Amish Grace is what We need now!

I promised that I wouldn't write much about the tragic happenings yesterday in Connecticut and China. However, I have become increasingly angry at the posts that I continue to see on the internet by so-called Christians. These people continue to represent a small faction of Christians in the world, giving the rest of us, totally bad names.

For those of you who read this, who sincerely believe that this evil happened because God wasn't allowed in the school, I would like to remind you that God was present in the Amish school (Nickel Mines, 2006) in Pennsylvania, where five Amish girls lost their lives.

And while right now, our wounds are open and raw, we must remember as the Amish did...

"On the day of the shooting, a grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls was heard warning some young relatives not to hate the killer, saying, "We must not think evil of this man." Another Amish father noted, "He had a mother and a wife and a soul and now he's standing before a just God." Jack Meyer, a member of the Brethren community living near the Amish in Lancaster County, explained: "I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts."

When Sick, it is tea and RICOLA I want!

There is a Scottish/Irish song called "When Sick, Is it Tea you want?" I love this song, even though I am not good at playing it; especially when sick! However, I am no writing because I am sick currently and am craving a good cup of tea, rather I am writing about something I think is totally off topic and really kind of funny!

When I am sick, I crave a good cup of tea, a quiet room, a good book and RICOLA! Lots and lots of RICOLA! Okay, so I am sure you are now hearing the Alpine horns and the Swiss man yelling out "RIIIIICCCCOOOOLLLLLAAAAAA" yeah, I am too! There is just something soothing in that blend of Alpine herbs that helps soothe my cough, my throat and my mind.

Most Americans skip right over this "natural" product and go straight for the chemical tasting Halls Menthol drops. Why? Seriously? Yes, I have had these drops, when I was younger! But from day one when I first laid eyes on the yellow and white package of Ricola, the imported from Switzerland title, I knew I had found my "cure-all!" Nothing can touch the feeling that I have after a Ricola. My throat soothed, my cough vanquished for at least 30 mins. I am a nearly new person!

Now I am not pushing an ad for Ricola, matter of fact, the company doesn't even know I am writing this, but I must say while "yes, it is tea I want when I am sick...also pass me the Ricola!"

Exciting!

I have finally reached someone in my beloved Ireland! Thank you for reading! I hope that you will stay with us for a long time...

For Every Season

For every season in a person's life, one must think about the expectations that are set before them. This blog, will have a new name in the coming week. It is my hope and prayer that you will continue to read it and be encouraged by the stories here.
No longer can I call this blog "Torah Rocks!" While yes, the Torah is good, it is not the ultimate good which is only found through Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashaiach).
Please stand by for this new season of ministry and photography. I know that God is going to do great things for this blog and it's followers!

To follow Jesus; you will loose things that are dear (for NIKO)

Saying goodbye is never easy. Especially when it is to someone you thought was not only a friend, but also a part of your family. As Christians or Believers, we often look at each other as family. Some of us are the goofy cousin; others the well educated, over informed annoying brother, and yet others are the over protective parenting types. But we are family none the less. So when we say goodbye to those we love, and care for, it leaves a hole in our hearts.

Recently, just under a month ago, I lost my dearest friend. We have known each other since 1998/1999. He's Finnish, who wants to be Israeli. I am American with Irish ancestry and a family history that goes back to the tribe of Judah. We had previously parted ways due to an argument about religion.  We had been parted for about 3-4 years. I had grown over those years; my grandfather passed on, my dog had died and I had some life struggles.

When we decided to talk, it was like nothing had changed between us. It was easy to speak to this friend again. So this time when we parted ways, it was much more difficult. I knew that he had been rejected by his former Rabbi and I had been accepted by my local Jewish congregation as a "true friend of the Jews." Yet, our friendship wasn't meant to last.

It wasn't until today, that I realized fully why our friendship ended. You see for years I had been a fan of Jesus, but I hadn't really been a follower of Jesus. You see Jesus wants all of our lives; not just those things which we want to give him. Instead He wants all of it; and for Him to have all aspects of our lives we loose something. For me, it was my best friend and former brother in faith.

