Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Shanah Tovah Ya'll

Sundown today begins the Jewish New Year!  Happy 5772!  Jews greet each other with "Shanah Tovah" which means Happy New Year  (loosely).  The official name of the holiday is Rosh Hashanah.  We are commanded in the Torah (Leviticus 23:24)  to observe this holiday with the blowing of the shofar.   Also, in the Torah, in Numbers 29:1, the holy day is mentioned.  


In the synagogue, we will have special readings, a very special blowing of the shofar 100 times, and special foods.  We will eat apples dipped in honey, and other sweet foods to signify our desire for a fruitful, sweet year ahead.

With this holiday, we also begin the Ten Days of Awe.  It is a time of sincere, deep reflection on our past year, and of instrospection as we seek our hearts for any sins we may have allowed to creep in.  During this time, we also ask G-d to show us if we need to mend relationships.  The Ten Days of Awe lead up to the most Holy Day of  Yom Kippur.   I will write more about that in a later post.

I was thinking this week about the great joy I find in observing G-d's Feasts and Festivals.  They are times of remembrance...times of reflection...times of rejoicing in the fact that we are G-d's children and blessed in that relationship.

In the lasst few days as I shopped for the special foods for our celebration, I notice that the stores are preparing for another holiday.  I won't even mention the name that I consider evil.  It makes me very sad to think that even those who call themselves believers ignore G-d's holy days.  Churches open their doors on this day and say they are celebrating the harvest, but it doesn't look that way if you observe what goes on that night.  Where is G-d in it all?   What must He think as he watches people ignore His commands and instead follow the ways of the world?  It must make Him very sad.

I was one of those who did what I just described.  I was ignorant of G-d's holy feasts and festivals.  Then one day I asked G-d for HIS wisdom...not the wisdom of the church....not the wisdom of the world.  I wanted HIS wisdom and I began to seek diligently for it.  My search led me to Messianic Judaism and to joy and wisdom like I'd never, ever known before.  I've been blessed beyond measure and my joy continues to increase along with my wisdom.

I'm sure we all have heard the saying "I want to be like Jesus" as well as "What Would Jesus Do?"  Well, dear readers, my prayer for you in the year 5772 is to experience the joys that Yeshua (Jesus) experienced in the Feasts and Festivals...in the study of Torah...and of Judaism.

Shanah Tovah, Ya'll

I'm linking up to Spiritual Sundays
and Brag on God Friday 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Thinking of you all, dear readers

Dear Readers (Gail-Friends):

I haven't forgotten ya'll.  I am once again in Jacksonville, helping my dear mom.  She is very weak and ill.  Please pray for her to understand that she doesn't need to live alone.  It is a very emotional time for both of us.  I am her only child. 

My prayer is to honor her as Torah says.  Pray that I will try to understand her viewpoint of not wanting to give up her independence, and of the changes she is facing.  Pray that I will be kind, patient, tender, and loving in every thought and action.  Pray for her to have peace and to trust Yeshua to lead her through this process.  Pray that I will treat her the way I would want to  be treated. 

Last, pray for my dear husband.  He had a growth removed from his forehead and it is quite painful.  Pray that it comes back benign.  Pray for him while I am away.  We are so sad when we are apart.  We both feel like a part of us is missing, even though we talk on the phone several times a day. 

G-d is so faithful and such a comfort in times like these.  I am living in the Psalms....

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Answered Prayers

Thanks to all who have prayed for my mom and for the e-mails of encouragement.  They mean so much to me.


My mom is going to rehab today, after being in the hospital for 13 long days.  The doctors have been working all that time to adjust her medication to control her heart rhythm.  First it would go up too high, then down too low.  Finally, I hope (and pray) they have found the right balance.   Her condition is called A-fib (for atrial fibrulation) and when the heart races, it takes as much energy as running at full speed.  This explains why she has been so tired all the time.  They explained also that a pace-maker only controls the slow rhythm.  Medication has to control the fast beating.

Thank you, Father, for medications and doctors, and that you are the ultimate Healer.

Please continue to pray for my little mama.  She has other health issues and her life is at a difficult stage.  My prayer is that she will agree to move in with us so that we can be of more help and support to her.  She is 81, but very strong-willed and determined.  Pray for her as she faces a difficult change in her life.  The doctors have said she will not be able to live alone any more.