Greetings Everyone!
After a long and rather arduous Spring and Summer season, I am finally getting back into action with the ministry. In the next segment, you can catch up on some of the ministry news, but on a more personal note – may I share with you that this has been one of the worst summers I can ever remember, and I am not speaking of the weather.
It all began in late February or early March. I awoke in the wee hours of the morning and couldn’t get my head off the pillow – physically not emotionally. I ended up in emergency and doctors told me it was just a stiff neck – ‘forget about it’ – too much shovelling. I went home, spent a few uncomfortable weeks, saw my own doctor in Toronto – who ordered a series of X-rays of my neck to ascertain the cause. Turns out that I have some degenerative disk problems in my neck and back. Eventually, most of the pain subsided but I did begin regular Physio Therapy and Ultra Sound treatments. For the most part I was able to continue, but on the 13th of July I began to notice some stiffness in my neck again. The next day, I awoke in excruciating pain, couldn’t move my shoulder or neck and again ended up in Emergency. Long story short, after an Ultra Sound, more X-rays, and a CT scan it was discovered that I had a pinched nerve in my neck which, I was told was “the whole problem”. At this point I was unable to lie flat, nor use my right arm in any but the most basic ways. The pain was incredible. I was put on four very powerful medications, for pain, a nerve blocker, an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant. For those of you who know me, you know I do not like taking meds. I usually resist even Tylenol until it’s absolutely necessary. Because I couldn’t lie down, I ended up spending 24 hours a day in a living-room chair – it became my world for an extended time. In August, thanks to a very generous friend, I was able to see a Chiropractor in Pickering. She assessed my situation, did a primary adjustment, and commented that I also exhibited characteristics of a torn or injured ‘rotator cuff’. Once again I checked this out with a local doctor and it was later verified ‘tentatively’ by way of another ultra-sound. The pain is not completely gone yet, and I still have more treatments ahead – but I am off all those meds, and putting up with it as best I can.
The one outcome of all this, on a different plane, is that it has made me even more conscious of the suffering that others deal with, often every day of their lives. People I met through out the summer were going through far worse troubles than I was, and I found I was able to empathize more readily with their situation because of my own. The second thing is that, once again, I have experienced first hand the healing power of God, and the wisdom that He has imbued upon members of the medical field. Finally, I have been reminded of the absolute efficacy of prayer cover. For those of you who knew about all this, through personal contact, or via facebook, I sincerely thank you for your prayers, advice, and assistance.
(Baruch ha Shem) I don’t ever want to have to spend another summer like this one, and I am happy to be on the road to recovery and be able to get back to work in the ministry.
Now, read on, and see what we have been able to accomplish, in spite of the pain and suffering of “The Summer of ‘14”….
It all began in late February or early March. I awoke in the wee hours of the morning and couldn’t get my head off the pillow – physically not emotionally. I ended up in emergency and doctors told me it was just a stiff neck – ‘forget about it’ – too much shovelling. I went home, spent a few uncomfortable weeks, saw my own doctor in Toronto – who ordered a series of X-rays of my neck to ascertain the cause. Turns out that I have some degenerative disk problems in my neck and back. Eventually, most of the pain subsided but I did begin regular Physio Therapy and Ultra Sound treatments. For the most part I was able to continue, but on the 13th of July I began to notice some stiffness in my neck again. The next day, I awoke in excruciating pain, couldn’t move my shoulder or neck and again ended up in Emergency. Long story short, after an Ultra Sound, more X-rays, and a CT scan it was discovered that I had a pinched nerve in my neck which, I was told was “the whole problem”. At this point I was unable to lie flat, nor use my right arm in any but the most basic ways. The pain was incredible. I was put on four very powerful medications, for pain, a nerve blocker, an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant. For those of you who know me, you know I do not like taking meds. I usually resist even Tylenol until it’s absolutely necessary. Because I couldn’t lie down, I ended up spending 24 hours a day in a living-room chair – it became my world for an extended time. In August, thanks to a very generous friend, I was able to see a Chiropractor in Pickering. She assessed my situation, did a primary adjustment, and commented that I also exhibited characteristics of a torn or injured ‘rotator cuff’. Once again I checked this out with a local doctor and it was later verified ‘tentatively’ by way of another ultra-sound. The pain is not completely gone yet, and I still have more treatments ahead – but I am off all those meds, and putting up with it as best I can.
