Living in Memphis can be challenging at times.  This past year our little community has experienced many occasions when we simply lose power.  Sometimes during a rainstorm or for no apparent reason at all!

So, what does one do without power.  No TV, no computer, no internet!  I must admit I can never quite adjust to being without this “luxury”.  I would make a horrible pioneer woman. 

So, what to do?  We sit on our porch and hear the birds singing; I can hear sounds of nature!  It’s a chance to sit with my husband and carry on a conversation. 

I can focus on things that really matter!  How grateful I am for friends. I remember the thoughtfulness of others, both in prayer and just being there for me.  Those who would drop everything to help us.

My loving family.  I urge you to reconnect. Don’t let petty grievances stop you.

My old car is still running; fresh iced tea that was made; food in the pantry; yummy chocolate cake……… but also, how many blessings that God has given me………….and you!

Soon the power will be back.  Back to our usual routine.  The power outage of yesterday allowed me to recalibrate the significance of things.   To really see that gratitude is the best way to measure the sanctity of one’s life.  The power outage allowed me a measured space for silence.

As I walked around my home today, I say a bit wryly, out loud, thanks, God that the electricity is on.  The newscaster on TV is animatedly describing the weather for the week, whatever it will be.  I also mourn for those who have suffered from the ravages of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lack of power for weeks. 

As much as I express the gratitude of those few hours without power, I’m still happy that there is come of the scrumptious chocolate cake in the fridge!

Can Prayer Change Reality?

There is a joke about an atheist who decided to open a nightclub directly across from a Church building.  The Believers were in an uproar.
They held nightly, outdoor prayer sessions begging God not to allow the club to open.

The man scoffed and went right ahead with his plans.  However, in a shocking turn of events, two weeks before the grand opening, lightning struck the club, and it burned to the ground.

The club owner sued the little group of Believers on the grounds that their prayers destroyed his club.  The group of Believers, on the other hand, denied responsibility, saying there was no direct connection between their prayers and the lightning striking the club.   

The judge reviewed the case and remarked,” Wow! Seems we have a nightclub owner who believes in the power of prayer and an entire congregation that doesn’t.”

Does prayer really make a difference?  Or is it pragmatic, diplomatic, and human efforts that determine the course of reality?  Is it the businessman’s acumen and good sense that makes him wealthy, or his prayer and God’s subsequent blessing?       
                      
                                               Is it Both?                    

 I love the story of Esther.  She was a survivor.  She teaches us that while practical actions are necessary to succeed in any endeavor, spiritual efforts have the real impact in awarding  God’s blessings.

 Haman and his people who were Agagites, have a long history of hating the Jews.  They were bent on exterminating the Mordechai and all his people.  Both peoples were taken into captivity by the Persians. Although Haman had influence with the king, Esther became his queen. Haman used his influence with king to try to eliminate all Jews in Persia.

Esther knew she had to act.  While she did indeed plan on trying the diplomatic route, she had other thoughts on her agenda as well.  She asked Mordechai, her adopted father and all Jews, to arrange a public fast for three days.  She felt that the dire situation called for fasting and imploring God to save His people.

She included herself and those around her also to do the same.   I’m sure the beautiful Esther must have looked worn and haggard after fasting and praying for three days. 

If her plan was to persuade her husband, King Ahasuerus, to save her nation, wouldn’t it be a better plan to look her best?  Rather than focus on repentance and fasting, shouldn’t she have taken a more pragmatic and polished approach?  Shouldn’t she have tried her best to find favor in the king’s eyes?  Of course, we know that she did have a plan.  One that would save her people.

But Esther was aware of the truth. She knew that the cause of the decree against the Jews was spiritual in nature.   While it was necessary to take practical action, she also knew that it was important for Divine intervention to prevent Haman from carrying out his plan of extermination.   

Esther intended to diplomatically convince the king to save the Jews, but it was her heartfelt prayer that was the catalyst for her success.  She followed up with a plan and the Jewish people were saved

For Us:  Prayer, followed by a plan of action.   Can’t go wrong with that!

          The Big Repeat/Doing Teshuvah

Most of us don’t celebrate Rosh HaShanah. It starts on September 16^th this year.   In Hebrew it means “Head of the Year”.  In other words, this is a New Year to Jews.  Following the blowing of the shofar, (those funny looking Ram’s horns) there is a big celebration.  However, this leads up to Yom Kippur. 

