In Praise of laziness

So here am I at 3:30 in the morning writing a blog about a very ordinary, and blessed day... yesterday now, but still seeming part of my "today."

This morning, I worked on the Central Florida Brain Injury Support web site and some related emails while Richard went to have some blood work done. No, we're not sick. He and I both had lab work done yesterday as well... all part of our annual physicals.

We didn't do anything else truly productive all day. We picked up a quick, eat on the go meal at Burger King then went to the bank, found the new address of the lady we bought this house from and took her some mail that had come here. Then we transacted some business at our brokers and browsed antique shops looking for Judaica... Found a great game store and bought our very own copy of Lost Cities. Richard got a haircut and we settled our chilly old bones in the comforting warmth of the pickup and waited for Amtrack.

No, we were not heading anywhere, we just wanted to sit in the sun on this very cold Florida day and watch the train come, stop a while and head on south.

We ate a hearty meat loaf dinner with baked potatoes and veggies in a rich sauce. We ate in the dinning room, playing our new game and chatting,... The watched a video of two dear friends starring an a Dinner-Playhouse production of "over the River and Through the Woods, There were SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!

Yes, it was a very good day.

A Wedding in Israel!

I went to a wedding yesterday... All through scripture the L-rd likens His relationship with His people Israel (this includes all Believers, no matter their genetic makeup) as a marriage. From the Old Testament (Tanach) to the New, promises abound of a great wedding, of the Bridegroom coming for His bride. There will be a wedding like none other!

Yesterday was Shabbat and I spent all day celebrating Yeshua with His people.

I began the day with a small Spanish speaking band of about a dozen believers who are investigating G-d's Word and the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith. No, I don't speak Spanish, but they also included in and understood enough English that we could interact. I fell in love with these sweet people and their young pastor and will be with them again next week.

I left them about two and a half hours later and headed to Beit Yisrael for my Hebrew class at 2, after which the thrill of our Shabbat celebration began with music, dancing and joy. The service lasts as long as it lasts. No one is watching the clock. How I love the freedom of that! The Holy Spirit is in control of all aspects of the service.

At the close of services, there was a Hebraic wedding, complete with chair dancing! You just haven't seen a wedding until you've seen one like this. There is so much to learn and rejoice in. If you ever get a chance to attend such a wedding, GO!

Finally, as part of our family Shabbat celebration, we all share a meal, and this time, it was also a wedding supper. Everything was beautiful and the food delicious as always.

It was late when I got home yet I felt refreshed and rested after all the wonder and joy and shalom of Shabbat with a wedding foretaste of the Great Wedding celebration that awaits all who are saved. Do you know Yeshua (Jesus)?

What's So Happy About New Years?

This is based on an email from my Pastor and touched me deeply. As I sent out Chanukah cards and our annual letter, I began to realize I was not comfortable with the origins, traditions and craziness surrounding New Year's celebrations... but was still using the greeting from time to time. Soon, I found it distasteful and stopped using "Happy New Year" altogether. I still feel it appropriate to pray that 2010 is a blessed year for those I greet.

This article is from Arutz 7 or Israel National News concerning the Gregorian New Year and the history of its celebrations.

New Years Blood Bath

Tevet 14, 5770, 12/31/2009

Don't drink to that! Any Jew who raises his cup for the 'Sylvester' New Year, is toasting to a day synonymous with the flow of Jewish blood. I hate to be a party-pooper, but really, let's take a look at the history of this day....

From Simple To Remember: http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/newyearshistory/

"In 46 B.C.E. the Roman emperor Julius Caesar first established January 1 as New Years day. Janus was the Roman god of doors and gates, and had two faces, one looking forward and one back. Caesar felt that the month named after this god (January) would be the appropriate door to the year. Caesar celebrated the first January 1 New Year by ordering the violent routing of revolutionary Jewish forces in the Galilee. Eyewitnesses say blood flowed in the streets. In later years, Roman pagans observed the New Year by engaging in drunken orgiesa ritual they believed constituted a personal re-enacting of the chaotic world that existed before the cosmos was ordered by the gods."
Roman pagans observed the New Year by engaging in drunken orgiesa

"The Israeli term for New Years night celebrations, Sylvester, was the name of the Saint and Roman Pope who reigned during the Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.). The year before the Council of Nicaea convened, Sylvester convinced Constantine to prohibit Jews from living in Jerusalem. At the Council of Nicaea, Sylvester arranged for the passage of a host of viciously anti-Semitic legislation. All Catholic Saints are awarded a day on which Christians celebrate and pay tribute to that Saints memory. December 31 is Saint Sylvester Day - hence celebrations on the night of December 31 are dedicated to Sylvester's memory."

