Tom's Teachings

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Tour Israel with Tom This Spring

Bethlehem Shepherds Revisited

This article from the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem’s website is so good I have contracted/summarized it below. It shows the unique aspect of the shepherds on that glorious day of our dear Savior’s birth. Here is the full article if you prefer (http://us.icej.org/news/commentary/tower-flock)

The first public declaration of the Good News of the redemption in Messiah Yeshua is made to shepherds, common people of Israel, not to the religious or political rulers. 

“The shepherds’ fields outside Bethlehem, to this day, play a central role in the Christmas celebrations in the Holy Land. Countless tourists have visited the fields between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The church historian Eusebius linked these fields to a unique biblical location called Migdal Eder, which translated means the “tower of the flock”. (See Gen. 35:21)

“This area on the outskirts of Bethlehem is also mentioned in the Talmudic writings. According to the Talmud, all cattle found in the area surrounding Jerusalem ‘as far as Migdal Eder’ were deemed to be holy and consecrated and could only be used for sacrifices in the Temple, in particular for the peace and Passover sacrifices. There was thus a special, consecrated circle around the city of Jerusalem.”

“This means the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem who first heard the Good News from the angels were not ordinary shepherds but served the sacrificial system of the Temple.” 

They were facilitating a very necessary reality of obedience to G-d in order for Israel to maintain fidelity to the Mosaic Covenant. And the shepherds who took care of these sacrificial sheep were the first to hear of the birth of the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world, Who is also the great Shepherd. 

“The Hebrew prophet Micah also refers to Migdal Eder. ‘And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.’ (Micah 4:8)”

“Based on that prophecy, prominent Jewish writers [who did not follow Yeshua] concluded in the Midrash that from all of the places in Israel, it would be the Migdal Eder where the arrival of the Messiah would be declared first.

“That means when the angels appeared that night to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, it was not just a declaration of the Good News to simple shepherds. It was a powerful prophetic sign to all of Israel. The news of that night must have spread like wildfire through the surrounding villages.”

Luke records: “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:17-18)

What does this all mean for us?

“First, it is always beneficial for the Church to see that Jesus did not arrive into a vacuum, but was born into an entirely Jewish context. When Christ came in the flesh, he was born first-and-foremost to the Jewish people but would then also bring his favour and good pleasure to all men. Even though the celebration of Christ’s birth has become a feast marked almost exclusively by the gentile Church, it is important for us to see it in its historic and biblical context – as a message intended to give hope to Israel. As Zacharias prophesies at the birth of John the Baptist, this all happened to “perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham…” (Luke 1:72f).”

“The angelic announcement gave these simple shepherds a profound revelation of who this Messiah would be. He was proclaimed to be both King (born in the city of David) and Priest. That he was both Christ and Lord, the son of man but also the son of God. He would be the saviour of humanity but also the shepherd of all those who would follow his voice.”
By taking care of the sheep that are used in the sacrificial system, these shepherds were participating in the very context of our redemption. They were then chosen as the first people to publically hear the declaration of the Good News that the Mosaic Covenant was foreshadowing. “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you Good News of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12) 

He does everything for a reason and every detail brings Him glory.

Merry Christmas  

Just how old is the Hebrew aleph-bet?

Expert claims inscriptions from Egyptian exodus proves Hebrew is world's oldest alphabet:

Read the Article in the JPost

Tour the Land of Israel with Tom

Ride on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, visit a 1st century recreation of the village of Nazareth, experience ancient Shiloh (the resting place of the Tabernacle for almost 400 years), participate in an archeological excavation (the Temple Mount Sifting Project), worship with local Messianic Jews, put your feet on the Mount of Olives like Yeshua will upon His return, 

and so much more! 

This is a 12 day trip, with 10 days of professional touring including a local Messianic Jewish guide. 

Cost is approximately $4,000 including airfare. 

For more details contact Tom ASAP.

