Remembering the Holocaust

January 1933--Hitler rises to power. June 1941, the systematic murder of the Jewish people begins. Today we stand 70 years removed from this tragedy. Few remain who are old enough to remember. It is up to us now to keep the memory of the victims of the holocaust alive. It is up to us now to say "Never again."

It only takes one generation to forget. Let it not be our generation.

Running, Always Running

running, always running

never stopping, never slowing

there's no telling where I'm going

to the edge we keep on rowing

can you see the tension showing

is the life within me flowing

has this race halted my growing

has my heart's fire stopped glowing

until rest I stop foregoing

there will be no way of knowing

which way the wind is blowing

...

stop.    wait.    listen.

Seasons

"You were surely created for this season and placed here in time to glorify His name."

Are all ages the same? Do the seasons never change? Yeshua rebuked the Pharisees for not being able to interpret the signs of the times (Matt. 16:2-3). Again, He corrected His disciples telling them that the harvest had already come (Luke 4:35). And again, He tells them that He works in the day, but night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4).

There are seasons in the great plan of time. Seasons of planting and seasons of harvest. Seasons of rain and seasons of famine. Seasons of summer and seasons of winter. Seasons that pass like a watch in the night and seasons that last for generations.

What is this season that we are in?

This is the season we were created for.

Our Journeys

Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.
(Exodus 40:36-37 ESV)

I don't like change. At least not when I don't have control. I like to hold onto the past.

I lived in the same city for almost 16 years (the same house for 11 years). Then we moved...to a different state. It was exciting, especially as we saw God's plan unfold. But there were things I was leaving behind that I didn't want to let go of. Good things. Like the little Baptist church we attended. The pastor there taught me Hebrew one on one--at no cost. He freely gave his time to teach me. I still miss him from time to time. He has since moved on to a different church.

Our first year in Texas was amazing. We were adopted into the congregation--really, family. We didn't just meet on Sabbath. We got together to play cards, do work, etc. throughout the week. Then I was uprooted from there and taken to college...in a different state. I still miss those times.

I don't like change. I don't like being uprooted after finally getting settled in. I don't like leaving friends and family behind. Going out into the unknown, where I know no one...leaving my comfort zone behind. It's scary. Sometimes I wish I could just stay put and that everything would stay the same. Life is good now, why change it?

But sometimes the cloud moves...and we must follow. It takes us into uncharted territory. Transitioning is often hard. But our Father is in control. Ahead lie greater things...eventually the promised land. This is not our home. When we get settled into a place, it's hard to accept that. But it's a fact--this is not our home. It is simply a stop along the way to where God is taking us. Some steps are hard. Often times we want to look back. Often times we wish we could go back to where the trail was easier. Yet, if I truly consider what it would mean to go back I realize I would have missed out on a lot. It was when I started college that I met one of my best friends--who then proceeded to introduce me to several more now close friends. If I rewound the tape, I would have missed out on all those friends. When we moved to Texas, I found what it was like to have a congregational family. If we never moved out there, I would have missed that.

Change is hard. But sometimes its necessary. And God often has something great waiting on the other side. I still don't like giving up what I have to follow Him. But it helps a little to know that my Father in heaven is watching out for me--and He has a plan. Wherever He leads, I must follow.

(originally posted on facebook on July 30, 2011)

Seeds of Thought

Have you ever noticed how sometimes something you say, even if it seems meaningless to you, can be the most profound thing to someone else? And other times the deep words of wisdom that you put so much thought into fall only on deaf ears.

Words are like seeds. Every word you speak has the potential to grow. Seems like most of them never take root, but every word has the same potential. Doesn't matter whether it is wise advice or a harmless joke or just small talk. Each word falls upon the soil of whoever is listening--and if the soil is right, that word can take on a life of its own. It will grow in a person's mind until eventually it begins to bear fruit, good or bad. 

One word. 

And it could be any word.

Signs of Life

Brilliant greens and blooming redbuds tower above the earth.
Blankets of clover roll as a wave across the ground.
Winding through the woods, this rain washed road shimmers in the sunlight.
I drive this road alone in the midst of a slumbering world.

Where are the signs of life?

The Land of Square Men

Welcome, dear children
To the land of square men
Of boxes so graven
With letters even

Just come to the table
And give us your name
We'll give you a label
You'll all be the same

First on your schedule
We have education
Eight hours you must school
Textbooks our foundation

For lunch frozen dinner
Or instant fake soup
Please just add water
And eat in ten scoops

Your parents we'll enslave
From eight until five
They'll work in a square cave
For paper they'll strive

Perhaps you're a failure
Just making a mess
Don't worry, here's the cure
Ten steps to success

For the more ambitious kind
We have just the fit
To satisfy the curious mind
Try our DIY kits

For those special occasions
Pick a pre-written card
Only standard traditions
Gift-wrapped with regard

One day a utopia
We soon will attain
Your minds in our boxes
Now circuits for brains

We have but one law
One thing that we ask
Don't resist blah
Don't take off that mask

Cardboard for sky
And four walls all around
You must believe the lie
You must always be bound
You must never defy
You must not make a sound
On us you'll rely
Freedom never be found

For all you desire
We've packaged it here
Imagination's fire
Even love so sincere

But break from this casket
You'll never climb high
Like Yeshua of Nazareth
You'll be sure to die
--
Friends, is this such
A bad plight to be in?
Yeshua gained much
By His resurrection

Watch your box crumble
Though we be dead to you
Through Him we are able
To find what is True

His burden is light
His yoke is easy
He has fought the good fight
He has made each of us free

Let the world watch and see
Let them hear His decree
As we sing of His mercy
And declare Jubilee