It is essential in our walk with God to understand him as a consuming fire. Most consider our Creator and his acts toward humankind to center around judgment or discipline. That he is ever-watching from heaven to smash our plans or even our lives. But the consuming fire of the Holy One of Israel and…
Tag: Tradition
From Rut to Ritual
I love Starbuck’s new fall advertising slogan, “Take comfort in rituals.” With the cooler weather and holidays coming on, it sounds appealing, homespun, and almost magnetic. The mega coffee shop is hoping to sell more comfort in a cup this autumn by drawing you into the sweetness of including them as part of your daily…
Anti-Semitism vs Anti-Zionism
I believe that Helen Thomas’s remarks were anti-Semitic. Basically she called for the ethnic cleansing of the state of Israel. That call was purely racist. Any demand for ethnic cleansing is outrageous and should not be tolerated. Anti-Semitism is anti-Zionism in post-modern language. The media endeavors to soften the rhetoric by saying that anti-Zionism is not…
Purim Gone Ape…
Purim is the commemoration of one of the most beautiful stories in Jewish history. If you aren’t familiar with it, follow this link. I love that the traditions and culture of Judaism include the children–not as an after thought or sideline but as the center of observation and remembrance. Purim is a holiday that the kids…
Dazzled…
Each holiday season in December, I am handed the opportunity to gaze upon the shekinah glory of God that shone about the shepherds of Bethlehem on a cold night in Israel long ago—a night that changed the world forever. It is challenging because there is great competition and distraction in this beautiful Season of Light…
Festival of Lights: Day Four
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth (Genesis 49:6). We had a feast last evening… friendship, stories, laughter, food, drink, prayer, and fellowship! On the fourth day of Hanukkah, we celebrated indeed.
Festival of Lights Evening Three
“… in His light, we see light.” (Psalm 36:9). I spent the late afternoon making latkes or potato pancakes. They are a Hanukkah tradition and worth the calorie splurge once a year. Here is a great step-by-step process. Later, our Israeli neighbors upstairs came down, and we enjoyed the time together with latkes and sour cream…
Hanukkah Evening Two
Arise, shine for your light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Gross darkness shall cover the peoples of the earth, but my glory is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1) Yesterday was such a sweet day with my husband. We drove to Ein Kerem, which is a beautiful town nestled…
Hanukkah Evening One
We gathered with some friends in our neighborhood to light the first candle of Hanukkah. As we walked to their apartment, we noticed the colors of the sky. It was that twilight time of early night when everything becomes gray, but last evening it seemed grayish purple. And we could feel the evening falling as…
Bonnie Saul Wilks 