Congregation Shalom

04/17/2022

Kam L'Techiyah! He has Risen!!!

05/11/2019

04/14/2019

SHALOM

Soon Jews all over the world will celebrate Passover. Of the Jewish practices measured by a Pew Forum, participation in a Passover Seder has the highest observance rate — well above other traditions such as fasting on Yom Kippur, or lighting Sabbath candles. According to Pew’s data from 2013, some 70 percent of American Jews attended a Seder in the previous year. In Israel that number soars to 93 percent. Together with the High Holy Days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, it’s the most important Jewish holiday of the year.

Jews work assiduously in preparation, cleaning the leaven out of our homes, and – hopefully – out of our hearts at the same time. The Torah commands us to avoid leavened products and to clear our homes from them in several places, including Exodus 12. And the punishment for eating leavened products on Passover is extremely serious – excommunication.

It’s safe to say that Passover expresses and marks the narrative core of the Jewish experience: They were slaves. Then God heard their suffering, intervened, redeemed them from Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and suddenly they were free.

Well yes. And no.

It turns out to be a lot easier to take the people out of Egypt than it is to take the Egypt out of the people.

The opposite of slavery is not non-slavery. But really, there is no such thing. We are limited, finite, created beings. We are always slaves to something – at the very least to the frailties of our human bodies. And so often to other things as well: our egos, the State, temptation, materialism, despair.

The list goes on and on. There is no real freedom for us. As the Bob Dylan song goes: “You gotta serve somebody.”

This is why the Seder night of Pesach is actually “just” the first, exciting critical moment in an unfolding drama that lasts fifty days. It’s not the end of something: Pesach is much more about the beginning of something.

From the night after the Seder night, observant Jews start to count. And count. And count. As commanded in Leviticus 23:15-16 they count day by day through the “seven weeks,” and then to the 50th day of Shavuot (Feast of Weeks). This is the source for the Christian celebration of Pentecost 50 days after Easter Sunday. At Shavuot they celebrate God’s giving of the Torah to Moses and the children of Israel at Sinai.

Physical freedom and redemption are critically necessary, but not sufficient. We must always look toward the completion of this process that come with the spiritual freedom that comes from following God after our physical redemption.
Shalom
Pastor John Denson
[email protected]

02/09/2019

Shalom
We are against the invasion at the southern boarder of the U.S. and we stand with the President of the United States of America. Yet in other parts of the world, we can't overlook the persecuted Christians. Considering the worsening plight of the persecution of the brethren, I'm thinking about the true and dreadful conditions that lead me, mentally, psychologically, congregation-ally, personally and being part of God's Holy nation (1 Peter 2:9) to ask for prayer and donations to help those who are suffering.
We are familiar with different organizations. These organizations are tiny compared with the amount of persecution I see. It brings more clarity in my mind when witnessing the deteriorating situation of the persecuted church.
The clarity is: I'm going to respond to this challenge led by the compelling reasons in God's word in order to claim my due role as their brother in Jesus Christ.
The time has come for us to respond.

1. Begin with the conviction that persecuted Christian asylum seekers are persons made in God’s image and are, therefore, worthy of respect and dignity (Genesis 1:26,28).

2. Appreciate the fact that many of our spiritual ancestors were themselves economic refugees. Thus Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob moved from the Promised Land on several occasions in search of food (Genesis 12:10; 26:1; 41:57; 42:6; 43:1-7). The story of Ruth is the story of an immigrant who continually crossed national borders in search of food. Other spiritual ancestors of ours were pushed out of their homeland because of war or persecution (Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, and the baby Jesus). So immigration because of economics, war, and asylum-seeking due to one's personal faith is not far from every Christian’s own heritage.

3. Specifically apply Jesus promise to Christian asylum seekers: ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40).

4. Care for these immigrants since they had a central place in the laws and practices of ancient Israel showing God's love for immigrants: “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigners residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).

5. Be hospitable according to New Testament teaching which literally means to “love the stranger” or the alien (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). Jesus commanded his followers to welcome people who had no social standing, such as the poor, the sick, and the outsider (Luke 14:12-14).

It's not wrong to avoid or escape persecution if Jesus Himself walked away when people were about to stone Him (especially since it wasn't His time). So we should at least realize that it's not wrong to walk away from situations not favorable to our own safety as God's people. Many of God's people escaped persecution so they could continue doing the work of God. Paul was lowered in a basket (Acts 9:25), Peter walked out of prison (Acts 12:5-27), David ran away from Saul (see 1 Samuel 21), and yes, Jesus walked away from His persecutors. They all needed to keep themselves safe so they could fulfill the purposes of God. We ought to do that too.

01/11/2019

Jacob had served 14 years,
7 years in order to marry Rachel, but was tricked by Rachel father Laban and worked another 7 years in order to marry Rachel
finally laban would not let him leave so one more agreement added 7 more years, and finally Jacob and his wives left Laban but
something had happened.. Rachel took all of what was termed Laban idols but were really deeds to his inheritance.. and Jacob left.

after going for sometime Laban gathered his forces together and went after Jacob and when he had caught up to him he asked him why
he had stolen those idols.. Jacob said he had not AND CURSED ANYONE WHO DID AND TOLD LABAN TO SEARCH HIS ENTIRE COMPANY..
Rachel was one of the last to be searched but she had hid the idols under her garment. more akin to between her legs and told her father
that it was her time of the month so they didn't search her and they all left..
it was Jacob and the curse he swore to Laban that doomed Rachel.. when she finally did give birth to ben oh me...