The one outcome of all this, on a different plane, is that it has made me even more conscious of the suffering that others deal with, often every day of their lives. People I met through out the summer were going through far worse troubles than I was, and I found I was able to empathize more readily with their situation because of my own. The second thing is that, once again, I have experienced first hand the healing power of God, and the wisdom that He has imbued upon members of the medical field. Finally, I have been reminded of the absolute efficacy of prayer cover. For those of you who knew about all this, through personal contact, or via facebook, I sincerely thank you for your prayers, advice, and assistance.
(Baruch ha Shem) I don’t ever want to have to spend another summer like this one, and I am happy to be on the road to recovery and be able to get back to work in the ministry.
Now, read on, and see what we have been able to accomplish, in spite of the pain and suffering of “The Summer of ‘14”….
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News Updates: (see the Photo Gallery for More)
Except in the midst of the greatest amount of pain, during July and early August, the weekly Torah Study continued regularly. We averaged 4 very interested men (plus myself) gathering to learn more about what the Torah had to teach us – as believers – about God’s way of planning and executing our faith history. In the late spring, when our summer crowd began to return, we gained a couple more men. Every class was full of Biblical study, earnest and sometimes challenging questions, insights and (what I always love to see) revelations coming to fruition, when (as my old mentor used to say) “the penny dropped” and the connections were made in the hearts and minds of the ‘students’. We gathered together again in late August and early September, and just before Yom Kippur we ended the study, for now, with a special, Full Morning ‘Seminar’, inviting the ladies group join us, as we learned about the "Moedim / Festivals of God" and their importance to us today. It was very well received, and a number of people voiced a desire to continue the study later.
So far this year, I have had four ‘outside’ speaking engagements. [by “outside” I mean those which involved travel, and not those engagements at my own ‘local’ congregation.] There were two others, but due to my illness, I had to cancel my involvement in them. Once again my apologies to the leaders involved, (you know who you are) and I hope we can consider future engagements in 2015.
On January 4th, we began the year with an invitation to Kehillat Eytz Chaim in North York. I spoke on the Parsha “Bo” with a message entitled “Go, But at What Cost?”, dealing with the cost that the Jewish Nation has paid in making up for God’s having claimed the firstborn of the Egyptians. Later, on February 22, I spoke again at Kehillat Eytz Chaim on the parsha “V’Yakhel”. The message was called “If It’s Worth Doing…”, in which I spoke about the great care taken by all those in preparing and constructing the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, and how we should treat our bodies, “The Temple of the Ruach haKodesh” with proper care as well.
On April 17, I was joined by Joan and by Louise and Les A as we travelled to Ivy, a small hamlet south-west of Barrie. The occasion was Maundy Thursday and members of the Parish of North Essa gathered for a Seder Demonstration and Meal. It was well received by everyone, and a few new people became sojourners of the ministry. It was a pleasure first of all to see many familiar faces as we knew a few of the people from our early years in Barrie, and of course I knew the local priest: The Reverend Beth Pessah. Secondly, it was great to enjoy the music leadership of Louise A - a first time for her at one of our demonstrations. Finally, Joan and I had a special treat in store as we were to be reunited with an old friend, at whose home I had visited 50 years earlier (as of October) - a night which will forever live in my memory as it was the night I met the young lady who would become my wife.
On June 21st, we travelled down to North York once again to speak at KEC. The theme for this message was the "End Times", and the Return of the Messiah. For my text, I spoke on Thessalonians and presented the material as an answer to a young girls query: "Daddy, What Will It Be Like?". We had another great day in company with many old friends.
Intermingled with these "outside" engagements, I have had some wonderful opportunities to speak in my "home Congregation" as well. In March, I did a four week series on "The Ten Words" - a Messianic Looks at the Ten Commandments. This was a lot of work to prepare, but a lot of fun to speak on. I felt truly called to do this theme approach and it had been a 'burning desire' for a long time. I am in the process of taking the material I used, along with some other items and some brief reflections and creating a short publication of the theme message. Sojourners will have first opportunities to receive a copy of the finished product as soon as it is all compiled. Later, on July 13th, (I remember the date, because it was the day all my serious pain started), I was privileged to speak on the topic of "The Lord's Supper" or "Holy Communion". I spoke using the front of the church as a time line, going back in history to the very first Pesach Seder, then illustrating how Y'shua up-dated the traditional meal and then how we take part in it today. based on the responses of the people, this has proved to be one of my most popular messages so far.
