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Grace Point! November 2016

Read informative, positive and personal articles on forgiving and forgetting, and moving on beyond the past.

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<strong>November</strong> <strong>2016</strong> Volume 2 ~Issue 11<br />

eMagazine of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM<br />

Forgive & Forget


Table of Contents<br />

3~Notes from Rebecca<br />

4~PrayerWorks<br />

8-9~FruitWorks<br />

page 5 Restoration & Renewal<br />

10-11~Namesakes<br />

22-23~ScrollWorks<br />

page 15 In the Potting Shed<br />

25~Seller of Purple<br />

Back Cover~Subscribe<br />

to <strong>Grace</strong> <strong>Point</strong>!<br />

page 20 JourneyWorks<br />

page 6 Remarkables<br />

page 14 Herbs of the Field<br />

page 24 BoardWorks<br />

2<br />

© StillWorks Imagery by Rebecca Matthews | © peinture proximite`


Hello to all readers!<br />

First, I want to thank you for clicking on the link that brought you to<br />

this magazine.<br />

Notes<br />

from<br />

Rebecca<br />

New this issue:<br />

The theme for <strong>November</strong>, Forgive & Forget, hits hard in a lot of places that we would<br />

rather not go. It is too painful. But, forgiveness is necessary to move forward in life, so<br />

I hope you find something soothing in this issue.<br />

The article, ClassWorks, has been published previously, but I decided it was most<br />

appropriate for this issue. Have a look, and see for yourself.<br />

I am also now including my copyright on my own photos used in the magazine. Each of<br />

my photos will have © StillWorks Imagery by Rebecca Matthews at the bottom. If I have<br />

turned the photo into artwork, the there will also be © peinture proximite` which is the<br />

name of my art gallery.<br />

Our goal is to be the bridge for people to cross to when desiring to know more about<br />

Scripture from the Hebrew perspective, and how it comes alive when studying the<br />

language God used to write it. The purpose of this magazine is for help, hope and<br />

encouragement toward our fellow man. We are our brother’s keeper!<br />

Our prayer is that there will be a blessing for each reader among these pages. God bless<br />

each and every one! Shalom.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Rebecca Matthews<br />

Founder, administrator, and ordained minister at Philippi Prospect Ministries<br />

Founder, senior editor, writer, publisher of <strong>Grace</strong> <strong>Point</strong>! eMagazine<br />

Photographer and curator at StillWorks Imagery<br />

Artist at (atelier de) peinture proximité<br />

(The opinions and/or beliefs expressed in this magazine by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions and/or beliefs of James and<br />

Rebecca Matthews, founders of Philippi Prospect Ministries, and <strong>Grace</strong> <strong>Point</strong>! eMagazine.)<br />

© StillWorks Imagery by Rebecca Matthews<br />

3


© StillWorks Imagery by Rebecca Matthews<br />

4<br />

Avinu Shebashamayim, I pray that anyone who needs forgiveness will seek it,<br />

and anyone who needs to forgive will do so, and turn loose of their hurt<br />

and pain. I pray that the past will be totally forgotten, by all concerned,<br />

with no more grudges held, and all things can be started new and afresh.<br />

In the name of Yeshua.<br />

PrayerWorks TM a publication of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM


A Journey to<br />

Pain and injury inflicted on us when we are<br />

young can, almost always, leave us brittle and<br />

broken as we get older. The anger that burns<br />

inside, that we are sometimes unaware of, can eat<br />

like a cancer to the very core of our soul,<br />

poisoning our hearts and minds. Out of that<br />

anger, we lash out at those around us, and<br />

continue the cycle, instead of breaking it.<br />

The only thing that breaks a cycle such as this,<br />

where the past keeps rising up to take charge over<br />

us, is to forgive the perpetrator(s). It is one of the<br />

hardest things we will ever do. But, only way to<br />

break the chains of abuse, molestation, addiction,<br />

and other evils, is to forgive.<br />

As long as the pain is present in our minds, the<br />

act against might as well still be happening.<br />

Forgiveness is about being freed from the burden<br />

of the pain -- something we do for ourselves.<br />

Forgetting is the next step. But, what is<br />

involved in ‘forgetting’? Having been<br />

through the pain that childhood<br />

molestation myself, those who flippantly<br />

throw out ‘forgive it and forget it’ do not<br />

know what they are saying.<br />

The key to the ‘forgetting’ isn’t about<br />

erasing it from memory as a way of not<br />

dealing with it. ‘Forgetting’ is about<br />

dealing with whatever issues arises out of<br />

the pain, putting that pain behind us, and<br />

starting life afresh. It can no longer<br />

consume our minds, and make our hearts<br />

hard in bitterness and anger.<br />

Only when we are fully healed can we<br />

help others go through the same<br />

much-needed healing.<br />

a publication of Ruth Ministries-The Virtuous Woman, TM a woman's restoration ministry/a segment of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM<br />

