[open]MJ Remembering those difficult times....

[scoutswife]

I try to tell my husband that we are not supposed to do things like the world does.(christmas,shopping on saturday,eating pepperoni pizza,etc.)

 

[Athaliamum]

I think that there is a balance to be met at what other people would consider the christmas season. If there are things as a family we want to do, we're not not going to do them, like giving presents just because it may seem close to a christmas tradition.

Here in Australia, during the christmas season, many organisations close down for about a month for the end of the year. This therefore is best time for the family to get together as most of us our spread out over the continent. We get together, some traveling over 2000km and we share meals and exchange presents, as during the year most of us just send cards because posting a present would normally cost more then the present itself. I'm not going to say "Can't exchange presents now because the world see's it's christmas time". I'm not going to be dictated what I do and what I don't do because of their traditions.

As for christmas decorations and traditional foods - well christmas tradition is winter and it's smack bang in the middle of summer here. I've actually not met an Aussie yet who sits down to have huge turkey's and cover their house with decoration, you might find the occasional house with lights out the front, but they're normally far and few between. So I've never been asked why, when people come into our house at that time, we don't have a christmas tree or any decorations. So no one obviously thinks it's that weird to ask.

 

[Henaynei]

This is unfortunately a common tale...so many Jews had observant grandparents, whose children became assimilated..but fortunately many of the grandchildren are now coming back.
I was just confused because you said Gort came from an Orthodox home, so I couldn't figure out why mom would know nothing....so although her parents were observant, she was not...so the home was not Orthodox...again this is quite common but sad story..

technically true - although they self described it as Orthodox up to the time of his bar Mitzvah, and so in respect for them (they being Jewish and defining themselves as Orthodox at that time - in spite of glaring contradictions to the contrary - like the ham & cheese sandwiches Gort got when he came home from his bar Mitzvah classes and the bread Gort was always sent for from the kosher deli, for Shabbat.... ) I define them as they defined themselves.... it is not for me, a shiksa, to challenge the Jewish observance of my in-luvs or how they defined that observance ....

 

[Yusuphhai]

As a Messianic gentile I have to say, the more I approach Jewish , the more persecution which can not be described clearly I feel. I also do know the feeling of Being alone. Living in this forum would help me, but i left the reality of China more far away.

Why does Jewish always relate with persecution and hurt? And Alone is just the fate?

 

[Wags]

Just in case some of you may not be aware of these resources for finding congregations:

http://www.yashanet.com/messcon1.htm
http://www.iamcs.org/Directory.php

 

[scoutswife]

Thank you wags. I have been looking all over the net for congrargations in my area. I live in Mississippi. I think the majority here are southern baptists.

 

[Wags]

Thank you wags. I have been looking all over the net for congrargations in my area. I live in Mississippi. I think the majority here are southern baptists.

Sometimes small home groups don't think to list themselves with any of the various on-line listings. You might try contacting listed congregations in your state to see if they know of any in your area.

Friends of our have gone so far as to take out an ad in the local paper looking for a messianic fellowship or persons interested in studying hebrew roots. ("if you can't find one, start one" being the idea behind the ad)

 

[Victrixa]

"if you can't find one, start one"

It's an idea....

 

[zhilan]

As a Messianic gentile I have to say, the more I approach Jewish , the more persecution which can not be described clearly I feel. I also do know the feeling of Being alone. Living in this forum would help me, but i left the reality of China more far away.

Why does Jewish always relate with persecution and hurt? And Alone is just the fate?

But in China there aren't really Christmas decorations. So at least that part is easier.

 

[scoutswife]

Sometimes small home groups don't think to list themselves with any of the various on-line listings. You might try contacting listed congregations in your state to see if they know of any in your area.

Friends of our have gone so far as to take out an ad in the local paper looking for a messianic fellowship or persons interested in studying hebrew roots. ("if you can't find one, start one" being the idea behind the ad)

if you can't find one, start one

I would love to. I get nervous and intimidated even thinking about doing that. I would want to be well learned before trying to teach some one else. So,the idea of listing for an already learned MJ would be better suited for me I believe. Sorry if I am not making sense. My 7 yr old is talking in my right ear while I am trying to think and type.

 

[Henaynei]

just start a group where the 2 to 3 people who come together to pray and study and are interested in learning about what scripture says.... you don't teach, you share ... you learn from each other and share and grow and become friends....

 

[Wags]

I would love to. I get nervous and intimidated even thinking about doing that. I would want to be well learned before trying to teach some one else. So,the idea of listing for an already learned MJ would be better suited for me I believe. Sorry if I am not making sense. My 7 yr old is talking in my right ear while I am trying to think and type.

A simple get together where you all study together or watch a teaching DVD together and discuss. (FFOZ.org has some great study resources) It doesn't have to be elaborate.