“[If you do,] keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceiving talk; turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, go after it!” - Psalm 34:14-15, CJB

We are now in the midst of the 10 Days of Awe, also known as the 10 Days of Repentance. These are the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur where we reflect on ourselves and the last year, and go to others we have wronged, or may have wronged during the past year, and ask forgiveness. We are also to keep from speaking Lashon Hara (ill will) against one another. Unfortunately, it seems people don’t pay attention to the teachings that are given on this. We spend an hour or so in a Rosh Hashana service, repenting of our sins, asking God for forgiveness, and cleaning us. Yet, no sooner is the service over, I see more people being rude and disrespectful toward others than forgiving. They just go on with life thinking that anything they do or say to or about others is fine. One of the blessings given during this time of year is “may your name be inscribed in the book of life”. Unfortunately, I think some hear, “your name is inscribed in the book of life”.

I came across a teaching where a Rabbi Yohanan, who lived in the third century, taught, “Three books are opened in heaven on Rosh Hashanah, one for the completely wicked, one for the completely righteous and one for those in between. The completely righteous are immediately inscribed in the book of life. The completely wicked are immediately inscribed in the book of death. The fate of those in between is suspended until Yom Kippur. If they do well, they are inscribed in the book of life. If not, in the book of death” (Rosh Hashanah 16b).

Where do you fall in this? I can say for myself that I am in between. Although we practice repentance during the 10 Days day of Awe, we should strive to be the best we can be every day, in thought, word, and deed, as we don’t know when Adonai will call us home. Rabbi Eliezer in Shabbat 153a says, “repent one day before your death”.

“Just one thing have I asked of Adonai; only this will I seek: to live in the house of Adonai all the days of my life, to see the beauty of Adonai and visit in his temple.”
- Psalm 27:4 CJB

I pray that we all will continue to seek to live in the House of Adonai.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!
 

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
September 8th, 2021
5th of Tishrei, 5782

“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

“S’rafim stood over him, each with six wings — two for covering his face, two for covering his feet and two for flying. They were crying out to each other, “More holy than the holiest holiness is Adonai - Tzva’ot! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” ~ Isaiah 6:2-3, CJB

For he is holy. He is worthy, deserving, and good. Even the angels acknowledge this. Proclaim it as you wake up; proclaim it as you prepare for your day. Share it with your children, see it in all of nature. Let us all proclaim today and every day that Yeshua is Lord over all the earth. Let us not be afraid to speak this truth, while others want us to believe a lie. Let us no longer be silent when confronted by the enemy. Proclaim his Good News to all who will hear.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz

July 27, 2021 | 18th of Av, 5781

“Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves — look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own.” - Philippians 2:3-4, CJB
 
In our sinful nature, we all have the inclination to be hurt over something someone did or said to us. Question is, how do we as believers behave when this happens? We read our Bibles, we pray, we sing praises to the Lord. We model this to our children, but what else do we model to our children. Children learn from what they see and hear. There are many that when they get hurt by someone, want to hurt back. They may say hurtful things or gossip behind their backs. Unfortunately, our children see this too, and begin to model that same behavior. As it says in Matt. 7:12, “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you…” We learn this at congregation, but somehow fail to bring it home. It is important that we teach our children and grandchildren how to handle conflict. When we hurt, we pray. Ask God how to handle the hard relationships in our lives. Talk things out with people. Let them know you still love them. Our children model from what they see and hear. All lives are at stake.
 
“Oh, Be careful little eyes what you see, oh, be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love; oh, be careful little eyes what you see” Slow Fade - Casting Crowns
 
Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!
 
Morning Inspirational 
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
 
July 20, 2021 | 11th of Av, 5781

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; don’t be distressed, for I am your God. I give you strength, I give you help, I support you with my victorious right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10, CJB

How many times have any of us found ourselves in situations that we knew only God could get us out of. Problem is sometimes we get so stressed; we pray from a place of want instead of a place of need. We get so desperate in praying that we don’t hear or see his answer. This can make us think he’s not answering at all. It’s the choices we make during these times that can hinder God’s will in our lives. These bad choices can send us down a different path.

This reminds me of the parable of the flood. A flood comes to town, a man is given every chance to be rescued. He’s declines every chance and says he’s waiting for God to save him. He says this, because he’s so wrapped up in a vision of God physically pulling him to safety, that he doesn’t see that God is sending people to save him.

There comes a time where we need to step out of God’s way and let him do what he’s gonna do. God may not always give us what we want, but he always gives us what we need, and we need to be okay with that. Let’s focus on God and not ourselves. 

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Monday Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz

Third of Av, 5781 | July12, 2021

“What the Messiah has freed us for is freedom! Therefore, stand firm, and don’t let yourselves be tied up again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1, CJB

Yesterday was Independence Day, a day when, as a people and as a country, we celebrated our freedom from tyranny. Just as Yeshua died on the cross so all God’s people would be free, our forefathers wrote the Declaration of Independence so that as a nation, we would be free.  
 
This country was built on biblical principles declaring,
 
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness … “.

One of those liberties is to worship as we please.  Unfortunately, there are those who continue to seek to take that right away, but we know that what God has given us, no man can take away.  He dwells among us and within us; His Word is in our hearts and our minds.  He will not leave us or forsake us.  Yeshua is our Lord, there is no other.  

As long as we are God’s people, let us influence the oppressors and not be influenced by them. 

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Monday Morning Inspirational 
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz 

25th of Tamuz, 5781 | April 5, 2021

“There is a way that looks right to person, but its end is the way of death.” Prov. 14:12, CJB

We are very good at going to God with our prayers and supplications, but we are not always good at listening, or waiting on him for an answer. In times of uncertainty, we can grow impatient and make choices that are not in line with God’s will in our lives. Although we are certainly capable of making the right and even good choices, we are also capable of making poor and even disastrous choices that can lead to death, destruction, and even eternal separation from God. To be separated from God is the point of no return, and none of us want that. So, when we go to him in prayer and supplication, may we have the patience to wait on him, and know that his way is the right way. 

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Monday Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
6/28/21| 18th of Tamuz, 5781