In the Secret....

..in the quiet place...

...in the stillness, You are there...




Merry Christmas! May the Love of the Lord always be recognizable to you! For His love is always present...He is always near!

A Giveaway!!

One can never have TOO MUCH yarn. Trust me.

Brillo Man, however, would greatly disagree...just ask him how many times he's moved boxes and bins of yarn that I have stored in various spots in the house! On second thought, don't ask him. It will just get him going...and for heaven's sake, we don't need that!)

Anyway....I've entered a contest to win MORE YARN! Yahoo! You may enter also at the Red Heart with Love Yarn Giveaway site.

And now, since I've shared this with you, I get an extra entry! Yahoo!! Perhaps I'll win! Wouldn't that be great? Of course, then I would have to buy more yarn - because what could one possibly create with only three skeins...hmmm...I'm thinking that's their point...give us a few skeins and then we buy more! It's all good...for after all, one can never have TOO MUCH yarn!

It's Finished

The painting has been finished for quite some time....finished it the week before Brillo Man and I left on our cruise. Many updates to follow...but for now, here's the final photo.

My cup of tea

So...It's Monday morning and in an hour from now I'll be leaving to teach my women's Bible study. I thought I'd have a calming cup of tea and perhaps lose my headache somewhere between now and then.

On Friday I purchased several sample tea bags from a little store in an an adjacent town. I wish I had thought to take a photo of the store - but alas, I did not. The Happy Egglant is our new favorite store, one in which Brillo Man and I visit almost every Friday during our "date day." There we have discovered, among other things, some amazingly flavorful Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. The glass flasks are refillable and the oil is imported directly from Italy. Being of Italian descent, I have a slight affection for anything Italian. Not to mention that it's the best olive oil that I have had.

But I digress. I started out talking about tea... The Pomi-Berry Tea Sachet from Two Leaves and a Bud just may be my new favorite! The description on their website reads:

"Pomi-Berry might be the Goldilocks of herbal berry tea. With a combination of calming chamomile, zippy forest berries and fruity strawberry, it doesn't hit you over the head with berry flavor, and it isn't too herbal. It's just right."

It is a very good tea. And I'm thrilled that it didn't hit me over the head with berry flavor because, after all, I do have a headache...

Anybody Need a Chair?

I was SURE that long ago I posted something about Brillo Man's amazing auction win. 63 Filing Cabinets....Does that ring a bell with anyone? I can't locate the post - so perhaps I didn't post it...but I was sure I did.

Anyway...to recap...he was absolutely thrilled to have won an auction of 63 government surplus filing cabinets. Then he had to rent a HUGE U-Haul to bring them home - and then rent a storage space for three months to house them while he decided where he would put them.... He then bought a very expensive shed to house them - so he could store "stuff" in them. ??!

Yesterday he arrived home with these:



Goverment surplus chairs....
We are NOT buying another shed.

The Queen of MisMatch

As part of Red Ribbon "Say No to Drugs" Week at school, Olivia was encouraged to dress all Mismatched today. Her teacher said that "she won!" - For sure she is a kaleidoscope of color and patterns!



We even mismatched her hair!

Not Enough Time

I have come to the conclusion that there simply are not enough hours in my day. And how is it that I've come to this earth-shattering conclusion?...it's 10:33pm as I'm typing this and I still have a bazillion blogs I would like to read and a dozen things I need to do before I turn in for the night....not to mention that since we had church tonight, I didn't get the dishes done... I also neglected to help Olivia choose her outfit for mismatched day at school tomorrow. Which means we will probably be rushed in the morning and she won't be nearly as mismatched as she could have been had we chosen her outfit earlier.

I spent over an hour today trying to get through the next level of Angry Birds. Who invented that horrible time-sucking game anyway??!! And why could it not have been me??!

One hour was spent in preparation for our youth group lesson - we gave the teens a spiritual gifts test. OH!...what fun we had...not to mention the interesting things we learned about our small group of teens!

One hour spent overseeing Olivia's homework progress. She did fairly well on her own - which was good (because I was preoccupied trying to solve ANGRY BIRDS!)

Ten minutes was spent on the phone with the bank begging for mercy in hopes that they'll reverse the THREE overdraft charges that hit today when I realized that I paid bills out of THE WRONG ACCOUNT!!! What was I (NOT!) thinking! (Pray for favor please...they will let me know tomorrow if they are able to forgive any of those charges...) Ugh.

I know one thing upon which I didn't spend enough time ....eating. It's official - I'm hungry. My stomach is growling. I think I need to go heat up a bowl of that ham and cabbage soup Brillo Man made yesterday...

Yummy Deliciousness!

I returned home after a long day...led a Bible study this morning - then spent some time encouraging a friend during a long, extended lunch - then picked up Olivia from school - went to the bank....thought I would have to cook dinner when I returned since I knew that Brillo Man was gone all day... only to find that Brillo Man wasn't gone all day! Change of plans! Yahoo...and he made dinner! Have I mentioned lately that I love my husband?

Trunk or Treat

Olivia donned her blonde wig and off we went...to the New Beginnings Church Trunk or Treat Celebration.









Olivia was disguised as Taylor Swift and was elated that most people guessed correctly when she asked them to guess who she was.



She had fun collecting a ton of candy. She painted a pumpkin, went on a hayride and won a Webkinz duck. She was thrilled!






And as the afternoon was winding down, they drew names for some prizes for the adults. I said to myself, 'it sure would be nice to win a gas card,'...and then they drew my name for a $10 gift card for the gas station. God is good!

...and Now I wait...

I have finally taken the steps to do something that the Lord has been calling me to do for a number of years. I will pursue my Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling beginning in January.

All paperwork is complete...now I just wait for a response from the Veterans Administration regarding financial aid (as the wife of a disabled veteran, I qualify for education benefits!) Today I received a letter in the mail stating that they have received my application and due to "a great number of claims, action on mine may be delayed." Fun. Whee. So typical of anything having to do with the VA...ugh. Hopefully, the finances will come through BEFORE the admissions office will require payment for my classes. If not, I'll be taking out a student loan to get me through the interim. At any rate, I'm believing that the Lord will work out all the details. He has called me. I'm trusting He'll equip me.

