write the Torah on our hearts.

Yahusha's death firmly entrenched him as our Melchizedek priest forever. Melchizedek is a different system than the Levitical priesthood, and thus operates differently. And the Messiah is much, much greater than any earthly high priest. His sacrifice was once and for all. If we believe his blood covers our sins, why would we need extra help from an animal? While his words remain forever, we need to make sure we know what priesthood our high priest operates under.

Related posts:
Comparing the Melchizedek and Levitical Priesthoods
Understanding Hebrews
A Hebraic Perspective on Galatians

What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About My Hebrew Faith

Hey there, friends! I run into a lot of misunderstandings about my faith, so I wanted to clear up a few things. For those of you who don't share my faith here's what I would love for you to know.

What I wish my Christian friends knew about my Hebrew faith:

-I believe in the Messiah! Please, please hear this: I haven't walked away from the Savior. I cherish all the stories in the New Testament of the Messiah, same as you. I believe he healed the blind, and walked on water, and threw money changers out from the Temple. I call the Messiah Yahusha because that is a better representation of his name than Jesus. But if you're talking about the Messiah, born of a virgin, died for our sins, rose from the dead, then we are on the same page.

-We have a ton in common. While there are some differences in our faiths there is far more common ground between us. Far more. Like you, I read the Old and New Testaments, and want to live a life that honors the Savior.

-What Hebrew faith means exactly. You can learn more about how I define a Hebrew here, but the gist of it is someone who accepts Yahusha as Messiah, while also being obedient to the commandments given in the Old Testament and throughout Scripture. So that means that I keep the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week, observe the Biblical set apart times instead of cultural holidays, and eat a Biblically clean diet. Those are the basics of a Hebrew lifestyle and I do my best to honor the Creator by living this way.

-I'm not Jewish. If I had a nickel for each time someone assumed I was Jewish I would be one rich lady. But with nothing against Jewish people, I am not pretending or aspiring to be Jewish. While our faiths have a few similarities, no Jewish person would ever consider my faith to be Jewish. And I do not participate in Judaism, a faith that does not accept Yahusha as Messiah. So please don't assume something about Judaism is true of my faith. For example, while I keep Shabbat I do not observe Jewish law that says you have to speak certain blessings, eat challah bread, and light candles in order to do so. The Hebrew faith is much more laid back than orthodox Judaism.

-I'm thrilled with the changes I've made. So often when I share about keeping the Sabbath people feel sorry for me to be "burdened" with it or tell me I am otherwise caught up in legalism, but that's not how I feel at all! I sincerely love the changes I have made and have found tremendous blessing in Sabbath observance, Biblically clean eating, and the Biblical feast days. So when I share with you about that, please know that I am not trying to give you something to do or tell you that your faith is inadequate: it's because I want you to experience the same joy and peace that I've found in these things.

-You are still a cherished friend to me. I am so grateful for you and I don't want our friendship to stop because my lifestyle is a little different than yours. Chances are, your faith is pretty similar to how I used to believe so I get where you're coming from. I want the best for you and I don't look down on you. If you've been hurt or felt slighted because I wouldn't do something on a Saturday or wouldn't try your salad with the bacon dressing, I want you to know that was not my intent. It's not because I don't like you or value you. I'm just trying to live out my convictions, and your support would mean so much!

-You are welcome to ask me questions. Really! If there's something you want to know about my beliefs or what I eat or why I made these changes or whatever else you can feel free to ask. I would love to have a heart-to-heart about faith, and it doesn't scare me if our beliefs don't 100% match.

-I don't have it all figured out. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Messiah, and that's my plan. I don't claim to be fully grown or that I've arrived at some perfect understanding of all things spiritual. I haven't. And that's okay! The Creator does not require us to have every last detail figured out, but he does expect us to grow. Growth means change and I'm willing to make adjustments in to my lifestyle and beliefs as I learn more. I hope you are too.

If you'd like to know more about my faith journey you can read about why I started keeping Shabbat, and why I stopped celebrating Christmas here.

If you have questions feel free to ask!

Milk and Honey Desserts for Shavuot

At Shavuot we celebrate the giving of the Torah and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This joyous time reminds us to celebrate the incredible provision of YHWH for our needs both spiritually and physically. The combination of milk and honey is traditionally eaten at this time of year and it represents both the Promised Land, as well as the sweetness of Scripture in our lives. I've compiled some delicious desserts that will make your Shavuot celebration very special. A few of them don't contain honey but you could certainly substitute with it as you see fit. I tried to include something for everyone with some vegan options, gluten free recipes, and healthier options.

