Friday, August 26, 2016

Sabbath Music - Hine El Yeshuati




Last Erev Shabbat, I went to the service but had to leave early.  After the week of travel and grief, I could barely hold up my weary head.  I went home to my comfy bed and slept for about twelve hours.  I continued to rest on Shabbat and began to feel energized again.  G-d is good.

Oh, the blessings of Shabbat.  Oh, the joys of this set-apart time to reflect, refresh and renew, to worship, to praise, to pray with mishpacha, to share our food together and enjoy each others company.  Best of all, we learn from the Scriptures. I love this prayer we say together at the synagogue before we begin to study the Torah together:

"Our Father, the merciful One, Who acts mercifully:  Have mercy upon us and place understanding in our hearts -- to understand and elucidate, to listen, to learn and to teach, to safeguard, to perform and to fulfill all the words of the study of Your Torah, with love, Amain."

A very good prayer, don't you think?

This song is sure to make your feet want to dance, so just do it!  Hine El Yeshuati , which means behold, G-d, my salvation I will trust.  Enjoy, Gail-Friends, and Good Shabbos to you all.

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Friday, August 19, 2016

Sabbath Music - Scarlet Purple Robe


This week, we attended the funeral of my cousin, Frances.  She had leukemia and had fought a year-long battle against the disease.  Her last week of life was spent at home with her husband and close family and friends.  She had just turned fifty years old on August 9.

I was a teenager when Frances was born, and I used to babysit her and change her diapers rock her, and sing to her.  She was like my baby for the two years her family lived next door to my parents.  I can still see her in my mind, toddling around the yard.  She had the prettiest ivory skin and auburn red hair.  Our pet name for her was Skipper.  Daddy called her Droopy Drawers because her diaper was always hanging down.  That name stuck for years.

Frances grew up to be a loving, caring sweet-natured woman and became a CNA.  She worked at a nursing home and was a blessing to those in her care.  She helped everybody and anybody who needed it.  I have only good memories of her and I will miss her terribly.  Please say a prayer for her husband and family and for me.  It will not be easy to live without her loving, caring spirit and her bright smile.

It's hard to lose someone you love, and it's disconcerting when that person is much younger than you.  We have had other deaths of friends over the last few months, as well as reports from other friends and family who are battling cancer.  It's been a summer full of tears.



As we gathered together for her burial, I was so thankful to have my Heavenly Father to carry my burdens during times like these, and especially thankful that I have the blessed hope of seeing my sweet cousin again one day.  As we left the graveyard, I noticed this statue:



I've been to this cemetery many times before because my parents and many of my relatives are buried there.  I'd never noticed this statue, though.  It reminded me that G-d's angels watch over us, not just in hard times, but every day.  It is a comforting thought.

Frances loved and believed in Yeshua the Messiah, and she loved people.  This was her favorite song, and it was played at her funeral. Scarlet Purple Robe by Ralph Stanley
I hope you enjoy the song, Gail-Friends, and I hope you have a blessed Sabbath.

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 
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Friday, August 12, 2016

Sabbath Music - His Eye is on the Sparrow




We're always busy every day, and so I look forward to His Sabbath.  It's His time -- set apart for us to be still and focus on Him.  I treasure it, and I hope you do, Gail-Friends.
This poem from my daily devotional, Streams in the Desert so beautiful and true.  I hope it blesses you.

Last night I heard a robin singing in the rain,
And the raindrop's patter made a sweet refrain,
Making all the sweeter the music of the strain.

So, I thought, when trouble comes, as trouble will,
Why should I stop singing? Just beyond the hill
It may be that sunshine floods the green world still.

He who faces the trouble with a heart of cheer
Makes the burden lighter. If there falls a tear,
Sweeter is the cadence in the song we hear.

I have learned your lesson, bird with dappled wing,
Listening to your music with its lilt of spring
When the storm-cloud darkens, then's the TIME to sing.