So for now...I wait.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....

...or so the saying goes.

Our Pastor Marty is an amazing woman of God (Her name is Martha...but most call her Marty.) She is in the midst of an incredible sermon series entitled, "Thy Kingdom Come" and felt inspired to commission me to paint a "coat of arms", if you will, for our church. I am honored to be using the gift that God has given me.

This painting is about so much more than the coat of arms...it goes deeper...the Lord is doing a work in me through it...He is working on the canvas of my heart with each stroke of the brush. When I'm finished with the painting, I may share more about what the Lord is doing in my heart. But for now, just know that God is amazing....and I am a work in progress...just as this painting is a work in progress:

Pencil Drawing Sketch of THY KINGDOM COME
I spent considerable time reading
the scripture references which
Martha has chosen for her series.
And then spent some time in prayer...
and this is what the Lord gave me
(drawing time on the actual sketch: 20 minutes)



Adding a grid so I may transfer it to the canvas



Drawing on the canvas begins (Canvas measures 30"x40")
It took a little more time than 20 minutes
to 'grid off' the canvas
and transfer my drawing to scale



Filling in the background
Randy suggested the color...very good choice


The background complete


The start of the tree


More of the same


The tree complete...for now
Revisions to follow, I'm sure!


The ribbon...


And that's as far as I've gone thus far. I will be painting some more today. Just as this canvas is a work in progress, so is my life. The Lord is painting on the canvas of my heart...changing me, refining me, perfecting me, conforming me into His image. The goal being that I will reflect His character. It's a process. As an artist, I am reminded that at times the design comes easily and the paint flows freely and quickly, but often times, it's a more arduous task to make the painting look like the vision that is in my head. My prayer is that I may not be resistant to the work that He is doing in my life - and that I allow Him to create in me a masterpiece.

...more of the painting in upcoming posts.

Book Review: Stained Glass Hearts

In Stained Glass Hearts, Patsy Clairmont sheds a different perspective on our lives. In showing us how to keep our eyes on Jesus, when the things of life attempt to cloud our view, we may see that the beauty that awaits on the other side of those clouds is well worth the patient wait.

You will laugh (as well you should expect when reading something by Patsy Clairmont!) You will cry. You will definitely be moved to think about your life in a whole new way.

The message is powerful and inspirational. I was especially fond of the fourth chapter, entitled: Enough to Make a Stained Glass Heart Sing. Being a lover of music, I greatly appreciated Ms. Clairmont's ability to "lift my perspective through Creation's music."

The book is filled with marginal quotes from famous people including Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. And there are links to helpful websites as well.

Stop and smell the roses. Be grateful in ALL things. Look at things from a slightly different perspective - and don't be surprised when you see the Light shining through the stained glass!

All in all, this book gets five stars!

Wasted Time?

So, I sat down with my laptop - thinking I would very quickly check my Facebook account and then go about getting Olivia ready for a trip to Grandma's house. (A respite for Randy and I...not sure that it's going to be anything like that for my Mom...but OH, how I love her for her willingness to welcome Olivia with open arms for a few days!) Anyway...I found a facebook post from the Women of Faith conference which led me to a review by a fellow booksneeze blogger. And I then became completely enveloped in her words and spent over an hour reading through various posts of her blog, Rare Rocks. Felicity is an amazing writer and drew me right in - I was immediately captured by the story of her precious twin girls, one of whom is now in Heaven with Jesus...oh, how my mother's heart ached as I read the story of Ellery. I was reminded of the struggle Olivia faced being a premature baby. One, which fortunately, she overcame triumphantly. Ellery was not healed on this earth, but rather the Lord chose to take her Home. Her sister, Claire is connected to her emotionally in ways only the Father knows...Such a precious child!

One day, I may be reading Felicity's novel (sshhh..don't tell anyone she's writing a novel...that will be our secret!) but in the meantime, I will be following her blog. Why not stop by and read some of what she has to say...but make sure you have some time, because I guarantee you will be drawn in, just as I was! So now that I've wasted time (not!), I must get Olivia off to Grandma's house!

Book Review: The Final Summit

Although I have not read the prequel to this book, The Traveler's Gift... and a little unsure of this book at first, as I don't claim to be a history buff...the author took me in and held me in his grasp until the end! Andy Andrews is a master story-teller.
David Ponder's wife wife of 28 years is dead. And along with her went his will to live. (This was especially poignant as a friend of mine very recently lost his wife - I found myself seeing my friend in the character of David Ponder. The archangel Gabriel has chosen David Ponder to find the one principle that will save humanity. In the process...he meets travelers..A few of the historical characters include Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc and Eric Erickson. I don't want to spoil the message that finally comes in the end, but I will say that it is quite simple. The book provides so much food for thought that I'm sure will find this to be a book that will challenge as well as entertain, a rare combination. I highly recommend this book...as you perhaps gain some tips to "work out your own salvation."

Yahoo!! Women of Faith Conference - Here I Come!

For several months now, I have been reviewing books on BookSneeze.com. Recently, their site offered a chance to receive a free two-day pass to the nearest Women of Faith Conference. The venue nearest my home is in Pittsburgh, PA in October (which just happens to be the weekend before our sister's reunion in Michigan!) I was thrilled beyond belief to learn that I have been chosen to blog about the Imagine conference! In order to receive the ticket - I am required to post a badge on my blog - (see right) and write a blog post about the event prior to attending and then another after attending.

Having never attended a Women of Faith conference - yet always wanting to attend - I am REALLY looking forward to this time of refreshing and worship and teaching and preaching and fellowship. What more could a Christian girl ask than to spend time in the presence of her King along with thousands of other sisters in the Lord! I do believe it's going to be a glorious event! Why don't you join me? There are dozens of conferences throughout the United States! Find the nearest to you and plan on experiencing God!

