Roots of Faith

Succoth 08 with Roots of Faith and Arba4 - An Update

You shall live in booths for seven days….so that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YHWH - Leviticus 23

Then all who survive of the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, YHWH of Hosts, and to keep the Festival of Booths - Zechariah 14

This wonderful Festival is a time of rejoicing; a time to reflect on God’s deliverances - past, present and future. Despite a hectic work schedule, surviving two hurricanes and the birth of my second grandson, I am pleased to finally send this update on our upcoming conference to be held in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Last year we were much more organized, and I must take full responsibility for the lack of organization this year, but if you can get past that, I want to encourage you to come to Saint Francisville to spend this time with us. I am hopeful that some of you can make it for the entire Festival (October 14-22), or at the very least for the weekend conference (October 17-19).

This year we will have some incredible “formal lessons”, but my favorite part is always the time that we ALL spend together around the fire in the cool air talking about the Bible with like-minded people from all around the country. I look forward to meeting many new people as well as seeing some of my best friends.

I will publish a program of speakers as soon as I get topics from the speakers. Thus far, we have confirmation from the entire Arba4 team (http://www.arba4.com). ARBA4 is a web site that was organized to present multi-media teachings about the Bible, Judaism, Gentiles, Christianity, Non-Jews, Torah, Tanak, New Testament, Prophecy and Current Events. ARBA4.com currently features, Joseph & Debbie Good, Ross K Nichols and Dr. Walter Oakley. Their bios will be forthcoming in my next update.

Where to stay

Due partly to the storms and partly to other events in our small town, we were not able to secure a block of rooms at the one hotel in Saint Francisville at a special rate as we were able to do last year. I have heard from some that there are a few rooms available nonetheless. The hotel is a Quality Inn and the web site for the hotel is: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g40411-d77835-Reviews-Quality_Inn_St_Francis_on_the_Lake-Saint_Francisville_Louisiana.html

John Carlson also spoke with the folks at the Plantation Inn recently and confirmed reservations for the whole place for the week of Oct 14 thru Oct 21 (13 cottages, 14 rooms). Here is the website to check the facilities and to get rate info; http://www.historicplantationvillage.com/flash/index.html

And the phone number to call for reservations is; 225-658-8808

The name of the place is the (Asphodel) Historic Plantation Inn and the owner’s name is Dwain.

If you intend on coming and wish to stay at the Asphodel Plantation Inn, you need to make your reservations as soon as possible as availability will be limited. I would also encourage you to check hotels in the surrounding areas: Zachary - about 20 miles from the campsite and the synagogue and even Baton Rouge - 35 miles from the campsite and the synagogue.

Plan on Camping?

For those that plan to camp out, we have confirmed our reservation with The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, Mary Ann Brown Preserve. This wonderful location is ideal for sleeping under the stars. Aside from the beautiful location, it is less than 7 miles from the Hotel and the synagogue. Perfect for those who wish to stay up late and study the Bible under the stars. There is no cost for camping. You will need to bring any camping supplies as this is a primitive site. If you do not own camping gear or are unable to pack it all on the trip, but want to camp out with us, let me know and we will work something out. Here is the link to the camp site:

http://www.where2guide.com/TouristTrail/outdoors/MBrownPreserve.html

You can check out last years Conference or sign up for Succoth 08 from my web site.

Another Option

This year we have one other option. Several people have written me and told me that for one reason or another they would not be able to attend. So I began to think about this. Here we are in 2008, living in a world of advanced technology. There is absolutely no reason that people have to be “here” to be a part of the festivities. Some cannot attend due to health reasons, and some simply do not have the funds to make the trip. I have made a point in calling Roots of Faith a synagogue without walls. We webcast our services and teachings live over the web every week (as do the other Arba4 teachers). Why wouldn’t we do the same with the Conference? Well, that is exactly what we intend to do!

I will be publishing a schedule of speakers and topics in plenty of time for you to set the time aside to listen to some great Bible Teaching and music. Don’t forget to register if you plan to attend and please send me a personal note if you plan to listen in and participate from your home. If you have not already done so, fill out the on-line registration to let us know that you will be with us so that we can work with you to make this a time of refreshing. http://rootsoffaith.org/succoth_registration_08.htm

Thanks for your patience and for your continued prayers and support as we strive to inspire people to live a more Biblically authentic lifestyle. Shalom from Saint Francisville, Ross Nichols

A Special Yom Teruah Bulletin

I wanted to take the time to send out a special note to my entire mailing list as we draw near to the beginning of the 7th month on the Biblical Calendar.  This 7th month, is referred to by Josephus as the “Sacred Month”.

This is my favorite time of the year. The Bible refers to this season as the “turn of the year - Exodus 34:22″, and I always feel that this time leads us into a holy time - a time to reflect on our deeds and a time to “turn to our God” in repentance.

