Today, I went to my first Purim Parade in Atlanta, Georgia.
My friends Natasha, Leila and I are among several believers in Yeshua and desire to learn more about Judaism. So we went to Toco Hills watched and celebrated Purim ( the festival remembering the day that the Lord saved the Jewish people from annihilation through the obedience and favor of Queen Esther). Children in costume (symbolizing how Esther hid her identity until the appointed time), candy, whole families and lots of fun!
So Parade ended outside of synagogue. I watched from across the street because I didn't want to do anything that offended them or anything. THen we discussed it and decided to cross.
We watched children in merry-go-rounds and bungy-jumping. I wanted a tour but I felt that my head needed to be covered and I needed a dress. So I asked a lady who was highlighted to me and...she gave us a tour. I looked inside of their sanctuary....it was soooooooooo beautiful. I had never seen something so beautiful. Another women walked up and we began to talk to her and I asked if I could take pictures, she said sure, you can stand outside of the door and take them through the window. I felt that I wasn't allowed in and she implied that as well. BUT to take pictures was enough for me. :-)
Then an older man, Rick, walked up and said would you like to go in.....
I said yes in great awe, but I do not have the proper clothes, he said it is ok ( I think he had leadership in this place).
As soon as I walked in, I began to cry and so did Natasha standing behind me. I sensed a Holy Presence I had never felt before. You can feel a weight of God like I had never known. Now mind you I have felt the presence of God in heavy, profound truly memorable ways and this was just something else amazing that I had never known about God.
Rick began to explain to us the decorations in the room. How there are symbols for each of the 12 tribes of Israel and they each were up in the glass sky light/dome over the main part of room. There was an eternal flame, symbols showing different festivals and he pointed out where the Torah was located. ( I was able to share that I knew they were hand written and on lamb skin and such and he was impressed....thanks Israel and the Kingdom class teachers)!!!
Leila knew so much about various stories in the Torah that Rick went and grabbed a book off of the shelf and they got so in to the Word, I don't know about you but I am sure for African Americans to be this knowledgable about Judiasm is surprising to him and an honor for us.
There was so much symbolism and history, this was such a life changing encounter for us all.
My knowledge is limited at this point in my life but from that I can say this was a presence of Holiness that I have ever known, there is more for me ahead.
As an African American, learning more and more about our Jewish roots as a Believer in Christ, I hope that I grow in the revelation of Christ and help to make History in the hearts of Black Americans. I repeat, there is more ahead.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I'm in Love...with Africa?
As I look upon the photos and images of this great and beautiful stretch of land, I am always in awe. There is a mystery and an amazement that catches me every time yet it is not as if it is all foreign and unknown to my heart despite the fact that I have never stepped foot on the land.
Yet I wonder, what is it that keeps me in awe, what is it that causes me to begin to love beyond reasonable explanation. Why do I care for those children more then any other children on this planet? Is it because they look like me or because I know they belong to me, Me as an African American? Do I care for them more because I know that I can love them better then another race because I understand them more then any oneelse....because I am black? Or is it because over the last seven years I have had dreams of me gathering them, protecting them, teaching and taking care of them. Or...is there more.
Could it be another level of love not limited to my reasoning. Can it be the Love of the Father, God himself towards these children and group of people growing and groaning from my heart.
I want to love them. I want to hold them. Hold them and allow the Father's love to embrace them.
I am in love. I am inside of God's love for them and it is good. I may only be able to express to a few with my words but His love will be displayed and known through my life.
I give my life to love them
Yet I wonder, what is it that keeps me in awe, what is it that causes me to begin to love beyond reasonable explanation. Why do I care for those children more then any other children on this planet? Is it because they look like me or because I know they belong to me, Me as an African American? Do I care for them more because I know that I can love them better then another race because I understand them more then any oneelse....because I am black? Or is it because over the last seven years I have had dreams of me gathering them, protecting them, teaching and taking care of them. Or...is there more.
Could it be another level of love not limited to my reasoning. Can it be the Love of the Father, God himself towards these children and group of people growing and groaning from my heart.
I want to love them. I want to hold them. Hold them and allow the Father's love to embrace them.
I am in love. I am inside of God's love for them and it is good. I may only be able to express to a few with my words but His love will be displayed and known through my life.
I give my life to love them
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I can't believe it's not butter!!
Do you recall that promo quote from the 80's?
Today, I reflect on it because when you grab a small "tub" with that yellow creamy stuff inside and prepare to spread it on your buttermilk biscuit, you expect it to be butter....and well that's not always the case.
That is the same way I feel about believing, stepping out on faith and then seeing it not come to pass.
Our life in the Lord contains more then what is commonly discussed and every step and every adventure is for our benefit and for His honor. Yet we often wonder why, when we go to the "tub" of prayer...reading, declaring His word (logos and rhema),resisting the devil in every way causing him to flee and standing in expectation that when we get up from prayer we will walk directly into our promise....and well that's not always the case.
There is a season of waiting, pressing through, crying, screaming and then there is a brief but the most painful time right before you are kissed with the promise. A friend recently said, its like running the most extreme race ever and right before you get to the finish line you are enduring the worse pain possible and wondering why you decided to be an athlete yet the prize is worth the press.
TODAY, I can say nothing but this, My God will come to my rescue, I will finish the race even if He has to move the finish line closer to my feet.
He didn't take 39 brutal lashes, crown of thorns lodged into his skin, taste His own blood as it poured down his face and then hung up on a tree to be continuously ridiculed so I can just make it by with a partial grin, He died that I might have life and that more abundantly through His Holy Spirit. Not just abundance in materials that are measured by man, but the abundance of love, character, power, fruit of the spirit that last until the return of the King.
So Here I am ....its not butter....its better, come and reveal your Glory Lord, your beloved daughter and friend waits for the truth.
Today, I reflect on it because when you grab a small "tub" with that yellow creamy stuff inside and prepare to spread it on your buttermilk biscuit, you expect it to be butter....and well that's not always the case.
That is the same way I feel about believing, stepping out on faith and then seeing it not come to pass.
Our life in the Lord contains more then what is commonly discussed and every step and every adventure is for our benefit and for His honor. Yet we often wonder why, when we go to the "tub" of prayer...reading, declaring His word (logos and rhema),resisting the devil in every way causing him to flee and standing in expectation that when we get up from prayer we will walk directly into our promise....and well that's not always the case.
There is a season of waiting, pressing through, crying, screaming and then there is a brief but the most painful time right before you are kissed with the promise. A friend recently said, its like running the most extreme race ever and right before you get to the finish line you are enduring the worse pain possible and wondering why you decided to be an athlete yet the prize is worth the press.
TODAY, I can say nothing but this, My God will come to my rescue, I will finish the race even if He has to move the finish line closer to my feet.
He didn't take 39 brutal lashes, crown of thorns lodged into his skin, taste His own blood as it poured down his face and then hung up on a tree to be continuously ridiculed so I can just make it by with a partial grin, He died that I might have life and that more abundantly through His Holy Spirit. Not just abundance in materials that are measured by man, but the abundance of love, character, power, fruit of the spirit that last until the return of the King.
So Here I am ....its not butter....its better, come and reveal your Glory Lord, your beloved daughter and friend waits for the truth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)