No Bake Fruit Tart from Half Baked Harvest

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie a La Mode Popsicles from Snixy Kitchen

Bursting Blueberry Lemon Layer Cake from Half Baked Harvest

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Mini Pavlovas from Snixy Kitchen

Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake from Making Thyme for Health

Roasted Berry and Honey Yogurt Popsicles from Cookie and Kate

Chocolate Lovers Greek Yogurt Mousse Cake from Half Baked Harvest

Strawberry Rosehip Frozen Yogurt from Half Baked Harvest

No Bake Greek Yogurt Tart from Cookie and Kate

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars from Minimalist Baker

Chai Affogato with Coconut Milk Ice Cream from Cookie and Kate

Strawberry Chamomile Naked Cake from Half Baked Harvest



More ideas for Shavuot: 
DIY Shavuot Cupcake Toppers
Shavuot Surprise Gift Exchange Game
Seven Ways to Celebrate Shavuot

Seven Ways to Celebrate Shavuot

When the omer count finally makes it to fifty it's Shavuot! Then what? Here are a few ways you can celebrate this year.

-Watch the wheat harvest. Shavuot is about the wheat harvest and celebrating the bread of life. Get in touch with a local farm or farmer to see when they will be harvesting their wheat, and if you can visit. Seeing cows and beehives would also be fitting. If nothing else, go for a drive or bike ride to see if you can find a farmer gathering their wheat. Usually the timing is just about right here in the Midwest and farmers harvest the wheat around Shavuot. Or think about taking family pictures in front of a wheat field.

-Give the word to someone. On Shavuot we celebrate the giving of the Torah, why not keep that gift going? Purchase a Bible for someone who doesn't have one or would benefit from a different translation. Or gather Bibles to give to a nonprofit like a soup kitchen or homeless shelter so they can share them with their clients. Children (or adults) could memorize a verse to recite to grandparents or the congregation as a way to share the word with others.

-Have two loaves of bread. Leviticus 23:17 says to bring two loaves of bread as a wave offering to YHWH. Why not try your hand at baking bread or purchase a couple of delicious loafs from a bakery? Maybe a new recipe or trying an unusual kind would make it even more wonderful. Serve them with different spreads and toppings to make a bruschetta bar or do-it-yourself grilled cheese. Seeing not one, but two loafs of bread is a reminder that YHWH takes care of our needs. Thank him for the provision before digging in.

-Get immersed. In Acts 2 believers were baptized in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Shavuot. Spend your Shavuot at the lake or on the beach and get immersed. This would be a great opportunity for meditation on that passage of Scripture or a group discussion about it.

-Throw a painting party! Get together a group of friends and render Bible verses to canvas. Paint or handwrite the words to a favorite verse or the fruit of the Spirit or the ten commandments. Even if it doesn't turn out a masterpiece it's still a fun way to focus on Scripture and spend time with others. Provide canvases, brushes, paint, and lots of newspaper to keep things clean. A painted or printed out Scripture would also make a great Shavuot gift for a friend. Another way to give the word.

-Study Scripture. Aren't we celebrating that we received YHWH's word? That could look like having friends over for a late night Bible study, having a picnic near a wheat field to read the book of Ruth, kids acting out a Bible story, or a dramatic reading. Delving into Scripture is a foundational part any feast and it should be a joy!

-Provide for the poor. At the end of the instructions for Shavuot in Leviticus 23:22, we are reminded to not use all of our resources on ourselves but leave some for those in need. Could you donate clothing to a women's shelter at this time of year or non perishables to a food pantry? How about volunteering as a family at a local nonprofit? Putting together action packs for Voice of the Martyrs was a memorable Shavuot activity for our congregation. Donate financially to a missions cause you believe in.

Have a very happy Shavuot!

More ideas for Shavuot:
The Beginner's Guide to Shavuot

Shavuot Scripture Reading List
Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot

Happy Shavuot Printable

Happy Shavuot! I wanted to share a printable today to help with the festivities at your house. A few years back I shared a milk and honey printable for Shavuot, but this one is a little more home printer friendly. Just print it out and tape it to the fridge or put it in a frame. To me, it's nice to decorate because it helps build the anticipation for the upcoming holiday, and makes it a little bit different from the rest of the year.

