Winter past!
Arise, my beloved!

The voice of my Beloved!
Behold, He comes
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.

The Feast of Tabernacles
He is with you! 

The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot falls on the full moon of the 7th Hebrew month Tishrei in the fall. This year, this Feast begins at sundown on October 2 and lasts through October 10. It is a week of celebration and thanksgiving!

During this week of The Feast of Tabernacles,

Yom Kippur
The Culmination of Adonai's Hesed

Jesus (Yeshua) fulfilled The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur that comes about in the fall after the Feast of Trumpets that was just celebrated this past weekend (see last week’s post here). This year, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on September 27 and ends at nightfall on September 28.

Yom Kippur recognizes Father’s greatest act of hesed toward us. The Lord made His hesed (indescribable love) so tangible to me last August 8 in 2019. I am still not able to put the impact of the experience into words, but it affected everything including my prayers.

In honor of this special lavish learning from my Father, I created this long banner with green satin letters on white linen to be the centerpiece of our home – Hesed Adonai Khadash kol Boker or The lovingkindness of the Lord is new every morning!

The Freedom Diet
John 6
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Last night, a strong rain came after a prolonged drought in Columbus, Ohio! Ahhh! Lord, You rain! Rain Your nourishment on us! You are the manna from heaven! Feed us! Be our Food and Drink! We listen. We hear Your voice. We follow You. You delight to speak and lead. Give life to our ears and humility to our response.

 Though the earth should change…

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the midst of the sea;

How are your sins like scarlet?

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

What is the Prayer of Faith? Part 2
A Scripture Study in Hebrews 11:1
February 28, 2020
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I was looking at Hebrews 11:1 in a new Bible translation. It stated that faith is a way to acquire what we long for. This is not the conclusion from my study.

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) word to word translation reads, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

What is the Prayer of Faith? Part 1
A Scripture Study in Luke 18:1–8
February 21, 2020
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Yeshua (Jesus) uses a parable to encourage His disciples to be faithful in prayer and to prepare them for the response that would come when they poured out their longings and questions to God.

The Incarnation of Hesed
Hesed is Hebrew for the indescribable, undeserved love of God.

Dear friends,

On the first day of our tour in Israel after we stopped at the Sheep Fold (see blog post), we journeyed to Taybeh (pronounced Tie-bay’) northeast of Jerusalem. We saw sheep along the road finding grass amidst the rocky terrain.

Folded in Hesed
Hesed is Hebrew for the indescribable, undeserved love of God.

We are folded in His hesed. What does it mean to be folded? It means to be enclosed and safely protected by Jesus Who is the Good Shepherd and the Door of the Sheep.
 
Dusty and I arrived home on January 7, 2020 from our miracle trip to Israel.

December – I am Redeemed
Redeemed is the Hebrew nîgāl.

­­­“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7

John's Gratitude
An Imaginative Interpretation of The Transfiguration from Matthew 17:1-8, Luke 9:28-37, Mark 9:2-9, John 1:4, 14, and Ezekiel 37:26-27 using the Hebrew names and written from the perspective of John (Yochanan)
November 26, 2019
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Yeshua (Jesus) took the three of us up a mountain to a secluded place surrounded by kermes oak trees. He had asked if we would accompany Him for a time of prayer. Of course! Father had revealed to us that our Friend was the Messiah, and His teaching had penetrated our souls every day as we listened to the life-giving grace that came from His every word. What a thrilling privilege – that He would ask us to go anywhere at all with Him! We were eager for each purposeful adventure.

November – I am Holy

­­And they will call them, “The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord.” Isaiah 62:12a

The heavens shall praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. Psalm 89:5

Full Fall Tabernacle Rains of Hope
Living in His Undeserved Love

It has been about two weeks since my brother passed away at 59 years old.
We cried and grieved.
We persevered through arrangements.
Afterward, Dusty and I kept our plans for a five-day get-away with friends into the beautiful fall landscape of Old Mission Peninsula in Michigan.
I returned sick.
Today, energy returns.
I thirst for the Living Water of my Savior.
Just Him and me.

The Tabernacle Hesed Moon
Living in His Undeserved Love
October 15, 2019
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Note:  On October 16, 2019 at 10:30 p.m., we received a phone call from my sister that my brother had passed away unexpectedly. We arrived at my mother’s home about midnight. This blog was posted the day before on October 15. We were told the following Saturday that Doug died on October 15. So, this blog was written in the early morning of the day my brother died.

Dear friends,

The week-long Feast of Tabernacles began this year [2019] at sunset on Sunday, October 13^th and will culminate on Sunday, October 20^th – “the last day of the great feast” (John 7:37-38). 

My heart has been filled with a warm longing for more of Yeshua as I look at the Tabernacle full moon outside our east window at night and outside our west window in the early morning. Both sights are gentle reminders that Father has enclosed me behind and before and laid His hand of love upon me. (Psalm 139:5)

October – I am Beautiful
Beautiful is the Hebrew yāpeh

The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14a

You are altogether beautiful, my darling. Song of Songs 4:7a

Praying Isaiah's Hope
A Request for Healing
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Do you need to be healed today? I do. Let’s come into His presence with prayers for healing, praying from Isaiah 52 through 58.

