Training is one of those things that make people and teams stronger! When we are instructed to "train up a child...", the Word inplies that that don't know anything. They will though. They will either learn it through watching and spending time with others or they will learn it by listening to, watching and spending time with you. The command here is that the parent is to train that child at every opportunity. ALL DAY LONG. How do you train? A team trains to become ONE--to unify. A marriage trains to become ONE--to unify. Why should you be trained? Who will train you? The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. Training has specific goals of improving one's capability, capacity, and performance. The most practical and best training process is reading and listening. Yep. You guessed it. Reading G-d's Word, and listening to what He says back to you. It is praying , and listening to what He says. The KICKER? …When you find yourself getting noticeably stronger. WHEN YOU ACTUALLY BEGIN OBEYING THE WORD is when the training takes a wonderful turn. You begin to care about the other people on the team. Their words mean something. Their roles will as well. Spending time with the trainer (and other teammates) is a MUST. Some of the areas (classes) you will need to get stronger and more focuses in are: listening, reading, praying, meditating on the Word, fasting, spending time with several people of like-mindedness and spendig time with a person of like-mindedness. Regular assembly of yourself together in church, synogogue or beit of El (house of G-d). All of this takes dedication and much practice. Having a very straight focus is a plus. There is NO CERTAIN "process" to get or be trained, it is a loooooong journey. Your training is COMPLETE upon DEATH.

One truth (1) is man's reality or perspective. The other Truth (2) is what is True in any matter that is being considered at that moment--regardless of the situation. This same Truth is respecting G-d and the execution of His purposes through His Son, the Messiah (Christ), and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Hebrews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians or Messianic Jewish believers. The first truth I mentioned, G-d's Spirit does not reside in it. The second, He does. In John 8:45-46 & 14:17, we see this Truth in Scripture. As we as a people (men) live in Truth, we don't have to lie about anything, or live behind the lie. As the Truth makes His home inside our thinking and guides us in our daily living, the life we live today will be dramatically and forever changed! We start making decisions BASED off of what we find that G-d has said previously (in Scripture) or what He is telling is (you) at that moment (by His Spirit of Truth). If you want to know or understand ANY situation, ask Him. He has the answer. He is waiting on us to ask for it or them. Why do we look for truth (1), when it is VERY likely that does not marry up with the (2) Truth that the Lord speaks? One of the answers is that the first one will almost always be advice from someone who DOES NOT care about what the Bible says or is not searching for G-d's answers for his or her life. As we practice living in Truth, our lives, even though they seem to spiral, will actually seem more peaceful. Why is that? I am pursuaded that it is because, we have chosen to bring the Lord into our situations, cares, woes, hurts, confused state, hurts, marriage, job situation and SIN. He WANTS to help! He IS available! We simply can't and must not continue in sin, thinking and saying that "G-d understands," and continue on the “wide” road we were/are on. I have heard many people declare that G-d is okay with what they are doing, because He understands they are weak. What?!! G-d's mercy, long-suffering and grace DOES NOT provide ANYONE a liscence to be foolish. (2) Truth is the Father's Way of telling us to "take that narrow road." "Go this narrow way." "Speak this instead." The phrase "God Forbid" is littered all over the Bible (all 66 books), but in the original language. The one we are most familiar with is the question Paul asked the Galatians, "shall we continue in sin, that grace will abound?" "G-d Forbid!" IF YOU CHOOSE to live in the (2) Truth, ensure you don't mix it in with the (1) truth of your friends, your spouse, your parents or even your own. Stick with the Truth that comes from spending valuable time in prayer and/or His Word. You will never go wrong there.