HaTikvah Dental Clinic: Video Update from Jerusalem

https://vimeo.com/152257745

Building a Spirit-Empowered Hebraic Worldview: A New Class This Fall

Starting Monday, October 5th Tom will teach a class focused on setting the foundation for a Spirit-Empowered Hebraic Worldview by looking at covenantal continuity. It's an 8-week session held on Monday evenings, from 6:30-9pm at Crossroads Church in Overland Park. He will teach on a new topic each week and also facilitate classroom discussion. Unlike the classes he offered last year there is no video instruction -- this class is built upon his own study and research in the Covenants throughout the Word.

Here's a more detailed explanation of what you can look forward to in this new class:

8-Week Session: October 5th - November 23rd

Building a Spirit-Empowered Hebraic Worldview: Covenantal Continuity & Foundation

     6:30 - 9:00pm
 
This class will construct a Biblical worldview that emphasizes the holistic necessity of Holy Spirit empowerment along with the equally necessary Biblically Hebraic realities of the Kingdom of G-d. The emphasis will be on the cumulative progressive nature of the Biblical covenants and the continuity between them. We will explore the Spirit-Empowered Hebraic Worldview by looking at principles from the Biblical feast of Shavuot (Pentecost), including:

• Continuous Covenantal Thread: A look at the continuous and foundational thread of covenant throughout Scripture focusing on the New Covenant & the Davidic Covenant.
• People & Land: An Israel-Centric Perspective presented with a focus on the Jewish people, and the Land of Israel as understood through the Abrahamic Covenant, while also addressing the role of the Nations in relationship to Israel by looking at the Adamic and Noachic Covenants.
• G-d's Holy Law: A look at the Mosaic Covenant and its continued relevance for Jews & Gentiles.

We hope to see you there!
The cost of the class is $20.
Please register by contacting Tom Blake at
tom@remember-jerusalem.org  OR 913-645-8814

Classes are located at:
Crossroads Church RCA,
10551 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS 66215

Growing Pains & Blessings!

His Spirit keeps moving, and hopefully we are too! Our lives have been filled with the Father's blessings these last few months. We are encountering Him in new and amazing ways as we experience Jew and Gentile coming together in deep relationship. Tom taught two classes this semester, and the latest class -- Israel, the Church and the Last Days -- shed light on concepts that are confusing without a Spirit-Empowered Hebraic Worldview. This summer he hopes to teach his first in-depth class focused on his passion: the continuity of the Biblical covenants. The class is titled "Yeshua in the Covenants: Building a Spirit-Empowered Hebraic Worldview." Whether teaching Monday night classes, leading our small groups, preaching at our congregation, or through one-on-one conversations, the L-RD continues to emphasize the importance of understanding covenant for right relationship with Him and others. Stay tuned for exact dates and times. We are sad to say that the Jerusalem Pilgrimage Tour has been postponed. Stay tuned for more information on the rescheduling and please let us know if you're interested in attending!

Before we moved to Israel, we "sold everything" including our home, car, and furnishings to supplement the high cost of living in Jerusalem. After we moved back, the L-RD generously supplied us with a van (which is paid off!) and a good friend has given Tom a car to "borrow" for a very extended amount of time! Tom's parents have graciously allowed us to stay in their home since we have returned. But we are confident that the L-RD's timing is here for us to find a home of our own as a base for our ministry. It's currently a 'seller's market' which is a challenge for us in our house hunt, but we continue to trust in His goodness and His provision. Please join us in prayer for the financing and purchasing of the right home in Kansas. Baby #5 comes in September and we'd love to be settled before then. O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of G-d! How unsearchable are His judgements and how incomprehensible are His ways!   We are constantly reminded of this Scripture, not just because of our personal testimony but from the experiences of our friends and family. We take comfort in knowing that He is incomprehensible, and so when we visited the sonographer to check on our newest little addition, we were prepared for whatever the Father had for us. Then she revealed that Baby #5 is a BOY! Perhaps we weren't quite prepared for that! He is healthy and growing well and, L-RD willing, he will join our family in September!

