I’m competitive. I like to win. Even when playing sports games like “Horse” or family games like “Rumikub” or “Uno”, it never occurs to me to let someone else win because they happen to be younger or less-experienced. And, yes, even my own kids. If they are going to win, they have to earn it.…
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“God has a plan for your life.” Satan also has a plan for your life. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11, TLV) One scheme of the enemy is to use the painful things that happen in your life to…
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In the last article, I expressed how blessing is God’s primary mechanism of imparting to a person His image (thoughts, feelings, and purpose) of identity (Who am I?) and destiny (Why am I here?). One’s vision for life, physical and emotional health, financial prosperity, and family relational dynamics are all directly linked to images of…
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Touring the hallways of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, I came upon a replica of the oldest archaeological discovery containing a verse from the Tanakh (Old Testament compilation of the Torah, Writings and the Prophets). On this replica of a diminutive amulet were engraved the words of the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:23-24, dating back…
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You will not grow by reading this magazine. What? Stay with me. A year or so ago, God put it on my heart to launch a magazine that would represent the unique combination of values and Kingdom principles we aim to reproduce within our Tikkun America family of congregations and ministries. When I shared the…
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FRESH PURSUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Suddenly! Suddenly, the atmosphere of the room changed. A divine energy infiltrated the quiet, causing skin to tingle, hair to stand erect, and the surprising sound of wind to whip through the room. The description of “tongues of fire” alighting upon the heads of the waiting disciples speaks to…
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There are many tedious and mundane activities of life that never end — laundry, dishes, commuting to and from work, cleaning up after the pets. You get the idea. Drudgery. Drudgery is defined in Merriam-Webster as dull, irksome, and fatiguing work: uninspiring labor. It is the grind and travail of life. These activities are necessary…
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You may have heard the expression, “The proof of the pudding is in the tasting.” It is an odd proverb that basically means that you really can’t know the value or quality of something until you experience it for yourself. It doesn’t matter how good the pudding looks on the surface. Until you dig in…
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Much of our experience of Biblical community rests on the quality of our relationships. Many abandon community life not for lack of love for God, but because of the poor nature of or lack of relationships with others. Yet, relationships are supposed to be at the core of what makes fellowship with Messiah fulfilling and…
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A neighbor forwarded me a cartoon with the caption, “Happiness is pulling a weed out by its root.” She followed it with, “Now I know why you are always smiling.” Apparently on many early mornings, she noticed me trekking throughout the yard tugging up weeds, piling them up to be disposed of later. There is…
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