The Hebron Herald

It's been quite a while since I've updated everyone on the happenings here at Hebron but that doesn't mean it's been quiet and uneventful.  Rather, life has been busy, the seasons change and chores are completed. We've had a wedding and new residents, we've reduced the flock by a third and now we've got a new drop of lambs.  We've come together to worship, to laugh, to fellowship and to work hard in the sun.   In a couple of weeks it will be our 10th anniversary since we took ownership of this plot of land and renamed it Hebron.  We will be coming together to celebrate and give thanks for the way YHVH has provided, encouraged, lead us and continues to do. Summer is our busiest season and the provision of water to the stock, gardens, caper patch and orchard is our highest priority.  This summer has followed our driest spring so water is precious.  The sticks in the water line of the dam that you see in the above picture is our high-tech syste...

Gal 6:9... Let us not lose heart in doing good  for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Here at Hebron things move along at a cyclic pace, responding to the seasons.  This spring has been exceedingly dry, which naturally impacts the amount of feed in the paddocks and water in the dams.  Consequently we have downsized our flock by a third and on the weekend we sent off our wethers to be butchered, although we kept a couple of lambs aside for Passover next year. There is a certain kind of peace in following the cyclic feasts of Yehovah.  Regardless of how life progresses or what nature's seasons bring, we can rest in the One who is the Ancient of Days; the Aleph and the Tav.  The moed keep testifying of His redemptive love for mankind; weekly, monthly, annually our attention is drawn to the age to come - the kingdom reign of Yeshua, bringing peace, justice and righteousness.   Our little caper patch is once again defying...

Why celebrate Sukkot together?  Or in fact, any of the moed (appointed times)?  I'm sure each person would respond differently, however, for myself there's a couple of reasons.  First and foremost is to identify with Israel and embrace the instructions set out by our Father and Creator as there is wisdom and life in following His ways.  We join with the commonwealth of Israel in looking forward to the day when the Messiah Yeshua arrives triumphantly to establish Yehovah's kingdom and torah will go forth from Zion. Secondly it provides an opportunity to gather with like-minded brothers and sisters in Yeshua and be encouraged and strengthened.  Setting aside time from work and obligations makes way for relationships to be renewed and deepened, and the Ruach haKodesh to minister and strengthen.   I thoroughly enjoyed Sukkot this year, particularly because of the shalom experienced here at Hebron; shalom that is felt in the comings and goings, th...

Israel and the Season of Sukkot  by John Pike Let my people go, or death will come to thee For the chosen of YHVH must come to worship Me From the despotism and slavery of satan's tyranny The Sons of Abraham must rule and reign eternally Oh Jacob, My children, do not despair This wilderness journey will never be fair But My covenant commitment and Promised Land peace Is still to be found in the Messiah's fleece My kadosh, My kadosh, My kadosh ones come Into the arms of Your Father run Dwell in your booths and lift up your eyes Your King is coming in triumphant surprise! Selah

 Living in expectation of the Messiah's return to Jerusalem causes one, or should, to wholeheartedly commit to the ways of YHVH.  What does it matter whether the moed are prioritised and kept?  Surely if He is a Father of love and mercy He understands our humanity and this modern age that we live in.  Well the answer is, of course He does, which is why the cyclic appointed days were established to be a constant reminder and encouragement of His redemptive plan for humanity.  As The Day approaches it is increasingly important to return to the ancient paths and be encouraged with the fellowship of others who are set apart to Him alone.   This week we celebrated Yom Teruah with shouts, shofar blasts and praise.  How we long for the day when we will hear that heavenly shofar sound and see the kodesh ones gathered to see Him establish His kingdom from Jerusalem.  No 'safety exit rapture doctrine' could possibly be as dramatic as the reality of...

Of course if you're not a fan of Michael Caton in The Castle then you won't have a deep appreciation for the serenity at Bonnie Doon.   But perhaps we can tempt you with the serenity here at Hebron?   We're not greedy; we're willing to share and all are welcome.  Well, most are welcome.  Okay then, the select few are welcome....but only on alternate days. Mm, you're right, hardly gracious; so all are welcome :)   I may be biased but what we are creating here at Hebron is worthwhile.  Why have a building in town that people utilise for a couple of hours on a weekend when you can have 150 acres that is utilised as much we want, however we want?  The highlight of our times together of course has to be keeping the moed here.   Watching the sheep graze while we praise and read the scriptures together often makes  the application of torah more relevant. To be honest it's not all sunshine and lollipops though. ...