As You can see, this has been a very busy year for the ministry, but a very successful year as well.
So far this year, I have had four ‘outside’ speaking engagements. [by “outside” I mean those which involved travel, and not those engagements at my own ‘local’ congregation.] There were two others, but due to my illness, I had to cancel my involvement in them. Once again my apologies to the leaders involved, (you know who you are) and I hope we can consider future engagements in 2015.
On January 4th, we began the year with an invitation to Kehillat Eytz Chaim in North York. I spoke on the Parsha “Bo” with a message entitled “Go, But at What Cost?”, dealing with the cost that the Jewish Nation has paid in making up for God’s having claimed the firstborn of the Egyptians. Later, on February 22, I spoke again at Kehillat Eytz Chaim on the parsha “V’Yakhel”. The message was called “If It’s Worth Doing…”, in which I spoke about the great care taken by all those in preparing and constructing the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, and how we should treat our bodies, “The Temple of the Ruach haKodesh” with proper care as well.
On April 17, I was joined by Joan and by Louise and Les A as we travelled to Ivy, a small hamlet south-west of Barrie. The occasion was Maundy Thursday and members of the Parish of North Essa gathered for a Seder Demonstration and Meal. It was well received by everyone, and a few new people became sojourners of the ministry. It was a pleasure first of all to see many familiar faces as we knew a few of the people from our early years in Barrie, and of course I knew the local priest: The Reverend Beth Pessah. Secondly, it was great to enjoy the music leadership of Louise A - a first time for her at one of our demonstrations. Finally, Joan and I had a special treat in store as we were to be reunited with an old friend, at whose home I had visited 50 years earlier (as of October) - a night which will forever live in my memory as it was the night I met the young lady who would become my wife.
On June 21st, we travelled down to North York once again to speak at KEC. The theme for this message was the "End Times", and the Return of the Messiah. For my text, I spoke on Thessalonians and presented the material as an answer to a young girls query: "Daddy, What Will It Be Like?". We had another great day in company with many old friends.
Intermingled with these "outside" engagements, I have had some wonderful opportunities to speak in my "home Congregation" as well. In March, I did a four week series on "The Ten Words" - a Messianic Looks at the Ten Commandments. This was a lot of work to prepare, but a lot of fun to speak on. I felt truly called to do this theme approach and it had been a 'burning desire' for a long time. I am in the process of taking the material I used, along with some other items and some brief reflections and creating a short publication of the theme message. Sojourners will have first opportunities to receive a copy of the finished product as soon as it is all compiled. Later, on July 13th, (I remember the date, because it was the day all my serious pain started), I was privileged to speak on the topic of "The Lord's Supper" or "Holy Communion". I spoke using the front of the church as a time line, going back in history to the very first Pesach Seder, then illustrating how Y'shua up-dated the traditional meal and then how we take part in it today. based on the responses of the people, this has proved to be one of my most popular messages so far.
As You can see, this has been a very busy year for the ministry, but a very successful year as well.
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The Fall Moedim:
This year, Joan and I had - more or less - resolved to our situation and figured we would not be able to join in any festivities around the Fall Moedim. In a bit of a surprise happening, however, while visiting some local friends (who are also sojourners) they asked what we were doing for Yom T’ruah / the “Day of Trumpets” known generally as Rosh HaShanah. We explained our situation, and before long we were planning a little get together, to share a meal, read some special and appropriate prayers and Scripture passages, sing a song or two, and naturally – blow the Shofar. Well we had a great time together, and we all felt better for having been obedient to God’s call to have a “holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar” (Lev 23:23). Unfortunately, we were not able to gather for either Yom Kippur or Sukkot in any meaningful way, but we continuously hold out hope for next year.
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Upcoming Engagements: (As of Time of Original Publication)
As of “press time”, we have just one “outside” engagement left for the year. R. Ben Volman of Kehillat Eytz Chaim has once again graciously extended an invitation for me to speak at KEC on December 6th. It will be part of a series he is hosting / presenting on the “Minor Prophets”. The prophet about whom I will be teaching is Nachum. During the series, all twelve prophets will be covered. The schedule so far includes Amos, a two part teaching on both November 1 and 8, Hosea on the 15th, Jonah on the 29th followed by Nachum a week later. The rest of the schedule is being planned at this point. I encourage you, if you are not a member of KEC, to try to attend some of these services as the Minor Prophets are rarely the topic of messages… anywhere, and we have a lot we can learn from them.