 There are 10 days between Rosh HaShanah and Yon Kippur called the Days of Awe.  This is when the observant Jews and Messianic Believers focus on repentance and asking forgiveness from anyone whom they have insulted or injured in anyway. Getting themselves right with God. Focusing on the wrongs they have done. We have our Messiah Jeshua/Jesus who has taken our sins and offered Himself as our repentance.  But where does that leave us? 

In Hebrew the word for repentance is teshuvah.  It’s a good word and as in most Hebrew words it has many meanings but mainly regretting and repenting of past mistakes.  As Believers, this is what we need in our lives every day. 

But after we knowingly make a mistake and repeat the same transgression again what should we do?  For example, I resolve not to speak badly of others, but after a short while I am back to my old bad habit.  Does this mean that my teshuvah was insincere? 

If we are faced with the same temptations but truly and sincerely refrain from acting on them, we have rightfully come to terms with repentance!!  But what if I repeat the error?  It is possible to have very genuine feelings of teshuvah but still mess up again. 

We’re all humans, subject to highs and lows.  We often repeat our mistakes.  It’s time for us to rethink if we are truly sincere in our repentance.  But there is more that just asking God to forgive us. 

Teshuvah, on its most basic level, consists of three ingredients: a) Remorse for the bad that was done. b) Resolving never to do the offensive act again. c) Connecting with the person or persons with whom we seek forgiveness. 

 With those thoughts in mind, you and I must examine ourselves in the light of what Jeshua teaches us.  See Matthew 18:21 as well as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Forgiveness/Repentance go hand in hand!

In seeking forgiveness and repentance, Jeshua told us to lay our gifts on the “altar” but first go to the person we have offended and seek forgiveness.

   That’s Teshuvah.

How to Find Meaning.

When we face life’s problems we are often confused where to find a meaning in our lives.  What is this business called life and how are we to live it? 

According to Freud, the primary drive of man is the pursuit of pleasure. 
Nietzsche contends it is power.  But Viktor Frankl, believes the primary goal of man is not pleasure or power, but a search for meaning. 

Viktor Frankl was a German Jew taken to various concentration camps.  He suffered for three years during the Holocaust and endured the murder of his entire family and pregnant wife.  He himself was a survivor but was witness to the atrocities that man endured while being tormented and enslaved in Germany’s worst concentration camps.  He observed that those men who lost faith or saw only the hopelessness of their life were the first to die.  Those who looked beyond the walls of their prison saw hope in the future that at some point they would be rescued were the survivors.

From his observation, Frankl wrote this little book called The Search for Meaning. When I pulled it from my library shelf, I decided to write this blog centered on his writings. 

So, if a human beings’ primary drive is the search for meaning, where do we look?  If it’s not in the Himalayas, the ashram, the shrink’s couch, the self-help section of the bookstore, the office, the lab, the studio, the field or even the sanctuary, then where?

When Moses was speaking his final words to the Hebrews before God took him, he tells us where to look. “it is not in heaven, nor is it across the sea. Rather, the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart to perform it.”

What is this matter ‘that is near and dear that we are to perform? “

It’s the very words of our Messiah speaking to the scribe who came to Him.  “Rabbi, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”    

Jeshua’s reply” You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And the second is like it “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  

And that is the challenge for us.  To walk in His ways and observing his commandments which Jesus/Jeshua clarified for us. 

When our hearts beat with the knowledge of this truth within us, then as Moses said……the “matter” is in our mouths.  It drives our speech and our actions.  It’s who we are at our core. It’s who we should be or to become. 
1.  What are three things you are looking for in your life? 
           Where have you been looking?

           2. Will external things make us happy or give us real peace? 

           3. Look within yourself.  Focus on the strength, abilities, talents
               and gifts that you have been given. Do all to help your fellow man. Seek God and His righteousness and all these things will be given you. Now how will you use these gifts?

                                      Then……………

                    You will find the true meaning of life!

                                It’s Never too Late

There is an old Jewish Rabbi who said…..”Repent one day before your death”  One of his disciples asked him does a man know on which day he will die”?  The old Rabbi answered him…….”So that being the case, you should repent today, for perhaps tomorrow you will die.  Everyday is a good day to repent.” 

