Are you looking for these scriptures?

1Co 10:25 You eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions because of conscience,
1Co 10:26 for “The earth belongs to יהוה, and all that fills it.”
1Co 10:27 And if any of the unbelievers invite you, and you wish to go, you eat whatever is set before you, asking no question on account of the conscience.
1Co 10:28 And if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it because of the one pointing it out to you, and on account of the conscience, for “The earth belongs to יהוה, and all that fills it.”
1Co 10:29 Now I say conscience, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?
1Co 10:30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for what I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the esteem of Elohim.

Shalom
Sharon

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Originally posted by naesimo:
I guess with everything else the people here know about me they might as well know my name.

More and more I believe being unequally yoked is about being yoked with a bunch of self-righteous, condemning, know it all, grace denying, and judging Scribes and Pharisees!!!

See ya wouldn't wanna be ya! There are too many teachers here that have no business teaching, atleast ME anyway.

I cry to Elohim tearing at my heart and beating my chest, SHOW FAVOR UNTO ME A SINNER!!!!!!

I would much rather be a whore, tax collector, theif, than a Pharisee.

Like I said before, yeah honey draws flies, but so does B.S. And some folks are just drawn to B.S. Not me honey. And if that don't get me banned nothing will I guess. But I also recall that we don't have to sugar coat things around here and can be as blunt as we like. We don't have to be particular with folks' weak "sensiblities". Unless B.S. is too strong a word.

When I first came here there were people that I should've paid more attention to, that said I leave and come back because everything always turns into a debate over doctrine. They said it just never feels edifying.

And I will now grovel and beg at these brothers and sisters feet that I didn't pay more attention to them and what they said and hope and pray that I can still connect with them.

Later,
Renae

PS--Go on delete, what do I care, as long as one person sees it.

[This message has been edited by naesimo (edited 11-09-2007).]

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Shalom naesimo

I think I missed something?

Shalom,
Sharon

A little background information here would help. My husband, grown son, daughter's and their families, don't believe the way I do. I'm out here on this all alone.

For a VERY long time, my husband didn't even want me to study, I had to do it out of sight of him. Now that's a neat trick since we drive Truck together. It caused tension beyond words. In fact he even mentioned the word Divorce off an on.

As time (months and months) went on with lot's of prayers, Father Yahweh softened my husbands heart on my study. I can now study openly at the computer, (which is in the kitchen area) Be on the Forum, have my Bibles laying around open while I study. On the Truck and at home. My husband has even bought me a CD player so I can listen to my CD's of the Bible while driving Truck, might I add this is playing through the Truck Radio Speakers, so he can hear it too. It's for me he did this for, yet I know, he's hearing it too.

I now recieve things in the mail and my husband will say, Your Religious Books came today, He is not saying this meanly, but with respect towards me. He also sometimes will take an small interest of what I'm studying, not for long, but it's a start.

Now back to your question. Would I go to an inhome Christmas Party?

My family, Husband, Grown Children and Grandchildren still get together for a Christmas Dinner, (that's what they call it) but not on Christmas Day, but during the break most companies have days off. Yes, the Grandchildren get gifts, the Adults do not. Do I go to this? Yes, without a doubt. It's a golden time to talk about my faith. (And the fact that Yahushua wasn't born on Dec. 25) I'm not pushy about it, yet I do start topics about it. My family has all made comments on how I've changed and they like me better for it. (That was all due to Yahweh and the Truths He's showing me! Praise Yahweh!)

If I stay away from this Dinner and don't go to it, I not only shun them, they are hurt and angrey, and I've also missed the GREAT chance to talk about Yahweh and Yahushua to them as a Group.

I've seen Yahweh soften my husbands heart and I pray in time Yahweh will lead them (my children and parents) to the Truth. That's why I said this year, I'm giving each family a set of the books. (last year I didnt' know about them.)

So Yes I will go, if that makes me look bad to others, so be it. I only care that Yahweh knows what I'm doing for Him and that I'm taking this time of year, the only time we can get together as a Group to do it.