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory fovever! Amen! Romans 11:33, 36 Not only are we expecting a baby in the fall, but Tom will formally continue his doctoral studies that began in Jerusalem by entering the doctoral program at The King's University in Southlake, Texas. He'll travel south three times a year to attend modular classes for the Messianic Jewish Studies Program, the only accredited Messianic Doctoral program in America.

New Classes Starting Soon!

February 16th to May 4th

This semester we are offering a different format to our school. There will be two separate six-week classes on Monday evenings. Each class will be six weeks long from 6:30pm to 9:00pm and include a mixture of video lectures from Dan Juster and additional material and discussion by Tom Blake. The classes are not intended to merely be a lecture/video format but a class that allows the students to engage with the material.

1st 6-Week Session: February 16th - March 23rd

Messianic Jewish Theology

     6:30 - 9:00pm
 
This class will discuss the main issues of Messianic Jewish Theology and the often-overlooked Hebraic cultural contexts for interpreting the Bible. The emphasis will be salvation, law and grace, Israel’s election and relationship with the Nations, and Eschatology; and how is Messianic Jewish Theology similar and/or different from the various Christian and Rabbinic Jewish interpretations of Scripture including:

• The foundation of Torah and the continuity of the biblical covenants
• The Prophets and their application of Torah and proclamation of the Messianic Hope
• The Gospels and life of Yeshua
• The interpretive issues of Acts & the Pauline Writings
• Difficult Biblical Passages and Discussion of the Messianic Jewish Movement
• Messianic Jewish & Gentile practice
• Response to Rabbinic Judaism

Recommended Reading:
"Jewish Roots: Understanding Your Jewish Faith" by Dan Juster (updated version)
"Assumptions that Affect our Lives" by Christian Overman


2nd 6-Week Session: March 30th - May 4th Israel, the Church, & the Last Days
     6:30 - 9:00pm

This class will provide a foundational understanding of a Messianic Jewish perspective on the Last Days. It will examine Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, focusing on the following themes:

• The eschatological hope of the prophets in light of Israel's failures 
• The return of Israel from exile
• The return of the Messiah
• Judgment on the Nations
• The defeat of Israel's enemies
• The revelation of G-d to the Nations under the rule of Messiah 
• The new order of creation

Recommended Reading:
"Israel, the Church, and the Last Days" by Asher Intrater and Dan Juster

All are welcome to the classes and the fee is $40 for each six-week class. You are welcome to join the classes at any point in the semester. Extensive lecture notes are available electronically for free or in booklet form for about $10. 

Please register by contacting Tom Blake
913-645-8814 or tom@remember-jerusalem.org.

Classes are at Crossroads Church RCA,10551 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS 66215.

It's time for you to visit Israel

Register today at www.yoshertours.com/tour-registration/ 

or contact Tom

 Phone: 913-645-8814   Email: tom@remember-jerusalem.org

Our April Update

 

 

 

 

Old and New

Building and Re-building in KC

Our trip from Israel to Kansas City was memorable and successful -- flying through Moscow with an infant and 8 carry-ons for a total of 36 hours can only happen with the grace of G-d!

Now that we've gotten situated and adjusted to the reverse culture shock (sort of) we're turning our attention to the reason the L-rd called us back to Kansas City -- to establish a Messianic Discipleship Bible School. There is much to do: working with a designer to create a logo that captures the essence of the school; creating a website with original and informative content; maintaining our current financial support; raising the additional funds necessary to launch the school; and developing curriculum and projects for the discipleship school. The L-rd continues to confirm and encourage us as we are now on track for accreditation with a dynamic university that offers a complete Messianic Jewish Studies degree (more details soon)!

One of the key elements of the school is imparting a Holy Spirit-empowered Hebraic worldview. In order to do this we are praying specifically for our leadership team -- teachers, musicians, intercessors, and shepherds. We're praying for people who have the spiritual and physical gifts necessary to impart the foundations of the faith while also helping each student realize their specific gifts. Please pray that the right people, location, finances and curriculum will come together to launch this fall!