"G-d's" Holy is (separatedness or set-apartness). He alienates Himself from, and is at odd with idols, places, and things. "Our" holy is that we are to (be consecrated, be sanctified, be prepared, be dedicated, be hallowed). WE ARE TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE SECULAR and TO BE DRAWN TO THE SACRED. Why, because, "G-d distinguishes from the SECULAR and the SACRED."This is who He already is. Becoming like Him is up to you. We have a responsibility to become like the Son, Yeshua (Jesus). The sad part is that we seem to work more diligently at being like everyone else, BUT the One whom we say we love. G-d says, "IF you LOVE ME, you WILL KEEP Commandments." Keep does not mean to own a Bible and put it on the shelf or coffee table, only to be moved on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday. "Keep" is about reading it. Studying it. It is also about praying over it and MAKING those Words yours; to in-turn make it your personal quest to LIVE Them OUT BEFORE the entire world! The simple and USUAL thing to say is that you/I do. The difficulties come when you have to mahalawk, or "walk it out." If the Lord, God makes it a point to be NOT "LIKE" the rest of the gods, idols, religious factions and religions, where do you stand? He EXPECTS the same actions from you--BE SEPARATED FOR HIM. In reality, He commands it! The distressing component is... We work harder at acquiring and hoarding more gods (idols), marrying someone He did not provide you, dating just to date, partnering (in business) and being part of sexually illicit gatherings, drinking parties, clubs, nudy bars, etc. Not taking part of those things is the START of "living a separated life." SEPARATING yourSELF from the things, people, and places G-d WOULD NOT associate with is what will be noticed first. "You are to be holy, as I am Holy", G-d says. Your "abiding in Him" and "He abiding in you" will help His Spirit of Truth assist you with loving people and to live like He would--Holy.

There are many "how to" books out there to tell us how to operate computers, do math and even how to understand the Bible. The promoters are using the CATCH PHRASE of "Bible for Dummies." That is rather insulting. Don't buy that stuff--unless you think you are a dummy. However, NONE of us are dummies. The Father gave us His Son; and His Son, gave us His Spirit. Between all of them, we have everything we require to get to know G-d, and His will for us. Here are some helpful hints and practices that will get you deeper into the Word. Sometimes your leaders will use these to help lead the course; and sometimes they don't. Many are not aware that these things NEED to be used and UNDERSTOOD BEFORE they can share what they THINK. Using the Word properly includes: "knowing who the people are being mentioned", "what city is being ministered to or referenced", "what is the functional purpose of the word/phrase being used?", "what is the original meaning if the word being used"?, "what is the setting in which the story is being told?" Mistakes are made when we ATTEMPT to MAKE ONE reference to a CITY or PEOPLE (i.e., Paul speaking to Galatia) relate to all other locations (i.e., Paul speaking to Corinth). We can't do this successfully, because the meanings and message would render the talk ineffective. It is like a love letter being written to you, from your wife, and you giving it to other ladies to give to their husbands. Even though some words may be fitting, the letter would not make sense to all of them. We work very hard to make a few words to make OUR POINT. ALL have been guilty of doing this.