May Yahweh Bless,

------------------
Annette
e-mail: adelore at praiseyahweh dot com

quote:

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Originally posted by squartucci:
Shalom Renae

I think I missed something?

Shalom,
Sharon

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quote:

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Originally posted by becky:
Shalom, Sharon,
I do not believe this was directed at you. I think I hurt Naesimo by using her name and I apologized to her by email. I believe it was me she was offended by. She doesn't want her name used here. I have been corresponding with her by email and it just felt funny for me to use Naesimo here when I knew her by her real name. Anyway, sorry for the confusion........becky

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Shalom Becky

Thanks for the clarification. I have removed her name from my posts in that case.

I am sorry for you and her. I hope it works out well. I am sure your love for one another will reign.

quote:

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Originally posted by squartucci:
Shalom Becky

Thanks for the clarification. I have removed her name from my posts in that case.

I am sorry for you and her. I hope it works out well. I am sure your love for one another will reign.

Shalom
Sharon

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Until this year I was the most religious person in my family with regard to christmas. I bemoaned the fact that 'christ' was no longer in christmas, I told everyone 'Jesus is the reason for the season', and went out of my way to look for 'religious' christmas cards, because he was being left out of it.

Wow, what a difference a year makes. I've changed Names, dates, holidays, you name it!! I've told my family I won't celebrate christmas anymore, and I've told them why. It hasn't made the slightest bit of difference to them! However, I will be with them, and here's why.

My sister has terminal breast cancer and it has spread to her brain. She's walking with a stick, she slurs her words and she's forgetful. But she wants a big, family, 'proper' christmas this year, because most likely, it will be her last. Should I not go? NO!

They know my beliefs, and they know my presence in their house is not a celebration of christmas. I have given this a lot of thought, because I don't want to do anything that is disobedient to my Father. One idea I had was to have the family over for dinner and pressies on Hannakah, which is around the same time (I think). Actually the more I think about it, the more I think this could be the way to go, for my family anyway. My sister's condition is deterioting (yikes, can't spell!), so the decision may be taken out of my hands anyway.

Hannakah (again, can't spell) may be a good compromise in other cases.

Do what you are ready to do, given enough time and prayer, Yah will direct you in the direction He wants to to go.

For me, leaving Christmas has been THE hardest thing to date I have had to do for my Creator, and it is one step at a time. I began last year with giving away many of my most cherished christmas things, and continuing with more this year. I neither give nor receive gifts for christmas, and I certainly don't eat the christmas ham ;-) I do keep track of the family's hand-made ornaments and I do put up my mother's tree, since she cannot do it due to her infirmities. I make no apology to anyone here concerning it, I do it in good conscience. I try to be a witness for Yah to my family, without a condemning spirit to estrange them.

I think there are some here who have expressed a good and faithful balance between separation and witness.

And you can keep all the Shabbats and Feasts or attend Church every Sunday and keep every Christmas if you want but if you don't love your neighbor then you are breaking Torah (the second greatest command!!!!!!!!!! AND For the record we still keep Saturday Sabbath). And the first is loving Yah and we know He can be seen in the least of these in the opinions of men. And Yahshua said people will know we are His disciples by how we love each other.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Mat 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you tithe the mint and the anise and the cumin,1 and have neglected the WEIGHTIER matters of the Torah: the right-ruling and the compassion and the belief. These need to have been done, WITHOUT neglecting the others.
Luk 11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees, because you tithe the mint and the rue and every plant, and pass by the right-ruling and the LOVE of Elohim. These you should have done, WITHOUT leaving the others undone.

