A Plowed Field

2011-12-31T12:17:00.001-06:00

The password of the early Christians was joy, so let us still serve the Lord with joy. Joy is love, joy is prayer, joy is strength. God loves a person who gives joyfully, and if you give joyfully you always give more. A joyful heart is the result of a heart burning with love.

Works of love are always works of joy. We don't need to look for happiness: if we have love for others we'll be given it. It is the gift of God.

Mother Teresa

2011-09-05T16:08:00.000-05:00

Wiebke Popel

Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire,

a still small voice.

1Kings 19:11-12

2011-07-30T16:18:00.001-05:00

The following prayer is the prayer every Missionary of Charity says before leaving for his or her Apostolate. It is also used as the Physician's Prayer in Shishu Bhavan, the children's home in Calcutta:

Dear Lord, the Great Healer, I kneel before You,
since every perfect gift must come from You.

I pray, give skill to my hands, clear vision to my mind,
kindness and meekness to my heart.

Give me singleness of purpose,
strength to lift up a part of the burden of my suffering
fellow men, and a true realization of the privilege that is mine.

Take from my heart all guile and worldliness,
that with the simple faith of a child,

I may rely on You.

perhaps this can be our prayer too...

2011-07-23T12:56:00.000-05:00

To you I lift up my eyes,
to you enthroned in the heavens.

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
until he show us mercy.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy,
for we have had more than enough of contempt,

Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich,
and the derision of the proud.

Psalm 123

2011-07-04T10:12:00.000-05:00

Moral good consists

in the control of the passions and

the restruction of the inordinate appetites. The result for the soul is

tranquility, peace, repose, and moral

virtue. The soul cannot control the

passion without forgetting and

withdrawing from the sources of

these emotions. Disturbances never

arise in a soul unless through the

apprehensions of the memory.

The soul must go to God by not

comprehending rather than by comprehending and it must exchange

the mutable and comprehensible for

the Immutable and Incomprehensible.

St. John of the Cross

2011-05-29T08:57:00.000-05:00

In the World to Come there is no eating or drinking... but the righteous sit with crowns on their heads feasting on the brightness of the divine presence, as it says, "And they beheld God, and did eat and drink (Exodus 24:11)."
Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth 17A

The Three S's

2011-05-16T18:04:00.001-05:00

Everyone living today in America in or near a city has a desperate need for the three S's: silence, solitude, and slowing down—both for psychological sanity and for prayer.

1. Silence.

Kierkegaard, the great nineteenth century Danish Christian philosopher, spoke often of silence. Almost the last thing he ever wrote was about silence. He said: "If I were a physician, and if I were allowed to prescribe just one remedy for all the ills of the modern world, I would prescribe silence. For even if the Word of God were proclaimed in the modern world, how could one hear it with so much noise? Therefore, create silence."

Silence is necessary; it is not a luxury. Only words that come from silence carry power; words that come from noise, or only from other words, are shallow. Words from silence are like waves from the ocean; words from other words are like babbling brooks at best, at worst like emptying faucets and drains and toilets.

continue reading here...

2011-04-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

Remembrance of wrongs is the consummation of anger, the keeper of sin, hatred of righteousness, ruin of virtues, poison of the soul, worm of the mind, shame of prayer… You will know that you have completely freed yourself of this rot, not when you pray for he person who has offended you, not when you exchange presents with him, not when you invite him to your table, but only when, on hearing that he has fallen into bodily or spiritual misfortune, you suffer and weep for him as for yourself.

– St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent

2011-04-03T15:08:00.001-05:00

True joy comes from seeing God in all things, knowing God in all things. To know of God in the wisdom of the mind, this brings shimmers of peace and a foretaste of joy. Yet such joy is bounded, able to be swayed; for he who knows God's presence but in part, still is able to imagine His absence. One who sees God only in this place or in that, sees Him missing from those places in between. His joy is fleeting, for as in a moment it arises in the perception of God's presence, so it retreats in the illusion of His absence.

The one whose joy is stable, solid and penetrating, is he who knows of God's presence among all things, with all things, and in all things. Even as in the temple, so, too, in the school. Even as in the Church, so, too, in the field. From the brightest star to the smallest blade of grass, he sees the beautiful mystery of Christ present as all in all. He beholds the leaf with reverence, as the vessel of his direct encounter with the grace of God. He beholds his sister with love, seeing in her the energies of the blessed Divinity. He begins to see God present in more and more, and absent from less and less; until he comes to the divine realization that there is no place that God is not, that the whole of creation around him shimmers in radiance with the presence of the Most Holy. He understands that perceptions of God's absence are but an illusion in which there is no truth.

Then is joy most full, most pure. Then it is unfailing, for in all things is God encountered; and where God is, there true joy also abides. Even in sorrow, joy is known; for the earth itself cries out in witness of Christ's presence in the sorrow -- of the divine love that pervades even the deepest human grief. In loneliness, one too finds joy: for all creation sings of the Creator's grace, and through it the Creator Himself is present, reaching out to His children.

Behold God the all-present, all-loving, all-merciful Father, everywhere existing and ever the same. Behold the source and giver of joy, abounding in this world of life. Behold God indeed, who has the power to save and the compassion to redeem.

http://www.monachos.net

2011-03-10T19:43:00.001-06:00

Fasting is an exceptional virtue; it represses bodily impulses and gives strength to the soul to fight against the poisoning of the heart through the senses, and provides it with a remedy against any past poisoning. Fasting causes the mind to be cleansed constantly. It whithers up every evil thought and brings healthy, godly thoughts, holy thoughts that enlighten the mind and kindle it with more zeal and spiritual fervor.
~Elder Ephraim of Philotheous Mt. Athos

2011-02-26T14:55:00.001-06:00

"Blessed is the man who knows his weakness. This knowledge becomes for him the foundation and the beginning [of his coming] unto all good and beautiful things."

