Wednesday, February 3, 2010 /
I just can't be silent...
I have a dear friend who has been helping me desire to search the Scriptures and understand the Savior. Who He is...Who God is. And, their names.
While I am still having a hard time with Yeshua and Elohim since I have always called them Jesus and God, I believe that Yeshua and Elohim are correct. I am a Christian, but we observe the Sabbath on Friday night at sundown. We celebrated Hanukkah this year, as a remembrance of what Elohim did for His people. If you look at the Bible, in the New Testament, you will find that the Sabbath was on a Friday...
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Luke 23:52-54This is referring to Joseph of Arimethea burying Jesus' body the day He died. If we believe that "Good Friday" was about Jesus' death, and the Bible says that He was buried when the Sabbath was about to begin, then how can we say that the Sabbath is on any other time except Friday?
We are planning on celebrating Purim for the same reason. Festivals are not for us to give or get gifts, but they were created for us to remember what was done for the chosen people. The Law of Moses was given to us that we might know what is right and wrong. If you look, even our laws are based on the 10 commandments. Don't steal, don't lie, don't kill...
And, I believe that Yeshua didn't come and save us so that we could be free from those laws. We are still to follow them. What I believe He saved us from was the nearly 600 laws pertaining to the sacrifices for atonement. He was the sacrifice, ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us Gal 3:13
I don't think that people who follow the law are not accepting of grace. That's ridiculous. I mean, how would I know what I needed grace for in the first place without the law???? Yeshua didn't come to abolish the law, but FULFILL it!
I read a post today that got me going on this...the title is "Should Christians observe Sabbath and the Torah?" as if becoming a Christian means that the Old Testament is not for us anymore. If you will stick with me on this for a moment, please.
When Yeshua was walking the earth, the Torah was the Bible. The New Testament had yet to be written, first of all, because it was still happening! When Yeshua said,
If you love me, you will obey my commandments. John 14:15which commandments do you think He meant??? The rest of the Bible had not yet become the Bible since the New Testament wasn't there! Check this out and see if you understand why I think that:
The Torah consists of the five Books of the Laws of Moses. These are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Tradition says that God gave Moses the information contained in these books on Mount Sinai.
The Prophets consists of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel (which are one book in the Jewish Scripture), 1&2 Kings (also one book in the Jewish Scripture), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. Hosea through Malachi are called the Book of the Twelve and are combined into one scroll.
The Writings consist of 1&2 Chronicles (one book in the Jewish texts), Ezra and Nehemiah (one book in the Jewish text), Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Daniel.
Earlier canons included books that are now called the Deuterocanonical books. These were trimmed from the Jewish canon of Scripture during the time of Ezra (around 450 B.C.). These books are now part of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles and are called the Apocrypha.
Since the books of The Torah, The Prophets and The Writings were canonized Jewish Scripture during the time of Jesus, these are the texts that have been used in the Christian Bible and make up the Old Testament.
And to be honest, I don't think that
After all, if my going to church on Sundays will send me to hell, I certainly want to change that.That seems to me that the Lord cares one iota about the day of week we get all gussied up, sit in a pew for 2 hours, and call it "worship". After all, does it really matter? Aren't we supposed to be living for the Lord 24/7? Does the day you "go to church" separate us from the love of Christ? What about Romans 8:39 which says
nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.mean nothing?
Just my thoughts....
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 /
And it's snowing again...
Ugh.
I am sooo tired of winter. This year, it seems to have dragged on and on and on. I long for sunshiny days, warm breezes, and the need for tall, cool drinks of iced tea or lemonade.
But, alas, it's not to be so. At least not now anyway.
I am trying to find contentment in this season of my life (you'll pardon the pun, I am sure!) and it's not easy. There are so many things that I want to do, I wish I could do, I deserve to.
Funny word, deserve.
It has such an interesting meaning.
to have a right to because of acts or qualities; be worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.); merit
Perhaps it's that mindset "I deserve" that has gotten us into so much trouble. We feel that we deserve the best clothes, the best cars, the best houses, the best STUFF. And we spend, and we spend, and we spend. Never once stopping to think that maybe we don't deserve any of it. I mean, who has the qualities that are worthy of reward? Not me!
"But WE ARE ALL AS AN UNCLEAN THING AND ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6) {emphasis mine}
So, that should make it easier for me to be content, right? Yeah, well, I know that I should...but that deserve word keeps popping up. I am working toward a heart of contentment in all that I have, all that I will have, and it's not easy. To see people around me be able to eat out whenever, have nicer clothes, bigger home, or newer vehicle is hard. I want it, too. And like a whiny baby, I pray for more stuff.
Glad that Yeshua has a sense of humor as well as patience!
He gently reminds me that
My grace is sufficient for you... 2 Cor. 12:9a
So, I lean on His grace, and mercy. And I realize that the snow on the ground will soon disappear, and Spring will come. I am giving my heart over to Yeshua, and staying in His will, for that is where contentment truly lies. And when I fail to stay there, I know He will hold out His arms for me, waiting....
But, could it maybe NOT snow on the streets or sidewalks anymore...?
Monday, February 1, 2010 /
DayBook
FOR TODAY..Feb 1, 2010
Outside my window..the sun is trying to poke through
I am thinking...I will NEVER be able to grocery shop the same after watching Food Inc.
I am thankful for... the ability to make different choices
I am wearing...denim skirt my dd made, blue shirt
I am remembering...that this life only a flash in light of eternity
I am going... to the Market this week
I am currently reading... still soaking Nourishing Traditions in
I am hoping... to begin another good read by weeks end
On my mind... God's voice is gentle, not condescending
Noticing that...friends come and go, but my family is forever
Pondering these words... "When I was a little kid last night, I didn't like my dinner, but now I am all growed up, I like it"...{my 5 year old}
From the kitchen... beans and rice with cornbread
Around the house... laundry is being effectively ignored
One of my favorite things...remembering that Spring has to come sometime!!
Friday, January 29, 2010 /
It's toooo quiet...
I suppose that I should be enjoying the peace and quiet.
The kids are at their support school for the day, hubby is working quietly in his office, and it's just me, my coffee and my PBJ. Yes, I can have that for breakfast, if I wanna...
The dogs are sleeping, the cats are hiding.
It's too quiet.
I don't want to read, I don't want to play on the Wii, (although I could race MarioKart and lose to my hearts content without anyone telling me how to do things). I used to go shopping each week on Fridays, running to the grocery store, CVS, Walgreens, but I am still on a shopping sabbatical.
The truth is, I don't know what to do with myself at times like these. I have tried reading and praying, but I can't seem to settle myself down enough without the kids here.
I could feed the chickens, but they have enough food and water. I could bake, but I really don't have the heart to do that right now. Besides, my kitchen is clean and I don't want to mess it up. I certainly don't want to do laundry, or any other cleaning projects in my house. So, here I sit on the computer, typing away...
Actually, I am in such slow mode that the last paragraph took me nearly 5 minutes to write...just thought you would like to know...
Maybe I'll motivate, get a shower, and take my hubby on a lunch date...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 /
