You may wonder about the title above. It is the title to a song, from the 80s I think, sung by Dionne Warwick. This question got me to thinking about a whole lot of things about LIFE. That's what the 'it' was, when I asked the question, way back when. What's LIFE all about?
Lo and behold - I still have a copy of an article I wrote, way back then. This should be interesting, to compare what I thought I knew then, to what I think I know now, some 25 years later!
First, I am going to quote from what I wrote back then. The first part takes me back to childhood, when I was first learning about God.
'That question bounced around inside my head for a long time. What is life all about, anyway? I saw my world. My world was limited to what I saw around me, the people I came in contact with, and the places I went. Sometimes, what I saw and heard did not make sense to me. People often said one thing, and did another. WHY? Why did a rule apply in one situation and not in another? Why did people do hurtful things to each other? Why, in Church on Sunday, did people pretend to be good, when during the week they forgot all about God? Why did bad things happen to good people? Why did babies die? Why did God let these things happen?
And WHO was God, anyway? The God I learned about you had to be quiet in front of. Whenever I tried to say something, it was "SH!" And He didn't like you biting your nails in front of Him. And girls had to wear a hat in front of Him. I don't know why: the boys didn't. That always felt grossly unfair to me.
I learned that God made me, and I was supposed to love Him. But I also learned that He sent people to hell if they were bad. He sounded kind of mean to me.
When I was 5 years old, in Kindergarten class, the nun told us that these 'martyrs' loved God so much they had their tongues nailed to a table! Well! I just knew that I wouldn't be able to love Him that much! And I felt GUILTY! Guilty, because I knew I couldn't love God ENOUGH. I couldn't measure up.
We heard many stories of the saints and the martyrs, and these people were revered because they loved God so much they died for Him. Each story was a reminder to me of how unworthy I was. I didn't love God enough.
Much has transpired between then and now. A journey - the long way home.'
The 'now' referred to above was in the late 80s. That's about 25 years ago! Much has happened since then. It is going to be interesting to see how my thinking has changed and where it has remained essentially the same.
However, I have to back up!
My Quest
Where did it start? When did it start? I don't know the answers to those questions for sure, but I am satisfied that an incident in my childhood provoked some internal questions.
When I was 5 years old, I was allowed to sit in the front pew of the church along with all the other little girls, instead of sitting beside my mother. I had noticed for some time that towards the end of the Mass, people walked up to the front of the church and had something put in their mouths. When they walked back to their pews they looked so holy, or at least tried to look holy. I thought maybe they were going up there to get a little piece of God or something, and one Sunday morning I decided I wanted some too.
Well! The hullaballoo it caused! I felt like I had committed the most unpardonable crime, from all the noise created afterward. I was told I was a bad girl; that only those who had made their First Holy Communion could receive Communion, and I hadn't made mine yet. What to do with me?
So they came up with a solution: I would just have to start going to Catechism with the 6-year-olds, and make my First Holy Communion as soon as possible! Consequently, while other 5-year-olds were sitting with their parents during Mass, I was over at the convent, taking Catechism, preparing to make my 'First Holy Communion'.
I continued in the Catholic Church until I had been married for a few years. When a church claims to be the 'one true church' a person doesn't leave it lightly. However, the time came when I had to leave, for several unrelated reasons. The final straw for me was being told by the priest that I couldn't say no to him because I was _______________'s daughter! My father lived over a thousand miles away! And I was married with a child! The Church and I parted company.
It was then that I began to delve into other material for answers to life's questions...... At first I didn't know what I wanted to know. I thought "there's got to be more to it than this". "It" being life. "What is my purpose here?" "What's it all about?" I read about psychic phenomena and UFOs and the pyramids, astrology and life after death and ESP and how the mind works, and different philosophies and religions, and psychiatry and Transcendental Meditation ..... and I was going crazy because I wasn't getting anywhere. There I was, going in seventeen different directions at once, thirsting for knowledge of purpose, and coming up with incomplete, unsatisfactory answers. This information that I gleaned from reading all these subject areas was interesting, but fell far short of my quest.
As a result of the places I searched, I became very confused, and although I never stopped believing that God created the universe, I was unable to feel that He was ever there for me. For many years, He just wasn't part of my life. I was too busy searching here and there for answers.
I was also on the road to self-destruction.
(Stay tuned for Part 2)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Will Canada Fulfill Her Calling?
I've been giving some thought recently about Canada's calling. By that I mean with regard to the well-known prophesy that Canada is to be a 'healing for the nations.' I can't help but wonder how we can be a healing for the nations when our own country is in dire need of healing.
Since we now have 'digital TV' I have been watching a fair bit of the Sun News Network, which offers real news, without the spin that the mainstream media dishes out. I particularly enjoy the hour that Ezra Levant has every evening. That program is called 'The Source'.
I first became aware of Ezra when he was the editor of a magazine - I think out of Edmonton. Unfortunately, I forget the name of the magazine, but my brother-in-law had several issues which I read. Ezra had the 'chutzpa' to publish the infamous Danish cartoons! And he still has 'chutzpa' today.
Last week he brought an issue to his viewers' attention which floored me. That issue is Canada's 'Indian Act', which is still in place.
He explained how the US used to have repressive laws against the slaves, in which these people were mere 'chattels' of the rich, deemed 'property'. Those laws were repealed after many years, and after many of these slaves traveled the 'underground railroad' and found freedom in Canada. Today people of all races have the same freedoms in the US.
Ezra also mentioned how the Apartheid Laws in South Africa were abolished.
However, here in Canada we still have the Indian Act, which decrees that native Indians in Canada cannot own property. They cannot, for example, grow a crop - whether vegetables or wheat or barley, or have livestock, or chickens - and sell it off the 'reserve' to make a 'living'. They cannot 'own' anything! The Indian Act has essentially taken away any initiative from them, and kept them as 'children', dependent on the government. They cannot even own their own houses! What a travesty!
If that wasn't bad enough, years ago they also ripped the children from the loving arms of their parents and sent them to 'Indian Residential Schools' to - what? - 'learn the white man's ways'? These children were not allowed to speak their own native language, but had to learn to speak English. They had no contact, essentially, with their families. As if that wasn't bad enough, many of these children were physically and sexually abused! What a blight on our beloved Canada! We - Canada - wrecked hundreds - thousands - of lives!
Thankfully, those residential schools are a thing of the past. However, the repercussions are still felt by those families, generations of them. Alcoholism and drug abuse abound.
Yes, Prime Minister Harper made a statement after he became our Prime Minister, apologizing to these people for what Canada had done to them. That is wonderful - and a long time coming! But it certainly is NOT enough!
We need to give them a LIFE! Give them a 'raison d'etre' - a reason for living! Give them a chance to make a life for themselves! Let them enjoy ownership of their homes, sell their products that they could produce.
Bottom line - an apology is NOT enough! Scrap the archaic Indian Act, and allow these soft-spoken people to have a reason to hold their heads high, and make a living they can enjoy! Give them their FREEDOM!
To return to the thought of my first paragraph: I can't see how Canada can fulfill the destiny God has for us - to be a healing for the nations - until there is healing within our own borders with regard to these precious First Nation Peoples.
Scrap the Indian Act!!
As we see in the news every day, the world is on a collision course. The 'End Times' are essentially on our doorstep! Are we ready? I don't think so!
I think if Canada is to fulfill her destiny of being a 'healing for the nations' we'd better get busy and do some major house-cleaning first! The verse that has been heavy on my heart for months is 2 Chronicles 7:14 -
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Our land definitely is in need of healing!
Since we now have 'digital TV' I have been watching a fair bit of the Sun News Network, which offers real news, without the spin that the mainstream media dishes out. I particularly enjoy the hour that Ezra Levant has every evening. That program is called 'The Source'.
I first became aware of Ezra when he was the editor of a magazine - I think out of Edmonton. Unfortunately, I forget the name of the magazine, but my brother-in-law had several issues which I read. Ezra had the 'chutzpa' to publish the infamous Danish cartoons! And he still has 'chutzpa' today.
Last week he brought an issue to his viewers' attention which floored me. That issue is Canada's 'Indian Act', which is still in place.
He explained how the US used to have repressive laws against the slaves, in which these people were mere 'chattels' of the rich, deemed 'property'. Those laws were repealed after many years, and after many of these slaves traveled the 'underground railroad' and found freedom in Canada. Today people of all races have the same freedoms in the US.
Ezra also mentioned how the Apartheid Laws in South Africa were abolished.
However, here in Canada we still have the Indian Act, which decrees that native Indians in Canada cannot own property. They cannot, for example, grow a crop - whether vegetables or wheat or barley, or have livestock, or chickens - and sell it off the 'reserve' to make a 'living'. They cannot 'own' anything! The Indian Act has essentially taken away any initiative from them, and kept them as 'children', dependent on the government. They cannot even own their own houses! What a travesty!
If that wasn't bad enough, years ago they also ripped the children from the loving arms of their parents and sent them to 'Indian Residential Schools' to - what? - 'learn the white man's ways'? These children were not allowed to speak their own native language, but had to learn to speak English. They had no contact, essentially, with their families. As if that wasn't bad enough, many of these children were physically and sexually abused! What a blight on our beloved Canada! We - Canada - wrecked hundreds - thousands - of lives!
Thankfully, those residential schools are a thing of the past. However, the repercussions are still felt by those families, generations of them. Alcoholism and drug abuse abound.
Yes, Prime Minister Harper made a statement after he became our Prime Minister, apologizing to these people for what Canada had done to them. That is wonderful - and a long time coming! But it certainly is NOT enough!
We need to give them a LIFE! Give them a 'raison d'etre' - a reason for living! Give them a chance to make a life for themselves! Let them enjoy ownership of their homes, sell their products that they could produce.
Bottom line - an apology is NOT enough! Scrap the archaic Indian Act, and allow these soft-spoken people to have a reason to hold their heads high, and make a living they can enjoy! Give them their FREEDOM!
To return to the thought of my first paragraph: I can't see how Canada can fulfill the destiny God has for us - to be a healing for the nations - until there is healing within our own borders with regard to these precious First Nation Peoples.
Scrap the Indian Act!!
As we see in the news every day, the world is on a collision course. The 'End Times' are essentially on our doorstep! Are we ready? I don't think so!
I think if Canada is to fulfill her destiny of being a 'healing for the nations' we'd better get busy and do some major house-cleaning first! The verse that has been heavy on my heart for months is 2 Chronicles 7:14 -
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Our land definitely is in need of healing!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Words Are Important
Words Are Important
In high school we used a little booklet each week called 'Words are Important', in which was a list of about twenty words for each assignment, and we had to find the meanings of each of these words, and then use each in a sentence. As well, we were to know how to spell each of them. It served to expand our vocabulary and spelling
For some reason I was reminded of that booklet this week, and in particular the title of the booklet.
Words are still important - particularly the words that we speak. The Bible says that our words can be used for either blessing or cursing, so it is wise, as James pointed out, that we watch the words we speak:
"For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2) He goes on to compare the tongue to a bit in a horse's mouth, as well as to a ship's rudder, how each can control direction. In a similar way, the tongue has great influence over the direction of our lives. Verse 6 tells us that the tongue "is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."
James continues, "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God." (vv.8-9).
Paul tells us in Romans 10:9-10 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." With the mouth. Speaking forth the words are necessary.
Obviously, we would be wise to watch our words, watching that what we speak is for good, and not for evil.
However, there is more reason than blessing or cursing that indicates that words are important.
Job 22:28 tells us: "You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you". Not only can words be used for blessing and cursing, but words also have creative power! I believe this to be true, both for good and for bad. I believe that we can hold ourselves back from receiving all the good things God has promised us, by speaking negatively.
For example, if we perhaps repeat things we heard in our childhood, like, "You'll never amount to much" or "You'll be lucky to finish high school, never mind university, you haven't got the brains for it," we begin to believe those lies, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Or perhaps we take on a family illness or weakness: "My mother always suffered from a nervous stomach, and I'm just like her." I think perhaps we bring those words into our reality, instead of realizing we are children of the Most High God. Words are important!
Paul asks the question in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 Peter 4:11 tells us: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever."
Psalm 91 is such a great promise! I like to personalize it, and declare it out loud:
"I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."
Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I shall take refuge;
His truth shall be my shield and buckler.
I shall not be afraid of the terror by night, not of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me.
Only with my eyes shall I look, and see the reward of the wicked.
Because I have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High my dwelling place,
No evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague come near my dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways.
In their hands they shall bear me up, lest I dash my foot against a stone.
I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent I shall trample underfoot.
Because I have set my love upon You, therefore You will deliver me;
You will set me on high, because I have known Your name;
I shall call upon You, and You will answer me;
You will be with me in trouble; You will deliver me and honor me.
With long life You will satisfy me, and show me Your salvation."
I encourage you to try it! It really is empowering and faith-building!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
PENTECOST / SHAVUOT
Pentecost. Shavuot. Two names for the same day. One Greek; the other Hebrew.
The Church understands this day according to the Greek term - Pentecost - the day the Holy Spirit was poured out. The Book of Acts, chapter 2, describes it this way:
'When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.' (Acts 2:1-4)
However, this was not the beginning of a new "church" feast. What happened that day so long ago took place on the day of Shavuot, also called the 'Feast of Weeks', a feast the Jewish people had been keeping for millennium.
The 23rd chapter of Leviticus describes each of the Lord's feasts. Please note, they are not referred to in Scripture as the 'Jewish' feasts. Rather, Leviticus Chapter 23 begins thus:
1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2. "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts'.
From the Feast of Firstfruits, when the children of Israel were to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest, and he would wave it before the lord, fifty days were to be counted, to the day after the seventh Sabbath - this was the Feast of Weeks, when they were to offer a new grain offering to the LORD. The instructions for how this was to be carried out are found in Lev. 23:15-21, and was to be continued throughout their generations.
This is the last of the Spring Feasts, which consist of Passover and Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and The Feast of Weeks. The remaining feasts are in the fall of the year - the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Shavuot is celebrated by the Jewish people not only in its agricultural aspect, but it also signifies the freedom that began with the Exodus at Passover. It is believed that it was at this time they received the Law at Mount Sinai. Consequently it is observed as the time of the giving of the Torah. After Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD, the celebration of this feast lost much of its agricultural roots, and came to be celebrated primarily as the time the Torah was given.
Interestingly, it became customary to read the Book of Ruth during this feast. Ruth, you will remember, had married Naomi's son, who died. When Naomi decided to return to Israel from Moab after the death of her husband and both sons, Ruth went with her, saying, "Where you go I will go. Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God." This important joining of 'Jew and Gentile" resulted in Gentile Ruth marrying Boaz, the Jewish ancestor of King David.
Returning to the account in Acts, after the Holy Spirit had been poured out, when Peter preached to the crowds of people from every nation and language, they could all understand what he was saying, his call to repentance, and about three thousand were baptized!
The Church understands this day according to the Greek term - Pentecost - the day the Holy Spirit was poured out. The Book of Acts, chapter 2, describes it this way:
'When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.' (Acts 2:1-4)
However, this was not the beginning of a new "church" feast. What happened that day so long ago took place on the day of Shavuot, also called the 'Feast of Weeks', a feast the Jewish people had been keeping for millennium.
