Ruminations from the Temple

Influence may be the highest level of human skills. I'm thinkin' that there is two groups of people; those that strive for influence, and those that don't know they have it.  Would you agree with that? Since it would seem that I have a rather eager audience of readers to this blog, you could say I have some influence.  People read my words and ponder my thoughts; some even going so far as to be looking for things to criticize or condemn.  This is fascinating to me, as I never truly thought I was influential in such a way as to change the opinions of others, much less threaten anyone's position or power.  I am not a minister, motivational speaker or celebrity.  I'm not a celebrated scholar or even highly educated.  I am not an important personality of any successful company, business or volunteer organization.  In reality, I am a middle-aged, middle-class, stay-at-home mom trying to do the best I can to be a good friend and neighbor to those that co...

The one who lives with integrity will be helped,  but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall. ~Proverbs 28:18 Right now, at this moment, I would say my life is rather hard.  Not physically hard, but emotionally.  I suppose we all go through times in our lives where people we thought were close friends of good moral integrity let us down and prove us wrong.  We have all been lied about at some point, our names being drug through the mud, our good works being called into question or our confidences made public for analysis and gossip.  I am no different; but it does not make it any easier, I'm sorry to say. Do I have to wallow in the mud?  Oh, I suppose I could...and have; wallowed in sadness and grief over the loss of relationship, purposeful misunderstanding and harsh injustice.  But I don't have to.  I could defend myself with proof and argue, dispute and debate with my new, but oh-so-familiar, adversaries.  Will I?  Sh...

I'm grateful for crackling fireplaces when it's frigid outside... I'm grateful that my Mother-in-Law arrived safely and that she is a wonderful, loving person. I just love her so much. I'm grateful for my crock pots and warm soups on a snowy day. I'm grateful I don't have to drive to Purdy in the snow...Morgan's trailrides got cancelled. She's not so grateful, I must admit. I'm thankful for my boys who bring in wood to fuel the fires that are trying to heat this monstrosity of a house. I'm thankful for my daughter who takes some pretty incredible photographs. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ~Yeshua haMashiach I'm grateful that the temperatures are going to warm up eventually. I'm grateful that I get to spend thanksgiving with my family. I'm grateful for my Mom's voice ...

  T hankful, so very thankful, for all the beautiful souls in my life.   H aving everything that I could ever need; the LORD is our provider and a constant help in time of need. A nd I will enjoy this holiday even though it is not my favorite. N ot that I wouldn't absolutely LOVE to be joining my friends Ronnie & Beverly in Israel right about now... K nowing that even in trials I can learn, love and grow. S till breathing after dreadful grief - only through the LORD's strength. G iven new opportunities to meet new friends and sing new songs...what an honor. I   will never be able to thank our LORD enough for what He has given me. V ery grateful for my Dad and his unconditional love for me. I   look forward to a new day, a new year filled with promise. N ever forgetting where I came from, who I am and Who I serve. G ood Thanksgiving to all my readers!  My love and friendship to you and yours on this day of gratitude. T...

I'm grateful we got power back after it being out Monday night through Tuesday morning due to an unexpected windstorm. I love that my friend Netanya called and came over (her power was off, too). I'm so grateful for good friends. I love them so much. I'm grateful for electricity, obviously.  I'm grateful that none of our trees fell on our neighbor's house during the windstorm! I'm grateful for good books and the ability to lose myself in a good story with characters that I can aspire to emulate. I'm grateful for unlimited long distance. I'm grateful for my Dad and our good friend Connie, and their loving, sincere support of me. I'm grateful for the excellent training I've received in biblical hermeneutics, scriptural study, first century culture, ancient and modern Judaism and Torah observance.  I wasn't looking for it so long ago, but I am thankful the LORD intended it for me. I'm thankful for the unexpected surprise of a gif...

