Ruminations from the Temple

I'm grateful for life; if it were all over today, I would be grateful for the love I was able to see, give and receive. I'm grateful for love, most of all. I'm grateful that the LORD takes my humble attempts at writing and uses them for His purposes. I'm grateful for beautiful souls that are willing to listen to the prodding of the Spirit and pray for others. I'm grateful that my upcoming surgery is happening at a favorite and familiar hospital, though I'm not used to be being the patient. I'm grateful for a wonderful day spent with Taylor - what a sweet soul. I'm grateful for things that make me smile. I'm grateful to be available for others when I can. I'm grateful for the laughter of my children, the honesty of my friends and the unconditional adoration of my cats. I'm grateful I have food to eat today. I'm grateful for a hot shower with soap and shampoo. I'm grateful for a little bit of extra cash in my purse...

I stood at the hospital and looked out the window. Yes, it was raining again, just like many other times I have looked out a hospital window. There is just something about looking out a hospital window that makes one think introspective thoughts. How many times have I stood looking out a hospital window feeling the one in the bed behind me? Hearing the noise of the machines and the busyness of the nurses station just outside the door...thankful that I am not the one being monitored. It reminds me of my dear friend Rose who succumbed to cancer, which reminds me of my grandmother laying in her hospital bed...which reminds me of her husband in the bed, as well. Lord, is that just how it goes? I think of other windows, too. The huge windows at the airport that look out onto the tarmac along with my sweet mother-in-law watching the planes come and go as we prepare to say goodbye after a visit. Not a hospital visit this time, but a family visit. Goodbyes always feel like it should be ra...

my favorite shot of the eight nights It was a beautiful Hanukkah this year. The weather was pretty agreeable and everyone was well, for the most part. We had eight crazy nights of taking photographs of the candles and enjoying each others company, whether it was the quiet family celebration here at home, the sweet erev Shabbat with the Chaverim or the wonderful seventh-night party filled with friends, laughter, latkes and champagne. Good times...great memories. Yes, it was a beautiful Hanukkah this year.

I'm grateful for Hanukkah. I'm grateful for my camera that can capture our celebrations. I'm grateful for a safe place to meet and celebrate. I'm grateful for the Torah. I'm grateful for my friends on Facebook. I'm grateful for professional, skilled and compassionate medical professionals. I'm grateful for a misty December sunrise. I'm grateful for unexpected opportunities. I'm grateful that the LORD is still at work, and that He hears our petitions. I'm grateful for positive feedback on my writing. I'm grateful for the ongoing success of TRI . I'm grateful for a time of gathering with friends and family. I'm grateful for the good character and sense of justice in my children. I'm grateful for warm, fuzzy blankets. I'm grateful for cats that curl up into perfect circles to sleep. I'm grateful for solid doctrinal training. I'm grateful to discover new-to-me music. I'm grateful fo...

Like a wave and sometimes unexpected, compassion comes upon us in the strangest moments. Moved to care, prayer and action, compassion can start as a trickle and work into a torrent. Do we foster compassion within ourselves, somehow manufacturing it of our own strength and desire for righteousness? Or does it come from the source of all love Himself? I often wonder why some bear the weight of compassion and others do not. At times, it seems part of the human fabric to want to care, help and empathize with the hurt of another. But, is it wisdom or folly that drives us to reach out regardless of the consequences? Those much wiser than I have pondered these things, and their observations are certainly worthy of consideration and meditation on this cold, winter morning. Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling  what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin.  It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me  until th...

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;  on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. ~Isaiah 9:2 May this Hanukkah be one of joy and laughter, the kindling of candles  and re-kindling of beloved friendships. May that which was lost be recovered, the one who is wounded be healed, and the servants of the Most High be favored  by the light of His face. May the Holy One, blessed be He,  extend to us His infinite love, understanding and grace  as we celebrate, remember and honor this Feast of Dedication. Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, King of the Universe, Who gave us life, and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. Amein.

I should be on payroll with Facebook. No really; I have spent way too much time defending and explaining the ins and outs of communication and maintaining relationship on this giant of social media. I never expected to be in this position, I can assure you. I can say with all honesty that I learned these rules through rough-and-tumble experience - a hard lesson, it was. Relationship via social utilities can be sticky business. As with any form of communication between humans, things can be misconstrued, feelings can be hurt and respect and trust can be lost. I've even heard it described, not altogether inaccurately, as a minefield; one misstep and ka-blooey! And it happens to everyone once, and hopefully it only takes once to learn that there are definitely unspoken rules of engagement on Facebook (or any online social media, for that matter). 1.  Remember your public wall is public. Public is public, which means everyone and anyone can see. There are 'privacy settings...

I'm grateful for a wonderful doctor who is eager to help. I'm grateful for the prayers of others on my behalf. I'm grateful for my happy light! I'm grateful I had enough money for food this week. I'm grateful for my kids. I'm grateful the majority of my shopping is finished. I'm grateful for friends who care. I'm grateful for a wonderful ultrasound technician. I'm grateful for good conversation with my son. I'm grateful for fresh, clean water. I'm grateful for a functioning washer and dryer. I'm grateful for Clone Wars episodes on DVD. I'm grateful for each day that I can get up and breathe in and out. I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~Gilbert Keith Chesterton I'm grateful for vehicles that run and beds that are soft. I'm grateful for dark days that pass and for the hope of sunshine. I'm grateful for hope, becaus...

Have you ever prayed for a miracle? Something so utterly fantastic, completely out of your control and probably incomprehensible? Oh yeah, I have . Perhaps you have, too. Maybe you have prayed for that needed job or that long-awaited mate. Or possibly you have prayed for a miracle cure for the incurable disease for yourself or a loved one. I'm sure many have prayed for situations to change miraculously because what they were doing just wasn't enough. I've even prayed, cheekily I admit, that there be a 'miracle in the hearing' for anyone within range of my singing. *smirk* I have heard the classification of miracles, which I always find fascinating. Class A or Class B... who would think of these things? I guess it is helpful for some to categorize miracles in this way. But for me, or the desperate, poverty-stricken mother who needs food for her family, a miracle is simply a miracle. I can say with all certainty that for the ones who have been granted a miraculou...

Never allow someone to be your priority,  while allowing yourself to be their option. An anonymous quote. Simple in it's design, complex in it's meaning. A quote I would have never known had it not been for the internet. A quote that has haunted me for literally years. Never - at no time in the past or future; on no occasion; not ever. allow - grant permission. someone - a person of importance or authority. (to be your) priority - fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important. while - during which. allowing - giving permission. yourself - you personally. (to be their) option - something or someone that may or may not be chosen. I have, so many times in my life, put myself in the position of valuing certain individuals higher than they valued me. Part of me kicks myself for a seeming lack of self-respect. But on the other hand, is it not noble, admirable at the least, to value those around you highly regardless of their opinio...

A man kneels before His Father and prays diligently. Before his inevitable arrest, he asks for a reprieve. He knows it's going to be bad - beyond bad. Horrific, even. But, despite his desperate request, he relinquishes control to the One he serves. He certainly knew, this man who also happened to be divine, that things had to come about as they did to complete the necessary work that was his alone to accomplish. Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) was not asking for G-d to reveal His will, but simply and willingly submitting to it. ‎"Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will." ~Paul G-d's Will; that ever-elusive, nebulous force that moves us about for purposes that are His alone. And it often seems that way. We are unsure, really, what the will of the Almighty is, much less how to find out. So, we pray for 'His will' to somehow magically appear in our consciousness...

"Square dance is a folk dance with four couples (eight dancers) arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, beginning with Couple 1 facing away from the music and going counter-clockwise until getting to Couple 4. Couples 1 and 3 are known as the head couples, while Couples 2 and 4 are the side couples. Each dance begins and ends each sequence with "sets-in-order" in the square formation. The dance was first described in 17th century England but was also quite common in France and throughout Europe and bears a marked similarity to Scottish Country Dancing. It has become associated with the United States of America due to its historic development in that country. Nineteen US states have designated it as their official state dance..." "The various square dance movements are based on the steps and figures used in traditional folk dances and social dances of the various people who migrated to the USA. Some of these traditional dances include Morris danc...

