I really enjoy my time here at EliYah's forums. It has been a source of valuable information and blessings for me.

I am very new to Torah observance, and it seems that I come under attack quite often from the physical as well as the spiritual world. These forums have served to help me become more grounded in the Word; helping me to strengthen my new beliefs.

I am grateful for the help I am receiving from ya'all. My family (save my sister) all think I've gone off the deep end; forsaking Christianity for Judaism. Both of my parents, who BOTH graduated valedictorian from an Assembly of God Bible College, think I'm nuts too.

Oh well, not much has changed in that aspect.

Anyways, thank you for the help.




[This message has been edited by goldsworthy (edited 02-21-2008).]

Shalom bro,

Rejoicing with you as you come to know many of your siblings in YHWH.

Sharing a memory with you.

When I first came to see there was much more to the Word of YHWH than I had been taught, than I had allowed myself to believe..
I began to study hungrily. I would sometimes feel frustrated as I didn't understand certain things being discussed. At that time, as I was having a pity party for myself, I felt YHWH remind me that I was a little nut

I could grow into a mighty tree...and bear fruit, but, I had to start off as a little nut. So if folks tell you, that you are nuts...just smile, and say, all mighty trees start off as nuts.

May YHWH bless you greatly as you study, may HE grant you wisdom, knowledge and understanding through His Spirit, and may each day be a day to rejoice in HIM for all HIS love and blessings through Yahushua our Master.

Love in Him,
Tamar

Bro Mark,

Since we (me and Adrian) are new we can feel like we are playing catch up. Our experience led us to write this on our site:

Don't ever feel like you can not contribute because you are just beginning, reaching out for help may prompt an edifying message that many can benefit from, or a question could lead to an answer that no one has received before. Let's be excited to watch the Master at work as He shapes and molds the clay we all are. Don't be dismayed or overwhelmed when you see brethren further in their walk, rejoice and see what His capable hands are able to produce. More mature brethren look beyond the rough edges of the new babes in Messiah, and let their new found youthful enthusiasm and hunger stir up in you good works and energize and refresh you. Messiah's yoke is gentle and His burden is light, let us never see each other as burdensome but learn to work in co-operation as His body. ALL members are important. More mature brethren sometimes need newbies as much as newbies sometimes need more mature brethren. HalleluYah! (praise God)

Shalom & love,
Renae

PS--Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held it's ground.

Bro Mark,

I thought you might like to read this. Adrian wrote it, it was a very special and blessed day for us both.

Shalom,
Renae

The Acorn Man

I am sure there will be some who will say I should not brag about what I do in the name of Yeshua. You would be right if bragging for self edification was the point. But I can assure you it is not. I tell this to all who will listen to show the power and glory of our Savior.

While attempting to get home before sundown on Shabbat I noticed a man sitting on the side of the road. As I contemplated turning around and seeing if the man needed help all the emotions of this world started trying to sway me from Yeshua's call. I tried to tell myself maybe he wasn't homeless. He had a bag in his hands so maybe he was just picking up cans to recycle or down here where we live people have pecan trees so he is probably just picking the nuts off the ground. As I drove on my conscience would not let me go home. Or was it the Ruach trying to guide me down the narrow path. I turned around, stopped the car and had an experience I will never forget. Praise Yahweh!

No, the man was not homeless, but he was unemployed and struggling. He was on the ground picking up acorns from the Oak trees that lined the roadway. I thought to myself, acorns? He told me he knew a man that would buy them and then ship them off to New York City. I guess they will eat anything there if you call it gourmet. He only made 25 cents a pound off the sell, but he said it was honest work. He was even trying to help support his sister. His life wasn't easy at the moment. Yet, he exuded a will that said he would not let this world get him down. He said he didn't want to become a criminal to support himself.

It amazes me how easy it was to talk to this complete stranger. Or was he a stranger?

Heb 13:2 Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

I always try to remember Yeshua's words about caring for Him from the parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Mat 25:40 “And the Sovereign shall answer and say to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in so far as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.’

We must never let this world corrupt us into believing that Yeshua is contained only within the pages of the Scriptures. He is alive and with us wherever we go. He walks past us and talks to us everyday. I spent around 20 minutes talking with this "stranger". As I was about to leave he asked me if I wanted to buy some of the acorns. I told him I didn't think acorns sounded very tasty to me and he looked at me and said he wasn't going to eat them either. Around here acorns are great snacks for the squirrels and deer but the locals tend to leave them alone. I didn't have reason take any acorns home, although I did take just one to never let me forget, but I did give him a farewell gift to help him out. I had no doubt he would use this gift wisely.
I shook his hand as I started to leave and he thanked me for stopping and told me that if the opportunity came to him and he could help someone in the future he would.

I came away from this full of joy. I had stopped to help this "stranger" and hopefully edify him and "pick" him up. But, I will tell you right now that someone was picked up and it wasn't just this man. It was also me. On that day I saw my Savior in this man's face and it was glorious. I will never forget the "Acorn Man".

HalleluYah! HalleluYah! HalleluYah!

ADRIAN FORGOT TO SAY THAT I GOT AN ACORN TOO THAT DAY (I stayed in the car)!




[This message has been edited by naesimo (edited 02-21-2008).]

Blessed Shabbat, Mark,
Does your family think you are forsaking christianity for judaism, or are you saying that you are forsaking christianity for judaism? ........becky

My folks have put it into my sister's heads that I am converting to Judaism.

Hello,
Oh, I see. It is very scary for families in this day and age because of the cults out there that draw people in. I was once in a small cult and it caused a lot of damage to the families on the outside and on the inside. Just continue to be loving to your family, showing them Messiah, and study closely Yahushua's example to His disciples, and the apostles' examples to us.....blessings to you....becky

Bro Mark,

Some people around us thought we were converting to Judaism. And I said how are we converting to Judaism when we say we believe in Messiah (that He came into the world and died for our sins)?

Col 2:16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths –
Col 2:17 which are a shadow of what is to come – but the Body of the Messiah.

Christians will use this Scripture to say you can't judge me for the days I keep. Which is something we try to avoid doing, because we don't want to be judged for the days we keep. Especially being new trying to figure out when are the Feasts and the calendar. So it might help to remind them that Jews don't believe in Messiah that came and died for our sins and you do, and that they shouldn't judge you for the days you keep or eating clean foods.

Shalom,
Renae

[This message has been edited by naesimo (edited 02-24-2008).]

Funny how people can jump to conclusions, huh? It's only ignorance rearing its ugly head.

If only people would wean themselves from being spoonfed soundbites from Scripture, and read it for themselves.....



[This message has been edited by goldsworthy (edited 02-24-2008).]

Bro Mark,

We are ignorant of alot of things, but we are determined to learn . We try to guard against pride. People around us understand our beliefs alot more and we can talk about things easier now. So in time your family may understand where your faith in Messiah has led you better.

Shalom,
Renae

Yes...I agree.