I wrote this prayer in the first person, but you can fill in your name or the names of those who God is placing on your heart. I encourage you to read it along with your Bible, since these are my own prayers taken from the passages. I’ve noted the Chapter and Verse where applicable.

Basking in Matthew
A walk through Chapter 13
September 3, 2019
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Dear friends,

I’ve been basking in the book of Matthew since this past April. Every sentence is exploding with meaning! I have just waded through Yeshua’s parables in Matthew 13. He had been teaching by the Galilean Sea where He had established a temporary home (Matthew 4:13). I always picture the profile of Him sitting on a hill overlooking the Sea.

September – I am a Reflector
Reflector is the Hebrew lashaqaph and means reflect, mirror, make visible.

For God Who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Missing Perspectives
The Ministry of Jesus through the Women of the Church
A Greek-Word Study
2018-1019
With a Collage of Flower Girl Greetings Art of Women
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My soul continues to magnify the utter beauty of God’s Word as I write this study of key passages about women in the New Testament. I give credit to the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Greek Dictionary for helping me discover the meanings of these passages.

Choice Children, Part 2
Choice or Chaff
August 15, 2019; revised September 21, 2023
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This paraphrase of Daniel 12:3 is from the study of key Hebrew words in Choice Children, Part 1:  

“Those who abide in God consider their steps deeply. They receive discernment, direction and wisdom that causes them to shine so brightly that their lives enlighten, warn, admonish, and teach those around them without speaking a word. Their lives gleam with God’s purifying message, and many are drawn to Him through their brightness.”

Choice Children, Part 1
Bright like the stars
August 2019; revised September 2023
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Daniel 12:10a
Daniel 12:10a reads, “Many will be purged, purified and refined” referring to the Lord’s people during the end times. When I think of the word purge, I think of getting rid of things I don’t need. But, the Hebrew word for purge in this passage is bârar. Bârar means to clarify, brighten, examine, polish, prove, and make choice. Bârar also suggests the attention given to a favorite.

August – I am Chosen
Chosen is the Hebrew bāhîr.

Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain…” John 15:16a

Zephaniah's Song
He Quiets Me

Dear friends,
 
Sometimes I have days. Days with disturbance in my emotions or mind. Days when I look up to my Father and ask for mercy and clarity. Last Monday was one of those days. Words that would describe my emotions were “limited, constricted, disquieted.” A friend listened to my heart and prayed for me. I went to my Father’s Word. Ahhh!

July – I am Sealed
Sealed is the Hebrew ’hātam and means kept secure.

After listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and also having believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise who is given as a pledge guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Depth
Revelation of Simple Truth
Free Downloadable PDF

The Apostle Paul was concerned that the believers in Corinth would be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Freedom from Anxiety and Depression 
Learning from a great trial from 1998-2001
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Table of Contents
Notes gleaned from Hope and Help for your Nerves
by Dr. Claire Weekes

How our nervous system works

The cure

Helpful Information for Sufferers and Their Friends

My Story

Background

Path to healing

Healing verses
Why did this happen? Right and wrong ways to think about my suffering

Elisha's Perspective 
Staying close
Free Printable PDF

I was in awe of Elijah. The awe permeated down to my bones. His courage, his resolute fervor captivated me. I felt needy, greedy, clingy. I wanted to be with him all the time. I wanted everything he had, everything he was... multiplied over and over. I wanted to swim in him. He had a connection with the Almighty that I thirsted for.

Higher Ground
Father leads us
June 20, 2019
Free PDF Download

In Romans 8:14, Paul writes, “All who are led by the Spirit of God, these are the uihos (pronounced hwee-os’) of God.”  Uihos (νίός) is generally translated as sons, but its fuller meaning in the original Greek is “those whom God loves and cherishes as a Father.”

So, Romans 8:14 reads, “All who are led by the Spirit of God are those whom He loves and cherishes as a Father,” or “The Father leads His beloved children by His Spirit.”

When we receive Jesus, we are born into God’s family (John 1:12-13; John 3:3). We come into a physical birth by our parents, but then we come into a spiritual birth by our heavenly Father when we receive His Son, His costly sacrifice on our behalf – Jesus the Messiah. He cherishes us! He is the best Father anyone could ever imagine!

June – I am Strengthened
Strengthened is the Hebrew chazaq and means strong, courageous, sure, steadfast, prevailing.

Here are the memory verses on the front of the I am Strengthened Art Card:

"Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not be weary; and they will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

May – I am Hidden
Hidden is the Hebrew tsāphan and means hidden, treasured, protected. 

Our First Fruits
April 11, 2019

The Feast of First Fruits is celebrated on the Sunday that falls after Passover during The Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is a day of praise to the Lord for the early spring harvest and His reviving of the earth after the winter’s repose.

Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah died and was buried in the earth on Passover. He rose from the dead on The Feast of First Fruits. We celebrate this Feast on April 21^st this year on Resurrection Sunday!