Standing on top of the edge, it feels like it's going down. Everything stays in my mind, feeling in a daze on the ground. Feels like it's gonna give, life's to hard to live anymore. I think I've had enough, things too tough... I'm out the door. All in all, it's just another day now, You're falling down, What you gonna do? Standing on top of the world tonight No ones looking back at you. Stand tall, It's going on... It's going on... It's gonna be just fine. You're holding on... Holding on today. Things don't stop and the others announced they're moving on. Salt & tears in the minds, in the mouths, of a bad decision. Too late for another mistake, it's bringing me down. With all your faults it isn't your fault What's going on... All in all, it's just another day now, You're falling down, What you gonna do? Standing on top of the world tonight, No ones looking back at you... Stand t...

We make a decision. We make another. However, backward we cannot go. Time moves forward, bringing new discoveries, hard choices and valuable lessons. One may call them mistakes while another considers them experiences, dependent upon the point of view. Golden autumn moves forward into silvery-gray winter. It is only forward do the seasons march, hibernating for quiet, cold months before growth is ready to break forth into spring. And that is our hope, isn't it? That despite the sometimes difficult journey forward, we hold onto the encouraging words of friends and the eternal promise of our faith - not unlike waiting for the green growth of spring. And so, time continues to move on. Traditions are examined while the reality of true friendship is pondered yet again. Deep introspection leads to bold honesty and steadfast determination of who we are as we take the tentative steps forward with faith and courage, waiting on the Master to light the way.  As we marvel at the fl...

I'm grateful that I have the motivation to take care of some business I was procrastinating about. I'm thankful that my boyz are back home safely and that they brought home meat! I'm thankful for my dear Alex who turned 15 this week. I'm grateful for my camera.  I'm thankful for sunshine and my view of the beautiful mountain out my kitchen window. So, so stunning. I'm thankful for music to sing. This weather is playing havoc with my chords, but we are commanded to make a joyful noise, right? I'm thankful for my boys and their fire-making skills. There's nothing more cozy than to have a fire in the fireplace. I'm grateful for the perfect music at just the right time.  Sometimes, the only thing that truly speaks to my soul is music. I'm thankful for the ability to see the beauty around me, to hear the words of my closest friends and the ability to feel compassion for those who are hurting. I'm grateful that I have scads of ...

"Friendship is the allay of our sorrows, the ease of our passions, the discharge of our oppressions, the sanctuary to our calamities, the counselor of our doubts, the clarity of our minds..."  ~Jeremy Taylor

Far off on the horizon the bank of storm clouds make their way steadily to the shore.  There are eyes watching their progression, making note of the surroundings.  Crashing waves, rocky sand underfoot...the sound of dripping from pine needles and the leaves still attached despite the lateness of the year.  The wind caresses the souls brave enough to take it all in, quietly now, but threatening to build. Turning away from the shore and stepping onto the soft needle-littered trail is a familiar sensation.  The smell of the forest so refreshing and comforting somehow.  The journey starts out lightheartedly, not knowing what lies ahead; it's probably better that way, for if it were known what was to be faced, most would not venture out at all. The first leg of the journey reveals it's niceties; viewpoints of crashing waves, an island lighthouse long since put to retirement, the horizon line blurred with those lurking storm clouds.  Safely on the trail, the ...

I am grateful that I completely feel that the LORD is with me, despite my circumstances. I am grateful that with each day that I'm given, I have a chance to speak love into the lives of others. I'm grateful for beautiful sunshine, warmer temperatures and the stunningly gorgeous fall leaves. I'm so thankful for my daughter - she is a treasure and a joy.  I'm so proud of her. I'm grateful that hard times pass in time and that with time comes healing.  I'm thankful for healing. I'm thankful for the support and love of my Dad - I absolutely love it when he says, "Everything is going to be alright, don't worry."  Thanks, Dad. I'm thankful for worship music and the Scriptures that give me so much comfort, especially when I'm hurting. I will be ever grateful for my bestest friend who never misses an opportunity to defend me, love me and care for me.  How did I ever deserve such grace?  I don't think I'll ever know. I...

The Indian Summer warms my heart, even as it is still reeling from waves of devastating grief.  Can't I just put some of this comfort in a jar to save for the coming winter? What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Tough times never last, but tough people do. ~Robert Schuller If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces,  never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again. ~Flavia Weedn It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. ~Edmund Hillary Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Correction does much, but encouragement does more. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe