It has been 49 days since Pesach.

We have counted the Omer and arrived at Shavuot. I have read countless accounts of what a rebbetzin would say and I will tell you something a little different. Why different? I think you already know that Shavuot is the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai, the harvest of wheat in Israel and the ripening of the first fruits in the Holy Land.

As Messianic Jews we know it is also the giving of the Ruach haKodesh. As observant Jews we gather together for three services to celebrate in these incredible gifts. As observant Jews we adhere to tradition and eat dairy products, sweet things with cream and lots of baked goodies.

As observant Jews in the Messianic community we have our junior shul children create little tablets depicting the Ten Sayings, or better known as the Ten Commandments and doves symbolizing the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit. As observant Jews we bring wonderful offerings to the shul to bless HaShem and to share at Oneg. So why aren't we observant Jews? We aren't truly observant because we wander. Our eyes go to and fro across the land and take in all the world has to offer. We go to a fast food restaurant wearing kepot and tzitzi while ordering a Big Mac. 

We commit adultery and premarital sex and then ask HaShem for forgiveness. We cheat the government and then give a tithe to our congregation. We go to a "Restricted" movie and then cast out demons or anything that might have attached itself to us in the parking lot. We even try to find some godly significance to seeing that ronchy film or reading that steamy novel. We exceed the speed limit so we won't be late for a prayer meeting. We don't go to a prayer meeting because we don't like someone there and find their prayers empty and self-serving. We hop around from congregation to congregation until we finally get fed! We don't tithe because ends just would not meet each month and my kid needs new Nike's. We don't volunteer for junior shul because we are not qualified. We don't help clean up the fellowship hall after Oneg because we don't work on the Shabbat. We are all guilty of being non-observant Jews.

I think the worst one of all is the one where you repent before HaShem but don't say you're sorry to the person you have hurt or offended. That is not true repentance, it just lip service to HaShem.