~St. Isaac the Syrian

2011-02-24T12:47:00.000-06:00

How shall it be in that hour and fearful day, when the Judge shall sit on His dread throne! The books shall be opened and men’s actions shall be examined, and the secrets of darkness shall be made public. Angels shall hasten to and fro, gathering all the nations. Come ye and hearken, kings and princes, slaves and free, sinners and righteous, rich and poor: for the Judge comes to pass sentence on the whole inhabited earth. And who shall bear to stand before His face in the presence of the angels, as they call us to account for our actions and our thoughts, whether by night or by day? How shall it be then in that hour!

But before the end is here, make haste, make haste, my soul, and cry: 'O God who only art compassionate, turn me back and save me!'

2011-02-11T17:24:00.001-06:00

The goal of reading is the application, in our lives, of what we read. Not to learn it by heart, but to take it to heart. Not to practice using our tongues, but to be able to receive the tongues of fire and to live the mysteries of God. If one studies a great deal in order to acquire knowledge and to teach others, without living the things he teaches, he does no more than fill his head with hot air. At most he will manage to ascend to the moon using machines. The goal of the Christian is to rise to God without machines.
~ Elder Paisios

The Smallest Member

2011-02-05T05:58:00.001-06:00

One word of a humble and [spiritually] experienced man that is painfully born from the depths of his heart has greater worth than a bunch of clever sayings of an external man that come out quickly from his educated mouth. His words don't speak truth to the souls of men, for they are fleshly words and not the flames of the fire of Pentecost.
~ Elder Paisios

The Ten Difficult Words

2011-01-20T16:45:00.000-06:00

I'm
sorry
I
was
wrong
can
you
please
forgive
me

2011-01-11T17:11:00.000-06:00

"Be attentive to yourself, lest an unlawful
word come to be hidden in your heart"
Deut. 15:9

Committed To The Struggle

2011-01-01T17:18:00.001-06:00

What is this mystery in me?
What is the meaning of this blending of body and soul?
How am I constituted a friend and a foe to myself?
Tell me, tell me, my yoke-fellow, my nature, for I shall not ask anyone else in order to learn about you.
How am I to remain unwounded by you?
How can I avoid the danger of my nature for I have already made a vow to Christ to wage war against you? How am I to overcome your tyranny for I am resolved to be your master?

~St. John Climacus

Babe in the Straw

2010-12-26T18:57:00.000-06:00

The King Has Come

2010-12-24T14:19:00.002-06:00

Before Thy birth, O Lord, the angelic hosts looked with trembling on this mystery and were struck with wonder: for Thou who hast adorned the vault of heaven with stars hast been well pleased to be born as a babe; and Thou who holdest all the ends of the earth in the hollow of Thy hand art laid in a manger of dumb beasts. For by such a dispensation has Thy compassion been made known, O Christ, and Thy great mercy: glory to Thee.
(Sticheron of the Third Hour, Eve of the Nativity)

Habits

2010-12-18T07:53:00.004-06:00

"Habit is a difficult thing, and it is hard to break and hard to avoid....Therefore, the more you understand the power of a habit, the more should you endeavor to be rid of a bad habit and change yourself over to a good one."
~ St. John Chrysostom

Repentance, pt 5...concluding thoughts

2010-12-12T07:02:00.000-06:00

These are the concluding thoughts of Metropolitan Gregory of Novgorod on the subject of the challenges of "our good intentions".

I want so desperately to put these into practice as I hope you do as well. With the help of God and are feeble prayers for one another, we will overcome...

final words:

The fourth reason that our resolution to lead a better life often fails, lies in the fact that we want immediately to become saints. Many people, when they once feel an aversion to their sinful behaviour, make a firm resolve to change their ways and place a good beginning towards this reform; but because this doesn't happen as quickly as they would like, and whether by habit or rashness they often fall into their old sins, they lose heart and come to the conclusion that it's impossible for them to change their ways.

Brother! Sister! People don't become saints overnight, Our old man does not easily yield to being transformed into the new man. A big tree is not felled by a single stroke of the ax. So it is with each evil passion which' is so firmly rooted in us. The .way to perfection or to spiritual maturity, is almost always unnoticeable, just as are so many things in nature. A spiritual man passes through various stages of growth, just like the physical man. Much time is spent in childhood before reaching the fullness and strength of manhood. There is a long period of weakness, and only then does one become stronger and stronger, until finally one becomes a man. Only at this age is one capable of doing what is proper to amah. Likewise, a ripened ear of corn is at first only a seed, then a small blade of grass, then a stalk, and finally an ear of corn; but even this ear is not ripe all at once, but grows, then flowers, then it tassels and only then does it become ripe. The same is true of a righteous, life! Even the best man in the world does not suddenly become a saint. His perfection for the most part develops slowly and only little by little. Good earth which accepts into itself a good seed brings forth fruit, says the Lord, in patience (Lk. 8:15). To fall, of course, is not good, and it were better not to; but he who falls and then quickly gets up, becomes wiser and more careful, renews his good intention, fervently prays to God for new strength to attain a righteous life. Fails are not such a hindrance for such a man on the path to perfection. At the time of his fall he even gains strength (Sirach 3:31) and like the Apostle Paul, strikes ahead towards the mark of the prize of the high Calling, forgetting those things which are behind (Phil. 3: 13-14).

Here, then, are some of the reasons why our good intentions to turn away from sin and lead a better life are often unfulfilled. Let us avoid these pitfalls; let us try to make our resolution as definite as possible; let us remember more often and continually renew our decision, and let us not become faint-hearted if we do not at once reach perfection, but let us courageously surmount the difficulties we meet along the way in firm hope of God's help.

