Frequently, as I have had the opportunity to minister in various congregations, I have asked people, ‘What do you think it means to be Jewish?’ People tell me that being Jewish is being part of the chosen people. Or that it is a person who has the Jewish religion. Or that it is a person who does not believe in Jesus…
Blog
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Purim
One of the holidays that we will be celebrating in March is the Holiday of Purim. Purim is from the Hebrew Word for “lots” (see Esther 3:7; 9:20-22). Purim is a holiday that commemorates the time when God delivered the people of Israel from the evil plot of Haman, an Haman was the royal vizier to Persian king Ahasuerus, who was planning to have all of Persia’s Jewish subjects killed…
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Understanding Key Jewish Beliefs
It is important to understand the foundation of what Jewish people believe today. There is no single answer. The term dogma, which is much better applied to Christianity, has little place within Judaism. In Judaism, the need for a profession of belief did not arise, and rabbis saw no necessity for drawing up concise formulas stressing Jewish beliefs and faith…
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Only One God
While watching news reports on the heart-wrenching situation in Turkey, I was continually amazed at the reporter’s distortion of the reactions of the people upon recovery of trapped victims. You could hear the men yelling in unison praise to Allah; then the reporter says they all praise God for the recovery. What?…
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God’s Mission
Last month we celebrated Christmas and Chanukah. These are joyous holidays that remind us how God is the One who initiates the acts of salvation among His people. At Chanukah, we celebrate the miracle of light, God’s deliverance of the people of Israel, and the temple’s re-dedication. And on Christmas, we celebrate the day when Jesus— the second person of the Trinity— took on flesh to live among and save His people…
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Forget About It
I have had the joy and privilege of speaking to women’s groups in different states and countries. I love it and do not take my responsibilities lightly. My daughter Toi and I have also done what we call tag-team talks. Those are my favorites. We share half a brain, so it is fun for one of us to jump in where the other leaves off, in sync, and never disjointed. Besides that, she is one of my top ten favorite people ever!
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Plus One
Since the 1970s, a custom has arisen in extending invitations to gatherings allowing the invitee to include a Plus One — defined as a person who accompanies an invited guest to an event or gathering. Today if you receive a request to RSVP for an event, you will likely be given the opportunity to bring a Plus One.
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Mishpochah
‘Tis the season to think of family; immediate, close in, not-so-close in, added in by marriage or adoption, and those considered part of the family even without kin relationships. These folks are Mishpochah – Yiddish for family…
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Silent Night Revisited
On Friday, December 9th, Nancy and I attended a wonderful cantata for congregation and choir call Carols by Heather Sorenson at our church, Zion Lutheran in Walburg, Texas. (This is available on their site for your viewing, too!) The congregation was an integral component of the music by singing along…
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Mishpaha
Mishpaha is the Hebrew word for family.
I am the firstborn of four children: Jax, Dirk and Jill. I do not know why, but I was always ashamed of having so many siblings. I just never really knew a lot of families our size. My dad had a sister, and my mom had two brothers, so I felt that theirs were the norm…