If you missed our last newsletter, with an overview of our ministry in America, click right here!

Yeshua's Passover

Join us for a Seder on the First Night of Passover

Throughout winter in Israel there are always flowers and plants growing, because it doesn't get as cold as it does in the midwest. Back here, though, the first little green buds push their heads through the ground to show us that spring is on its way -- and we all rejoice! The new life we see in the springtime reminds us that Yeshua is the Resurrection and the Life.

One thing we learned from our time in Jerusalem is that not only are the seasons different, but each family does their Seder differently. Last year, in keeping with Persian tradition, we hit each other with green onions! This year we're excited to celebrate the faithfulness of G-d and the ultimate sacrifice of His Son Yeshua with our family and friends in Kansas City. We're inviting you to join us for a Seder on the first night of Passover, Monday, April 14th at 6 PM. Because the evening involves a special meal we are suggesting a minimum donation of $15. Space is limited so please RSVP by Friday, April 11th, at the latest. Please Email Leah at leah@remember-jerusalem.org for more details and to reserve your place at the table. We look forward to seeing your faces as we taste and see that the L-rd is good! 

Financial Need

Before we moved to Israel we sold our van and our home, sure of His call on our lives. While we were in Jerusalem He blessed us with a wonderful apartment and a great location near the train. Public transportation is very convenient within the city. KC is very different from Jerusalem because public transportation is not very accessible. We quickly realized we needed a car in order to do basic daily tasks and ministry. After much searching we found a reliable used van to accommodate our growing (hopefully) family! Please consider donating money specifically toward our vehicle as we still need about $5,000 to pay for the van. We know that He will continue to take care of our financial needs as we move forward with establishing the Messianic Discipleship Bible School. 

Break Bread With Us

Throughout the last two years the L-rd used you, our faithful supporters, to allow us to be in Jerusalem -- studying, connecting and spreading the love of Yeshua. We need your continued support as well as many more partners who believe in the importance of discipleship and Israel. Our plan is to meet with all of you to catch up on life -- a lot has happened for all of us -- and to impart more of the vision of our school. There's nothing like sitting down to a meal, or a cup of coffee, and sharing life together and we're looking forward to it. So let's set up a time  -- we have Tuesday and Thursday evenings specifically set apart for breaking bread (or not if you're gluten free)-- and other times if these nights won't work. Please send us an email or give us a call soon!

Tom -- tom@remember-jerusalem.org 913-645-8814
Leah -- leah@remember-jerusalem.org 913-645-8108

We want to say a huge THANK YOU! Our time in Israel was blessed because of your support and encouragement. And our next step is very exciting! If you haven't yet partnered with us we would also love to sit down and share more of the vision for our school so you can share in what G-d is doing. Join with us in rooting lives in the Truth of the Living G-d and His Son, Yeshua!

Upon returning to America...

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision the people perish" (KJV). G-d has put a vision and an excitement in our hearts about the future ministry He has for us --starting a Messianic Discipleship Bible School with a three-fold focus:

1. Discipleship
2. Accredited Bible Teaching
3. Outreach to Israel, Including a Biblical Tour of the Land
 

After we returned to Israel last fall we felt that our season in Israel was coming to an end. We revisited a vision the L-rd had given Tom the previous spring about developing a dynamic school. With prayer, prophecy, and counsel throughout these last several months we've realized that the L-rd is opening the doors for us to make the Messianic Discipleship Bible School come to life upon our return to Kansas.

Starting a school is a natural progression in our life journey and calling. The experience and knowledge we've gained from our season in Jerusalem; our involvement in the Messianic movement; the dramatic story of our sons and subsequent testimony; and our gifts of teaching and discipling -- G-d has used all of these to prepare us "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). We realize we will be most effective back in our hometown utilizing the incredible support system that helped to sustain us and bring us through so many good and difficult times. Here is a brief overview of our vision:

As Billy Graham said, "Salvation is free but discipleship costs everything." At this time in history there is a great need for serious discipleship to prepare the body of Messiah for the great tribulations that are to come while emphasizing the importance of standing with Israel. The vision for the school is to have a holistic program that imparts into the students the foundations of the faith taught from a Biblically Hebraic worldview. We will focus on helping the students gain the tools necessary to walk out their faith in the real world, while unlocking and cultivating their spiritual gifts for the glory of the Kingdom.

