As promised, here's a recap of my very first experience with a Messianic Jewish congregation. Last night I attended a Purim celebration, also called Feast of Esther. At this celebration the entire book of Esther is read aloud. It is intended to be a festive celebration with costumes, sometimes drunkenness (which is odd to me), eating sweets, and giving to the poor as the word purim indicates. Rabbi Mike, who conducted last night's celebration, said that many Rabbi's get fall-down drunk. But since his congregation gets "high on the Spirit" they do not partake of alcoholic beverages. Phew! If it had been a big drunk-fest, I'd have rather gone down the road to get an icy, fruity island beverage at the Red Iguana and hear rap lyrics in English. Sorry if this offends any Jewish readers out there, but drunken costume parties are better left to the dance clubs, not to Torah-carrying Rabbi's.
A few of the women in the congregation brought plenty of costumes for all of us to get dressed up prior to the reading. I chose a flashy ensemble that resembled a Persian princess. It was fun! We prayed in the name of Yeshua and then began the reading...all ten chapters! At each mention of Mordecai we cheered (blessings) and at each mention of Haman we boo-ed and hissed (curses). Mordecai is mentioned 54 times so that's a lot of cheering. My voice was hoarse by the last chapter. This was an interesting tradition. I've never had the chance to boo or hiss during a scripture reading.
Rabbi Mike closed the service with a prayer in the name of Yeshua. And then a visitor from Iraq requested prayer for the Middle East and compared Mahmūd Ahmadinejād, leader of Iran, to Haman. Rabbi Mike reminded all of us that the same Lord who protected His people against Haman would also protect His people against Ahmadinejād. Rabbi Mike proceeded to prayer for the chosen people and asked that the Lord's hand of protection be upon them in the Middle East and all of us across the world. This was just a simple reminder of how relevant, timeless, and far-reaching God's Holy Word will forever be.
We then got to eat sweets - cupcakes, cookies, donuts, fruit and cola - so that the sweet taste of the Lord would remain in our mouths. We fellowshipped with each other. I spoke with Rabbi Mike and the visitor from Iraq (sorry, cannot pronounce or spell his name). I was wearing a necklace with my name written in Hebrew and both Rabbi and Visitor commented on it. This in turn got the conversation started about Hebrew names and their meanings. My name means "to overflowing," or as one friend put it "full tank."
Uncle J, Aunt Les and I got into a conversation with another member of the congregation about "remembering the Sabbath." I always get a good chuckle about this topic since I'm not exactly sure how a mom with two children aged 3 and under get to keep the Sabbath. My daily job, regardless of the day of the week, is comprised of teaching, disciplining, and poopie-patrol. This does not change from day to day. I seek my Sabbath rest through Jesus Christ and not through a set day on the calendar, otherwise I'd go nuts! However, I do attend a worship service every Sunday to celebrate the ressurrection of Jesus. Really, I don't care if the service were held on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Thursday. And besides, most Sundays I work in the nursery like many moms do so I'm not sure how the Sabbath - in legalistic terms - would play out in my life. But, when you got Jesus, who needs legalism? I'd fail miserably at being good.
I've always wanted to play Esther in a play so as we were leaving, I asked Rabbi Mike if I could return next year and read Esther's spoken parts. He said he was counting on it. I hope to return to their church for the Passover celebration next month. I was told that Rabbi Mike does an excellent job showing the parallels of the Passover with the Lord's Supper and the fullfillment of the prophecy through Yeshua. Can't wait!
Tonight I will be going with Uncle J and Aunt Les to a Purim Celebration at a local Messianic Jewish church. Should be interesting and exciting. I'll report back.
I was shopping for some blue jeans yesterday. As I was in the dressing room sifting through the stack of various fits, cuts, and fades of each pair I realized that my process for selection has become a lot more complicated in the past three years. This is what the process looks like now:
1. True or False. These jeans won't slip or slide while I'm climbing playground equipment.
2. True or False. These jeans look best with tennis shoes since wearing cute, strappy sandals won't function well at the zoo.
3. True or False. When I sit down, these jeans don't reveal skin or bulges of any sort.
4. True or False. The pockets are large enough to fit three pacifiers, a set of keys, and a tube of chapstick (as lipstick leaves lip marks on my kids' cheeks).
5. True or False. My butt doesn't look big in these jeans.
6. True or False. Hubby will still think I look Hot in these jeans.
Good news! I think I found a pair yesterday that meets all these requirements.
Today we went to our church to sign L up for their Mother's Day Out program. This is a two-day per week program which, like the name implies, gives mothers a break. I welcome the break, but I'm more excited to see L flourish around other children her age. This has always been a struggle for her. It might be quite an adjustment at first, but once she gets the swing of things I really hope she will love the playtime and learning time. And I hope baby brother doesn't cry too much when he misses her at home.