--Eben E. Rexford 

I love to sit on my back porch on the Sabbath, just being still and watching the birds visiting my feeders and birdbaths.  This song, His Eye Is On The Sparrow by pianist Dino Kartsonakis, is perfect for the Sabbath.  It has the music and lyrics, with birds singing in the background.  After you listen, find the version by Ethel Waters.  Nobody sings it like she does.  

Have a blessed, worship-full, peace-full and rest-full Sabbath, Gail-Friends.

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 

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Thursday, August 11, 2016

Thankful Thursday - Playing Catch Up




I've been saying how busy I've been lately, so today I'm catching up -- sharing what I've been up to over the last few weeks.

The photo above is a stained glass piece in a prayer chapel I visited recently.  I love it, don't you?  As I sat there, I remembered a song I sang as a young girl: "Have faith, hope and charity.  That's the way to live successfully.  How do I know? The Bible tells me so."  I'm thankful for the stained glass and the song that were a loving message from my Heavenly Father that day.


I'm abundantly thankful for weekly play days with our grandson.  I stockpile every empty paper towel and toilet paper roll so that he can create with them.  Here, he was making battle armor for his arms and legs.


We went to see The Secret Life of Pets with his mom and some friends.  Afterward, we went to the ice cream shop.  If you like animals, you'll love that movie.  It's hilarious!

Jem and I also went to see the movie Hillary's America. I'm thankful for Dinesh D'Souza who had the courage and willingness to produce this movie to expose the truth about American history and about Hillary Clinton.  I highly recommend it.


I'm grateful that we've been having lots of children under the tallit on Shabbat.  We love that.  The little boy in the white shirt, on the front row, is so much fun.  He always has a new joke to tell Rabbi Jem each week.  This past Friday night,  he said, "Why did the rabbi cross the road?  To get to the synagogue!"


The two little ones on the left, front row, are just adorable brothers, age three and four. We used to call them the "wrecking crew" when they first came because they were so rambunctious; but now they are very well behaved, and sit through the whole service, quiet as little mice.  They even participate in the discussion sometimes.  All of our children stay in the service because we believe families should worship, study and pray together.


We visited Books-A-Million and I saw these some items I thought would make good gifts for book lovers.  I think I could make the ones below.  Looks pretty easy, right? One day I'll have to show you all the books we have here at the Golden Cottage.  We're both book worms.

I agree on both points


I'm getting better with selfies

Jem's birthday was last week, and I gave him a big surprise.  We went to a Trump rally in Daytona.  Thousands were packed into the auditorium.  The people who stood in front of the stage were on their feet for about five hours. 


We both wanted to attend a rally, hear him speak and draw our own conclusions about him as a candidate for President.  We found him to be very calm and soft spoken, humble and positive about the future of America.  He was not my first choice when the race began, but I'm convinced he loves America and that his business sense will be an asset to our country.  Another thing I like is that he's an outsider and independent of powerful lobbyists.  He has been in the public eye for over thirty years, and is not a racist as the media portrays him.


A few months ago, Trump was endorsed by a number of evangelicals, including Dr. James Dobson,.  I have great respect for Dr. Dobson and value his opinions on important issues.  He reported that Trump had repented and surrendered his life to Yeshua as the Messiah.  I've watched him closely since then, and I see a change.  As a new believer, he's not going to reach maturity overnight.  I'm also encouraged to learn that his daughter, Ivanka, is married to a Jew, as is one of his sons.  These people will be powerful spiritual influences in his life.  He is on a journey, and I believe G-d has His hand on him for such a time as this.

We have watched our country go through so many detrimental changes during the last seven and a half years.  I am confident that if Hillary is elected, things will continue to get worse, and we will wind up as a socialist country.  With the influx of illegals from the Middle East, our country could easily go through the same horrors as France, Germany, and other European countries.

I'm thankful to have heard him speak in person in order to discern his spirit.  I believe Donald Trump loves America, as I do. I've looked. at his future plans and proposals, and they look good and sound to me.  You can hear him speak on the important issues HERE.  He has a proven track record of economic success, and I believe his ideas will help our country.  He has Rabbi Jem's and my vote in November, and we are encouraging others to vote for him, too.

