Monthly Archives: October 2006

-The Ministry of Blogging

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This time of the year, around the Biblical (Jewish) new year, I usually take some time to consider what I am doing and what I’m involved in, particularly in the way of ministry. The process started two weekends ago at a church men’s retreat. I received some very useful words and a number of insightful prayers during that weekend. I came away encouraged and believing that the Lord was still calling me to participate in blogging as a form of ministry.

I started blogging 7 months ago. It all began with some clear inspiration that I received while worshipping on March 5. It was a call to ministry on the web. The initial idea was to teach a Bible study and answer Bible questions on the internet, my first blog- ANSWERS For The Faith was born that very day.

Soon I was caught up in blogging and spending hours reading and commenting on other blogs. I realize now that it became a hobby, and the ministry aspect was diminished in the process. Praying over it helped me to put things in perspective and make some needed adjustments. Actually, the Holy Spirit got me on track.

There are many times when I ask the Lord what I am doing here? Is this helping or blessing anyone? What I hear back from him is this:

You must learn to trust in me and be more humble in the process. Amen.

-Yom Kippur: The Biblical ‘Day of Atonement’

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Today, October 2, 2006, is a special day on the Biblical calendar-named Yom Kippur, or in English-‘The Day of Atonement’. It is the most important holy day of the year for Jews. It is day when Jewish folk consider their sins, ask for forgiveness and look for ways to make amends in the year to come. Many wear white shirts or clothes on this day to symbolize purity and to acknowledge the Biblical promise that sins will be made white as snow. Observances traditionally held in synagogues or temples, end with the blowing of the shofar.

While Christians do not traditionally recognize the special days or events in the Biblical (Jewish) calendar, ‘Messianic’ Christians do, and many others are enriched by the symbols, and find significance in the times and seasons that are represented. The Lord’s Supper and The Resurrection cannot be completely separated from ‘The Passover’, and the ‘Day of Pentecost’ is one Biblical/Jewish day still recognized in the church calendar.