Wisdom Wednesday - Jewish Festival Fun

We attended the Jewish Festival in Ormond Beach this month, and I always love seeing the collection of Torah scrolls on display.  The cabinet above is called an arc, and the inscription reads, "Holy Unto The Lord" at the top, and "The Word of Elohim Our God" at the bottom.

When I converted to Messianic Judaism, I didn't have the appreciation of the holiness of His Word that I possess today.  Rabbi Golden, my rabbi as well as my husband, places great emphasis on the importance of revering the Scriptures.  This is a tradition of the Jews that is taken very, very seriously.  In our synagogue, we don't place our Bibles on the floor.  We don't write in the books that contain His Word.  When we parade the Torah scroll around the room, we keep our eyes on it and we do not turn our backs on it.  This is a necessary object lesson to remind us that we carry His Word with us by our words and actions.  We're reminded to honor it, rever it, and be aware of it at all times.  As the Torah passes by, we touch  it with our siddurs (prayer books) and then touch the siddur to our lips.  This is to remember that His Word is sweet to the taste and very precious.

I love the Torah procession so much because it reminds me how blessed we are to have His Word. We are a blessed generation.  We have the Word so readily at our fingertips - in print and through audio recordings.  We can also read many, many versions of the Scriptures online through Biblegateway.com.  So, dear Gail-Friends, we are without excuse when it comes to knowing the Scriptures.

Here are some other photos from the festival:

Many old scrolls.  Our synagogue's scroll is from Morocco and is over 300 years old.  The oldest one on display was over 400 years old.  Can you imagine the commitment involved in preserving that scroll for hundreds of years?  The Jews take that very seriously, indeed.   All of us who are believers should honor His Word that devotedly.

This interesting.  These show the different materials used for writing the scrolls.  The brown one is red deerskin, which is what our Torah scroll is made from.  The white ones are different types of parchment.

We had fun at the festival, too, because there was lots to see, and do, and eat, of course!  Their chopped liver cannot compare to LaVonne's (a member of our congregation), though.  Her mother passed down that precious recipe and it's fabulous.  Hats off, Mom!  I told LaVonne she should get a booth and sell it at the next festival.  She'd make a mint!

Here's the biggest challah bread I've ever seen.  There was a contest to guess how much it weighed.  If you guessed correctly, you got to take it home!  Pictured in the foreground is a tefilla,  or phylactery, a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.

A rabbi dressed like Aaron, the high priest, blowing the shofar.

 Donald, of our congregation, posing with Moses.

They had camel rides.  This was a very nice camel, too.  One of our ladies rode him.  I keep saying I'm going to ride a camel, but every single time I chicken out.  Some camels bite, you know!

There was a very nice petting zoo for the children.  They even had a baby pig!  Whoever was running that must not have gotten the word that pigs aren't kosher!  But he was so cute!

Here's a group shot of some of our family that attended.  They had a face-painting booth, and (most) our congregation had the Magen David painted on their cheeks.  Even the rabbi did it.  He's always such a good sport.

Don't you love this shirt?  A mensch is a person of integrity and honor.  I've heard my husband described that way, and it's so true.  He lives what he teaches every day of his life.

