There is a picture ingrained in my memory of a moment shared between my son Christopher and my granddaughter Leigh when she was about the age of 4.  Leigh was a very determined little girl but like all children she could be easily distracted.  I’m not sure what led up to the moment now, but during one visit Leigh had climbed on to Christopher’s lap to play.  Whatever they were doing the exchange had caught the attention of her grandfather and Jeff was doing his best to interrupt their game.  All of a sudden the game took on a different nature when Christopher cupped Leigh’s face in his hands and turned her eyes towards his with a soft but strong command, “Focus”.  The more Jeff tried to pull her attention away from Christopher, the stronger his voice and gaze became.  “Focus… focus…”, he repeated and Leigh listened.  No matter what Jeff did, she remained fixed on Christopher.  It was a test of wills and Leigh’s was prevailing.  She was determined to stay focused on her uncle no matter what her grandfather did.

            Focus is a key component when it comes to recognizing the subject of a picture.  We prefer subjects to be sharp and clearly in focus so when the subject appears to be out of focus we find it unappealing and confusing.  An out of focus subject causes the viewer to wonder exactly what the subject is or it has them straining to see the details of what is perceived to be the subject, such as a person’s face in a portrait, so that the picture makes sense.  If what we perceive to be the subject is not in focus and some other point in the picture is, we’re confused about what the photographer is trying to say to us.

            In life-matters when we say someone is focused we mean they have a clear understanding of who they are and where they want to go.  Many times the goals they reach are achieved not only by determination but by a focus developed very early on in a person’s life.  Steven Covey, in his best selling self-help book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, called this “habit” the ability to “begin with the end in view”.  To accomplish any goal, one must stay focused in order to reach the end.  The subject of a picture must be focused.  Even when this general rule is broken in an artistic way, the subject is still compositionally central to the picture and therefore focused.
  
          But if focus was merely about a goal or purpose in life then I would be in a tough spot.  My life has never completely followed the path I thought it was supposed to take.  I have learned when it comes to a focused life in light of faith that it is not so much what you focus on, rather it is WHO you focus on.  It is a rare person who knows at an early age what they are “meant to do” and does it when they reach adulthood.  It can become a dangerous thing to become stuck on a life-goal that involves some sort of achievement or performance.  What if something happens where you are physically unable to accomplish a goal you’ve set for yourself?  I can think of several professional athletes who’ve had to struggle with something like that.
    
        It is in fact an athletic allusion in the book of Hebrews that answers the question, “What should I focus my life on?”  I have stood in the grand stadium in Athens where the ancient Olympics took place.  The white Pentelic marble glistens in the sun and it is easy to imagine athletes and spectators filling the stadium before a race. The crowds chatter and watch athletes stretch and prepare their muscles for the race.  Then the runners gather at the starting line.  In ancient times togas and other encumbrances were tossed aside and left there so that nothing would slow the runner down.   I can “see” the runners take their starting positions, crouched and ready to spring forward like a panther or leopard stalking its prey.  There is a hush that comes over the crowd until a signal sets the runners off and they sprint around the track as if the wind was propelling them forward.  The crowd cheers excitedly as the race is run and then finishes with a round of applause when the finish line is crossed.  I think this is what the writer of Hebrews had in mind when he wrote the words of Heb. 12:1-2. If you have ever watched a runner compete you have seen the power and determination which they display while straining toward the finish line.  That image matches the words of this passage to a “T”.  It is a picture of focus for me.  No matter what event I may be taking part in, that is, no matter what I may be “doing”, the finish line is always Jesus.  He is the focus of my life.

            My focus can sometimes need adjustment.  It’s easy to be distracted and lose focus.  In those times Christopher and Leigh’s game comes to mind.  When my focus needs adjusting it’s as if Jesus cups my face in His hands, turns my gaze towards Him, and says, “Focus…focus…”  Some goals can and will change with time, but my focus must remain fixed.  It’s up to me to keep my focus on Jesus no matter what distractions come my way.  A life focused on Him will always finish the race well (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

The following article was originally printed in February of 2011.  While some of the "most valuable" titles may have changed the culture which determines them hasn't! 

          I came across a sad confession back in 2011 as I read through the postings of my friends on Facebook.  A young father wrote of his feelings of failure in this life.  I sensed his feelings were due to that measuring stick we call "The American Dream".   A man is supposed to find himself a good job that pays well and allows him to acquire all the material pleasures of the good life- a home, a car, a refrigerator with an ice dispenser, and of course, a big screen tv.  It is a common feature of life in these United States to place worth on the “stuff” one amasses throughout life. If we are to believe Madison Avenue, people are valuable if they own things of value. 

