Shabbat Inspiration with Diane

  Free will? Really? Do we have it and what does it really mean?   Through our recent Daily Dvar readings and as exquisitely expanded upon by last Shabbat’s sermon, we have been hearing of Pharaoh’s choices when it came to letting our people leave Egypt. And we’ve seen the consequences of the delay of his decision to finally do so. Pharaoh had the choice to free the slaves and avoid the dire results, and yet he chose not to over and over again.   At our virtual oneg we discussed the possible reasons Pharaoh exercised his free will in this way. A possibility we explored was that he didn’t have the mental or emotional capacity to do otherwise. So Pharaoh had free will but... Read More →

  Recently we mused on the subject of integrity. The question we were struggling with was whether it’s okay to ever lie, even if motivated by good intent – not wanting to hurt the feelings of another, not to make another feel like he or she is imposing, not wanting another to worry about one’s health. Despite the motivation, the underlying issue we were discussing was integrity, the ability to be honest with oneself and others when under pressure to compromise, even if the pressure derives from a good place in ourselves, and the challenge of being honest about something if we think no one but ourself will know.   Even more challenging are the situations where remaining true to... Read More →

  I woke up this morning with memories of Janet Nichol’s shiva on my mind. It was such an amazing experience. Gathered via Zoom were 30-plus members of our greater Messianic Jewish community from all over the country. So many caring faces.   Other than Rabbi Rich’s family I’m pretty sure none of the rest of us knew his sister. We were there to support Rabbi Rich and his family. Yet what I experienced was so much more.   As Rabbi Rich, and then his brother Jerry, shared the story of Janet, we began to feel as if we really knew her. We saw pictures of her, learned of her childhood, her successes and challenges, the interactions in the family, her sacrificing mother, her... Read More →

  Last week I was in several conversations on the topic of integrity. It came up in the context of relationships and how we converse with each other. Especially with close family and friends, sometimes we are challenged in our ability to say how we really feel about something. “You look good in that dress.” “It’s really no trouble.” “I feel fine.” We sometimes are in positions where stretching the truth may motivate us to tell “ a little white lie”.   The question we were struggling with was whether it’s okay to ever lie, even if motivated by good intent – not wanting to hurt the feelings of another, not to make another feel like he or she is imposing, not wanting another to... Read More →

But the Pentatonix are not about solos. Their true beauty is that even though each of them has a soloist’s caliber voice, when they sing together, the perfect harmonies are as a single full chord. No one person is heard above the others. Each singer’s gift amplifies the beautiful voice of the other to create as perfect a whole as mere humans can accomplish. Each retains his or her identity – soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, alto, bass, percussion – to produce a new sound of powerful beauty that can move the listener to tears by its force.   When we believe in Yeshua, our tendency toward self-aggrandizement is replaced by knowledge of the grace our Abba showers... Read More →

  There is magic to the Hanukkah candle lights. The first night, the single flame standing so alone, the soft flicker, helped to bring forth its beauty by the shamash, the helper candle, suggestive to me of Yeshua. Just as with each candle, He is our helper in the deepest sense in all things, like the first light, bringing to us His strength when we are weak but when we are trying to do our best, when we are alone, when we may feel we have so much to say yet perhaps few, if any, may be around who listen. Still He fills us with His fire, His intensity, fueling our one-on-one relationship with him.   As your eyes absorb the beauty of each night’s light, I encourage you to... Read More →

  What a busy time of year!! I don’t need to remind you of the non-seasonal stressors, let alone the additional time consuming, even if kind and worthy, tasks, activities, and expectations that are part of our lives, especially this month.   Awhile back when I was asked to be in a couple plays and do some nursing home and tree lighting gigs of course I said yes. I love making music! As the days of the performances approached, and involved travel not only in my usual two states (Maine and Massachusetts) but also Vermont, I began to doubt my decisions. All good, however, at that point, since I had made some reasonable accommodations. Instead of five gigs, I would only be... Read More →

  It finally happened. My first tick! Ugh and Yuck! And a deer tick at that! It’s actually amazing that I’ve never experienced a tick before now, especially given my love of the outdoors and our living in New England. I guess all those snuggles with my adorable mixed terrier pup Sofie finally caught up with me. . .   She attends most of my Zoom meetings on my lap and shares my pillow at night so most likely brought the unwanted visitor home after a fun outing outdoors. Rather than feast on Sofie who’s treated with flea and tick medicine, the vile creature (Sorry Yeshua, I know it is still a created being) found its way to the side of my neck right at the juncture of my... Read More →