Blessings to you, dear Gail-Friends.  

~~~

  I sometimes share my posts with these friends:
  Spiritual Sundays  GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTY     Share Your Cup Wednesday Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up     
    Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday 
Sunday Thoughts Link-Up
 OVER THE MOON LINKY PARTY!

Wisdom Wednesdays - Emet / Truth

Hebrew is a unique and fascinating language.  The graphic above explains the Hebrew word "emet" which means truth.  (graphic from MiYah Music)

An understanding of Torah and Hebrew are vital to understanding the New Testament.  The graphic above is a perfect example.  If you, like me, were taught a Christian view and theology, you know the verse from Revelation 22:13 as, "I am the (alpha)beginning and the (omega)end."  This is because modern translations are from the Greek.  As the saying goes, "A lot gets lost in translation."

Remember, when Yeshua spoke the following words, He was speaking in Aramaic / Hebrew.  Truth was understood to mean Torah.  He was speaking of Himself as the embodiment of Torah (the living Torah).  Ponder these words:

I am the way, the truth (emet) and the life. (John 14:6)

You will know the truth (emet), and the truth (emet) will make you free. (John 8:32)

But the time is coming — indeed, it’s here now — when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (emet), for these are the kind of people the Father wants worshipping him.

 (John 4:23)

The  119th Psalm is all about truth.  When you read/study it, keep the word emet in mind.  Here are just a few examples:

Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and your Torah is truth (emet).  (Psalm 119:142)

You are close by, ADONAI, and all of your commandments are truth (emet).  (Psalm 119:151)

With reference to the graphic: If you erase the alef, you are left with mem and tav, which is the Hebrew word "met," which means  "death." We must have the whole truth which leads to life - not half-truths.

 

Beloved, are you following the "emet"? Or are you following half truths?  I asked myself this question almost twenty years ago.  I sought His wisdom and He led me to emet.

You can learn more about Messianic Judaism at this LINK.

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends: 

Spiritual Sundays     GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday       TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS    Share Your Cup Wednesday Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up        Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday

Wisdom Wednesdays - Flourishing in Old Age Part 3

Proverbs 3 is a treasure vault of how to flourish in old age.  Just look at this wonderful promise:

My son, don’t forget my teaching,
keep my commands in your heart; 

 for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.

Proverbs 3:1-2 (CJB) 

I love reading this and meditating on the fact that if I keep His commandments, He will add many years of LIFE and PEACE to my existence on this earth.  It's a great thing just to be alive, but to be alive with peace is the cherry on top.  Peace is something I prize and pursue with all of my being.

But wait!  That's not all!  Here's another wonderful promise for old age:

  

Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil. 

This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8 (CJB)

Here's another great benefit of obedience -- a healthy body and strong bones.  These are things I prize, too.  As one grows older, health and strength can diminish.  But, fearing Adonai and turning from evil will preserve them.  Oh, and lest we forget, part of this old-age promise is “don’t be conceited about your own wisdom.”

I've said it before and will repeat it:  about twenty years ago, I got on my knees and asked G-d to lead me to His wisdom.  Not the wisdom of the world.   Not a denomination.  Not a religion.  Not a teacher.  Not a preacher.  And, most of all, not my own.  I wanted His wisdom.  He led me to **Messianic Judaism and observance of His Torah.  That is the wisdom spoken of in this passage.

We're not finished yet, Gail-Friends.   Another benefit is HAPPINESS! Look at this:

 Happy the person who finds wisdom,
the person who acquires understanding;
for her profit exceeds that of silver,
gaining her is better than gold,
she is more precious than pearls —
nothing you want can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand,
riches and honor in her left.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who grasp her;
whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.

Proverbs 3:13-18 (CJB)

While on a visit to an assisted living facility, I met an amazing woman in her 90's.  Her faith and her attitude are an inspiration for all who know her.  One day, she sat at the table with a lady who did nothing but complain.  My friend said cheerily, "I'm going to have to move to another table.  I'm too happy for you!"  Don't you love it?  That's the kind of happy old woman I aspire to be.  Well, that's the kind of old woman I am right now.  I'm blessed, I'm happy, and I'm at peace.

I challenge you, dear Gail-Friends, to do a study of Proverbs 3.  Make a list of all the benefits of obedience to Adonai's wisdom.  You will be surprised, as I was, by the length of the list.  You will see how it touches every area of life with blessing.

** You can learn more about Messianic Judaism by clicking on this LINK on my blog.

You may enjoy reading Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends: 

Spiritual Sundays     GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday       TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS    Share Your Cup Wednesday Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up        Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday

Wisdom Wednesdays - Flourishing in Old Age Part 2

This week, I'm meditating on Psalm 71 and the encouragement for growing old found there.  In the Tree of Life Bible version, this psalm is titled, "My Hope When I Am Gray."

So much of this psalm is my testimony, such as:

For You are my hope, Adonai my Lord—
my trust from my youth.

From my birth, I have leaned on You.
You took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise is always about You.

(verses 5 - 6)

I cannot remember a time when I did not believe in G-d.  My mother's pregnancy was difficult and I am blessed to be alive.  Adonai saved me and I praise and thank Him for protecting and preserving me.

In verse nine, the psalmist prays,

"Do not cast me away in the time of old age.
When my strength fails, do not forsake me."

He prays this prayer, but he has faith and his hope is in Adonai. That is my hope also.  He has seen me through so many deep valleys.  There were times when I almost despaired, but I held to His hand and my Bible.  I believed His promises.  That's what the psalmist does in this passage.  He speaks of his hope:

So even until I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
till I tell of Your strong arm to the next generation,
Your might to all who are to come.
For Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches to high heaven.
You have done great things—O God,
who is like You?
You made me see many troubles and evils
    —You will revive me again—
from the depths of the earth
    You will bring me up again.

That's faith, Gail-Friends. . . believing that G-d will see you through, no matter how dark the valley.  It's believing that He will carry you through the golden years.  

Old age is not for sissies, but flourishing in old age is possible.  By having faith and hope and by praise, we will flourish. 

So I will praise You with the harp for your truth, O my G-d.
I will sing praises to You with the lyre O Holy One of Israel.My lips will shout for joy
—when I sing praises to You—
and my soul, which You have redeemed.

  Also, my tongue will tell of Your righteousness all day.

Next week, I will share some tips from the Scriptures that will help with flourishing in old age. 

You may like to read Flourishing in Old Age Part 1 and Part 3
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I sometimes share my posts with these friends:
Spiritual Sundays        GRAND Social       Modest Mom Monday Link-up     The Art of Homemaking Mondays   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday     Share Your Stuff Tuesday    TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS     Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up      Tune-In Thursday   Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday

Wisdom Wednesdays - Flourishing in Old Age

I've read this Psalm many times and this week I noticed a promise for old age in verses 13 - 16:

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 

 Planted in the house of Adonai,
they will flourish in the courtyards of our God.

Even in old age they will be vigorous,
still full of sap, still bearing fruit,  

proclaiming that Adonai is upright,
my Rock, in whom there is no wrong.

Notice that this promise is for the righteous, which means those who obey ADONAI.

Notice the phrase "planted in the house of ADONAI", which again means obedience.  

Look at the benefits of obeying ADONAI, my friends:

A flourishing life

Vigor (strength)

Full of sap (health)

Bearing fruit

And what are the righteous doing?  (see verses 1 - 12)

they are planted in the house of Adonai

thanking Him 

praising Him

declaring His grace in the morning

declaring His faithfulness at night 

finding happiness and joy in all that He has created

declaring how great His deeds are

meditating on how deep His thoughts are

not allowing resentments or anger against evil people to stay in their minds

leaving revenge to G-d

remembering the people who have been destroyed because of their 

disobedience to G-d

They are also proclaiming that ADONAI is upright.  

They are proclaiming that He is their Rock.  

They are proclaiming that in Him there is no wrong.  

That's a great focus for any life, but especially during the senior years.  Compare spending time with a self-centered, whining, constantly complaining old person to enjoying a visit with one who is Adonai focused,  grateful, and filled with joy.  I've been around both types, and my desire is to be a flourishing senior citizen.
 
Psalm 92:16 says it perfectly -- in Him, there is no wrong.   That's why I wrote this post.  The verse tells me what I'm to do in order to flourish in my old age.  I'm proclaiming --   

ADONAI IS UPRIGHT 

 HE IS MY ROCK 

 IN HIM THERE IS NO WRONG 

In upcoming Wisdom Wednesdays, I will further explore what the Scriptures say about flourishing in the golden years.

You may enjoy Flourishing in Old Age Part 2 and Flourishing in Old Age Part 3
  ~~~~~