            What things are considered valuable today?  Back in February 2011 when this article was first published the most valuable athlete in the world was Tiger Woods.  He had amassed $110 million over 13 years through his winnings, endorsements and business ventures. Since then Wood’s life has taken several twists and turns.  I’m fairly certain he is not the most valuable athlete now but he still has the recognition factor going in his favor.  At that time the most valuable home, owned by Mukesh Ambani, was a one-billion dollar skyscraper mansion called "Antilla" in Mumbai, India.  The first 6 floors of this mansion were comprised of a parking garage.  The remainder of the 27 story building housed Mukesh, his wife, 3 children and 600 servants.  The most valuable gem was a flawless, blue diamond estimated to be worth $4 million.  The most valuable car (which could still be driven legally on the street) was a Bugatti Veyron.  It cost only $1,700,000. I’m not sure if these items still retain their titles of “most valuable” but even if something else has replaced them one thing is for sure, you will either think their value is absurd or valid and no matter what you will be basing your opinion on these things by ranking them in some sort of value system.

            The psalmist warns us in Psalm 49 (vv. 16-20) to remember that wealth accumulated on this earth cannot be taken with us when we die, a theme humorously presented in the popular play and movie “You Can’t Take It With You”.  While George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart were probably not thinking Biblically, the catchy phrase is a theme examined frequently in Scripture.  But more importantly than the accumulation of wealth, the Bible is clear that people are not valuable to God because of their valuables; they are valuable because He loves them.  Passage after passage emphasizes that our sense of value and accomplishment must be taken from a different criteria than that of the world.  Oddly enough, the story of Cinderella illustrates what the Bible teaches.  Cinderella's father had married a proud and haughty woman, who relegated Cinderella to servitude after he died.  The "wicked" stepmother repeatedly told Cinderella that she was "common" and of little value.  However when the prince enters the story all that changes.  The extent of the prince's love for Cinderella compels him to search the kingdom high and low until he finds her.  His love demonstrates her value and he goes to great lengths to be reunited with her.

            Jesus told a parable about the same kind of love in Luke 15 (vv.3-7).  A shepherd with a large flock has lost one of his sheep.  Rather than leave it in the wilderness to succumb to the elements, the shepherd searches out the lost sheep and brings the little wanderer back to the fold.   The terrain where shepherds keep their flocks in Israel emphasizes the extreme this shepherd goes to in order to find his little lost lamb.  Rocky, with sparse vegetation and dangerous caverns, the shepherd risks his own life to be reunited with his wayward sheep.  This is a picture of God's love.  He has gone to great lengths in expressing His love for us and demonstrating our value to Him (see Phil. 2:5-8). 

            In can be easy to fall prey to calculating our value in terms of our earthly possessions and accomplishments as my friend on Facebook did.  Whether the times are lean or prosperous our culture places a tremendous amount of value on wealth.  Maybe you have been having similar feelings to that of my friend.  If those doubts should arise, remember, God so loved you, that He sent His Son to save you.   The world and its value system may lead you to believe that you are common.  That is not true!  The prince has traveled throughout the kingdom to find you.  The Shepherd has searched the wilderness to bring you home.  And there is no greater value than that.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

This year Ready for the Road Ahead is took an additional direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            When I started to take photography as a serious avenue of my creative expression I found I had one reoccurring pitfall that usually required a visual readjustment to the way I was seeing things.  I didn’t question my talent or ability.  I questioned my gear.  Yes, simply put I suffered from “camera envy”.  I had my little Powershot A560 and I noticed that other photographers had the best DSLRs on the market.  Comparing what you have to what you don’t have, and wishing you had it, happens in every aspect of life.  But I find it is most obvious in photography when it comes to equipment or talent.  It shows itself in questions like, “What kind of camera do you have?” or wistful commentaries like, “I’d be a better photographer if I had one of those cameras”.
  
          Jealousy is an all too familiar human characteristic.  But God?  We are absolutely certain He is never jealous!  And yet He says Jealous is His name in Ex. 20:4-6.  However an important question must be asked, “Is the Lord’s jealousy the same as ours?”  There is a vast difference between the kind of jealousy we experience and the kind of jealousy God expresses in His character.  Our jealousy usually stems from something that we perceive we lack.  God’s jealousy is rooted in His relationship with His people.  Therefore it is important to recognize that God’s jealousy is associated with commands against idolatry (Ex. 20:4-6; 34:11-17) and especially idols that divided their loyalty to Him.
   
