Journeys - There's No Place Like Home

My study partner from Partners in Torah introduced me to a Jewish musician named Abie Rotenberg. I especially enjoy listening to his "Journeys" albums. There is a song called "There's No Place Like Home" on the Journeys Volume 1 CD. This past year, I listened to that song over and over. The song is obviously about a Jewish person's spiritual search. It could be my journey, but I'm sure it IS the journey of many other Jews.

The second section of this song is the one that really gets to me. The "others" are obviously loving and well-meaning Christians, but yet "something" is pulling me away from them.

 

There is "something" that seems to draw many of us "back."

• Listen to "There's No Place Like Home" - Lyrics and Music by Abie Rotenberg

There's No Place Like Home - Lyrics and Music by Abie Rotenberg

You had searched so long, for the answers and the truth, And they said you'll find it here, with promises of truth. But the long white robes, and the chanting in the streets, It left you cold, your soul still had to seek.  

What you're looking for, is right there at your door, Believe me when I tell you friend, you couldn't ask for more. What your heart has known, is that there is no place like home, So come on back, oh you'll never be alone. 

And when the others came so gently, as peaceful as a dove, They stirred inside something inside of you, they only spoke of love. But what your mind cried out "What of history, the hatred to my race", And you knew then, you still had not found your place. 

 What you're looking for, is right there at your door, Believe me when I tell you friend, you couldn't ask for more. What your heart has known, is that there is no place like home, So come on back, oh you'll never be alone. 

Despairing and confused, you traveled far and wide, But you passed through one small country, where you started feeling pride. So you found a place to study, what you thought was ancient law, And you wished you learned about it all before. Now you can stand up straight and tall, because you're where you want to be No one had it, strong as steel, your faith has set you free. And as you gaze up at that simple wall, your hand upon a stone, You can say the journey's over, I am home. 

 What you're looking for, is right there at your door, Believe me when I tell you friend, you couldn't ask for more. What your heart has known, is that there is no place like home, So come on back, oh you'll never be alone. What you're looking for, is right there at your door, Believe me when I tell you friend, you couldn't ask for more. What your heart has known, is that there is no place like home, So come on back, oh you'll never be alone.

A Certain Friend Makes Me "Do It"

Have you even had a friend that motivates you to do things that make sense at the time, but are not always logical?

I have a friend like that. Whenever I am around her or am in contact with her, I do the strangest things!

She doesn't do anything to motivate me; it's like she just puts ideas into my head and off I go...

During "my spiritual search," I contacted her. After I decided that Jesus was the Messiah, it was suggested that perhaps I not contact her for my own spiritual welfare.

Anyway...since I seem to "want to go back to Egypt," I contacted her this week. No harm was done. I didn't do anything crazy or wrong. We just talked about Passover and what was going on in our lives, but still...I did connect with her...

I Think I Want to Go Back to Egypt

I am in the midst of reading the story of Keith Green. There's a song he wrote called "So You Want to Go Back to Egypt." As I read the lyrics last night, I realized that I seem to be in "that place."

(I think I may be what I recall Jews for Jesus called a "high maintenance contact.")



So You Want to Go Back to Egypt

So you want to go back to Egypt
Where it is warm & secure
Are sorry you bought the one way ticket
When you thought you were sure
You wanted to live in the land of promise
But now it is getting so hard
Are you sorry you are out here in the desert
Instead of your own back yard

Eating leaks & onions by the Nile
Ooh what breath for dining out in style
Ooh, my life is on the skids
Building the pyramids

Well there isn´thing do but travel
And we sure travel a lot
'Cause it is hard to keep your feet from moving
When the sand gets so hot
And in the morning it is manna hotcakes
We snack on manna all day
And we sure had a winner last night for dinner
Flaming manna souffle

Well we once complained for smth new to munch
The ground opened up & had some of us for lunch
Ooh, such fire & smoke
Can´t God even take a joke? Huh? NO!

So you want to to back to Egypt
Where your friends wait for you
You can throw a big party & tell the whole gang
Of what they said was all true
And this Moses acts like a big shot
Who does he think he is?
Well it is true that God works lots of miracles
But Moses thinks they are all his

Oh we are having so much trouble even now
Why´d he get so mad about that c-c-c-cow (that golded calf)
Moses seems rather idle
He just sits aound, he just sits around & writes the Bible!