None  of us knows the day we will die……. we leave that up to God.  But when considering that none of us know the answer to our death, we must be mindful that each day could be our last.  It’s a question you must ask yourself. 

Ok if today is my last day on earth I will have the Nachos Grande (with sour cream of course) an order of mozzarella cheese sticks and a pineapple mojito.  Veggie burger on a lettuce wrap? I don’t think so.

In other words, “Seize the day!” doesn’t necessarily lead me to the right place. 

Instead of pretending that today was the last day of your life, what if you were to realize, instead………. that it’s the first day of the rest of your life?  What if you could make use of each day as a gift? 

When an upset intrudes into my life, I ask myself whether this state of affairs will exist or matter at the end of my life?? I probably won’t even remember something that is bothering me now might indeed give me the healthy perspective  I need to make better choices about how to cope with future problems. 

Could projecting ourselves into the future shape better decisions for what we do today?  Perhaps we should all sit down and write a letter to our future selves.  Perhaps a simple letter written to yourself and where you want to be in 20 years or if you are like me…..perhaps five!

Can you craft a better vision for yourself?  What truly matters in life? 

Try writing your own obituary.  How do you want to be remembered?  What do you want your loved ones to say about you and to have learned from you?  What do you want to leave as your legacy?

  And then work your way backward to today and make choices that are designed to get you there.  It’s never too late to do the right things. 

You’re always one decision away from a totally different life.   Do something today your future self will thank you for:  it’s easier than you think.

1.  When writing your own obituary, how did that make you feel? Do you feel you have lived up to your full potential?  Have you lived in peace with others?  Have you done worthy things to help others feel good about themselves and shown them love and support?  How do you feel about your own life? 

2.  Think about a mistake you have made.  How did that affect you now?  Has it changed your perspective on life and doing things differently.

3.  What is something you are worried about now? Is it something fixable? Will it be something that stays with you in the future?  How will this affect your life 10 years from now?

It’s never to be late to change your life.  Its never too late to be the person you know that God wants you to be. 

It’s never too late!! 

                                    Needing more self-control? 

 I don’t like to make commitments.  Perhaps I should try to seek more self-control in my life.  I could cut down on screen time, exercise more and eat all those green leafy veggies.   Perhaps just one more cookie! 

Many people think that most of our problems are the lack of self-control.  But self- control is a misnomer and when we focus too much on it, we are setting ourselves up for failure.  The problem with self-control is that it means my self is in control and that’s the last thing I want.  What I really want is to be less self-focused, not more.  The time I spend struggling with myself not to eat a cookie is the time and energy that could have been put to better use.  I don’t’ want to spend my life getting into fights with cookies.  I have other things to do. 

Usually when we are motivated to change a character trait, it is because we hope to enhance ourselves somehow; to be successful at work, to have a healthier body, to be respected and admired by others.  At the root of the motivation is what is good for me.  I want to be a better person.  I want to feel successful, fulfilled, perfected. 

Our Lord, Jeshua (Jesus) always preached renewing one’s heart. Kindness, gentleness; goodness toward others.  He knew us and how we want to be in control of everything.  He emphasized the shift from a more self-centered life to a more Godly one.  Self-perfection is the not the goal.  Our purpose in building character is not to be more successful or accomplished but to become the person that God wants us to be.    

Rabbi Paul used the term of self-control in many of his letters. ( Gal. 5:23; 1^st Cor. 7:5; 2 Tim. 3:3).  These were written mostly to Gentile converts who had a lust for many of their pagan lifestyles.  Once they became believers, he expected them to gain control over their former lusts.   He wanted their lives to be controlled by their newfound Messiah. 

We find ourselves wanting a closer relationship to God, but our worldly desires keep dragging us down.  We keep pushing away the same negative thoughts dozens of times….. but perhaps each time helps us to be more dependent on God and less on ourselves!!!!  That would bring Him pleasure.  A stronger relationship with Him.

                                          Less self-control means more God control! 

                                        The Lonely Sock

 My washer annoys me.  I put two socks in and only one came back.

I saw a joke which I still remember and laugh.   There was a group of socks lined up ready to be washed and the commander of the socks , who stood with his full miliary gear, said.  “Ok, boys. We are all going in but not all of us will come back”!!