         God’s jealousy is best understood in the context of Ex. 34:14 which makes mention of “altars, sacred stones, and Asherah poles”.  The Israelites were told to utterly destroy them.  Our culture tends to look at commands like this and call them extreme. But it is not difficult to see how this command might apply to us as well.  I think it is our human nature to believe we can balance our cultural influences and selfish desires with God’s commands.  For example we may think we can watch violence or sexual behavior in a movie or on TV and not be influenced by it.  We may think that it’s ok to fantasize about another person because no one else will be inside our head when we do- who will know?  No harm done!  However, addiction to pornography is just as rampant in the church as it is outside the church.  And “Christian” marriages fail as rapidly as non-Christian ones.  So, are we really balancing the two?  It seems the culture has a heavier influence on us than we want to admit.  Jesus warned His followers in Mt. 6:19-24 and Lk. 16:10-13 that “you cannot serve two masters”.  God is Jealous because He knows our hearts are easily deceived and once deceived, divided.  We stray after “false gods” as easily as the Israelites did so rather than judge them too harshly by saying, “Why didn’t they get it?!”, we should carefully examine our own level of loyalty using them as an example.
        
    So, is it extreme to “cut down the idols” in our own lives- yes.  But it might be necessary (Js. 4:1-10)!  The context dictates that the Lord might be asking us to do this in order to demonstrate our loyalty and love for Him.  While it may appear to be an extremely difficult task, we have help- the Spirit who dwells in us desires to make us more like Christ- whose loyalty ultimately led Him to the cross.  Paul stated he could “do all things through Christ” (Phil. 4:13) and Jesus promised to send us a Helper (Jn. 14:16-26- especially vv. 16 and 26).  The task of “house cleaning” in order to be faithful to the Lord is not easy, but it is not impossible.  (Rom. 8:10-11, 26; 2 Cor. 5:14-18; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:6, 9-11; Heb. 13:20-21).
   
         There is a well-known quote throughout the world of photography which goes “The best camera is the one that’s with you”.  It is attributed to Chase Jarvis who used it as a title for a book he wrote about “the intersection of art and popular culture” which featured images he took with his I-phone.  He had no idea what a host of inspiration this short phrase would unleash.  Some have dismissed it as glib noting the underlying truth that a camera, no matter how simple or complex, will not help someone who’s just not good at taking pictures.  But many have recognized it as a great reminder that whether they have the latest Nikon or a cell phone camera, it is the eyes that see the shot and the photographer who takes it, not the camera.  It is one thing to wish for a better camera but a healthy reality check reminds me that camera envy will not improve my skill as a photographer.  In the realm of photography, faith and the art of seeing if my eyes are being turned by equipment and gear, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate the role it plays in my life- both creatively and spiritually because it may have become an idol.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            A few years ago a friend of mine wrote and asked, “Why do Jewish people put stones on top of tombstones?”  I had heard of this practice but never actually seen it until I was in Jerusalem.  I looked up the answer in The Jewish Book of Why by Alfred J. Kolatch and found that, “the placing of stones on top of the tombstone is a symbolic act indicating that members of the family and friends have not forgotten the deceased.”  More recently and probably due to the home-going of my father, I've recognized the importance of remembering and memorials.  I decided to make a mental list of all the times stones were used as a memorial or played an important role in the Old Testament.  What a list!
  
          Here’s a partial list of what I compiled:  Abraham builds an altar of stone and sacrifices on it after God promises him a great nation, land and a blessing (Gen. 12:7); Isaac is about to be sacrificed on an altar of stone when God provides a ram instead (Gen. 22:1-14); Jacob uses a stone for a pillow in Genesis 28:11-22; Moses builds an altar at Rephidim to commemorate God’s victory over the Amalekites (Ex. 17:15); the  Mosaic Covenant was written on stone (Ex. 34:1-4);   there are several instances in the book of Joshua where a stone altar is built as a memorial, most notably the altar of remembrance after crossing the  Jordan (Jos. 4:4-9) and the altar built in the valley of Achor (Jos. 7:26).  The list could go on but by now you see that stones are all over the place in the Old Testament.  Why stones?  Well, if you’ve ever been to Israel, you know they’re quite abundant!  But you can also see this by looking at pictures of places like the Judean Hills and Masada.
   
         The more important question is, “Why remember?”  The answer can be found in the book of Joshua.  When Israel crossed over the Jordan and into the Promised Land, they collected twelve stones from the river bed and built an altar of remembrance.  The Lord tells Joshua, “Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’  So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” (Jos. 4: 6-7)
    
        I would imagine those stones had a very distinct appearance.  They must have been quite smooth from the water that had rushed over them for years.  The contrast between them and the stones found along the banks of the Jordan was designed to catch the eyes and curiosity of the younger generation.  This memorial was to be an educational tool to teach them about their God and their history.  History has a way of mentally preparing us for obstacles.  We either learn from the mistakes we previously made, or we draw courage from the trials we’ve made it through.  Israel’s Jordan crossing and the memorial that followed also testified to God’s faithfulness because it was through His sovereignty that the waters dried up (during the spring floods no less!) so that Israel could cross safely.
   
