Queenie,
You're not still asking this question for real, are you? I think it got answered about 150 some pages ago...

I haven't forgotten about your question, BTW. I'm just trying to figure out how to answer without opening a can of worms...

I think the answer is really that for Christians, our passover is Messiah. We believe that Yeshua (Jesus) was the ultimate lamb, provided by God just as he provided the ram to replace Isaac, (a substitutionary sacrifice - which BTW, I think is exactly what God established as a condition for acceptance when He killed animals to provide clothing for Adam and Eve in the garden. He established a substitutionary sacrifice, since He had said that they would surely die if they sinned, and that requirement for a death to atone for their sin was provided for by Him) and that just as God's wrath was turned away by the blood of the Passover lamb on the doors of the homes, the blood shed by Messiah is sufficient to turn away God's wrath and judgment we so deserve. It isn't what I can do that makes me righteous before God, but what God has already done for me, since before Him, I am worthless in all my own righteousness. Messiah is also the sacrifice of atonement, the sin offering, the fulfillment of all the laws and commandments, provided for us by God himself.

I think that according to rabbinic tradition, the shank bone (Z'roa) is the symbol of the lamb that cannot be sacrificed today because we do not have the temple in which to perform the sacrifice. So just as the salt water symbolizes the tears of the captives, and the bitter herbs the bitterness of slavery, the bone symbolizes the lamb. Which as I recall is why many also add the Beitzah, the roasted egg as substitute for the festival sacrifice, though usually beside the Seder plate rather than on it, since eggs are the symbol of mourning and we mourn the loss of the temple and the ability to sacrifice as God ordained.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

TMTS,

What do you mean, took care of something that was not easy for him?

Mark,

In the olden days, when I went to school, repitition was the name of the game. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I kind of thought that's what it was, but wasn't sure. How funny that we are starting to come into the Exodus, Passover is a couple of months away.

Since I have already admitted to myself that by not lighting candles, saying blessing over bread and grape juice, I am not observing what G-d commanded, and I think that this would be an important step in my recovery to embrace shabbat regularly again. It really helps to bring an end to the week and peace into my life.

One other thing I want to do, is find the Torah portion for this week and begin to prepare myself for Passover. I think that it will be good to clean my home in preparation as well as heal my soul and truly begin to seek G-d in my life through my traditions.

As I begin to create my new life, I need to find what is most important to me. My Judaism was and honestly is still so important to me. It's a way of life that will help me heal because I think it will allow me to keep connected to G-d throughout the day and focused any something else other than my H.

G-d knows my heart, for that I have no doubt. But I really do get that G-d needs me to completely step aside and let him work. It's the ONLY way.

So, let's see, what's the Torah portion this week for me to study? Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:11&#8722;34:35

I'll be back... with questions. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

thanks Mark in trusting that I am not too old to remember what was told to me at least 150 pages ago.

Exodus 30. God enumerates the people and to be counted, they each must pay a half shekel for atonement as they cross over from the uncounted to the counted.

And the price is the same for all, the rich (those who consider themselves to be able to pay their own way) pay exactly the same price as those who are poor, (those who have no hope in and of themselves) and in the end, it is God who supplies all.

I could make quite a sermon out of this passage.

To be counted as one of His own, there is a cost, and it is the same for all, for those who consider themselves as righteous and those who cry out to Him for mercy.

Wow!

Mark

Hi Queenie,

The fact that he needed this letter would be a big shot to his ego, so comming to you to ask for it would not have been easy. You handled it with grace and he'll remmeber tht.

When a Jew dies it is not customary for people to send flowers at all. In fact, I wouldn't say forbidden, but it is no encouraged because we ALL came into this world with nothing and the same and we ALL leave this world the same way.

I suppose that this passage is where that custom came from?

I would enjoy reading it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ok is this odd or is it G-d. You know how I was just restling with the fact that I haven't kept the traditions of Shabbat as regularly as I would like. This is what else is in the Torah portion for the week.

Exodus 31-12:14 And the Lord said to Moses, Speak to the Israelite people and say, Nevetheless, you must keep My sabbath, for this is a sign between Me and y7ou through the ages, that you may know that I the Lord have consecrated you. You shall keep the sabbath, for it is holy for you.

Exodus 31:16 The Israelite people shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout the ages as a covenant for all time.

One of the commentaries say - the last of the seven diving commands about the building of the sanctuary concerns teh seventh day of the week. Suspending construction on the Sabbath indicates that holy time is more important than holy space.

I guess I have my answer about keeping shabbat more regularly don't I.

I love him, there is no other way to have handled it.

However, I don't think he even gave that a thought that I was helping him. It's all about him and his new life with her. Not to mention he seems to be proud of the way he is living and enjoys how resourceful he is at getting things free. That truly blows my mind. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Maybe should he come out of the fog one day.

How is life with you?

Hi Queenie,

I see what you are saying about the selfishness and not having this affect him in the least. It's just too strange to choose to live like that when you don't have to.

