Shana Tova

I had plans for writing about Rosh Hashana and to share a bit more about Israel.

Well, after arriving in Israel I realized my iPad said disabled, and the only way to get it to work again was to connect it to a computer, which I had chosen to leave at home so my daughter could complete her schooling easier (my children are homeschooled and use the internet).

So… the device left for me to type on is my phone. Not very exciting when you want to try and bold, copy and paste, and generally make things look nice. Because of this, short and sweet this week!

All I can say, after driving up to Jerusalem today and watching God bring people into my life right when I needed them (someone to help me park my car and a woman staying in the room next to me that is a complete divine appointment), is TRUST HIM!

When you LISTEN and meditate on HIS WORDS, He will lead you and guide you. There is no reason to get stressed or worry (but I admit, I still do). He truly has your best interest in mind and LOVES YOU.

I celebrated Rosh Hashana tonight with South African friends. A true blessing and gift from God. Encourage one another. Be there for one another. Take care of one another. Start this new year by being a BLESSING to someone else.

Leviticus 23:23-24

Adonai said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar. (CJB)

Psalm 133:1-3

A song of ascents. By David: Oh, how good, how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in harmony. It is like fragrant oil on the head that runs down over the beard, over the beard of Aharon, and flows down on the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon that settles on the mountains of Tziyon. For it was there that Adonai ordained the blessing of everlasting life. (CJB)

Shana Tova. May your new year be filled with HIS oil of gladness and LIFE.

Love and blessings from Israel,

Rose Horton

Let’s Put Christ Back In Christians

I have always loved the quote by Ghandi….

“I love your Jesus – it’s your Christians I have a problem with, they are so unlike your Christ.”

Not everyone that claims to be a Christian acts Christlike.

That’s a fact.

I get saddened when I hear someone say they want nothing to do with religion or Christians because they are hypocrites and hateful people.

I always reply I don’t do religion either but I have a personal relationship with Jesus that changed my life and I try to be more like Him each and every day.

But guess what – I still can fall short of His glorious standards.

That’s a bit of a dramatic statement for them to make because definitely not all are hypocrites and hateful – but just scroll a bit on Social Media and see what some “Christians” are sharing and posting.

Some are pretty alarming things.

Look at the moral failure stories of countless people, from Presidents to Pastors to Church leadership and celebrities. And look at the comments on those stories.

Even the “good” headlines seem to have people so suspect of the validity of someone’s conversion that they all have negative opinions on how that just can’t be genuine or so because they have done this or that …or still do this or say this or that …

Everyone seems to have a strong opinion.

The sides are split on many of the big Headline Newsmakers.

Heck, these days you can’t even rely on the news for the truth.

So, what spin are we really seeing?

Have we gotten the whole story?

Or are we just repeating something we don’t even know is true or valid?

And at the end of the day are we really even qualified to make an assessment or judgement on any of it at all? Is it even our place to?

And what makes us feel entitled to give our opinion or 2 cents on ANY OF IT?

What makes us think that everyone else’s “stuff” is our right to weigh in on or any of our business?

Who are we to judge who is worthy or unworthy of being truly saved or forgiven? Or given another chance?

Who are we to decide that sin ABC is not as bad as sin XYZ ?

Who are we to comment on what we “think” we know about another persons heart? Or character? Or Faith?

I am guilty at times for sharing an opinion that maybe goes against the grain, reveals a less than pure heart, or is laced in judgement.

We all can be …

That is when I have to take it to God to rectify and repent.

That’s what we all should be doing.

Everyone’s newsfeeds were bombarded with the big story of forgiveness the last few days over the Dallas police officer that shot someone and his brother forgave her …

Some couldn’t grasp the ability of someone to do this …

Some that have been forgiven of much could understand how with Christ’s help we could …

I personally think that was just the first stone in a sea of ripples for us to begin to change.

I would like to challenge us all today …

May we put “Christ” back in Christian.

May we resign our

Holy Ghost Junior positions.

Our Holier Than Thou mindsets.

Our Judge and Jury stances.

Our Know It All, Prideful, Hating, Dividing, Judging, Resharing, Commenting, Talking, or anything else that is not 100% pure and lovely or of good report.

Let’s get back to liking each others kiddos, pets, vacations, being encouraged, praying for each other, finding good places to eat from your food pics and not stoop to that level anymore.

Let’s show a narrative forced upon us that the country is divided by so much that it doesn’t have to be anymore.

Let’s start standing up to say – NOPE – we aren’t choosing that anymore … we choose to put goodness, kindness, mercy, grace, forgiveness and ultimately LOVE back to the front of all we do and say.

We lay down the gauntlets and get on our knees for each other instead.

By putting “Perfect Love” first place in our lives – we show the world what Christ really looks like.

What “Christ”ians act like.

How LOVING THE UNLOVELY

is possible!

Let’s start by first putting “Christ” back in us… Christians.

And showing the World we aren’t hateful hypocritical people.

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom

#LiveRestored #MindBodySoul

RestoredMinistries.org