“If we claim not to have sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.” - 1 John 1:8-9, CJB

We have had a rough 2 years. Just when it’s safe to go back outside and enjoy ourselves, and each other, we get swept up in the whirlwind of COVID-19 and masks; not to mention all the other stuff going on in the world. People are walking around in fear, hurting one another, some losing loved ones. Our emotions are out of control. It’s hard when our minds are thinking one thing, but our hearts are feeling something else.

If you are someone who follows Judaism, you know we are in the midst of the 10 weeks of consolation. This is the time from the 9th of Av to Rosh Hashanah, where we examine our hearts and minds, and reconcile them. We do this by comforting one another through hurt and loss. We become compassionate to the feelings of others. We say a prayer every morning, thanking God for a brand-new day, and knowing our importance. This week is week 6, where “God shines his face on us and makes all things new.” We wander in the desert and walk in fear, but now he is bringing us out of that darkness; we are reborn. And now that although there is danger all around, we know that no weapon formed against us will prosper, and that Yeshua is always with us. Our hearts and minds are no longer in a battle.

In these next few weeks, we can rejoice in our renewal. God has purified our hearts, thoughts, our minds, and our lips. In this we can go to others and reconcile our differences with them. Let us make right anything that may be wrong. 

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
​
August 24th, 2021 | 16th of Ellul, 5781

“He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy.” - Proverbs 28:13, CJB

It’s a human condition to place the blame on others when things go sideways in our lives. We don’t want to admit our own mistakes, or told we’re wrong, so we put the focus on someone else. This condition we have come about when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit; that’s when their sin began. When God asked Adam about it, Adam placed blame on Eve, then she placed blame on the serpent. All three had to pay for what they had done.

We see this blaming of others throughout the Bible, and the accuser never succeeds. When we hide our faults and blame others, not only do we hurt others in the process, but we break trust which breaks relationships. Where’s the success in that? When we control our thoughts and rule over our impulses, we then succeed and mercy is given.

So whatever you may be doing today, wherever you may be, if you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing and get caught, confess it and don’t blame others. God’s mercy will prevail. 

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
August 17th, 2021| 9th of Ellul, 5781

“For you fashioned my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders.” - Psalm 139:13-14, CJB

So you’re looking in the mirror and you’re noticing the flaws. You’re trying to figure out how you can change this or that, how to make yourself more beautiful, or how to change your identity altogether. Society or maybe situations in your life has caused you to have a poor self-image of yourself. You no longer have to see yourself through the eyes of others, you can change how you view yourself when you begin to see yourself through God’s eyes. He has fashioned you in your inmost being. He has made you wonderfully in his image. If he is beautiful, then so are you. 

Take a closer look and you will see that God is in the details. He is in every wrinkle, every scar, in every part of your being. Take a closer look. Who you are is who He says you are. Who you are is who He made you to be, and you are awesomely and wonderfully made? Take a closer look; we may see flaws, but his beauty is flawless.

“Everything about you is beautiful, my love; you are without a flaw.” - Song of Songs 4:7, CJB

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
August 3, 2021 | 25th of Av, 5781