Book Review: Max On Life

Love Love Love this book! As anyone who has read anything by Max Lucado knows, he is an awesome author. In Max on Life, author Max Lucado shares his answers to life’s toughest questions. While covering a wide range of topics, everyday situations and questions are answered with not your average answers, but answers backed with God's Word. The questions asked range from very simple to very complex - but his answers are easy to understand. I have always enjoyed Max’s style of writing, and this is no exception. It’s easy to read, and written so that you can open to any page and start reading. Makes a great "on the go" book - or a great "bathroom reader" book (if you're into reading in your "small room.") I guarantee that there are answers to questions you have asked or are asking and I highly recommend this book!

Uninvited Guest

Olivia left the screen door ajar.

Soon I heard a little bit of rustling near the front door.

Lo and behold....



I asked him what he was doing in the house.

He quacked a reply....
but I don't speak duck!



Silly Bird!!!

He was quite the unhappy quacker when I told him he had to go back outside.
I think he had plans to stay for dinner!

...never a dull moment here in "The State Park!"

Happy Mother's Day....

to all the Moms ....but especially to my Mom.

Mom, you know I've told you many times over how much more I appreciate all that you've done for me ever since I became a Mom myself. The sacrifices you've made, the unconditional love you've shared, the way you've encouraged me and always believed in me...for all of that, I will be forever grateful. You deserve an armful of roses...
I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

The Bathroom Trash is Glowing...

Glowing?

What? I must be seeing things. For after all, it's 2 am and I'm walking around in a dazed stupor - coughing my lungs up - with a horrible cold which is trying its best to turn into bronchitis. ....the bathroom trash can't be glowing! I hadn't turned on the light because I didn't want to assault my eyes in the dark of night. And there was no mistaking the blue glow coming from the black trash bin. I must be dreaming. Either that or I've seen one too many reruns of Close Enounters of the Third Kind and my mind is playing tricks on me. Besides, I'm coughing so much that I'm seeing stars. Must be hallucinating.

I return to bed, only to awaken an hour later - still coughing. Retreating once again to the bathroom so as not to disturb Brillo Man, I see that the bathroom trash is still glowing. This can't be. I go back to the bedside to retrieve my eyeglasses. Yes - even in clear view - there is definitely a blueish glow. Very strange.

Nah! Impossible! I must be seeing things. Wait. What did I discard into that trash bin? I recall it being in the kitchen after Brillo Man emptied it...and I placed some items into it before carrying it into the bathroom....hmmmm? I can't remember. In the morning, I must look.

Morning breaks. The light of day. What is in the trash bin? Oh my gosh --it's a piece of twisted up butcher paper with a plastic bag wrapped inside that had held the contents of last night's dinner: big, thick filets of Orange Roughy.

I immediately went to Google. Aha - my suspicions confirmed. Orange Roughy is among the many species of bioluminescent fish. The fish oil remaining in the bag was glowing through the white butcher paper...a blue glow. I wonder if the remaining filets which are in the refrigerator are glowing even now. I'm thinking I may go carry them into a dark corner and see if they glow...

Mystery solved. Good thing. I would hate to think that we were breeding aliens in the bathroom trash.

Book Review: REGGIE by Reggie Dabbs with John Driver

Reviewing this book for BookSneeze:

Initially, I wasn't sure that this book would be one that would hold my interest as the author is a motivational speaker primarily to teen audiences. However, I have found this book to be delightfully funny and sad all at the same time. Reggie Dabbs shares many stories of his past which I think will bring out many emotions in his readers. Causing them to go deep into their past in order to conquer their future!

Reggie was born to a young, unwed mother who asked the only friend she had in the world, her English teacher, to raise her baby. Reggie was eventually adopted by the English teacher and her husband. He never knew his birth mother. The circumstances of his birth were unsettling to him - but he turned around the negativity of his past.

His book is filled with stories of his life. Some very humorous, some sad, some bittersweet - but all with a lesson. He compels you to look beyond what is in your past (and yes, even your present) and use it, learn from it - in order to make the best of your future. The book is filled with faith - and its transforming power! He gives all the glory to God.

At the end of each chapter are questions which would be perfect to stimulate thought and discussion in a group setting.

Reggie Dabbs is a motivational speaker - primarily to teens. He speaks in schools throughout the country. One day, when our daughter is a teen, I would love her to hear him speak.

I would recommend this book!

Sunday Song

I've been catching up on a lot of reading on our sister's blog and am dedicating this song to all of us...who have been through various trials and tribulations in this life...yet we remain with God. And He, ever faithful, walks with us through the pain.

Sunday Song

How is it possible that an entire week has gone by and I haven't had time to blog?...

Here it is, Sunday again....time to get your worship on with this one:

Sunday Song

This song is in memory of my friend, Cindy. Too short were her days here on this earth...one day, we will meet again...



There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Cindy...I'll be checking in on MattMeister...as you smile down on him from Heaven...

Fast Falls the Eventide....

...but I don't need to fear or fret

because I am basking in the soothing, glowing, warming light of...

THE EGG INCUBATOR!



Yep. The Erskine State Park is now in the chicken egg hatching business!

Olivia received a small incubator for Christmas. It has been sitting in the box - waiting for Spring.

The other day, Brillo Man returned to the house from his daily trek to the chicken coops. (Note - I said 'coops' - we now have two. More on that in another post)...anyway, he returned with five eggs in hand and gleefully announced, "They're still warm!!"

Hooray.

Okay - so he grabs the incubator (which was "some assembly required".) I told him he was on his own as I was busy cleaning the laundry room.

A few minutes later, he brings me a rectangle of aluminum foil and asks me if I can cut it in half.

Are you kidding?

Okay. Done.

The correct positioning of the foil is apparently essential in reflecting the heat from the small light bulb onto the eggs....

Okay.

The temperature is critical. It must be between 90 and 102 degrees fahrenheit. Preferably closer to 100.

Three hours later...we are still waiting for the temperature to rise to the occasion so that the eggs may be placed.