      Memorials have always played an important role in Israel’s history.  Sometimes they were altars of stone.  At other times the memorials took the form of holidays and celebrations that focused on God’s deliverance, intervention, and love for His people Israel.  Many of them are still practiced and celebrated today in synagogues all over the world.  The importance of memorials was not lost on the early church either.  Two of our most sacred rites as believers, baptism and communion (Rom. 6:1-11; 1 Cor. 11:23-26), are memorials that the early church practiced and passed on to the generations of believers that followed.  We also have holidays to remember significant events in the Bible.  Christmas and Easter are perhaps the most well-known.  If your sanctuary has stained-glass windows and carvings in the architecture, take a look at the symbols in them.  These too are memorials created to remind you of significant pieces of your Christian walk.  How many crosses, for example, adorn the artwork in your church?
   
         It is good to build “memorials” on our journey of faith.  They are visible reminders of places where we’ve been, aspects of our faith which are meaningful to us and where we’ve felt and seen God’s presence in our lives.  The Israelites had many visual reminders which enabled them to teach their children.  What kind of memorials will inspire us, encourage us, and educate the generations to come?  Finding our own memorials can be a creative and revealing adventure.  What stones of remembrance appear on your faith journey?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

When this edition of Ready for the Road Ahead first appeared in the church bulletin back in September of 2012 life was moving along on an even keel.  This week our well ran dry until a good rainstorm refilled it.  So being reminded of  how to deal with obstacles was certainly good timing on my part!

            One of the things I learned as a soccer mom is that you can drive anywhere with a good set of directions and map; even if you’ve never been there before.  I drove all over the state of New Jersey, from the top to the bottom, taking my son Christopher to his soccer games that way.  Nowadays GPS will get you where you need to go, but I still prefer a map and written directions!  Whether you use GPS or a map and directions is up to your personal preference, but unless you get in the car, turn the key and pull out of the driveway, you aren't going anywhere.
 
           In Joshua 3, we find Israel ready to embark on a journey into the Promised Land.  They had wandered through the desert for 40 years, lived on manna, camped in tents and survived a few skirmishes along the way.  And now, after some initial preparation, the people were ready to enter the land.  But there was one final obstacle in the way, the Jordan River.  The Jordan is a pretty river.  Its Hebrew name means “descender”.  And that is just what it does from the base of Mount Hermon all the way down to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on the face of the earth).  Sometimes it’s only as wide as a creek, but at the time of the Spring harvest its banks easily overflow.  The Jordan River at flood stage can extend its width from 35 feet to 1 mile.  Its gently flowing current can become a gushing torrent when the waters fill up.  And this is the time of year when Israel arrives to enter the land.
  
          Can you imagine what was going through their minds?  Here are a few suggestions: “We can’t cross this river!  Its banks are overflowing!!”, “O.K. Lord, it’ll take a few days, but we can gather some trees from Shittim, get some pitch and build a few rafts”, “What are you thinking Lord?  We are desert people!  No one here knows how to swim!”  Crossing the Jordan must have seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.  But in order to enter the Promised Land, Israel had to cross it.

            Even more surprising are the words in verse 13, "And it shall come about when the soles of the priests who carry the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest (not BY, not NEAR, but...) IN the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap".  Notice there’s no “toe-testing” here (You know that little “dipping motion” we do when we want to see how warm or cold the water is before we dive into it?).  The priests had to plant the soles of their feet firmly in the river bed.  You see to play the game you have to get on the field.  To take the trip you have to pull out of the driveway.  And to cross the Jordan, you have to get in it.
    
        Imagine if every time you hit an obstacle in your walk of faith what might happen to your perspective if you approached it with an air of expectancy as Joshua did in verse 5.  “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”  What if you pushed aside the fears and doubts that you have when confronted with obstacles and tackled those problems with this attitude, “Wow! Another problem!  I don’t know how it’s going to work out, but I know the Lord is going to help me overcome this.  He really came through the last time.  I can’t wait to see how He helps me out of this one!” 
     
When       How can you turn your view of obstacles into visions of opportunity?  How can you see things the way Joshua did?  Like Christopher who practiced countless hours before he set foot on the soccer field or a traveler who studies the directions to his/her destination, you can train yourself to meet obstacles by focusing on the basic skills of your faith and consecrating yourself.  Now I don’t mean that you need to run home, take a bath and do the laundry as those ancient Israelites did when they consecrated themselves!  But making the basic skills of your faith (Bible study, devotions, prayer time and fellowship) a priority in your life will consecrate you for "crossing the Jordan".  They prepare you to look at obstacles from a different perspective and that perspective will help you through whatever challenges you may face.  These tools help you to look at obstacles the way Joshua did- as an opportunity for God to do wonders in your midst.  So keep this in mind when obstacles come your way: To play the game, you have to step on to the field.  To take the journey, you have to pull out of the driveway.  To cross the Jordan, you have to get in.  It’s time to get ready, get set and GO!
 