April – I am Forgiven
Forgiven is the Hebrew nāśā and means lifted, taken away.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7 ­

The Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many as He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11b

John saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

His Grand Compassion

The Grand Compassion Art Card is from the Thy Faithfulness Collection and is also available as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com

In April 2001, I traveled with a friend out west. I took this photograph in Arizona at the Grand Canyon as the sun set. The Canyon was bigger than anything I had seen; I just couldn’t grasp its magnitude in my humanness. And yet…

His song will be with me in the night
Gazing on grace

The Song in the night Art Card is available as a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com

The Book of Psalms is a collection of songs for God’s people. They are filled with beautiful poetry that expresses the depths of the human heart. From raging pain and questioning to bursting praise and thanksgiving, the Psalms affirm that it is good to pour out our hearts before our loving God for in Him is our help, security and comfort.

March – I am Blessed
Blessed is the Hebrew ashrei and means I am rich in lavished grace and inheritance.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

In Him we have also obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

I will never leave

The I will never leave Art Card is from the Presence Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Your Bridegroom, Jesus, is closer to you than you can comprehend. Yeshua is His Hebrew Name. After you received Him (John 1:12-13), you became His child. He surrounds you, but then came in you. Look for Him. Peer through your tangible surroundings to see Him there. Look all around for Him. Your loving Savior wants you to develop an increased awareness of His presence and His voice calling out in love every single moment.

Lloyal
Lloyal was Not Forsaken—A Tribute

Dear friends,

Within the Portrait Art Card Collection, Flower Girl Greetings spans the ages. The original artwork for the Lloyal Art Card was given to my friend, Brenda, for her birthday.

The card was painted with watercolor from a photograph of her father whose name was Lloyal. Mr. Lloyal Burkey inspired me with his loyalty to the Lord Jesus Messiah over many years and his passion for his Lord’s love letter, the Bible. He read the Bible completely through every year of his life. This card was a tribute to his life. I penned Psalm 119:105 over the pages of his Bible, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Sparrow

The original artwork for Sparrow was created with pointed-pen calligraphy and cut and torn paper that I painted with various metallic paints and inks.

The encouragement to create this card was found in a hymn called His Eye is on the Sparrow. The entire hymn is found on the back of the card:

The Love of Christ

The love of Christ Art Card is available in a 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings and also in The Florals Assortment Collection.

To read the text on The Love of Christ card, please continue reading:

God trusts you!

You are a Reflector of the glory of His grace!

In the 1980s, I read every book by and about Amy Carmichael that I could get my hands on. I never forgot this one story from her life: 

February – I am Beloved
Beloved is the Hebrew yādîd and means I am greatly loved by the Lord and I am the one the Lord loves.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God!  1 John 3:1a­

The beloved of the Lord rests securely in Him for He shields him all the day, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.  Deuteronomy 33:12

Daddy Loves you!
Avinu Abba - Engulfed in His Gaze

The Avinu Abba card is from The Hebrew Names of God Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

Dear friends,

Today I remember 7 years ago when my father passed away. I think about him a lot when I “engineer” or analyze a drawing, a document, a task or a plan. I think about him when I do things that reflect what he did, like putting little labels on drawers and paint jars, and appreciating handmade wooden furniture and puzzles, and finding satisfaction in a job well-completed. I’m grateful for the little and big traces of good things that came to my life because of him. 

January – I am New
New is the Hebrew chādāsh and means new, fresh, born again.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26v

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His great mercy He caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

Avinu, Abba
Father, Daddy - Engulfed in His Gaze

­­­The Hebrew word Avinu means Father. The Hebrew word Abba means Daddy.
“But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter, and we all are the work of Thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

Celebrate with Anna!

Anna is from the Portrait Collection and is also available as a Celebrate His Birth 4-pack.

“She continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38b) 

In the Bible, Anna was a woman of strength, dignity, faithfulness, vigilance, peace and joy in her redemption in Jesus!
The text on the back of this card says: 

We have victory through Messiah Yeshua!

The Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah Art Card is from the Feasts of Israel Fulfilled Collection.

Hanukkah is also called The Feast of Dedication and The Festival of Lights. Did you know that the Bible references Hanukkah in John 10:22-29?

El Roi
God Who sees me

­­­The Hebrew name of God El Roi is found once in the Old Testament in Genesis 16:13-14 on the lips of Hagar, Sarai’s maid. Because of Sarai’s jealous, harsh treatment of her, Hagar fled and found herself in a desperate, lonely, thirsty place.

He came for you!

The He came Art Card is a simple watercolor painted with green and crimson watercolors and silver metallic ink. The special watercolor paper was soaked in water first, so I could drip the paints to create patterns of different greens. 

Wise Journey
His word lights our path!

The Wise journey Art Card is available in the Celebrate His Birth-Wise journey 4-Pack at Flower Girl Greetings.com.

The white text on the front of the card says:
I have seen Your Star and rejoiced exceedingly!
I will seek Your face continually!
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!