Given the title of my blog, I am quite certain it could cause a bit of confusion. Why did I title it as such? Well I am originally from Connelly Springs, NC. I was raised at the foot of the South Mtns. Growing up, it was a simple life of raising chickens,and tending gardens. I am just about as country as one could get. The Hebrew part of my title takes quite a bit more of explaining. I was raised as most people in that area a Protestant. My first memories of church are of putting my dime in the collection plate, and being told to sit still. As I grew up in that environment, I became used to the Sunday services and the Wednesday night meetings. I never really questioned what was being taught in those days, I just took it all in stride and as the absolute truth. I did the normal routine of getting all dressed up on Sunday morning, heading off to Sunday School, then sat through what was usually a hellfire and brimstone preaching, all the while looking at the clock. I'm not saying I wasn't paying attention, but I wasn't completely focused either. I do though with vivid clarity remember the night that I was saved. It was a Wednesday night in September of 1987. After that I began to pay a bit more attention to what was being said. I bought full into the doctrines of the Baptist church, everything from the "Rapture," to the "Thall shall not drink beer(EVER!)." As most people who were saved at a young age, I rebelled! It wasn't until I was about 27 years old, that I decided I had had enough of what the World had to offer me. I started going to a little home church, which was non-denominational. I even went as far as visiting a bible college in upstate New York. It was right before my trip, that a friend and I started talking in the parking lot of the prison where I worked about the bible. What was usually a ten or fifteen minute conversation stretched into over and hour. He started asking me questions. He asked me who I was, and me being my sarcastic self said "George!" He said no, who are you according to the scriptures? (Insert long pause) I said, I am a gentile saved by grace! Note the Baptist textbook answer I gave. He said "yes and no." He then asked me who Jesus said he came for. I gave another textbook answer, and he said "Let's see what the scriptures tell us."He took me to Matthew and read me these verses: Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Mat 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. I then asked well, if he only came for Israel then what does that make me??? He said "Good question!" Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. I said "so I am Israel and I am Abraham's seed?" He said, if you believe what the bible says then yes you are. I asked what that meant for me and what was I supposed to do about it. He said, ya know where all over the Old Testament, Moses says "Speak unto the children of Israel." I said yes. He said then if you believe what the bible says about who you are then those words are meant for you! I told you all of this to bring it to this conclusion. Though I may not be an Israelite by birth, I am an Israelite because I am of Christ, and thus an heir to his promises, whether they be blessings or cursings. The word Hebrew simply means (To cross over.) I believe I have crossed over to a deeper understanding of the word of G-d, and i am constantly searching his word for his teachings and instructions, that I might get closer to him. In no way have I denied my messiah Jesus, in fact I think I understand him better now and the true meaning of what he did for all of us.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Why am I who I am?
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