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Once again, let me remind you that I try to refer to JESUS as YESHUA in our newsletters. It is more for me than for you. I need the practice, so I practice on you!
First off, let me apologize for not getting anything out last month. April and May seem to have run together and been busier than I could keep up with! I thought it was going to be June before I got this newsletter done, but some plans changed and I think I may actually finish this before May ends. J
This month I want to share with you about the recent biblical holiday, Shavuot. This holiday celebrates the remembrance of the LORD giving the 10 commandments to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. As Believers in Messiah, we also celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit following the ascension of Yeshua. It was on Shavuot (the Greek word is Pentecost) as those early disciples and believers were gathered together in Jerusalem that the Holy Spirit came down in tongues of fire. (see Acts 2) Jews study the book of Ruth during Shavuot. Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest (1:22), which is around Passover. The book covers the time between Passover and Shavuot (beginning of the wheat harvest (2:23).
This year on Shavuot, our family went to Dairy Barn in Athens since dairy foods are eaten in abundance on this holiday. (One excuse is as good as another!) Chris happened to have his Kinsman-Redeemer camp shirt on and the man serving us began to question us about it. He gave us the name of a website where he had been studying on Ruth and the idea of Kinsman-Redeemers. I had spent a year studying Ruth back in 2009 as I prepared for children’s camp, but it was from the typical Christian point-of-view. I learned a lot, however, this website came a little more from the Jewish perspective. Some of the info was the same…some different.
One thing I loved was the concept that the LORD has always used Gentiles in His plan for redemption. So, I began digging. Let’s look at a few together. |
In Exodus 1:17 the Egyptian midwives “feared God” and did not aid in the killing of the Hebrew boys. As a result, both the midwives were blessed (v. 20) and Moses was born alive (2:2).
In I Kings 5 we read the account of a Gentile king, Hiram, and King Solomon teaming up together to build the temple in Jerusalem. As a result, not only did Solomon give gifts back to Hiram but also there was peace between the two groups (5:12). In Ruth, we see how Ruth (a Gentile) sticks with Naomi (an Israelite) through her beautiful words (1:16, 17) and actions (1:22). As a result both receive a Kinsman-Redeemer. Ruth, who was childless, receives a son (4:13) and Naomi receives a new purpose (4:16). In John 4 the account of the Samaritan woman (a mixed breed of Gentile/Jew) is given. Yeshua was perfectly capable of getting His own water. However, He chose to limit Himself humanly. He asked the woman (a Gentile) for water. Through this exchange she receives living water and is saved. The New Testament is filled with times in which Gentile churches aided Paul with his missionary tasks. I could go on and on, but you get the point. You may ask, “Why is your family doing all of this?” The answer is simple. The LORD has chosen to reveal himself to us, a Gentile family, in this way in hopes of blessing His chosen people, the Jews. Why? I don’t know. But I am learning so much and want to be able to say with Ruth, “where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” (1:16) |
Happy Graduation to Susan
On the evening of May 10th, we celebrated the end of Susan’s homeschooling journey with her high school graduation. Rain was forecasted for that evening so we moved our party to the pavilion at Delano Daylilies (thank you Karen and Steve!). The location was beautiful. The fellowship was wonderful. And Susan said the evening was everything she had wanted it to be. We are so excited about this rite of passage for her. Please pray for her as she plans to spend the next 6 months fine tuning her current sewing skills, learning new ones, and praying over the direction the LORD would have her go in this world. Thank you to everyone that brought food from Susan’s “favorites” list for the party.
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Prayer Updates: (the bold is last newsletters’ request followed by the update)
*Gideon has a rash of some sort that is baffling the doctor. Pray we can get answers and healing. After a couple of different things, we have almost completely gotten rid of this. It remains on 2 spots but is almost healed there as well. *Jonathan has a small knot under the skin on the inside of his elbow. Pray we will have wisdom concerning what to do about it. This has almost completely disappeared! *My sister, Janice, as she sees an autoimmune disease specialist this month. Her results were much better than previously predicted. Thanksgivings: *Chris has been asked to teach at one of the local churches on Sunday evenings for a few months. This is providing us with a little extra needed income. |
Our Cleveland Bible study group met at our house for Shavuot this month. We had 26 in attendance. Even though it didn’t end up raining for Susan’s graduation, it DID rain on this day, stormed to be exact. At the last minute we moved everything inside. The evening went so well and it was wonderful to study, sing worship songs together, eat yummy foods, and fellowship as a group. I had meant to have Gideon get a photo for me, but with the rain throwing things off, I simply forgot.
I (Penny) had the chance to talk to a Women on Mission group about Passover this month. I’m not sure how much I taught them, but getting to see some old friends and reminisce was great. Thank you New Friendship Baptist Ladies!
I (Penny) had the chance to talk to a Women on Mission group about Passover this month. I’m not sure how much I taught them, but getting to see some old friends and reminisce was great. Thank you New Friendship Baptist Ladies!
Chris also led the Chattanooga meeting service in April due to our Rabbi’s conflicting family obligations.
Please continue to pray for his strength and stamina. He works so hard to provide for our financial needs as well as keep up with studying for his teaching opportunities.
Please continue to pray for his strength and stamina. He works so hard to provide for our financial needs as well as keep up with studying for his teaching opportunities.