I sometimes share my posts with these friends:
Spiritual Sundays        GRAND Social       Modest Mom Monday Link-up     The Art of Homemaking Mondays   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday     Share Your Stuff Tuesday    TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS     Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up      Tune-In Thursday   Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday

Wisdom Wednesdays - Children Grow Up

When my children were growing up, I had a decorative plaque on the wall that read:

Cleaning and dusting can wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up we learn to our sorrow.

This quote was a guiding light for me in my house-keeping / cleaning routines.  It reminded me that my children were more important than a spotless home.  Yes, our home was clean, but I was not a neat freak as some of my friends were.  I've even quoted the saying to other mothers to remind them to keep priorities straight.

I did not know, until this week, that this quote was part of a poem:

Children Grow Up 

Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing and butter the bread,

Sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew

And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo

But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.)

Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep.

~Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Isn't it a lovely poem?  I wasn't looking for it, but stumbled across it on another blog.  I'm so glad I did because I will treasure it, 

The days of childhood are so short.  Think of it, Gail-Friends, childhood is only ten to twelve years.  These are golden, precious years to enjoy their sweet kisses and hugs.  Ten to twelve short years to play together and be as silly as you want to be.  I look back on those days of my daughters lives as the most wonderful days of my entire life.

I remind you, young mothers, you will have decades to pursue your own interests or to have a career.  Treasure and make the most of the lovely days of baby and childhood because you'll have so many lovely memories to look back on.

As a grandmother, I'm now treasuring the childhood days of my grandson and enjoying every minute with him.  It's hard to believe he's going on eight years old because the years has gone by blindingly fast.  I'm trying not to blink because he'll be graduating college before I know it.

Jem & me with him at the pumpkin patch in 2009.

Out to eat together on Mother's Day 2017

Every day is precious, Gail-Friends.  Make the most of it

Blessings,
GG




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I sometimes share my posts with these friends:
Spiritual Sundays     Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       Modest Mom Monday Link-up      
   Growing Homemakers Link-Up      BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday     Share Your Stuff Tuesday    TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS     Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday 

Wisdom Wednesday - Gates

photo courtesy of MiYah Music

I read this online quote a few days ago and thought it was worth sharing.

"Think of yourself as a city. You have four magical gates: the Gate of Seeing, the Gate of Listening, the Gate of Imagining and the Gate of Speaking.

Magical gates, because an Infinite G‑d enters your finite city through these gates. An infinite G‑d who cannot be squeezed within any place or boxed within any definition, but chooses to dress neatly in a wisdom called Torah—and these are your gates by which wisdom may enter.

That is why all the world competes to storm those gates. They want you to see the ugliness they see, hear the cacophony they hear, imagine the nonsense they imagine and speak without end. And then, you will desire all they desire and no room will be left in your city for that Infinite G‑d.

You only need master those gates and the city is yours."

(from Maamar Shoftim 5729)

As I meditated on this writing, I thought of the Scripture in the graphic above.   Yeshua said the gate to Life is narrow.  Here is the passage in the *Tree of Life version:

 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.  How narrow is the gate and difficult the way 

that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

 Something to meditate on, Gail-Friends. 

*The Tree of Live Version of the Scriptures can be viewed on www.biblegateway.com

***************

I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

Spiritual Sundays     Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   

Modest Mom Monday Link-up         Growing Homemakers Link-Up       

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Living Proverbs 31

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A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 

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Wordless Wednesdays    Jennifer Dukes Lee Tell His Story  Teaching What Is Good Link-Up

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