Thank you Bill, your post was a blessing to me this morning, as I needed reassurance that I wasn't alone in my loneliness.
Darnell Rogers

Darnell Rogers | August 11, 2008 7:48 AM

I just read your walking alone, and at time I still feel that way even though I am a leader of a small group that has taken a hold of Torah. I believe our part is to lead by example first, and then share why we do what we do. Yes, it is lonely sometimes, but other times you just know the Lord is walking with you.

Blessings to you in Messiah Yeshua
Jim Rickard

Jim Rickard | August 11, 2008 12:36 PM

Though it may be "virtual" our community here speaks to each other and has a better friendship and understanding of one another than do most 300+ member church congregations. I say we give ourselves a round of applause. We are okay and getting bigger and stronger everyday. Maybe when ffoz finishes there studio they can put a Sabbath teaching together for us to sit in on. Anybody that has a webcam can stream a picture of themselves listening and then we will be like a real church....virtually of course. ;)

**Bill's response: With the way technology advances we have no idea what we will be capable of doing 10 years from now.

JAY | August 11, 2008 12:51 PM

Curahee!

Band of Brothers, eh?

**Bill's response: I had to write Steve and ask him what "Curhee" means. It is an Indian word that means "Stand alone, together." I thought others might like to know as well. Thanks Steve.

Steve Petersen | August 11, 2008 4:04 PM

Isn't there a saying that goes something like this....."Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Although I must say that sometimes it does feel like slow torture learning Torah and then trying to live it out in your life when no one else around you understands. But, I also think that being so "isolated" makes one's focus so much more intense because you don't have all the distractions of a community. Maybe one reason the Lord has us so scattered is to make us stronger in our walk and actually KNOW what we are believing and living out. We aren't just following the crowd, so-to-speak, because there ISN'T one around to follow!!! Ha!

C A Worcester | August 11, 2008 8:37 PM

"Curhee" My daughter had recently sent me a story called "The Invisible Mom" This is an excerpt: A friend gave me a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. She incribed: 'To you, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God see everything.' I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.'

Marte Simpson | August 12, 2008 1:25 AM

Thank you....I so needed to read those words. It validates the alienation and wilderness that I have expereinced for so long now. It helps me to continue on the journey.
With Sincere Heart,
Tricia

Tricia Hucko | August 12, 2008 6:04 AM

I always remember Daniel in times of lonliness and take heart in the words of our Messiah that there will be a crowd innumerable all dressed in white robes. ;)

Debby | August 12, 2008 9:05 AM

Wow! I feel so encouraged by this blog and the comments! I want to memorize these encouraging words! And He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you..."

Danuta Lesko | August 12, 2008 3:57 PM

Alone together! Good description. Our children live in Amarillo, TX (living a Torah life). We got it on our heart to meet some of the people in our virtual congregation in Texas, and do a traveling Succot this year - from Amarillo to Austin area and stop every day along the way to meet new people keeping Succot. So we put the word out to everyone we know to let us know of any families or congregations between Amarillo and Austin (about 500 miles) that would be celebrating Succot that we could visit & received almost nothing back. That makes you feel very much alone.

The only thing I really miss about Christmas was the feeling that the whole world was doing the same thing at the same time. On the other hand I remember Boaz saying one time that the "psychology of belonging" can make you do things you wouldn't ordinarily do. So in our aloneness, we must be strong and not go along just to belong. So I'll take a lone path to Succot instead. If you see me along The Way, please wave

Batyah | August 16, 2008 9:23 AM

I am thrilled that you have this. I have felt alone in this place for so long. I have talked to my daughter and my neighbors about my beliefs and they can't understand. I have looked for someone in this area but have not found anyone with like views. Bless you for now I have a place to come feel at home.

Marilyn Levia | August 18, 2008 10:49 AM

Yes, this is our journey and it can be lonely at times. But we are encouraged to Know that we are apart of something bigger! It's like when you look at the sky in the evening. At first there is one star, then two, and so on... At the beginning you can not see all the stars. But as the darkness grows so does the number of stars that are revealed. Amazing to watch! I was blessed to get to go to Israel in 2005. I remember getting to watch those on there journey to the Kotel. At first there was just a few. Then there was more and more. Until there was a huge number of people all walking and heading to the Kotel. Amazing to see. Adonai is stirring more and more hearts to join the children of Israel. Yes, we are apart of something much bigger and good to share and be reminded of this when many of us are so alone in the area's Adonai has us in for such a time as this.

Blessings and Shalom brothers and sisters,
Kimmy

Kimmy Mashore | August 18, 2008 1:59 PM

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit other Torah believers. I was so excited. The trip was made but because of unseen circumstances, it did not happen. I was so disappointed. Words cannot express the disappointment and loneliness I felt. And I fell. I fell hard and quickly into the pit of self pity. Only by the Lord's mercy, grace, and forgiveness was I able to crawl out. And I learned this, this is not about me. This is about Him, the Lord of all heaven and earth. We are alone but not forgotten. In my aloneness, He is exalted. In my aloneness, He is my comforter, my salvation, and He holds me together. Being as much Torah submissive and as observant as I am allowed to be,this is not about my righteousness, but about His. His goodness goes on forever.
Besides for all the married couples that are in this together, you are not alone: you have each other.

Florene Manes | August 18, 2008 7:47 PM

Bill and everyone, shalom! I value receiving these weekly drash, and thankful for the few "messianics" I know who often, yes often encourage me or give me a kind boot when needed! Your entry is truly timely, alone together. I observe Shabbat in what ways I can which helps me be what God wants me to be the other 6 days. Thanks for the virtual hand of fellowship!

David Russell | August 18, 2008 9:16 PM

It really is encouraging to know we are not alone in our aloneness! But I love Jay's idea. So many of us are scattered about here and there and all over, with no Torah community to fellowship with (other than through FFOZ forums). It would be so good to have some sort of live interaction together. Even a less-than-top-quality U-stream sort of live webcast, once a week or even once a month, would be welcome by me!

The Lord commanded His people to assemble together on the Sabbath and other holy days, but so many of us do not have others of like mind anywhere near us to assemble with. If there was a webcast, we could do so! I hope this comes to pass a lot sooner than 10 years from now, as the technology is with us right now. :)

Ten years from now, the Lord may have drawn so many believers to Torah that we will all have a local Torah community to fellowship with! May it be so! But until then, FFOZ, will you consider helping us to fulfill this mitzvah?

**Bill's response: Thank you for the great suggestions. We will continue to explore some of these ideas.

Wanda | August 30, 2008 4:10 PM