Last year, I was absolutely obsessed with learning all the roots and the history of the various "holidays" I grew up with...being horrified each time I found out where it originated from! Our family spent the year getting rid of anything in our lives that had pagan roots and we shared our findings to our friends and family, only to be shut down and told that we were wrong to actually think that YHVH meant what He said when He told us we are not to worship HIM in the same manner the pagans worship their gods. Some phrases they used were, "that's not what it means to me!" or "I prayed about it, but I don't feel convicted to change". Oh the sadness in my heart when I heard those words...I could have said the same thing as a child and gotten disciplined hugely for not simply obeying the words of my earthly Father! How is it different with our Heavenly Father? Will He not chastise those who don't obey Him simply because they didn't feel convicted?
It was no surprise to find out that it was the Catholic church that seemed to think that "Christianizing" the pagan festivals, somehow redeemed them! I mean if you think about it, Catholicism is a huge mishmash of pagan rituals and some Scripture thrown in, along with a huge chunk of man-made doctrine. I say "some" Scripture because the whole "Old" testament is irrelevant don'tcha know....it was "nailed to the cross"! (yes I'm being VERY sarcastic here!) and Christianity is just a branch off of Catholicism.
Anyhow, this year, has had a very different feel so far. Now that I KNOW where certain days come from, I have no desire to celebrate them...like yesterdays valentines day. It came and went. I know I am loved. I am growing more and more confident as a wife and mother. I have security in my identity in Yahshua. I am an Israelite. I belong to the Olive Tree and as a grafted in branch, I have the same blessings that the rest of the "tree" has....as well as the same conditions for those blessings. It seems this year is a pruning year...digging deep and getting rid of sin...even just recognizing sin! oy! I do not enjoy this process, and yet it is exciting because I know now more than ever that my Heavenly Father loves me, because He chastises those He loves!
Have you ever wondered why it seems that some Christians are incredibly blessed even though they don't keep Yah's commands? I used to, and it really bugged me. But then I read the verse that talks about, YHVH not being a respecter of persons. He blesses whom He wants to bless, He doesn't need a reason. I got hung up on the unfairness of that for awhile...but quickly got over it. lol Because He is also a Keeper of His promises, and I know that if I obey Him and follow the conditions He's given for certain blessings then He will bless me as well.
Right now, He is teaching me to be humble and submissive to my husband....sigh...I have Irish blood in me...freckles and fair skin...yes I also have the quick temper to go with it!...LOL However, that is NO excuse! I am learning to shut up and say "yes dear" a little more often, while still failing at it other times...lol Jamie even tests me every now and then with a big smile on his face letting me know that it IS indeed a test...LOL I love Jamie's sense of humor! Knowing my weaknesses, and "helping" me to overcome them with humor truly is a sign of wisdom and love. In an effort to create more peace in our home, I've started to lay low on mixed group teachings and simply go to Jamie when I have questions. This IS after all the way it is supposed to be according to Scripture! I do not believe that women should be preachers, teachers or leaders among the men. If there are men present, then that role belongs to them and it is their own shame if they are not fit for the task! They will be held accountable for their leadership role of their family....or the lack thereof. I will talk more about this in another post though....lol
Enough of the update. check out my other blog if you want to see a cute picture of my daughter that was recently in the Calgary Sun!
It was no surprise to find out that it was the Catholic church that seemed to think that "Christianizing" the pagan festivals, somehow redeemed them! I mean if you think about it, Catholicism is a huge mishmash of pagan rituals and some Scripture thrown in, along with a huge chunk of man-made doctrine. I say "some" Scripture because the whole "Old" testament is irrelevant don'tcha know....it was "nailed to the cross"! (yes I'm being VERY sarcastic here!) and Christianity is just a branch off of Catholicism.
Anyhow, this year, has had a very different feel so far. Now that I KNOW where certain days come from, I have no desire to celebrate them...like yesterdays valentines day. It came and went. I know I am loved. I am growing more and more confident as a wife and mother. I have security in my identity in Yahshua. I am an Israelite. I belong to the Olive Tree and as a grafted in branch, I have the same blessings that the rest of the "tree" has....as well as the same conditions for those blessings. It seems this year is a pruning year...digging deep and getting rid of sin...even just recognizing sin! oy! I do not enjoy this process, and yet it is exciting because I know now more than ever that my Heavenly Father loves me, because He chastises those He loves!
Have you ever wondered why it seems that some Christians are incredibly blessed even though they don't keep Yah's commands? I used to, and it really bugged me. But then I read the verse that talks about, YHVH not being a respecter of persons. He blesses whom He wants to bless, He doesn't need a reason. I got hung up on the unfairness of that for awhile...but quickly got over it. lol Because He is also a Keeper of His promises, and I know that if I obey Him and follow the conditions He's given for certain blessings then He will bless me as well.
Right now, He is teaching me to be humble and submissive to my husband....sigh...I have Irish blood in me...freckles and fair skin...yes I also have the quick temper to go with it!...LOL However, that is NO excuse! I am learning to shut up and say "yes dear" a little more often, while still failing at it other times...lol Jamie even tests me every now and then with a big smile on his face letting me know that it IS indeed a test...LOL I love Jamie's sense of humor! Knowing my weaknesses, and "helping" me to overcome them with humor truly is a sign of wisdom and love. In an effort to create more peace in our home, I've started to lay low on mixed group teachings and simply go to Jamie when I have questions. This IS after all the way it is supposed to be according to Scripture! I do not believe that women should be preachers, teachers or leaders among the men. If there are men present, then that role belongs to them and it is their own shame if they are not fit for the task! They will be held accountable for their leadership role of their family....or the lack thereof. I will talk more about this in another post though....lol
Enough of the update. check out my other blog if you want to see a cute picture of my daughter that was recently in the Calgary Sun!