Oh, Moses, put down your pen!
What? Oh no, manna again?

Oh, manna waffles....
Manna burgers
Manna bagels
Fillet of manna
Manna patty
BaManna bread!

Way Back Then - Was It Only One Month Ago?

Just a little over a month ago, according to those who believe, I was doing "all the right things." I had taken a very scary "plunge." I had prayed a "sinner's prayer" with a Jews for Jesus missionary, I attended some church services, and I was reading the Bible.

I also went to a Jews for Jesus
Christ in the Passover Presentation and went to a presentation by Jews for Jesus's traveling music group, Blue Mosaic, when they were in Colorado.

I also tried to listen to Christian music and had told my husband that I believed. I even got Dan to take me to a service at a Calvary Chapel. I prayed every day, I listened to and attended some online bible studies, and tried my best to seek God.

I felt renewed and told people I'd hurt that I was sorry. My anger about certain things disappeared. Something was different and I felt a new joy inside my being.

That was a month ago. That "month ago" seems like an eternity away now.

I have tried, but I just can't seem to fit in (or do I want to fit in) with the world of believers.

I am Jewish. My kids are Jewish. Over fifteen years ago, Dan and I decided to raise our children in the Jewish faith. We are secular Jews, but we are Jewish. My children and husband are not "open" to the Gospel at all. (It's just very hard in my house to believe in something that the rest of the family considers "dumb.")

We just celebrated Passover, but did buy some jelly beans that we ate on Easter Sunday. I did "attend church" on Easter Sunday (online with my best friend and lifelong friend, Marion), but still, I feel so far from God right now.

I am just not sure that I can "do this."

How can this be? Moishe Rosen told me in 2003 that my faith (in the past) was never real and was based on feelings. Did I make everything up this time around too? I don't want to pretend I believe or behave or talk or act a certain "expected way." I made that mistake over 30 years ago and don't want to do that again.

For those who read my blog, I do ask for your prayers. I very much believe that prayer works and I very much believe in God.

• A Short Summary of My Spiritual Search - By Jo Ann Schneider Farris - Written on 3-30--2011
  

My Thoughts After Seeing "Soul Surfer" - A Movie About Tragedy and Triumph

I took my kids to see Soul Surfer today. It's a movie about a young surfer, Bethany Hamilton, whose entire left arm was literally bitten off by a shark on October 31, 2003 when she was thirteen years old.

When the accident was shown in the movie, I began crying so hard! I remembered when my husband was in a tragic accident on September 16, 2005 and also when our dear friend, fourteen year old Haley Gans, was killed in a skiing accident on November 20, 2009.

I wept for Haley's family and I remembered, too, what it was like to be in the midst of what almost seemed surreal as Dan laid in the hospital and was near death.

The memory of me crying out to God asking for help, asking for a miracle, came back to my being.

Tragedy can happen in an instant.

Somehow, supernatural strength comes to those who experience tragedy and life moves on. I realized today, as memories of my own experience with near tragedy flooded back, that when people told me I was "so brave and strong," I only was brave and strong because God gave guidance and strength during that surreal time.

In the movie, it is made clear that Bethany Hamilton's faith and her family's faith were what got them through such a difficult time. I wonder now how I could have ever moved forward without God as Dan lay near death. I am thankful that I now know He is in control of all things.

"God’s touched executives and called upon nerds..."

I've been thinking lately about why God has put me through so many paths and adventures.

I did definitely feel at one time that God called me, like Moses, to do a certain task. I've talked about that task in this blog - the task was telling a well-known religious organization that they'd done some wrong things that needed to be dealt with. When that task and cause ended, I felt completely lost.

That's when my spiritual search began. The task before me at that point was to seek God as Jew.

Now, just in the past few months, I've decided that Jesus is the Messiah, but...I've thought about this all week long...I don't want to label myself as a "Christian." I believe, but I'm a Jew who believes...I am NOT a Christian.

I will continue to seek God as a Jew, but I will also follow the Jewish messiah.

