November 30, 2011

Many people have asked me, recently, why I don't write the "o" in L-rd and G-d.  I thought I'd write a quick summary about my views on it.  I call it, "The Missing “O” in L-rd and God"

Now, for the "o" factor!  It is done more out of respect and a mindfulness of my Jewish community, than a personal conviction of my own.  You see, in the more orthodox circles, the "o" is omitted from L-rd and G-d so that these two "names" (they're more like titles, actually) are never disrespected or taken in vain in the written word.  For example, let's say you have a piece of paper in your hand and you've written something about G-d on it, using either G-d or L-rd.  Then, you drop it on the floor.  In Judaism, the name of G-d is never to be placed on the floor so as to show the highest regard for His name.  To avoid any such accidental disrespect, the "o" is simply omitted and the name is, of course, implied.  So, when the paper hits the floor, you are not guilty of showing disrespect. 

This practice is one of many that we refer to as "fences" around Torah.  The more "fences" around His word that you implement, the safer the word becomes - well, more preserved anyway.  My family keeps "Biblical kosher".  In other words, we, as Jews, do not eat certain foods that are listed in the Torah.  These dietary laws called "kashrut", are for sanctification of my people.  G-d has used these and His other commandments, specifically for Jews, in order to preserve us as His people.  This is how the Messiah was able to come through the line of the Hebrews.  G-d used His Torah to sanctify His name and set us apart to do that so that Messiah could be born, incarnate on the earth.   We are still set aside for His purposes, as we await the return of Yeshua.

In orthodox Judaism, they practice kashrut to a deeper and greater degree by instituting the teachings of the rabbi's and sages of old.  We call this rabbinical kosher (which I do not keep).  The scripture references in Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21 all say not to "boil a kid in it's mother's milk".  The rabbis have expounded on this to mean that it is prohibited to eat meat with dairy together or to even benefit in any way from such a mixture.  I find these scriptures to be obscure in their meaning, so I do not practice the rabbi's version, but greatly respect any Jew who chooses to.  There are many more ins and outs to kashrut which I do not follow, but I keep the basic premise of not eating anything that the Bible lists as forbidden, out of obedience, as a Jew, to the word of G-d. 


August 9, 2011

Life has been so hard, it seems, these past few months, especially.  For everyone, not just for me.  I look around and see sky-high unemployment rates, our country's credit rating downgraded, our navy seals crashing in their military helicopter, genocide in the Sudan AGAIN, companies leaving the United States, riots in London, homeless people in my town, the Arab nations turned upside down with unrest, Israel still fighting for the right to exist (what's up with that??!!), the presidential race ramping up, which I'm not quite ready for.  (Where did the time go?!)  On the personal front, my father-in-law nearly died a few weeks ago during hip replacement surgery, my Dad's Alzheimer's is advancing more rapidly, (I am really missing my Dad), my brother's and their families are hurting, financially.  My brother, Paul, fell of a ladder at work and fractured his back and, what's worse, he has no sense of smell or taste since he hit his head on the way down!  My husband's overtime at work has dried up completely and I don't know how we're going to make it to the end of the year.  My friend is having trouble with her teenage son's rebellion.  My other friend, Mishele, is just trying to figure out how to survive day-to-day, taking care of her disabled son, Daniel, while the demonic attacks keep coming.  And my son is struggling with heavy health issues that no one can fix.  Ugh.  It just goes on and on!

Solomon wrote about life's troubles in Ecclesiastes.  He said there was nothing new under the sun.  Its so strange to me that he actually experienced a time of great peace in Israel during his reign, personal wealth, success......but declared that all was vanity.  He was like, "woe is me" and he had everything!   He described the emptiness of life and the lack of fulfillment from all the pursuit of pleasure and riches to which he had devoted his life.  How does his life and mine compare?  What's more, how did we come to the same conclusion?  That all is vanity - vanity here meaning emptiness.  But in the end, he comes to the conclusion that everything has its time, true friends are valuable, eternity is in our hearts, popularity passes away, fear G-d, keep your vows, let your words be few, don't love wealth, value wisdom, be generous, be diligent, remember your Creator and death comes to us all.

Up or down, it all shakes out the same.  What I mean is, whether things are going great for you or whether you are constantly battlling just to stay afloat, the things that matter most to G-d - to us - are what we are to focus on.  These things not only help us get to where we need to be, but they help us survive the journey.  And if we're focusing on Him, we may even get to enjoy the ride.  The true purpose of life; a walk with G-d.  That's where I'm going; on a walk with Him.

