show me the right path, o YHWH,
point out the road for me to follow.
psalm 25:4
about me (prairie) and the purpose of this (set-apart) blog:
Prairie isn't my real name, but prairies have become an important part of my life spiritually over the last 8 or so years. Prairies can seem endless and barren, they are usually treeless, and often very windy. Think Kansas, or Montana. Where I live is the literal epitome of that definition, and yet I'm in Central Texas! Geologically this area is officially known as the Blackland Prairie. When we first moved here, it seemed that my soul and body would simply give up and die. Those first 4 years or so were very difficult in every way - spiritually, emotionally, aesthetically, and physically - for me personally, and consequently for my family. Then, in His perfect timing, the King of Glory and Wonder stepped in and changed my life (and my family's) with His marvelous Truth!
The scripture above has been my constant prayer and guide for several years now. YHWH, the LORD of hosts, is my Teacher, Guide, Father, Provider, Protector, Comforter, Light, King, Creator, Joy and Song. I believe the WHOLE Bible - the Torah, Tanakh and the ReNewed Covenant - Genesis to Revelation - is the inspired Word of YHWH GOD.
My interests are varied and wide, and I endeavor to allow the Holy Spirit to lead my Bible study and life where He wants, while at the same time working diligently to NOT let my beliefs and actions be hemmed in by the words, traditions, creeds, and beliefs of men or their institutions, even modern Christianity. I am not a "herd-following Christian"; in fact, I never have been a herd follower in any portion of my life.
I honestly don't believe that anyone uses the term "Christian" in the correct or original sense of the meaning anyway. What most people don't know (or don't care about) is that what we known as a "Christian" today isn't even remotely like those who were originally called "Christians" in Antioch (see Acts). Furthermore, those who were called "Christians" did not call themselves that at all. The moniker "christian" was given to them and spoken in derision and sarcasm by those within Judaism who did not believe the Yeshua was the hoped-for Messiah. Instead the "Christians" referred to themselves as those where were "of the Way" or "in the Way". And like it or not, the Way was actually a sect of Biblical Judaism, NOT a part of the rabbinical Judaism and it was NOT a new religion that Jesus or the apostles started. There is a huge difference.
I realize that I am off the beaten "churchianity" path. I have learned to embrace that actually. ;-) YHWH has brought me here and I find it quite liberating and exhilarating to let Him lead and not worry what men (or women) think of me or my beliefs. It is not about me, but wholly about HIM. Like many other women, I wear numerous hats in life, usually simultaneously. While wearing any of them I strive to represent and share the love of Yeshua the Messiah with others. Some of my 'hats' are professional, some are domestic, and some are spiritual, but NONE are more important than those that pertain to my Messiah, my husband or my children.
The scripture above has been my constant prayer and guide for several years now. YHWH, the LORD of hosts, is my Teacher, Guide, Father, Provider, Protector, Comforter, Light, King, Creator, Joy and Song. I believe the WHOLE Bible - the Torah, Tanakh and the ReNewed Covenant - Genesis to Revelation - is the inspired Word of YHWH GOD.
My interests are varied and wide, and I endeavor to allow the Holy Spirit to lead my Bible study and life where He wants, while at the same time working diligently to NOT let my beliefs and actions be hemmed in by the words, traditions, creeds, and beliefs of men or their institutions, even modern Christianity. I am not a "herd-following Christian"; in fact, I never have been a herd follower in any portion of my life.
I honestly don't believe that anyone uses the term "Christian" in the correct or original sense of the meaning anyway. What most people don't know (or don't care about) is that what we known as a "Christian" today isn't even remotely like those who were originally called "Christians" in Antioch (see Acts). Furthermore, those who were called "Christians" did not call themselves that at all. The moniker "christian" was given to them and spoken in derision and sarcasm by those within Judaism who did not believe the Yeshua was the hoped-for Messiah. Instead the "Christians" referred to themselves as those where were "of the Way" or "in the Way". And like it or not, the Way was actually a sect of Biblical Judaism, NOT a part of the rabbinical Judaism and it was NOT a new religion that Jesus or the apostles started. There is a huge difference.
I realize that I am off the beaten "churchianity" path. I have learned to embrace that actually. ;-) YHWH has brought me here and I find it quite liberating and exhilarating to let Him lead and not worry what men (or women) think of me or my beliefs. It is not about me, but wholly about HIM. Like many other women, I wear numerous hats in life, usually simultaneously. While wearing any of them I strive to represent and share the love of Yeshua the Messiah with others. Some of my 'hats' are professional, some are domestic, and some are spiritual, but NONE are more important than those that pertain to my Messiah, my husband or my children.
what does it mean to be set apart?
To be "set apart" means that God has His hand on you for a specific purpose.
It means to be made holy by Him, sanctified unto Him, and consecrated to Him.
It means to be marked by God for a particular purpose. We are marked by God to minister in day-to-day living to those all around us.
He has anointed us and equipped us to be used for the advancement of His kingdom.
We are transferred from the domain of darkness and have become part of the Kingdom of Light. We are strangers to this world's system. Instead of thinking and acting like the world, we are set apart, separated, consecrated, sanctified, and given a different purpose, which is to serve YHWH and become more like Yeshua, our Messiah.
It means to be made holy by Him, sanctified unto Him, and consecrated to Him.
It means to be marked by God for a particular purpose. We are marked by God to minister in day-to-day living to those all around us.
He has anointed us and equipped us to be used for the advancement of His kingdom.
We are transferred from the domain of darkness and have become part of the Kingdom of Light. We are strangers to this world's system. Instead of thinking and acting like the world, we are set apart, separated, consecrated, sanctified, and given a different purpose, which is to serve YHWH and become more like Yeshua, our Messiah.
"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14
"God has not called you to "fit in". 1 Peter 2:9
"Come out from among them and be separate." 2 Corinthians 6:17
"If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don't have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that's why the world hates you." John 5:19
"So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control." Thessalonians 5:6