Repentence, pt 4...endure

2010-12-08T16:21:00.001-06:00

The third reason we fail in our intention to lead a better life, is our excessive fear of the difficulties connected with such an undertaking. A holy life is not attained without work, without sufferings and difficulties; it often takes a prolonged and fierce battle. We must withdraw from occasions to sin, of which there are so many. We must sacrifice various enjoyments which are so pleasant, abandon many worldly pursuits which make life interesting, and endure many unpleasant things which because of our self-love are often so difficult to bear. For example, we resolved to withdraw from our natural inclination to become angry. In order to turn away from anger we must quietly endure a lot of what is to us almost unbearable, and to which our usual response would have been a stream of crude words; sometimes we must not justify ourselves even when we are in the right; often we must be silent when we feel the urge to speak; often we must give in to others even when the occasion does not demand it; we must often bear the offenses of others and not reveal our irritation; often force ourselves to patiently endure when we are slandered or laughed at like fools and cowards. All this we must endure if we truly desire to realize our intention to withdraw from anger.

Amidst all the difficulties of keeping oneself from anger or any other sin which manifests itself as particularly great, our soul often falls into despondency and all our strength seems to evaporate. In such cases we must immediately bring to mind various sacred truths and experiences which are able to restore our former spirit, our former strength, and give us hope of abandoning the sin from which we decided to turn away. Thus we must remember that no matter how weak a man is, with God's help he can do and endure all things if only he truly desires it and uses the strength which he is given by God. We must remember the millions of righteous ones who have gone before us and their self-denial, patience and endurance which they left as an example for us and for the whole world, we must remember that above all God desires our correction, and because of this, knowing our weakness and our needs, He will unfailingly come to our aid if only we turn to Him with fervent prayer and make use of the means and the power which He has given to us. We must remember that the difficulties which invariably accompany any important undertaking are intimidating only to the lazy and faint-hearted; that only the first steps along the path of correction are unpleasant and difficult; that the farther one goes along such a path the easier and less painful it becomes; that any victory which we gain over our enemy makes us much stronger and better able to endure any further onslaughts. We must more often remind ourselves of the feeling of peace and satisfaction we shall experience when in the last days and hours of our life we look back at our past, at the difficulties we have heroically overcome, at the many sufferings borne with Christian patience, at the countless temptations conquered by our love for God, at all the noble deeds which we performed in secret before God's eyes alone, at all the favors which we showed our fellow man, at the faithfulness with which we fulfilled our obligations, often forcing ourselves to the utmost to do this. Finally, we must more often remind ourselves that for all this we will be rewarded by so much in the life of the age to come that all the difficulties which we over come here in this life, all the sufferings which we endure in this age for the sake of a righteous life, will appear to us much smaller, in fact, insignificant, in comparison with the heavenly rewards. O, Almighty God! Now we count each minute of trial and suffering and we rarely consider the blessed eternity which delights the souls of Thy righteous and faithful servants. Brother! In your striving towards a God-pleasing life, when you weigh your earthly difficulties and griefs, place more often on the scale this eternity! It will outweigh all your trials, all the pleasures of worldly pursuits, pleasures and enjoyments.

From the Conversations of Metropolitan Gregory of Novgorod

Repentance, pt 3...diligence

2010-12-02T17:29:00.002-06:00

Another reason why our good intentions fail, is because we do not hold firmly enough to our resolve. Scarcely two or three days pass by after our having made our resolution and we, in our normal daily routine of life amidst our worldly cares and pursuits, have already forgotten our intention, although at the time it was made with proper firmness of purpose. For this reason, if we truly wish our good intention to be realized, then each of us, every morning after our morning prayers, must immediately bring to mind and renew our resolution, saying in our hearts: "I promised God to turn away from this particular sin; I really wanted to fulfill this obligation; I must keep my promise!" Having renewed in this way our good intention, we must diligently pray to God that He would grant us the necessary strength to carry it out. Likewise, our intention must be renewed in this way throughout the course of the day. And when evening comes, we should never go to sleep without having first examined our hearts to see how we have spent the day: did we keep our promise to God? And if it happens that we went against our resolve, against our promise, then we must immediately ask God's forgiveness, and once again renew our resolve and carefully watch over ourselves*. In such a way do those people act who are concerned for the salvation of their souls, and in this way they attain salvation!

From the Conversations of Metropolitan Gregory of Novgorod

Repentance, pt 2...bearing fruit

2010-11-28T06:37:00.000-06:00

http://www.derekmccrea.50megs.com/

The same thing must also be said about the resolution to lead a righteous life. By no means is it enough to content oneself simply by stating the following resolve: "From this time forth I'm going to lead a God-pleasing life." Such a resolution is not definite enough, and although it may have come from the heart, it is doubtful whether it will have any effect. He who desires to abandon a life of sin and live a righteous life must first of all examine which obligations he has most difficulty in fulfilling and does not like to fulfill; what exactly hinders their fulfillment; what he must do, what means he must employ to fulfill them more readily. Having done this, he must make a specific resolve, as for example: "Now, with God's help I will try hard to fulfill this obligation which until now I have done so poorly; I will apply myself to using such-and-such means towards its fulfillment. For example, when someone offends me I will be more patient; I won't start using insulting and shameful language, or better yet, I won't answer back at all; in such-and such company I'll be more careful in what I say; at such-and-such times I'll try to pray fervently, something I have not done up to now, and so on." In general, the more definite one's intention to change one's sinful life and live righteously, the more it will suit the particular circumstances, the state of one's soul, one's relationship with others, etc., and the more hope there is of its bringing it into reality. When something is so definite one can more easily direct one's thoughts and one's strength to one subject and thus, of course, more easily achieve the desired goal.

From the Conversations of Metropolitan Gregory of Novgorod

Repentance

2010-11-25T10:48:00.000-06:00

The first and foremost reason why our intention to correct ourselves and lead a holy life remains without result lies in the fact that our intention is often too vague and indefinite.

Goya

A certain sinner, for example, says to himself: "It's high time for me to stop sinning, time to mend my ways ! I repent! I'll stop sinning!" The intention is quite indefinite. And because of this, although it might be sincere, it is unreliable and may not achieve the desired correction. He who has a sincere desire to amend himself must first of all determine exactly what it is that must be corrected. He must determine what is his greatest sin and what means he must use against it, and what dangers he must avoid so as not to fall into it again, since it has become a habit, a part of his life. All this thought and self-examination must come first and only then should a resolve be made, and that resolve should be specific as, for example: "Enough! with God's help I am no longer going to fall into such-and-such a sin; I'm going to break this bad habit; I'm no longer going to associate with those particular people who encourage me in this habit; I'm going to break off that unhealthy relationship; I'm going to use such-and-such means against this sin; I'm going to arm myself and muster all my forces against it when it begins again to tempt me."

From the Conversations of Metropolitan Gregory of Novgorod

more to come...

Humility

2010-11-20T08:26:00.001-06:00

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you remember Christ crucified and be silent."

—John of the Cross

A Fool in the Forest

2010-11-04T08:14:00.000-05:00

Sonship

2010-11-01T18:32:00.000-05:00

If 'Christ died on our account in accordance with the Scriptures' (Rm 5:8; 1Co 15:3), and we do not 'live for ourselves', but 'for Him who died and rose' on our account (2Co 5:15), it is clear that we are debtors to Christ to serve Him till our death. How then can we regard sonship as something which is our due? REF:Saint Kosmas Aitolos +1779

Humility and Love

2010-10-29T21:00:00.000-05:00

I beg, do not criticize one another, for it is egotism through and through. Let brother excuse fault of brother; this is testimony of humility and love. The brother who does this will find much grace from God, but that one who judges and scandalizes his neighbor must know that he will find no grace, and if he has any he will lose it, in order to learn the lesson of humility through misfortune. REF:Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain"

Idle Speech

2010-10-25T17:17:00.000-05:00

Be attentive to guard yourself from boldness and untimely words; these dry up the soul of a man, while, on the other hand, silence, meekness and prayer fill the soul with heavenly dew, with a mourning full of sweetness.
Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain"

artist nina larsen

The Meal of Messiah

2010-03-04T07:58:00.005-06:00

This year I will be observing, on the last day of Pesach, what is known as the Meal of messiah.

here is an article that will speak of some of the origins...

In the seventeenth century the founder of the Chassidic movement, Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (the Baal Shem Tov) instituted a new custom for the last day of Passover. He called it the Meal of Messiah (Seudat Mashiach,סעודת משיח ). It consisted of a special, additional meal on the afternoon of the last day of Passover, paralleling the traditional third meal of Shabbat. The Baal Shem Tov emphasized that the main component of the meal was matzah. After all, it was the last meal on the last day of Chag HaMatzot, the feast of Unleavened Bread. Read more...

Yartzeit of Rabbi Yechiel Tzvi Lichtenstein

2010-02-05T13:56:00.007-06:00

Lichtenstein was a late nineteenth century Jewish believer from a Chasidic background. While in Yeshiva, he became a disciple of Yeshua of Nazareth. He served at the Institutum Judaicum Delitzschianum as a professor of rabbinics and wrote several books and commentaries including refutations of anti-missionary works.
He died on the 29th of Shevat in the year 5672. Please read more here at Vine of David...

Clouds Of Glory

2009-10-04T10:58:00.004-05:00

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Tishrei) when you gather into your silos the year's produce, you shall celebrate the holiday of Hashem for seven days.... In Sukkot (literally, protective tents) you shall reside for seven days... in order that the generations to come shall know that I provided Sukkot for the Bnei Yisroel when I took them out of Egypt. (Vayikra 23:39-43)

Read the article in it's entirety here...

Mar 13:26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Aspects Of The Soul

2009-03-07T12:45:00.004-06:00

Map of the Inner Life
"The soul fills the body, as God fills the world. The soul bears the body, as God bears the world. The Soul outlasts the body, as God outlasts the world. The soul is one in the body, as God is one in the body, as God is one in the world. The soul sees and is not seen, as God sees and is not seen. The soul is pure in the body, even as God is pure in the world…"

—Rabbi Simeon Ben Pazi

The inner life that we experience, and the roots of thought that reach down into the darkness of the subconscious, are features of the life of the soul.

ASPECTS OF THE SOUL

Neshama

Neshama is the most elevated and purest aspect of soul and it shines at the deepest core of our being. "In my body he has kindled a lamp from his glory," begins a poem by Moses ibn Ezra, referring to the light of the neshama. In the morning prayers it says "God, the soul [neshama] you have given me is pure".

Ruach

The next dimension of the soul that Mussar identifies is called ruach, that aspect of the soul that is the source of animation and vigor - no more, and no less, than the "spirit of life."

Read more here...

Joy of Emuna

2009-02-01T10:47:00.015-06:00

As it is read in a letter by one of the brothers of Yeshua Rabbeinu,Yaakov haTzaddik (James the righteous), he says ..."Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".

Various trials are not comfortable and we really wish for smooth sailing day to day. However, as we have just read, James says we are to count it as pure joy!

One of todays contemporary sages, of great respect, R. Shalom Arush writes in his book, The Garden of Emuna, "HaShem doesn't want us to suffer: He wants us to live upright lives and to be happy. Life's difficulties are wake-up calls to initiate soul-searching on two levels, namely, to prod us to seek HaShem and to stimulate tshuva and charracter development. if we were always successful, we would most certainly become smug and arrogant, never seeking HaShem, and never correcting a single character flaw. So, if we had everything, we'd really have nothing".

Here's to having a life of pure joy, L'chaim!

Spiritual Evolution

2009-01-23T19:53:00.008-06:00

Stuart Chesner, Ph.D., a well known psycologist had this to share...

Our kids show us

a lot of ugly behavior that they would not display elsewhere...why?