5


There is<br />

a nobility in compassion,<br />

a beauty in empathy,<br />

a grace in forgiveness.<br />

___<br />

John Connolly<br />

6


Remark ables<br />

7


a closer look at the fruits of the Spirit<br />

Forgiveness<br />

TM<br />

In Galatians 5:22-23, we are given a list of the fruits of<br />

the Spirit. They are the guidelines to which we conduct<br />

ourselves in our daily walk. These are nine different<br />

aspects of Godliness that we must adhere to in order to<br />

live to our fullest spiritual potential. They vary slightly,<br />

depending on the translation, but the foundational fruits<br />

of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,<br />

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.<br />

While at first glance, these all look the same, a closer<br />

look reveals small differences in their meanings, which<br />

translates to differences in their application and<br />

implementation. This article is meant to shed light on<br />

each of these nine characteristics of holiness, to explore<br />

their nuances and minute differences. Forgiveness falls<br />

under the category of Kindness.<br />

What is it? What does it look like? The modern definition for this word is most often linked to<br />

apologizing, or accepting an apology. But, what does this word really mean? How do we apply it?<br />

And, is there a Scriptural model?<br />

The dictionary describes hope in the following<br />

way:<br />

1. act of forgiving; state of being forgiven.<br />

2. disposition or willingness to forgive.<br />

Hebrews 9:22<br />

According to the Law, nearly everything is<br />

cleansed with blood, for apart from shedding<br />

of blood there is no forgiveness.<br />

When Qayin killed Habel, and his blood cried<br />

from the ground, it was the preempt to the<br />

concept of ‘only blood can cleanse blood’. A<br />

life for a life. In blood is life, so the only<br />

sacrifice to give life is through shed blood.<br />

Every time someone donates blood (a blood<br />

‘sacrifice’) to the Red Cross, they are giving<br />

life to someone in need. Yeshua did that very<br />

thing on the grandest scale possible.<br />

8<br />

dictionary credit


Hebrews 10:14-18<br />

For by one offering he has perfected forever<br />

those who are being sanctified. Ruach HaKodesh<br />

also testifies to us, for after saying, "This is the<br />

covenant that I will make with them: 'After<br />

those days,' says the Lord, 'I will put my laws on<br />

their heart, I will also write them on their<br />

mind;'" then he says, "I will remember their sins<br />

and their iniquities no more." Now where<br />

forgiveness is, there is no more offering for sin.<br />

This verse speaks volumes about our state of<br />

grace, after being forgiven and set free by<br />

Yeshua. So many believe false religious<br />

denominational lies, such as being able to ‘lose’<br />

our salvation, and that He is still on the cross, in<br />

a perpetual state of sacrifice. Both are lies<br />

straight from hell, and those that believe them<br />

are grossly deceived. The verse above make it<br />

abundantly clear that, when we are forgiven, our<br />

past is just that: the past. And not only is it<br />

forgiven, but it is also forgotten by Him that<br />

forgave. Only the enemy brings up our past to<br />

try to use it against us, and defeat YHVH’s<br />

purpose in our lives. And, anyone who judges us<br />

because of our past is working for the enemy. No<br />

matter who they are.<br />

Psalm 130:3-4<br />

If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, YHVH, who<br />

could stand? But there is forgiveness with you,<br />

that you may be feared.<br />

We all have come short, and have messed up<br />

royally at some point in our lives. Some of us<br />

every day. But, as David puts it, who of us could<br />

ever feel free from our wrongdoings if they were<br />

held against us by YHVH Himself? Instead, He<br />

forgives us, so that we may have a reverential<br />

fear, which is ultimate respect, for Him. It is<br />

raising Him up for all to see who leads us and, in<br />

return, He will also raise us up in honor and<br />

respect among our peers.<br />

9


Manasseh<br />

Causing to Forget<br />

Our names are more than just what we are called.<br />

God gave names, or changed names, in Scripture,<br />

in the lives of those whose names were changed. Do<br />

up to the character of that name? Or, do you feel<br />

Hebrew Transliteration: Menashsheh<br />

מְנַשֶּׁה Spelling: Hebrew<br />

Anyone with the name “Manasseh” can look very<br />

much like his namesake in Scripture. Here are a few<br />

