Do you remember the first time that you knew I was here?  Boy, were you surprised!   I was going to be with you when you would lie down to sleep at night and all through your busy day, after you got up.  I was going to be with you in everything you did, whether you were sitting at home or out on the road somewhere, like two peas in a pod.

Sometimes you would stay up late, walking the floor.  Sometimes you cried.   Sometimes you couldn’t eat.  But, when you did eat, I shared your every meal, letting you know which foods were not my favorites – like Brussels sprouts.  Whew!  We spent half the night in the bathroom after that one. I know I make you sick sometimes – you can’t even stand the smell of coffee, your favorite drink – but I will make it up to you with kisses someday.

I am getting stronger and, one day, I was able to give you a little kick just to let you know that I was still here and doing well.  However, you thought you had gas, so each day I would give you little kicks until you knew that it was really me.  It was a fun game, because you would put your warm hand on the spot and say, “Oh, it moved!”  Just for your information, I am not an “it.”  I’m your baby boy and I will have brown hair and green eyes, just like yours.  For now, though, I am your secret.  Only you know that I am here, but I am growing bigger and bigger and soon others will know about me, too.

Do you remember that day when you turned on the electric blender to make a strawberry smoothie, my favorite?  I had been taking a little snooze and the sudden noise made me jump.  I think it scared you, too, because you started crying again.  I didn’t mean to scare you so much.  I only want you to be happy having me – just like I’m happy being yours.

I really like it when you play music – especially the slower, soft melodies. I stop kicking and rolling around just to listen.  Sometimes I get so relaxed that I fall asleep.  What a beautiful world I will be entering!  I will get to see your face, drink lots of strawberry smoothies and listen to music.

Lately, I’ve been hearing other voices.  Sometimes the voices sound kind, but sometimes they sound angry or mean.  I hear words like, “shame,” “life limiting,” “burden,” and “poverty.”  The loud voices don’t scare me, though, because I know that I am safe here with you.

Today we’re waiting to see the doctor.  I’m so excited because he will tell you just how healthy and perfectly formed I am from the tip of my bald head to my tiny toes. Here he comes now…

Wait!  What is the doctor doing?  Stop, that hurts!  Don’t take me away, please!

…Well, I guess I won’t get to see you after all…

Will you have another son like me someday?  Will you remember me when you look into his eyes or hold him close as he nurses at your breast?  When he learns to walk and talk, will you tell him about me, his brother?  Will he get to drink strawberry smoothies and listen to beautiful music with you?  Will he get to play first base on the Little League team and will you help him with his multiplication tables? Will that tall, young man in the graduation gown remind you of another son you briefly knew?

When you are older and almost finished with life’s struggles – the frantic scramble, the unmet goals, the disappointments, the hurts, all of the things that don’t seem so important anymore – will I come to mind?  When you sit alone in the silence, sipping a cup of coffee and recalling the friends and family that have faded away, will you think of me?  Who knows what my life would have been like?  But, there’s one thing I do know, Mom.  I would have eaten my Brussels sprouts, just for you.

by Debbie Reed

The old adage that “troubles always come in threes” is uncannily accurate it seems.  If, in the space of a few days, our car’s battery goes belly-up and the toilet gets clogged, it’s a sure bet that the cat will get sick, the honeybees will swarm, or a calf will wiggle through the fence and end up running down the road.  These problems, although not life-threatening, can wear us down and have a significant impact upon our mental, emotional, and even our spiritual health.

In a similar manner, our national health is also subject to fatigue from the onslaught of a variety of moral and ethical problems.  A cultural divide, an earthquake-sized crack in the unity of our nation, and all of humanity, is daily widening, further separating those on either side of the division.  Our national political, moral and religious conflicts, it seems, are rooted in and growing out of three major arenas:  wealth/power (greed/war), illicit sex (promiscuity/homosexuality) and infant sacrifice (abortion).

If you think all of these controversies and conflicts are new, think again. These troubles have plagued mankind since the beginning of civilization.  When the ancient Israelites first entered the Promised Land, they found the native Canaanites worshiping three major deities:  Baal, Astarte and Moloch.