And what has this celebration begot today to our youth and Western culture? A night of partying, drinking, making out under a mistletoe, and making new year resolutions that are hardly ever kept.

Is Dec. 31st / Jan 1st not a night where there are massive car accidents? Where people never even have a chance to finish the end of their Jan. 1st hangover? I mean, friends, what's there to celebrate here, Drunk Drivers Day? Spilled Jewish Blood Day? If one really wanted to honor the Gregorian New Year to make it meaningful and to better themselves and this world instead of having an excuse to dress up and get drunk, then wouldn't it be more fitting to celebrate it with a nice meal with family and friends and some meaningful time for introspection and serious accounting?

When I came to Israel in 1978, Jews didn't celebrate the 'Sylvester' as they call it here. In fact, one was hard up to find a hotel that had some bar open until midnight where they could go and maybe find some sort of partying there. Today? Today it is different. Today the western culture has invaded Israel and our secular youth are celebrating this day (unbeknownst to them) of a Jewish blood bath by an evil anti-Semite. Today on the news, I heard them beseeching people to not drive home after any parties, and that instead taxis would give people a special 'new years discount' to take them home. Yes, we have come to this. But maybe a little history lesson like the one above will make people think again before raising a glass to this historically anti-Semitic day.

G-d Cares

Richard had the day off, hooray! He has been working six days a week... long days, too, and I know he is tired, but he always jumps in to be with and help me in anything I am doing. Today was no different.

We had errands to run and our daughter and her boyfriend were flying in from Denver, so we left home fairly early and made a day of it. It was delightful to see Athena again, even though she'd only been gone a few days and we merely drove them home and left to run more errands.

Everything Richard and I did was easier and more fun because we were together, but by the time he had carried in the last of the groceries and I had put them away, we were too tired to fool with a decent meal and opted instead for hot dogs and chips... I say that with absolutely no shame.

Of course, all this is of no real interest to anyone except us and the L-rd. Isn't it amazing how the creator of the universe genuinely cares about all our little everyday activities and concerns? Just think, He sincerely wants us to bring ALL our cares and joys to Him. I just LOVE that!!!

Hebrew with Pie

I spent much of the day studying Hebrew. To make the task doable and help my brain retain, I took frequent breaks. I got a pie ready and in the oven. On another break I did some cleaning, and another was a calisthenics break. Well, my military daughters would argue with that term if they saw my version, but it works for me.

I am anxious to become proficient in Biblical Hebrew as well as conversational, hence the big push. I want to study the scriptures in Hebrew. I also would like to have some comprehension by the time I go to Israel in April.

But I am through with my linguistic studies for today. The last straw was when I read an exercise sentence which turned out to be the Sh'ma and at the end, thrilled I could read it, I shouted Oui! (French for yes). Time to quit for the day.

Five of our daughters are together in Denver right now. One lives in CA and one lives here in Orlando, but the Denver area is home to the other three. They haven't all been in one place for some time and are making the most of this special get together.

Well, time for delving into Jeremiah a bit before Richard comes home. Dinner is ready, also the pie. (ש"ע) עוגה; פשטידה, פאי

Rejoicing in my Grief

Today is a fast commemorating the siege of Jerusalem. It is also a time to remember the Holocaust and to reflect on the past, repent and draw closer to our G-d. 'Tis day to reflect on His gifts as well, so I pray for those who suffered so much and am thankful for The Word...

I love the L-rd's gift of the Shabbat. Richard and I stayed home on Erev Shabbat (Friday evening). I had planned to go to services, but because he worked late, we held our candle lighting ceremony at home and shared a nice dinner of beef, baked potatoes, etc. His favorite things.

Then, yesterday, I went to my Hebrew class and services at the congregation. I love the L-rd's Shabbat! I am so thankful to be a part of the Mishpoka (family) at Beit Yisrael and am amazed at the joy each time I go to services.

