Updated Story

YHWH continues to bless my life as I continue to seek His Face & Will.   Kevin & I have been married nearly 3 years now.  I have changed my name, in keeping with my 'new creature' status to:

Shalom Serene Shick. 

I really covet Yah's 'Shalom' in my life, and it is one of my challenges to be 'Serene.  My old names both had distinct pagan origins, although, of course, it wasn't my mother's intent.  But I was most proud of them when I was Wiccan, and now I want to make the change that Abraham, Peter and others all made when they had their names changed upon embarking on the Lord's Way.  I went right down to the court house and got the opportunity to give my testimony to several people as I explained my purpose in changing my name. 

 Kevin & I have gotten certified as Health Ministers by Hallelujah Acres!  We really are enjoying our new diet and lifestyle as we glorify God in our bodies which are His Temple for His Holy Spirit.  Kevin has lost 20 pounds and kicked the caffeine habit, and I have quit smoking at last.  Check out our site at www.SupernaturalSelf.com for lots of useful information and tips.

YHWH leads me closer and closer to Him.  I am now attending a lovely Messianic Congregation, Shomair Yisrael, here in Knoxville.  I am very excited about participating in the same glorious festivals our Messiah practiced!  Yom Kippur and Sukkot were really great.  I put my air mattress and sleepy bags out on the roof of the apartment I rent out, outside my bedroom, for a little Sukkah.  It got too cold the last few nights, though, and I had to wimp out.  But the nights that I was able to sleep and eat out there were so special.  I really felt like maybe I was making Abba smile at my little gesture.  It also gave me a chance to talk to a few folks about what I was doing, so a bit of witnessing ensued as a result, too.

Little did I know that when I changed my name to 'Shalom' I had created an opportunity for a pretty funny inside joke upon going to the Messianic Congregation.  Several people, especially our Rabbi at Shomair Yisrael, enjoy greeting me with: 'Shalom, Shalom!'  It really tickles me.

I almost feel like Hilkiah in 2 Chronicles, when he was read the newfound Torah and realized how he and his people and ancestors had not been following YHVH's Commands.  He tore his clothing and determined to change that situation.  It seems to me that so many of us are missing out on what our God wants us to be doing by assuming that His Law no longer applies since Jesus' Sacrifice.  It is my understanding that the only law this pre-empted was the one for sin sacrifice, as His was the once and for all sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus told us He did not come to end the Law but to fulfill it.  Jesus followed the Law, and as He is our example, I think we should follow it as well.  Jesus was a Jew.  He practiced Judaism.  He did not come to start a new religion.  No wonder Jews don't want to convert.  Their faith is true, up to the point of not recognizing their Messiah, and they know about the Truth that is in it, and in them as the chosen people of YHVH.  Christianity asks them to deny their Jewishness in order to follow Jesus.  This is ridiculous.

I am thinking about making some tzit-tzit, since I found a kewl site online with a video that shows how easy it is.How to Make Tassels  Seems like it might be a way to get witnessing opportunities with Jewish folk, who would likely recognize them and be curious as to why some goy was wearing them.  I think it helps to be able to tell a Jew that they can still be Jewish and know Yeshua.

I love Jesus' Hebrew Name: Yeshua.  It is what His friends and family called Him.  I like to be able to have that kind of familiarity with Him. 

I read a really excellent trilogy recently: The Christ Clone Trilogy.  Way strange premise, but awesome research for a riveting story.  There is some great apologetics in there, as well as the most compelling description of how easy it will be to fall for the AntiChrist.  This stuff is right out of the pagan/wiccan literature I fell for.  I really think that is how it will all come down.  This person is going to seem like the most fabulous thing to happen to the world ever.  He will be lovable and intelligent and seemingly compassionate and good.  Oh, we must be on our toes.  Read that trilogy for some important insight.

02/18/07 It appears that many prayers for healing are being answered.  I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  Now this is really very good as you will see shortly.  Keep in mind that in early December, just a couple of months ago, there was a call to the congregation at Shomair Yisrael to come up for anointing with oil for healing requests.  I went and in just a few days found the information on the internet that led to this information.  Please find this news at www.supernaturalself.com/Hypothyroid