Baal, who was known as “Prince, Lord of the Earth,” was the overseer of all things relating to commerce, wealth and power.  As the supreme god, it was he who controlled the sun, storms, and agriculture.  His lightning bolt defeated enemies as well as produced crops and children.  As such, Baal worship was rooted in sensuality and war and often required human sacrifice.  Yahshua called Satan “Beelzebub,” linking the devil to Baal (Matthew 12:27).

Astarte, the Hellenized form of the Middle Eastern goddess, Ishtar (pronounced Easter), was the goddess of fertility and sexuality.  Also known as the Queen of Heaven, the worship of Astarte included ritual prostitution.  The female and male shrine prostitutes, known as temple holy ones, were highly respected in their roles of performing these “sacred” acts, which also included homosexuality.  Astarte, called Ashtorah in the Hebrew scriptures, was referred to as the consort of Baal or, in other regions, she was designated as the consort of Moloch, the most gruesome of the triad.

Moloch, whose name is interpreted in Hebrew as “the personified ruler of shameful sacrifice,” included sexual rituals along with child sacrifice.  Moloch was usually portrayed in the form of a giant metal statue of a man with a bull’s head.  The statue had outstretched arms that served as a ramp to a hole in the abdomen.  A fire was lighted in and around the statue and firstborn babies were placed on the outstretched arms or directly in the hole to agonizingly burn to death.  Drums were played during the spectacle to drown out the screams of the child.  This sacrifice was to ensure financial prosperity and future children for the family.

The worship of these ancient deities is alive and well in modern society today.  The economy, sex, and war make up the larger part of the headlines in the media.  The illegal or obsessive accumulation of wealth, the rising crime rate, the promotion of promiscuity, the addiction to pornography and the approximately 3,000 abortions performed each day in our nation speak volumes on the spiritual decay within.  Just as the roles of Baal, Astarte and Moloch were dependent upon and intertwined together in a circle of greed, carnality, and death, so do we see this played out each and every day in the virtual and the real world.  “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”, Ecclesiastes 1:9.

The first commandment given to mankind was, “I am Yahweh your Elohim, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  You shall have no other elohim before me.”  Exodus 20: 2-3.  He brought us out of slavery to sin and told us not to worship other mighty ones.  Each day we do battle against forces we can neither see nor completely understand, and it is only through seeking Him and His will that we can overcome the desires that will lead to eternal death. “Whatever is has already been before; and Yahweh will call the past to account.” Ecclesiastes 3:15.

By: Debbie Reed

Songs of Praise

Early in the morning and when the evening comes,

little birds outside my window lift their little voices, each and every one.

It doesn’t matter where they are, it makes no difference if there is only one or two,

they seem to sing both day and night no matter what they later do.

One morning, as I listened their beautiful music rose higher in the air,

along with this sweetness came the thought of a lesson that we all can understand and share.

These little ones were not singing, ‘come and eat’ or ‘let’s sleep the day is done,’

these little birds were lifting their voices in songs of praise, each and every one.

To our great creator Yahweh, these birds begin their day with praise,

then later as they settle for the night again their voices all together will they raise in praise.

These little ones of the air gather together, no difference being made in their breed,

all differences are pushed aside they’ll sing before they feed.

How wondrous Yahweh’s creation – a lesson for us waiting even there,

though men were given dominion over birds we should learn to follow their example and lift our hands and voices in praise to Yahweh, let songs of praise rise in the air.

By  Michelle Love

Throughout my spiritual walk, I believe that Yahweh has always been watching over me. Looking back on certain events in my life, I can truly see that what Yahweh has done for me has led me to become a strong and an extremely blessed woman, and now, an even more blessed woman, newly immersed into the faith.