A Tragic Beginning
The matriarch Rachel was beloved by her husband Jacob, but remained barren for many years. Finally, after years of faithfully waiting, she became pregnant and gave birth to Joseph. But years later, her second pregnancy ended in disaster. In the final tragic moments of her life, Rachel named her baby son Ben Oni (בן אוני). In Hebrew this means “son (ben) of my sorrow” (oni) – that is to say, this boy’s birth caused my death.

The Son of the Right
Son of Sorrow: quite a heavy burden to carry on one’s shoulders. So, Jacob changed his name to Benjamin (בנימין). In Hebrew this means “son (ben) of the right (yamin)”. In ancient times, people faced east to the rising sun to orient themselves, which makes south on the right. So, Benjamin is the “son of the south” – the only one of Jacob’s twelve sons born in the southern land of Canaan, not north in Aram.

The bond between the Old and New Testament
Knowing what Benjamin’s two names mean, we can see an amazing parallel. Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Jacob, was described as a “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3). On Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). To really understand the depth of the Bible and the profound bonds linking the Old and New Testament, JOIN US SATURDAY AT 11AM FOR OUR SHALOM BIBLE STUDIES

Pastor John Denson

12/09/2018

Message from the special Chanukah service (12/8/18).

What Christians can learn from Chanukah for Christmas (John 10:22-39). By Steve Laskowski 22 Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. 23 Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon’s Col…

12/08/2018

Special Chanukah Service today (12/8/18) at Congregation Shalom.

12/04/2018

As Director of the Pasche Institute of Jewish Studies, let me add my endorsement to others on behalf of John Denson. I have known Pastor Denson for most of the past decade, and have found him to be a man of unquestioned integrity and unusual giftedness. He has a love for the Jewish people that includes a concern for their salvation. It is most unusual to find a concern for the salvation of the Jewish people in the Church, in general, and especially is this the case in the Black church. How can this be? Do we not all worship the God of Israel? Could the God of Israel be indifferent to the spiritual condition of the Jewish people? I am convinced that by understanding God’s role for Israel in His universal plan of redemption , we will learn more about our Father and the mission of the one who was named, “Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). For these reasons, I want to strongly encourage you to support and pray for my brother, John Denson. My prayer is that he will infect everyone whom he meets with a passion for the salvation of the Jewish people.

Jim R. Sibley

Director

12/02/2018

Chag Hanukkah Semeach!

Dear friends,

We hope that this message finds you well.

Tonight, we enter a very special, beautiful time: Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

There are several ways we commemorate this time. Of course, we use this time as an opportunity to light the Hanukkiahs, give gifts, make latkes, and enjoy time with family and friends.

We also remember the original Hanukkah miracle. This was when Jerusalem was under Greek control and Adonai caused the oil in the menorah in the temple to last eight days, when there was only enough for one day. And eight days was the exact amount of time it took for more oil to be made. Judah Maccabee and his family were used by Elohim to cleanse the temple once again.

Because of this, we can also use this time to remember the miracles that Adonai has done in our own lives--and take the opportunity to cleanse our own hearts, which is the temple of the Ruach HaKodesh (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Most of all, let us use the Festival of Lights to bring honor and glory to the True Light, Yeshua our Messiah. In John 8:12, Yeshua says, "I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Let us praise Him for being the Light of our lives, as well as the Light of the World.

A few chapters later, in John 10, we see Yeshua Himself celebrating Hanukkah. This is where He tells us, "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life! They will never perish, and no one will sn**ch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28)

Look for ways to be a light in your sphere of influence, and let the Light of the World shine through you.
Happy Hanukkah, and may the Lord bless you and keep you!

Shalom and love,

11/26/2018

Added a new article to Shalom Ministry's website about Congregation Shalom.

Church planters tell me all the time, “Planting is the greatest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” From the numerous conversations I’ve had with local planters s…

11/25/2018

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12)

Tu B’Shvat

Although the traditions attached to this holiday are deeply rooted in Jewish history, one of the newer traditions is tree planting. Throughout Israel, people are outside planting saplings today—students, families, employees, soldiers, and new olim (immigrants).

Its blossoms remind us of the miracles that the Lord (Adonai) has in store for us. Just as the coldest, darkest winters always end, and the earth brings forth fruit, so too in our lives: even the darkest of days end and God has something fresh in store for us.


Almond blossoms in Israel

"Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." (Psalm 1:1–3)

Planting a seed is an act of faith.

When we plant a seed, it doesn't spring up overnight. It grows unseen inside the earth. We cannot see its transformation as it puts down roots that draw nourishment from the earth. Then it pushes past the surface toward light, eventually bearing fruit.

As we celebrate the growth of trees that produce oxygen for us to breathe and fruit to eat, we remember that many Bible verses compare people to the trees of the field. (Deuteronomy 20:19)

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:3)



Brothers walk together through a blossoming almond grove in Israel.

Tu B’Shvat is a day to ask ourselves if we, like a tree, are reaching upward toward the Light.

Are we making sure that our fruit is sweet, and that we are adding another ring of growth in the Lord as each year passes?

Also, are we nurturing the potential in others by caring for those saplings that have been entrusted to us, watering them and sheltering them?

As the sap begins to rise in the trees in Israel, preparing them to bear leaves, flowers, and fruit, please sow the Good Seed of the Word of God .

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives." (Proverbs 11:30)

Please help us in the restoration of God,s people by helping planting our church (Congregation Shalom) with a seed gift
donate on line www.shalomministry.com
or send gift to PO BOX 19695 DETROIT MI 48219

Shalom

Pastor John

Boldly taking the news of the Gospel to Jewish people and the Gentiles