Luk 18:9 And He also spoke this parable to some who relied on themselves that they were righteous, and looking down on others:
Luk 18:10 “Two men went up to the Set-apart Place to pray – the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luk 18:11 “The Pharisee stood and began to pray with !HIMSELF! this way, ‘Elohim, I thank You that I am not like the REST of men, swindlers, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
Luk 18:12 ‘I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.’
Luk 18:13 “But the tax collector standing at a distance would not even raise his eyes to the heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘Elohim, show favour unto me, a sinner!’
Luk 18:14 “I say to you, this man went down to his house declared right, rather than the other. For everyone who is exalting himself shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.”
So to keep Torah you have to do BOTH. Yahshua wasn't going at the Pharisees for Torah keeping it was for Torah breaking and being Hypocrites! So we think it's best to let folks think what they want rather THAN get puffed up and become a Pharisee!!!! And look what happens when you proselytize to somebody when you're a Pharisee:
Mat 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you go about the land and the sea to win one convert, and when he is won, you make him a son of Gehenna TWO FOLD MORE THAN Y-O-U-R-S-E-L-V-E-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's one thing being a Pharisee and what it does to your own salvation, but it sounds even MORE dire to what we can do to other's salvation!!!!!!!! This can't be good if loving your neighbor is second only to loving Yah in Torah keeping. So if people aren't interested in Yah or His Messiah or Torah we think it's better to just let folks be and pray for them rather than strive with them and risk frustration and becoming a puffed up Pharisee and converting them and doing damage to the both of you. I've heard it described as the difference between a religious convert and Spiritual convert.

Everyone is a potential brother and sister in Messiah, and "neighbor" is inclusive of everybody (friend or foe) IMO.
Luk 18:11 “The Pharisee stood and began to pray with !HIMSELF! this way, ‘Elohim, I thank You that I am not like the REST of men, swindlers, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
It sounds like to me that when we exalt ourselves above others we try to make ourselves equal with Elohim and it is idol worship (worshipping ourselves). And I would call it IDLE worship too because it doesn't do alot to draw others to Messiah (doesn't produce fruit). It's like we are asking them to worship/follow us. We are winning them for us, not Yah.

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Greetings Saints of Yahweh,
I just have a short comment on this post. There will NEVER be a Godless (or godless) nation or community, the question is , which God (or god) do they serve.
Shabbat Shalom,
Evermore
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I have to agree with this. It's like Todd Agnew says most churches wouldn't even recognize or let Yahshua in their Church. People are worshipping Mammon or themselves and overlooking the least of these. And if worshipping money and yourself is Baal worship well there ya go. It's the lovelessness that's the main Torah breaking these days, just like the Pharisees of Yahshua's time IMO. But maybe we can help stubborn or misled brethren by praying Father forgive them they know NOT what they do. Because just like Pharisees of Yahshua's time they have a hard time admitting/seeing their sins/trangression. Yah's grace keep us all humble so we may have the strength to help those brethren carry their cross. Or when they are down and we reach out a hand to pick them up they aren't intimidated to accept it.

Shalom,
Naesimo

Everybody is a weaker brother but YOU, everybody else is in a cult but YOU, everybody else is just a baby choking on the "meat" but YOU, everybody else is so deceived but YOU, etc, etc.

The only people who get edified or protected or shielded and help carrying their "burden" are members of the Pharisee Fan Club. And the weirdest part is that they say they don't need any help but then they get all the edifying and pity. Sorry the "cost" of being edified here makes me feel like a cheap $2 whore because I have to sell out and pretend to be like all the other fake Pharisees who say I'M IN NEED OF NOTHING BUT LOOK! SEE! GIVE ME PRAISES!! GIVE ME EDIFYING!!

They say we are fellow believers, we are your "family" and we love you and then like sick sadist they rip you apart spiritually because you don't measure up to there twisted "standard" of righteousness for their own entertainment. Like some low self esteem school yard bully they pick on those they label "weak" so they seem "strong" then everybody will want to get on the bully's "good side" that's their ticket to being accepted.

It's not quantity of friends but quality. And I have people I can talk to without coming on here and being a puppet in the Hypocrite Happy Hour.

I love people here but this site doesn't meet my needs and I can have private converstations in email if I WANT to.

