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Jun 2026 | 3 posts
Deuteronomy 6 and the Shema

Deuteronomy 6 and the Shema

The Shema from Judaism, archived in Deuteronomy 6, is a pinnacle tradition in Hebrew Judaism, and should be in Christianity. I cannot claim to be an expert, but it’s one of the fundamentals - shema means to listen AND obey, and this was the primary charge given to God’s people. His people were also to repeat his commandments, make them apart of their lives, and introduce their children to the Laws of God so that the next generation may not lose sight of God’s oracles and truths. The Shema Deuteronomy 6:4–5 (LEB): 4 “Hear, Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is unique. 5 And you shall love Yahweh your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your might. My Kids # I talk with my kids about obedience a lot… and it’s fine, because they’re young kids in a stage of life of needing near-constant correction. I love them and so because I love them they need to obey me, because no one in the world cares more about their safety and flourishing than I do, and no matter what…

Facism and Heresy - Words Matter

> This is a short reflection/semi-open letter to a friend I've been having a > conversation with for a couple weeks Name-calling in a rhetorical exchange is such a school-yard bully, low IQ, desperate, degenerate move when it's used in lieu of data... I have 2 scenarios in my head that bring light to one another. !!! warning "" Today the words "Nazi" and "Facist" are so over-used it's moved beyond sickening to boring. However, the usage of these words has led to violence, and a lot of it in my opinion. The dangerous rhetoric is a key player in the multiple Trump-assassination attempts, various acts of violence against other conservatives, specifically, (because who else does the Left call a Facist except anyone remotely moderate anymore), and most notably the murder of Charlie Kirk. I find the rhetoric super dangerous because I'm not a politician, but boy can I tell you for sure that Charlie was a moderate, and if they came for him then consider my reflection: [[reflection-they...

Reflection - Psalm 9:1

Psalm 9:1 I will thank Yahweh with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Praise God # The phrase “praise God” has become a common phrase in my life. I’m blessed to have my best friend, Michael, in my life after 15+ years. Back in high school, I forget how it came up, but he told me that anytime something good happens, he forces himself to just audibly say “praise God”. Jesus certainly quickened that to my heart, and it was again in high school that I witnessed some fruit of, not using the phrase, but practicing giving glory to God in the smaller moments. Some youth group kids were helping a church member replace their roof - so lots of high-schoolers tearing shingles off, hauling garbage, etc. As we were on the roof, one of the guys nearly fell off (we hadn’t even heard of “tie-offs” before). Something like a nail caught his shorts and he recovered his grip. I immediately said “Praise God”, and him and another guy looked at me and they go “…. ya! Praise God for sure!”…

Helkyo

To drag forcefully

1 min
Helkyo - What is it for God to draw man to him?

Helkyo - What is it for God to draw man to him?

In John 6 there is a curious phrase about how the Father initiates the process of Salvation in the hearts of men. John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. The word is the Greek ([helkyo]). This word doesn’t mean “draw” like how we would immediately understand it - in the sense of wooing, or convincing… I’m not really sure why is the common English translation, I have a theory about theological presuppositions in the modern Christian movement but it’s not super relevant to my thought on it. It’s not relevant, because this word in its most native sense nearly perfectly describes my experience with Jesus. Before diving in - here’s a couple more Biblical examples of the word… John 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw [helkyo] it for the multitude of fishes. James 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich…