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Playing God
"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye." — Matthew 7:1-5 Guilty. As. Charged. I've had a giant log in my eye for a long time now. I've excused its presence with statements like this: "I just want everyone to see what I see ... to experience the blessings my family and I have experienced since coming to the knowledge He has given to us." I've shrouded it in prayers that sound something like this: "Lord, would you open their eyes too? Reveal to them the heart behind why we pursue your Torah so that we can all be on…
Sabbath Reflections: Bamidbar
Some reflections on what stood out to me from last week's Torah portion reading of Numbers 1-4:20, as well as the corresponding prophetic and gospel passages from Hosea 2 and Matthew 4.
Trust: Part 2 – “Let Down Your Nets”
I've never had a problem "thrusting out a little from the land" — just far enough to stay within my comfort zone and where I know I can still hear His voice. But launching out into the deep — the dark oceanic abyss where uncertainty most surely prevails — is another thing entirely.
Trust: Part 1 – “Luke, Party of Five”
We are soon to be Luke, party of five, and the way that He has provided and opened doors for this new chapter of our life has been nothing short of amazing.
Protected (Psalm 121)
I was praying tonight and I looked at the clock. 1:21 "Read Psalm 121," He said. I opened my Bible and recited the following passage out loud several times. (Quietly of course—the rest of my household was sleeping as most normal people tend to do at this hour.) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from Yahweh, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Yahweh is thy keeper: Yahweh is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. Yahweh shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. Yahweh shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. —Psalm 121 He has always been my keeper. My protector. The guardian of my heart. My body language often says much more than my lips would dare to speak. Shoulders hunched forward. Arms folded tightly across my chest. Eyes darting to and fro (mostly toward the ground) as…
Our First Sukkot
I've been meaning to write this for a while now. It has been more than a month since we returned from our first Feast of Tabernacles celebration, and my intention was to sit down and write about our experience that weekend. But I guess life got in the way... Either that, or I just needed some time to reflect and process. (That's typically how we writers operate.) Tonight seems like a particularly good time, as I've been feeling pretty lonely lately. And with loneliness comes reflection and introspection. If you're wondering why I'm feeling lonely, then let's get coffee! It'll simultaneously answer your question and temporarily cure my loneliness. Win-win! Anyway, back to the point: our first Sukkot. But before I go there completely, a little background: For anyone who was previously unaware, our family began to uncover some truths in Scripture just over one year ago as we were praying and asking the Lord to show us what it really means to love him. One of those truths was that the Biblical holy days and feasts (the Father's appointed times) were not just given for the people we call "the Jews" today to observe and keep. Actually, those we…
40 Days of Repentance | Day 40: Atonement
Tomorrow is Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, and I plan to spend the day fasting, praying, and reflecting...
40 Days of Repentance | Day 39: Affliction
As Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, approaches, I've been pondering this question: what does it mean to afflict your soul?
40 Days of Repentance | Day 38: Jealousy
Jealousy leads to covetousness, and I know firsthand how destructive it can be...
