Repenting For Nothing

Princess Tamatori retrieves a precious pearl from the Dragon King in this illustration of the medieval tale Taishokkan. (Vignette from The Great Woven Cap, Edo Period (1615-1868) Japan, Metropolitan Museum of Art.)

No one wants to be like a dragon. That is, we don’t admit – at least publicly – that a dragon is our role model. But then, did we ever stop to think how closely our most precious thoughts, desires, and dreams might resemble those of a dragon?

Job 13:15-16, 41:1-34, 42:5-6; Isaiah 14:12-15, 27:1; 53:1-12; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Philippians 2:1-11; Hebrews 5:8-8; Revelation 12:1-17

Click here to listen to the podcast: Repenting For Nothing

Click here to download the transcript: Repenting For Nothing.pdf

Music: “”Finlandia,” Jean Sibelius, Sir Adrian Boult and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 5, 6, & 7 Tone Poems, IndieBlu Music 2003.

Weekly Bible Reading for August 1-7: Re’eh (See)

This coming week, August 1-7 2021 (23-29 Av), the Bible reading plan covers the following portions.

Re’eh (See)[1]

01 Aug Deuteronomy 11:26-12:10 Ezekiel 35:1-36:21 1 Timothy 3:1-4:16 Psalm 119:41-48
02 Aug Deuteronomy 12:11-28 Isaiah 49:14-51:3 1 Timothy 5:1-25 Psalm 119:49-56
03 Aug Deuteronomy 12:29-13:18 Ezekiel 36:22-37:28 1 Timothy 6:1-21 Psalm 119:57-64
04 Aug Deuteronomy 14:1-21 Ezekiel 38:1-39:29 2 Timothy 1:1-18 Psalm 119:65-72
05 Aug Deuteronomy 14:22-29 Ezekiel 40:1-49 2 Timothy 2:1-26 Psalm 119:73-80
06 Aug Deuteronomy 15:1-18 Ezekiel 41:1-42:20 2 Timothy 3:1-17 Psalm 119:81-88
07 Aug Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17 1 Samuel 20:18-42 2 Timothy 4:1-22 Psalm 119:89-96

[1] August 7 is a Shabbat Machar Chodesh, a Shabbat that occurs the day before the first day of a new month (Rosh Chodesh). The traditional reading is 1 Samuel 20:18-42.

The complete annual Bible reading plan for 2020-21 (Hebrew year 5781) is available at this link:

Reunion Roadmap 7/24/2021 – with Special Guest Rut Banks

The scripture says the Kingdom of our Messiah will be populated by people redeemed from every tribe and tongue and nation (Revelation 5:9, 7:9). What exactly does that look like? And is it possible to achieve such Kingdom diversity now? That’s one topic that comes up in our conversation with Rut Banks as we hear her thoughts on the identity of those redeemed into the covenant nation of Israel.

This show includes two special songs by Rut, and then midrash by our Elders Barry Phillips and David Jones called “Vision or Sight” in which they talk about what Rut and her family are living: walking in the promises of the Almighty even when that way ahead is not clear.

To hear Rut’s music, visit her website at, www.iamrut.com.

Rut’s husband Michael is a gifted massage therapist serving clients in the Nashville area. Check out his website at Leave At Ease.

Click here to listen and download: Reunion Roadmap 210724

Weekly Bible Reading for July 25-31: Eikev (On the Heel Of)

This coming week, July 25-31 2021 (16-22 Av), the Bible reading plan covers the following portions.

Eikev (On the Heel Of)

25 Jul Deuteronomy 7:12-8:10 Ezekiel 23:1-49 Colossians 4:1-18 Psalm 118:1-13
26 Jul Deuteronomy 8:11-9:3 Ezekiel 24:1-25:17 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:20 Psalm 118:14-29
27 Jul Deuteronomy 9:4-29 Ezekiel 26:1-27:36 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4:18 Psalm 119:1-8
28 Jul Deuteronomy 10:1-11 Ezekiel 28:1-29:21 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 Psalm 119:9-16
29 Jul Deuteronomy 10:12-11:9 Ezekiel 30:1-31:18 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2:12 Psalm 119:17-24
30 Jul Deuteronomy 11:10-21 Ezekiel 32:1-33:20 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:18 Psalm 119:25-32
31 Jul Deuteronomy 11:22-25 Ezekiel 33:21-34:31 1 Timothy 1:1-2:15 Psalm 119:33-40

The complete annual Bible reading plan for 2020-21 (Hebrew year 5781) is available at this link:

Reunion Roadmap 7/17/2021 – with Special Guest Rut Banks

Life can be complicated and difficult. That’s why it’s essential to know who we are, and Whose we are!

If you want to know how Rut Banks answers those questions, just listen to her story! We learn a lot about her in this second part of our three-part visit with her. Knowing who she is in her Creator has helped her through both the rough patches and the joys of life, and brought her the point where she can now share this testimony in song.

Our musical segments investigate these same questions, starting with an original song by Rut, and then a familiar exhortation from the Psalms by Eved Adonai. Barry Phillips and David Jones carry the theme of this show even further with their conversation about the question, “Who Do You Say I Am?”  

To hear Rut’s music, visit her website at, www.iamrut.com.

Rut’s husband Michael is a gifted massage therapist serving clients in the Nashville area. Check out his website at Leave At Ease.

Click here to listen and download: Reunion Roadmap 210717