Ruminations from the Temple

I'm grateful that we have come through another festival with good memories and blessings of our LORD! I'm grateful that the truth is always revealed eventually. I'm grateful that I can help others, even if in small ways. I'm grateful for the liturgy. I'm grateful for coffee urns...and vacuum cleaners, food processors and baking stones. I'm also grateful for paper plates. I'm so thankful that I got a day this week with an empty schedule. I'm grateful for G-d's Word. I'm grateful for hugs. I'm grateful for the Holy Spirit that lives in me. Sunshine streaming into the window and falling across the floor...wow!  I'm so grateful! I'm grateful for a clean craftroom. I'm grateful for fun things planned...like a road trip! I'm grateful for my dear friend Netanya - I love you! I'm grateful the boys get to go on a fishing trip this weekend. and, I'm always grateful for payday! “I soon realized th...

Working through, cleaning out. Passover cleaning is over, but it would seem that a purging is still in order. So many thoughts, ideals really, have to be taken out, re-examined and reassessed. Print this, file that...that was real, that was not.  I just don't have to keep this. Digesting reality, strengthening resolve and re-defining identity.  Was it all just a warped dream? Perhaps the tzitzit tell more of the story than I knew.  Twisted they are, numbered the wraps. Very specific and certainly symbolic. But they don't last forever, nor do they retain their usefulness when they are worn thin. Replace them I must with fresh purpose, a new outlook, a right perspective. A breath of healthy air and loyal alliances.  The truth is freedom... While the enemy may be on my tail, I will not fear, for seven-eight-eleven-thirteen is my Strong Tower. And as I clean, sort and discard, He is with me. "...and it shall be to you  tzitzit to look u...

All time favorite scene in any of the movies? The opening scenes of Ep. 3 have always been a favorite.  Just watching the starfighters make their way through the battle over Coruscant is incredible, both in technical cinematography and in the context of the story.  The two heroes are making their way to rescue the Chancellor, who we really know is Darth Sidious...it's just awesome on so many levels.  I love the interaction between Obi-Wan and Anakin; their relationship has matured to such a well-earned ease - for this geek, it's just a pleasure to watch.  Love the buzz droids and R2, love the sarcasm and dry humor, love their Jedi determination and skill...and don't get me started on the music!  I'll never forget the first time I sat in the theater and those drums started.  It's incredible! Anyway, the opening scenes of Revenge of the Sith are, I think, my favorite scenes of all six movies...for now.

Cult.  A word that evokes shudders of the religious and eye rolls from the secular.  Images of kool-aid poisoned victims or strangely clad followers driven to do things outside the norm of the mainstream pops into our minds.  I have never considered myself vulnerable to being a part of a cult, and have at many times felt pity and sadness for those caught up in such brainwashing. However, in retrospect of my recent experiences, I absolutely must reconsider.  A cold, hard and objective view of the situation may be in order. First, let's define cult : –noun 1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies. 2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers. 3. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. 4. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. 5...

So grateful for beautiful Passover roses! I'm so grateful this morning!  The sun is shining in a clear blue sky, the mountain is out in all it's grandeur and the LORD has smiled upon me! I'm so grateful that the big part of Passover is over. It was joyous and fabulous - we had a great time! I'm grateful that there are leftovers. I'm so glad we didn't get any snow earlier this week...they did up north, though. I'm grateful for knowledge and wisdom. I'm grateful to have spent the Shabbat with some of my favorite people in the whole world. I'm grateful for my printer. I'm grateful that my computer is functioning, and I'm praying that a good friend's computer is put back to right soon. I'm grateful for Morgan's driving instructor, Al...he's awesome! I'm grateful that Larry has a steady job, and that he has the opportunity to work more when they need it. I'm grateful for wireless. I'm grateful ...

Yes, I charged up my battery.  My camera was more than ready to snap pics of this years Passover celebration and seder.  But, did I get any pics?  Heck no!!  It was too crazy...too much to do, too much conversation and laughter to be had, too much food and the responsibility of making the celebration all that it is supposed to be for my guests.  It all came off wonderfully and everyone said they had a great time...but, alas - no pics. So, instead of pics, you will have to use your imagination! This first pic would be a wonderful shot of our set and ready Pesach tables, complete with the beautifully arranged seder plates and lovely white roses in bud vases. Gosh, when they get all set, it is quite impressive! This next pic would be one of Larry, Jim and Henry holding up the matzah prior to the blessing.  Jim was commenting on his thoughts on the piercing and striping that the makers put into the matzah...good pondering thoughts on our Messiah and His ...

Favorite SW battle? Are any words necessary? Hands down, the Battle of Geonosis . Lightsaber duel choreography rocks .

I am grateful that authors write bible studies for us to use as jumping off places for excellent discussion. I'm so grateful for our little group that meets every week. I'm grateful that my children are willing to Passover clean without too much whining. I'm grateful for happy voices and laughter in my house. I'm grateful we were able to send Morgan to driver training - such a good thing. I'm grateful for the place of refuge that is worship. I'm grateful...oh, so grateful...to be able to see the mountain after a long stretch of overcast! " Two silk worms had a race... It ended in a tie." I'm grateful for corny jokes sometimes...especially when they come from a friend I haven't heard from in a while - I'm grateful for her friendship! I'm grateful for Lisa coming over to help with the cleaning. I'm grateful for the opportunity to deepen friendships. I'm grateful for a really great dentist and all the fabulous fr...