1. They do it because they know we are the only people in the world who

accept it and won't throw them out on the street for it!

2. They do it because they are unsure if we love them enough and are

testing us.

3.They do it in order to show them a piece of ourselves that we would rather

not acknowledge.

In any long-term relationship, we see each other without make-up, with bad

breath, in foul moods, with diarrhea etc.. How we cope and love within these

moments is the true mettle of our humanity and our commitment. Any idiot

can love a kid who cleans up his room, gets up on time, brings home 100's on

tests and is always respectful. So what? Loving someone like that doesn't

really teach us anything or help us evolve spiritually. Learning to love,

nurture and cultivate the parts of our children and ourselves that are not

so refined and developed is the real pay dirt...That is where our real

spiritual evolution occurs...

Let's take this to heart, I know I will...

painting by Nancy Wait

What?

2008-11-29T15:50:00.000-06:00

What?

You do speak with people? You should ask them: What?

WHAT???

It is right to put this question to people who don't think about their purpose in life:

“What?”

Life is full of needless friction and arguments, distractions, obstacles, complaints, claims and counterclaims... You have many reasons and excuses as to why you are far from God.

Even so, after all this, at the end of everything – what is going to be with you? What will you do at the very end?

What will you answer the One Who sent you?

You surely understand that you are but a stranger on this earth. All the days of the years of our empty vanity are “like a passing shadow and a scattered cloud”.

All this a man knows very well. If so, what do you think? WHAT???

Heed these words carefully and bring them deep inside your heart. Don't throw them behind your back. “Turn them and turn them over and over again” – so that you may gain your soul as your prize.

Sichot Haran #286

Season of Introspection and Repentance

2008-09-27T12:40:00.000-05:00

" Master of all worlds! Not in the merit of our righteousness do we cast our supplications before You, but in the merit of Your abundant mercy. What are we? What is our life? What is our kindness? What is our righteousness? What is our salvation? What is our strength? What is our might? What can we say before You, Lord our God, and the God of our forefathers - are not all the heros like nothing before You, the famous as if they never existed, the wise as if devoid of wisdom and the perceptive as if devoid of intelligence? For most of their deeds are desolate and the days of their lives are empty before You. The preeminence of man over beast is non-existent for all is vain."

These are familiar words to many as we start each day. The point here is, if we are willing to take an honest look inward we will see, we are truly full of vanities!

Once we do see will we be willing to change our minds and consequently, our beliefs, our actions...

An unfortunate reality is, we have been trapped. We have been trapped, here in the West, by our society, by the pure necessity of providing for our families in this present age. There is a way out however, if we are willing to scale down, to live on less, to not chase after the bigger house, the latest model automobile, the latest fashion...These things are nothingness, a distraction from reality. Here is a reality, we have entered this world naked and we will leave it naked.

What will you leave your children? Will you leave them money for a formal education? A formal education is good and could be beneficial, but what about compassion? What about mercy, love, goodness, respect, honesty, meekness, devotion to God? Without these things what will their life truly be like?

" A life fulfilled is a life that seeks The Creator of all things" Let us be willing to look into ourselves and change those things that hinder the journey...

photo Matt
Seattle, WA, United States

Self Control

2008-08-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

A wonderful quote found in the book "Positive Parenting, Developing Your Child's Potential" will be provided here. It is from page 62...

"The physical body is selfish, and in pursuit of it's desires may cause a person to act with lust, greed, envy, and hostility. It is these characteristics that comprise a barrier which prevents the unity between man and G-d.

A person must therefore strive to overcome these physical tendencies, to eliminate the barrier that precludes identifying with G-d, and his neshamah will then, by it's very essence, be attracted to it's Divine source. The scriptures state that the human neshamah is like the flame of a candle (Proverbs 20:27), and our ethicists explain this simile to mean that just as we when we hold a candle near a large flame, the flame of the candle is attracted to the greater flame, so is the neshamah attracted to it's Divine source, and seeks to be absorbed within it, something which could be achived if the barrier between it and the source was eliminated".

We can also see this concept being presented by Yeshua ben Yosef, Rabbeinu, in some of the apostolic writings of the first century, prior to the destruction of the second temple. It takes practice and a determined mind to enter this place...

We can enter it it, if we want...

Hitbodedut

2008-06-30T20:32:00.000-05:00

Rebbe Nachman teaches that the main "weapon" of Mashiach–and of every Jew - is prayer. Every tefilah (prayer), every bracha (blessing), every whispered thanks, every Psalm and every hitbodedut (private, secluded prayer in one's own words) brings the geulah (Redemption) that much nearer.

The intrinsic power of sincere and heartfelt prayer is beyond our comprehension. One of Rebbe Nachman's greatest legacies to us is his teachings on hitbodedut in addition to formal prayer.

What is hitbodedut? Secluded meditation with G-d. During hitbodedut, we speak to G-d, ask Him for whatever we need, confess our wrong-doings and thank Him for all the good that He has done for us.

When we take time out of our busy lives to be alone with our Creator, to pour out our hearts to Him, to ask Him for guidance and forgiveness and share our troubles with Him, we are binding with the Almighty through bringing Him into our daily lives.

This and more can be found here on BreslovWorld...

I would like to add, this applies to every righteous gentile as well who also has a place in the world to come. As human beings, together, we are on the mind of the Maker of Heaven and Earth...

Sfirat haOmer

2008-05-19T05:58:00.000-05:00

As we count down the days to Shavuot aka Feast of Weeks, there are daily meditations of introspection to help us along the way. The entire meditation can be found here at Aish.com.

Here is the theme for the fifth week and then for today the 29th day of the Omer count.

