Shalom Everyone.
As we come to the close of this Gregorian year of 2018, I wanted to take a few moments and share some things with you.
First of all, Beth and I are grateful to all of you for your prayer and financial support this year and for the last, almost 20 years. Its hard to believe that it has been that long since we launched Shoreshim Ministries, and we could not have continued without you. I must admit that there were times over the last few years that I wasn’t certain about the future of the ministry. Like anyone else, the Clouds have been going through changes – not all bad and not all good. For different reasons, I had even considered “retiring” from the ministry and doing something else. Suffice it to say, the Creator made it very clear that “retirement” was not an option, so we pressed on. We are thankful that over the last year some clarity has slowly emerged as to the future direction of the ministry and, in that vein, we want to share with you some thoughts we are excited about as we begin the next chapter in the Shoreshim story.
As you are most likely aware, we have been working on a completely new website. It’s the brainchild of our son, Brandon, and I must say that, when it is complete, it will be a much better experience for the user and will give us opportunity to provide more content in a more organized manner. Our greater goal is to provide professionally produced, Biblically-balanced teaching in a way that appeals to all ages and then present it on a platform that has the potential to reach more people, more effectively.
We have already seen a dramatic spike in the number of listens and are believing that this type of connection with people will continue to grow.
For instance, one of the changes we have made in this transition is to offer some of our teachings (e.g. Torah Portions, Torah Tidbits and Returning to Our Roots) as podcasts. We have already seen a dramatic spike in the number of listens and are believing that this type of connection with people will continue to grow. Our intent is be able to spread the message the Father has given us to those who aren’t necessarily part of the Hebrew Roots community and particularly that generation who are more likely to listen to a podcast than attend a speaking venue. We have a lot of ideas for future projects that will help us advance this goal, some of which will be available through podcasts and some of which will be available exclusively on this site. We will be sharing these with you as they are developed.Â
Of course, as it is with any newborn, there are always a few messy situations to clean up, and this experience has been no different. We’re working very hard to eliminate all of the bugs as fast as we can and are deeply appreciative of your patience with us. One of the issues that came to light recently is that some were having difficulty logging in to the new site with their updated user information. Specifically, some were having a hard time resetting their password. We have addressed the issue and have, hopefully, solved that problem. If you had or are having issues logging in, please let us know.
By now you should have received an email explaining how to log in to the new site. As of January 1, 2019, the old site at www.billcloudblog.com will be taken down for good (so long, old friend). Please let us know if you have not received an email from us concerning new log in information. FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS TO THE GLEANING CORNER: you will NOT be receiving this email. To log in to the new site, you will have to create an account just as you did with our older site. If you are not a current subscriber to our website, I’d like to encourage you to consider partnering with us and becoming a premium member. This is the easiest and most immediate way to help us continue doing what we do.
If you are not a current subscriber to our website, I’d like to encourage you to consider partnering with us and becoming a premium member.
Many of you (and I mean “many”) have written, emailed, called and posted about the disappearance of On This Day, the devotions that we offered for the last several years. The bad news is that the OTD videos you are accustomed to will not be on the new site. The good news is that we are updating On This Day and will resume posting these updated versions on February 6, 2019 (1 Adar I). Also very soon we will be posting the written version of the OTDs on the “Read” section of our site. Though the suspension of OTD has been somewhat of a disappointment to some, we feel that in the long term everyone will be happy to see these updated versions (I know I will, because I hardly look like that guy in the old ones at this point). In the meantime, if you want to view the older versions of OTD, you can see them on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/BillCloudTV.
Transitioning now from websites and internet issues to another component of our future direction is the possibility of starting a community here in the Cleveland/Athens TN area. This is something Beth and I have discussed off and on for years. In times past we flirted with doing something locally but didn’t commit to it for a myriad of reasons, chief among them being that we didn’t feel it was the right time. Of late, however, we have felt that we need to take the steps to create a community in this area. I mention this now because the next step in this process is to invite you to join with us in prayer about this matter. No meeting dates have been set and no venues have been secured! We are simply beginning the process of prayerfully seeking guidance. Your feedback is welcome and particularly if you feel the LORD has given you helpful insight in this matter. Some of the main things to be praying about at this point are 1) Certainty of God’s Will, 2) Clarity of Mission, 3) Timing, 4) Location. Â
There are other things that I will be discussing with you in the near future as we get a better handle on what the LORD is leading us to do. In the interim, please know that all of the Clouds appreciate each and every one of you. We desire your prayers and are needful of further direction from the Father. We can only hope that this ministry has been a blessing to you and that it has and will, in some small way, serve our Father’s purposes for the Kingdom.
