🌿 Have you ever felt that deep, gnawing hunger—the kind that makes everything else fade into the background? Or thirst so intense that it overrides every other need? That’s the image Yeshua evokes in Matthew 5:6: > “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” But what does it… Continue reading Hungry for the Right Things: A Biblical Reflection on Matthew 5:6
The Meek in First-Century Galilee Matthew 5:5
Let’s step into the sandals of Yeshua’s audience—Galilean peasants, laborers, and Torah-faithful seekers—listening to his words on a hillside. When he said, > “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” he wasn’t offering abstract comfort. He was speaking directly into their lived reality. 🌾 The Meek in First-Century Galilee — Not Gentle,… Continue reading The Meek in First-Century Galilee Matthew 5:5
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn:
Matthew 5:4 as Sacred Protest and Comfort “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 According to Merriam-Webster, beatitude is a state of utter bliss. But at a glance this bliss is hidden beneath deep pain and bone crushing weights. On the Mount Yeshua continued his message of hope in… Continue reading Blessed Are Those Who Mourn:
“Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit”: A Biblical Reflection
In Matthew 5:3, Yeshua opens his Sermon on the Mount with a paradox: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” From a perspective—grounded in the Hebrew Bible—this verse invites a return to the raw, unmediated voice of Scripture. It’s not about spiritual poverty as weakness, but about humility as… Continue reading “Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit”: A Biblical Reflection
The Beatitudes: Through a Jewish Lens
Many people view Yeshua’s teaching on the Mount as the opening monologue to the Christian manifesto or the Foundation of Christian ethics. They consider the teaching to be so profound that they are revolutionary. But what if you were in Israel, hearing the words coming from the Rabbi’s mouth? What if you had grown up… Continue reading The Beatitudes: Through a Jewish Lens
Protecting the Gift
The breath gifted to us by God now carries the stench of our own corruption. The waters—once pure for drinking, bathing, and nourishing the soil—run with toxins. Even the food meant to sustain life is laced with poison. We have defiled not only the earth beneath us, but the heavens above: debris orbits our planet… Continue reading Protecting the Gift
Happy Hanukkah!
Antiochus IV Epiphanes ruled the Seleucid Empire (including parts of modern-day Syria, Turkey, and Iran) from 175 BCE until his death in 164 BCE. Antiochus IV was a son of King Antiochus III the Great. Antiochus IV banned the observance of the Shabbat (Sabbath), made circumcision a crime, outlawed Biblical dietary laws, festivals, Jewish traditions,… Continue reading Happy Hanukkah!
You Talking To Me
It is taught in many circles that the God of the Old Testament was angry, you sin you died, period, end of discussion. These people teach that mercy and truth didn’t exist until Jesus came. However, that concept of God not having mercy and truth is not a Biblical teaching in anyway. The Bible is… Continue reading You Talking To Me
Remembering My Shame
Question: What do Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, and the Bible all have in common? Answer: Credibility! If you want someone to go along with what you are saying or to find your thoughts creditable, all you need to do is say, “To quote” insert Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Henry… Continue reading Remembering My Shame
Intentional Living
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. For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of trouble, he will hide me in… Continue reading Intentional Living
Blow the Shofar
As the sun was setting in Israel tonight the New Moon became visible, making tonight the First Day of The Second Month. Unfortunately, the significance of this time is lost on so many people. But since God does not change, this time will always have great importance to Him. Is it a High Holy or… Continue reading Blow the Shofar
Wash Me
How many times have you gone to a restaurant and complained because the tables were too clean? Or how many times have you gone to the county fair with hopes of experiencing the port-a-john? Those are probably two things you have never done! I travel a lot for work and I often stop at rest… Continue reading Wash Me
The Second Day
Wow! Hanukkah and Shabbat! Does it get better than this? Today is the second day of the Feast of Dedication and it is also the weekly Shabbat. Hanukkah is a time of personal and national dedication. It is a time when we recall champions, who against all odds, made the decision to resist the wicked… Continue reading The Second Day
Good Deeds
I don’t believe God uses an adding machine to measure our good deeds in attempt to determine our righteousness. I know people who believe a few well-placed good actions will outweigh any amount of misdeeds. Those people think they earn God’s love. What can I give the God of Heaven and Earth, who has given… Continue reading Good Deeds
Torah of the Most High
The Bible is a great book to read. It is the most translated book in the world. Isn’t that nice? However, until the reader takes ownership of the words, it’s another book. What if we made the words apart of our lifestyles? What if those life-giving words, jump off the pages, and entered our very… Continue reading Torah of the Most High
Torah Road 