The 23rd chapter of Leviticus describes each of the Lord's feasts. Please note, they are not referred to in Scripture as the 'Jewish' feasts. Rather, Leviticus Chapter 23 begins thus:
1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2. "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts'.
From the Feast of Firstfruits, when the children of Israel were to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest, and he would wave it before the lord, fifty days were to be counted, to the day after the seventh Sabbath - this was the Feast of Weeks, when they were to offer a new grain offering to the LORD. The instructions for how this was to be carried out are found in Lev. 23:15-21, and was to be continued throughout their generations.
This is the last of the Spring Feasts, which consist of Passover and Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and The Feast of Weeks. The remaining feasts are in the fall of the year - the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Shavuot is celebrated by the Jewish people not only in its agricultural aspect, but it also signifies the freedom that began with the Exodus at Passover. It is believed that it was at this time they received the Law at Mount Sinai. Consequently it is observed as the time of the giving of the Torah. After Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD, the celebration of this feast lost much of its agricultural roots, and came to be celebrated primarily as the time the Torah was given.
Interestingly, it became customary to read the Book of Ruth during this feast. Ruth, you will remember, had married Naomi's son, who died. When Naomi decided to return to Israel from Moab after the death of her husband and both sons, Ruth went with her, saying, "Where you go I will go. Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God." This important joining of 'Jew and Gentile" resulted in Gentile Ruth marrying Boaz, the Jewish ancestor of King David.
Returning to the account in Acts, after the Holy Spirit had been poured out, when Peter preached to the crowds of people from every nation and language, they could all understand what he was saying, his call to repentance, and about three thousand were baptized!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Our Passover Seder is tomorrow evening. I am SO looking forward to it!
I remember the very first Seder I attended a few years ago. It brought the Bible to life for me - to realize, really for the first time, that the "Last Supper" I had heard about for most of my life was really a Passover Seder! The significance of Jesus' words took on a much deeper meaning for me than I had ever realized before.
In Jewish homes in preparation for Passover, all items containing leaven are removed. This includes all breads and cakes containing yeast. Leaven in the Bible represents sin. Consequently, as believers, we want to make sure we have no unconfessed sin in our lives.
'Now he LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. (Ex. 12:1-6a)
Notice, they were to take the lamb on the 10th of the month and keep it until the 14th. Now imagine: each family took this cute little lamb, and lived with it for four days. It was like a pet in the house. They inspected it to make sure it was without blemish. Imagine the kids in the home, playing and frolicking with this little lamb. Imagine them getting quite attached to it.
Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight." (Ex. 12:6b) I would imagine it would have been very difficult, especially for the children, to have that little lamb killed, after playing with it for four days.
'And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.' (vv. 7-8)
'And thus shall you eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD'S Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.' (vv.11-12)
'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.' (v. 13)
The Angel of Death did not visit the houses that had the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintels. The blood saved them.
In the same way, Jesus is our 'Sacrifice Lamb', and those who believe He is Who He said He was are saved from eternal death, forever separated from Him, by applying His shed blood to our hearts.
Growing up, I had heard about the 'Last Supper', where Jesus said, "This is My body" and "This is My blood." That became 'Communion' in the church. However, the Passover Seder provides much more detail and insight.
The Seder begins with the lighting of candles by a woman. Jesus is the Light of the World, and came into the world through a woman, His mother Mary, which was promised in Genesis 3:15 as 'the seed of a woman'.
There are four cups of wine, each with its own significance. The first is the Cup of Sanctification. When Jesus shared the Passover Seder with His disciples, He said to them: "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." (Luke 22:17-18)
The second cup is the Cup of the Plagues. The king of Egypt, Pharaoh, would not let the people go, so God sent a series of ten plagues, each one worse than the one before it. Pharaoh did not want to give in! First God sent a plague of blood, turning all the water, the rivers, to blood. There followed plagues of frogs, lice, flies, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness .... and finally, death to the firstborn. When Pharaoh discovered his son dead, he finally gave in!
Besides the cups of wine, there are other elements of significance as part of the Seder. There is the hand (and sometimes foot) washing. I have been to seders where each person had his/her feet washed by the person ahead of him/her, and then did the same for the person behind. I can testify that it is a very humbling experience. Imagine if it was Jesus washing your feet, as He did for His disciples!
Another element of the meal is the parsley, which represents life, created and sustained by God. There is also, of course the matzah, the unleavened bread. At the original Passover, they didn't have time to let dough rise. They had 'flat' bread, And as I mentioned earlier, leaven (that which makes the dough rise) represents sin.
If anyone has seen genuine matzah, you will notice that it is pierced with little holes. Zechariah 12:10 says: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son...." Jesus was pierced by the crown of thorns, as well as by the spear in his side.
The tiny holes made by these piercings on the matzah make a striped pattern. Isaiah 53:5 says: 'But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.'
There are three pieces of matzah used at the Seder, which are wrapped together in a napkin. Rabbis call these three pieces of matzah a 'Unity' - perhaps of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, as believers in Yeshua (Jesus) we can see the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
During the ceremony, the leader takes the center piece of matzah, this 'bread of affliction', and breaks it in half. So too, our Messiah, Jesus, was 'broken' and afflicted. This half now is called the afikomen. It is wrapped in a white cloth and hidden (just as Jesus' body was wrapped and 'hidden' in the tomb.) Later, the children present will try to find the hidden piece.