God has touched me....yes...and He has touched many other people. He calls executives to him and He touches nerds...and He has touched me too. I don't know... yet... what God wants of me to do now, but whatever it is, I'm trying...

Sally Klein O'Connor's song (below) sums up some of my thoughts for today. Her husband, Michael, came up with the line, "God's touched executives and called upon nerds."

Improbable People For Impossible Tasks

Published by Dusty Records, BMI
Words: Michael O'Connor
Music: Sally Klein O’Connor

©Copyright 1990 Improbable People Ministries

• Listen to Improbable People For Impossible Tasks Music Clip

It was a hot-and-bush-was-burning day
When God said "Moses, look my way
You got to travel home and tell Pharaoh
Let my people go–Oh no!
Let my people go"

Well Moses looked at the Lord and his burning brows
And he should've known the big guy meant business now
Instead he said "My tongue is dull and slow
And man I'm really old–Oh no!
God I'm truly old

Moses don't you know that you're a cosmic bore
What you listing all your limitations for
I made your mouth, I made your tongue
And I know you're far from young

I want improbable people for impossible tasks
Don't assume I haven't gathered all the facts
Just trust that I'll help you through all that I ask
Improbable people for impossible tasks

She was a couple of years shy of the century mark
And Sarah'd never ever even seen a stork
When God said to her "Because I'm King
Israel will spring–I'm King!
Israel will spring"

Now Sarah looked at the Lord as though he were daft
"Me changing diapers--that’s crazy, " she laughed
"My body's barren, my wrinkles won't quit
And Abe would have a fit–that's it!
Abe would have a fit!"

Sarah don't you know the power of your Lord
What you listing all your limitations for
I know your begetting days are through
And that's why I picked you

I want impropbable people for impossible tasks
Don’t assume I haven’t gathered all the facts
Just trust that I’ll help you through all that I ask
Improbable people for impossible tasks

There’s no one so humble who can’t hear His words
God’s touched executives and called upon nerds
He uses the blind and comes out of the blue
So don’t be surprised if someday he calls on you

He wants improbable people for impossible tasks
Don’t assume he hasn’t gathered all the facts
Just trust that he’ll help you through all that he asks
Improbable people for impossible tasks

Another Keith Green Song

I'm reading about Keith Green's life right now. This is another one of his powerful songs.

For those who don't know who Keith Green is, he died tragically in a plane crash in 1982, but his music lives on.

Make Those Waters Part

I have been listening all week long to a song called "Make Those Waters Part." The song is about freedom. I think it is a wonderful Passover song!

• Listen to "Make Those Waters Part"

Lyrics to “Make Those Waters Part” by Doug Mishkin

Let us retell the story of our struggle for the promised land
Let us remember how freedom is won so our children will understand

Once we were slaves in Egypt, our people and our land were apart
But when Moses stood before that troubled sea, he could
Make those waters part

Once we were slaves in America, we were given white men’s names
They scattered our families, they shattered our lives, while they kept us bound in chains

Then we marched strong in Selma, we looked the racists right in the heart
And when Martin stood before that troubled sea, he could
Make those waters part

Somewhere tonight lives a free man
Somewhere else freedom’s just a song of the heart
We must find the river flowing between them
And we must make those waters part

Now we are slaves in our own time
The many at the hands of the few
And we who’ve crossed the sea of slavery before
Must remember what we must do

In the name of the falsely imprisoned
In the name of all the homeless at heart
In the name of all the history that binds us
We must make those waters part

Somewhere tonight lives a free man
Somewhere else freedom’s just a song of the heart
We must find the river flowing between them
And we must make those waters part

Troubled seas rising around us
Sometimes the promised land seems hidden from view
So we retell these stories, that’s how we start
To make those waters part

Relgious Lingo - I just can't do it!

I logged into a church's online chat tonight and found that I just couldn't participate. I was even asked if I was still taking part because I was "so quiet," and I had to tell the leaders that I just couldn't talk the way they were talking...yet. I realized later that I NEVER will be able to talk like that...

The video below points out that there is a way of talking associated with believers. I am not putting using it down...I just can't do it!

Passover 2011 -- A time of new beginning

Last night, my family sat down together for a Passover Seder. We had a wonderful seder as a family. Tonight, we will go to a community seder at the temple.

