Shoshana's Garden

I wanted to re-write this one. As I read through it, I just can't. Everything I wrote years ago still stands true today. I hope the Word of God encourages you. That it will strengthen you. That it will be a source of helping you have Patience this holiday season. Chanukah Patience… On the third night of Chanukah the “Love” candle lights Joy, than Peace and now PATIENCE…  The word patience usually stirs up lots of emotions in people. Most parents are constantly telling their y

I wanted to re-write this, but after the incident that happened in Australia, this needed to stay... It is something I am wrestling with - to find true peace within. I used to have it. Now, I struggle. The chaos and craziness of the world is catching up, BUT with God I can choose to walk in peace in my heart. That is my prayer this season. On night two of Chanukah the LOVE candle lights JOY and then PEACE.  What do you think of when you hear the word, “peace?” Some people thi

These are two words heard often this time of year. I have written about the fruits of the Spirit before, but I feel led to try and do different ones this year. I will admit that writing about these is throwing me a bit because I feel like my thoughts about them have changed. I question what love is and do we actually show this to those we come in contact with? Do I really have the JOY that God wants me to have? During Chanukah candles are lit. The Shemah (servant) candle is t

Warning - this is a longer post than normal. I wrote the article below in 2018. The details still hold true for me today. In fact, I read a post the other day on Instagram that "aussiedave" posted. LOVE it. It brought to life the fact that Jesus was most likely conceived during Chanukah. Such an amazing thought! fact, follow him on Instagram for more insights into Hebrew understandings in the Bible that will blow your mind. Today his post was about trials and the snow/wool c

We are matter... Made up of many particles... Those particles matter and are unique to you. You were created to be a special person in this world. You were designed to bring LIFE and HOPE into this world. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." We all have a past. We all have no clue what the future holds. What we have to make the most of is the PRESENT. We take all that matters of the past and

I've been reading a book and it is thought provoking. A quote at the beginning of one of the chapters says, "What is to give light must endure the burning." Viktor Frankl We are told to be light to those around us. We are told that light dispels the darkness. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." It is engrained in everyone who has been in church. This is not easy to do, and the quote above makes that clear. In order to give light we have to burn. The burnin

I've been told I am a deep thinker. Last night watching a movie I listened for the deep quotes, thoughts and comments that should make us think. It wasn't even a movie most would consider "deep!" There is good and bad to being a deep thinker. Sometimes it takes the life out of a party. Sometimes it stops the flow of life when I have to "think through" every decision. Doing my best to be spontaneous, and finding it hard some days. Going with the flow can be challenging... Thin

Yes, a simple Y. A letter that brings many memories to me. I was reminded of this letter a couple weeks ago when I painted trees at one of those Paint and Sip places. Then, last weekend on my way to and from PA to see a good friend, I saw the bare trees as the leaves fell and I was reminded of this story again. Years ago when I first started learning about Israel and customs and teachings from Bible with Jewish understandings (since they were the ones who wrote the Words), an

The end of October is fast approaching and that means a day that I dislike - Halloween. There is a lot of junk connected to this day. Stuff I really don't want to be a part of. In the last 15 - 20 years there has been a process started by Christians which is the thought that we can "redeem the day." It is the idea that churches host a Harvest Festival or Trunk and Treat so children can enjoy a safe place to have fun dressing up and getting candy. While I understand the though

I realized as I pulled out the Shabbat prayer book this morning that I have not been putting in as many Scripture verses recently. It doesn't mean I have forgotten them. Love them... So, here is one to start the day. Psalm 99:1-4 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim ; let the earth shake! Adonai is great in Tziyon; he is high above all the peoples. Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy): “Mighty king who loves justice