Another element of the seder is the bitter herbs (maror), which is horseradish, signifying the bitter life the Israelites had in Egypt for forty years. Next, the kharoset, which is a mixture of chopped apples, honey and juice. This is to remind us of the bricks of clay, sometimes mixed with straw, that the Israelites toiled over daily for forty years.
The original Passover meal consisted of the little lamb. However, since the Temple in Jerusalem is no longer standing, the Passover plate contains a shank bone to remind us of the sacrificed lamb. As well, a roasted egg has been added to the Passover meal. It is called the khagigah. It signifies mourning for the destruction of the second Temple. Some view it as noting new birth and eternal life.
I encourage you, if you have the opportunity to take part in a Passover Seder, do so. It gives much greater understanding, not only of this season, but also a deeper understanding of Scripture, especially with regard to the 'Last Supper'.
Hag Sameach!
I remember the very first Seder I attended a few years ago. It brought the Bible to life for me - to realize, really for the first time, that the "Last Supper" I had heard about for most of my life was really a Passover Seder! The significance of Jesus' words took on a much deeper meaning for me than I had ever realized before.
In Jewish homes in preparation for Passover, all items containing leaven are removed. This includes all breads and cakes containing yeast. Leaven in the Bible represents sin. Consequently, as believers, we want to make sure we have no unconfessed sin in our lives.
'Now he LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. (Ex. 12:1-6a)
Notice, they were to take the lamb on the 10th of the month and keep it until the 14th. Now imagine: each family took this cute little lamb, and lived with it for four days. It was like a pet in the house. They inspected it to make sure it was without blemish. Imagine the kids in the home, playing and frolicking with this little lamb. Imagine them getting quite attached to it.
Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight." (Ex. 12:6b) I would imagine it would have been very difficult, especially for the children, to have that little lamb killed, after playing with it for four days.
'And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.' (vv. 7-8)
'And thus shall you eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD'S Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.' (vv.11-12)
'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.' (v. 13)
The Angel of Death did not visit the houses that had the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintels. The blood saved them.
In the same way, Jesus is our 'Sacrifice Lamb', and those who believe He is Who He said He was are saved from eternal death, forever separated from Him, by applying His shed blood to our hearts.
Growing up, I had heard about the 'Last Supper', where Jesus said, "This is My body" and "This is My blood." That became 'Communion' in the church. However, the Passover Seder provides much more detail and insight.
The Seder begins with the lighting of candles by a woman. Jesus is the Light of the World, and came into the world through a woman, His mother Mary, which was promised in Genesis 3:15 as 'the seed of a woman'.
There are four cups of wine, each with its own significance. The first is the Cup of Sanctification. When Jesus shared the Passover Seder with His disciples, He said to them: "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." (Luke 22:17-18)
The second cup is the Cup of the Plagues. The king of Egypt, Pharaoh, would not let the people go, so God sent a series of ten plagues, each one worse than the one before it. Pharaoh did not want to give in! First God sent a plague of blood, turning all the water, the rivers, to blood. There followed plagues of frogs, lice, flies, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness .... and finally, death to the firstborn. When Pharaoh discovered his son dead, he finally gave in!
Besides the cups of wine, there are other elements of significance as part of the Seder. There is the hand (and sometimes foot) washing. I have been to seders where each person had his/her feet washed by the person ahead of him/her, and then did the same for the person behind. I can testify that it is a very humbling experience. Imagine if it was Jesus washing your feet, as He did for His disciples!
Another element of the meal is the parsley, which represents life, created and sustained by God. There is also, of course the matzah, the unleavened bread. At the original Passover, they didn't have time to let dough rise. They had 'flat' bread, And as I mentioned earlier, leaven (that which makes the dough rise) represents sin.
If anyone has seen genuine matzah, you will notice that it is pierced with little holes. Zechariah 12:10 says: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son...." Jesus was pierced by the crown of thorns, as well as by the spear in his side.
The tiny holes made by these piercings on the matzah make a striped pattern. Isaiah 53:5 says: 'But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.'
There are three pieces of matzah used at the Seder, which are wrapped together in a napkin. Rabbis call these three pieces of matzah a 'Unity' - perhaps of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, as believers in Yeshua (Jesus) we can see the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
During the ceremony, the leader takes the center piece of matzah, this 'bread of affliction', and breaks it in half. So too, our Messiah, Jesus, was 'broken' and afflicted. This half now is called the afikomen. It is wrapped in a white cloth and hidden (just as Jesus' body was wrapped and 'hidden' in the tomb.) Later, the children present will try to find the hidden piece.
Another element of the seder is the bitter herbs (maror), which is horseradish, signifying the bitter life the Israelites had in Egypt for forty years. Next, the kharoset, which is a mixture of chopped apples, honey and juice. This is to remind us of the bricks of clay, sometimes mixed with straw, that the Israelites toiled over daily for forty years.
The original Passover meal consisted of the little lamb. However, since the Temple in Jerusalem is no longer standing, the Passover plate contains a shank bone to remind us of the sacrificed lamb. As well, a roasted egg has been added to the Passover meal. It is called the khagigah. It signifies mourning for the destruction of the second Temple. Some view it as noting new birth and eternal life.
