Conversion Zone

After much thought we have made a decision to convert to Judaism. It will be a long process I am certain, but the time frame will need to begin soon. Since we discovered we needed special permits from our county to proceed with a new home, we discovered we also have to install a new septic system to meet new Federal Laws. This has given me time to think, time to question, time to seek. Why at the last minute did this come up when even the builder thought we were in the clear and it was not needed.

I have never been a big fan of Houston. In fact, the crime, traffic, and rudeness of the inhabitants has always kept me living pretty far from the city. Unfortunately, this is where we would have to move to do our conversion unless we relocated to another area: which I would really prefer.

Although it may be my choice to move to another city with an Orthodox Synagogue for us to complete our conversion, it may not be G-d's will. Only time will tell. As we travel this summer to visit family it is my hearts desire and prayer that Ha Shem will open a door and lead us to the right Shul where we will be happy to live and enjoy being a part of the community.

Now I wonder, where is the conversion zone for us?

Outside the City Walls

The past few days I have been thinking about my path, my direction in life. Where am I going? Am I going anywhere? Do I want to go anywhere? As I learn more about who I am, a Goy, a Beni Noach, a Ger, whatever name I am called to describe what I am, I am not satisfied. I am not fulfilled or satisfied in the only abiding by the seven laws of Noah. I desire more, I desire a closer relationship with G-d. I do not want to live outside the city walls as many other Beni Noach's do. I want to live inside the City. I want to be a part of the community and fellowship. I want to take on all 613 commandments and do mitzvah's.

Now we wait. We wait on Ha Shem. We wait for Him to open a door that will bring us near a Shul so we can begin our conversion.  Will it be here in Houston, or will G-d direct us somewhere else to being our new journey on out path to Judaism?

Mithraism and Christianity

Since, beginning Torah study and attending a Bnei Noach community I have noticed many faults with Christianity and it's teaching. I have taken slack from my family members questioning me about what all this Jewish stuff is about. One family member even asked me what happened to me and who stole my precious gift of Jesus from me.

It has been hard to explain to others and I posed challenging questions to them, but of course they will not examine the information as a judge would overseeing a case, but they took the prosecuting side like a lawyer in questioning me. They are not willing to listen to any facts since their minds are made up and they believe they are correct and I am wrong and now damned to hell with all the Jews who don't accept the Jewish messiah Jesus who came to them that they rejected.

After careful review of the facts and the Tanakh, I can see how the holy bible has been manipulated in some verses to support Jesus as a savior only in the event you remove the entire passage and only choose out one or two verses of the scripture to make it fit.

Another thing I have just heard about is Mithraism. I did some reading on it last night, there are those who say it's beginnings were long before Jesus and then I find some information from Christians claiming that Jesus came first and this religion was written by the devil to copy Christianity.
Amazing how there are always some sort of reason to dismiss any science or facts or information that would challenge Christianity as works of the devil and one must have faith to overcome such evil thoughts that would lead you astray.

One thing I found to be quite compelling are the similarities of Mithra and Jesus.

Mithra has the following in common with the Jesus character:

• Mithra was born on December 25th of the virgin Anahita.
• The babe was wrapped in swaddling clothes, placed in a manger and attended by shepherds.
• He was considered a great traveling teacher and master.
• He had 12 companions or "disciples."
• He performed miracles.
• As the "great bull of the Sun," Mithra sacrificed himself for world peace.
• He ascended to heaven.
• Mithra was viewed as the Good Shepherd, the "Way, the Truth and the Light," the Redeemer, the Savior, the Messiah.
• Mithra is omniscient, as he "hears all, sees all, knows all: none can deceive him."
• He was identified with both the Lion and the Lamb.
• His sacred day was Sunday, "the Lord's Day," hundreds of years before the appearance of Christ.
• His religion had a eucharist or "Lord's Supper."
• Mithra "sets his marks on the foreheads of his soldiers."
• Mithraism emphasized baptism
  (http://www.truthbeknown.com/mithra.htm)
  One thing I have discovered it the further I look into Judaism the more answers I find and the answers they give are correct and backed up by facts and science and historical documents and artifacts. It's pretty hard to dispute that.