April 14, 2011

Ok, so I know I'm not good at this and I don't know if anyone even reads this, but I'm going to post anyway.  A LOT has happened already this year; too much to go into now.  Suffice it to say that I am meeting so many new faces, connecting with so many people; more than in my wildest dreams, and beginning to travel more than I ever have in my life. 

We are still running things pretty much on our own, which has been very difficult at times, but it has its rewards.  We got through tax season fairly well, set up Lev Shelo as a non-profit ministry (Hoorah!), so now it's "Lev Shelo Ministries, Inc.".  Wow, the things G-d is doing!  But I've had to step back quite a few times and ask myself, "Is this what HE wants?"  "Am I doing this for the right reasons?"  "Do I want to even do this at all?" 

Ministry, it seems, and a very public and demanding one at that, is very taxing to the finances, the body, the soul and the family.  Ever since I've been in Messianic leadership I've been feeling the constant pressure of the enemy breathing down my neck, waiting for me to fail, which I've done so obligingly well at times.  I was forced to do some real soul searching at the beginning of the year.  Things were coming apart in a way and I honestly wanted to quit.  "Why can't I just be a housewife?!", I demanded of G-d!  "What is it like to just be a good mother and wife?  Why do I have to walk around with an invisible target painted on my back?"  It was a real crisis for me.  After some very encouraging words from my rabbi and Mark & Rachel, and my husband, Michael, I had to repent.  Yes, I said repent.   How can I NOT be who G-d designed me to be?!  It is HIS work in my life that has gotten me where I am today, success or failure.  It doesn't matter.  I am walking in the gifts He entrusted to me and I need to learn to do that without question!  Do I get weary and discouraged?  YES!  For heaven's sake.  I'm human!

I long to touch people in a tangible way with what we're doing here.  I always tell people that I'm not interested in a career.  But ministry.....serving G-d in a tangible way.....making an impact in someone's life somewhere......I am interested in that.  No matter what the cost.  I don't want to get to the end of my life, look back and say, "What did I do with what I had?"  The question shouldn't even exist because the answer has already gone before it a long, long time ago.

January 3, 2011

I know, its been a while since I've blogged!  The challenges of running and operating in a ministry like this are more than I expected.  Just know that we are doing extremely well, we are moving forward and looking with joyful expectancy to what G-d is going to do with us, as a group.  We have learned a lot already and know we have much more growing to do.  We have many things on our list we'd like to accomplish, but leaving them all in His most capable hands to accomplish them, if He so desires.  What a privilege it is to serve in ministry!  At this time, we're gearing up and preparing to minister at the MJAA Southwest Regional conference in February.  We're very excited and we hope to see you there on 2/18-2/20.

October 20, 2010

The last few weeks have seen us traveling a bit, playing here and there, ironing out the "kinks" in our "presentation" of worship, finding out what works and doesn't work.  We have been meeting some really neat people and nurturing new friendships.  Its been so cool!  Last night we played at a coffee house for the second time and we actually had a "repeat" audience!  They were singing along with our tunes!  In Hebrew, no less!!!  It was awesome!  We're meeting with a prospective manager next week.  We really need that!  I'm getting bogged down with administrative-type duties!  I just want to write music and sing and get out there - change the world for Yeshua!

Speaking of writing music.....Mark has been pumping out tunes for CD #2 like there's no tomorrow!  Tony has added to the fray as well.  I'm left with the task of developing a melody line to Mark's arrangements and writing lyrics!  I'm still feeling overwhelmed with other things so I haven't had the chance to really sit and wait on G-d for those words to come, but the melodies come almost immediately when I hear Mark's chords.  I think the words are there, but they're stuck inside my head. 