Isn't it too late?

What do you mean?

Haven't they eggs been sitting out on the kitchen table too long. I mean...they're no longer warm.

Doesn't matter.

Doesn't matter?

Nope.

Why not?

Because the hens will leave the eggs in a pile for awhile before one finally gets in a "brooding mood" and begins to sit on the eggs.

Oh. (What do I know? ...nothin')

SO...finally, after about four hours, the temperature is high enough that the eggs may be placed inside. By this time, Olivia is home from school and simply beside herself with excitement. She drew an "X" on one side of the eggs and a "deeley bopper O" on the other side of the egg. (Every "O" which Olivia draws contains a smiley face and antennae - or rather - deeley boppers.) We've got eggs with deeley boppers.... And they must be turned. Three times a day. The X's and Deeley Bopper O's will make it easier to keep track of which side is "the opposite" side.

Okay.

For three days now we've been turning eggs three times a day.

How long do we have to turn these eggs, anyway?

21 days. Or maybe 22. But for sure, 21 - but never less than that. (...says Olivia, the chicken egg hatching expert.) And you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT TOUCH THEM WHEN THEY START TO HATCH!

I knew that.

So how do we know if these eggs are fertile? How do we know they're not going to just sit there and rot?

Olivia informs us that she knows they're fertile because she saw the rooster jumping on the hen. Which, by the way, how does that work? (I'm thinking I'm not ready to have that conversation yet....)

SO....moving right along. I've been told that we will candle the eggs to see if there's an embryo developing.

Wonderful. When do we do that?

Neither Brillo Man nor Olivia has any idea.

Well...maybe we should find out.

Because I just went over and turned the eggs...and I'm detecting a fowl (pun intended) odor.

...I'm thinkin'...Tractor Supply will be selling baby chicks in a few weeks...isn't that easier?

For all you reality TV fans, stay tuned for...The Hatching....(the miniseries...)



_________________________________

She lays her eggs on the ground
and lets them warm in the sand...
-Job 39:14
_________________________________

Today....

I will be heading to the lab to have my blood drawn. I hope the artist uses a nice bright shade of red.

Next stop...anyplace that serves breakfast! My physician did not specifically order fasting bloodwork, but being a Medical Technologist, I know that some of the tests the doctor ordered are best interpreted when the patient has been fasting. Needless to say - it's 9:15am as I type this...and I am HUNGRY!

Then I'll be going to The Good Shepherd Center to DONATE the things that are packed in the back of the van! Get those things out of my life and into someone else's who can use them!

After that...off to StuffMart to exchange a pair of jeans which I purchased for Brillo Man for Christmas...they've been sitting in the house for too long now. Wrong size - he needs a size smaller! (Wish I had that problem...)

Then I'm going shopping for new glasses. (Note to self, bring your eyeglass prescription...) I have been wearing my current pair for a little over two years. In that two years, I think my left ear has grown larger - causing my glasses to sit higher on that side of my face - causing them to appear crooked. Because they are. Besides, my eyes have changed...and I need a stronger bifocal. Again.

That all should give me plenty of time to meet Brillo Man at his appointment at the VA clinic...we're attending a nutrition class together. Maybe I'll learn something about how to reduce my jean size...

Hopefully all will be accomplished in plenty of time to be here when Olivia gets off the school bus. Because, after all....it will then be time to turn the eggs! (More on that in a future post!)

So...I'm off! Have a blessed day all!

The Things That Amuse Me

It doesn't take much to amuse me.

I'm sure you've figured that out if you've ever read some of my posts.

The other night, I couldn't sleep. It was Saturday night...time to turn the clocks ahead one hour for the start of Daylight Savings Time. What time does that officially happen anyway? Ah.. 2 am. Yep. I can do that. I can wait until 2 am. But what to do until then...

I was looking for something to do to keep myself amused. There's always YouTube...and besides, I hadn't yet chosen a song for my Sunday Song post...

In searching for Sunday Song post, I somehow came across this incredible(ahem) makup tutorial for Lady Gaga's Poker Face Makeup (Whatever that is...) Nevertheless, it piqued my interest. And actually, the artist in me found it a tad fascinating after all.



Then I discovered a video that some filmmaker guy posted with his theory about a cross-dressing time traveler appearing in a 1920s Charlie Chaplin film - it's long - over eight minutes - so don't click 'play' unless you have the time. Of course, much is repetitiveness, therefore, one doesn't necessarily have to watch the entire video to get his point....



Phooey. I did my due diligence. It was indeed a hearing aid. Click HEAR, I mean HERE for proof.

But as the clock was ticking away while I was wasting away the minutes, I was about to experience my OWN time travel! It was almost 2am!! The magical moment when time jumps ahead and we lose an hour. Yahoo!

Guess what...you'll be happy to know that I captured the ENTIRE thing on FILM! (I'm thinking a film production career may be in my future, as the quality of what you are about to see just may astound you!)



Did you catch that? I hope you didn't blink. Because if you blink. You miss the entire thing! Just like that - in a split second...we all traveled ahead in time by one hour. Amazing.

Come back in the Fall and I'll show you how we all travel BACK IN TIME!!!

Sunday Song

______________________________________

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
-Psalm 111:3
______________________________________

Are You a Random Popper?

Or do you prefer to pop in rows?

What am I talking about?

Why plastic bubble wrap, of course!

I was popping a sheet of bubble wrap. In rows. Because I'm a row popper.
When along came Olivia. She picked up the sheet that I had left on my bed and began to pop it. Randomly.

There's something all wrong about that.

Then she jumped on it!

Oh man!

Then she handed it back to me and said, "Here, I saved you some" and then proceeded to skip away downstairs to her "hang out space."

Are you kidding me?!

Now I have a sheet of partially popped plastic bubble wrap which is randomly popped - not to mention that it's now grimy from being pounced upon by an eight year old with dirty feet on my kitchen floor....

ugh.

I accepted the challenge.

92 pops later....it's all popped out.

