The Hebron Herald

After 20 years of being pioneering stewards of Hebron we still love coming together every month for a weekend of fellowship and activities.  We work just as hard on being a community as we do in maintaining and developing the property, but community definitely takes priority.  We have had the privilege of watching babies become adults, who are now an integral part of our family and community.  Raising children to love and honour their Creator in the way that He requires is an awesome privilege.  It's also not for the faint of the heart!  Having a community to support and provide a living example of honouring the ways of YHVH, even when it's not convenient, makes the task so much more wholesome. Deut 6:6-7  These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart. 7  You are to teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.  Whe...

Nearly 50 days ago Hebron hosted the Adelaide community's Pesach meal, the entry to the week of Unleavened Bread.  A smaller family group this year because a number of our community members have relocated to Mildura to start the new Good News Community. To us, Hebron is the perfect place to come together.  The beauty of the night skies can't be captured easily, but have to be experienced - which is a perfect parallel for the moedim.  You can't just read about the feasts, you have to 'do' them; experience them. The feasts are past, present and future - historic, current and perpetual.   The Creator of the heavens and earth, the author of the laws and principles of physics, has inserted into creation itself the calendar for the feasts.  Moed for remembrance, for encouragement, for observance, for refinement and for hope.    The week of Pesach, the eating of unleavened bread, was a beautiful time of reflection and allowing the Spirit of Yehovah to hi...

In this time of extreme chaos and uncertainty the people of Yehovah can live in His shalom and stability.  As we follow the ancient path our lives and homes are being built on the solid Rock, Yeshua.  Platitudes, handshakes and a weekly short meeting are not going to ensure that the people are fit for what the week ahead holds, let alone fit for the spiritual battle ahead. The community of our Messiah is a place of strength, support, encouragement, discipline and refinement.  Stone by stone, we are being fit together by the Ruach so that He can fill the house with His presence.  Sometimes it's stone against stone because we as humans find change and refinement difficult, but more often than not it's only our brothers and sisters that can prompt these changes.   Prayer  (video quality pretty ordinary though!)  Our Messiah not only taught the way of righteousness, He demonstrated and lived the way of righteousness.  Humility and strength, broke...

When the sun set on the 8th day of Sukkot there was much to be grateful for.  It was a week of joy and laughter, and serious reflection.  I sit here trying to put into a succinct paragraph all that transpired but suffice to say, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, our Abba, met with us, encouraged and refined us. We were joined by a brother and sister from Western Australia - family in the Messiah that we just hadn't met yet.  We look forward to meeting many more of Yeshua's community in the years to come!   We love to praise - I mean we really love to sing and shout His praises.  We do our best to do as David instructs and maybe we're not as skilful or harmonious, but we certainly are joyful!  The praise and teaching times were recorded to YouTube if you want a refresher.  Like I said, we might not be polished in sound or technique, but we are uncompromising in our devotion to Him and His Word. Sukkot Worship & Teaching    YHV...

Here in Australia it's spring but in the northern hemisphere the feasts at this time of year are known as the 'fall feasts' - Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.   Yom Teruah Teaching It's new moon, Yom Teruah and we are anticipating Yom Kippur and the joy of Sukkot.  It's time for shouting, rejoicing, repenting and preparation - all in expectation to meet our King, our Messiah!  We put up banners, decorate our sukkah, fill the fridges and light the fires.   We will rejoice, we will enjoy each other's company but most of all, we know we will bless our Father with our obedience and He in turn will bless us. See you there! 

Life has changed for our community and we are now split between two geographic locations - Salem and Mildura - with a few of us coming and going between them.   When the scripture says we are an 'unusual people', that certainly has an added layer for our community!      We are full of anticipation of what YHVH will pour out for the people of Australia, particularly the towns along the Murray River and Victoria.     But coming home to Hebron is always so good for the soul. Open skies - Open spaces   So lovely to see water in the top dam, grass emerging and  paddocks been sown for this year's hay crop.     I have been reflecting more on the truth and freedom of Yeshua's command:   Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth,  where moth and rust destroy,  and where thieves break in and steal.   But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,  where neither moth nor rust destroys,  and whe...

  For over a year South Australia and Victoria have been in drought.  Dams are dry, crops have failed and trees are dying.   When the community bought the property 19 years ago we invested in sinking a bore to ensure water security.  The water quality is good enough to water the stock and our gardens.  We also have large rainwater tanks which have kept water to the house.  However, if the drought had of continued we would have hooked the house up to the bore water as well.    We had stored enough hay to feed our sheep and alpacas and they were well fed.  Investment in the infrastructure has been a big expense in both finances and labour over the years, but it's in years like this that it's well worth it.  It brings so much joy to see the green grass and gardens when the paddocks are bare and dry.   Praise YHVH, the rains came last week!   We have received 40ml over the last couple of weeks and more is on the...