The vision for the school also involves offering some of the Bible classes for academic credit (these classes will also be available to people outside of the discipleship program). This will allow the students the advantage of participating in the discipleship school but also receiving academic credit that can be applied toward an accredited degree. Rarely do Biblical academia and discipleship come together and yet this combination has the potential to dramatically impact the Kingdom of G-d.

We envision a multifaceted trip to Israel whereby the student will connect with and serve the local Messianic Jewish body AND also participate in a guided Biblical tour of the Holy Land. The L-rd has given us relationships with local Messianic believers which will allow us to plan opportunities to appropriately serve the Messianic Jews in Israel. Connecting the students with the Land itself brings the stories of the Bible to life and will forever enhance their relationship with the L-rd.

There will be different ways to become involved with the school -- as a full-time student, an evening class attendee, a prayer warrior, a financial partner, and as a host family to the incoming students. We hope you are as enthusiastic as we are about the vision the L-rd has for us. Just as moving to Jerusalem was only possible through prayers and financial support, we know that launching this school will require your continued prayers and financial support. We are pleased that many of our financial and prayer partners will reap the fruit of their labors through our teaching ministry and the planting of this school. 


 

 

 

All Joy & Peace

We rejoice in the things the Father has given us as we look to the close of 2013 -- new life, new friends, and new opportunities to share His love and truth with Israel and the Nations. Before we moved to Jerusalem we sold our home and our car, left our families and congregation for the sake of knowing Yeshua and making Him known and we can see His Hand in our lives. The blessing of living in Jerusalem for two years is priceless and the relationships and knowledge we've gained are eternal. Moving back to Kansas City means we have to start over, in a way, but with new eyes and new hearts. We're seeing how the L-rd wants to use the experiences and knowledge from our life in Jerusalem and our unique testimony, and are excited to use our gifts to teach, disciple and share the Good News of Yeshua . We seek your prayers to implement the vision that the L-rd has put into our hearts, for great success as Tom pursues his doctorate at King's University, and for His provision as we seek a new home, vehicle and all the necessities of reestablishing our life in Kansas City (which should be much easier than moving to the Middle East!).

As we step out in faith during this next season we ask that you will continue to partner with us. Please consider giving a one-time, year-end donation to help launch us into this next year. You can donate online by clicking here or mail checks to Tikkun International, PO Box 2997, Gaithersburg, MD 20886-2997. Include a separate note indicating your donation for Remember Jerusalem.

We look forward to seeing many of you again and rejoice that we get to share more meals and laughter with you. Until then, here's a brief look at some of the highlights we've experienced in the last year. Blessings to you, friends and supporters.

"Now may the G-d of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13

 

 

A New Season

Once we returned to Jerusalem in September we began praying into what the L-RD did during the five weeks we were in Kansas City. He powerfully provided the finances, through you, to keep us here through this semester. He partnered us with so many who share a heart for unification between Jew & Gentile through Yeshua and the importance of Israel.

Even though we anticipated being here in Israel for several more years, we both felt that we were to pray and ask the L-RD if He wanted us to stay beyond February.

In asking this question we prayed into many factors, not just finances, in our desire to do His will. We were both in agreement that we desired to serve more. While we definitely serve here in different capacities, Tom is limited because of the amount of time required for his studies. The language barrier also prevents us from serving more within the Messianic Jewish body. At some level, we feel we have come to a crossroads as to whether to begin a very serious modern Hebrew language study program or move on to a new season as the L-RD leads.