And I feel good.



My tent (bubble wrap) is destroyed;
all its ropes (bubbles) are snapped.
-Jeremiah 10:20a

The Importance of a Name

Has anyone every mispelled or mispronounced your name? Does it bother you as much as it bothers me? I thought after I got married that my name would be so much easier for people to pronounce. Nope. I was wrong.

E-R-S-K-I-N-E Pronounced: ER'-skin

It's not Er-SKIIIIINE...with a long 'I'
It's not ERKS-skin...with an extra 'K'
It's not ERKS-steeeen...with an extra 'K', an extra 'T' and a long 'E'

It's just Erskine. Period. Simple Easy.

In thinking about my name, I started to think about God's name. One thing led to another and some research revealed the following information about "THE NAME" of God. His name, of course, encompasses so many names - and He is called by so many names. But at the very root...Hashem.

Shem is the Hebrew word for "name" (the "Ha" before it is the definite article). The Bible speaks of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem as the place where God's name would dwell—the place where his people could pray and be heard. Jesus himself prayed that the Father would glorify his name through him. He also promised to do whatever we ask in his name. Philippians 2:9-10 affirms that God has exalted Jesus and given him "the name that is above every name."

______________________________________________
Hear the cry and the prayer
that your servant is praying
in your presence this day.
May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day,
this place of which you said,
"My Name shall be there,"
so that you will hear the prayer
your servant prays toward this place.
-1 Kings 8:28-29
______________________________________________


GOD REVEALS HIS NAME

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said...

"Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive...

"When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance...

"As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name..."

When Solomon had finished building the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do... the LORD said to him:

"I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."
(From 1 Kings 8:22-9:3)

My prayer is that the Lord will teach me what it means to "hallow his name," to glorify, exalt, declare, and praise his holy name, to live in a way that honors his name so that others might find forgiveness, peace, and healing through the power of hia name.

God's name is associated with his glory, power, holiness, protection, trust, and love. To call on his name is to call on his presence. To act in his name is to act with his authority. To fight in his name is to fight with his power. To pray to his name is to pray to him. In fact, the very first mention of prayer in the Bible appears in Genesis 4:26: "At that time people began to invoke the name of the LORD" (NRSV). Though we are to exalt God's name and proclaim it to the nations, it is also possible to dishonor it, which is the same as dishonoring him. God's name is his reputation.

Though God's name is holy and powerful, it cannot be invoked as a magic formula. Rather, his name becomes powerful whenever it is uttered by men and women who are exercising their faith in God. Jesus taught his own disciples to pray by saying, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." In John's gospel, Jesus prays to his Father, saying, "I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me" and "I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known" (John 17:6, 26 KJV).

When we pray to Hashem (ha-SHAME), we are praying to the holy God who dwells in our midst, hearing and answering our prayers.

ErKstiiiine...not so important....

Breakfast

Breakfast: An orange the size of a softball. (And this one is small compared to some others from the bag which have already been consumed. Note - that's a SOFTBALL - not a baseball. This is a HUGE orange!

That's it. That's all I got.

Off to the eye doctor....Have a blessed day!



=====================================================

Then the land will yield its fruit,
and you will eat your fill and live there in safety.
-Leviticus 25:19
=====================================================

Sunday Song

This song is in honor of Diane's precious Mother.

Book Review: Fasting by Scot McKnight

At any given time, if you ask me what I'm reading, I may respond with several different titles. I have books in my Kindle - books in my iPhone - books on my PC - and books strewn all over our home! But recently, this book by Scot McKnight has captivated my attention.

Fasting is a book which takes on the subject with profound clarity. Such as none other I have read on the subject. The author stated something very early on which grabbed my attention. He says that fasting is not to be a manipulative tool to see what we can get, but rather fasting should be a response to a very sacred moment or event.

Repentance often expressed itself in the physical act of fasting. The moment of turning away from sin and back to God was so sacred and so filled with God's grace that the Israelites chose to refrain from eating.

Our repentance today doesn't often lead to the same place. Very good points to ponder in this book. We should fast, not because the fasting is some magic bullet to insure that our prayer requests are granted, but rather because the request is something so intense and we desire something so deeply. Eating in the midst of that intense plea would be almost considered sacrilegious.

The author states that he believes there are very real, tanglible benefits from fasting. but not to be utilized for what we want. Rather the benefits will emerge out of the greater context of fasting as we respond to the sacred moment. It is in our response to these moments that as we turn to God in faith that He will bring about the results that undo the grievous situations in which we find ourselves.

A study guide is included at the end which poses questions to stimulate small group discussions. All in all - a very good book - I recommend it. A departure from the "name it - claim it - fast it and grab it" theologies that sometimes infiltrate Christianity.

I felt as though I just needed a laugh today...

___________________________________________
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...
-Proverbs 17:22
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Flax Seed: The Low Carb Whole Grain

So - I've discovered a new favorite snack. Salted Corn Chips With Flax Seed from our local Amish Bulk Food Store:



They are delicious! I decided to do some reading about the benefits of flax seed in our diet. I had previously known that flax seeds are good for us...but had forgotten all the specifics.

Let me tell you - this tiny seed is mighty! I learned that it carries one of the biggest nutrient payloads on the planet. And while it’s not technically a grain, it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile to grains, while the amount of fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids in flax leaves grains in the dust.

Additionally I learned that flax seed is very low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for people who limit their intake of starches and sugars. And its combination of healthy fat and high fiber content make it a great food for weight loss and maintenance -- many dieters have found that flax seed has been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied. WhooHoo! Something to help me with weight loss issues!

Flax seed is high in most of the B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese - which is awesome, because when we are under stress we completely deplete our supply of B-complex vitamins in our body ...therefore ...flax seed can help out if I'm stressed! I am really liking these new corn chips with flax seed!!

AND...they are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acid! Omega-3 fatty acids are a key force against inflammation in our bodies. Mounting evidence shows that inflammation plays a part in many chronic diseases including heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers. Yes! Omega-3...here I come! Bring on more of those chips!

