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What the Bible Says About Modesty

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If you walked into a grocery store, could you identify Christians by their dress? Probably not. Dressing with modesty and dignity is a lost art in contemporary Christianity and in society in general. This unfortunate trend is relatively recent, taking a major wrong turn in the early 1900s. The History It is undeniable that the majority of women (generally with the exception of hunter-gather tribes) historically wore dresses, skirts, robes, and tunics extending down to the foot. Any flesh exposed above the ankle was scandalous. So what in the world happened? In Western society, very loose trousers called "bloomers" were introduced in the mid-1800s. These were popularized because of the ease of movement when walking, playing sports, riding horseback, etc. The style of the bloomer evolved somewhat until the World Wars occurred, forcing many women to work while their husbands were fighting. Again, pants allowed more movement and less risk. For women at factories or other occupati
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The Perseverance of the Saints

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Since awakening to the relevance of Torah, my faith has never been so attacked. I guess that's a good thing  -  it must mean I'm on the right track  -  but the attack is happening on two fronts. Although I've never publicly approached Christians regarding obedience to God's commands nor Jews on their disbelief in Yeshua, I have seen enough articles and read enough books to know that Christians call people like me "in bondage to legalism" and Jews consider us to be "idol worshippers". Their accusations can be painful, and I've had to trust the Spirit's guidance more than ever, yet it's a comfort to read that these things are to be expected. "Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." (Revelation 14:12) The context of Revelation 14 is identifying the true followers of the Lamb from the worshippers of the beast. Verse 12 warns that perseverance is needed, but from wh
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Book Review: Ten from the Nations: Torah Awakening Among Non-Jews by Rivkah Lambert Adler

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It takes a lot of courage to share a testimony. It takes even more courage to share a testimony among an audience that largely disagrees with your point of view. It may take the most courage to share a testimony alongside others who share very similar testimonies but have reached entirely different conclusions. This is exactly what one will find in Ten from the Nations: Torah Awakening Among Non-Jews   compiled and edited by Rivkah Lambert Adler, Ph.D.  I purchased this book because, truth be told, I have personally experienced the "Torah Awakening", and I wanted to know how others had arrived at this same realization of Torah's relevance. I also needed confirmation that I was not crazy for reaching my conclusion that this worldwide awakening is Spirit-led. I was not disappointed. Ten from the Nations consists of forty-six testimonies divided into two sections: "Voices from the Nations" and "Voices from the Jewish People". The writing style
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Shining Your Light Within Boundaries

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" 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) When you read the above verse, what kind of lamp did you envision? Did you a imagine a simple candlestick dripping with wax, or did you imagine an old kerosene lamp with a protective glass covering? I personally had never really thought about it until recently, when I had one of my "revelations", as I call them. I had always imagined a kerosene lantern, perhaps because I'm attracted to their old rustic charm, but what struck me this time was that the kerosene lamp has, as I mentioned, a glass globe around the flame that not only better illuminates the room but also protects the room from the flame an
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Repenting with a Sorrowful Heart

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The other day I drove down the road to the grocery store and parked my car in the back of the parking lot, seeking solitude and solace with God. I needed to be alone. I needed to repent. I needed to confess my recent sins and all the years that I had strayed away from Him. I read my Bible, prayed, cried, and poured out my heart. I left greatly comforted with the truths God revealed to me, but I was still not fully satisfied. What had gone wrong? As Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy." Had I not confessed to the Lord's satisfaction? Had God turned away from me? Was I lost forever? Thankfully, God does not turn a deaf ear toward us. He does indeed listen, and He puts people in our lives to correct "those He loves". (Hebrews 12:6) " 7 Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone
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The Narrow Road

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The narrow road. The hard path. I think I understand it now. We climb higher, pursuing a goal that is beyond sight but still there. Waiting. The path is rough. Stones jut out every step of the way, teasing and tripping. We stumble but we don't fall. We can't fall. It's still there. He's still there. Waiting. Calling. Beckoning us to follow Him. And so we climb higher...up the narrow road. " 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) The Christian walk has never been and will never be easy. (See John 16:33) If it were easy, we would have no need for God. As believers in Jesus Christ (Yeshua), we are called to walk the narrow road, yet so many of us try to avoid the pain, the humiliation, and the struggle that, in reality, defines our faith. Sometimes we act
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