Ann LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

This edition of Ready for the Road Ahead was  originally published as a bulletin insert in October of 2011.

           The leaves have finally turned color and are slowly dropping on to my lawn as I sit and type this week’s column.  Three important holy days, Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, are being celebrated by the Jewish people before both people and celebrations settle in for the long span of time before the festival cycle starts again in the Spring.  The Holy Days will end on a high note in the celebration of Simchah Torah (Rejoicing in the Law).  It occurs on the last day of Sukkot, which is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, and it is a time to rejoice, just as its name states.

            The Torah, or Law, is defined as the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  Torah means to “direct, teach, instruct, guide or show”.  The Torah is divided into yearly readings and read every Saturday morning at Torah Service.  It is customary to complete the cycle of reading on Simchah Torah.  There is an old Jewish adage which says, “Turn the Torah, and turn it over again, for everything may be found in it.”  So to affirm the truth that one must never stop studying God’s Word, it has become customary to turn at once to the beginning of the Torah and start again when the cycle is completed.

            The Torah is highly treasured.  The scroll is usually 2 1/2 feet high and is printed by hand with only a genuine quill pen on kosher animal skin.  A typical scroll is 20 to 30 skins long and weighs 15 to 20 pounds.  The skins are sewn together so intricately that it is virtually impossible to see the seams.  They are then wound around the “Trees of Life” or Torah holders.  The coverings are exquisitely decorated in beautiful brocades or satin with appliqué and sometimes even semi-precious stones.  The Torah scroll itself is never touched by hand.  It is carefully placed on a special reading table, and the reader uses a special pointer, called a yad, to keep his place.

            The Torah is an important part of religious life to devout Jews.  They are mindful of many scriptures which encourage and command them to take its words seriously such as Joshua 1:8 and Proverbs 7:2.  On Simchah Torah the scroll is removed from its special cabinet in the synagogue and paraded about the sanctuary.  The people follow behind with music, singing, and the blowing of shofars.  There is candy for the children (because God’s Word is sweet like honey) and they are called to the platform to say a blessing over the Torah reading.  This is the only time children are allowed to do this.  When a synagogue is vandalized or burned and the Torah is destroyed it is a tremendous loss to the congregation, economically, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

            In light of this, how we should view the Scriptures?  The Bible is the most amazing book the world has ever seen or read.  It has been translated into thousands of languages, printed in every shape and style; maligned, discredited, upheld, misunderstood and underestimated in its strength and power.  Churches today revere it, ignore it and even re-word it.  Yet it has endured and maintained its integrity for centuries.

            How precious is the Bible to us?  Think of all the Bibles that have been smuggled into Communist and Muslim countries at the risk of life and freedom.  Think of all those who have traveled to remote places to learn languages only a few speak so that the Word can be communicated to them.  This Book allows us to truly understand the heart and mind of God.  Life was breathed into it by the Holy Spirit and it brings life to us.  Yet, many times we toss it aside just as carelessly as we would a paperback novel.  I wonder what our brothers and sisters in persecuted countries would think about that.  How would they react if they learned many of us ignore the Bible because our schedule is demanding and we are tired?  What would our brothers and sisters in Haiti, China and the Sudan do if they could hold and read one single page of God's Word when we have more than one copy sitting on a dusty shelf?   Perhaps in the business of our lives, we have placed the Bible in a low spot on the list of our priorities, but is that where it belongs?  Shouldn't we treat it with reverence and rejoice when we come together as God's people to learn from and study it?  If we can proudly display the paraphernalia of our favorite sports team, why don't we do the same for the Bible?  Perhaps we could learn something from our Jewish friends!
 
Ann LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            For many women, the make-up is as essential as a survival kit.  The miracle of make-up is that it can cover the little imperfections that gnaw away at our self-esteem.  But make-up can only work wonders on the outside.  Covering the inward imperfections is a much more difficult task and the psychological gymnastics we go through to achieve this status often do more harm than good.  There is one festival in the Jewish calendar whose main focus is that of “covering”.  In Leviticus 16 it is called Yom Kippur.  Yom (rhymes with home) means day and Kippur (kee-poor) means covering, thus, the Day of Covering.  It is also known as the Day of Atonement.  A covering hides something but it does not remove it.  That’s why according to the Scriptures it is necessary for Jews to observe this day annually (Lev. 16:29-34).  No person is capable of removing their sins, only covering them.
 
          In Biblical times, the observance of Yom Kippur involved a rather lengthy process of washing and sacrifices to cover both the sins of the High Priest as well as the nation.  Yom Kippur was the only day of the year that the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies (Lev. 16; 23:26-32).  His sole purpose there was to sprinkle the sacrificial blood on the Ark of the Covenant as a covering for the sins of the nation for another year (Lev. 16:9, 14-19).  But in order to enter the presence of a Most Holy God the high priest washed several times over, wore simple garments made of the purest fabric possible and entered that sacred precinct with a censor filled with an aromatic coals (Lev. 16:4, 12-14,  23-24).  Bringing the stain of sin into the Holy of Holies was very serious and the consequence of defiling it was disastrous to the one who caused it (Lev. 10:1-3).
   