Flax Seed is also high in fiber. You’d be hard-pressed to find a food higher in fiber -- both soluble and insoluble -- than flax. This fiber is probably mainly responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of flax. Fiber in the diet also helps stabilize blood sugar, and, of course, promotes proper functioning of the intestines.

Flax Seed is high in phytochemicals, including many antioxidants. It is perhaps our best source of lignans, which convert in our intestines to substances that tend to balance female hormones. There is evidence that lignans may promote fertility, reduce peri-menopausal symptoms, and possibly help prevent breast cancer. In addition, lignans may help prevent Type 2 diabetes. ...Don't even ask me about my peri-menopausal symptoms. This Flax Seed enriched Corn Chip can help with that??!! Whoa-baby! I'm heading back to the bulk store to buy some more!

And then I read this: Note that flax seeds need to be ground to make the nutrients available (otherwise they just “pass through”)

In case you missed it in the photo...my delicious, flax seed enriched, salty corn chips contain WHOLE flax seeds.

So... Nevermind.

Our Words

I recently watched a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network entitled Master Class. The "teacher"?: Maya Angelou.

You know that silly question that you are asked every now and again - "If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? I would answer that question with an emphatic: MAYA ANGELOU. She is someone I have admired for quite some time. She shares her life's experiences with a lot of wisdom and grace. And I think she does it very well.

During this show, Ms. Angelou spoke of the power of our words. She reminded the viewer that in the Bible it states, "in the beginning was the Word." She talked about how words are so much more than words - but rather they take on the flesh. "They get in the walls, in the floors, in the carpets." ....I believe that is so very true. Have you ever walked into a room after two people have "had words?" Have you ever walked into a building and just "felt" that something wasn't quite right?

I believe those feelings are the result of the words that have been spoken in that place. Negative words breed negativity. Positive words breed positivity.

We also know from God's Word that we have the power of life and death in our tongues. What we speak has the ability to tear down or build up. Our job as Christians is to edify one another, to speak to one another with love and peace. We have no business spreading gossip and murmuring and complaining and speaking lies about one another.

Sometimes we speak, not being aware that the very thing we say out of our mouths could cause dramatic situations in our lives or the lives of others. How many times have we spoken things into existence, and wondered later about the very thing that manifested?

We go through life day after day saying things about others and about ourselves not knowing and unaware of the words that are going out into the atmosphere to complete what we have spoken.

When God created the heavens and the earth he spoke it into existence. He said let there be light and there was light. In His word He says we will do greater works. If that is so and the Word says The Power is in our tongue then we should be able to speak to that mountain and it shall be moved, We should be able to speak to that bad situation in our lives and it shall be moved. We need not speak of the problem, but speak what the Word says about whatever situation we go through, by speaking the solution through the Word.

When we feel down we should speak and say that I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus that strengthens me.

When we feel unworthy we should say that I am the righteousness of God. When you feel as though you have enemies at every turn you should say that No weapon formed against me shall prosper any tongue that rises against me in judgement God shall condemn it.

We need to change our thinking. We do that by the renewing of our minds, reading God's Word daily. The enemy does not want us renewing our minds. The enemy doesn't want us to know that we have power in our tongue to speak to situations, he wants us to be ignorant to the Word of God, As the Bible says My people perish from lack of Knowledge.

Lets start renewing our minds through the Word of God...and begin to speak life!

Art. We Need More Art.

Or at least I need more art!



I haven't been creating nearly as much as I should. And I miss it.

Something happens in my brain when I create art. It makes me feel good. I'm thinking that it must be akin to the addict who gets a high when he or she takes a drug. Or the endorphins released when a chocoholic eats a piece of dark, rich, sweet, creamy chocolate. I know nothing of the former....but I do know something about the latter! (Now I want chocolate....)

Moving right along...

This past weekend, Olivia and I created some art together. She actually held an art class for Brillo Man and I, teaching us how to make her paper dogs. At first, I thought we would be making paperdogs - as in paperdolls...a string of pups. But no, she had something else in mind. She instructed us to fold the corners of a sheet of paper in order to create ears. Then color the ears. And NO the center of ear could not be any other color besides PINK because pink is the official color of the inside of a dog's ear. At one point I reminded her about the old Harry Chapin song Flowers Are Red.



Still didn't matter, she insisted the insides of the dog's ears must be pink. (I must be failing as a parent...)

Step by step we made dogs - with crowns or hats. And they had to have names. She named hers SPOT - because of the spot around its eye, of course. Spot has the best crown. Because, after all, she is Olivia's creation. Mine was Sidney (Sidney was sticking out her tongue (created by Olivia) because Sidney wanted to have ears that weren't pink.) Brillo Man's dog was Beng (pronounced Benji - but spelled Beng because that's how Olivia spelled it.) Beng is cool because Beng is the one with NO spot and black ears! (I'm not sure how he got away with that.)



Next art lesson...we will work (again) on seeing things in different ways. I will remind Olivia that it's okay to paint the flowers (or the dog's ears) in whatever colors we want!


________________________
A Different Perspective
Deborah Erskine
February 2011
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In the meantime...I'm going in search of some chocolate!

Heaven

I've been thinking a lot about Heaven lately.

It could be all the unrest in the Middle East over these past few weeks which have caused me to dig a little deeper into God's Word regarding end time prophecy. Or it could be that I'm just tired and I wanna go Home...

And it seems as though the entire Christian community has their eye on Heaven. Last week, I watched a series of programs on The 700 Club, all of them featuring people who had died and spent time in Heaven or hell and then came back to share their experience. Each testimony was more grand than the one before - all of them fueling the desire in me to go Home.

I just cannot stop thinking about heaven. It's in my waking moments, even in my dreams. Perhaps the Lord is preparing me for what I believe will be happening soon, when those of us who love Him will hear that trumpet sound and be caught up together to meet our Lord in the air!! WOW. Can you even imagine?