I think perhaps the lonely sock might be an apt metaphor for life.  Are you a lonely sock? 

Life as we know it is but half ……..of its full magnitude.  We only see half the picture. The whole of the world was created by God, so we are here to be used to serve Him. 

He created the words of scripture by which we live today.   He allowed us to be wealthy so that we could serve others.  He created the food that we love and enjoy.  Everything that God made, He made for His glory and for His creation.  We should be praising Him for the blessings of life.  

Yet there is the other half.  The deeper half of me!  The other sock!

I often take sole ownership of my possessions and treat them as if their purpose is
merely to satisfy me.  I make use of one half or dimension of what God has given me and discard the other half.

I might be breathing, and living, profiting, and enjoying….. surrounded by family and friends but that does not mean that I am fulfilling the purpose of life.  I can’t live purposefully if I don’t embrace and find my purpose!

There will always be challenges in life.  The Testaments tell us the unique challenges that were faced by God’s people. We also face challenges.   

 Our trials and tribulations are designed to help us unlock our hidden energies and abilities and empower us to exceed even our own expectations!

Life might look like a venue for our hedonistic enjoyment.  Our blessings might seem geared for our benefit only but ultimately, we realized that is a hollow way to live.  It’s a lonely sock. 

                    But I don’t want to be that lonely sock……….I want the full pair!!!

                                                   I Give, Therefore I Love

There are few experiences in life as powerful and transformative as love.  And yet, there are few words as difficult to define.

Lucky for me I found the perfect mate.  We have an anniversary coming up at the end of this month.  We have had ups and downs as in most marriages.  I really have no words of wisdom to share on how to make a marriage perfect.  Two humans living together, bound by an oath, doesn’t make for perfection.  Yet here we are, still bound by love,

Contemporary Western culture is obsessed with love, particularly romantic love.  Movies, books, songs, advice columns, talk shows, tabloids.  We are saturated with images and stories of love lost, won, renewed and unrequited. 

And yet, when one compares the idealized version of love glorified in popular culture with the real statistics there is a sharply increasing divorce rate, broken families, and millions of chronically lonely people.  There is a profound disconnect between our idyllic expectations and actual reality. 

Love, therefore, is multifaceted and complex.  Our Lord demonstrated real love.  He preached love as well as lived it.  He was in fact teaching the precepts of the Hebrew word for love……….Ahavah. 

The Hebrew word, Ahavah, means to give.  Hebrew language is wonderful and complex.  Within each word are several layers of meaning.   Ahavah is derived from the word hav which means to give, revealing the Lord was teaching that love involves forgiveness and giving! 

Love is not all about you.  Real love calls us out of the confines of ourselves and into the wilderness of relationships!! 
It is a transformative experience that dethrones our egos and puts us to work in the fulfillment of the needs and desires of another.

True love then, is not about how you feel but it’s  how you make others feel when they are with you!! 

There is also another facet to the word Ahavah. 

Love is not primarily about how you feel but what you do!  It’s the doing that demonstrates true love. 

Jeshua (Jesus) commanded us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 23:39) How can we be commanded to feel something for those we don’t have feelings for?  One answer to that command is not to focus on our internal feelings but on external actions!

An old rabbi said.”  That which is hateful to you, do not do unto others.”  That’s the negative comment.  The positive one is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31) Both apply.

Our feelings are secondary to our actions and how we treat and relate to others.  Feelings keep us focused on self; actions are what connect us to others. 

Since the root of the word Ahavah is based on giving, the philosophy then becomes…….the more we give the more we love!

In the final analysis, the emotional sensation we call love is, in fact, a creation generated by our thoughts, words, and deeds which cause us to put action into our emotions.   
                    I give therefore I love!  Ahavah!!!

                                       When I don’t feel like praying

I am not an early riser.  Just give me five minutes more under the covers.   I like rising before my husband.  It’s my chance to be alone with no TV and nothing to disturb me.  I also know it’s a good prayer time.  But I don’t feel like praying!! 

 I wake up unsure if I would rather return to an unconscious state or if I’m ready to re-enter the world of consciousness.  However, I bravely tip -toe into “reality” or at least my version of it. 