Click here to download this Happy Shavuot printable. It is free for your personal use. Have a lovely set apart time!

50 Ways to Love Your Neighbor

What does it mean to love your neighbor? Scripture talks about this concept over and over. The Messiah mentioned these words just following his proclamation that loving YHWH is the most important commandment. 1 John 3:18 says that our love should be more than just words, it should be seen through our actions. Too often the action of this instruction gets lost to good intentions or busyness. Here are some practical ideas on how to show love in your community.

Fifty Ways to Love Your Neighbor:

1. Smile, wave, and say hello. Cultivate a friendly community atmosphere.

2. Look for opportunities to do good, especially to those who share a common faith with you.

3. Take a walk through your neighborhood and pray for the health, safety, and well-being of the residents.

4. Holding a grudge? Choose forgiveness and let go of that.

5. Encourage someone and build them up.

6. Say nice things about your neighbors. Cultivate an atmosphere of kindness over gossip or slander.

7. Visit orphans and widows. Offer support to those without family nearby. That could mean supporting a children's home, visiting a nursing home, becoming a foster family or adopting a child, sponsoring a child, checking in on elderly neighbors, etc.

8. Have things to downsize from your home? Offer them to friends or family, or donate items to a good cause. Thrift stores are an option but donations are also accepted by homeless and women's shelters, schools, ministries, and so on.

9. Support your local farmers. Get vegetables from a produce stand or a nearby farmers market.

10. Bring in a healthy snack to share at work or congregation.

11. Take groceries, a gift card, or a meal to a family in need.

12. Get the door for someone with their hands full.

13. Spread the word about garage sales and local businesses.

14. Volunteer at a charity working in your community.

15. Pay a visit to an elderly neighbor or nursing home.

16. Plant flowers in your yard. They brighten days and feed the bees.

17. Keep your home exterior and yard tidy, and pick up trash when you see it.

18. Be considerate about when you make a lot of noise. 

19. Make conversation with people you see regularly.

20. Ask people questions. This develops relationships and can be the touch of kindness someone needs in their day.

21. Did you get great service somewhere? Offer a tip, leave a positive review online, or speak to a manager or owner about what a great job an employee did.

22. Pay someone a sincere compliment.

23. Make it a point to welcome the new person at work.

24. Send a note of encouragement to someone.

25. Celebrate someone else's good news.

26. Write an uplifting Scripture in sidewalk chalk on your driveway to encourage those who walk by.

27. Offer an evening of free babysitting to parents who could use a break.

28. Start an informal community watch group in your neighborhood to keep things safe.

29. Are the neighborhood kids playing in the street? Talk to their parents about your concerns for their safety.

30. Send a card or care package to someone away at college, stationed overseas, or serving as a missionary.

31. Offer to help an elderly or disabled neighbor with yard work.

32. Thank a teacher, pastor, coach, fire fighter, coworker, volunteer, etc. for how the impact they have made in your life.

33. Host a potluck to get to know neighbors better.

34. See someone who is being treated unfairly? Stand up for them.

35. Make it a point to include a shy or unpopular person in conversation and events.

36. Shop locally before heading to a box store or ordering online. Visit locally owned restaurants before heading to a chain.

37. Pray for insight on how to best show the Father's love to the people in your life.

38. Offer to pray with a friend when they share a need or concern.

39. Share your resources or knowledge with someone who could use a hand on a project.

40. Drive safely!

41. Invite someone you don't know very well for dinner or over for coffee.

42. Treat strangers and foreigners with kindness and respect, whether that's a refugee or someone who just moved from the next town.

43. Did you attend a community theater production or watch a high school basketball game? Offer sincere compliments or encouragement to those involved.

44. Share info about nearby job openings for those in need of employment.

45. Invite someone to join you for congregation or Bible study.

46. Set up a place for free stuff at your office or congregation, or host a clothing swap.

47. Use your social media to share truth and encouragement.

48. If a friend or neighbor loaned you something return it within a reasonable time frame, in good condition, with a thank you.

49. When you talk to others, speak the truth to them.

50. Offer mercy to those who wrong you. Pray for them and remember that everyone has bad days.

There are so many ways to love your neighbor! Sometimes what a person needs is an uplifting conversation, other times bringing a meal over speaks volumes. What are some ways that you have felt loved by your community?