COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER

Here, where I live in the UK, many local communities and streets are coming together in new ways, getting to know and supporting one another during this Coronavirus pandemic. So far over 30,000 have died and we are still in a critical phase. We are still in lockdown here (6 weeks now), only able to leave our homes (if under 70 and not in the extremely vulnerable category) for food, medical reasons, or emergency or short exercise. On Sundays the people in the row of terraced houses (about 10 of them) across the street, come out about 4 pm with their cup of whatever, to greet one another - at a distance - after the family in the middle of the have entertained us with their brass instruments (father, mother and children) and possibly other musical residents as well. I watch from my first floor window and have conversations and now know my near neighbours a lot better. I discovered that the tenants in one of the ground floor flats are christians and they kindly offered to do shopping for me last week. God seems to be joining His family in new and more meaningful and authentic ways, and delivering us from the doctrines, commandments and traditions of men that have hindered His Body for so long. Yesterday was the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day when World War II ended on 8th May 1945. I went for a walk and noticed that several streets had bunting up (right across the street in one case) and people had tables and chairs out on the gardens and pavements and were feasting and toasting at a safe distance from their neighbours. In my small corner, we are thinking about having a street party when this is all over. I am also meeting new people - new believers - online in my area; up to now it has been very difficult to fit into the rhythm of "churchianity" with an autoimmune illness and low energy, but Zoom meetings are making life so much easier for the disabled or housebound and now they are getting INCLUDED INSTEAD OF EXCLUDED. The Lord be praised for what He is doing. He is Lord of ALL!

Its nice to see another UK Chris. Welcome! I live in Lewisham SE London. No Parties in my neck of the woods but some Buntin in the windows. The atmosphere has changed regarding neighbors though. One thing I do disagree with is your mention of over seventies we are not ordered to stay in only advised to especially if we have underlying medical conditions. I am seventy two and have no intention of being imprisoned in my home for who knows how long. You may find that many over 70 year olds feel the same. I take the prescribed precautions of social distancing and wear a mask when entering shops. That is as far as I will go. Anyway I hope we will have some good exchanges on site in the near future. Best wishes

Sorry, yes, you are right - it is only advice. I am not far off 70 myself, in my early 60s. I know some 80 year olds who are more sprightly than I am, anyway I am thankful to God that I am better recovered than I have been. Are you jewish or go to a Messianic fellowship when you go? I used to go to a prayer group for Israel and am encouraged with what God is doing in that land. I love the tanakh as much as I love the NT and trying to get to grips with Biblical Hebrew - there's a great series on Amazon Prime, free for the first 30 days, and Michael Carasik is a great teacher. Anyway today is Sunday and we are all awaiting the next step from the Prime Minister. All the best, see you around.

Im not Jewish. I used the tag because I was looking for something that would be accepted when I joined up. I am interested in the
Jewish roots of our faith though and have learned a lot from my studies. I have mixed feelings about the Jewish roots movement
mainly because very few I have met who attend meetings are actually Jewish. Thanks for the Amazon info. I will take a look at it.

At the time of posting I have heard the PMs speech. Basically it wont affect me much but may make a big difference for those still able to work away from home.

Hello again, just to say that I got quite carried away the extremes of the Jewish Roots movement and, like a grandfather clock pendulum swung one way too far and then back again and now hopefully balanced. As Jacob Prasch, a Messianic teacher, has pointed out, there is only one jewish root (Romans 9 - 11) "the root supports the branches" and we are grafted into an historical faith culminating in the arrival of the promised Jewish Messiah, and we are now part of the commonwealth of Spiritual Israel, part of the New Covenant as believing gentiles. I find it very exciting, but I have wrestled with the "do I keep the law" question and which bit of it, and had to work through all that to Acts 15 resolution of that very issue. It made the NT come more alive to me and I now understand the problems the early church faced much better. However, I have now steered away from what I believe are heretical fringes of the RootS movement, as I believe I have discerned a different spirit/spirits behind some of it. We know that the enemy loves to sow tares amongst the wheat to further the anti-christ agenda which has been around since the early church and which will culminate, as we know, in the arrival of the Man of Sin, masquerading as a person of peace. I'll stop there. God bless, hope you had a good weekend. Stay well and safe.

Hello again, just to say that I got quite carried away the extremes of the Jewish Roots movement and, like a grandfather clock pendulum swung one way too far and then back again and now hopefully balanced. As Jacob Prasch, a Messianic teacher, has pointed out, there is only one jewish root (Romans 9 - 11) "the root supports the branches" and we are grafted into an historical faith culminating in the arrival of the promised Jewish Messiah, and we are now part of the commonwealth of Spiritual Israel, part of the New Covenant as believing gentiles. I find it very exciting, but I have wrestled with the "do I keep the law" question and which bit of it, and had to work through all that to Acts 15 resolution of that very issue. It made the NT come more alive to me and I now understand the problems the early church faced much better. However, I have now steered away from what I believe are heretical fringes of the RootS movement, as I believe I have discerned a different spirit/spirits behind some of it. We know that the enemy loves to sow tares amongst the wheat to further the anti-christ agenda which has been around since the early church and which will culminate, as we know, in the arrival of the Man of Sin, masquerading as a person of peace. I'll stop there. God bless, hope you had a good weekend. Stay well and safe.

While you are working all this out, I suggest you find the room to include the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit..........being Sanctified is essential for spiritual growth

Its nice to see another UK Chris. Welcome! I live in Lewisham SE London. No Parties in my neck of the woods but some Buntin in the windows. The atmosphere has changed regarding neighbors though. One thing I do disagree with is your mention of over seventies we are not ordered to stay in only advised to especially if we have underlying medical conditions. I am seventy two and have no intention of being imprisoned in my home for who knows how long. You may find that many over 70 year olds feel the same. I take the prescribed precautions of social distancing and wear a mask when entering shops. That is as far as I will go. Anyway I hope we will have some good exchanges on site in the near future. Best wishes

Hi @tanakh ...
I am from the UK also ...
I live under the borough of Lewisham although I am ten minutes walk away from Surrey Quays ...
...xox...

Hello Rosemaryx I live in Lewisham too! My wife and I hang out in Honor Oak Park on the Overground line It would be great if we could meet up some time when all this Pandemic allows. Meanwhile if you want to contact me I will use the private message gismo to send you my Email address and phone number.

Good morning @tanakh ...
That will be wonderful , I will look forward to that God willing...
...xox...

I sent my details via CC this morning. Im not very savvy about that side of things. So can you confirm that you got them.

Thanks

Yes @tanakh , I have put your details in my phone...
I will wait for you for when the right time to meet up with you and your wife ...
...xox...