If you happen to be reading this and you are unsure whether or not you will go to Heaven when you die, or when the Lord returns for His people (whichever comes first!), I encourage you to take a moment to make the most important decision you will ever make in your life.

God sent His only Son, Jesus, to this earth, to live, and to die. His death was for us. He died for my sins and yours. He took upon himself all the guilt and shame and penalty for me and for you. He paid the price that we don't have to pay. All it takes to receive this wonderful gift of salvation is to simply acknowledge that Jesus died for you, to ask forgiveness for your sins, and to allow His love to begin to transform your heart. He is waiting - with arms outstretched. He loves you with an everylasting love and longs to know you - to have a personal relationship with you. For religion is just that. It's religion. But with Jesus...it's all about relationship. Just let Him love you. It will be the best journey of your life - I guarantee it!

I look forward to seeing you in Heaven!

Keeping my eye on the eastern sky...


____________________________________________________________
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel,
and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
-I Thessalonians 4:16-18
____________________________________________________________

Sunday Song

Cart Man. I Mean Brillo Man...

So...Brillo Man comes in the house the other day BEAMING as he exclaims with excitement in his voice... "Hey! Guess what I got?!"

Me: "It's hard to say..."

Brillo Man: "A Shopping Cart!!"

Me: "...a shopping cart...?..."

Brillo Man: "YEP!"

Me: "And what are you going to do with a shopping cart?"

Brillo Man: "Put wood in it!"

Me: "Put wood in it......"

Brillo Man: "Yep!"

Me: "okay..."

So the next day, I go downstairs to load some wood in the wood stove - and there it is....the shopping cart.



With wood in it - just like he said.

Wonderful.
Have cart. Will push wood. Because, after all, it's SO MUCH easier to move the wood around with the shopping cart... ahem.

So a few days later....

Brillo Man: "Hey! You'll never guess what I found on the way home from the VA!"

Me: "...it's hard to tell..."

Brillo Man: "ANOTHER SHOPPING CART!!!"

Me: "are you kidding me?!"

Brillo Man: "nope."

Me: "wonderful."

Brillo Man: "you don't sound so excited....hey, I had to do a lot of maneuvering to get this one - I had to turn around and go back up the road and some guy almost hit me...:

Me: "wonderful. glad you didn't get hit. ....and what are you going to do with this one?"

Brillo Man: "Put more wood it in!"

So...do you think there's some law against owning two shopping carts?

The way I see things, at least we're set if we ever become homeless...



Brillo Man dragging Cart #2
through the ten inches of new snow
around to the back of the house.

Reality TV. Someone needs to sign us. Seriously.

Cheerleader in a Cup

There are days. You all know the ones. The days when you better not even think about talking to me until AFTER I've had my morning cup of tea. For most of you, it's coffee. Don't even talk to you until after you've had your coffee. What is it about that dose of caffeine that gets our brains and our bodies moving? I think Anita Renfroe says it best...it's our own personal cheerleader in a cup!

For all my java lovin' friends....

Writing the name of G-d

As I have been researching various websites in my quest to learn more about Jewish symbolism and culture, I have noticed that every website from a Jewish author never shows the name of God written as such. Rather, God's name appears this way: G-d

My very first thought the first time I read this was that it must have been a typographical error. However, when it appeared again later in the paragraph, I knew it was intentional.

Further investigation revealed that Jews do not casually write any Name of God. This practice does not come from the commandment not to take the Lord's Name in vain, as I intially guessed. In Jewish thought, that commandment refers solely to oath-taking, and is a prohibition against swearing by God's Name falsely or frivolously (the word normally translated as "in vain" literally means "for falsehood").

Judaism does not prohibit writing the Name of God per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of God. However, observant Jews avoid writing any Name of God casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better.

The commandment not to erase or deface the name of God comes from Deuteronomy 12:3. In that passage, the people are commanded that when they take over the promised land, they should destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region, and should utterly destroy the names of the local deities. Immediately afterwards, we are commanded not to do the same to our God. From this, the rabbis inferred that we are commanded not to destroy any holy thing, and not to erase or deface a Name of God.

It is worth noting that this prohibition against erasing or defacing Names of God applies only to Names that are written in some kind of permanent form, and recent rabbinical decisions have held that writing on a computer is not a permanent form, thus it is not a violation to type God's Name into a computer and then backspace over it or cut and paste it, or copy and delete files with God's Name in them. However, once you print the document out, it becomes a permanent form. That is why observant Jews avoid writing a Name of God on web sites: because there is a risk that someone else will print it out and deface it.

The Jewish people place such a high respect and reverence on the Lord...even going so far as to not wanting to risk His written name to be defaced. Perhaps we should take a lesson from their practice...and not be so casual in our approach to the King of Kings. Indeed, He is our "Abba" Father...but He is also the Creator and Ruler of the Universe....

Sunday Song

Shofar

Several weeks ago, I had a dream that I heard the trumpet announcing the second coming of the Lord. What a vivid dream it was! So vivid in fact that I awoke in a panic wondering why I was still in bed and not changed in the twinkling of an eye and on my way to meeting the Lord in the air. It took me a few seconds to realize that it was all just a dream. Incidentally, it's not the first time I have had that dream in the past year.....oh, how I long for that dream to come true! I don't think it will be long. The signs are all around us.

The trumpet that sounded in my dream carried a different tone than the brass trumpets of our bands today. Perhaps it was a shofar?....

The Shofar is one of the earliest instruments used in Jewish music, and is traditionally played during the month of Elul, which is the last month in the Hebrew calendar, and during the first ten days of the Hebrew year (the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). The blowing of the Shofar is the only specific commandment for Rosh Hashanah. Just as trumpeters announced the presence of their mortal king, the Shofar is used by Jews to proclaim the coronation of the King of Kings. A person should hear at least 100 blasts from the Shofar on each day of Rosh Hashanah.