I encourage you, if you have the opportunity to take part in a Passover Seder, do so. It gives much greater understanding, not only of this season, but also a deeper understanding of Scripture, especially with regard to the 'Last Supper'.
Hag Sameach!
Friday, March 30, 2012
12:17 AM here in Alberta, March 30 - the day of the big march to Israel by those opposed to her existence. Since the time difference is about 7 hours, it is morning in the land. I don't know what time the march is to begin, but Israel's IDF and police have been making preparations to protect its citizens and borders, deploying thousands of soldiers and police.
Arabs living in Israel and Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza are marking what they call 'Land Day' in protest of what they call 'discriminatory Israeli land policies'. This year, those from neighboring Arab countries have planned to march near Israel's borders in solidarity with their Palestinian Arab brothers, calling their part in this "Is Israel losing the Temple Mount War?"
Because the 'peaceful protest' turned deadly last year, Israeli police and military are out in full force to quell any trouble that may arise. However, they want to keep a low profile as much as possible, but of course they must be available to quell any flare-ups that may occur. They will do whatever is necessary to protect their citizens. Roadblocks have been set up at the entrances to major cities
Apparently, protesters from 82 countries are expected to take part in what they call 'Land Day', to "end the apartheid regime and the ethnic cleansing".
The whole idea is ridiculous, if it weren't so tragic. I certainly cannot comprehend such hatred, such unwillingness to compromise. The Arabs have thousands of square miles of the Middle East .... but they want that tiny strip of land called Israel as well. They want Jerusalem, God's holy city. Indeed, they want the world!
I pray for a peaceful demonstration. I pray that no one is hurt or - worse - killed, on either side of the conflict. I pray for a peaceful resolution to the whole situation in the Middle East and the world, for that matter! But I don't expect real peace .... not until the Prince of Peace returns.
My heart is heavy tonight, when I think of what is happening perhaps at this very moment in Israel.
Passover is only a week away .... a time of looking back to the historical freedom from slavery in Egypt, when the Jewish people were saved from the Angel of Death by following the instructions God gave to Moses - for each family to sacrifice a spotless lamb, and put its blood on the doorposts and lintels of their houses, so that when the Angel of Death came and saw the blood, he passed over their houses and spared them, but killed the firstborn in all the houses of Egypt. That's what it took for Pharaoh to finally agree to Moses' plea to "Let my people go!"
However, Passover is a celebration of freedom, and believers today can celebrate, because our perfect Lamb of God, Yeshua our Messiah, shed His blood at that Passover long ago to cover our sins - He paid the price for us! As the Bible tells us, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.
Thank You, Yeshua, for laying down Your life for us!
Arabs living in Israel and Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza are marking what they call 'Land Day' in protest of what they call 'discriminatory Israeli land policies'. This year, those from neighboring Arab countries have planned to march near Israel's borders in solidarity with their Palestinian Arab brothers, calling their part in this "Is Israel losing the Temple Mount War?"
Because the 'peaceful protest' turned deadly last year, Israeli police and military are out in full force to quell any trouble that may arise. However, they want to keep a low profile as much as possible, but of course they must be available to quell any flare-ups that may occur. They will do whatever is necessary to protect their citizens. Roadblocks have been set up at the entrances to major cities
Apparently, protesters from 82 countries are expected to take part in what they call 'Land Day', to "end the apartheid regime and the ethnic cleansing".
The whole idea is ridiculous, if it weren't so tragic. I certainly cannot comprehend such hatred, such unwillingness to compromise. The Arabs have thousands of square miles of the Middle East .... but they want that tiny strip of land called Israel as well. They want Jerusalem, God's holy city. Indeed, they want the world!
I pray for a peaceful demonstration. I pray that no one is hurt or - worse - killed, on either side of the conflict. I pray for a peaceful resolution to the whole situation in the Middle East and the world, for that matter! But I don't expect real peace .... not until the Prince of Peace returns.
My heart is heavy tonight, when I think of what is happening perhaps at this very moment in Israel.
Passover is only a week away .... a time of looking back to the historical freedom from slavery in Egypt, when the Jewish people were saved from the Angel of Death by following the instructions God gave to Moses - for each family to sacrifice a spotless lamb, and put its blood on the doorposts and lintels of their houses, so that when the Angel of Death came and saw the blood, he passed over their houses and spared them, but killed the firstborn in all the houses of Egypt. That's what it took for Pharaoh to finally agree to Moses' plea to "Let my people go!"
However, Passover is a celebration of freedom, and believers today can celebrate, because our perfect Lamb of God, Yeshua our Messiah, shed His blood at that Passover long ago to cover our sins - He paid the price for us! As the Bible tells us, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.
Thank You, Yeshua, for laying down Your life for us!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wisdom from the Torah
I was reading a commentary this morning on this week's Torah portion, particularly Exodus 31:2-3: "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God [Ruach Elohim], with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts."
Bezalel had been selected by God in a special calling to be in charge of the construction of the Mishkan, for all the furnishings of the Tabernacle, the priests' vestments, the anointing oil, and the incense. God had given him great artistic abilities, so he could carry out God's mandate for him.