examples of the characteristics of the name.<br />

Genesis 41:51<br />

Joseph called the name of the firstborn<br />

Manasseh, "For," he said, "Elohim has made<br />

me forget all my toil, and all my father's<br />

house."<br />

Many times when we are taken, or sent, to a<br />

place that is physically, mentally and<br />

emotionally draining, we don’t want to<br />

remember the ‘good’ place we were in before.<br />

For, to remember it would be to keep looking<br />

into the past, longing and yearning for it,<br />

and not concentrating on the work we were<br />

sent there to do. Just like Joseph, who was<br />

rewarded with getting his family back, after<br />

the reason for his going to Egypt was<br />

established, we, too, can be hopeful in being<br />

reunited with loved ones, knowing it all was<br />

a part of His plan from the beginning.<br />

10


They can reveal a lot about our character. When<br />

it signified that a change was about to take place<br />

you have a Scripture-based name? Are you living<br />

a name-change is in order?<br />

Genesis 48:5-6<br />

Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of<br />

Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim<br />

and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine.<br />

Your issue, who you become the father of after them, will be<br />

yours. They will be called after the name of their brothers in<br />

their inheritance.<br />

In the symbolism of Jacob taking Manasseh (and<br />

Ephraim) as his own also speaks to us as someone of a<br />

higher authority taking on the thing(s) that make us<br />

unhappy, thereby freeing us of a tainted past, so that we<br />

can start again afresh.<br />

2 Kings 21:9<br />

But they didn't listen: and Manasseh seduced them to do<br />

that which is evil more than did the nations whom Yahweh<br />

destroyed before the children of Israel.<br />

There is a negative side the name “Manasseh,” as the verse<br />

above indicates. He was king over Israel, but was the most<br />

evil king in biblical history. He made the people “forget”<br />

who YHVH was, and led them astray to worship other gods.<br />

So, a Manasseh can help us forget, and move on from, an<br />

unhappy past, or a Manasseh can cause us to forget the<br />

right way to live, and cause us to fall into a level of<br />

disobedience that can take generations to come out of.<br />

11


TM<br />

A famous baboon<br />

once said, "The<br />

past can hurt. But<br />

the way I see it,<br />

you can either run<br />

from it or you can<br />

learn from it."<br />

12<br />

ClassWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM


Forgiveness is hard regardless of the situation. If you are<br />

needing to forgive someone, then that means you have been<br />

hurt in some way. Ephesians 4:32 says: Be kind and<br />

compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as<br />

in Christ God forgave you.<br />

This is obviously easier said than done. It took me years to<br />

get over some of the things in my past. But after I had my<br />

son, I felt like these feelings were holding me back from<br />

being the mother I was capable of being. So one day, I<br />

decided I was done feeling that way. Because the truth is,<br />

the other person(s) probably aren't losing sleep because of<br />

the way they made you feel. I bowed my head, closed my<br />

eyes, and asked God to just lift this burden from me and give<br />

me peace. I stated out loud that I forgive these people for<br />

things that had happened in my childhood and adolescence.<br />

I just let it go. And by the time I opened my eyes, I had this<br />

sense of relief. I felt so much better. Now I have better<br />

relationships with my family and I don't dwell on the past or<br />

hold grudges. I'm not going to lie, some days are still hard<br />

and there are still things I struggle with forgiving and<br />

letting go. And that day will come. But until then, I will just<br />

continue praying and asking God for his mercy.<br />

Forgiveness is a very powerful thing. There are so many<br />

great examples of forgiveness, but there has been one story<br />

that has always stuck with me ever since I saw the video of<br />

it. Some of you may have heard of Gary Ridgway, better<br />

known as "The Green River Killer." During his sentencing,<br />

the families of the victims had a chance to come to the stand<br />

and say some words to the murderer. Everyone wished him a<br />

painful death and showed nothing but hatred. But that last<br />

man that came up to the stand was Mr. Robert Rule and he<br />