Unlike any other worship service I have seen or heard of, there is an enthusiastic rejoicing in the music, dancing and celebration of all the L-rd is and has done for us. There is also the joy of the complete Word, the joy of my salvation in Yeshua, the joy of Torah observance (more than I could have believed!) and the joy of being with my Mishpoka.

I have been a part of several "church families" in my 58 years as a follower of the Messiah, and I have encountered genuine love in each. These dear ones are still dear to me and I remain in contact with many.

So, what is so different about my Messianic Mishpoka? Perhaps it is the depth that comes from living the Torah. As Richard put it, "Becoming Messianic changes everything about your life." It changes what we eat, when and how we worship and celebrate... it even changes our language and heritage! We are different now in ways only another Messianic can comprehend.

So, today, I fast in grief and repentance and rejoice even as I offer prayers for the peace of Jerusalem.

Our First Non-Christmas Year

Some months ago, led by an intense desire to serve my Lord HIS way, rather than my way, I began to research the origins of Christmas and the various traditions associated with it.

Frankly, my search began the fall of 2008 as I saw the world entering the shopping frenzy and stress-filled preparations of Christmas. Richard and I wanted to honor the Lord’s birth in a more meaningful way, so in honor of each one on our “list,” we gave to the needy of the World via World Vision.

This year, I delved into the origins of the date and traditions of Christmas and found the date and most of the traditions and “fun” things about Christmas have pagan origins. God’s Word tells us not to investigate, imitate, or contemplate pagan activities, and most certainly not to worship HIM in the manner the pagans served their gods. A major part of scripture is dedicated to this whole issue. In Lev. 23, God gives us clear instructions on how to celebrate HIS holidays (Feasts). So, for me, the world’s Christmas is out.

I wanted to celebrate the birth of my precious Savior in purity and simplicity... in a way pleasing unto Him. Biblical evidence is strong that Jesus (Yeshua, His Hebrew name meaning Salvation) was conceived during Chanukah (the Festival of Lights) and born during Sukkot (eight day Feast of Tabernacles). We will celebrate His birth at that time and try to honor it every day by living lives for Him.

Chanukah is not “the Jewish* counterpart of Christmas. It celebrates something entirely different. We had a wondrous eight

day celebration with a ceremony each night, some in our home, but also in other homes, a park and our congregation. As Messianics, we commemorate the miracles of the Maccabee victory and the holy oil, plus we honor the Light of the World, our Messiah Yeshua!

Richard and I exchanged a small gift each night, price: $1-2. We ate Potato Latkes (traditional fried Chanukah food). I make the best latkes... from a mix, hahaha. Richartd ate a lot of them, but I loved them! Our house was simply decorated. See more pictures under Photos tab on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/ionaruth Yes, Chanukah was very peaceful and beautiful, and fun!

Christmas, on the other hand, has been awkward. We sent out Chanukah cards to a limited number of closer friends and family and included a letter trying to explain why we don’t celebrate Christmas any more. We were not trying to convert or accuse... merely let folks know that we were still followers of the Messiah and why we now serve Him in a different way. Nonetheless, it is a sensitive issue, and I know of one dear friend who felt my letter was a personal judgment on her. I am heartbroken about that.

Some Messianics are confrontational with family and friends about Christmas, basically calling saved people pagans. We don’t think that is the way to share. WE pray for our Christian friends and ask the Holy Spirit to open their eyes about Christmas, Easter and most of all God’s Word as a whole. So, when wished a Merry Christmas, we say something like, “Thank you, and may your holidays be full of fun, family, and blessings of every sort.”

So, today is Christmas for the world. Last night, Richard suggested we go for a drive to look at Christmas lights as we’ve done in years past. There weren’t as many lit homes as usual. We found some homes with Chanukah decor and thanked the Father as prayed that these were Messianic Believers, or if Jewish, that they soon see the Light of Messiah Yeshua.

I think Richard is less able to release the traditions. Earlier, we decided together to give away all our Christmas stuff, but he bought a small and very beautiful nativity set and we put it on a small table across from the menorah. We will also set it out during Sukkot. Abba is patient and loving and knows our hearts.

Richard is working today, and it is the busiest day of the Disney year, so he will be really tired when he gets home. This is Erev Shabbat, but he will be too late to go to services with me tonight.