I believe this Passover 2011 is a time of new beginning for me. My faith in God now gives me a hope and peace that I can't quite explain. As I think about the miracle God did of freeing the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, I wonder what God may bring into my life and into the life of my family in the coming year.

Book Reviews: "The Year of Living Biblically" and "My Jesus Year"

There are two books that I decided were "must reads" during my spiritual quest. One was The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs and the other was My Jesus Year by Benyamin Cohen.

A.J. Jacobs is the editor at large for Esquire magazine. He is also a secular Jew. Benyamin Cohen is the son of an orthodox rabbi. He is the editor of American Jewish Life and the online magazine Jewsweek.

Both writers took on different, but similar year-long projects.

Jacobs decided to live one year attempting to keep every commandment in the bible. He decided to explore the Hebrew scriptures and also the Christian bible. Cohen, with the blessing of a rabbi, visited churches and "Christian places" of all kinds for a year.

I heard about Cohen's book shortly after Moishe Rosen died, and I was intrigued. I admit I was a bit bored when I read My Jesus Year since, like Cohen, I have visited many churches. His descriptions were not all that new to me; however, I related to Cohen's curiosity. As a child, I had always wondered what went on inside of churches and had to go inside to find out. Cohen's description of "doing Christmas all the way" during his "Jesus Year," especially amused me and brought a smile to my face. (I always wanted a cute and colorful Easter dress or a huge Christmas tree.)

At the end of My Jesus Year, the writer uses the parable of The Prodigal Son to describe his conclusions after his year of "checking out Jesus." He realizes and decides that Judaism is "home," and that he is like the Prodigal Son returning to his father. (In fact, his relationship with his own father improved after his "Jesus Year.")

Now, on to A.J. Jacobs's quest:

I believe his search was not all that different than mine. (Although his quest was much more extreme!)

Unlike Cohen, Jacobs is a secular Jew. He describes his relation to Judaism the way an Italian would relate to The Olive Garden Restaurant! I always considered myself more religious than that, but when I first began searching for God, I knew little about Judaism (even though I am Jewish).

Jacobs dipped a bit into all forms of Judaism in the first part of his book. He lives in New York City, so it was easy for him to find Orthodox Jews who were more than happy to teach him how to be Jewish. Like me, he attended Chabad events.

He grew a long beard. He even got to take part in the ritual where Orthodox Jews take a live chicken and put it over their heads and then kill it on Yom Kippur to substitute for the ritual of doing sacrifices for atonement in the now destroyed Temple!

He also decided to eat kosher and keep the Sabbath. He took part in Jewish prayer rituals every day. He went to Israel too.

But...in addition to trying hard to live as a Jew, Jacobs also learned everything he could about Christianity and Jesus. He visited churches all over the United States, went to bible studies of all kinds, interviewed pastors, and even took a trip to visit the Amish.

A.J. Jacobs and Beyaimin Cohen both heard the Gospel, but their Jewishness told them, that they could not go that route.

My story is a bit different. It's taken awhile and I've searched and searched. I now truly believe that Jesus is the Jewish messiah. The only thing is, I don't seem to be ready to "dive" into church and the gentile way of life. I have visited "those places" before and don't seem to want to really "go back."

Ashira L'Adonai - I will sing unto Adonai for He has triumphed gloriously

Ashira l'adonai ki gaoh ga-ah
Ashira l'adonai ki gaoh ga-ah
Mi chamocha baelim adonai
Mi kamocha nedar bakodesh

Nachita v'chas-d'cha am zu ga-alta
Nachita v'chas-d'cha am zu ga-alta
Ashira ashira ashira

Ashira l'adonai ki gaoh ga-ah
Ashira l'adonai ki gaoh ga-ah
Mi chamocha baelim adonai
Mi kamocha nedar bakodesh

Nachita v'chas-d'cha am zu ga-alta
Nachita v'chas-d'cha am zu ga-alta
Ashira ashira ashira

Partial translation:
I will sing unto Adonai for He has triumphed gloriously.
I will sing unto Adonai for He has triumphed gloriously.
Who is like You, O Adondai, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness?
In Your mercy, you lead the people You redeemed.
In Your mercy, you lead the people You redeemed.
I will sing, I will sing, I will sing...