Thanks for everybody's time in replying. I'm not taking that for granted, only it feels like too little too late right now. After I rest and take some time maybe I can come back and NOT BE SUCH A PATHETIC NEEDY WEAK BURDEN that brings out contempt in some people or whatever.

Maybe this will get deleted, or get me banned, who knows???? I guess the only thing that gets folks banned is Lunar Shabbat!!! I'm glad though cause it's nice to be able to just be blunt and speak whatever's on my mind without considering how it may come across to whoever's reading.

I read this today, and hope its okay to share it here...

Blessings, joyous Shabbat!
Tamar

I'd Rather See A Sermon

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye is a better pupil, more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear,
And the best of all the preachers are the men who livetheir creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it if you will let me see it done;
I can watch your hand in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles, and a strong man stands behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many; but more believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noted is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence,this
I say, I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day."

Anonymous

I have been trying to meditate on what's been going on lately and I guess this is what I'd say has happened to me. I've had a gutful of watching brethren struggling to carry their cross while the Pharisees kick them while they're down. I'm not going to "coddle" a self-righteous Hypocrite to keep from hurting their precious pride. Their pride gets hurt because the truth hurts sometimes, even for Pharisees. I'd rather take some of the hits they are trying to direct to my brethren.

Standing idly by is enabling this abuse of brethren and if I stand by out of fear of a Pharisee I might as well be the one abusing my brother. To keep my mouth shut because I don't want to hurt the poor Pharisees feelings is misplaced compassion in my opinion. I can still love the Pharisee/enemy but not stand by and watch him beat my brother and not take some of those lashes and help that brother carry his cross. Would it be wrong to intervene if a man was beating a woman? Would that be not loving your neighbor, to stop abuse or the abuser?

I'm interested in helping brethren carry their cross, not helping/enabling the enemy/Pharisees. I hope that makes sense.

KC

This seems to be difficult for many to break away from because early in
the 1900s, there was purposely a lot of sentimental, nostalgic things built into this already existing pagan holiday. It was so complete that people automatically think that it’s always been that way. It's all based upon feelings, emotions, rather than sound reason. And Yahweh always wants us to reason, especially with him and anything that relates to him. He says, (Isa. 1:18) Come now and let us reason together...

For me, personally, I always found the more that I researched and studied it, the more clear it became for our family to break away from it. Also, I don't know how much you've studied various aspects of Christmas, where they came from. It hasn't even always been a part of the U.S history. You should read some old Puritan writings on this pagan feast. They knew and really blast it away.

At various times in our history, states recognized it as a holiday one by one. Some even in the late 1800s, for example, I think Oklahoma recognized it as a holiday somewhere around in 1890. Then in the early 1900s, the nostalgia was built into it. We humans seem like weak suckers when it comes to sappy stuff anyway. And to mankind, they just can’t figure it all out. In THEIR eyes, it all looks so fine and good.

So in whose eyes is it important anyway: Yahweh’s or mankind’s?

Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.

Yahweh is dead set against pagan holidays, that is, if you're
following him. He probably doesn't pay any attention to you if you're
following Baal and the things of Baal. Why would he? The key is if you turn to Yahweh, he will turn to you. And if you're following the truth, trying to do the best you can do, you can't mix the two forms of worship. You can't mix Yahweh and Baal. The Scriptures are packed full of examples of the Israelites doing this very thing and the trouble they got into because of it.

For instance, Num. 25:1f, it states:

Num 25:1 And Israel lived in Shittim. And the people began to fornicate with the daughters of Moab.
And they called the people to the sacrifices of their elohee. And the people ate and bowed themselves to their elohee.
And Israel was joined to Baal-peor, and the anger of Yahweh burned against Israel.