It was such a blessing for our community to come together at Hebron  for the Pesach meal and the first day of unleavened bread.   We are not a big community in the Adelaide Hills but we are testifying that  Yeshua is the Messiah and walking in His ways.  There are so many individuals or families that don't have a Messianic fellowship that they can be part of because of geographic distances - or even theological distances.  Our desire is to see Messianic fellowships form and develop in many more parts of Australia so that the sheep of His pasture are fed, nurtured and protected. The Good News of Messiah and His kingdom has been hidden and misconstrued since the early times but the Ruach is revealing truth - the truth that sets His people free.      So as we come together in obedience to observe the moed, whether it's a couple here or a big fellowship over there, we are encouraged and built up in Him as we run the race that He has set before ...

The guys have been out fixing fences so that our flock can move into the paddock.  The roos have a tendency to break fences and dig holes so it's an ongoing chore unfortunately.  Whilst it's rather nice to see them out in the paddocks, and to see when the joeys emerge from the pouch, it can be frustrating as well. Moving the flock into a different paddock is always one of my favourite things to do because you get to give them a closer check and they're always excited about going into a fresh paddock.   So late in the afternoon last Friday I thought, why not share it with you as well.  Enjoy a quick visit to Hebron and I pray that wherever you are, in whatever pasture our Father YHVH has you, that you are blessed and experiencing His overshadowing kindness.  

In Australia it's summer time.  In South Australia it's particularly dry and there is a real possibility of below average rainfall for the autumn season as well.  This is not unusual for our part of the country.  It's part of the natural cycles and here at Hebron we take the necessary preparations.  The dams are drying up but we have plenty of rainwater in the tanks and a bore that draws up water from 60 metres below, so for a short dry spell we are well prepared. We have enough dry feed in the paddocks and bales of hay for the flock of sheep to get us through this dry season.  I'm actually grateful for this dry spell this month because it means that the evil caltrop has not germinated, saving me from a lot of work.  Caltrop (think the most evil version of a three-corner jack!) needs higher temperatures and good spring rains to germinate - usually in early December.  Caltrop and I will continue our battle if we get rain before the summer ends though! B...

The Healing to the Nations fellowship came together to celebrate Sukkot here at Hebron and what a blessed time it was. It seems that since Sukkot life and work got crazy busy so an update on our time together slipped off the priority list.  But as I reflect back on our time together and what has transpired since then I am again encouraged. There was a flurry of preparation in the meeting room and sukkah, and Hebron was ready for a big week of fellowship, praise and times with our King and Adonai.  Although there was one big disappointment because I could not locate the flags that we line the driveway with.  Colourful flags will definitely make an appearance for Sukkot 2025 though. Not everyone was able to come up at Sukkot and they were missed but there is always next year.  Father Yehovah's wisdom in establishing the annual feasts is such a powerful prophetic witness and joy for Messiah's body. The highlight of Sukkot is always spending time under the sukkah in the ...

Over a year ago Yakira and I dreamt of how Hebron's fellowship house could  be updated and better suited to how we functioned as a messianic community.    We could see a fellowship room that had room to easily accommodate people and all the instruments.  Of course there had to be room to wave branches during Sukkot and the odd flag or two as well!  Being of the creative ilk we also wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing and could see the HTTN logo painted on a wall.   The design of the logo has evolved over time to reflect the mandate that YHVH has set for this part of His body in Adelaide.  Sonya devoted many hours to bring to life the visual expression of that mandate and Yakira redesigned the logo.    Why so much attention to a logo and visual expression of the mandate?  Because we as a community of torah-loving disciples of Messiah Yeshua have hearts that hold dreams and promises that are bigger than us as individuals or even co...

  With the autumn feasts upon us I was reflecting on Sukkot last year and how the year since has been full of YHVH's blessings and encouragements.   The HTTN community purchased the property nearly 19 years ago and we have worked hard to develop it.  There is still much to be done so that it can facilitate the purposes that YHVH wants for it but He has proven Himself faithful to His word over the years.  Not a minute too late, not a minute too soon.   We are looking forward to celebrating Yom Teruah next week and then Sukkot a few weeks later.  Hebron will once again be filled with the sound of shofars, singing and laughter.  Yes, there have been times of weeping and even then He proves Himself merciful and faithful. Hallelu Yah!  