    My recent rewatching of “The Chosen” mini-series and first two episodes of the third season at the theater this week has further reinforced my understanding of the miraculous, not just its presence in the Bible, but its existence in the here and now in each of our lives. . .   and choices we are being given.   In case some of you are not aware of this reference, through an app that you can download for free on your phone or other electronic device, you can watch “The Chosen” which is a reenactment of the life of Yeshua and also the lives of his apostles. The last I saw, the series had been seen by over 400,000,000 viewers and I’m sure that number is much more by... Read More →

  Hoping you all had a meaningful Thanksgiving and are still basking in His and the holiday spirit.   In that vein, below is my Shabbat encouragement from a couple years ago that is perhaps even more meaningful as we can continue to be even more thankful for what we have overcome since then:     I recently saw an interview of Michael J. Fox, of “Back to the Future” and other fame. He was being interviewed about his upcoming fourth memoir entitled No Time Like the Future. As you may know, he has had Parkinson’s Disease for the past 30 years and a couple years ago had surgery to remove a tumor from his spine. After long and grueling rehabilitation to learn how to walk... Read More →

  I recently rewatched the episode of “The Chosen” when Mary Magdalene, after having been redeemed and now a follower of Yeshua, falls back into her old ways. Her life is so representative of each of ours, perhaps not to the depths of her sins, but our sins are all on the same continuum. If we understand that we can’t live without sinning, then how does it even happen that anyone is ready for Yeshua’s return?   Toward the end of yesterday’s Dvar Torah, Matthew 24, Yeshua discusses that He will return but we will not know at what hour. The parable discusses the fate of the faithful servant who may act differently while the master is away, the old while the cat’s away the mice... Read More →

  Last week we noodled on how everything seems to be connected, as a fine tapestry, how as we open the divine portals to Him by our choices, more connections to the divine are seen, and experienced. We begin to feel His Presence in so many ways. We experience the intimacy of Yeshua in our lives enriching our days, bringing us a taste of His Kingdom in Heaven here on earth.   And so it was a simple walk in the woods yesterday morning, a gloriously warm and sunny day. I must name the characters in this vignette, for their individuality drives the story.   My sister Wendy (Yosie), a friend Zach, Sid and I, were walking the five fur babies we have among us in the lovely woods... Read More →

  Sometimes we are in times of our lives that are so busy, so demanding, that we can barely think about Shabbat. Or it’s combined with that wonderful feeling, “ Finally, the weekend!” Or sometimes we feel like we’re going 24/7 even then, so Shabbat just gets swept along with every other day of things needing to be done, or nothing special. Making it to services is definitely a start, and a very important one. Yet I’m deepening my understanding of the richness in our lives when we begin to see that going to Shabbat services is just the tip of the glorious iceberg.   So many seasons in our lives. . . And at my age, I can say that along with the happy times I’ve also lived... Read More →

  Last week I shared with you my huffing and puffing experience as I jogged for the first time in awhile. It was such a disappointment since those times are typically my most uplifting of the day as I listen to Messianic Jewish worship music, share my deepest thoughts with HaShem/Yeshua, and listen for His teachings. Yet it was such a great wake up call to take better care of myself, and by so doing, bring my daily experiences back to intimacy with our Creator. As the days passed I (mostly) ate more mindfully, did a little more walking, eventually jogging, got better rest, and became very aware of yet another piece of the puzzle. . .   I’m generally an upbeat person, and I’ve... Read More →

  As this new year begins, we are once again given an opportunity to make meaningful changes in our lives, another opportunity to take better care of our health, our finances, our relationships, especially the one we have with God.   So much travel this past season. I actually don’t think we were in our home in Maine for more than a week or maybe two if you added all the days together there over the past three months. Not that I’m complaining. Sid and I were blessed to have the Pugabego as our home on wheels to be with others, manage Camp Or L’Dor, attend the UMJC conference, visit relatives, stay with my sister Wendy’s family for much of the time here in Massachusetts.... Read More →

  It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to jog along the path near my sister’s house in Westford. So much change since the last time, which really wasn’t that long ago, maybe a couple weeks.   Last time I had my precious morning time with HaShem in nature, the leaves were barely beginning to turn into the beautiful fall colors we in New England are so blessed to experience each year. Today not only were more leaves changed but many had actually fallen to the ground. Many more pine needles and pine cones were on the path as well. And yet, a good number of vibrant green leaves on small branches were underfoot too, most likely the result of a recent windstorm.   Season to... Read More →

  These are the Days of Awe, the days of repentance and renewal between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This week that term has revealed itself in yet another way.   My most treasured client that has been so for almost 20 years historically holds its annual meeting in mid September. Over the years I have done my best to meet their expectations of my presence at this meeting of its Japanese parent with 30+ American subsidiaries and still observe my highest priority – the High Holy Days. Travel for this meeting has been to any of a number of subsidiary locations around the country hosting that particular year’s meeting. This year (thankfully) the meeting was in NYC so only an hour... Read More →