I have always been a writer, as far back as I can remember. Lately, I have been finding old journals from 2007-2010 and have been reflecting on what I had written then to where I am now. My writings to Yahweh back then have blessed me now.  Following is something I wrote back in April 2010 (keep in mind, back then I was using the titles, but have inserted the Hebrew names now):   “Yahweh is yet good to me. No matter what wrong I do, he is still there for me. Sometimes in church, I feel like just letting go and letting Elohim into my life, but I keep fighting the spirit. His conviction on me is so strong every time I do anything sinful. I  know that I have a work to do with Yahweh. I just need to get my life right.”  Even six years ago, He was yet blessing me and working with me.  I am truly thankful that Yahweh has called me to this place and moment in time.

There are times that our faith still falters, even though Yahweh is working with us. As believers, we go through a number of struggles which could cause our faith to waver. Scripture tells us to hold fast to our faith. Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for his is faithful that promised).”   I once purchased a portrait that says, “Faith makes things possible…not easy.” I believe this with my whole heart. This walk at times is not easy. However, this is where, I believe, unwavering faith comes in to play. James 1:6 – “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with wind and tossed.”  When Yahshua called out to Peter and said, “Come,” Peter did not keep his eyes on Yahshua, which caused his faith to waver and he sank into the water. Matt 14:31 – “And immediately Yahshua stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, ‘O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?’”  We must keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Yahshua. You know that old saying; keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your heart fixed on Yahweh, for he wants someone with a humble heart and a heart set on Him. Psalms 57:7 – “My heart is fixed, O Yahweh, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”

When I first started coming to YRM, I was afraid to show my praise. I was afraid of singing the worship songs. But Yahweh doesn’t want someone who is afraid. He wants someone with strong courage and scripture tells us to have courage. Deut 31:6 – “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for Yahweh thy Elohim, he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” 

When the unwavering faith hits, or when we go through our struggles, so often we tend to focus on the negative aspects of things.  Why do we focus on the negative, asking questions like, “Why can’t I have this?” or “Why am I not getting blessed with this?” or even, “When is this going to happen?” What I have learned in this faith is that we mustn’t focus on what we don’t have, but instead consider what we do have and on all we have been blessed with. 

Many times we spend so much energy concentrating on what we don’t have, that we might miss a blessing from Yahweh. While we’re busy looking over “there,” our blessing is over “here” and, in a blink of an eye, we have missed it. We all have desires of our hearts and it is good to pray on these things. But if we make these desires the center of our attention and prayers, then I believe we are making these things our idols. Pray on the desires of your heart, then give it to Yahweh. Trust in Him. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalms 37:4-5 – “Delight thyself also in Yahweh; and he will give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto Yahweh; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Notice that this scripture says to delight ourselves in Yahweh; it does not say delight ourselves in our desires. 

When your heart and attention are on what you don’t have, then they are not on Yahweh. Keep your eyes fixed on Yahweh and He will provide. We must remember to trust that Yahweh is going to bless us with our heart’s desires. We must have faith in Him. And we also must know that it is not our will, but more importantly, it is His will. What He does for us is for His good. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love Elohim, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

By: Jessica Leber

My love is a fragrant flower. As the dew moistens the grass, so are my lips moistened by his kisses. His arms are to me like ribbons of silk, enveloping my whole being. Lying on his chest is like lying on the sweet smelling earth. His breath is soft and sensual. His eye is as the waters of a crystal lake, clear and smooth. Words of wisdom roll off his tongue; his voice is as a symphony, soft and lyrical. His tender heart harkens to the will of YAHWEH, ever open, ever obedient, priceless. He is a treasure unto me. Oh, that this evening I could lie in his arms and hear him speak the Word. Time grows short, my heart pounds, anticipation floods my soul. Ah, but soon, very soon, my desire will become a tree of life. Blooming to the utmost of my love. Till then I will Praise my

YAHWEH, and sing of his virtues.

by Jolae Barry for her fiancé 1989

No amount of silver or gold can compare with him. His attributes are innumerable

and unlimited. How can this be so? He possesses the most valuable thing in the

world. YAHSHUA Messiah is his Elohim and Savior. His tender heart overflows

with love. He is the most beautiful of men. His voice, his words, his thoughts are

higher than the heavens. He is more valuable than many horses. My love for him

is deeper than the oceans. I thank my Elohim, the creator of the heavens and the

earth and all therein, for my love. May I ever be at his side, quick to agree,

console, encourage. He knows the value of what he has and how to keep it. There

is only one higher than him; the Elohim, YAHWEH almighty! Therefore, in our

lives and home, The King of Kings always comes first, last, and forever. Love,

Jolae.

