WELCOME GIFTS ~Shabbat

Today was a funtastic day 😊

There was no rain, so, I went to my Friday Coffee Hour in Lexington 😉

Everyone was in good form today … and I came home with another gift (besides the gift of friendship). There are men (husbands, and the occasional stag male) at this Friday coffee hour, and it was good to hear a man’s voice and laughter – no, I am not man shopping: it is just good to enjoy the company of men once a week. I consider the males attending the coffee hour no different than males at a Fellowship gathering; the only difference is that the coffee hour is not a religious gathering, just friends getting together to have fun (the cribbage board is always brought out), chit chat (sharing the week’s happenings) … and some, like me, also bring a crafty project to work on.

Today, I was gifted – what a nice surprise! One of the couples is engaged in Spring Cleanup (husband did the yard – wife did the house), and the cotton yarn was a casualty that I am happy to receive 😉

A gift! Full cones of cotton yarn, never used.

When I got back home, the sun was shining so brightly, and the day was warm (the river winds were still, thank You, Lord!) – so, I changed my shirt and shoes; and went outside to tidy up the garden area of my small urban Lot. Oh! It felt good to be outside enjoying Spring chores with the sunshine warmth on my head and shoulders.

And I noticed, as I was putting the wheelbarrow back under the carport, that late-season tulips – and the anemones, were also enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and had opened themselves to their full extent 😊

I had no idea the anemone blossoms would get so big! I think I may have to transplant them to a larger container after they finish their blossom cycle: anemones are perennials, and they will multiply also.

The sun came out! So, into my garden area I went ...

Visible hole under house a.g.a.i.n; I hope this planter placed over the "active spot" will suffice until I can figure out how to stop the digging activity, once and for all.

Sign of racoon activity, last Spring:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/signs-everywhere-are-signs.html)

The Double Peony Tulip Angelique, loves the sun.

The Anemones are in full bloom - opened with the sunshine; pink & purple.

Now, I am going to kick back and relax – allowing the peace of Shabbat to have it’s soothing and relaxing way with me. Many Christians do not make allowances for The Sabbath Rest, but I do. However, I do not adhere to the strictness of the orthodoxy of rabbi’s. I keep the Sabbath as Yeshua did.

The Sabbath is a remembrance observation to Elohei’s creation wonders – among those wonders the creation of Earth (and everything above it/under it & on it/in it: including the first human man and woman); these wonderous works were completed in 6 days … and on the Seventh Day, He rested and called for that day to be observed by mankind as a remembrance of Who He is, and of who we are (and where we came from).

Paul Wilbur – ‘No One Like You’ song:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwlMG1y2i2o)

But the Sabbath was not meant to own us – it is meant as a remembrance observance of Elohei’s might and honor due Him.

I also enjoy a small goblet of wine Friday and Saturday evening: again, most Christians do not.

And again, I do as Yeshua exampled – and as the Early Church did. I am saved and consecrated. I am Spirit-filled, with Elohei’s Ruach Ha’Kodesh ... I know how to self-discipline: Yeshua is my example – I could have no better 😊 Yeshua, Lord of the Sabbath is also my Husband these past 3¼ years since Bob went Home to Glory beyond the clouds.

I have never allowed people’s assumptions of what I do, or who I am, to cast a shadow on who I am in Christ. If Elohim is okay with me and what I do, I’m okay with me and what I do.

Steve McConnell – ‘We Delight in Your Shabbat’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKma94L3yw8)

Happy Shabbat

Elohim has blessed me greatly with acceptance and salvation – these are eternal gifts, and I am eternally grateful.

Friends gifted today, in many ways; and I am thankful.

The peace of the Shabbat Rest is a welcome gift every weekend – and I am appreciative.