Well, I think G-d decided to show me something that was really very humbling.  On our way back from a gig today, my 13 year old daughter, Michaela, took notes on a song I wanted to develop.  She asked me what I wanted the song to be about, so I told her.  Then I played the chords for her on my car stereo and she began filling her paper with lyrics and they were GOOD!!!  I think I just found my writing partner!~   

October 6, 2010

It's been several weeks now since the release of our CD.  Whatever expectations I had for this endeavor are changed and altered forever.  I don't mean that in a negative sense; it's just that I am learning so much through the ebb and flow of releasing a project like this.  I'm learning about people - their likes and dislikes, what moves and motivates them, how they view us and our ministry now as opposed to before we had a CD.  I'm learning about the "business" end of things and how it all gets put together; how it all works.  I'm learning, mostly, about how trusting G-d for finances, provision, inspiration, favor with people in leadership and favor with the people in general is something I can't afford to neglect.  I feel as if G-d has me in a raft going down a river right now.  White water rapids - things are fast and exciting and interesting and I almost feel a little scared, its so exilerating!  Then, around the bend, the water is calm and deep and peaceful, but slow and I no longer know if I'm going to make it to my destination, but at least I can catch my breath.

What a ride.....
 

August 13, 2010

Shabbat shalom.  The sun is nearly down, so I gotta go.  Just wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying the feedback we're getting from the CD.  It feels so strange, to put ourselves out there like this.  So vulnerable I guess is the term I'm looking for.  We poured everything we have into this project, just hoping G-d can use it for His purposes and keeping our expectations a little low.  As the music grew, so did our hopes and our expectations.  I'm learning so much about how to get good exposure, how to market our product and how G-d changes our course when we think we now have it all figured out!  Go G-d!  So glad He's steering this boat!

Anyway, I have the ability to see statistics in our back office of the web site.  Its amazing how there are people all over the world taking a peak at our site!  How did they find us?!  What do they think?  Are they looking for something in particular?  Can we help?  I wish every one of them would leave a comment.  I'd like to know what they're thinking and how they came across our site.  Hmmm.....sounds like a good experiment.

Well, got to get ready for tomorrow.  Its Lilo's bat mitzvah and I'm leading worship at the shul (synagogue).  She's 88 years old and has never had a bat mitzvah.  If they were having bat mitzvah for girls back in the day she would have missed her first one anyway.  Lilo spent most of her teen years in a concentration camp.  I can't even wrap my head around that.....

July 31, 2010

On our way home now from Seattle.  The conference was a blast.  Rachel and I met so many really cool people.  The erev Shabbat and Shabbat services were very liturgical which is something we're not used to, but very enjoyable just the same.  I'm so impressed with the Seattle congregation there.  They are amazing with their Hebrew and knowlege of our traditions and liturgy. 

Roman and Alaina Wood played on Thursday night.  The worship was so sweet!  I'm so glad to have been there to see that!  Please go to www.romanandalaina.com to see and hear more about this amazing husband and wife team.  Their new CD is awesome!

Tomorrow I hit the ground running!  So much to do to get ready for our release date on August 6th!  I took CDs up to Seattle and sold a bunch, gave out some and really enjoyed meeting people who had never heard of us, but bought our CD anyway!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  The entire band appreciates your love and support.  It is our heart's desire to be used by HaShem in any way possible to lead people back home - to Him!  One of the most profound comments we received was how diverse our music is.  There is something on our CD for nearly everyone.  Except rap.  Sorry!

July 27, 2010

I'm getting ready to fly out to Seattle on Wednesday morning with Rachel.  The UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) is hosting their annual international conference there.  It will be the first time anyone officially sees and hears our CD!  As a special treat, people will also see Rachel's amazing silk scarves that she hand dyes.  We're both a little nervous and excited about going.  I can't wait to see old friends  and meet new people.  I know they are going to dig our tunes!  I'm also participating in a praise and worship music committee that is being formed to help facilitate Messianic Jewish congregations throughout the world with resources and ideas for their services.  Its very exciting and I am looking forward to making some kind of contribution to this effort.  I'll be surrounded by some pretty amazing musicians in our community so I'm also looking forward to being in their company and gleaning from their experiences.  I'll blog when I can!  L'hit! 


July 22, 2010

Wow, my first blog ever!  Hi, everyone, this is Corry Bell, lead singer for the band, Lev Shelo.  You probably have a lot of questions, so let's just get to some answering, shall we?  First off, many people have asked me, "What does Lev Shelo mean?"  Well, Lev Shelo is Hebrew meaning "His heart".  Its really easy to get caught up in our own dreams and desires, egos and ambitions, but our joy, our simcha if you will, is to desire what G-d wants for our lives.  So, we figured we'd have a name that reminds us of just that.  He is the One who giveth and taketh away, nachon?  (Right?)  So, there it is; Hebrew 101.  You just learned 4 new words!