One thing that I constantly stress in my teachings is that people would do well to incorporate the “times and seasons” of the Bible into their personal faith. There is something incredible about being in sync with God’s appointed times (moedim). A careful study of Leviticus 23 is a good place to start. In the very first verse we learn that these are the “festivals of YHWH”. 

Jews have kept these festivals since they were given and have developed their own rich traditions around each of these. Christians are beginning to see the great value in studying them and incorporating them into their walk often as a way to be more like Jesus (Yeshua).  These moedim clearly have meaning for anyone that seeks to adopt the ways of the Creator.

Beginning tomorrow, according to the Jewish calendar, we enter this 7th month. This first day of the 7th month is known biblically as Yom Teruah, (a day of blasting, shouting), more commonly known as the Feast of Trumpets and traditionally as Rosh HaShana (or New Year’s day). Anciently, the new month was determined based upon the sighting of the new moon (a thin crescent), while the modern Jewish calendar is determined by calculation. The subject of the Hebrew Calendar is a very interesting and hotly debated subject - but one that is quite rewarding. So whether you follow the Jewish calendar or prefer to spot the thin crescent moon in the sky with your own eyes, the day is fast approaching!

By the way, if you are interested in learning more about observing the New Moon - see for example the following site:

http://www.karaite-korner.org/holiday_dates.shtml

An Ancient Sermon delivered on Yom Teruah

The 8th chapter of Nehemiah contains a sermon that was preached on this very day nearly 2,467 years ago!  It is there referred to as “a day Holy to YHWH”. The Torah has two main references to this Festival (Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6). The key word for this particular holy day is the Hebrew word Teruah. It is from the root “rua’” which means to “raise a shout” and is often associated with a battle cry. It can be associated with “making a loud noise” and one musical instrument that is commonly found making such noise is the ram’s horn “trumpet”, or shofar.

The shofar blast (the cry) is considered a warning and a call to repentance. A few passages that illustrate the use of the verb “rua’” are as follows: Psalm 47, Psalm 66:1; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 100:1, and Joshua 6:5.

This coming Sabbath is called Shabbat Shuvah - the Sabbath of Repentance. From the 1st day of the 7th month, we enter a 10-day countdown towards Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement.  I would encourage all of you to examine yourself and seek to make mends. The gates of repentance are always open.

Sin is the transgression of the commandments. Yeshua said that all who do and teach the commandments will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:17-20). To begin to turn to the Creator and to His ways as laid forth in the Law and the Prophets is the beginning step on the path towards true repentance.

I pray that each of you will meditate on these things as we enter this Holy 7th month.

A Sunday Shul Lesson for Yom Teruah

This past Sunday in my weekly Sunday Shul class, I taught on this very subject of Yom Teruah. Beginning with a sermon that dates to approximately 458 B.C.E., I seek to illustrate the Biblical significance of the 1st day of the 7th month.

Weaving the upcoming Torah and Prophet reading for Sabbath Shuvah (The Sabbath of Repentance) with the ancient sermon, I attempt to point out a path for repentance found within the Torah.

This timely message should be “heard” and proclaimed as we enter into what Josephus calls the “Sacred Month”.

Go here to listen to my message on Yom Teruah.

http://rootsoffaith.org/blog-and-podcasts/2008/09/28/sunday-shul-yom-teruah.htm

Look for the new moon and realize that once it is spotted, we are in the “Day of the Awakening Blast.”

So as we enter this season - I pray that God will begin to open our eyes, ears and hearts to those incredible teachings that are to be lovingly inscribed upon the hearts of all who are part of what the prophet Jeremiah called the “New Covenant” - Jeremiah 31:31-34

Shalom as we anxiously await Yom Teruah - the Day of Shouting!

Ross

This week, Ross covers the subject of Yom Teruah. Beginning with a sermon that dates to approximately 458 B.C.E., Ross illustrates the Biblical significance of the 1st day of the 7th month.

Weaving the upcoming Torah and Prophet reading for Sabbath Shuvah (The Sabbath of Repentance) with the ancient sermon, Ross points out a path for repentance found within the Torah.

This timely message should be “heard” and proclaimed as we enter into what Josephus calls the “Sacred Month”.

Look for the new moon and realize that once it is spotted, we are in the “Day of the Awakening Blast.”

 

 Yom Teruah [78:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this week’s class, Ross covers the subject of the Parable of the Vine / Vineyard. He covers many passages from the synoptic Gospels and the prophets.

He focuses on the parable in Matthew 21:33-46 and how the interpretation must be sought from Isaiah chapter 5.

In this week’s class, John Carlson sings a special - his rendition of Sinead O’Conner’s - The Vineyard.

 

 The Parable of the Vineyard [85:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download