2.28.

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Internally I have some things that I feel led to share on this day before Shabbat. If anything these
words may be entirely for my own benefit and not anyone else, and I am content with that and I
apologize for the ramblings, however in any case Face book simply becomes the mouth piece to voice the
matters weighing on my mind and heart.
I am suddenly, articulately aware that as soon as I personally find myself being within a threshold or
liminal period and getting ready to cross that threshold from point A to Point B, then immediately the
distractions, the trials, and the tribulations present themselves in order to push me backwards into a
position of stagnation. Some of you who may take the time to read this, have most likely seen or heard
me emphasizing the idea of mechanics and character, with the heavy push being on obtaining the
character without leaving or forgetting the mechanics. As we continue to grow in the mechanics of
YHWH's ways(learning how to do the commandments) it is essential that we also progress in His
Character being our character. Ladies and Gentlemen, I will not lie to you or sugar coat the fact and
sharp reality that this is the absolute hardest thing we will ever have to master on this earth. As soon as
one recognizes this fact , life becomes more difficult and we must determine which filters we will use in
order to keep the evil one from slowing down this process of transformation.

Those personal filters are what is going to help each one of us determine if we are going to be hot, cold
or lukewarm as individuals as we see in Revelation 3:15-16...

Rev 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.

It is important to see the legal , working relationship between the mechanics and character. Those traits
are meant to be working together within us to make us into the image of Elohim that HE intended in the
very beginning. "Made in His Image" is not meant to be a "mechanics or form" verse only, it is a
complete package text. Many of us have chosen all 3 categories of hot, cold and lukewarm if we are
honest. Some us are hot in the mechanics but cold in the character or vice versa. The threshold or liminal
period of mediocrity and lukewarmness by far seems to be the most dangerous.

Why is that?

Isn't being hot or cold just as pivotal?

Yes in a sense, but I think those positions are at least in a recognizable area of "wanting" to progress.
How many of us will find that perfect balance that YHWH is searching for? Hopefully, prayerfully many
more than we think.

Firstly though, the introspection must always begin individually and continue on every day. This same
working relational principle is seen all throughout Scripture.

Consider the following:

Mind & Heart,
Earthly & Heavenly,
Flesh & Spiritual.
Life & Eternity

The First word in each of these phrase groups represents the "form". The "&" symbol is meant to be
recognized as the liminal/threshold. And lastly the second word is the "function" of why the form is in
existence. We literally could spend all day adding to these categories of showing Point A being the form
or mechanics to getting us across the threshold to the Character or Function of Point B.

These principles will become extremely visual when we start looking at the Temple in the coming months
with torah portions in Leviticus. Everything within the realm of YHWH's Kingdom has been formed, and it
has a function. This is why the study of the Tabernacle/Temple/Sacrificial system is so pivotal. If we do
not grasp the "why" of the form and function, how can we ever understand where we are going? The
functions ladies and gentlemen are what leads into HIS Character. When we get stuck in the mechanics
or form mindset only, we are hindered. When we get past the form and mechanics into the " threshold"
is where we must be on guard and recognize it is part of the process.

For example, if we go thru the act or mechanics of putting on the Armor of Elohim as we see in
Ephesians 6, but is it only in the notion of putting it on, is it really armor?

Eph 6:11-20 Put on the complete armor of Elohim, for you to have power to stand against the schemes
of the devil. (12) Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in
the heavenlies. (13) Because of this, take up the complete armor of Elohim, so that you have power to
withstand in the wicked day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand, then, having girded your waist
with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having fitted your feet with the
preparation of the Good News of peace; (16) above all, having taken up the shield of belief with which
you shall have power to quench all the burning arrows of the wicked one. (17) Take also the helmet of
deliverance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim, (18) praying at all times, with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the set-apart
ones; (19) also for me, that a word might be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to be bold in
making known the secret of the Good News, (20) for which I am an envoy in chains, that in it I might
speak boldly, as I should speak.

Ladies and gentlemen this is why we always have this constant battle within our flesh, this constant
battle between good and evil, this constant battle between us the principalities, this constant battle of the
old man and new man, this constant battle of renewing our mind & heart to become more like YHWH and
Messiah.

Rom 12:1-21 I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Elohim, to present your
bodies a living offering set-apart, well-pleasing to Elohim your reasonable worship. (2) And do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is
that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim. (3) For I say, through the favour which has
been given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he should
think, but to think soberly, as Elohim has given to each a measure of belief. (4) For as we have many
members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, (5) so we, the many, are one
body in Messiah, and members each one of one another. (6) Now having different gifts, according to the
favour which was given to us, let us use them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of
belief; (7) if serving, in the serving; or he who is teaching, in the teaching; (8) or he who encourages, in
the encouragement; or he who is sharing, in sincerity; he who is leading, in diligence; he who shows
compassion, joyously. (9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Shrink from what is wicked, cling to what is
good. (10) In brotherly love, tenderly loving towards one another, in appreciation, giving preference to
each other; (11) not idle in duty, ardent in spirit, serving the Master; (12) rejoicing in the expectancy,
enduring under pressure, continuing steadfastly in prayer; (13) imparting to the needs of the set-apart
ones, pursuing kindness towards strangers. (14) Bless those who persecute you bless and do not curse.
(15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (16) Be of the same mind toward
one another. Do not be proud in mind, but go along with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own
estimation. (17) Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. (18) If possible,
on your part, be at peace with all men. (19) Beloved, do not revenge yourselves, but give place to the
wrath, for it has been written, Vengeance is Mine, I shall repay, says ymene ruoy fi ,daetsnI )02( .
hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink, for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.
(21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

There are so many other things that I would add to this post but I am now wondering if these words
only make sense in my own mind.

My encouragement to everyone is to just make the Kingdom of YHWH your goal. Strive to be the men
and woman that HE would want to spend eternity with. Find ways and filters to master the flesh, the
mechanics and the forms so you can obtain the crown of the function and the character.

Lastly, as corny as the following modern reference may be, back in the 80's there was a series of
movies called Eddie and the Cruisers. The first one, believe it or not had some principle to it. There was a
particular scene at the end of the movie that a profound effect on me, and honestly I never knew why
until this very day. One of the main characters is Frank the keyboard player , also known as " Word Man"
because he was the late addition to the band and was a lyrically blessed song writer. In the movie , Word
man is being interviewed 20 years after the band's existence in the 60's about the history of the group
and on the life of Eddie who supposedly drove his car off a cliff from being distraught that his new record
was being rejected by the label for being ahead of its day. The ending of the movie has a final scene with
Word Man and the reporter. Frank the word man's final words in the interview is of a profound point in
the relationship between Eddie and Wordman and it sums up understanding the relationship between
mechanics & character and form & function...

He didn't say anything to me for the longest time, then he said, "Wordman, we need each other. Words
and music." And then he crossed his fingers, showing how they go together.

"Remember, words and music."

Rev 22:11 He who does wrong, let him do more wrong; he who is filthy, let him be more filthy; he who
is righteous, let him be more righteous; he who is set-apart, let him be more set-apart.
Rev 22:12 And see, I am coming speedily, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his
work.

Shabbat shalom.