WEEK 5 - HOD - HUMILITY

During the fifth week of counting the Omer, we examine and refine the emotional attribute of Hod or humility. Humility -- and the resulting yielding -- should not be confused with weakness and lack of self-esteem. Hod or humility is modesty -- it is acknowledgment (from the root of the Hebrew word "hoda'ah"). It is saying "thank you" to God. It is clearly recognizing your qualities and strengths and acknowledging that they are not your own; they were given to you by God for a higher purpose than just satisfying your own needs. Humility is modesty; it is recognizing how small you are which allows you to realize how large you can become. And that makes humility so formidable.

A full cup cannot be filled. When you're filled with yourself and your needs, "I and nothing else", there is no room for more. When you "empty" yourself before something greater than yourself, your capacity to receive increases beyond your previously perceived limits. Humility is the key to transcendence; to reach beyond yourself. Only true humility gives you the power of total objectivity. Humility is sensitivity; it is healthy shame out of recognition that you can be better than you are and that you can expect more of yourself. Although humility is silent it is not a void. It is a dynamic expression of life that includes all seven qualities of love, discipline, compassion, endurance, humility, bonding and sovereignty.

Day 29 -- Chesed of Hod: Loving-kindness in Humility

Examine the love in your humility. Healthy humility is not demoralizing; it brings love and joy not fear. Humility that lacks love has to be reexamined for its authenticity. Sometimes humility can be confused with low self-esteem, which would cause it to be unloving. Humility brings love because it gives you the ability to rise above yourself and love another. Does my humility cause me to be more loving and giving? More expansive? Or does it inhibit and constrain me?

Exercise for the day: Before praying with humility and acknowledgment of God, give some charity. It will enhance your prayers.

In the letter to the Romans 8:13: For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Communion

2008-03-20T06:44:00.000-05:00

The only way to return to the roots of one's being and merge in the unity of God is through nullifying the self. One has to efface the self completely until one becomes wholly merged in God's unity. The only way to achieve this state of self-transcendence is through hitbodedut. By secluding oneself and giving voice to one's inner thoughts in the form of personal prayers to God, one is able to remove all negative traits and cravings to the point that one nullifies all materialism in oneself. Then one is able to become merged in the Source.

True hitbodedut is practiced in the depths of night, at an hour when everyone is free from their toil in the material world. During the day people are so busy chasing after the material world that it distracts the spiritual seeker from attaching himself to God. Even if he personally is quite detached from the material world, the mere fact that everyone else is then busy chasing after the vanity of the world makes it very difficult to attain self-transcendence at such a time.

Hitbodedut must also be practiced in a special place outside the city on a "solitary path" (Avot 3:5) in a place where no-one goes. For in a place where in the daytime hours people are busy chasing after the vanity of the world, even though they may not be there at this hour, it is still a distraction from hitbodedut, making it impossible for the spiritual seeker to attain the state of total communion with God.

For this reason it is necessary to go alone at night on a solitary path to a place where no one goes even by day. There one should seclude oneself and empty one's heart and mind of all worldly involvements until one attains the state of true self-transcendence and communion.

This is a step-by-step process. First the person should devote this solitary night-time hitbodedut to talking and praying to God at length until he succeeds in nullifying one negative trait or desire. Next he should devote his hitbodedut to working on nullifying a second trait or desire. He should go on like this night after night in this solitary spot until he nullifies everything.

Even then, something is still left of him, namely some residue of human pride and arrogance. He still considers himself to be something. He must persist with hitbodedut and carry on working hard until he nullifies this too, until nothing whatever is left of him and he is in a state of true self-transcendence. Then, when he attains true nothingness, his soul becomes merged in its root, namely in God.

Rebbe Nachman

Likutey Moharan I, 52

A Testing of Faith

2007-12-12T05:02:00.000-06:00

Have you ever felt wrongly accused or perhaps made to look like an idiot in front of your peers?
This is a test of your emuna, or faith. A normal response, for many, is to defend yourself to make sure the truth is known!
There are times that we must let it go, to accept what is happening because these are instruments of HaShem to strengthen our character.

In the book of James it says in chapter 1 verse 2, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

As we trust that HaShem has us on His mind and is with us, then depression, anger, the need to defend ourselves will flee. So no matter how unbearable things may seem to be we can take comfort in knowing that we are in our Father's total care.
In the midst of our trials we must make tshuva, or repentance. We are here correcting our souls, to become righteous people to glorify HaShem with our lives!

Make TSHUVA! We must love our wives, our children, our fellow man! We must work toward this and the various trials that we endure will help facilitate the development of a righteous soul. Speak to HaShem throughout the day, acknowledge your short comings give thanks for the trials that our loving Father brings your way!

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Chanukah

2007-12-06T06:45:00.000-06:00

May our emuna be increased this season.

As in any battle, our Father in Heaven, Blessed be His Name, is with us and will direct us. It is according to our own good that he orchestrates the elements in our lives.

May we hear clearly what it is that we are to do in every occasion for the sake of His great Name!

It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company: For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven. They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us: But we fight for our lives and our Torah laws. Wherefore the LORD himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them. (1 Maccabees 3:16-22)

Lonely Road

2007-11-16T06:33:00.000-06:00

Questions, questions...

There are many questions today, within myself, concerning this walk of righteousness. I have been through normative christianity, moved away from that many years ago, and the the misnomer of "messianic Judaism". I say misnomer because within orthodox Judaism the Mashiach is hoped for and waited upon. The Mashiach is a Jewish or Hebrew concept, not christian in origin. Most within the "messianic" movement are non-Jews and maintain a christian bent in their teachings and practice.

I have gone through a sort of "two house" phase and even considered trying to be a noachide. Approaching HaShem from those angles felt as though something was lacking, not quite right. In the midst of all of this I have practiced what would be more closely identified as a form of Judaism. This is observed in our home and out in the workplace etc..

I feel closer to our Father in Heaven as I have lived this way. I have no ulterior motive other than to get closer to HaShem and become more of a righteous person. I have a long way to go in this, but I have great desire for it and am moving that way.

