Literature

  • Phineas, Elijah, Messiah, and the Zeal of God

    Torah: Num. 25:10-30:1Haftarah: 1 Kgs. 18:46-19:21 Long ago, the Jewish sages created the parsha, a reading calendar to be read annually throughout all the synagogues every Sabbath. They are from the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), and… Continue reading

    Phineas, Elijah, Messiah, and the Zeal of God
  • The Red Heifer, the Rock, the Bronze Serpent, Jephthah, the Star, and Messiah

    Torah: Numbers 19:1-25:9Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33Micah 5:7(6)-6:8 I am resuming my series on Messiah in the Parsha again. We’re going to see this year’s reading calendar through, so hang on. Long ago, the Jewish sages created reading calendars to be read… Continue reading

    The Red Heifer, the Rock, the Bronze Serpent, Jephthah, the Star, and Messiah
  • Learning to Love: Day 19

    For those of you curious about my series on the parsha, I am still continuing it when the reposting of my Learning to Love series is complete. Lord willing, I will be caught up on the parsha by then too.… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 19
  • Learning to Love: Day 18

    The Guitar I have a set of stringsThat I pick and play along,And if I pick and play along enoughIt turns into a song. I have a melody at heartThat molds into my hand.I read the notes across the pageUpon… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 18
  • Learning to Love: Day 17

    Dreams Daydreams never grow oldNo matter how many times toldFrom generation to generationThrough stories of the ideal.I’m waiting for its incarnationSo my dreams can become real,But if there be no good in themIn the end God can see,Then let them… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 17
  • Learning to Love: Day 16:

    Easter I saw myselfUgly, bleeding, upward pleading,Finding no reply–No comfort, no rescue, left to die.I looked again and it was Him.So when I kneel before the throneThe Father looks at meAnd sees HimWho paid sin’s debt for me. Love has… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 16:
  • Learning to Love: Day 14

    The Master Gardener My God’s the Master GardenerWho created the world.He fancied flowers, said His say,By which His dreams unfurled.The grasses grew, the bushes bloomed,The Spirit moved the leaves.The Gardener fathered the fruitAnd He supplied the seeds. The spot where… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 14
  • Learning to Love: Day 13

    Pilgrimage Archaeology He dug in the earth; troweled, plowedAnd troweled until the earth turned raw, hot,Until the ground grew red and growled,Disturbed ’til he found what he sought. He dug ’til his eyes turned stone-dry,His own hands chapped and cracked… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 13
  • Learning to Love: Day 12

    When You Seek God When you seek God with your whole heartFor what you want to know,He gives no stone in place of bread.What you ask, He will show.Do not inquire of rocks for help.They are not self-aware.Do not consult… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 12
  • Learning to Love: Day 11

    Constancy and Change When the sun’s fire pounds on the earthThen rises back from the roadAs I wipe sweat from my brow, When the cicadas play their fiddlesIn the dewy grassAfter dusk has arrived,I seek You.When the sand squirms between… Continue reading

    Learning to Love: Day 11