Favorite photo that’s related to Star Wars Oh my gosh, there are so many!!  I have many great pics of us trooping with good costuming friends...funny ones of Stormies tap dancing and wonderful times of photo ops with interesting personalities (like the cast of Deadliest Catch at the Puyallup Fair).  But, I guess I have to make a choice, so here it goes. This photo was taken by a friend.  At the time, she didn't mind taking the pics of us (Padawan and I) in our first Jedi costumes, although I'm sure she might feel differently now, unfortunately.  This one will always be my favorite...so much so, I carved it into a rubber stamp. And, then there's this... hahaha! And, just for Granny-Wan ...

Sometimes I have just too many things poppin' around in my head.  Too many conversations, too many situations and far too many tamped-down emotions result in a lot of things that just don't get said.  These thoughts get all mixed up with other mundane thoughts, daydreams and sarcastic quips, making such a tangled mess I just can't seem to think straight.   *sigh* I wish there was a disposal for these thoughts, like the garbage disposal at the kitchen sink, where I could just grind it all up and let it wash down the drain.  It would free up a lot of space, I'm sure.  In reality, I wonder how many of these thoughts could be your thoughts... The way you spoke to me was extremely rude and unwarranted. Please don't EVER do it again. I just want you to know that I know...everything. Thank you, my dear friend, for making me feel important. Ugh!  I still hate doing the dishes. I will do whatever You ask. You're right....you can't control me.  Y...

I'm grateful that my friend, Susan, suggested we be grateful every morning - what an excellent exercise. I'm grateful for my daughter who reminded me of an early morning appointment before it was too late for me to get ready to go! I'm grateful for a fabulous time of worship with friends this last weekend. I'm grateful for yummy food. I'm grateful for the internet, cell phones and iPods. I'm grateful we started our new bible study this week. I'm grateful that my hubby can stay home and sleep in sometimes. I'm grateful for hot water that flows from the tap by simply turning the handle. I'm thankful for staplers - and every other little invention we take for granted - what would we do without staplers?  Papers flying everywhere, no organization...chaos, I tell ya! I'm grateful for a day where I didn't have to go anywhere. I'm grateful that Morgan tried to help me set up the wireless router. I'm grateful for loving ...

Preparations for Passover, of course!  Lots of planning has to happen prior to the time we sit down to light those candles.  Today, it was inventory of what we've got, and what we need... Padawan checking the list well, I think we have enough bowls!   spoon anyone? packing material...weeee! Um...obviously, we had some help!  What is it about cats and boxes, anyway?? Well then, now that there is a big mess in the dining room, now it's time to get to cleaning in earnest!

This is absolutely phenomenal!  Personally, there is a thrill indescribable about being a part of a large choir.  As I listened to all these individual voices blending together, I felt that same thrill for them, as well.   Simply incredible. And, who says there isn't real connection between souls separated merely by distance?  The reality of connection between people is real and tangible, regardless of the method or technology of that connection - be it the internet, telephone, satellite, CB radio, Morse code, paper & ink, hieroglyphs or smoke signals.  No unimaginative mind will be able to convince me otherwise, for the power of relationship is stronger than even we can comprehend.  There is no denying our strong need to connect and more...yes, it is that simple that we all long to feel wanted and needed by others.

Favorite movie in the prequel trilogy? Oh, this one is an easy one! Phantom Menace Featuring Obi-Wan as an older padawan and Master Qui-Gon Jinn immediately following the conclusion of The Jedi Apprentice book series...sweet!  I don't mind Jar Jar, or Jake Lloyd* as Anakin (in my opinion, little Annie probably could have been played better by another actor, but it's all good) and how 'bout Darth Maul?  I love this movie!  I know it very well and thoroughly enjoy all the nuances of the cinematography, dialogue, facial expressions, the story...and the music is incredible!  Do I need to go on? Phantom Menace will be re-released in 3D in the theaters soon  (not soon enough, though)!!  I'll be there, you can count on that - probably multiple times! oh yeah...gotta love the Jedi! *no disrespect intended to Mr. Lloyd - I'm sure he's a nice man.

I'm grateful for joy! I'm grateful that the LORD is with us! I'm grateful for freedom. I'm grateful for the opportunity to write. I'm grateful for Jon Acuff. I'm grateful for new beginnings. I am very grateful that the neighbor of a dear friend was able to take her to the hospital after experiencing chest pains. I'm grateful the hospital was close. I'm grateful for telephones that keep us all connected. I'm grateful for wonderful, healing conversation. I'm grateful that summer is coming, even though it doesn't look like it. I'm grateful for my hobbies. I'm grateful that the LORD has graciously released me from such a heavy burden. I'm grateful that Morgan gets to take driving classes prior to taking her driving test. (spendy, that is!) I'm grateful for friends to share erev Shabbat with this week. I'm grateful for Kathi Wilson and her wonderful worship music. I'm grateful for sleep. ...