I urge you, Gail-Friends, to listen to his speeches entirely, not the tiny sound bites you hear on the news media, and to prayerfully consider him and his plans for making America safe, prosperous, and great again. I believe he can and will do it.

Thankful Thursday is my day to focus on and be grateful for all of the good things in my life.  

P.S. Next week I'll share about the baptisms at the beach, the Bat Mitzvah we had at the synagogue, and more about Rabbi Jem's birthday.

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Wisdom Wednesdays - Six Questions

Our 350+ year old sefer Torah


I found this article on the Torah Babies Facebook page.  I think it is an excellent explanation of why believers in Yeshua the Messiah are to obey the Torah.



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"Six questions that will change your life....

This resource is unlike any of our other resources. It is designed for Torah followers who are looking for a way to introduce family and/or friends to the Torah, but it is also self-explanatory, so it is relevant to people who are searching for the truth on their own. By asking a serious of questions in a very specific order and answering those questions using scripture, a foundation is laid which proves that Torah is still applicable in the lives of believers today.

How do we love YHWH (G-d)?
What is Sin?
What is the Law?
What is Lawlessness?
What are Commandments?
What is Righteousness?

These questions along with their corresponding answers are designed to keep a person on topic and guide them to the conclusion that the law, AKA Torah, is still applicable today.

How do we love YHWH (G-d)?

For this is what love for G-d is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, 1 John 5:3

And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love. 2 John 1:6

“If you love Me, you will keep My commands. John 14:15

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

What is Sin?

Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is the breaking of law. 1 John 3:4

What is the Law?
Also: The Law, G-ds Law, Mosaic Law

Merriam-Webster
a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority 2 a often capitalized : the revelation of the will of G-d set forth in the Old Testament
the first part of the Jewish scriptures : pentateuch, torah

Strong’s
H8451 towrah or torah – (from H3384 yarah – to throw, shoot, to point out, show, to direct, teach, instruct) law, direction, instruction, Mosaic Law
G3551 nomos – anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command
a law or rule producing a state approved of G-d, the Mosaic law

Scripture References
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

Psalm 119:136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.

1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says YHWH.

1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,

Commentary
The law in the Bible is referring to Torah. Translating Torah as law gives it a somewhat negative tone. A much better translation would be ‘instruction.’ The root word for Torah carries the idea of shooting or aiming to hit a mark. Torah is YHWH’s instructions for righteousness, or His way of showing us how to aim our lives towards righteousness. Torah has more to do with ‘hand’ led instruction than ‘rod’ following legalism.

What is Lawlessness?
Merriam-Webster
1: not regulated by or based on law
2 : not restrained or controlled by law

Strong’s
G458 anomía (from 459 / anomos “destitute of (the Mosaic) law”) – properly, without law;
the condition of without law (because ignorant of it), (because of violating it)
contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

Scripture References
Matthew 13:41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

Commentary
1 John 3:4 defines exactly what lawlessness is…SIN. Sin is defined as the breaking of the law and the law that defines sin is Torah. Breaking Torah is Lawlessness. 2 Corinthians 6:14 makes a very clear distinction between righteousness (obeying Torah) and lawlessness (breaking Torah).

What are Commandments?
Merriam-Webster
1: the act or power of commanding
2: something that is commanded; especially: one of the biblical Ten Commandments

Strong’s
H4687 mitsvah – commandment (of G-d) (of man)
G1785 entolē – an order, command, charge, precept, injunction

Scripture References
Leviticus 22:31 “Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am YHWH.

Deuteronomy 4:40 You shall keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land, which YHWH your G-d gives you, forever.

Matthew 5:17 But he answered and said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of G-d by your tradition?

Matthew 22:40 “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Commentary
A commandment, statute, or judgment is anything YHWH commands us to do or observe. Commandments are YHWH’s instructions for righteousness and they are found in the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah. The verses we have listed show the importance of keeping YHWH’s commandments, forever, throughout our generations. 