We've had a couple of visitors this month, although one of them thought using the driveway was a bit over rated ..... Another bit of fencing that the blokes will have to do in a couple of weeks so that the Bidgebar paddock is usable again.   After a few weeks of grey, wet and windy weather the sunshine last weekend was a lovely reprieve.  Being able to meander around the paddocks attending to this and that one can't help but be in communion with the Creator of all things.    A couple of our visitors were surprised how large and comfortable the house was, and how far the property had progressed, so I thought a series of short videos over the next few weeks might dispel any misconceptions. This was a bit of a clumsy attempt to film our young hives.  I'll invest in a little stand so I can video the hives and leave my hands free next time.  The hives have weathered the winter and are now preparing for warmer weather.  I'm loathe to di...

Shout joyfully to YHVH, all the earth Serve YHVH with gladness Come before Him with joyful singing Know  that YHVH Himself is Elohim It is he who has made us, and not we ourselves   We are His people and the sheep of His  pasture Enter His gates with thanksgiving  And His courts with praise Give thanks to Him, bless His name  For YHVH is good His lovingkindess is everlasting and  His faithfulness to all generations Shout....serve....sing...why? Because He is good, kind and faithful. Enough said.

Celebrating the culmination of Trevor's sixth decade was as good an excuse as any to light a camp fire and enjoy the starry night.  Thanks Guac! Some days I light a small fire and just sit and feel incredibly blessed by the beauty and shalom here at Hebron; snatches of time to be in His presence without the interruptions and demands of life. Fencing is now a priority and will be on the 'to-do' list for a few months to come.  The guys are doing a great job and not only will it facilitate easier flock handling, it adds value to the property. Even though the paddocks look green we are hanging out for more rain.  We received nearly 30ml this month, which is a blessing, but we are preparing for a dry spring and summer and managing our flock size will be very important.  With views like this it's not a bad way to spend a weekend! When we took ownership of Hebron over 9 years ago there little eaten down saplings, hardly 15cm high. ...

This weekend I spent the day turning over a mulch pile and creating a new garden bed for a heap of raspberry canes that were given to me. All that digging gives you time to ponder the secrets of the universe and the solution to world peace....or reflect on the immensity of Yehovah's love and mercy and how that has manifested through the nation of Israel.  Which then leads to more thoughts about how our little plot of land here in the Adelaide Hills relates to the bigger scheme of things.  Which then leads one to reflect on how this little plot of land relates to our fellowship. Investing time, energy and finances into that which benefits the whole and endeavours to honour and reflect Yehovah's instruction for community brings its own eternal reward.   Of course being able to enjoy a rural setting and see it develop has immense satisfaction of its own, and gathering together to celebrate the sabbath and the moedim here is blessing as well.  In...

Realised I hadn't finished telling the last instalment of the Pilgrims' Progress ... Be'er Sheva We leave the Dead Sea Region behind and hit the road again, heading for Tel Aviv, where we will spend the next three days before flying out to Turkey and Berlin respectively. I thoroughly enjoyed this drive across to the coast and should I ever return to Israel I would love to spend more time in the Negev.  As it was Shabbat the roads were fairly quiet, which made the drive a lot more comfortable for Dad.  Driving through Be'er Sheva it was happenstance that we came across the War Cemetery.  I'm so glad that we were able to walk through the cemetery and had time to reflect on the contribution the Australian Light Horseman made to this land. The eucalyptus trees planted around the perimeter made it even more meaningful. Maybe it was because it was Shabbat the city was relatively quiet, but I was quite surprised by how much I liked the feel of the place. ...

I've been home here at Hebron for over a week and I don't want the memories to fade before I jot down our journey so I'll pick up our tale again at Petra.... Petra This is a place where I've always wanted to visit and it didn't disappoint.  The whole site is quite spectacular and the history, both ancient and recent, is very interesting.  Our Bedouin guide did a marvellous job and organised a couple of horse carriages to take us down to the Treasury site.  The carriage ride is certainly not very glamorous and in some ways didn't allow you the opportunity to take in the extraordinary carvings in the rock face but it certainly helped in saving time walking in the heat. Extraordinary to see the timelines represented by the tombs, temples and churches carved into the cliff face.  Being so hot it certainly dissipated the desire to walk for too many k's or scale the cliffs to investigate all of the structures but our guide spent the time going...