left a lasting impression. His words left the killer sobbing.<br />

"Mr. Ridgway, there are people here that hate you. I'm not<br />

one of them. I forgive you for what you have done. You've<br />

made it difficult to live to what I believe, and what God says<br />

to do, and that is to forgive. And He doesn't say to forgive<br />

certain people. He says to forgive all. So you are forgiven,<br />

sir."<br />

We could all learn a lot from Mr. Rule and from Jesus. Even<br />

as he was being nailed to the cross, Jesus cried out "Forgive<br />

them Father for they know not what they do." We are only<br />

human, but if we can ask God to forgive us for our sins, then<br />

we can forgive others for their wrongdoings upons us. You<br />

will lead a much healthier and happier life. Try it. You'll see.<br />

by Rachel Dills<br />

13


TM<br />

He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and herbs for man<br />

to cultivate, that he may bring forth food out of the earth.<br />

Psalm 104:14<br />

Time can heal all wounds...too much time on my hands… Oh,<br />

wrong kind of “time!”<br />

Thyme is a low growing (6-12 in) semi-prostrate<br />

perennial, and is highly aromatic with a hint<br />

of clove and mint fragrance. There are<br />

numerous culinary and ornamental varieties.<br />

Thyme prefers a full sun, in soil that is well amended with<br />

organic matter and well drained. Poorly drained soil will<br />

shorten its useful life, and it is much easier to grow it from<br />

divisions or cuttings. Thyme also makes an attractive<br />

border in the perennial garden.<br />

Stems of thyme can be cut through the season<br />

but is best cut just before the plant starts to<br />

flower. Hang the stems in small bunches in a dark,<br />

warm, well-ventilated area to dry. Once<br />

dry, the leaves can be stripped from the stems and<br />

stored in sealed containers.<br />

Thyme can be used either fresh or dry. It is widely used in soups,<br />

stews, casseroles, stuffing and poultry dishes. Its flavor and<br />

fragrance is not adversely affected by long, slow cooking.<br />

French & English Thyme – Most popular of the<br />

culinary types.<br />

Citrus Thymes – A diverse group of thyme with lemon,<br />

lime and orange fragrances.<br />

Wooly Thyme – Low carpet of grey, wooly leaves and<br />

pale pink flowers. Very attractive as an ornamental<br />

in a rock garden setting.<br />

14<br />

credit content


In the Potting Shed<br />

by Rebecca Matthews<br />

What type of<br />

Flower<br />

Are You?<br />

42<br />

15


Yeshayahu 40:6-8<br />

The voice of one saying, "Cry!"<br />

One said, "What shall I cry?"<br />

"All flesh is like grass,<br />

and all its glory is like the flower of the field.<br />

The grass withers, the flower fades,<br />

because Yahweh's breath blows on it.<br />

Surely the people are like grass.<br />

The grass withers, the flower fades;<br />

but the word of our God stands forever."<br />

1 Kefa 1:22-25<br />

Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience<br />

to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection,<br />

love one another from the heart fervently:<br />

having been born again, not of corruptible seed,<br />

but of incorruptible, through the word of Elohim,<br />

which lives and remains forever.<br />

For, "All flesh is like grass,<br />

and all of man's glory like the flower in the grass.<br />

The grass withers, and its flower falls;<br />

but the word of Elohim endures forever."<br />

And this is the Word, announced as Good News to you.<br />

16<br />

21


Some members of society have many layers attributed to them. Layers<br />

such as royalty, social responsibility, dignity, honor and integrity, from a<br />

place of high-standing and position among their peers and colleagues.<br />

People in this category are almost always in the public eye, and are<br />

scrutinized to see if they make a mistake.<br />

~~~<br />

Some members of society are deemed ‘exotic’ by others, and surmised to<br />

be hard to approach and high maintenance. They are thought too ‘showy’<br />

for the ‘common’ person and, therefore, are shied away from by other<br />

members of society that think themselves unable to measure up to<br />

someone such as this.<br />

21 17


Some members of society like to group together, only associating with<br />

their own ‘kind.’ While being beautiful for a season, if diversity is not<br />

taken on, then they soon become so closely joined at the root that they<br />

can no longer grow. No growth means there is no longer blooms, and<br />

they just blend into the background with all the other greenery.<br />