The point here is, this has been a lonely road many times. When you are born a non-Jew, believe that Mashiach has come in the form of ben Yosef (not a christian understanding) and desire the Torah, Israel and the people of Israel with all of your being... it's like looking into the window from the outside many times.

The "wedge" for many is the understanding of HaMashiach. I am at the point where much has been left to HaShem, in my mind. Meaning, there is so much there, the concept is so huge that I do not pretend to know the totality of Mashiach... perhaps our Father will reveal more in His timing. In the mean time, my focus is trying to find what my roll is here on this earth. I was born the man that I am for a reason, I am trying to find that reason and act upon it.

...and so, D'varim or Deuteronomy chapter 6, is the essence of my existence.

May we be pleasing to the God of Israel, the Creator of all things, Blessed be His Name, in this life and in the life to come.

photo by Katherin Erickson

The Time is Short

2007-10-19T06:30:00.000-05:00

With our world, which is so caught up with materialism, in such turmoil we should become "masters of repentance". Here in America we have had several generations of 'keeping up with the Joneses'. Many are consumed with making money, acquiring newer cars, bigger homes, the latest fashion, etc., that we have become oblivious to the world around us.

The Master Yeshua told us this, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; rather lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Do you believe this? You know the truth. How much time did you spend speaking with HaShem today? The time is short and we must make our relationship with our Father in Heaven, Blessed is He, a priority.

How will we even know the needs of our spouse, or those around us if we are so consumed with the material aspects of this life?

Yes, we need to make a living and provide for our families, but we must have a proper balance of those things which are weightier , which are eternal...

Community

2007-10-12T07:23:00.000-05:00

The Torah of Adonai, Blessed be His Name, was given as instruction for Israel to live in harmony. Israel was/is to love Adonai and each other completely.

When Noach was instructed to bring both clean and unclean animals on board the ark, they were to be cared for equally. I can imagine that Noach did not say to the unclean ones, "you are unclean, fend for yourselves". No, just as he cared for and met the needs of all under his care, we too should have the same attitude for one another.

Yeshua said in the book of John 13 34 ...love one another; as I have loved you, ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

This is a Torah commandment from D'varim (Deuteronomy) not to be forsaken. In the so-called 'messianic' movement, and other movements, this is not well practiced. Why? Perhaps arrogance, selfishness, the belief of 'knowing it all', etc.. I too have been guilty and we must endeavor to fulfill this mitzvah to love. It takes practice and total submission to the will of our Father and not our own will.

To know God is to keep His commandments

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John 2:3-11

art by Michael Yosef Robinson

Suffering Messiah

2007-09-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

Since the passing of the Yom Kippurim I thought it would be appropriate to look at the Mashiach. In my search of references to Him, specifically what many of the ancient sages understood and taught, I came across the site The Four Questions. Joshua has laid out some of the examples I was looking for from the Zohar, Mishna, etc.. Go here for some examples.

Here is one example:

When God desires to give healing to the world He smites one righteous man among them with disease and suffering, and through him gives healing to all, as it is written, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities... and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). A righteous man is never afflicted save to bring healing to his generation and to make atonement for it, for the “other side” prefers that punishment should light upon the virtuous man rather than on any other, for then it cares not for the whole world on account of the joy it finds in having power over him. Yet withal another virtuous man may attain to dominion in this world and the next; he is “righteous and it is well with him,” because God does not care to make atonement with him for the world. I said to him: If all suffered alike, I could understand, but we see a righteous man in one place who is sick and suffering, and a righteous man in another who enjoys all the good things of the world. He replied: One or two of them are enough, since God does not desire to smite all of them, just as it is sufficient to let blood from one arm; only if the sickness becomes very severe is it necessary to let blood from two arms, and so here, if the world becomes very sinful all the virtuous are smitten to heal all the generation, but otherwise one is smitten and the rest are left in peace. When the people are healed the righteous are healed with them, but sometimes all their days are passed in suffering to protect the people, and when they die all are healed.

Zohar, Section 3, Pages 218a-b

Watch

2007-09-07T06:10:00.000-05:00

In Parashat Nitzavim (Deut. 29:9f) we can see Moshe renewing the Torah Covenant for Israel, present and future.

An important element for us to remember is found in the beginning of this parasha, specifically Deut. 29:17-18. We must not allow ourselves to fall into this category. We can see in Shaul's, aka Paul, letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:1-17) he also warns of this happening in our days.

We must make effort to keep a constant watch over our souls, to guard our hearts, to safeguard the Torah of The Living God of Israel. Keep watch my friends lest we too fall into the snare which leads to death.

There is no sacrifice for willful sin, let us not fool ourselves... Deut. 29:19 ; Hebrews 6:1f

Let us seek the Lord diligently, while He still may be found.. Isaiah 55:6

Focus

2007-08-30T06:08:00.000-05:00

In the midst of this hurried world, our own hurried worlds, we must maintain a level of focus. A focus that cuts through the ratty mess that tries to overcome us.

Effort is needed on our part to have our minds on 'things above', see Colossians 3:2f, and not on the earthly things which so easily ensnare us. During your work day, if it's like mine, you may never have, or take, a moment to even think about our Righteous Master, but we must. We must stop for a moment, throughout the day, to give thanks to our Father for His mercies which are everlasting. We must stop for a moment to give thanks, because He has provided for us the things/circumstances that will help mature us in righteousness as sons and daughters.

Put a note on the monitor on your desk, create a wallpaper on your desktop, anything to keep the words of Torah in front of you. Effort my friends is needed today, if you are a part of this hurried world, to maintain a proper focus.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. "Phillipians 4:8

Shalom Aleichem

2007-08-24T05:40:00.000-05:00

"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace". Tehillim 37:37

The perfect man in this case is understood to be a pious man, a man of gentleness.