I'm so grateful... for breath and life, for jammie days, for a quiet house, and for time to think. I'm grateful for slowing down. I'm grateful for girl-time with cameras, snow and a giant mountain. I'm grateful for free music from my Dad. I'm grateful for the opportunity to write. I'm grateful that, despite my worst decisions, the LORD still looks out for me. I'm grateful that it was only a Stage-1 burn ban and that we were still able have a fire in the fireplace, since our woodstove is certified. I'm grateful for our bible study and good fellowship together. I'm grateful that I didn't receive hate mail - although I would have liked to hear something . I'm grateful for creativity. I'm grateful for free music. I'm grateful for eyes that twinkle, smiles that warm the heart and being close enough to 'feel'. I'm grateful for free haircuts. I'm grateful for my favorite musicians and music that...

סלח , to forgive. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven ; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." ~the words of Yeshua HaMashiach as recorded by Luke But what does forgiveness look like? Is it just appropriate words mouthed because we have to? Or is it something more? We all have lots of opportunities to forgive and be forgiven in our lives, without question. We can beg for forgiveness so easily and often from the Holy One believing He will grant it, but actually granting forgiveness to each other is so much more difficult and complicated. Sometimes, it's just so damn hard to look at each other in the eye and honestly say the words, "I forgive you, truly." And, when  those words are sincerely uttered, it is a gift. Yes, a gift that we...

I'm not much for conspiracy theories. I'm not into hoarding firearms or packing away enough food and water for the apocalypse. I don't like to operate from a place of fear, or pay much heed to fear-mongers or pundits expounding on things I, as one person, can do nothing about.  However, when a friend shared information about our government making some drastic changes that can, or will, lead to the nullification of the Constitution and imprisoning citizens in concentration camps, I had to take notice. Even if you think this site is 'out there' , it would seem that the US Government is moving in a dark direction.  I was totally unaware of FEMA building and staffing internment camps .  I had no idea that these camps are located all over the country. For years, my mentor has spoken about a coming time when our people will be, once again, rounded up and put into concentration camps. This has never been something I have taken lightly; always in the back of my mind...

"A rumor is often viewed as "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in (perceived) public concern" ...rumors involve some kind of a statement whose veracity is not quickly or ever confirmed. In addition, some scholars have identified rumors as a subset of propaganda, the latter another notoriously difficult concept to define." ~wiki Titillating tidbits, snatches of illicit conversation, whispered unthinkables... rumors are the red pepper flakes of the spice rack that is community life. Careful, seasoning with this spice can bite you back if you are not careful. We have all been warned about rumors and gossip. From our mothers, our teachers, our pastors. We've all been the subject of gossip and have felt the biting, hurtful sting. Why, then, do we find them so tempting to listen to? Why is it that we eagerly run to share them with our best girlfriends, or worse yet, the to...

Need a mountain fix? The National Park Inn, Mt. Rainier Longmire picnic... Mt. Rainier on a clear day "You want me to drive where?" Brrr!

Do you feel disheartened? If you don't right now, just wait because we all end up there at one point or another, I can assure you. And when you get there, how in the world do you keep putting one foot in front of the other? Sometimes it is just downright impossible not to be disheartened. You don't get the job you really wanted because someone else is more qualified, or the project you have been working on for what seems like an eternity just completely fell apart. Or despite your working your tail off, there is just never enough money to quite pay all the bills even as the medical statements keep arriving in your mailbox. No one knows, but your marriage is beyond struggling, your teens are testing beyond your capacity and you awake in a panic more often then you would like to admit. Or the one thing you held most dear was ripped from your desperate grasp through no fault of your own, never to be recovered. Any of these things are a recipe for feeling disheartened, to be ...

I am grateful for the homeshul! I'm grateful for Vitamin Water. I'm grateful for hot tea and a comfy place to enjoy it. I'm grateful for days I don't have to go anywhere. I'm grateful my son Alex is handy at pretty much everything! I'm grateful for rain that is not snow. I'm grateful for homemade coffeecake. I'm grateful for old playlists that bring back memories. I'm grateful for Starbucks. (Btw, did you hear the rumor that Starbucks is going to remove the English from their logo? Somehow that doesn't set well with me, but I'm not sure why.) "Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21) I am so grateful for Scripture. I'm gratefully looking forward to Shabbat. I'm grateful for the PZ Cut I still have (which isn't much, but it's still some). I'm grateful Rob was willing to smoke the turkey f...