~~~<br />

Some members of society are beautiful in their simplicity, but grow off<br />

the beaten track, where not many venture. They like to grow in large<br />

groups but, unlike other types, these blossom when grouped together,<br />

because their seed is dispersed by the wind. When they are seen en<br />

masse, their beauty is a sight to behold.<br />

18<br />

21


Some members of society are deemed ‘weeds’ because they pop up<br />

everywhere. They are the most undesired person in a manicured society.<br />

But, if their label was removed, their valuable qualities would become<br />

apparent. Not only that, but a little investigation would reveal they have<br />

skills that are embraced by other cultures.<br />

~~~<br />

Some members of society should not be touched at all. These are<br />

poisonous to everyone except their own kind, and live on the periphery<br />

of society, just waiting for anyone to venture by unaware of the poison<br />

they contain. They come boldly into our backyards, where the innocent<br />

play, and it seems their poison can adhere to anyone just by looking at it.<br />

21 19


There is Freedom in Forgiveness<br />

After being on the road for almost 3* years, God has brought us back to the small town that<br />

we started out in. Throughout the last several months, the Lord has had me present him with<br />

all the pain and anger from my past. Last year, I overcame the molestation of my childhood<br />

and the poor relationship I had with my dad, among many other things.<br />

From 1995 to 2008, I was in a relationship with a man who put me through the most difficult<br />

period in my life thus far. During that time, I was both physically and emotionally abused,<br />

attempted suicide, and lost all my self-worth. I measured myself by his standard, and it has all<br />

come out in anger toward my present husband, who is completely innocent of any of my pain.<br />

this blog post is from 2013<br />

20


Three weeks ago, after a bout of anger rose up in me, and I went for a drive to clear my head.<br />

It was 3 miles to the main road, and before I had gotten halfway there, the Holy Spirit<br />

directed me to go to the man I had had a relationship with for over 13 years. I had to tell him<br />

that I forgave him of all the pain that he had caused.<br />

I then proceeded to ‘do a Gideon’, and say God, if this is You, then have him be out in town<br />

where I can see him when I get there. Knowing this man as well as I did, I knew he never left<br />

his little farm unless he absolutely had to, so I had resigned myself to going to his house, even<br />

though there were so many bad memories.<br />

Looking down at the gas needle, I knew I wouldn’t go very much farther without fuel, so I<br />

made my way to a gas station I usually use. As I passed by a local eatery, I saw a truck that I<br />

thought looked like his. I drove on, got fuel, and drove back toward the small restaurant. My<br />

plan was to park across the street and wait and see who came out to occupy the truck. As I<br />

approached, there was someone in the driver’s seat, with the door open.<br />

It was a cloudy day, and it had been lightly raining off and on throughout the day. This man<br />

was rolling his window up, since it had started to sprinkle. When he began to exit the vehicle,<br />

I saw it was who God had sent me to talk to. So, I parked right beside his truck and tapped<br />

the horn. He had begun to walk back toward the restaurant, but turned around at the sound<br />

of the horn.<br />

When he saw me, he grinned wide. It had been over 4 years since we had seen one another, and<br />

all those old feelings of hate and anger were gone. He asked for a hug, and I gave him one. In<br />

our 20 minute conversation, I told him what I had been sent to say. It was a tremendous<br />

relief.<br />

In the last 2 weeks, my husband, and all the people around me, have noticed a marked<br />

difference in my overall attitude. I feel like the weight of the world has been taken from me.<br />

So, for anyone who reads this that might be in a similar position that I was in: forgive!! Don’t<br />

go for years holding it in like I did, then venting it on innocent people. Give it to God, and let<br />

him deal with it. You will feel a lot better for it!<br />

There is freedom in forgiveness!<br />

see more of my blogs at My Story...My Walk<br />

21


TM<br />

22<br />

ScrollWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM


Therefore I tell you,<br />

her sins, which are<br />

many, are forgiven,<br />

for she loved much.<br />

But to whom little is<br />

forgiven, the same<br />

loves little."<br />

__<br />

Luke<br />

7:47<br />

23


TM<br />

Welcome to BoardWorks, where I share<br />

interesting articles from FlipBoard. A little<br />

‘food for thought’ to snack on.<br />

Click<br />

HERE<br />

to read<br />

How Far<br />

Would You Go<br />

to be Forgiven?<br />

24<br />

BoardWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM


Seller of Purple<br />

eStore of Philippi Prospect Ministries

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