Even the New Testament verses show the commandments are to be observed today. Matthew 22:40 is often used to say that believers are only required to keep two commandments, love your neighbor and love YHWH, but Y’shua makes it clear that all of the Law (Torah, Commandments) depend on those two, NOT that those two are the only ones we are required to keep today.

What is Righteousness?
Merriam-Webster
1: morally good: following religious or moral laws: caused by something that you believe is not morally right or fair
2: acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin
Strong’s
H6664 – tsedeq (from 6663 / tsadaq “to be just, be righteous”) – justice, rightness, righteousness
what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures), righteousness (in government), of law
G1343 – dikaiosýnē (from 1349 /díkē, “a judicial verdict”) – properly, judicial approval (the verdict of approval); in the NT, the approval of G-d (“divine approval”).
in the broad sense, the state of him who is such as he ought to be, righteousness; the condition acceptable to G-d

Scripture References
Psalm 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

Psalm 119:137 You are righteous, YHWH. Your judgments are upright.

Psalm 119:138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

Psalm 119:160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

Psalm 119:172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of G-d’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of G-d.

Commentary

Righteousness is simply the condition of being acceptable to YHWH. Romans 10:3 shows us that there is a difference between YHWH’s righteousness and our own righteousness. 

David makes it very clear in Psalm 119 that YHWH and his ordinances and commandments (Torah) are righteous, so it only stands to reason that following and observing YHWH’s ordinances and commandments is what leads us to the state of righteousness that is acceptable to YHWH. Following Torah is righteousness.


Conclusion

Loving YHWH is expressed by our keeping of his commands or laws. Sin is defined as breaking YHWH’s laws or commands. The law or commandments are known as the Torah or YHWH’s instructions in righteousness. Following Torah is righteousness. When we set aside the Torah as if it does not apply to modern day believers, we are sinning and also not loving YHWH, or at least not loving him the way He wants to be loved. Without Torah there can be no righteousness. The Torah is love!

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear YHWH and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. Ecclesiastes 12:13"

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Gail-Friends, if you call yourself a believer, a follower of Jesus, I ask you to prayerfully consider these things above.

We've often heard the saying "What would Jesus Do?"  Well, beloved, He would, and did, follow the Torah. I challenge you to read through each of the Gospels in the New Testament and find any place where He said to disobey the Torah (G-d's Commandments). 

I also challenge you to find where He said to change the Sabbath (one of the Ten Commandments).

Yeshua was a Torah observant Jew, as were His disciples.  Torah obedience is part of the Gospel.  He died and shed His blood as payment for our sins, yes.  He also said to keep His Commandments.

Ponder these things, as well as Matthew 7:21-23 (which caused me to fall on my knees in repentence):


21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, ‘L-rd, L-rd! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness

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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 



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Friday, August 5, 2016

Sabbath Music - Blessing Song

 Amanda, lighting the candles
Are you having a busy summer?  We're enjoying the river, the beach, family, cooking out, and all the other good things summer brings.  We also were blessed to have five baptisms last week.

We've had a big week for my sweet husband as we've been celebrating his BIG birthday.  He turned 70.  There was a birthday party at the synagogue, and then on the big day, we went to a Donald Trump rally.  (We wanted to see and hear him for ourselves.  I'll be writing about that next week.)

This weekend, we'll be celebrating a Bat Mitzvah at the synagogue, having a family beach party, and then a family birthday celebration for Jem.  I'll be making his favorite -- fettuccine alfredo and German chocolate cake.  I'll be posting about all of that, too.

I have a super special treat for the Sabbath music this week.  I want you to meet my absolutely favorite singer, my daughter Amanda.  She's been singing since she was six months old.  I'm serious.  She sang Jesus Loves Me as a baby.  The words were not clear, but the tune was right on target.  I'd been singing it to her since she was conceived. 

I love this song, and if you click on the link, it will take you to her You Tube music channel where you can listen to more of her beautiful music.  Enjoy, and I hope you have a good Shabbos.



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 I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 



Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things