We've also been asked when the CD is being released and where can I buy it?  Well, our scheduled release date is August 6, 2010, G-d willing!  We'll make it available here on our website, at CD Baby, Reverbnation, Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue's Judaica store and by email if you want to contact me.  Hmmm.....I do hope I can keep up.  Yes, we think the CD is that good!

We had a few painful experiences during production of our CD.  First, our engineer, Billy, lost his dad, suddenly.  Then, Mark lost his dad just several weeks later!  It was rather bizarre.  By the time we mastered the project, Billy had to put his cat to sleep.  Also during this time, I had the heartbreaking task of placing my dad, who is deaf and has Alzheimer's, in a home where he could receive round-the-clock care.  So, it was a few months of non-stop grieving for us, but a time of incredible growth and blessings as well.  We kind of figured we were supposed to just keep our focus on the task at hand - keep our eyes on Yeshua, really.  You know, our enemy tries to throw distractions at us all the time, but G-d has work for us to do and a bigger picture in mind, so we run that race and encourage one another and realize that we're probably on the edge of something bigger than us.  Well, you get the point. 

Now, our band members are as follows: 

Mark Keller.  Mark is the one who arranged all our tunes with a little input from our engineer, Billy Cobb, and moi.  But really, Mark is the creative genious behind it all.  When he's constructing the tunes, he hears things that only dogs can hear.  Really.  He plays ALL the guitars on the CD, even the one that sounds like a mandolin and the ones you can't hear because there are so many layers of guitars on there!  He has a wife, Rachel (our "band mom") and 2 great kids, Steven and Rebekkah.  Steven started playing out with us just this year and he's a really fine musician.  Rebekkah is my daughter's best friend.   And Rachel holds them all together, sometimes with Silly String, but mostly with unending devotion and love for her family.  I like to call her and I, chocolate and vanilla.  You can see why in the pics on the photo tag.

Tony Warner.  Drums are really hard to play, that's what I've concluded.  I sit behind the drum kit and pick up the sticks and immediately break out into a cold sweat!  Ugh!  But, he makes them sound the way he wants, do the things he wants them to and be as loud or as soft as he wants - the signs of a good drummer and a fine musician!  Tony is funny and sweet all the time.  I've never, ever seen him get mad about anything, which is just one of many reasons I am so glad he said "yes" when I asked him to play with us.  He also loves G-d very much and loves the fact that he gets to serve Him doing something he loves to do!  What a deal.  Tony is not married, but don't get any ideas, ladies!  He's been dating my hairdresser for about 6 years now and that's the way I like it!

And then there's me.  I can't blog about myself!  That just feels too weird.  But I can tell you that I have a wonderful husband, Michael, who is a deputy here in Southern California.  He's a good one too.  Very fair.  Very wise.  Very tough.  I'm told he makes his work environment interesting!  Well, he makes home life interesting and he is my biggest supporter!  Together we have 5 kids and 2 grandkids!  Yes, that's what I said.  We all started out a little early.......Well, its interesting anyway.  So, let's see, we have Jenny, Nick, Beau, Chris and Michaela.  The grandkids are Anthony and Michael.  I love them all and its been an adventure.  They're cool people.  I've been singing for a really long time - since I got a mirror in my bedroom and my first "round brush" (for a microphone).  I love to sing, I love to worship HaShem (another Jewish term, literally meaning, "the Name" - of G-d of course!).  I love my shul (synagogue) and the people in it.  I've been wanting to record a CD for about 25 years.  I had to wait, though.  I had a lot of "stuff" to work out in my life. So glad He did it that way.  I'm really ready now.  And I get to work with a few of the finest musicians ever and meet some of the greatest people wherever we go!  How cool is that?!

Oh, and, one more thing that people often ask me is:  "Why do you hyphenate G-d?"   Well, its a respect thing.  If I write out the full word on a piece of paper and then drop that paper or rip it or spill my hot chocolate on it, I am disrespecting the name of our holy G-d, or at least His implied name.  Treating his name(s) this way fosters respect and reverance for Him and who He is.  I never place my Bible on the floor.  It has the name of G-d in it.  I don't spell out the word so I am constantly reminding myself of who I am compared to who He is.  Its a Jewish practice that I happen to love.  There are so many Jewish traditions that I love.  I hope that comes out in our music.