grafted in and on the journey

Hello Grafted in Reader, It is almost March 31 in my corner of blogland, and on Friday at sundown, April 3, 2015, begins the Festival of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. For a simple explanation of this season, and its Spiritual significance to people of faith, I am pasting an article from "Hebrew-streams.com" discussing this time of year. The church has ignored it for nearly 1600 years choosing instead to encapsulate it in the celebration of the Easter Season. They also ignore the time between the Resurrection and Pentecost as counting the omer. A time when people of faith prepare for celebrating the again coming of the Holy Spirit. Please be enriched this season, Kevod Yeheveh. Now the article presentation. Passover Studies In the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament), the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12) was the birth of the people of Israel. Their deliverance from slavery confirmed God's earlier promises to Abraham to make him into a great people or go...

Hello Grafted in Reader, Today is Thursday March 26, 2015, and it has been quite the month for yours truly, and imagine you could say the same where you are.. Highlights include a 2-week home visit by our son after finishing his tour in the US Marines, leaving a writing group at a social media site so as to pursue other similar options, making plans to take an online course in Biblical Hebrew and writing for income - from two separate entities, starting to read "A Widow's Story" by author Joyce Carol Oates, her memoir, and received my first formal story critique from the editor of an E-zine. I welcomed his words and instructive recommendations. Of late, I have been going through the online Devotion, "My Utmost For His Highest" by the late Oswald Chambers. It presents a considerably different perspective on the faith, compared to that espoused by many today. The men and women who occupy the pulpits and seminaries in north America and adhere to a Gospel with ...

Hello and Happy Spring Grafted in Readers, This time of year those of faith turn to recall the events leading to our redemption, where we pass over from death to life, as accomplished for us by our Messiah Yeshua! I recently heard a song titled, "May You Shine" by singer Zemer Levav. A recording can be found on YouTube, not the best quality but a very quality prayer. God wants the best for us and wants his best, "that we may be one" His prayer in the New Covenant, John chapter 17. -Spring time also turns our thoughts toward outdoor days and enjoying more hours of sun-light. All given to us by our Creator, God, King of the universe! As the song requests, "May you shine like the stars in the heavens, and be clothed in all white; may you dwell like those in the Temple and eat of the Tree Of Life." Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be ever new to us! Mellow Roc -Comments always appreciated!

Making Sense of Nonsense by David Russell "You will not be pitching in the regular rotation. In fact, we are putting you on wavers," the club GM informed his star pitcher who for the previous two years had won over 25 games during the regular season. "My arm, I just don't know. I am under 30, and .. my arm," "I understand your consternation, but we are also talking dollars," the club GM responded. A few days later the pitcher was put on contractual disability, and pitched relief on occasion during the rest of that season. "I hear you were using social media during the recent college entrance exam. You will be allowed to graduate, but forget any scholarship opportunities," the school Principal told Rene as she cried openly in his office. Students were being monitored during testing by an outside service, and she was observed on social media during the test. "We count there are forty who are deceased from the bus crash," a sp...

Hello Grafted In Reader, When you were a youngster, did someone be it a parent or a teacher ever say to you, "Wait a minute." The tone of voice was probably a bit stern when spoken. Well, this morning I had a correspondence in my inbox that was from a wrtier acquaintance. He replied to my email of 1 year ago. Life conditions were somewhat different at that time professionally speaking. Then last evening, Don M who is also a writer sent me a social media site invitation to connect. Still baffled on how to accept those ovetures from others. I emailed him and expressed my thanks and hope we might do plan B on future communicating. On Sunday I left a writing group which had been a major part of my writing life for 20+ months. Technical issues were the reason, not ill-will or frustration with someone! "Wait a minute," is sure great advice when our lives feel like they are in turmoil and the celerity seems all too powerful for us to stabilize against! Reminding mysel...

Hello Grafted in Reader, Wow, has it been that long? It just seems we were here posting about compassion, and what some others had to say about it. Life and time rolls on doesn't it? Two evenings ago, I submitted a story to an online contest. The web site is on the premises.com. I won't know if my story places for a couple weeks or so, but will be sure to let you know if it does in a blog post or otherwise. There are other storiues one can read, and worth the entertainment! Our son is home visiting for a few days, and is back to being a civilion. He had served in the US Marines for the past 5 years, and we spent one afternoon laughing over some comedic skits on YouTube from A Prairie Home Companion, and the comedy duo of Nichols and May who leave their legacy of laughs with us. I am going to close with a thought that sounds simple at first, but has a considerable amount of stuff to ponder if one cares to do that. It is a statement made by Rabbi Yeshua when he gave his s...