It is the one musical instrument that has not changed in over 5,000 years. The Shofar is a trumpet made of an animal's horn, but unlike a trumpet, the shofar has no mouthpiece. The Shofar is preferably made of a bent Ram's horn, but it can also be made from the horns of other Kosher animals, including those of a goat or sheep. A cow or calf's horn is not acceptable for a Kosher Shofar, nor are the antlers of a deer or similar animals whose horns are a solid piece. It also may not be constructed of an artificial instrument - it must be an instrument in its natural form and naturally hollow.

In Biblical times the shofar was blown to announce an important event, such as the alarm of war, to announce the New Moon or to announce holidays. The blast of a Shofar emanating from the thick cloud on Mount Sinai made the Israelites tremble in awe (Exodus) 19:16, "And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the Shofar extremely loud; so that all the people that were in the camp trembled." Thus the sound of the Shofar reminds one to strengthen their commitment to the Lord and arouse souls to repentance. The shofar is blown to show that God is accepted as King, as it says in Psalm 98:6, "With trumpets and the sound of the Shofar make a call out before the King, God".

I would like to think that when the Lord gives the order for the angel Gabriel to sound the trumpet announcing His second coming...that it will be the shofar that we hear!



In the meantime....I'm going to keep on dreaming...


________________________________________________________

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old (wo)men shall dream dreams.
-Acts 2:17
________________________________________________________

Stuff

I have too much stuff.
Where do I put it?
Why do I keep it?
It just collects dust.

Things from my childhood.
Things from my past.
Things from then.
Things from now.
All in boxes.
A myriad of boxes.

Moved from house to house.
Room to room.
From the garage to the shed.
And back again and again.
And again.

Because I can't find what I need.
I know it's here somewhere.
But where?
Don't know.
Got to go out and buy another.

And then, it too, will eventually wind up in the shed.

Better to throw it away.
Give it away.
Gift it away.
Out of my life.
It's just clutter.
I don't need it.

How does that song go?
All I need is....love!

....and my myriad of boxes...

oh. help.


_____________________________________________________
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal...
-Matthew 6:20
_____________________________________________________

The Story of Jonah

This is Mary Margaret. She is amazing! She definitely has a call on her life - for drama - or preaching - or perhaps dramatic preaching!!
Enjoy!

The Star of David

In keeping with my theme of investigating the symbolism of the Jewish faith, today I would like to share a little bit about the Star of David. First seen as a symbol in writing in a 12th century work, it has become associated with the Jewish people and their sanctuaries. The symbol only became heavily associated with Judaism when it was chosen as the emblem for the Zionist movement in 1897.

Symbolism of The Star of David

The Star of David (in Hebrew Magen David- literally ‘shield of David’) poetically refers to God. This six sided figure symbolizes that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down with the middle of the hexagram providing the spiritual dimension. A six-pointed star receives form and substance from its solid center. This inner core represents the spiritual dimension, surrounded by the six universal directions.



This symbol helps remind us that despite our efforts to accomplish things in this world, just like God decided that King David would be successful in defeating armies much greater than his own, so too God will help us accomplish our goals. This is why the Jewish people say, “Blessed are you God, Shield of David” in the third blessing recited over the reading of the Prophets every Sabbath.

In another interpretation, the two interlocking triangles represent the reciprocal relationship between man and God. Our good deeds are represented by the triangle pointing up to God and God reciprocates by allowing holiness and benefits to flow towards us. When worn as a Jewish Star necklace, it can remind us that we are walking with our creator on a daily basis.

Some note that the Star of David is a complicated interlocking figure which has not six (hexogram) but rather 12 (dodecogram) sides. One can consider it as composed of two overlapping triangles or as composed of six smaller triangles emerging from a central hexogram. Like the Jewish people, the star has 12 sides, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

A more practical theory is that during the Bar Kochba rebellion (first century), a new technology was developed for shields using the inherent stability of the triangle. Behind the shield were two interlocking triangles, forming a hexagonal pattern of support points. Architect, Buckminster Fuller showed the strength of triangle-based designs with his geodesics. As Christians, we are to put on the whole armor of God - which includes the shield of faith. If applying the symbolism of the stability of the interlocking triangles, that futher emphasizes the importance of our faith!

I have a friend who is not of the Jewish faith (but like me, has been grafted in!) who wears a Star of David necklace. It's her daily reminder to pray for the peace of Israel.

I'm thinking that's not a bad idea either....

Shalom

My friend, Pat has got me thinking about all things Jewish. We recently had a phone conversation in which she shared with me the deeper meaning of the word, "Shalom." She also shared with me that she has a mezuzuah - hence my previous post. Not to mention that she has been ending each of her blog posts with "Shalom." Our conversation has caused me to think more and more lately about our Jewish roots (for after all, I, being a non-Jew, am grafted into that faith!) Therefore, I've decided to do some further exploring...

Most know that the Hebrew word shalom is understood around the world to mean "peace." However, "peace" is only one small part of the meaning of shalom. "Shalom" is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell, and it means much more than "peace, hello or goodbye"....

According to Strong's Concordance 7965 Shalom also means:

Completeness

Wholeness

Health

Peace

Welfare

Safety

Soundness

Tranquility

Prosperity

Perfectness

Fullness

Rest

Harmony

and the Absence of agitation or discord

Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Jesus (Yeshua) is called Sar Shalom, Prince of Peace, which perfectly describes the ministry and personality of Jesus, the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6). Furthermore, Paul assured the Ephesian Christians saying of Jesus, "He Himself is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14). When you pray to Sar Shalom, you are praying to the One who is the source of all peace. To live in peace is to live in His presence. Let the One Who is called the Prince of Peace rule in your heart!

In other words, the word shalom is a mighty blessing!

Proverbs 18:21 tells us there is life or death in the power of the tongue. Therefore, whenever you employ the word "shalom" you are speaking into someone's life all the wonderful things that shalom means!

______________________________________________________
YAHWEH bless you and keep you.
YAHWEH make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
YAHWEH lift up His face upon you
and give you SHALOM.
In the name of SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace.
-Numbers 6:24-26
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