The name of Bezalel has great meaning attached to it. It comes from a combination of three Hebrew words: be (in), tzel (shade), and El (God). This can be translated as "in the shadow of God", a secret, special place of refuge. Psalm 91:1 tells us: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High [Elyon] will rest in the shadow [tzel] of the Almighty [El Shaddai].
This name, Bezalel, was given to the first artisan mentioned in the Bible. Names are important throughout God's word. This man, chosen by God to be the artisan in charge of all the furnishings of the Tabernacle, was given this gift of 'artistry' in order to give glory to the Most High through the temple furnishings and instruments. With such an important mandate, Bezalel would have used the greatest care in designing and building these things in order to bring glory to God.
This suggests that there is something about the use of whatever measure of creativity that God gives us which can be used as an act of worship, to bring glory to God, our Father and Creator. The commentary, by a writer from Bibles for Israel, suggests that we allow this explanation to "inspire us to let our creativity flow and no longer consider creative endeavors 'non-productive' and a waste of time."
A very timely word indeed! May it encourage all of us who have been given a measure of creativity, regardless of its size, to use it as an act of worship to our wonderful, holy Creator!
I was reading a commentary this morning on this week's Torah portion, particularly Exodus 31:2-3: "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God [Ruach Elohim], with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts."
Bezalel had been selected by God in a special calling to be in charge of the construction of the Mishkan, for all the furnishings of the Tabernacle, the priests' vestments, the anointing oil, and the incense. God had given him great artistic abilities, so he could carry out God's mandate for him.
The name of Bezalel has great meaning attached to it. It comes from a combination of three Hebrew words: be (in), tzel (shade), and El (God). This can be translated as "in the shadow of God", a secret, special place of refuge. Psalm 91:1 tells us: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High [Elyon] will rest in the shadow [tzel] of the Almighty [El Shaddai].
This name, Bezalel, was given to the first artisan mentioned in the Bible. Names are important throughout God's word. This man, chosen by God to be the artisan in charge of all the furnishings of the Tabernacle, was given this gift of 'artistry' in order to give glory to the Most High through the temple furnishings and instruments. With such an important mandate, Bezalel would have used the greatest care in designing and building these things in order to bring glory to God.
This suggests that there is something about the use of whatever measure of creativity that God gives us which can be used as an act of worship, to bring glory to God, our Father and Creator. The commentary, by a writer from Bibles for Israel, suggests that we allow this explanation to "inspire us to let our creativity flow and no longer consider creative endeavors 'non-productive' and a waste of time."
A very timely word indeed! May it encourage all of us who have been given a measure of creativity, regardless of its size, to use it as an act of worship to our wonderful, holy Creator!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Another Hobby .....?
My daughter sent me some info regarding Altered Books, a subject I had heard of, was rather curious about, but had never really checked it out. Until today. I think I'm going to like it.
I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head! But hey, that's what 'creative' people do, right? We create. And a new way of doing so is always fun. The trick is to find the time to 'do' all these different projects. I'm good at starting .... but it sometimes takes me awhile to finish it!
After I returned from my trip to Israel a few years ago (is it that long ago already???) I began a series of watercolours of different photos I had taken, thinking I'd like to do a calendar with them. But I have yet to complete twelve watercolours in order to complete this project. I think I have four done!
It was put on hold while I wrote a book (GRAFTED IN), which is now completed, published, and available.
A couple of years ago I was given a gift of a beautiful hand-made leather-bound book from Italy. As it is definitely too beautiful to simply use as a journal, I began doing colourful calligraphy of Bible verses on its pages. I have enjoyed this project, but have not yet filled the book. One day I'll get back to it. I do enjoy it, and am fairly pleased with the results.
Another project I've been working on off and on is entering favourite quotes in another special book which has a wooden cover with leather binding - again, a book too beautiful to use as a simple journal.
I also scrapbook. The very first one I ever did was for my Dad's 90th birthday. It was originally all in one volume, but it was so thick and unwieldy that it broke, so I have since put it into two separate volumes: one of Dad's life, and the other of his kids and our families. Since Dad passed away a few years ago, this special book is now in my possession.
Right from the start I loved scrapbooking! There is so much a person can do with all the embellishments, fancy papers, fabric, ribbons, buttons ..... and of course, pictures! But a scrapbook is SO much more than a book of pictures! It is a work of art which tells a story.
Once Dad's book was done, I started working on an 8X8 one for myself. That was fun. It briefly tells my story. I remember that the very first page I worked on was 'My Favourite Things', which I had begun listing long before I ever actually began work on the book itself. I had printed each 'thing' on several different coloured strips of paper, then put them together - it was sort of like a puzzle, trying to figure out what fit where on the page.
And now I have Altered Books to play around with! I'm presently working on a couple of pages. I'll have to post them the next time I write about my 'projects'.
My daughter sent me some info regarding Altered Books, a subject I had heard of, was rather curious about, but had never really checked it out. Until today. I think I'm going to like it.
I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head! But hey, that's what 'creative' people do, right? We create. And a new way of doing so is always fun. The trick is to find the time to 'do' all these different projects. I'm good at starting .... but it sometimes takes me awhile to finish it!
