My Messianic Faith

2005-06-14T16:26:00.000Z

How could I even begin a story about GOD? HE made us and is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

I remember my first ‘out of HG’ experience of GOD. It was in Beach Haven, NJ. I was about 7 – 8 years old, and it was a very cold November night. I was standing at the edge of the shore and looked up. There was such a clear view of the stars and it just hit me how huge it all was. Then I did realize, this is what GOD made. Awestruck to a young mind is an understatement.

Interesting side bar here – it is said that to the naked eye on a clear night, there are at least 600.000 stars visible from horizon to horizon. I have learned to believe that the promise to Abram in Genesis 15:5 is that GOD would make him a nation that is as the number of the stars. GOD kept that promise in Numbers 1:46 and then again with the new wilderness generation in Numbers 26:51.

The stars have always fascinated me. Astronomy not astrology.

So there was this great dichotomy. A GOD that could build such a huge universe and then send us to hell, for just being a kid, as I was told back then.

I did go my own way, and become somehow very anti – GOD. I regret those days. I knew HE was, but I refused to acknowledge HIM. One thing led to another. It seemed better to get my kicks in now, because there was no hope for me.

Fast forward and I am in Berlin, Germany in 1994. For some reason I am then on my face in prayer, crying out to HIM for help. My life was great, yet … something was missing, and the LORD was going to show me.

Fast forward to 1998. I am here in Washington State, and I hear some preaching on the short wave radio, of all places. It was a Messianic Minister who basically told things that all seemed to cascade inside of me, and the hunger to learn and do was born.

I have accepted what is called the Messianic faith. There is no main ‘church’ and it is not a 501 C3 (tax free) organization. There are so many of the faith being established all over.

What exactly is it? It is NOT about being a Jew, as Yudah is only one tribe. It is about the Hebrew faith. It is basically calling to mind the plan of salvation from GOD, in HIS SON YESHUA (Jesus). For instance where is YESHUA first mentioned in the Bible? Right in Genesis 1:1 as a matter of fact. In Hebrew the words “In the beginning GOD” are translated as “Beresheit Berai ELOHIM et”. What is that “et”? It is the aleph and tav the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Jesus mentions this in Revelation 1:8 “I am the alpha and omega” KJV. See, this was written in Greek, however, I don’t believe YESHUA was speaking to Yohann (John) in Greek, they were both Hebrew. So the aleph and tav is the first and last. In today’s English Jesus would be saying “I am the a – z”, or the first and the last. Very amazing isn’t it?

The faith is observing what the FATHER has established in his first 5 books, especially, where HE reveals HIMSELF to us. There is so much in there, the times, feasts, conduct.

In conduct, I have seen out here how the saying applies “Judaism teaches ethics, while Protestant Christianity teaches grace for lack of ethics”.

Now it brings up another interesting parallel. Okay, so I observe Saturday as the Sabbath starting Friday evening at sundown. But what were you taught as a kid, George? Valid point. How I would love to go to an HG service (third row from the back, right side, towards the aisle) and hear a Mass, yet I would go now on Saturday mornings. It might cause consternation, but that is okay. You see, in the Mass written by John Chrysostum in the Divine Friend book, there is a marvelous example of the creation, death, resurrection, and redemption of ALMIGHTY GOD.

There is such a great pattern in the approach to the altar, the teachings of the Tabernacle, Passover in the communion, and again, what I do see as the work of GOD. I find this so lacking in the Roman Catholic services, which to me have become as a liberal social science class based on warm and fuzzy feelings.

How has this changed life for me?

Well, to some, life is boring the way I do it. I don’t party anymore. And I do not go to bed with just any girl. I waited 6 years for the last and if the LORD wants me to wait another 6 years, then so be it. In other words, no more non-marital sex. A girl is going to have to have a promise to me and live it, as I shall for her. I made such a huge mistake in Nov 2004. Yet, we are both happier now.

On to Friday night – the culmination of the week. I cut out about 3 PM and come home. There may be a few last minute things to do. I love Sabbath in the winter, as it comes early by 4:15 PM on some days. What happens is I welcome GOD in, thanking HIM for the weeks past blessings. It is a time to feast, relax, and reflect. In other words, by faith, I put a lodging for GOD in my heart. I like to think of it as inviting GOD in out of the cold, and off the street.

Prayer, a blessing over the food, and then no worries. I don’t think of business, of even the coming week. It is not a time for party. I wasted too many Friday evenings partying. Those days are over.

See, Sabbath is a family time in the home. A time to get to know one another, to share joy together with family and friends. So now it is the cat and myself. That cat is a blessing to me. He teaches me the relationship of how we should approach GOD. He is beneficial on me feeding him, giving him living area, and a clean box. Is not GOD like that to us? And I thank GOD that I am able to do GOD’s work in caring for little Silly. I know that GOD was in this, because Silly adopted me. As a newborn in 2000, he took to me. Did you ever hear of a cat that comes when he is called? That’s Silly. GOD is too good to me, I don’t deserve anything, considering how I was and in many cases, still am.

The rest of Sabbath is spent with study, reflections and a few naps now and then. It is a day to retreat and to do nothing physical. So many people are wrapped up too tight and stressed. Why not try GOD’s time on a Friday evening with your family?

Sunday morning I get up, have coffee, and listen to a programme called ‘Gospels Glory Road’ on KOHO FM. Then at 9 am it is a classical programme for three hours as I do laundry. The rest of the day is whatever.

During the week – Sometimes Leavenworth and Uncle Uli’s for some hot wing chicken. Or the buffet at Bob’s down the street, which is sometimes a nice way to end Friday before Shabbat.

Pretty simple? Yes, to some. But it is such a nice way. I am still learning.

Shalom.

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