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What Else Is Happening Now? (As Of Time of Original Publication)
As I mentioned above, I am trying to get back into regular attending to the website. Recently I received a teaching from R. Tzvi Freeman of Chabad.org about Hallowe’en and the Jewish people. I appreciated what he had to say, and felt it could be adaptable in Christian and Messianic circles as well. With permission from Chabbad.org, I used some of his material, as well as other materials, to teach about Hallowe’en from these other points of view – noting that we are told in Scripture that WE should be influencing the world, not the other way around. You will NOW find the teaching Here.
A new segment of the Teaching Pages was recently launched. Because I am not presently involved in leading a Torah Study group, I felt called to post a brief teaching / reflection on the weekly parsha, so that those who might be interested in further Torah Study would have a ‘starting point’. These pages are not meant to be complicated nor overly academic – so that the general public will be able to read and reflect on one or two significant phrases or events in the reading for the week. My hope is that some readers will be spurred on to look deeper into the passages on their own. I am quite excited about this new approach to Torah Study, and hope that we can muster up a loyal following.
If any of our sojourners (like yourself, for instance) have questions about a parsha passage, you can contact us ahead of time, and perhaps we can use your query to produce the “reflection” for that particular week.
Anytime you visit our website, remember that the home page has an update as to what has been posted as of a particular date or day. These are listed as ‘most immediate’ upload first to oldest article at the bottom of the page. Check it out, it works.
A new segment of the Teaching Pages was recently launched. Because I am not presently involved in leading a Torah Study group, I felt called to post a brief teaching / reflection on the weekly parsha, so that those who might be interested in further Torah Study would have a ‘starting point’. These pages are not meant to be complicated nor overly academic – so that the general public will be able to read and reflect on one or two significant phrases or events in the reading for the week. My hope is that some readers will be spurred on to look deeper into the passages on their own. I am quite excited about this new approach to Torah Study, and hope that we can muster up a loyal following.
If any of our sojourners (like yourself, for instance) have questions about a parsha passage, you can contact us ahead of time, and perhaps we can use your query to produce the “reflection” for that particular week.
Anytime you visit our website, remember that the home page has an update as to what has been posted as of a particular date or day. These are listed as ‘most immediate’ upload first to oldest article at the bottom of the page. Check it out, it works.
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On The Web:
In the Spring we had a huge set-back that proved to have a silver lining. After our move, I neglected to inform our web site provider of the change of address. In February, as a result of not being able to reach us for the annual payment, we lost our former web address “beitroaytovministries.com”. It was rapidly scooped up before I was even aware that it was gone, and became a sales site for Judaica and other related items. Once I realized what had happened, I contacted our provider and asked if “bethroaytovministries” was available, and Baruch ha Shem, it was. I picked it up, paid the fee, and transferred all our pages over. The interesting thing is that this was the address I had wanted in the beginning, but it was not available until this year. I guess it pays to be patient!
Even with not being able to keep the website up to date due to health and the above mix-up, we are still getting an increase in the daily number of “hits”. After a slow start and almost collapse in the Spring, in August we totalled 5065 hits – a daily average of 163 visits. In September that rose to an all time high of 7687 hits or 256 hits per day and in October we still were doing well at 6190 hits, averaging out to 206 hits each day. November seems to have cooled down a wee bit, (no pun intended) but I have been very encouraged by these numbers. Furthermore, we are getting comments and inquiries even from overseas - which shows that people are curious about our ministry.
One of the reasons for this increase is that I am making more use of the social network, in particular Facebook. Whenever I post some new material, I put up a message on FB to ‘get the word out’. This may be part of the reason that there are more visits to the site than previously.
That reminds me, we are available to be contacted on Facebook as well as email, phone and texting. Just search for www.facebook.com/brian.parker.56232 and sign on as a ‘friend’
Even with not being able to keep the website up to date due to health and the above mix-up, we are still getting an increase in the daily number of “hits”. After a slow start and almost collapse in the Spring, in August we totalled 5065 hits – a daily average of 163 visits. In September that rose to an all time high of 7687 hits or 256 hits per day and in October we still were doing well at 6190 hits, averaging out to 206 hits each day. November seems to have cooled down a wee bit, (no pun intended) but I have been very encouraged by these numbers. Furthermore, we are getting comments and inquiries even from overseas - which shows that people are curious about our ministry.