Exo 34:15 …that you not cut a covenant with the people of the land, and they fornicate with their elohim, and they call to you, and you eat from his sacrifice…

Deu 32:16 With strange gods they moved Him to jealousy; and with idols they provoked Him to anger.
They sacrificed to demons who were not eloah, to elohim whom they did not
know, new ones who came lately. Your fathers had not dreaded them.
You forgot the Rock that brought you into being and ceased to care for el who formed you.
And Yahweh looked and despised them because of the provocation of His sons and of His daughters.
Deu 32:20 And He said, I will hide My face from them; I will see what their end will be; for they are a PERVERSE GENERATION, sons in whom is no trustworthiness.

All of these verses are exactly what’s being talking about in Acts 15 where it talks about the pollutions of idols, also the things sacrifices to idols.

First, compare, read it yourself and gain understanding on 1 Cor. 8:10-13 and see this:

1Co 10:18 Look at Israel according to flesh; are not those eating the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
What then do I say, that an idol is anything, or that an idolatrous sacrifice (pagan holidays) is anything?
But the things the nations sacrifice, "they sacrifice to demons, and not to eloah.
But I do not want you to become sharers of demons; you cannot drink the
cup of the Sovereign (at Passover) and a cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Sovereign, and a table of demons.

Number one, “idols” are the same things as “demons”; second, you cannot mix the two things: Yahweh and Baal.

In Acts 15 it talks about the dogmasin (see Acts 16:3f, defines dogmata)
that all of mankind are to keep. I don't know why people who are against
pagan holidays aren't catching this.

Act 15:19 For this reason I judge not to trouble those from the nations
turning to eloah,
Act 15:20 but to write to them to hold back from the POLLUTIONS OF IDOLS,
and from porneia (sexual misconduct), and that strangled, and
blood...

Also compare Acts 15:28f,

For it seemed good to the sacred ruach and to us, no further burden to lay upon you than these necessary things: to abstain from the things SACRIFICED TO IDOLS, and from blood....

You can read the rest yourself. All of these are found within the OT. But just take the one, the things sacrificed to idols (the pollutions of Idols), these have to do with idol feasts, idol sacrifices, that were talked above in the OT. Look up the one in Acts 15:28f. This is from e-Sword software below:

quote:

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eidōlothuton
Thayer Definition:
1) sacrificed to idols, the flesh left over from the heathen sacrifices
1a) it was either eaten at the feasts or sold (by the poor and the miserly) in the market
Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: neuter of a compound of G1497 and
a presumed derivative of G2380

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Do people really understand what it means "things sacrificed to idols"? I guess not. I don't see anyone referring to this very thing. What is a Christmas dinner, Halloween candy, Easter dinner? Even for someone not practicing religion of any kind, if they do Christmas, they are still practicing a pagan idol sacrifice. You can’t take this out of it because it’s exactly what it all is. Even the pagan winter solstice people know this. They know where their customs come from. It’s the same celebration.

Another thing, study about sacrifices, which aren’t just going out and slaughtering an animal to have a pagan celebration. You are supposed to be a living sacrifice to Yahweh, yourself. (Rom 12:1). There are sacrifices of joy, trust, giving, a broken ruach, contrite heart (Ps. 51:17). Just look these up: Heb. 13:15f; Ps. 27:6, Ps. 107:22, Ps. 4:5.

Now, does all of this mean that you don’t love your family that still keep the pagan holidays? No! You can plan other things at different times and meet with them, have dinners, etc. You’re still supposed to love them and never call them pagan. Don’t forget, by what they see you doing and questioning in their mind, that could turn them to Yahweh. It’s not easy at all. No one would be honest if they told you it was easy. But if you ask Yahweh to guide you and help you, it is a promise that he will. He will never forsake you and will give you strength, if you ask.

Rom 16:18 For such ones do not serve our Master Yahshua Messiah, but their own stomach, and by smooth words and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

Rom 16:19 Your obedience, indeed, is reported to all. Therefore I rejoice concerning you, but I wish you to be wise indeed as to the good, and simple toward the evil.

Rom 16:20 And the Elohim of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly. The favour of our Master Yahshua Messiah be with you. Amĕn.