In a few weeks we will begin the next phase of the moed with Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.  As with every year, we are eagerly anticipating this time with YHVH and the community in the Adelaide Hills.   One thing we say every year is that we long for the day when the wider Messianic community come together at Sukkot to celebrate with praise, feasting and fellowship.  It would seem that the Messianic community is relatively young and scattered in Australia and in the early days we would at times wonder if there was anyone else responding to the call to come out of the Christian church system and return to the ancient paths.  And of course there were and are. It's always so exciting when we meet another person or family who are on the same path and we can rejoice together.  We all have different stories, backgrounds and experiences but the common and binding truth is that YHVH is love and that love is expressed not only in His redemption but in the fullness o...

There has been a breaking of the season.  Hebron has received over 25mls of rain this month and the paddocks are now greening up.  The ones that were sown with oats and wheat for hay have sprouted and looking good as well.   One of the blessings of being on the land, regardless of how big or small the acreage, is that you're keenly aware of the seasons and rainfall, and the powerful imagery of scripture becomes very real and applicable. Hosea 10:12 tells us:  "Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with lovingkindness; Break up your fallow ground, indeed, it is time to seek YHVH until He comes and rains righteousness on you." Breaking up the fallow ground of our hearts is to keenly and humbly seek YHVH, live righteously in accordance with His Word in anticipation of His mercy - His lovingkindness.  Just before you get to Hebron you can take a detour down Humbles Road.  Often when I drive past I use that as a reminder to humble myself befo...

For this small part of Yeshua's body, Healing to the Nations in South Australia, the last few months, including the past week of Pesach, has been ....well, different and unusual.  It has truly been a period of time where Father YHVH has been rooting and grounding us in His love, word and truth.  We gathered together at Hebron to keep the Pesach memorial and there was a stripping back.  No traditions, no add-ons, just Yeshua's Pesach and Yeshua's words.  The following day, the first day of Unleavened Bread, the Father's kindness and uncompromising truth was manifested amongst us.  It was truly a blessed time together.  Traditionally the week of unleavened bread will have an emphasis of dealing with the carnal ego, which is very apt, or the leaven of the pharisees, which is also very apt.  However, Paul emphasised that sin that is tolerated is also leaven that must be exposed and dealt with to ensure that the body of Yeshua is kadosh, which was emphasise...

  As I've been preparing Hebron for the Healing to the Nations family to come together to remember and celebrate YHVH's passover I've been praying that the Ruach haKodesh will prepare our hearts and minds, and reveal more of His truth and ways to us.  Being able to experience community, with all the blessings and challenges that it brings, is a true privilege, and the wisdom of our Father.  Here we have time - time to develop relationships - time to sit around the Word - time to enjoy creation and the night sky - and just as importantly, time for individuals to wander around the property, meditate and commune with YHVH without the busyness of life. Yeshua's eternal covenant is exactly that - an eternal covenant.  Pesach is a covenant of redemption and restoration.  As humankind is prone to do, we can break covenant and add clauses to the covenant of our own making.  It's human nature to want to change the terms and conditions of the covenant, or even wra...

 The scheduled daily sacrifices and times of prayer are not relegated to the dusty pages of history.  Nor are they mere shadows.  Our Creator and Father is wise, compassionate and desirous of His children's attention and love but I'm afraid this child in particular needs prompting and reminding that these times spent with Him are a joy and the privilege of being part of His royal family. I will be forever grateful that His Ruach draws us into His presence and reminds us to be utterly dependent on Him for everything - every need, every decision and every victory.   Psalm 108    A Song of David   My heart is steadfast, Oh Elohim I will sing and make melody with all my being Awake , oh harp and lyre I will awake the dawn!   I will awake the dawn!  I will give thanks to you, Oh YHVH, among the peoples I will sing praises to you among the nations For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. ...

Boys honing their archery and shooting skill s     We have seen the horrific and evil devastation of the attack on Israel, and the resulting war in the Gazan region, and cannot but be driven to prayer and tears.  The hatred and myopic response from many across the world towards Israel is illogical and entrenched demonised thinking.  I won't provide a political or spiritual commentary (you can refer to John's recent message for an excellent summary on that front), but I do want to state clearly that the same illogical hatred and myopic thinking is directed towards anyone who stands for Truth and truly follows the Way of Yeshua the Messiah. The alapaca boys with latest haircut With Christmas upon us the demarcation is clear and provides an opportunity for the light of Truth to shine to our families and communities.  It's usually not a popular message, and it does come with an element of sacrifice, but compromise emboldens the enemy of our souls.  May the Ruac...