         Another ceremony carried out on this day involved the selection of the Scapegoat (Lev. 16:7-10).  Two identical goats were chosen.  Both goats symbolized the severity of sin.  One died picturing God’s judgment.  The blood of this goat was splattered on the Ark.   The High Priest placed his hands on this goat and “transferred” the sins of the people to the animal.  The same was done to the second goat but this time “the Scapegoat” was not sacrificed but instead led out to the wilderness (Lev. 20-22).  The goats teach us two interesting aspects of God’s judgment.  First, that although the punishment for sin is severe, a substitute can take the penalty.  Second, once the appropriate sacrifice has been made, the Lord sends off the remembrance of that sin “into the wilderness”.  It is gone, forgotten, remembered no more.
     
       Since the destruction of the temple it has become customary for faithful Jews to offer prayers, repair broken relationships and right the wrongs of the past year for the atonement of sins on Yom Kippur.  But the Scripture is clear that no amount of repentance or the intention of good works can atone for sin.  So how can sin be erased like chalk from the blackboard?  How is it that the writer of Hebrews can write, “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more”? (Heb. 10:17)
  
          The answers to these questions lie in the person of Jesus Christ.  His atoning work is represented in the two goats.  First, His shed blood has met God’s requirement and is an acceptable substitute for ours and secondly, through Christ’s atoning death, our sins are no longer remembered by God.  But now at the consummation of the ages, He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9: 26b).  Hebrews 1:3 and Hebrews 9: 11-12 also state that Christ has entered the Holy of Holies and has sat down, meaning His work was complete and finished, something earthly priests never had the privilege of experiencing and therefore Christ does not have to do this over and over again.
          
  To most of us the Berlin Wall merely represented a division between two political ideologies.  But for those who lived in its shadow, it represented separation from the love and warmth of family and friends.  Mankind was separated from God in the same way.  The veil which stood between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place was heavily woven and six inches thick.  It was only entered once a year.  And like the Berlin Wall, sin seemed to stand solid and cold between man and God.  Who could bridge the gap?  No one but God Himself.  For now there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ.  (Rom. 8:1)  Jesus more than covers sin, He removes it!
 