There Can Be Miracles When You Believe

When my husband, Dan, was near death (5 1/2 years ago), I played this song over and over in the car and in his hospital room.



There Can Be Miracles When You Believe

Many nights we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail,
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seemes like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
With a heart so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles when you believe
Though hope is frail,
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe...

You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
Now you will
You will when you believe

Don't Hurt Each Other and Clean Up Your Mess

I mentioned a few days ago, that I had my share of "tsuris" (aggravation) last week. I'm afraid I didn't handle a certain situation, related to skating, very well. My intentions were misunderstood. A certain person was really annoyed with me and put me in a position where I had to defend my actions. Even when I tried to apologize, things didn't get better, they got worse, and it seemed that I just kept making mistakes.

In addition, my aggravation with the situation caused me to talk about the situation with others.

I found myself going back to "my old ways."

I took part in gossip. That really bothered me since last week I learned that according to the Torah, gossip is equal to murder, and I had decided to work hard at not listening to gossip or participating in gossip.

To make a long story short, the uncomfortable situation has been resolved, but I'm not sure the person I dealt with truly forgave me, but decided to accept my apology and move on.

I admit I didn't really ask God for guidance in this situation. I tried to handle it on my own. One thing for sure, handling it on my own made a mess.

This got me thinking about one of my favorite folks songs called "Kindergarten Wall."

My favorite words of that song are:

"Don't hurt each other and clean up you mess!"

I want to follow that recommendation!

Kindergarten Wall - Words and Music by John McCutcheon

• Listen to Kindergarten Wall

When I was a little kid not so long ago
I had to learn a lot of stuff I didn't even know
How to dress myself, tie my shoes, how to jump a rope
How to smile for a picture without looking like a dope
But of all the things I learned my favorite of them all
Was a little poem hanging on the kindergarten wall

CHORUS:

Of all you learn here remember this the best:
Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess
Take a nap everyday, wash before you eat
Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street
And remember the seed in the little paper cup:
First the root goes down and then the plant grows up!

Well, it was first, second, third grade, fourth grade, too
Where I had to learn the big things the big kids do
To add, subtract, and multiply, read and write and play
How to sit in a little uncomfortable desk for nearly half a day
But of all they taught me my favorite of them all
Was the little poem hanging on the kindergarten wall

CHORUS:

Of all you learn here remember this the best:
Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess
Take a nap everyday, wash before you eat
Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street
And remember the seed in the little paper cup:
First the root goes down and then the plant grows up!

But lately I've been worried as I look around and see
An awful lot of grown-ups acting foolish as can be
Now I know there's lots of things to know I haven't mastered yet
But it seems there's real important stuff that grown-ups soon forget
So I'm sure we'd all be better off if we would just recall
That little poem hanging on the kindergarten wall

CHORUS:

Of all you learn here remember this the best:
Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess
Take a nap everyday, wash before you eat
Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street
And remember the seed in the little paper cup:
First the root goes down and then the plant grows up!

You Know Better Than I

This song has "spoken" to me for years...it seems to be a good one for me today. Joseph is in prison as he sings this song. He realizes that calling out to God is the only way for him.



You Know Better Than I - Lyrics

I thought I did whats right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here

So I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

You know better than I
You know the way
Ive let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I dont know
Is part of getting through

I try to do whats best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in you

For You know better than I
You know the way
Ive let go the need to know why
For you know better than I

I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was you who taught that bird to fly
If I let you reach me will you teach me

For You know better than I
You know the way
Ive let go the need to know why
Ill take what answers you supply
You know better than I

Tsuris

Tsuris is a Yiddish word that means trouble or aggravation. This week, I've had my share of tsuris.

I must admit that tsuris makes me think that maybe it's going to be harder than I thought to follow God....I am just not used to feeling that He is in control...

Women Dance and Praise God!

Last night, 4-7-11, there was a women's Israeli dancing event in Colorado Springs hosted by Chabad. With Passover coming, it was a good time. Remember when the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea, the women danced and praised God!

I listened to "Miriam's Song" by Debbie Friedman for years during my spiritual search. The words based on Exodus 15:20-21.