I pull out my Bible from the basket I keep at the kitchen table.  Do I want to go there…… do I want to enter into the world of the 1^st Century?  I love to study the Gospels but am I ready to really understand and pray while reading?  I love the Psalms also.  Most of them by David who pours his heart to God. 

Prayer is where I connect with those early disciples living and working with the Lord.  Prayer is not just asking for something.   Prayer is where I can enter the oneness of being with those early believers.  You could call it study but it’s also a type of prayer.  The rabbis call study the highest form of worship.

                              Study is worship!!  Study can be prayer!

To be honest, I’m usually more interested in my creature comforts.  I am on the fence about a new day.  I am still determining if I really agree with this whole thing called life.  It’s not easy is it?  Sometimes we are just spiritually weary. 

Should I check my inbox first?  Perhaps there is someone or something I need to know. Perhaps there is something there to inspire me to pray.

The early sages describe prayer as a “service of the heart.”  Prayer demands that we direct our minds and hearts to our Creator while contemplating the purpose of our lives as we ask for the means to fulfill our mission. 

The Word is to inspire me.  It’s how I really connect to the unseen world of God.  Through my reading the stories of the times and struggles of those early believers I am inspired.  They are real people living and working and praying.  I transport myself in time.  I read of the thousands that heard and saw the Lord.  Even though they lived and died 2000 years ago they come to life on the pages of my Bible. 

Now I know.  Praying isn’t easy but Its part of what I do and who I am.  Prayer gives me energy to face what the day brings.  It’s my morning caffeine. It is my lifeline and my way of being.

My soul is refreshed.   It is my choice to not just be up, but to be in a state of thankfulness and prayer. Prayer shouldn’t be just a one-time thing in the morning.  It’s a part of who we are as believers.  It’s seeing prayer as active in our lives.  It’s not audible but available.  It’s our connection to the Someone who really loves us. 

As Paul said………” Pray without ceasing.”   (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

                                                  Now I know what he means.             

                                    IT ALL STARTED WITH WORDS

I don’t know about you, but I love word games.  I enjoy playing Scrabble and Wordle.  There is an apt on my phone called Whirly Word.   There are only six letters, but the challenge is making these six letters into words.  Crossword puzzles have been around for years. 

But let’s go back to the beginning.  Gen 1:3 “And God said……….”  He started it all with words! 

Have you ever thought of a world without words?  Words are essential building blocks for all communication.  They can be used for good and or evil (think Hitler). Words are necessary to express our thoughts and feelings.  They communicate our wishes and desires.  What would we do without books in our lives? We can live vicariously through the characters….. their fears and challenges.    

In the last chapter of Deuteronomy, we read compelling words of Moses to the people as he was leading them to their new land.  The land of promise.  “Be  strong, be bold, don’t be afraid or frightened (of enemies) . For Adonai, your God is going with you.  He will never fail you or abandon you.” (Deut31:6-8)

These are powerful words and still speak to us today.  We are fearful. We fear what the future holds for us.  At times we are blindsided with fear.  We are indecisive in making decisions.  We are fearful of new challenges, new situations. What will the Dr tell me at my appointment tomorrow?

Moses said that God would be with His people and would protect them from “giants” in the land.  Perhaps our giants aren’t literal giants, but rather all the things that are out of our human control.

Winds of change come to each of us.  In 1849 the French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karl wrote, ”plus ca change, plus  c’est la meme chose,” which translated roughly means, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” The one thing in life we can expect is “change”.  Nothing ever remains the same. 

Words can comfort us.  Jesus/Jeshua told His followers “So I say to you do not worry about your life.”  (Matthew 6:25) These words give comfort to us also.  That’s where trust comes in.  We are not fearful.  We know the one who is in control but allows us freedom to choose.

You and I are to be encouragers.  We are to put actions into our words. As James said……. “ Faith without works is dead.”  (James 2:17) The Hebrew word is mitzvah. It’s a simple word that means “good deed.”  It’s a concept defined by acts of kindness.  Another word is Tikkun Olam.  Doing good deeds will help repair the world.   It’s what we do for others that counts. 

God put us here to be Doers of the Word.  Let not your ears be dull of hearing!!  Wise words express faith, truth, and kindness.   Put action into those words!

          God’s word is always the same yesterday, today and on into the future.