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 8

This chapter of Scripture really ministered to me this morning on so many levels. I pray you will find comfort in reading it also :-D

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 8

There is, therefore, no death sentence hanging over those who are in Mashiach Yeshua, for they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. I have been set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the Spirit of life through Mashiach Yeshua. The Law was made powerless to save because it was made weak by our sinful nature, but Elohim sent His own Son, with a body like that of a sinful man, and, by being made a sacrifice for sin, He – in His own flesh – condemned sin. In that way the just requirement of The Law, through Him, was fulfilled for us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who walk according to the flesh set their minds on the things of flesh, and those who walk according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. But to set the mind on the flesh brings death, whereas to set the mind on the Spirit brings life and peace. The mind which is interested only in carnal things is enmity to Elohei. It does not obey Elohei’s Law, and, of course, cannot. Those who live after the flesh cannot possibly please Elohim.

But if the Ruach Ha’Kodesh truly dwells in you, then you are not carnal minded, but spiritual. No one is a Christian unless he/she has the Spirit of Mashiach in him/her. Then if Mashiach is in you, your spirit lives because of justification, even though your body must die because of sin. If the Spirit of Elohei Who raised up Yeshua from the dead dwells in you, Elohei, Who raised up Mashiach Yeshua from the dead, will also raise up your mortal bodies through that same Spirit who lives in you.

Brethren, we are by no means bound to follow the standards set by our fleshly natures. For you must die if you live after the ways of the flesh, but, on the other hand, if you live by the Spirit, the Ruach will put to death your carnal deeds and give you life!

For those who are led by the Ruach of Elohei are the sons of Elohim. The Spirit which you have received is not of slavery, which leads you back to a life of fear, but rather that of sonship, which enables you to cry out, “Abba! Abba!” Yes, the Ruach Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are Elohim’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs of Elohim, and joint-heirs with Mashiach. That is, if we have a share in His sufferings, then we shall also in the same way have a part in His glorification.

It seems to me that the sufferings of the present can in no way compare with the glory that is to be shown us in the future. Everything created seems to be waiting for the revelation of the sons of Elohim. The created world was subjected to failure, not because it wanted it that way, but because of Him Who subjected it thus. He did so in hope. His hope was that creation itself would be made free from its bondage of corruption and have a part in the glorious freedom of Elohim’s children.

We are conscious, somehow, that all nature has been groaning in agony together until now. Not only so, but we who enjoy a foretaste of the Ruach also groan within ourselves as we wait for the resurrection of our bodies, and for our sonship with Him. When we were saved we had this hope. And remember, that hope which is seen is not hope. Does anyone hope for what he/she sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we must wait for it in patience.

In like manner, the Ruach also helps us in our helplessness. We do not know, for instance, what to pray for as we ought; then the Ruach intercedes for us in ways beyond words. And Elohei, Who searches the hearts of men/women, knows what the Ruach has in mind, for He intercedes for the saints according to Elohei’s Will.

We are certain, however, that all things work together for the good of those who love Elohei. According to His purpose, they are the ones whom He calls. It was His plan that they should conform to the likeness of His Son, so that He might be the First-born among any brethren. He foreknew this, and predestined it. And those whom He predestined He also called. And those whom He called, He also justified. And those whom He justified, He also glorified.

What, then, shall we say about these things? Just this – if Elohim is for us, what does it matter who may be against us? For He did not spare His own Son, but gave Him for us all; then will He not also give us all things with Him? Who is going to bring charges against Elohei’s elect? It is Elohim, Himself, who justifies. Who is going to condemn? Mashiach, Who died for us, is there to intercede for us. Yes, and He was raised again and now sits at the right hand of Elohim. He pleads in our behalf.

Ah, who can separate us from Mashiach’s love? Can tribulation do it? Or distress? Or persecution? Or famine? Or nakedness … peril … sword? No! The Scripture does say, “For Your Name’s sake w are being put to death the livelong day; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered” (Psalm 44:22). And yet, despite all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. And as for me, I am certain that nothing in death or life, I the present or future, among angels or spiritual powers, or any height or depth, or any creature whatsoever will be able to separate us from Mashiach’s love, which is ours in Adonai Mashiach Yeshua.

**ROMANS 7: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-book-of-romans-chapter-7.html