Passover, Yom Kippur, and Tattoos

Ever-Increasing Light Sabbaths, Feasts, and More Marking Jewish with Themes with Devotion “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Elbow-deep in animal bloodshed, the High Priests followed the detailed instructions uncompromisingly; and the Israelites waited in the balance of haShem’s mercy.  As these…

The Weight of Sadness

Ever-Increasing Light Sabbath, Feasts, and More Marking Jewish Themes with Devotion “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:9 NKJV). Jewish people around the world are preparing for Passover. And the wonderful story of the exodus from…

Symbol of Love

My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh which lies all night between my breasts. –Song of Songs 1:13 A few years ago, I wept through a message, delivered at my home church, by Gary Wiens on the above Scripture. I am still moved to tears when I remember his beautiful, life-giving words about the love between the…

haiku: happy easter

Gan haKever — The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem, Israel, 2009 easter lily white resurrection day dawns clear offering new life

How Appropriate!

My Christmas cactus is blooming… now that it is Easter. How appropriate! We leave in a few minutes for Ethiopia. See you on the other side of the ocean…

Gnarled Tree

I am watching the dawn break slowly across the wide expanse of the sky. Navy blue is turning to slate now, with small streaks of light pink and gold. The black silhouette of three barren trees sit against the morning sky. They look especially gnarled, almost ghoulish, against the early dawn.