From: 	 heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: 	 Monday, November 10, 1997 11:26 PM
To: 	 Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Re: How We Celebrate Sabbath

To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
From:          Marcella Burns
Subject:       Re: How We Celebrate Sabbath

I felt like I should share how we celebrate Sabbath here, although we are
still learning. We are the mama and papa of nine kids. Our oldest is away
at school.The kids at home are 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and almost 1. We
memorized the 10 commandments last winter as a family, and studied them in
detail in our home school. I was struck by the Command to keep the Sabbath
h-ly. My 15 year old pointed out to me the similarites between the Hebrew
word rest and the word for Sabbath. She is learning Hebrew on her own and
teaching it to the rest of us. We decided to find out how the Sabbath got
changed and why. One thought consumed my thoughts: Why was one of the 10 if
He knew He would change it? Why did He write it in stone? We did not at
that time know anyone personally who felt that Believers should keep the
Sabbath holy. But we couldn't get away from it. It seemed like all our
studies came back to this one idea. Whose way would we follow? Man's way?
or His? Many of those who know us already think we are a bit odd, even thou
they love us. We have never had peace about celebrating the so-called
Christian holidays since we becoame believers in 1978. We really believe
children are a blessing of the L-rd and that they should be taught by their
parents and devote themselves to serving the L-rd until He reveals their
future to them.(No dating).We don't watch tv. What would they say if we now
stopped trying in vain to somehow keep Sunday h-ly, and begin to keep the
Sabbath? My dear husband has a job that requires him to work 2 Saturdays
out of 3. How in the world could we do this? Where in the Body would we
fit? Where would we worship?  If you lack wisdom, He says to ask for it. We
started asking and asking. One of the very first sites I "happened "upon
when we connected our new computer to the internet was Hebrew Roots.
Carefully, I scrolled thru the list of Messianic Congregations. I knew
there couldn't be anything like this anywhere near us, we are way out in
the country. The nearest mall is 1 1/2 hours away.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a Messianic meeting place less than 20
minutes away. I asked my husband(it was a Thursday night) if he thought we
could try it. His response was "I have to work". "Is it okay if we pray?"
<BWG>to use another phrase "Will you take us if they let you off?" "Do you
think the L-rd is leading us?" Guess what? Friday night he came home all
excited. "They ran out of parts at work. I'm off tomorrow. Can you get them
all ready in time?" HAH! We were already ready. I have rarely seen my
chilren more excited!

Although we really enjoyed ourselves meeting with that little fellowship,
we were troubled. Before the evening was over, we had found that they were
in severe doctrinal error(denying the diety of HaMashiach), and knew we
would not be likely to return (unless there was complete repentance). But
within the week, we found another fellowship only 1 hour, 15 minutes away.
I doubt we would have thought to go there if we hadn't experienced the joy
of worshipping on Sabbath with other believers. Now we attend whenever my
husband doesn't have to work, and he took personal days during the Holy
Days, so we were able for the first time to celebrate all the Biblical
Feasts.

We start our preparations on Sunday morning.We decide what needs to changed
from the week before: we need to leave 15 minutes earlier, the boys need to
have their shoes polished earlier, etc. All week long we look forward to
Sabbath. We try to have all the housework done, everything spotless and
shiny,the laundry all folded and put away, the nicest meals of the week
prepared, etc. For the day of Sabbath, we have easy meals. Cheese and
muffins and fruit and challah-things easy to feed little ones with little
mess. Everytime we do it we get a little more understanding of what it
takes to be ready. Then I can really enjoy my rest.(Six thousand years of
looking forward to the Messianic age. What an age of REST that will be, if
we are ready!!!) All week, I keep my eyes open for special things to set
aside for Sabbath reading, and little things I can share with the children
or include in our schooling. They have learned many of the Hebrew prayers,
and my daughter typed them out and put them in  a folder with explanations
for papa and I to follow. Our favorite part is the blessing of the children
and mama.I feel more prayed for than I ever have since I've known the L-rd.
We also plan a special memory verse and prayer to say to papa, something to
show him how much we appreciate his sacrifice for our family. We have
learned so much already, I can hardly believe it. We know we have a long,
long way to go, but if the path is this pleasant and spirituallly
enriching, WOW! Last week we were able to purchase 2 Jewish New Testaments
and everybody is spending all their free time reading thru them. Soon we
will be able to get some Messianic music tapes, and we are very interested
in learning about worship dance.

What is the reaction of our friends and relatives? Most just want to know
more. Many have suggested that they, too have had questions about Sabbath
and other things. Several have said they were glad we could go ahead and
stumble thru this to show them how to get started! I have started printing
the newsgroup articles so I have material ready when someone has questions.
We are also starting a home business to sell Hebrew Roots and other
curriculum at local home school fairs. Our first fair is Nov. 21. Please
keep us in your prayers.

 Every time my daughter goes online,she gets messages from Jewish people
who are asking her questions. Last was a Jewish professor who asked her to
send him a list of the prophecies Yeshua fulfilled. This happens to her
every single day! We believe the L-rd has seen her heart and her love for
His people and is honoring the desire to minister to them. It blesses me so
much. Even our daughter that is away at Bible College now browses thru the
Hebrew Roots home page. She expressed interest in reading "Who is the
Bride" over vacation. She likes to talk and write as much as her mama (LOL)
so I feel like all those at the college will soon be hearing about "their
Hebrew Roots". She will be studying Hebrew this winter.

Well, so much for my short note. Happy Anniversay Rooters! Thank-you Eddie!
Thank you to everybody who contributes to this ministry in any way! You are
my family and you are all in my prayers!  

Marcella Burns

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