Through much prayer, wrestling, and affirmation from our spiritual authorities and the Holy Spirit, He showed us that this season in Israel is coming to an end. And He has even begun to put an excitement in our hearts for the next step in our journey. In coming to this unexpected decision, we reviewed our main goals for being in Israel:

1. Connect with and serve the Messianic community in order to join the Gentile body with the Messianic body here in Israel
2. Study the Bible in its original context to bring more depth to Tom's teaching gifting
3. Learn Biblical Hebrew to strengthen Tom's gift for teaching

He has graciously allowed us to achieve these goals in the 21 months we've lived here and we've gained so much more. But the obvious question is, What about Tom's PhD if you leave Israel?

The academic experience here has proven invaluable -- both inside and outside of the classroom. Tom's calling is to teach, and he is eager to share more about everything that the L-RD has shown him through his studies and living here in the Holy Land. The plan is to continue his doctoral studies at The King’s University (founded by Jack Hayford) in Dallas, Texas. The degree is a Doctorate of Ministry in Messianic Jewish Leadership/Studies and is the only program of its kind.

We believe this is a perfect fit for us. The program is designed for people to continue in their full-time ministry positions while also pursuing a doctoral degree. Therefore, it is set up so that you only come to the campus three times per year (9 days at a time). This is very exciting for us because it will allow us to be in full-time ministry/teaching while also pursuing the doctoral degree.

We plan to return to Kansas City after this semester, in the early Spring, and the L-rd has begun giving us vision for this next step in our ministry. We once again ask for your prayers for our lives and specifically our future ministry. We desire to continue teaching the message that G-d's heart for the Nations is rooted in Israel and because of our experiences in Israel He has equipped us to be able to impart that message in a unique way. We are thankful and excited for the leading hand of the Holy Spirit and have confidence that He is leading us into this new and exciting season.

We value your partnership and will share more details in the coming months and look forward to seeing you again in America! We pray you'll continue to partner with us as we share the message: Remember Jerusalem.

Here or There?

It goes without saying that celebrating the holidays in Israel is exciting and unique. For the last month our grocery store has carried sufganiot, donuts, and I bought several Hanukkah presents and our candles at this same grocery store. We have giant Hanukkah menorahs on all of the round-abouts and our neighbors set their family menorahs out on the ledge for all to see. The holidays feel completely different here, mostly because they actually feel like something, at a national level.

While visiting the Temple Institute (with the PBlakes) I bought Cassidy a dreidel. Once we got it home I took a closer look and realized it's an Israel-specific dreidel. A dreidel has four sides and each side has a letter on it, and some jewels if you have a fancy one like Cassidy. The four letters stand for the phrase,  "נס גדול היה שם", Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – "a great miracle happened there". The ש stands for "there" but the one we have doesn't have a ש. Instead it has the letter פ because it stands for "here".  A great miracle happened here. And that is really fun, even if means you have to put money in the pot during the dreidel game.

Our Israeli dreidel and our American dreidel

Life in the First Century

We visited Nazareth Village once again while Paul, Lauren and Noah were in town. The recreation of first century life on an actual vineyard is always interesting, no matter how many times we've visited. Here you can see how they collected water and cooked. As someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen it looks doable, but definitely hard.

The Study of the Word as Worship

"Judaism considers the study of Torah as the most sublime kind of worship, a way of meeting God, of breaking through the barrier separating the Absolute from the contingent and relative. Human intellectual engagement in the exploration of God's word, thought and law is a great religious experience, an activity bordering on the miraculous, a paradoxical bridge spanning the chasm that separates the world of vanity and infinity. The preoccupation of the intellect with the Torah is a sort of identification with divine thought, the realization of man's longing for companionship with God."
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik

October 6th

We obviously feel it's very important to pray for Israel, and specifically Jerusalem. But did you know that there are people all over the world who feel this same way? They've taken Psalm 122:6 to heart and have implemented an international day of prayer for the Holy City. Here's a video and link to help you understand what they're doing and why.

The Great Day of Salvation

Today is Hoshana Rabbah, the Great Day of Salvation according to the Scriptures and the Jewish Calendar. Chag Sukkot Sameach, friends!

What a surprise!