One of the reasons for this increase is that I am making more use of the social network, in particular Facebook. Whenever I post some new material, I put up a message on FB to ‘get the word out’. This may be part of the reason that there are more visits to the site than previously.
That reminds me, we are available to be contacted on Facebook as well as email, phone and texting. Just search for www.facebook.com/brian.parker.56232 and sign on as a ‘friend’
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From the Inbox:
Some recently received mail which I thought might be encouraging to our supporters and sojourners…:
“… Brian, it is a joy to sit under your teaching. I think I’m starting to get what you guys are talking about…”
From Glenn and JoAnne
Shalom, …[it is] a pleasure to let you know that I have been to your website and have been so much attracted to learn more for our spiritual growth here. Indeed it is good work done and you are going to be a blessing to many who have not seen the light….”
From Boniface
Hi, I was surfing the web and found your decals [see our Judaica Page, Ed;]. I’m taking a shot in the dark but are they still available…? I want one for my laptop…”
From Darren
Hello Brian, Thank you for this e-mail. We were very blessed by the Seder Demonstration and happy to support your work. It is wonderful that you now have “real” internet. This will be a great tool for you to use. We look forward to your next newsletter.
From Wayne.
[Note: after our move here, I was using my i-phone to Establish internet connections.
“… Brian, it is a joy to sit under your teaching. I think I’m starting to get what you guys are talking about…”
From Glenn and JoAnne
Shalom, …[it is] a pleasure to let you know that I have been to your website and have been so much attracted to learn more for our spiritual growth here. Indeed it is good work done and you are going to be a blessing to many who have not seen the light….”
From Boniface
Hi, I was surfing the web and found your decals [see our Judaica Page, Ed;]. I’m taking a shot in the dark but are they still available…? I want one for my laptop…”
From Darren
Hello Brian, Thank you for this e-mail. We were very blessed by the Seder Demonstration and happy to support your work. It is wonderful that you now have “real” internet. This will be a great tool for you to use. We look forward to your next newsletter.
From Wayne.
[Note: after our move here, I was using my i-phone to Establish internet connections.
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Recent Photo Gallery Shots:
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Prayer Requests
As always, thank you for your ongoing prayer support. Without the prayers of the saints, we would not be able to carry on. As I stated above, this summer has reminded me of the importance of a solid “iron-dome” of prayer over this (and any ministry) to protect it against the enemy.
Please pray for my ongoing healing of neck and shoulder problems, and for my assessment interview on November 20th.
Please pray for God’s guidance, and for stamina and insight in the preparing of the “This Week In Torah” segments of the Website. With all the demands on our time here, it will take a lot of
discipline to keep this work up. Pray also for on-going insights for the regular teaching pages.
Pray for the preparation and delivery (Dec 6) of the material for the “Nahum” message to be given at KEC in Willowdale.
Finally, please pray for more (regular) engagement opportunities in the churches around the area – any denomination.
Blessings to you, and Thank you for the opportunity to share all this news with you. We pray for all our sojourners (as a group at least, unless you contact us for specific prayer covering.)
Please pray for my ongoing healing of neck and shoulder problems, and for my assessment interview on November 20th.
Please pray for God’s guidance, and for stamina and insight in the preparing of the “This Week In Torah” segments of the Website. With all the demands on our time here, it will take a lot of
discipline to keep this work up. Pray also for on-going insights for the regular teaching pages.
Pray for the preparation and delivery (Dec 6) of the material for the “Nahum” message to be given at KEC in Willowdale.
Finally, please pray for more (regular) engagement opportunities in the churches around the area – any denomination.
Blessings to you, and Thank you for the opportunity to share all this news with you. We pray for all our sojourners (as a group at least, unless you contact us for specific prayer covering.)
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Now, Until The Next Edition…..
"Y'varehch'cha Adonai v'yeesh m'recha”
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you.
Joan and I join in wishing you all Happy Chanukah
or Merry Christmas (or both).
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you.
Joan and I join in wishing you all Happy Chanukah
or Merry Christmas (or both).