Growing Pains I remember as a child growing up I couldn’t wait to get taller, stronger and faster. Idolizing men that were portrayed as heroes like Hulk Hogan and Sylvester Stallone. I never did get big like those men and I pretty much stayed a runt lol but what I’m leading up to is the term “Growing Pains”. The term was one I remember hearing growing up that literally translates what it says. The body grows so quickly that your body actually aches from the growth. Well the same can be said when it comes to our growth as Christians. Growth should be expected if we are eating and drinking things that nourish our bodies (The Word of God) but with that growth though it is a good thing can be painful. As we grow closer to the Father through His Holy Spirit we learn to be like Him, doing the things that He expects of us and though they are not always easy it is all part of the process of growing. I’d like to share with you a brief example of something that happened to me the other day. One part of my growth that the Father has been working on is Patience. Over the years my wife has given me a nickname “Road rage”. Yes we have all heard the term used and more than likely we are all guilty of doing it. The term means to become angry with someone while driving your vehicle. I know most of the time we would like to think of ourselves as the most courteous, safe and respectful drivers on the road, one that is both aware of our surroundings and always respectful of others right? Well not me lol. Friday we all loaded up in the family van for a quick drive to the local store for some groceries. Now you would think that with my short fuse with peoples driving abilities I would learn not to venture out during rush hour traffic, right? I mean talk about adding fuel to the fire. Anyways, we get to our exit only to have traffic to a crawl and to add to the mix the local Firefighters are in the middle of the lanes doing what I am sure you have all seen one time or another with the empty boots raising money for MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) good cause right? Well one of the Firefighters was making his way down the middle of the road collecting donations which brought the middle lane to a halt almost making me rear end another car. Now here is where I over exaggerated because my patience was already thin and it really wasn’t that bad but I made it out to be. So let’s take my short fuse and my confrontational attitude into mind and yes you guessed it I just had to tell him what I thought about it. We begin to move forward so I rolled down my window eagerly awaiting my moment to tell him what I thought about this slow traffic and how it was his entire fault that I nearly rear ended someone. Truth be told he had nothing to do with all that had transpired, he had just become my scapegoat for my pent up frustrations of driving. Confrontation time had arrived. So we get within earshot and I let him have hit. Telling him that they nearly caused an accident and how this was a poor time to be collecting donations. I got to hand it to him though, through all my barking he remained calm and even killed me with kindness by handing me a sticker and telling me to have a nice day, and to top it off Tina was taking his side too. Oh that aggravated me more, because by golly I wanted him to share in my frustrations. Meanwhile all the time Tina and the boys sat silently watching everything unfold. We made it out of all that and were able to safely reach our destination but the whole time the Holy Spirit was chastising me. Before we had left the store I had been lashed so bad I found myself apologizing to my wife and children for my actions and the handling of the situation. Now that was the easy part. I also had to go back to these two men and apologize. We leave the store and fight our way back through rush hour traffic to the location of where they were and thankfully they were still hard at it, pounding the pavement for the cause. As we pulled up into the parking lot the two men spotted me and I though I couldn’t hear what they were saying I could see it in their eyes and actions. “Oh no here comes that crazy guy for round two. What’s this guy’s problem, can’t he just let it go?” They make their way out of traffic and meet me in the parking lot but before they could say anything I immediately took control of the conversation. Now let me quickly go back to growing pains. In my walk with God one of the hardest things for me to do as a man is to show humility. Why you ask? Because humility is seen as a weakness in society’s eyes, but one thing I’ve learned as a Christian is that by submitting to this humility it has opened up so many more areas of who I am in Christ and what He wants for me. You see Christ did the most humble thing in the world for us by giving His life so that we could be forgiven and spend eternity in heaven. What a selfless act. Ok back to the story. Once the two men were standing in front of me I began to apologize for my actions. Quickly the Firefighter tried to interject but I shut him down telling him he need not even speak as this was my entire fault. I let them know that I was sorry for the way that I had treated him and that I had let my emotions control the situation rather than reason and that the example that was displayed in front of my wife and children was both childish and foolish and unbecoming of a man who claims to be a follower of Christ. I then began to say and as a man I seek your forgiveness and your handshake if you will allow it. The words that followed are ones that will soon not part as he said “This is something I will never forget and that it meant more to him than anything he had ever encountered”. Thank you Lord. Growing pains may not always be easy but are essential to the end product. In life and in Christ we begin as babes but through time we grow to a young child, adolescent and on to adult hood and through it all there are moments of both pain and joy, but if we look back on it all we can see that the piece of clay that started out as just a blob has now turned into a masterpiece, one that only the Potter could perfect. Blessings.