Miriam's Song - Music and Lyrics by Deborah Lynn Friedman

• Listen to Miriam's Song

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

And Miriam was a weaver of unique variety.
The tapestry she wove was one which sang our history.
With every thread and every strand
she crafted her delight.
A woman touched with spirit, she dances
toward the light.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

As Miriam stood upon the shores and gazed across the sea,
The wonder of this miracle she soon came to believe.
Whoever thought the sea would part with an outstretched hand,
And we would pass to freedom, and march to the promised land.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

And Miriam the Prophet took her timbrel in her hand,
And all the women followed her just as she had planned.
And Miriam raised her voice with song.
She sang with praise and might,
We've just lived through a miracle, we're going to dance tonight.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

April 7, 2011 - Dan and Jo Ann Celebrate 32 Years of Marriage!

Today, April 7, 2011, Dan and I celebrate 32 years of marriage.

I've written up a short summary of our years together on my other blog Tragedy and Triumph, but here, on the the blog I devote to my spiritual search, I want to share a bit more about our years together.

Jews for Jesus indirectly helped me find Dan. You see, some people from Jews for Jesus introduced me to the Vineyard which was related to Calvary Chapel. Through the Vineyard, I found Calvary Chapel of Long Beach where I met Dan.

"My Dan" was a true child of the Jesus Movement you could say. He loved God with his whole heart, soul, and mind. He sang hymns to me every night and in the morning he was singing and praising God.

It seemed like together we wanted to share God's love. I remember one of the friends we had at the Atherton House said everything we did together was like "gold."

Dan and I have not talked in years about our time serving with Jews for Jesus or about our Calvary Chapel days, but the memory is there.

Just two weeks ago, I told Dan about my decision to believe that Jesus is Messiah. He did not understand, but on my request, took me to visit Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel. Memories of what our marriage once was about (God) have resurfaced.

Please pray for us.

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I'm only for myself, what am I?"

This is one of my favorite Debbie Friedman songs!

Im Ein Ani Li - Song and Lyrics by Debbie Friedman based on Pirkei Avot 1:14



Im ein a-ni li mi li?
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
Uch-she-a-ni l’atz-mi mah a-ni?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
V’im lo ach-shav ei-ma-tai?
And (if not now), when?


Hillel was a Rabbi and he taught us what to do.
The first part of his lesson said you must be true to you.
You have to love yourself if you expect that others should.
Having self-respect is something special, something good.



Myself is very special, it’s the place I have to start.
But Hillel said we must make room for others in our heart.
Yes, love yourself but care and share – don’t lock the others out.
Caring for yourself and others is what life is all about.



Life is short, the time flies by and just before you know.
Today becomes last week and then a long, long time ago.
Hillel said do what you must – act now, today, don’t wait.
Decide what is important – do it now, it’s not too late.

I guess we all need to not take part in gossip...

Last night I learned something from a book called The Little Midrash Says Vayikra/Leviticus. The section Metzora talked about gossip. Listening to gossip or gossiping is equal to murder. Punishment is death.

I always have known that participating in gossip or saying something about a person or group or persons was wrong, but seeing it explained so clearly in a child's oral commentary of the Torah really "hit home" for me last night.

I admit that I have participated in gossip. I will try hard to not participate in it ever again, but I know now that there is a forgiving God out there who will forgive me if I blow it.

My Kids' "Fiddler on the Roof" Free Dance

Today my two older children, Rebekah and Joel Schneider-Farris, passed a very difficult figure skating test called the novice free dance test. I'm a very proud mom and although this blog is about my spiritual search, I think the videos of them I'm about to show are appropriate since they skate to Fiddler on the Roof!

A Church's Praise and Worship Team Sings At Temple Beit Torah 4-1-11

This is not an April Fool's joke. Rabbi Levy of Temple Beit Torah invited a church's Praise and Worship team to sing at the Friday night Shabbat service at Temple Beit Torah on April 1, 2011.

They sang four songs:

• Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
• This Is the Day That the Lord Has Made
• You Are Lord of Creation and the Creator of Me
• Create In Me a Clean Heart, Oh God

I knew three of the four songs already! I remember singing them when Dan and I went to Calvary Chapel of Long Beach so long ago!

I made videos of all the songs. Enjoy!