Ann LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            Julia Margaret Cameron was one of 7 daughters born to Adeline and James Pattle.  Her sisters were all quite beautiful but Julia considered herself to be the one born with intellect.  In 1835 she met two important men who would shape the course of her future: Charles Hay Cameron who would later become her husband and Sir John Herschel, the well-known astronomer, who would introduce her to the newly discovered art of photography.  Surprisingly, Cameron had no contact with any artistic endeavors before her 48th year.  But the gift of a camera for Christmas from her daughter and son-in-law set her on a path which produced almost 900 pictures in 12 years.  And although her softly focused portraits of respected figures of the day, mythological or literary tales and people from the Bible were initially disregarded by critics, Cameron is now credited with the first photographer to take close-up portraits and her images are immediately recognizable.  To say that Cameron was “focused” might sound like a bad pun but her passion to express beauty and capture the essence of a person’s character through portraiture is still unparalleled in the photographic world.
            While Julia Cameron focused her attention on photography the Lord has set His focus on an entirely different matter- time.  In addition to holy days and holy weeks, the Lord also designed holy years for Israel.   The Sabbatical Year was celebrated every seventh year.  The Lord commanded five main requirements to be followed in the observance of the Sabbatical Year.  1) All cultivation activities ceased (Ex. 23:10-11; Lev. 25:2-5).  This did not mean the earth stopped producing fruit, or that the Israelites could not pick what grew.  Only plowing, sowing, and pruning ceased.  In our day the thought of this seems absurd.  But in essence the Lord was promising that the land would provide for them throughout the Sabbatical year just as the manna had carried them through the Sabbath.  2)  Any crops that sprang up naturally by themselves in the Sabbath Year were accessible to anyone in the community (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:6-7).  The thought behind this was that God had produced this crop for the benefit of all.  3)  Any produce that sprang up naturally by itself had to be eaten in the season that it appeared.  It could not be stored for future use.  Saving something like a squash could produce seeds for planting which was strictly forbidden (Lev. 25:5).  4)  Debts were released during the Sabbath Year (Dt. 15:1-4).  Notice that the debts were not erased (as some have assumed), only the payments were deferred.  God did hold the people responsible for their debt, but in an agricultural society when agriculture was not operating, it was logical that payments be postponed.  5)  During the Sabbatical Year the Torah was read aloud to the people during the Feast of Tabernacles (Dt. 31:10-13; Neh. 8:2, 13-18).  When the Israelites traveled through the wilderness they did not have the luxury of planting crops and harvesting the land.  Putting trust in the feeling of security that settlement brings had to be removed from their daily lives in order to refocus their thoughts to a time when every day and every meal was truly given to them by the Hand of God.
            Since the Sabbatical Year was part of the Torah, it was to be observed as diligently as any other command given by God.  But sadly, Scripture records that it and many of the other commands were not observed prior to the Exile.  2 Chronicles 36:21 tells us that the Lord carried Israel away to Babylon for 70 years, "until the land enjoyed her Sabbaths".  After the Exile, Josephus records that the Sabbath Year was observed even under both Grecian and Roman rule.  But the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD brought sweeping changes to the observance of the Law.   Today the Sabbatical Year is calculated but its observance is merely the recognition that it exists.  There are many reasons for this, but the primary cause is the lack of a Temple and the agrarian society that supported it.
            Many of us tend to separate ourselves from the Old Testament with the reasoning, "That was then; this is now".  But if we truly believe God's Word is timeless and written for all, there is a principal here we must apply to ourselves.  I would submit to you that it concerns our focus.  The Sabbatical Year caused the people to focus on the One who truly supplied their daily and yearly needs.  It made them realize it was not their efforts of pruning, plowing or planting that brought forth the bounty which took care of their daily needs; it was God.  We are no different.  We rely on jobs, investments, social security, credit cards and any other resource available as if those things are giving us our food, clothing, heat, electric and security.  Is this true?  It is a challenging thought and one that demands we examine our focus.
Ann LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            The elders and on-lookers gathered at the inner chamber of the city gate.  There was an air of expectation and curiosity.  The people of Bethlehem had been aware for a few months now that Naomi had returned from Moab with a foreign daughter-in-law.  At first her presence had raised a few eyebrows and caused some suspicion.  However, Ruth's gentle spirit and obvious love for her mother-in-law as well as the God of Israel had stopped their tongues from wagging in gossip and caught the eye of Boaz, a prominent citizen and eligible bachelor.  Boaz desired to make his affections into something more.  He wanted to make Ruth his wife, but according to God’s law and the protocol of the day, an important ceremony had to take place first. He had to redeem the land which belonged to the family of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband.  Boaz had made it known that he was willing to step forward and redeem it, but one other relative stood in the way as his “branch” in the family tree was closer to the trunk than the one belonging to Boaz and technically speaking that relative had the right to claim the land first.  In order to redeem the land, this relative would have to marry the widow of Elimelech's son (Ruth), a task he was unwilling to do.  Boaz agreed to marry Ruth as well pay for the land and the redemption and wedding moved forward.

            The kinsman-redeemer seems like an odd ritual in our society.  We don't understand the deep connection that the ancient Israelites had to their tribal and family allotments which were determined by God after the conquest of Canaan.  Nor do we grasp the significance of carrying on the family name through the birth of children, particularly sons.  So the picture of men debating over property and marriage in the gates of the city seems strange and out of style.  We really don't comprehend the sacrifice Boaz made in order to marry Ruth and fulfill the Law.  By agreeing to redeem Elimelech’s land and marry Ruth Boaz in essence was stopping the continuation of his family name and perpetuating that of Elimelech’s.   We might say Boaz was losing himself and becoming Elimelech. We all know stories of people who have reinvented themselves to become a success but replacing our identity to carry on someone else’s legacy is unheard of.  Yet that was really what the role of the kinsman-redeemer was all about.  Because we do not understand the implications of that act in the ancient world we miss an important lesson about our Savior.

            There were several regulations designed by the Lord which the kinsman-redeemer had the ability to fulfill if he so desired.  Under the Law, a near relative could avenge a wrongfully slain relative's murder (Num. 35:12-34) or if he had the financial resources, redeem a poor relative out of slavery by paying the acquired debt.  Property could be redeemed and returned to the family as well (Lev. 25:25; 48-49).  In this way Boaz is an exemplary kinsman-redeemer because he takes Ruth as his wife and buys the land belonging to Naomi's family back thus returning their inheritance and continuing the line of Elimelech and his son; Ruth's late husband (Gen. 38:8; Dt. 25:5; Ruth 3-4).

            The role of the kinsman-redeemer teaches us a wonderfully important theological lesson.  Only a near relative is qualified to pay the price that frees a person from slavery, or to buy back property that was lost or sold.    We had “lost” our land and family status at the Fall (Gen. 3) and were considered slaves to sin (Rom. 6:1-6).  When Christ gave up His heavenly glory, and took on human flesh and nature (Phil. 2:5-8), He became qualified to pay the terrible price for our salvation (Heb. 2:14-17).  Without His relation to humanity through flesh and blood, Christ would not have qualified as a kinsman-redeemer. 