In the earlier years of Israel, the disciples would imitate his discipler (Rabbi). He would REpresent to others ONLY what he saw and heard from his Rabbi: His lean, his walk, his delivery, his dress, his laugh, his faith. It was literally an actual respectful mocking of this person he followed. The disciple would hang on EVERY ACTION. "IT WAS UTTER COMMITMENT!" In TODAY's Church, we have mistakenly ERRORED and MISREpresented the Lord in the area of discipleship. It was MEANT to TRAIN and/or PREPARE someone in the WAYS of G-d -- THROUGH the Torah (Law teachings). For MANY in the Church TODAY, the Law is looked upon as being "old, archaic and done away with." Where did this thinking originate? This can't be further from the Truth. Over the years, we have twisted and turned the foundations of how we believe into a metaphorically imbalanced and euphoric belief system, based upon what we believe denominationally, rather than STANDING and STICKING with the ORIGINAL PURPOSE....RIGHTEOUSNESS. Whose righteousness? G-d's (HASHEM's). What is a disciple? What does it mean to be one? A disciple in Hebrew is defined as "one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings (Law) of another (G-d). We use the Hebrew definition, because they ORIGINATED the blueprints. If we would look at the original [documented] disciples, they all were the replicated images of the one who they shared life with. They were chosen. They were set apart to do great things in the NAME of G-d's Torah--NOT HIS OWN or HIS CHURCH's or HIS OWN BELIEFS or HIS RELIGION or THE MAN-DERIVED DOCTRINE that took a "SPIN" off of the Original Word TANAKH (Prophets, Teachings and Torah). Disciple in Hebrew is defined-in a word-“Talmid” which means student." I have journeying to become a student (Talmid) of the Word for years. There is much to learn yet. I have sat under multiple pastors and with many other men. Without searching for their errors, they show up. Why? Because I was searching for the Truth, knowledge and understanding ONLY found through the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) of G-d. While seeking G-d, He showed me ME and He showed me THEM. If I DISLIKED what I saw in ME (and I did), what do you think I saw in them? Yeshua (Jesus) began to revolutionize my heart and life. He discipled me through His Word. It took QUITE AWHILE before I saw what I see now, but I still "see through the glass dimly." I have much to learn. I have been given some really cool, and much needed understanding and insight over the years. Before I move on, I will ask THESE RATHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS...Who do you want to look like? Who would you rather believe? Whom would you rather stand, talk or sound like? Whose words would you prefer to repeat? As a disciple(r), you would be responsible for (1) "going and making disciples of all the nations." (2) "baptizing the new disciples (of the Lord) in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" and (3) "teaching (instructing & guiding) the new disciples of the Lord to observe all that He commanded YOU." Yes, we who are called (Christians, followers, and believers), were actually called people of the Way or Messianics before. You are CHARGED with relaying the Words and lifestyle Adonai showed His disciples. Why are we making them like us? Why do we work diligently to generated puppets of sin, rather than leaders for Truth? We should be getting prepared to prepare other people (males to males and women to women) to GO and make disciples for Adonai and so the cycle continues. The term Rabbi was a really powerful one. It simply means master. If you lead accurately. He should follow closely. It is said, "the disciple followed in the steps of the Rabbi (discipler) so closely, the disciple could taste the dust from his sandals. In effect, when we TRUST (have faith in) Yeshua (Jesus) as our Lord, Teacher, Master, Leader, Guide, Rabboni, we actually become "born again.' This is not a New Testament saying, it is a phrase that rolled over the lips of Yeshua, when He was teaching Nicodemus in John 3. It is also found in 1 Peter 1:23. When studied out, you will see that it ONLY lends to your understanding that we MUST make disciples for the Son of God, not OURSLEVES or DENOMINATIONS. Get to work brother. There are many books in which to enhance your growth. Here is one I plan to read. "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith." "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" -- Matthew 28

