Hear and Do: The Shema. SHEMA (sh’ma): The first Hebrew word in the essential prayer of the Jews in the Hebrew Bible, found in Deuteronomy 6:4; is usually translated “hear,” but actually means hear and do, listen and obey, hear and respond, listen and take action, take heed; there is a traditional Jewish saying that …
[NOTE: I wrote this family survey in November of 2018, sent it to our adult children, and received very interesting comments from all of them.] Hello to you wonderful adult children, I’d like to take a family survey. Please think about this and respond after you’ve had some time to reflect on these matters. My hope …
Prayers for Midday. Here at the middle of the work day, Lord, renew within us the vision of work as redemptive, as done for the sake of your glory. Give us energy and motivation to complete today’s work with excellence and hopefulness. Help us to continue working heartily, as something done for the Lord and …
Isaac and the Midday Prayer. The Jewish sages based each of the their weekday prayers on the character and actions of the patriarchs. Thus, the recommended daily prayers of Jewish believers were inspired by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham represents the morning prayer, since he often “rose early in the morning to the place where …
Night Prayer. “Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. Amen.” (concluding prayer of the Compline). “Night Prayer” is another name for the Compline, a service of evening prayers said before going to bed. It was probably first officially formed by …
“I Hate Your Feasts!” “I hate, I despise your religious feasts! I cannot stand your assemblies! Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs!” (Amos 5:21-23). On the one hand, Yahweh loved the Feasts and Sacred Assemblies seen in the Hebrew Bible… the fasting …
In Other Words: Praying the Lord’s Prayer. Versions and Paraphrases of the Lord’s Prayer for alternate use. 1. Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as …
Steve’s Morning Prayer. (Please read this slowly, meditatively, thoughtfully. Every phrase is rich and significant.) Open my lips, O Lord, And my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (from Ps. 51). Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, Heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you for …
Homespun Truths. There are as many ways of raising families in the Lord as there are families. Like millions of others, we have a home that strives to be Christ-centered, that seeks to nurture the truth of the Christian faith in our children. But at the same time we celebrate many Jewish traditions in order …
To begin the House Blessing, everyone present gathers in the living room. An official leader, eg., a priest or a pastor, can be invited if desired. It is often recommended that you alternate leadership and reading from room to room. That way, more people can participate and take ownership as you pray through the house. …
CHRIST AND THE PASSOVER “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the Feast.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) Jesus Christ the Passover Lamb a. The sacrifice must be a lamb (Exodus 12:3); Jesus was the Lamb of God (1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29) b. The lamb must be without spot or blemish (Ex. …
THE PASSOVER HAGGADAH “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you…” (Luke 22:15) Candle Lighting and Blessing. The mother of the house lights the candles and recites this Hebrew blessing: Blessed art thou, O Lord God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by thy commandments and hast commanded us to …