After I returned from my trip to Israel a few years ago (is it that long ago already???) I began a series of watercolours of different photos I had taken, thinking I'd like to do a calendar with them. But I have yet to complete twelve watercolours in order to complete this project. I think I have four done!
It was put on hold while I wrote a book (GRAFTED IN), which is now completed, published, and available.
A couple of years ago I was given a gift of a beautiful hand-made leather-bound book from Italy. As it is definitely too beautiful to simply use as a journal, I began doing colourful calligraphy of Bible verses on its pages. I have enjoyed this project, but have not yet filled the book. One day I'll get back to it. I do enjoy it, and am fairly pleased with the results.
I also scrapbook. The very first one I ever did was for my Dad's 90th birthday. It was originally all in one volume, but it was so thick and unwieldy that it broke, so I have since put it into two separate volumes: one of Dad's life, and the other of his kids and our families. Since Dad passed away a few years ago, this special book is now in my possession.
Once Dad's book was done, I started working on an 8X8 one for myself. That was fun. It briefly tells my story. I remember that the very first page I worked on was 'My Favourite Things', which I had begun listing long before I ever actually began work on the book itself. I had printed each 'thing' on several different coloured strips of paper, then put them together - it was sort of like a puzzle, trying to figure out what fit where on the page.
And now I have Altered Books to play around with! I'm presently working on a couple of pages. I'll have to post them the next time I write about my 'projects'.
Friday, February 24, 2012
It's Been Awhile
Life can definitely get busy! Sometimes it feels like I'm trying to run in several directions at once, with this to do ... that to finish ... oh, and I must get to that too! Can anyone relate?
It's my own fault. That wonderful word - procrastination! "Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?" The problem with that is that I suddenly find myself with a 'to do' list as long as my arm and the deadline is just around the corner! And I feel overwhelmed. Why do I do this to myself?
Part of my problem - besides just not getting at the job at hand - is that I have a hard time saying "No" when someone asks me to do something. Always willing to lend a hand .... well, not always .... but definitely often. I like to do things for people. I like to help out in a situation, especially if it has something to do with creativity, like making cards for people, or scrapbooking .... or singing. Not that I have a great voice. I don't. But I can carry a tune.
However, it's the P word that causes me the problems - PROCRASTINATION! "Don't do today what can be put off until tomorrow" .... or the next day ... or next week! And then the crunch comes, and I realize I have six things to do by Wednesday or something!
Another 'turn of phrase' I use too often is "One of these days ....". One of these days I'm going to re-sew the braided rug that my mother made many years ago out of my Dad's old suit pants. It's a beautiful rug, but the stitching where the braids were sewn together is coming undone as a result of me throwing it in the washer. Well, it needed to be washed! But now it's coming apart, and needs to be sewn together. And believe me, 'one of these days' I'm going to get around to doing it!
Believe it or not, I do get things done - eventually. If I have a deadline, I meet that deadline. However, if there is no deadline ... well, I get around to it eventually. I love retirement! I love the freedom it gives me. I love the different types of things I've been able to do. I've been able to write a book. I've been able to paint, although I haven't done any paintings for the last couple of years - too busy with my book. However, now that my book is out, it's not quite as time-consuming. No more editing. Just interviews and signings, initially.
Life is good! I just have to get a handle on this procrastination so that I'm not always doing things just 'under the wire'. Time management! That's what I need! I'll have to look into that .... one of these days!
It's my own fault. That wonderful word - procrastination! "Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?" The problem with that is that I suddenly find myself with a 'to do' list as long as my arm and the deadline is just around the corner! And I feel overwhelmed. Why do I do this to myself?
Part of my problem - besides just not getting at the job at hand - is that I have a hard time saying "No" when someone asks me to do something. Always willing to lend a hand .... well, not always .... but definitely often. I like to do things for people. I like to help out in a situation, especially if it has something to do with creativity, like making cards for people, or scrapbooking .... or singing. Not that I have a great voice. I don't. But I can carry a tune.
However, it's the P word that causes me the problems - PROCRASTINATION! "Don't do today what can be put off until tomorrow" .... or the next day ... or next week! And then the crunch comes, and I realize I have six things to do by Wednesday or something!
Another 'turn of phrase' I use too often is "One of these days ....". One of these days I'm going to re-sew the braided rug that my mother made many years ago out of my Dad's old suit pants. It's a beautiful rug, but the stitching where the braids were sewn together is coming undone as a result of me throwing it in the washer. Well, it needed to be washed! But now it's coming apart, and needs to be sewn together. And believe me, 'one of these days' I'm going to get around to doing it!
Believe it or not, I do get things done - eventually. If I have a deadline, I meet that deadline. However, if there is no deadline ... well, I get around to it eventually. I love retirement! I love the freedom it gives me. I love the different types of things I've been able to do. I've been able to write a book. I've been able to paint, although I haven't done any paintings for the last couple of years - too busy with my book. However, now that my book is out, it's not quite as time-consuming. No more editing. Just interviews and signings, initially.
Life is good! I just have to get a handle on this procrastination so that I'm not always doing things just 'under the wire'. Time management! That's what I need! I'll have to look into that .... one of these days!
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