  Last Thursday evening I had a traumatic experience. On my way home I hit a deer with my car. I had never before hit an animal while driving. It literally came out of nowhere, just broadsided right in front of me. After the collision I frantically looked for a place to turn around and drive back to see if it was still in the road, and it was, sitting there unable to stand up but alive.   I positioned my car so that my headlights could shine on the scene of the accident so other drivers would be able to see the injured deer, using my car with hazard lights on to shield it from any further damage from other cars that would come that way. And so I was completely destroyed... Read More →

  This week I couldn’t help but continue to ponder the abandoned stereo cabinet in the woods. I showed my sister and Sid who so often walk that path with me. They, too, were amazed none of us had noticed it before given its location and the countless times we’d passed that area.   As I studied it more closely, I realized that even though it was made of wood, considering its location, and judging from the condition of the back of it with its contents so disarrayed, the cabinet was not really in such bad shape.   The silent voice in the woods.   How often are our voices silenced? How often are we broken on the inside but look pretty okay on the outside? How often does... Read More →

  Last week I shared with you Sid’s and my most recent adventures in the Mitzvah Mobile and I ended with some simple examples of ways we all can serve others – by sharing a meal, checking in with a phone call, offering to drive. How I didn’t know at the time the deeper message of those words. . .   These past few days we have been mourning the loss of our dear friend and Senior Cantor Phil Bromwell. None of us are really alone. Yet each of us often have times when we miss each other. We have the intimacy of Yeshua literally in every breath. And yet in today’s swirl of busy-ness, it’s so easy to get swept away in the swirl and just not show up for others in the many seemingly... Read More →

  I guess we’re fully embracing the concept of our Winnebago, initially named the Pugabego since bought at the time we had three pugs, now becoming the Mitzvah Mobile. Just as it’s taken almost 15 years for our vehicle to grow into its intended name, so too, Sid and I are following the Ruach more these days. We are grateful to HaShem for the privilege to be able to so serve.   Last weekend we had the opportunity to go to Portland, Maine to participate with my ukulele group in Play Music on the Porch Day. This is the group organized by Lee, the person I described to you a few weeks ago who is fighting cancer and the founder of Ukuleles Heal the World. A real mench. Although we... Read More →

  Well, it’s not Christmas in July but I’ve been running behind most of this year so August is close enough.   Just as we did last December as referenced in the message below, Sid and I are making a one day trip up to Maine today and coming back tomorrow. We haven’t been to our home for a month due to the various reasons you have been following in my Shabbat encouragements.   We are excited to be able to go to Ruach on Shabbat so we will be back right away, but well worth the trip! I was able to take a late day walk on the beach, such precious time with HaShem.   As I re-read the message below, I chuckled at how my life hasn’t changed. I also appreciated the reminder so I... Read More →

  Earlier this summer I shared with you our journey home from Florida in our 2008 Winnebago, affectionately called the “Pugabego” in honor of our three pug fur babies we had at the time of its purchase fourteen years ago. In that writing I mused how we had talked  of our RV becoming a “Mitzvah Mobile” to bring Messianic Judaism ideas, encouragement, and interchange to others. Last week we mused over each of our abilities to shine brightly sharing the Divine love we receive incessantly. This week both ideas came miraculously together, and created even more joy – the inevitable God Winks of encouragement.   As most of you know, our dear Cheryl/Chaya’s husband Jerry passed away... Read More →

Sid and I were blessed last week to attend the UMJC summer conference which is the first time it has been held since 2019 due to Covid. It was an amazing experience not only to finally be able to get together after so much time had passed, but the long time coming brought with it a much more intense experience than it had been in previous years.   This get together is always a unique opportunity for Messianic Jews from across the states, and even from other countries as well, to learn from each other, develop new ideas, literally grow our movement, as well as provide deep fellowship. The lack of this interchange for so long enabled this years’ conferees to draw even closer as we... Read More →

  This Shabbat encouragement is dedicated to Jerry Holbert, a blessed memory, who left our earthly home this week, a man of great love of others who knew how to bring fun, joy, humor, and love to us all, much like Lee Urban, the man who also inspired this message. —————   This spring I fell in love with a bike I saw in our community in Florida. It’s a Margaritaville Cruiser which comes complete with island motif and a parrot horn, not to mention a basket that could accommodate our fur baby Sofie. Yet as my birthday in April approached the bike was completely unavailable in the various stores where advertised and also unavailable on EBay.   So... Read More →