Life is busy... we are both working real hard at recovery and so far so good. I really think we will make it with a little help, witch we are getting from Jennifer right now. Right now the concentration is on EN, knowing them, meeting them and giving feedback on them.

The thing I need to keep in check is not reverting back to old habits, so I need to go through my whole thread and remind myself of some of the personal discoveries I made.

I know you're sad and hurting about finally offically getting to Plan B, but I think you'll find peace there. It will be rough at first, no getting around that, but just keep coming here and let your fellow MBers help you.

I believe that your WH is on a destructive path and things will only get worse for him. That's HIS choice and that is out of your control.

But now it's time to COMPLETELY turn your eyes away from WH and upward to G-d. TRUST that G-d will sustain you, no matter what happens with your marriage.

(((Queenie)))

Thank you PM,

It is sad. And it's hard. But I know there is no other way. My heart and mind aren't truly in sync, but you are right he is on a destructive path and my children and myself need to be out of the warfare and the fallout. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I'm not sure I totally know how to turn my eyes away from WH. But I can certainly turn my eyes to G-d. I know he was with me yesterday when I was just calm. Sad but calm.

I'm thinking it's time to end this thread and start my new life and a new thread?

Sure. A lot of people start a new thread when they hit the Plan B turning point. And it is a turning point. New life, new attitude, new thinking. Remember Queenie... with G-d... THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES THE POSSIBLE.

I know. Just petrified.

I feel like I am jumping off the cliff and that's how I have to go in order to arrive safely down at the bottom. And my life is in G-ds hands. No ifs, ands about it.

OK, Queenie, you mentioned jumping off the cliff and, OF COURSE, it reminded me of a song (you know me and lyrics).

Now this song is OBVIOUSLY about Christ. I know that in the past you have given me permission to share anyway, and so I respectfully share these lyrics.

Notice the part about jumping. It is beautiful music, too. If you want to listen, you can find it at youtube.com





Nichole Nordeman - What If
From the album Brave

What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?

What if he takes his palace in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

(Chours)
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?

What if you dig, What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions inside
That’s all you find

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Then folklore that must be told and retold

(Chours)

You’ve been running as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?

What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?

I know you are scared of Plan B...

You just gotta jump, Queenie. God will catch you.

I know... There is no other way. I just don't know how..

Thank you for the song. I will listen to it when I get home.

I wish I had words of wisdom to share with you. You've been kind to me since day one. I can only pray that you find happieness soon!

(((Queenie)))

PS beautiful lyrics by the way, I'm going to have to find that song

Oh Serenity, you are so strong and sweet. Thank you. I just hate to see people in pain and hurting, being kind is what I love to do most. {{{{{{{{{{Serenity}}}}}}}}}}}

One day, I am sure joy and happiness will return. I'm just afraid of heights. Who knew... Certainly not me.

Queenie,

One of God's commands to Israel was that they be holy. The word holy means 'separate" or "apart from the world." The way this would be accomplished was by keeping his commands and one of those is Shabbat. No other nation or people had a day of rest in those days. It was unheard of since only the very very rich had any free time at all. Simply doing what it takes to survive in the world required so much effort that taking a day off from the daily toil of life was pretty much impossible.

But by taking the seventh day as a day of rest, it proved God's will for the people by not only giving then the rest, but also by proving that those who obey God's commands can not only survive, but thrive, in spite of doing something the world simply did not understand.

When in the dispersion, it was the Sabbath that kept the people separate from the rest of the culture and in some cases, as the succeeding generations were assimilated more and more, soon it was just the Sabbath that made them stand apart from the culture. So not only did Shabbat keep them separate by making them different, but by keeping Shabbat, the difference was reinforced even more.

As much as it was the Jews who kept the Sabbath, it was the Sabbath that kept the Jews.

And that is the reason for all the commands. By keeping God's commands it makes His people different from the rest of the world, but at the same time, by keeping His commands, we are kept apart from it as well. Doing what He requires of us is for us and not just for Him. It is to our benefit to do as He commands us.

Mark

Quick TJ---

Mimi,

Can you check out Snuggles4him's thread? I think you'll find it interesting. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

queenie,
I thought you were done with that 'stinkin' thinkin'

The above is a perfect example of it.

When will you get that you are WORTHY? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Repeat after me, I AM WORTHY.

You are very much worth having and loving. Get that thru your brain, girl.

Prayers your way!

Love in Christ,
Miss M <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Queenie,

Just checking in on you. I'm here should you need someone to talk to. Plan B is scary. You have thought this through though, and are much better prepared than I was.

When I did my Plan B, it was basically out of frustration, which probably wasn't the best way to go, but after 9 months and many broken NC's and false recoveries I cracked under the pressure.

You are going in after the best Plan A, and also going in for you, for your own sanity and peace. We'll survive because the will to live is a strong one. Our work here isn't done yet.

And of course someone would want you. You happen to be one of the most caring, and nicest individuals that I know. I'm honored to have met you here. You have helped me more than you know....