May your home and family be blessed.
Bill & Beth
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So very glad you didn’t “retire”! We enjoy your teachings, and even though we live in Alabama, we would drive to Cleveland occasionally for a teaching should you start one!
We’ll keep you posted. BC
Brother Bill,
Im so blessed that you haven’t abandoned OTD! It was a great way to start the day(after scripture and prayer).
I wanted to thank you for your obedience in the topical guidance you had in conveying the message of unity at the Lev Yeshua winter conference. I can’t tell you how onionted that word was. It was so the exact thing I needed to hear at such the exact time. I could go on and on but I want to try keep this short out of consideration of your time, but thank you so very very much!!!
I regard to the community building consideration in Tn.
For myself hunger and desire for like minded fellowship in person. Where I live Im the odd egg. I have found a great teacher and wonderful online fellowship at Holy Impact Ministries. We use the Zoom platform on Shabbat after the morning teaching and it far and away exceeds my wildest expectations. That being said “to get to this”. Id never want to deprive anyone anywhere face to face fellowship. I would hope that if its planned to be a brick and mortar situation that you pray about it in earnest. I totally support the idea but weather its right or wrong the “community” at large has a negative outlook on brick and mortar. Im not so sure I share that opinion but it is what it is. I would love to see your balanced biblical style of teaching spread to more personal ministries at home bible studies kind of thing. A do it yourself kind of deal. In that there would be the chance that more of us all over would have opportunity for face to face fellowship. Pastor V promotes that sort of thinking but for so many of us that are so new to this its difficult to attain any footing with credability. Ive been praying for that sort of thing but have gotten far yet. I guess it takes time and it’s not in my power or control anyway not to mention that we all play different parts in the body.
I highly value your viewpoints and sincerely feel you can make difference. Your in my opinion one of the most sound commentators there are. I believe the steps your following will help erase some of the contentions that are counter productive in the truth seeking community(ie name of God and Messiah, calender conflicts, escatology interpretations,etc, blah blah blah).
I think your potential as a leader has barely surfaced and is way more than even you realize. Thank you again for all you’ve done.
Shabbat Shalom, may YeHoVaH be with you and your family.
Much love-Bill Flagg
Bill; Thank you so much for your kind and considerate comments – they mean a lot. Keep praying for us. Blessings and shalom. BC
I find you on facebook. Also you and Beth bringing in the news. Would appreciate emails and noticed as available. God bless you. You are a blessing to me.
Thanks Shirley. Make sure you have signed up to receive our email notifications here on the website.
So excited for the new website!! You must have picked up on my silent complaining about how difficult it was to find things on the old one. I’m sure there will be bugs, but they will all work out eventually. As to your prayers about a community in your area – I have frequently told my husband, “If I knew that Bill Cloud was pastoring a congregation I’d be sorely tempted to move to wherever it is!” You are definitely one of our favorite and most relied on teachers. We will definitely join you in your prayer for direction. I am sure you probably receive many more emails than you can reply to, but I’m going to ask a question anyway – just in case! One of our goals for 2019 is to learn Biblical Hebrew. Do you have a favorite resource or know of a course with good results and good reputation? Don’t mind paying something, but we do want to be good stewards of our time, as well as our funds. If you have any suggestions we’d love to hear them.