By Jolae Barry (after we were wed)

YAHWEH KNOWS

Yahweh knows the details and the color of your soul

He knows the misty corners and closets you keep closed

He knows the truth about you like no one ever could

And He knows the sins he nailed to an ancient piece of wood

You may be rejected or judged by human kind

You may be neglected but you are never out of mind

You may be alone as far as anyone can tell

He will take you up and be your Father and your El

By: Gayle Bonato

A GOOD CRY

Have you ever heard anyone say, “I had a good cry?” You may ask, “Whats good about crying?” More than you might think! The Bible contains 68 references to the word “wept” and 35 to “tears.” Psalm 139:14 states “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works.” Our loving Abba Yahweh never does or makes anything without a wise reason!

Crying really can be good for us and it is natural to cry for various reasons. Of course we all know that “self-control” (temperance) is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23),  so I am not talking here about forced or manipulative crying, but crying that happens in our lives for natural reasons.

How do we really know that crying is natural and good for us? We know from Bible Scriptures and from scientific research, as well.

The Bible tells us about different people crying for different reasons.  John 11:35 – often quoted as “the shortest verse in the Bible” – states simply “Yahshua wept.” Peter cried with bitter regret, upon realizing he had denied his teacher and Messiah, and Yahshua had told him that he would do this; “And Peter called to mind the word that Yahshua said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept”(Mark 14:72). When brothers Jacob and Esau reunited after almost 20 years of separation, weeping was a very natural thing for both of them; “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept” (Gen 33:4).

Another example of weeping is found in the book of Esther. Queen Esther came before king Ahasuerus, after the hanging of Haman. “And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agate and his device that he had devised against the Jews” (Esther 8:3). These tears were natural after all of the fasting and stress she had just gone through with her people, and so crying came naturally in this situation and not in any way as a manipulative tool. (Incidentally, I personally believe that if she did not feel loved by her husband the king, natural tears like this would have been heldback).

So just what is “the science behind tears”? In Psychology Today (July 27, 2010), Judith Orloff, MD, wrote about “the healing power of tears” and how they purge and help heal the body from stress, fatigue and pain. It may – or may not! – surprise you to know that humans are the only creatures who do this! In fact, our bodies produce three different kinds of tears: Reflex, Continual and Emotional tears.

Reflex tears are produced automatically to clear out dust particles and exhaust from our eyes. They are also the kind you cry when you chop onions! Continual (or “Basal”) tears contain the chemical “Lysozyme” which is anti-bacterial, helping to protect our eyes from infections. This chemical also “drips” down to our sinuses on occasion, via our tear ducts, to keep our nose moist and free from bacteria.

Emotional tears, though, have extra benefits for our overall mental health and well-being: Dr. Wm Frey, sometimes called the “tear expert” at Ramsey Medical Center in Minneapolis, discovered that these tears contain stress hormones and toxins that accumulate during stressful times in our lives, which are released upon crying. Additional studies have shown that crying also stimulates our bodies to produce extra endorphins – often referred to as “the feel good hormone.” Is it any wonder, then, that contained in the Bible are both of the following verses?! “I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears” (Psalms 6:6), and “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psalms 126:5). Some other interesting facts discovered by Frey indicate that both boys and girls cry about the same amount – up until the age of about 12, and that women cry about four times as often as men. There is no reason to “compare” the two, for our loving Abba Yahweh made us different for very wise reasons, and comparing is not wise! “Comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12b).

Have you ever noticed that on those occasions when you cry during prayer, you feel so relieved and good afterwards? There is more than one Bible verse that indicates crying while praying. Note this one; “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;” followed by “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb 5:7-8). What a beautiful and perfect example to us!

Whether you are a woman or a man, never be ashamed of natural tears; they’re good for you! Be reassured also, that your Beautiful Creator Yahweh does notice every single tear you cry! “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for Elohim is for me.” (Psalms 56:8-9).

