JFJ Forums

Greetings.

I am new here and have really enjoyed the posts seeing how you are so educated and opinionated.   I am a Gentile Christian who has a true love for Israel and the Jewish people.  My husband was raised Catholic but got away from that and is .....I'm not sure what you'd call him.  He doesn't like to be called a Christian because of its religious history dating back to Constantine and the ones who slaughtered the Jews.   He's not Jewish by blood either.  I really need help and am so desperate to share my feelings but there is no one to share with close enough to me to trust.    I feel as though I am grasping at straws to save my marriage.  I have been married 11 years and with kids.  I am absolutely miserable.  Church is a thing of the past for us but he studies more of what seems to be Judaism than anything.  I'm not saying that's bad but I feel like I have seen him decline greatly in the importance of our Messiah.  He questions why we even need the NT.  Maybe some don't, but I do.  Christmas here is a no no as well as every other holiday.  I am finding myself in a dark place and I cannot get out.  I do not believe in divorce but I am at the brink of breaking.  I feel isolated and confused.  According to him, every pastor pretty much doesn't know anything, no church is good enough, and I desperate; perhaps especially for some insight and prayer for him.  He use to be right in the middle of the road, loving and praising Messiah.  We don't pray as a family anymore.  He goes to the woods with his prayer shawl and his book of Psalms and that's pretty much it.  I am hurting and weak.  Can any of you help me with this?  

First of all Judaism never realy claimed that woman should go to synagogue etc. partly for woman are on a higher spiritual level. (even in NT all diciples are male and woman are a minority)...

But let that not encourage you. Just try to find ways to celebrate the friday-evening for shabbath is the bride also.
maybe start with celebrating sukkoth, nice to sit in tents and start to remember other things than before.

The more you force him to talk about Messiah, the more maybe he becomes anti the discussion itself. Or maybe try to find out what Messiah means in Judaism... at least that gives a wider spectrum about the issue, also for you.

Sometikes it takes about 2 years, and than everything becomes more moderate.
With Christmas (allthough maybe not exactly on the same time) try to celebrate Hanukkah, for that is even a festival against the rulers of Greek thought, and bringing the light in the Temple again...
With passover matzes, and going out of Egypte etc. to the redemption.


Just some hints.
All the best.

Thank you for you helpful input.  I truly appreciate it.  It has helped me a lot and I will put it to use.
God Bless and Keep You

P.S.  Thank you also, Goy!  

Shalom Genesis3.

May I suggest that, since he already reads Psalms, you could ask your husband to help you better understand the Psalms, and perhaps even the Book of Issaia.  Then, whenever he is teaching a part that relates to Messiah, you can, gently, ask if that sounds like Yashuah, and His ministry, as sited in the New Testiment.  The responsibility of helping you may show him more than he presently see's in his study, and help you to understand where his head is at, and the logic he is using.

Your husband, I feel, needs to learn that one cannot condemn, and shy away from every apple, just because a few proved bad.  His faith is what he makes of it, through Messiah, not what someone else tries to make of it.

In Messiah, Shalom.  Arley

Hello,
I am new here also and am going with some painful times with someone I love regarding th issue of Jesus being the messiah also.  My mom was a hardcore Jesus freak and changed suddenly when she remarried a man that converted to Judaism. She now questions wether or not Jesus was the messiah and everytime I talk to her she seems to be leaning more towards converting to Judaism. I came here to learn more about Judaism and to get some advise about my situation.  So far everyone that has responded has been very kind and supportive and I seem to keep getting the same advise from everyone I talk to.  They tell me to not even try and agrue the issue with her or try to convince her that Jesus is the messiah.  They have told be simply to love on her and to draw closer to Jesus. Just wondering but what is your spiritual life like now? I think you said that church is in the past now.  Do you have the opportunity to listen to Christian worship music or pray with other people?  My husband and I moved away from the church we met in and are in a town where there doesn't seem to be any churches that really fit us.  I know of a church in Livermore California called Cornerstone that puts their Sunday sermons online.  The pastor in funny and intellegent and is really enjoyable to listen too.  I find it is just amazing how renergized and joyful I can get after listening to a great teaching or a powerful worship song.  I'm rambling but I guess my point is that a real, close relationship with Jesus brings peace, joy, hope and life.  Maybe your husband will begin to see that you have something he doesn't and he'll be curious about what has changed in you.  I'll be praying for you, your husband and your family.  Peace be with you.

Navyblue~ that was EXCELLENT advice.

I can only add to that, the obvious, "be in prayer at all times".

You are still called to be submissive to your husband, that has not changed. (I am estranged from my own husband of almost 17 years, separated for 3, so I don't say that lightly.) Encourage him in the way Navyblue stated.

Do you have the book, Power of a Praying Wife
or there is this one: Why Should I be the First to Change?

Here's a page called The Real Problem

(I would recommend some books/audios for your husband if he is a deep-thinker, these might appeal to his mind: The Creator Beyond Time and Space or anything by Chuck...wander around the online store. Many are downloads that can be gotten inexpensively and quickly.)

My prayers for you.
~Laura

Genesis3, Shalom.

When I wrote my advice, I forgot to say, what I know is the most important advice you can receive:  Under no circumstances should you turn away from Messiah.  Your husband, no, not any mortal is worth your eternity.  Your obligation to him is to try, and be submissive, but only to a point.  You must, if necissary, draw a line in the sand, and go no further.
I pray you do not have to make that decision.

In Messiah, Shalom, to you, and to all believers in Messiah.  Arley

Thank you all.  Thank you Ripley's and Navy Blue.  I too will pray for you, Arley.  You and your husband sound a bit like us.  We attended a church that I grew up in.  My parents are very Christian and my mom is somewhat close minded to any other thinking.  I truly believe in Messiah and yes, my husband does believe in Him also.  I think his questioning is mostly "purpose".  He too meditates in heavy Judaism which I'm not against for I do love the Jewish people and feel we can learn so much from them, but I worry about groundedness of my family (my kids).  I appreciate any and all prayers and I too will do the same for you and your mom.  It will be okay.  God still has a plan for each and every one of us.  God bless you all!!!   Hugs!

I appreciate your words, but I do not qualify as female.  That is ok, though, as I have been called much much worse.  Ha!  I do, however, qualify as a 'bride of Messiah.'  I'm not sure how He is going to do that, but Paradise is different from here.

In Messiah, Shalom to one and all.  Arley

If he is leaning toward Judaism, try having Shabbat at the house. Set up the candles, wine, bread and bowl of water. As you pray and ask G-d to bless Shabbat, also incorprorate Yeshua Hamashia in the prayer, so as to show that Jesus and all his disciples were Jew's and that Yeshua is the saviour of all Men.

Yes there are Christions that do not know anything about their Jewish root's, but that does not mean that Yeshua is not the L-rd.

Shalom!!!