When we look at communication, this is an area in which we as men struggle. Actually, we are not even in the same hemisphere as the women! However, this is not to be taken as a point of comparison, it is meant to spur us on to become better at talking with the One who has ALL the answers to ALL of our questions. Here are a few QUOTES I thought would get our minds thinking on our subject matter. "Prayer is not getting man's will done in Heaven, but getting God's will accomplished on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness." "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." "It is the habit of faith, when she is praying, to use pleas. Mere prayer sayers, who do not pray at all, forget to argue with God; but those who prevail bring forth their reasons and their strong arguments" "God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it." "Most men pray for power, the strength to do things. Few people pray for love, the quality to be someone."Me? I have a desire to be a man of prayer, but over the years I have hit peaks and valleys in this area of NEEDED strength! I do pray constantly, but not always fervently. Sometimes, I actually wonder if my prayers are even effective. With those doubts, I could wonder why I still do it. Obedience is THE answer! It is actually a loving mandate that we pray. G-d's CHOSEN people were always a welcomed voice that entered His throne room. Ps. 141:2 says, "May my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering." Incense is a pleasing aroma to those who burn them in their cars and homes. In the early temple, Hashem required the priests to burn incense unto him 24/7. Yeah, everyday, all day! This in effect was the prayer of His set-apart men, on behalf of the people. In today's world, the Father expects us to do the same for the people. Pray! It is still obedience. Yeshua (Jesus), learned obedience though (you guessed it) prayer. His continual strolling off in the evening, and awakening early in the morning were personal acts to get seek and get His Father's will and direction. Your life should mirror the Lord's actions as well. Am I saying get up early daily to pray? It would not hurt, but not necessarily early. Although, talking to the One with ALL the answers daily, about everything is something we all should strive for. Keep in mind, His ONLY Son did the same. He will never ask us to do something He never put into practice. This practice has been around for THOUSANDS of years!!! Why do we as men find it so DIFFICULT to pray and ask G-d for assistance? Is it really that difficult? I would have to say "yes" and "no." Once you START, it is as simple as speaking with your neighbor about the game or boats. Praying is VERY MUCH NEEDED for your life to be in ORDER. Praying is VERY MUCH NEEDED for your MARRIAGE life to be in ORDER. Praying is VERY MUCH NEEDED for your CHILDRENS' lives to be in ORDER. I have not mentioned WORK, SPIRITUAL growth, praying for your pastor, yourself, or your protection. The Lord is evidently interested in your "HERE and NOW" and your "FUTURE." He is very interested in your life. Get to praying. He awaits your voice. In prayer, we draw closer to G-d. In prayer is where He comes closer to us to.

It is written in II Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman (a person with specified skill in a job or craft) that needs not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the Word of Truth." Your part is to learn G-d's Word. He wants you to spend lots of time with Him. When we crack open the Word, we tell the Creator (Hashem), that we care about what has been spoken to others-for us. We show His Son, that we have chosen to eat of His flesh (Bible Word) to find that it is pretty good and very nourishing (oh, taste and see that the Lord is good-Ps 34:8). When we study and dissect the Scriptures, we make ourselves APPROVED unto G-d Himself. It is like (somewhat) when we ask a question of our children, and they give us not only what we ask of them, but can explain the premise of why we asked it. How often are you embarrassed to know that someone younger in the Lord knows more Word than you do? Well, they have spent meaningful time with their Father. Studying Him is alot like "living with your wife as with KNOWLEDGE"- I Peter 3:7. One must spend time viewing and asking questions of someone or something of interest. If you spend time with your spouse, you will notice some things that passers-by would never know or notice. You actually get the LUXURY of somewhat "understanding" them. When a male is chided with the words, "you don't understand me" from the female, it sends a direct message that you have not spent enough time watching, listening or asking deeper questions to GET-TO-KNOW her. This would be considered as “surface” if you don’t have intimacy. The difference between church and the Church is relationship. ANYONE can go to a building, but when we BECOME the temple of the Holy Spirit, all things become new. Just like sitting and listening to your girl talk, studying is much the same way--you GET to listen to what the Father has to say in His