During this life here and now on earth for us, Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” And for that time in the future that we long and hope for, Isaiah 25:8 tells us that, “He will swallow up death in victory; and my Sovereign Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for Yahweh hath spoken it.”

HalleluYah!

By Melodie Illgen

When I look at all the young fathers and mothers in the Assembly, I can’t help realizing how blessed their children are to have parents in the Faith. Some of these parents have known Yahweh all their lives. Watching these young couples walk in strength of their Faith in everything they do is a joy. Their support of one another through all the problems of life is exemplary as they guide their families toward the Kingdom of Yahweh.

Other mothers and fathers come into the Faith later in life, sometimes as a family and sometimes by themselves. As they work to overcome sin themselves, they also are teaching their children Yahweh’s ways and commandments. Learning Yahweh’s ways brings happiness to families if they allow His will, forgiveness, and mercy to be their everyday guide.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…” Ecc. 3:1-2. How true are these words of the Preacher.

The loss of our fathers this past year still brings tears to both my husband and me, as our thoughts and memories drift to the time when they were here with us. Our fathers were different in so many ways, but similar in their strength. Not just the physical strength when they were younger but also their resolve to never give up. Even in their later years they kept going till they could go no more. Their attitude of never giving up, no matter what, has touched each one in our families.

Don’t ever give up! Stay strong, work hard for Yahweh and for your family and for the brethren around you. There will be trials and everyday problems. Nevertheless, continue as a guide and example for your children, showing them how to persevere. Your children watch you in what you do, say, and act. If you say one thing and do another they’ll do exactly what you do! You will also lose their respect.

When I was a young mother I thought I had all the answers on discipline. Wow, did I have a lot to learn. It was hard for me to watch my husband discipline our little toddler at first and I would come to the rescue. Guess what? It didn’t take long before our child started playing one of us off against the other. We learned quickly to stand united as a couple, even if we didn’t agree with the other’s way of discipline at that time. We would discuss it later behind closed doors, but never in front of the children, I also realized when my husband stepped in the children listened.My husband showed our children amazing love in the way he disciplined.

He was calm, never disciplining in anger. He listened to them and discussed with them what they did wrong. He helped decide restitution, he was fair in punishment, and most of all he reassured them that they were deeply loved and because of that, correction was necessary. It hurt my children’s feeling when they knew their father was disappointed in them, even more than the actual punishment. There were always lots of hugs and smiles afterwards and most of all, respect.

Another strength you might need to find deep within you, due to difficulty with a strong-willed child, is let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no” just as the Word says. When your child comes running to you, asking for something, consider your response before you answer. Don’t say “no” and then give in and say “yes.” If you do you have just taught your child that wearing you down will get him what he wants. He will also learn that “no” doesn’t really mean “no.”

It’s okay to say “no,” but let them know why. Maybe they misbehaved that week or maybe what they want to have isn’t good for them, etc. Remember, this goes both ways. Don’t forget to say “yes” sometimes too, especially when you want to reward their good behavior. Be consistent and be strong! Your children will love and respect you for it.

Yahweh’s powerful example is His love for His Son. Let Yahweh’s strength, love, mercy, and correction that He showed us guide you with strength to teach your children the way they must go so they do not depart from Him or you…

by: Margie Mansager

Cows and Compassion (Should we eat meat?)

“Then Yahweh said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our like­ness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground’.” Genesis 1:26

This morning, before grabbing my jacket to head outside, I looked out the window to see my cows patiently waiting for me at the feed tubs. Despite the big bale of hay by the fence and the newly emerged springtime grass, they are always eager to dine on grain. Sometimes they almost seem human in their understanding and acceptance of how things are. Watching them over the years, I have seen them express grief after losing a calf, curiosity as a cat ventures close, sadness when one of the herd leaves, boredom when left alone, fear when I’ve lost my temper and yelled at them, and anger when they’ve been wronged somehow. They babysit each other’s calves and console one another when sick or bereaved. And, even though I’ve had them dehorned, ear-tagged, and vaccinated and then proceeded to steal their milk and send their calves off to the meat processor, they still look at me with a measure of trust. What beautiful, gentle and compassionate creatures they are!

