The Hebrew word mezuzah means “doorpost.” According to tradition, the mezuzah is to be affixed to the doorpost at the entrance to a Jewish home as well as at the entrance to each of the interior rooms except for bathrooms. The mezuzah itself consists of a small scroll of parchment (k’laf ) on which are written two biblical passages. The passage first is Deuteronomy 6:4–9...
When was the last time you were surprised by joy during worship? Do you find your time in corporate gatherings more an act of routine than one of zeal before the Lord? Look at the faces of those around you. Do they reflect happiness and joy or a stoic resolve to get by another Sunday service?
One of the taglines I keep returning to as a missionary for The Apple of His Eye is that our mission is to “boldly declare Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel to Jewish people and Gentiles; equip local congregations to do the same.” That mission statement fits beautifully with St. Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:11-12...
The day of Pentecost is marked on May 28th this year. This is one of three “let’s go up to Jerusalem” festivals the Lord gave to Israel in Leviticus 23. This initial purpose was to bring up the portion of the wheat harvest to replenish the storehouses for the Priests who ministered on behalf of the rest of Israel. Initially, it was an agricultural festival. Over time, Pentecost (Shavuot – which means weeks) became associated with the giving of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. The day is traditionally celebrated by studying Torah all night (or late into the night), eating dairy products, attending synagogue, reading the Book of Ruth, and abstaining from work.
While I was living in Jerusalem, I produced a monthly newspaper for women (although men read it also). I opened it up for submissions, and the wife of a UN worker there wrote the following...
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Sometimes in the rush of life or in the process of self-absorption, we fail to do just that.
“Kids…you know I love ‘em!”
On the lighter side this month...
There is a scene from the 60's movie "Bye, Bye Birdie", where Paul Lynde is trying to convince himself that he can cope with his teenagers. I can hear him even now in his whining, nasally voice saying, "Kids, you know I love 'em", then he adds his little he he he, like he's trying to convince himself.