Ginger;
Thanks for the comments. I think the new site is going to be 10x better than the old site. I have to give a lot of credit to my son Brandon; he is the one who designed the concept. As far as a congregation, be in prayer about this please. In regard to learning biblical Hebrew, I really don’t know of any course I could recommend if you’re focused strictly on biblical Hebrew. Now if you want to learn basic Hebrew in an effort to assist your Bible study, we have a course available on this site in the Premium section called Hebrew Basics. We also taught an updated version of this course called Hebrew 101 and 201 for the International School of the Word (ISOW.org); this is edited and produced in studio as opposed to the Hebrew Basics. Other than that I don’t know of one I could recommend. Blessings and shalom.
wish you would come to SC more….OTD will be missed, reading it seemed to always fit the day I was having, the strength and encouragement received was priceless
Sandy. You can see the OTD videos on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/BillCloudTV. We will be posting updated versions on the website and other platforms starting in February. Shalom.
I did not get the email for the new web site. Would you please send it to me? Thank you and God Bless.
Glenda; I have forwarded this to our tech support people. Be looking for an email. Blessings.
We sure would enjoy it if y’all do something! We been hoping for it since the days we used to drive down to your yeshiva meetings years ago. Sure would b nice if they were a little further North 🙂 maybe South of Knoxville, there is such a need in that area! Blessings!!!
We’ll keep you posted. BC
Would like to join new web sight didn’t get e-mail on how to
Lloyd; I have forwarded your email to our tech support. Be looking for an email. Shalom.
You’ve been on my heart. My husband and I had coffee with you many Shabbat morning. We so enjoy your teaching! God bless you and your family ?
Thanks so much. Blessings and shalom.
I’m so happy for you that this site has come together. Yippee!
Thank you.
Bill and Beth,
In some manner I think the community thing is longover due in your area. Your all’s maturity, wisdom, sound teaching, and giftings are desperately needed to bring a balance in a movement that unfortunately has been very messy and “scattered the sheep”. I think this is to some degree due to sheep having no shepherd. Having animals yourselves, you most likely understand this. A shepherd isn’t just somone standing guard to protect the sheep from wild beast, but also provides “green pasture” for his flock. Thus our Master’s words to Peter “feed my sheep”.
Sadly though, we live in an age that has thrown sound doctrine out the door. Then, there are some sheep or probably better stated goats that already seem to know it all and need no one to teach or provide them direction. You most likely have run into a few of them. There are some that even claim to have great insight into how to pronounce the “name” correctly.
In closing, and you might already be aware of this, Torahresourse has a really good resource on building a “Torah community” you may want to get before totally getting your feet wet.
May the Holy One richly bless you in this endeavor.
שולם, Gary
Gary; Thank you brother for the encouragement and vote of confidence. Would appreciate your prayers for guidance and wisdom. Blessings. BC
Hi Bill: I was receiving OTD at my email site, vidaf485@gmail.com.(know you from promise land.) Beth set this up for me. I am happy to do whatever necessary to participate in the new website. I read your email, but did not see how to subscribe to the new site. Could you tell me step by step. In the meantime, i wen o http://www.billcouldlog.com. It will not let me log in and ejects my attempts to get a new password.
Vida; If you were a paid subscriber to http://www.billcloudblog.com we will need to send you an email so that you can reset your user info on the new site. If you were not a paid subscriber, you only have to go to the new site and click on login and create a new account. You can set up an account at no charge or you can become a premium partner. As far as receiving OTDs in your email, we will resume updated OTDs in February. Make sure you’re signed up on our email list. Shalom. BC
I would love to become a $$ partner. Right now as an 81 year widow, my money just does not go around any further. My prayers do though!!
Is it still possible to be a subscriber at no cost? Thank you
Donna; Yes you can become a member without any cost. Go to https://www.billcloud.com and click on any of the videos and it will prompt you to create an account. You simply choose the $0 option.
Shalom Bill, We are very interested to know what you mean by starting a community in the Cleveland/ Athens area? We visit this area often. We have been a Premium Partner for awhile now. We greatly enjoy your teachings and your faithfulness and uncompromising stand for Righteousness! We will continue to pray for you and your ministry and that the Father direct your steps in this matter. May the Lord continue to Richly Bless you as you serve Him!
Thankful to be part of this community. May Shoreshim, the Clouds & all of us flourish & enjoy an abundant life in Yahweh thru Yeshua & the Ruach Hacadech.
Amen.
Found you your facebook and after that, follow you and really enjoy your teaching and learnt a lot.
Thank you.