Scriptures. You read what He has told the chosen people. You see what His plans were, are and what will be. When you, oh man of G-d, get beside yourself and confused because you don't know what to do, or where to turn, studying and digging into His Word, the Bible, will provide ample insights. It is THEN when you will be able to ASK the proper questions (recall the Karate kid's Daniel-san) or (Kung-Fu's Grasshopper), for the proper answer. There are many tools for studying as well. We tend to RUN to what another MAN has said (commentary) for understanding. I encourage you to back off of that. Research the Bible's instructional guidance on your own--with some help from a buddy who is doing the same. Over the years, I have had the DISTINCT PLEASURE of helping other brothers to grow. We purchase Concordances, and a few other research books to garner information. However, each of those books is ONLY VIABLE WHEN THEY ARE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BIBLE. ALONE, they are actually NOT going to do you any good. The Bible IS the Source. Use it. Read it. Study it. Live by it! Once more, you are to SHOW YOURSELF approved UNTO G-d! When man tells you that you don’t know anything, or excludes you because they are pastors, elders, deacons, etc., get away--that is an unholy and arrogant thing. That matters NOT! You may KNOW and UNDERSTAND WAAAYYYYYY MORE than they will, because you have SPENT TIME with their and your Creator. Let the truth be known, they are actually studying the same as you. The Lord’s Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is He Who grants insight and sets us apart -- for Him. Study!!

What does it mean for us to "do our part?" That could look like so many things. One of the parts we men play (or can), is to BE the HERO for our children. The sad part is that we sit back and allow the sports jockeys, neighbors and movie stars to cause that sparkle to show up in the eyes of our children. That sparkle-causer should be US! Since I did not grow up with a father-figure, I had all sorts of "idols." Many were people, but NOT ONE was a male I could see and touch. I was failed! I chose to NOT be a failure to my children (if I had any). Well, the Father gave me some. TWO girls. I was asked SEVERAL times "if I wanted a boy?" My answer....? It was "no." I wanted to learn how to raise girls, and not be concerned with the challenges. I really enjoy talking to them about sex, boys, clothing, cooking, my failures, my dreams, their dreams, and the reproductive organs, etc. I share with them about how poorly I acted in my earlier years toward some girls. I have learned that both of them listen. Even though one of them acts grossed out, she listens as closely as the other. Though they have artist they like to listen to and watch, they are not whom I have heard them say they want to be like. They imitate their parents. They like to spend time with their us. They like to travel and play games with the two “weirdoes.” What is your part? It is raising your children. It is not being a SPERM DONOR or ABSENTEE DAD, but a CO-creator of life, who is HIGHLY involved in the decisions that are made for their lives. Those decisions actually start BEFORE they are born. The decisions range from the color of their bobbi socks and panty hose, to who that boy is that calls here (and meet him). Doing your part means disciplining them when they need it, and don't leave it ALL up to their mother. It means that if you did not wed their mother, MAKE SURE YOU ARE PAYING YOUR CHILD SUPPORT and follow the law of the courts AS YOU ARE following the Law of G-d! You see, "doing your part" covers a whole gambit of areas, and we will discuss several more over the next several Posts. REMEMBER: “Do you part.”

1 Chronicles 11:10 Now these were the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him the king, according to the Word of the Lord concerning Israel. There are no Lone Ranger leaders. If you’re alone, you’re not leading anybody. Examine the way David pulled together the core people who made him great: 1. He started building a strong inner circle before he needed it: David began building his team long before he was crowned king. 2. He attracted people with varied gifts: David attracted men of diverse abilities. We read of experienced warriors with a variety of skills, many men of valor, and hundreds of captains. With the help of these men, David felt ready for anything. 3. He engendered loyalty: David’s followers displayed incredible loyalty to him throughout his life. Those closest to him seemed willing to put their lives on the line for him. 4. He delegated responsibility based on ability: David continually gave responsibility to others. He designated Joab as commander of the army, and he felt equally secure in giving others civil authority.