            God is certainly the "ultimate" Kinsman-Redeemer of His people across the pages of the Old Testament.  Trapped as slaves in Egypt with no possible hope of release, the people needed someone to step in and bring them back to their land.  The Lord rescued them and brought about their redemption (Ex. 6:6; 12:51).  But His actions are not limited to the Old Testament; they are a part of our story too.  In Ruth's story (where we have the clearest picture of the kinsman-redeemer in action), Boaz becomes a picture of the Messiah who would be sent to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin.  Jesus has performed the same actions a kinsman-redeemer.  He has offered Himself as a payment for all, restoring our lost inheritance and redeeming us when it seemed we were as destitute as Naomi and Ruth (Eph. 2:13-22; Heb. 4:14-16).  The practice of the kinsman-redeemer is an illustration of the greatest love of all (Jn. 15:12-13) and Jesus has perfectly fulfilled this role.  So then, how should we respond to a redemption as great as this (1 Pet. 1:17-21)?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead is reaching into the archives of pieces which were written before the website began while I continue with physical therapy after my knee surgery.  This piece was first published in May of 2011.    

       On June 17, 1978, a bride walked down the aisle of the First Presbyterian Church in Caldwell, New Jersey.  There in front of friends and family, she promised her groom to love, honor, obey and be faithful to him through sickness and health.  He promised the same to her.  Of course, I was the bride and my husband Jeff, was the groom. The marriage ceremony is a covenant.  The American History Dictionary defines a covenant as a binding agreement made by two or more persons or parties; a contract.  We can see how this applies to a bride and groom.  Their ceremony is legal and binding.
 
           Early in the morning on March 10, 1979, a nurse placed a tiny bundle in my arms.  My son Erick weighed eight pounds, fourteen ounces and was twenty-one inches long.  He’s now a fully grown man and at least seven inches taller than I am!  But at the moment he was placed in my arms, I promised to love him, to care for him and to teach him everything I could until he was able to make his own way in the world.  A mother’s undying love for her children is also a covenant.
 
           These illustrations from life help are excellent tools to help us understand three very important covenants which are woven throughout God’s Word.  The Abrahamic Covenant is like the relationship between the mother and child.  The Mosaic Covenant is like the covenant between the bride and groom.  And finally the New Covenant is also reflected in the parent-child relationship.
     
       The Abrahamic Covenant is foundational to all the other covenants.  It first appears in Genesis 12: 1-3.  The fulfillment of this covenant rests solely on God and His ability to keep His promise.  The Abrahamic Covenant is an unbreakable, unconditional promise that God made to Abraham and upheld through Isaac, Jacob and the Jewish people.  However, all believers are included in a spiritual sense in the Abrahamic Covenant (Romans 4:16).  The main provisions of the covenant can be summed up in three promises with equal weight which God will bestow upon Abraham:  a people, a blessing, and a land.  In a similar fashion a child is given a name and genetic traits when he/she becomes part of a family.  There is nothing the child does to earn them; they are passed on by the parents and in the same way there was nothing Abraham did to earn the promises of this Covenant.  They were passed on to him by the Lord. 
 
           The Mosaic Covenant is a conditional covenant between God and the people of Israel.  It is modeled after the kind of agreements in the Ancient Near East which were usually agreed upon by kings and their subjects.  The books which specifically deal with the actual conditions of the Mosaic Covenant are Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  Genesis and Exodus are also considered to be part of the Mosaic Covenant, but they do not list the specific laws and regulations as explicitly as the other books do.  The basic command and promise of the Mosaic Covenant is found in Exodus 19:5-6.  When the people of Israel agreed to this covenant it became their guide and the Jewish people have tried to be faithful to it ever since.  The bride and groom make promises to one another in their wedding ceremony, much like Israel and God made promises to one another when the Mosaic Covenant was ratified at Mount Sinai.
  
          The New Covenant is the covenant God has made with all who believe in Him.  It first deals with Israel, and secondly with the church.  The New Covenant can be found in Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hosea 2:18-23 and Zechariah 2:10-11.  The New Testament indicates that the church is included in the New Covenant (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:8, 9:15).  The New Covenant is founded on the fact that Christ died for our sins, freeing God to redeem, reconcile and transform mankind apart from human merit or worthiness.  The New Covenant is a grace filled covenant that will be observed by God throughout eternity.  It is unconditional like a parent’s love for their child.
     
       The most wonderful aspect of all of these covenants is the God who made them.  Throughout the pages of Scripture we discover His faithfulness in keeping all of the promises He makes, both conditional and unconditional.  We should always keep this in mind as we journey along the road of faith.  Whenever we meet a challenge, trial or triumph, we would be wise to take the risk, fight the good fight, have faith in God and move forward.  Our Promise Keeping God has not failed us yet and He never will (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Ann LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre