The Future of Shomrei Brit

Drinda and I were impressed at Sukkot 2004 that we should do something here where we are planted in Joshua, Texas. That something turned out to be Shomrei Brit. Shomrei Brit means Covenant Keepers. In many ways we have been abundantly blessed. From our very first service we have been given a Torah scroll. We have a sound system adequate for a congregation of several hundred. We have an assembly building. The Parhams have loaned us, on an indefinite basis, fifty chairs and several tables. We only lack one thing community. For over two years we have had only a few others besides our own family.

Don't get me wrong, I don't covet a large congregation. But I have to ask, 'Father, what is it that you want me to do?' And I just don't know. Is the problem the location? Is the problem me? But for some reason Yahweh has withheld from us that which we most wanted -- to be part of a community of like minded believers. Our original vision was to provide a place where worship could happen for people that were sold out to Him. This was to provide for the needs of all ages, complete with teaching on a level that children could understand and look forward to. We hoped that people would come together and share scripture, prayer, music and fellowship. We wanted a group that could decide where they were going and what they wanted to do. We hoped there would be others to bring their talents, to speak to us all, to lead out, basically to share in the worship.

So here I am coming to you folks asking for advice and setting forth a proposal. We have been blessed with all of the things I first listed. Are there others out there that need community has we do? Is there a better location that you know of where Shomrei Brit could be? Would you be willing to help find and establish community?... To be part of it? Would you like an opportunity to take a role in this effort?

We see Messianic communities spring up and wither. Itseems to us that the same individualist mindset that makes us willing to abandon the church for something more genuine also inhibits us from committing to real community. Is there anybody in DFW that wants more in their spiritual lives? We do.

If this strikes a chord with you, let us know and whomever has such an interest can get together to figure out next steps.

Pope hailed 'for praying towards Mecca'

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Reuters) -- Pope Benedict wound up a fence-mending visit to Turkey on Friday amid praise from the local press for visiting Istanbul's Blue Mosque and praying towards Mecca "like Muslims".

The pope, who sparked protests across the Muslim world with a speech two months ago seen as criticizing Islam, looked relaxed and pleased as he entered the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit for a mass at the end of the sensitive four-day trip.

His first visit to a mostly Muslim country, held under tight security for fear of protests by nationalists and Islamists, was highlighted by a series of conciliatory gestures culminating in a stop on Thursday afternoon in Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque.

"The Pope's dreaded visit was concluded with a wonderful surprise," wrote daily Aksam on its front page.

"In Sultan Ahmet Mosque, he turned towards Mecca and prayed like Muslims," popular daily Hurriyet said, using the building's official name.

His gestures, including support for Ankara's bid to join the European Union and praise for Islam as a peaceful faith, seem to have persuaded the Turks to move beyond the tension following his speech quoting a Byzantine emperor as calling Islam violent.

But in Islam's Middle Eastern heartland, Arab commentators still call for Benedict to issue a full apology for his speech. Shocked by the protests it triggered, the Pope has said he did not agree with the controversial quote but has not apologized.

Catholic officials also presented the mosque visit, where Benedict stood in silent prayer while Istanbul Grand Mufti Mustafa Cagrici prayed aloud, as a key moment of reconciliation.

"I would compare the Pope's visit to the mosque to Pope John Paul's gestures at the Western Wall," said veteran Vatican mediator Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, referring to Pope John Paul II's prayers at Jerusalem's Western Wall in 2000.

"Yesterday, Benedict did with the Muslims what John Paul did with the Jews."