The Weightier Matters

[alon]

I used to have an aunt and uncle like that. You never knew who you would meet at their place, but you did know that everyone was welcome. There was always music, as the whole family was talented- even gifted in some cases. They didn't so much preach their faith as they lived it. They weren't well off, but they shared what they had. And you're right. Today what they did has gotten more formal, and something got lost in the process.

The kitchen table used to be the center of interaction between neighbors, friends, and just folks that dropped by. Now we have dining rooms, and what little social interaction we have is in the living room. The living room is more formal, and the dining room more punctilious, but the kitchen table was always more warm, friendly, and informal. Also Sunday dinner was special. Most of the time you either had someone over or you went to someone else's house after church. Now everyone just goes home.

In many Messianic communities they have oneg every Shabbat. It's a kind of informal potluck meal where the entire community gets together after synagogue. It is a way in which the community draws closer together. But without a community, perhaps your kitchen table (or dining room tale if you can make it as inviting) will become a place in which God's people can come together and draw closer to each other and to Him. And that can be a type of outreach for the truth. I think you are onto something there.

Dan C

[Elizabeth]

Mar 1, 2019 13:18:18 GMT -8 alon said:

After all you've been through, I am happy to see this post. Yes, you'll accomplish more working together. As long as he does't expect you to worship/pray to idols and tsake communion I think you may be on the right track. And you can mark the feast days with a nice meal and reading the Bible stories. Of course, you'll have Christmas and Easter with him. The kids will really make out on that deal! Just make it fun; it doesn't have to be perfect. Hopefully you can find some middle ground and he will come around slowly. But you have a heart for God and His truths, so I suspect you will come out ok.

I hope you keep coming here. Let us know how you are doing. Also there are others in similar circumstances (like me) who might benefit from your experiences. A couple of people from the church here have told me they miss my input, so I may start going with my wife again. But there are others who I know do not like my input, so I have to be careful. Technically I shouldn't cross the threshold there, but this is one of those areas I'm not so sure of. At least I can share the truth with some of them. But this is all uncharted waters for us. What should we do ... we make the best of the situation we are in. And if we are wrong, there is grace (as long as we don't know it's wrong). Same if we can't keep the commandments perfectly because of an unbelieving spouse.

So hang in there. From what you are saying here you are winning, and it isn't a win/lose thing. Your husband wins too. You will get there, and hopefully the kids will learn to love and respect God.

Dan C

I started doing a word study a day or so ago as part of devotions. I notice I'm not as enthusiastic and too casual if I'm not including something from a more Messianic perspective so I know I need to somehow do that. It does effect me spiritually. I just haven't been able to be that more outwardly without upsetting my homelife. Anyway, I tried to kind of bridge the difference a bit a night or so ago and just added it into the end of our regular devotions.

The first night I got the resistance. A glare when I said a Hebrew word study, and a "is there any good news in there" during one of the readings. ( I started in Genesis and began with "tohu v vohu" so I expected  the negativity, but I feel that's where I need to start so that's where we started.) I got through it without arguing anyway, and it ended well enough.

Tonight, though, he was actually interested when we continued with it. Before beginning I took my glasses off without thinking, and I'm convinced that mindless move was an act of G-d as I immediately realized the benefit of not seeing the glazed over or glaring look on his face. I then could really just talk focusing on G-d and His word and say what I needed to. But then I heard him actually tell my daughter "alright, this is interesting" (no sarcasm) as she started getting antsy. He actually looked forward to hearing more so I had that much more confidence to just speak positively about G-d.  

I really hope this is the beginning of him seeing why I do what I do. I hope he sees the richness of the Bible, G-d's character, and that there's a reason for doing what I'm doing. I just hope it opens up his heart and he is some one I end up happy over, and just the thought of actually getting to watch him grow close to and know G-d is encouraging.