It's 1:30 AM. I got off of work at 11 PM. It had started snowing several hours earlier and the roads were getting slick and visibility was low. I don't mind driving in the snow so much it's just when it turns to ice and of course the fact that most of my driving at this time of year is in the dark. I have noticed though that the days are staying lighter a little bit longer each day.
When I was little I use to be up early on New Years Day to watch the Rose Parade. I was born and raised in California and it was just the thing to do. Unless of course you were able to be in attendance of the parade...usually staying all night out on the street with thousands of other people. It was fun. The aroma of the flowers on the floats was wonderful. Today I did not do that though. Just did not interest me. So, I slept in really late then went to work.
I do stay up too late. It would be nice if I went straight to bed after getting home from work, but NOOOOO, I'm up to the wee hours of the morning then I sleep the first half of the daylight hours away. Ah well.
This weeks parsha (weekly Torah portion) is:
The peace of God comes in our diligence to not be worrisome but to seek refuge in God. We are to pray and make our requests directly to HIM (not everyone else). In doing this we get the peace of God that goes above and beyond any human understanding. That peace is what guards our hearts and minds and helps us to choose the right way and to not become hardened to God's word.
Sure it can be a battle. That's why the writer of 1 Cor 9:27 said, "I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified".
Let us run the race in a way that will not disqualify us
*Bonus info from Aish.com (a Jewish site)
When I was little I use to be up early on New Years Day to watch the Rose Parade. I was born and raised in California and it was just the thing to do. Unless of course you were able to be in attendance of the parade...usually staying all night out on the street with thousands of other people. It was fun. The aroma of the flowers on the floats was wonderful. Today I did not do that though. Just did not interest me. So, I slept in really late then went to work.
I do stay up too late. It would be nice if I went straight to bed after getting home from work, but NOOOOO, I'm up to the wee hours of the morning then I sleep the first half of the daylight hours away. Ah well.
This weeks parsha (weekly Torah portion) is:
- Exodus 10:1 - 13:16
- Jeremiah 46:13 - 28
- Mark 3:7-19
Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
We know that Yeshua died for our sins and He set us free from the law of sin and death (meaning we are free to do what is right and no longer enslaved to do what is wrong). He has written His laws upon our heart, but we don't just automatically start doing what it right, like we're a puppet on a string...like we have no say in the matter. Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The peace of God comes in our diligence to not be worrisome but to seek refuge in God. We are to pray and make our requests directly to HIM (not everyone else). In doing this we get the peace of God that goes above and beyond any human understanding. That peace is what guards our hearts and minds and helps us to choose the right way and to not become hardened to God's word.
Sure it can be a battle. That's why the writer of 1 Cor 9:27 said, "I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified".
Let us run the race in a way that will not disqualify us
*Bonus info from Aish.com (a Jewish site)
Today in Jewish History
Shevat 1
On this date, as the Jewish people were completing 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses gathered the entire the nation and began his farewell address. Moses' speech would continue for 40 days until his death, as described in the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses reviewed the commandments of the Torah, gave a historical reflection, prophesied about future events, and offered poetic blessings. Also during this time, Moses wrote 13 Torah scrolls -- one for each tribe, plus one to place in the Ark of the Covenant.
Shevat 1
On this date, as the Jewish people were completing 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses gathered the entire the nation and began his farewell address. Moses' speech would continue for 40 days until his death, as described in the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses reviewed the commandments of the Torah, gave a historical reflection, prophesied about future events, and offered poetic blessings. Also during this time, Moses wrote 13 Torah scrolls -- one for each tribe, plus one to place in the Ark of the Covenant.