So to Niko:  I say that I love you, I still pray for you. However, I am not sorry that I have given my life to Jesus, and that I am called a Christian. I hope that someday, you realize that Jesus loves you and you'll fully turn your life over to Him.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur...a time to fast and pray.  Every year between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Jews are called upon to engage in an introspective process known as heshbon hanefesh, an accounting of the soul, to assess where we have missed the mark in the past year. We observe the Ten Days of Repentance by becoming conscious of our wrongdoings and asking God for forgiveness. Yet no amount of synagogue attendance or prayers will grant us forgiveness for sins that we have committed against one another. The Talmud teaches: “The Day of Atonement atones for sins against God, not for sins against man, unless the injured person has been appeased.” For that, we must go directly to the person we have wronged and ask for forgiveness. The rabbinic outlook on the subject may be most simply expressed as "God is just"; He rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked (Principle number 11 of Maimonides' 13 principles of the Jewish faith). Only the unrepentant sinner incurs His wrath; the sinner who repents is always forgiven. Thus the Talmud states, "He who sins and regrets his act is at once forgiven" (Ḥag. 5a; Ber. 12b) and the Midrash states, "Says the Holy One, even if they [your sins] should reach to Heaven, if you repent I will forgive" (Pes. Rab. 44:185a; see Yal. Ps. 835). The rabbis go even further in the ethical demands made upon the injured party, for not only must he be ready to forgive his injurer, he should also pray that God forgive the sinner before he has come to beg forgiveness (Yad, loc. cit.; Tosef., BK 9:29; Sefer Ḥasidim ed. by R. Margalioth 1957, 267 no. 360). This demand is based on the example of Abraham, who prayed to God to forgive Abimelech (Gen. 20:17). The reasons the injured party should be ready to forgive the injurer are mixed. On the one hand is the self-regarding consideration, already mentioned, that forgiveness to one's fellow wins forgiveness from Heaven. As Philo states: "If you ask pardon for your sins, do you also forgive those who have trespassed against you? For remission is granted for remission" (ed. by Mangey, 2 (1742), 670; see also Yoma 23.

The Christian teaching is much the same as the Jewish, in Colossians 3:13 we are told "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

So I must ask this, if one does not forgive another? What right does he/she have to ask the Almighty to forgive them?

If there is anyone you have wronged this year, and it's possible that the wrong that you have done has arisen from a misunderstanding, have you asked that person to forgive you? Have they hurt you and asked your forgiveness? Are you willing to extend that forgiveness and hit your mark this year?

Review of "The Gospel According to Isaiah 53"

The Gospel According to Isaiah 53*

Edited by Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser

Perhaps you have wondered about the interpretations held about Isaiah 53. Maybe as a Christian, you think “Why can’t a Jewish person read Isaiah 53 and see that it’s pointing straight to Jesus as Messiah?” Maybe as a Jew you are thinking “Why do Christians automatically point to Isaiah 53 as a prophecy that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah?” No matter, if you are Jewish or Christian, this book is a valuable addition to your library.

As a Biblical Studies student, I am constantly looking for books that will help me expound upon the themes in the Bible. Bock and Glaser have provided any seminary student with such a book. This book doesn’t come across overtly “Christian” nor does it deny the Jewish stance of Isaiah 53. This book isn’t written at such an academic/professional level that a lay member couldn’t read it, however, there could be some difficulty if you have never studied the Jewish roots of the Christian faith or are not at least familiar with Judaism and its history.

There are several questions that are answered within this book and by giving clear answers this book is one that will really help anyone who is interested in learning more about the interpretations of Isaiah 53. Christian or Jew, this book, is one that any seminary student or professional minister will benefit from; especially in helping to understand the ancient context of which this book and chapter was written.  

*This book was sent free of charge for a non-biased opinion of the book. No money was exchanged for the above review.