As we seek our Father in this time of introspection, with a heart of humility, a heart of repentance and forgiveness, it is written that HaShem will guard that man. In the midst of the evil that may surround you, the oppression or depression that may try to overcome you, HaShem will keep you.

It is written, "the end for that person is shalom".

May it be that our faith is strengthened according to the mercies and loving kindnesses of Avinu Shebashamayim, our Father in Heaven...

Perseverance

2007-08-15T04:29:00.000-05:00

Do you ever grow weary?

I have found , when ever I am tired physically and mentally it can be a real challenge to maintain emuna. Sometimes a feeling of being alone tries to creep in... You know the feeling. Our lives, here in America, can be quite demanding. Our in-office environment is not always conducive to holiness. There is foul language, placement of blame, backbiting, this and more seems to be commonplace. You come home at the end of the day to your sanctuary and even then you can have challenge.

With HaShem's will, He will provide what is needed for you to become the man or woman that you were created to be! It is up to us to accept it and run with it! He loves us and will give us what we need for today!

Remember... "Love Adonai, all His devout ones! Adonai safeguards the faithful, but He repays the haughtiness on one who acts with arrogance. 25 Be strong, and let your hearts take courage, all who wait longingly for Adonai." Tehillim 31:24-25

Humble, Repentant

2007-08-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

It is necessary to maintain a heart of humility.

Tehillim (Psalms) 10:17: 'The desire of the humble You have heard, HaShem ; guide their heart; let Your ear be attentive...'

Maintaining a repentant heart is of utmost importance as well.

David provided a striking example of this in Tehillim 51:3... 'Show me favor, O God, according to Your kindness, according to Your vast compassion erase my transgressions. 4 Abundantly cleanse me from my iniqity, and from my sin purify me. 5 For I recognize my transgressions, and my sin is before me always. 6 Against You alone did I sin...'

We should be as such, so that our hearts are free to hear clearly, the way in which we are to walk.

Everything is for the best!

2007-08-02T05:38:00.000-05:00

In the book "The Garden of Emuna" by R. Shalom Arush, as translated by R. Lazer Brody, it says, 'Intermediate-level emuna is the belief that everything HaShem does is for the very best, even though it may appear otherwise'.

I have found this to take practice and if you really want your emuna to be strengthend, the opportunity for practice will come! This is all about re-newing your mind, changing the way you may have thought about things previously, subduing a negative mindset, if you will.

'Since everything that HaShem does is good, one cannot say that he or she believes in HaShem while complaining about their lot in life - such is a contradiction in terms'.

The Father does not necessarily want us to be stagnate and remain where we are from now on, but learning to be content from day to day, knowing that everything is from our Father and it is for our own good, we will have greater peace of mind and shalom bayit (peace in the home).

HaShem is good to all; His mercies are on all His works. Tehillim (Psalms) 145:9

The Herald of Zion

2007-07-29T08:34:00.000-05:00

Ascend upon a high mountain, O herald of Zion; raise your voice with strength, O herald of Jerusalem! Raise it, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, 'Behaold your God! Behold, my Lord, HaShem/Elohim, will come with a strong arm, and His arm will dominate for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His wage before Him. He is like a shepherd who grazes his flock, who gathers the lambs in his arm, who carries them in his bossom, who guides the nursing ewes.

Isaiah 40:9-11

The Garden

2007-07-27T06:14:00.000-05:00

Without emuna (faith), we have nothing. With emuna, we have everything!

By way of emuna, life in this world is more beautiful, and by the power of emuna, the entire world is like a blossoming garden that sprouts limitless varieties of exquisite plants, wonderful fragrant herbs and sweet fruit.1

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said, "When one places a grain of wheat upon fertile land, then it sprouts and grows well, and no winds nor lightning and thunderbolts can harm it. Emuna is essentially the power of growth..."

1.The Garden of Emuna, R. Shalom Arush

God Most High!

2007-06-07T10:15:00.000-05:00

I cry out to You, for You hear me and Your ear is not deaf to my cry. O God, You know my heart cry, and only You can fill that empty place inside. By faith, emuna, I will wait for Your hand of deliverance, Elohim Elyon, God Most High...

He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Psalm 23:3

Emuna... Faith

2007-06-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

I want to start this blog with the essence, I believe, of why I want to share the thoughts and understandings of this spiritual journey... Faith. In Hebrew it is Emuna. What a beautiful language Hebrew is, it is Lashon Kodesh, or the Holy tongue.

I want to provide a quote from R. Shalom Arush, as translated by Lazer Brody, from the book, The Garden of Emuna, A practical guide to life.
" Let's take a look around us; as soon as we get past the 'mask', the plastic smiles and the cosmetic facade that people hide behind, we almost always find that our neighbors, friends, and relatives all have a generous portion of hardship, pain, and suffering. Even the enormously successful- the glamorous, the rich, and the famous- live nightmarish lives that often terminate in bankruptcy, broken marriages, substance addition, and suicide. All the fame and fortune in the world- when devoid of emuna- is non other than a dismal, dead-end path. Emuna provides a reason for everything on earth. Emuna is the only effective consolation for the pain and sorrow that we all encounter from time to time. HaShem (the Lord) doesn't want to torment us, Heaven forbid, but to stimulate our soul-searching and tshuva, or penitence- for our own benefit- to add meaning to our lives and to correct our souls. With a genuine reason for living, life takes on a whole new dimension of purpose and lasting gratification. With a corrected soul, we can achieve true happiness."

This what I am pursuing at this time.

We've all heard, " you just gotta have faith!" Is it possible, that many say this and do not possess it themselves? I think it is possible. It is so easy to say and not do, I can say this, being guilty of it from time to time over the years.

I believe, if we can come to the 'ownership' of the fact, that everything comes from our Father in Heaven, everything, then we can truly begin to make repentance, and overcome the challenges we find in our lives, with a righteous attitude.

I don't come to this blog , knowing and teaching, I come to it learning and sharing!