So, you may rightly ask, how can I eat beef? Many question the practice of killing animals for food. In fact, some are so repulsed by the idea of eating meat that they will only eat a vegetarian diet. Was mankind meant to consume only a plant-based diet? Often, Genesis 1: 29-30 is used in support of this viewpoint: “Then Yahweh said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food. And it was so.” A further reading of the scriptures, however, clarifies that there is no plant-only diet directive.

“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to Yahweh. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. Yahweh looked with favor on Abel and his offering…” (Genesis 4:2-4). Why did Abel have flocks if not for food and why did he offer the choicest portions to Yahweh if eating meat was forbidden?

As Noah entered the Ark he was told to take seven of every kind of clean animal but only two of every kind of unclean animal (Genesis 7: 2). Why would there have been a distinction between clean and unclean animals were they not used for food? When the floodwaters receded and Noah, his family, and all the creatures came out of the ark, the first thing Noah did was to build an altar and sacrifice “some of the clean animals and clean birds” to Yahweh (Genesis 8:20).

Just before leaving Egypt, when the first Passover was instituted, Moses and the Israelites were commanded to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, and roast it over a fire. Later, as they wandered in the desert, the Israelites were given specific instructions for building the Tabernacle, the Ark and the Altar for burnt offerings. Not only did Yahweh instruct them in the timing and purpose of animal sacrifices, but also went on tell the Israelites how to prepare the animals and which parts to eat.

The animal sacrifices performed by Abel, Noah, and Moses all foreshadowed the sacrifice of the Messiah, the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. It was an act of faith. The sacrificial animals were to be blemish free, or perfect, as was our Savior. The killing of the innocent mirrored His blamelessness. And, just as the meat was necessary for the physical body to live, Yahshua’s sacrifice was necessary for the spiritual body to live.

But, even though mankind was given dominion over the animals and allowed to use them for food, he was not given permission to torment them. Then, as now, farmers had a special relationship with their herds as they fed, watered, nursed and protected them. Yahweh’s directive, “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk,” Exodus 23:19 was a reminder to use compassion in our treatment of His creatures. Cattle, sheep, and goats roamed outside, grazing on green pastures in the fresh air. An animal was consumed only upon special occasions and the slaughter was done quickly and expertly.

How different we find the production of meat and dairy products today! Many animals are raised on bleak feedlots, wandering around in manure with little or no access to grass or even sunlight. The production lines of large slaughterhouses cannot ensure that each animal is killed quickly and humanely. Chickens may live their whole lives caged up in smelly, overcrowded poultry sheds to insure that their meat will be tender or that maximum egg production runs smoothly. Surely, Yahweh cannot be pleased with mankind’s treatment of His creatures.

The stark reality is that if one eats meat, an animal had to die. This truth is hard to swallow and it is preferable to ignore this fact while munching on a juicy cheeseburger. How is it possible to reconcile the sacrifice of an animal for food with our desire to be good caretakers of that which Yahweh has created?

Cut down on your meat consumption. Most of the people in the world did not and do not eat meat every day. Use meat sparingly, as a condiment rather than the main course and eat meatless meals several times each week. A diet based heavily on meat not only kills more animals, but has been shown to cause many diseases in the consumer as well.

Try to purchase beef or poultry from a local farmer who uses grass-fed or free-range practices instead of the grocery store offerings. Research suggests that grass-fed cattle have 80% less E. coli in their gut systems than their feedlot counterparts. If more people would do this, perhaps the huge feedlots and poultry prisons would cease to exist.

Don’t waste your food. Only fill your plate with as much as you will eat. Much time, effort, and expense went toward your meal. Remind your children and yourself that a life was taken, a sacrifice was made, so that they and you might nourish your bodies.

Remember to give thanks to Yahweh for that which He has provided and show your respect and love for Him by not abusing or taking His gifts for granted.

by: Debbie Reed