The Day of Loud Sound
Yom T’ruah and why I love it!
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As I write today, I am aware that excellence and accuracy were instilled in me, and I’m thankful for that. But we know that life is most-often not accurate; we can only do our best and then rest in Him – Best then Rest, how is that for a motto!? So, I offer this writing, not to be accurate, although that would appear to be my intent, but to simply share the joy that came as I studied these things; my study left the picture in my mind of us praising our King, dancing with all our might! And so, I will dive in…

He will Draw, Reveal, Save, and Seal 
4 ways to pray for those who don’t yet know His love
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The Draw, Reveal, Save, and Seal Bookmark Prayer Tool is available at FlowerGirlGreetings.com in the Bookmark Category here.

“And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:5)
The Light of Yeshua (Jesus) shines into the darkness, confusion, and deception of the effects of the evil one. But the darkness does not comprehend the Light.

In His Dust – The Parable of the Lavish Father 
He is eager to love us!
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Yeshua’s (Jesus) parable traditionally called The Prodigal Son, I have renamed The Parable of the Lavish Father, after studying with Dwight Pryor. Yeshua paints a beautiful portrait of the nature of God’s inviting love that ministers to our deepest need! I will start with a quick summary about Jewish parables.

In His Dust – 8. The Explosive Power of the Kingdom 
His power in gentleness
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Revised 9/2024
The verse, the context, the interpretation, the application, a prayer, and discussion questions.

As we look at the parables of Yeshua (Jesus), we see what the kingdom of God is like, and we know how to advance as the darkness increases. Our advance will not be like the armies of the world but will come explosively and powerfully in unassuming ways.

The Everlasting Covenant 
An Old Covenant Foreshadow of The Best News Ever!
A Short Scripture Study in Genesis 15
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Dearly beloved of God, we are ambassadors of the Gospel (the Good News). In these last days, our clear understanding of this news is critical! So, why is it the best news ever?! And why is it important to understand it? Because “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”[1]

Dr. Dwight Pryor wrote, “Our salvation began when the High and Holy One made an everlasting covenant with Abraham.” Chills of awe ran through me as I read these words in a recent email sent by The Center for Judaic-Christian Studies. I went back in my mind to what I had learned in Genesis 15 years ago. I would like to take you back there to share a nugget that confirms the true nature of the Gospel!

The Preface to our Haggadah 
(with simple instructions)

The booklet called The Feast of the Lamb - Past, Present, and Future, A Passover, Resurrection Devotional Haggadah is available for purchase at Flower Girl Greetings here. This 48-page booklet was born out of my desire to gather with others and remember our Savior during these difficult times. It is loaded with vibrant art and a thorough study of the timeline of Yeshua's last days. 

I am sharing the Preface of the booklet here so you can see how you would prepare for your gathering before purchasing it.

In His Dust – 7. Immersion and the Spirit 
How Jewish Immersion foreshadows our New Birth!
The meaning, the context, a personal story, and a prayer
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Preface
The rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC after the victorious Maccabean revolt[i] birthed a fresh loyalty among the Jewish people and a resurgence of writing in the Hebrew language.[ii] In the first century A.D., the followers of Yeshua (Jesus) recorded His words in Hebrew with the exception of Luke who was Greek. The New Testament was soon translated into Greek, the spoken language of the ruling Roman empire. Although the earliest known manuscripts were transcribed in the Greek language, the original Hebrew words and idioms lay underneath. I love to search for these underlying Hebrew gems sparkling beneath the surface. 

Beautiful Progressions of Repentance, 2 of 3 
Psalm 139, Philippians 3, 1 John 1, Romans 8
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Print the 1-page PDF Handout for your study group.

• The Progression from Brokenness to Wholeness
• The Progression of Abiding in Humility
• The Progression of Abiding in Contentment

We follow God’s ways, not because He needs our subjugation, but because He created us to walk in freedom. He established His precepts for our highest good. The result is God’s delight and our joy!

Sin is simply walking in our own ways, not God’s. The Bible often says, “They did what was right in their own eyes” and “They did not inquire of the Lord to understand His ways.”

By a Roman Soldier 
An Imaginative Interpretation
Written in the 1980s by my friend De Gaskins
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        It was another execution day. Three men charged with felonies were to be crucified. The execution squad is selected on a rotating basis from among the Roman soldiers stationed under Pontius Pilate. It was my turn, along with three of my companions, to perform the execution.

In His Dust – 6. The Role of Women in the First-Century Church 
Restoring her calling and gifts
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In His Dust is a series based on my notes from Dwight Pryor’s teaching. For details, please see In His Dust – A Quick Recap.

Outline

• Introduction Points
• Examples of the roles women assumed in the first-century church
• The beautiful, breath-taking meanings of “head” and “submission”
• Conclusion

In His Dust - 9. The Breathtaking Beauty of True Submission 
Loving Each Other
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In His Dust is a series based on my notes from Dwight Pryor’s teaching. For details, please see In His Dust – A Quick Recap.

This writing was extracted from a previous writing called In His Dust - 6. The Role of Women in the First-Century Church. I added more detail and emphasis on the definitions of the words head and submit because they are so beautiful.

The I AMs of Jesus Collection 
A Story
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After the Hebrew Names of God Collection was printed in 2014, The I AMs Collection was created and printed in 2015. It is shown on Page 2 of our new catalog. It contains 12 “I AMs” spoken by Jesus (Yeshua) from the books of John and Revelation. The back of each card includes Scripture and devotional thoughts. I have loved these breathtaking declarations and painted them many times. Jesus declared Himself to be:

The Hebrew Names of God Collection 
A Story

The Hebrew Names of God Collection is shown on Page 1 of our new catalog. It contains 12 art cards, each with a different Name of God. The back of each card includes Scripture references, devotional thoughts, and connections to both Testaments.

The Two G’s 
Gossip and Grudges
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There were two Hebrew idioms that were popular at the time of Yeshua (Jesus). I learned them from Brandon of Brandon Robbins Ministry. I will share the simple definitions of these idioms along with my thoughts about them… and then, I will get personal, so I hope you will keep reading!

Do you see Him? 
Peter’s Letter, Part 1
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The Apostle Peter’s first letter was written to “those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen…”[1] Every word of his letter served the purpose of encouraging them to stand strong in the face of the horrific persecution surrounding them.  

As I sat at my table after reading Peter’s letter, the encouragement that surfaced was to see Him.

In His Dust 
Abolishing and Fulfilling
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The word Scripture is mentioned over 50 times in the New Testament. It refers to the Tenakh which had been the Bible of the Jewish people in Yeshua’s day for over 200 years. Their Tenakh was (and is) composed of three portions – The Torah (first five books of Moses), the Prophets, and the Writings. (See Luke 24:44 as an example.)

In His Dust 
The history and culture surrounding Yeshua’s life and teaching, A Brief Overview
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My Greatest Gift 
A message given on the day with the shortest period of daylight when the earth reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. Today and always, Jesus is the Light of the world!
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The Greatest Gift anyone ever gave me was my new birth. It was given to me by my Father. I know I had to receive it, but I don’t remember receiving it. I just remember Him reaching out His hand into my darkness and touching me with a light so bright, I felt like I was swimming in a huge ocean of love, joy, and wholeness. I was completely new. It was like the words in a song – It was a “holy collision.” It was like the words that fell from Mary’s lips...

In His Dust 
The Nativity Festival
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These facts and suggestions were gleaned and condensed from Dwight Pryor’s message called The Christmas Controversy. I have included a few of my own conclusions, as well. I share it because it is fun to explore the events of Yeshua’s life starting with His birth!

Facts about The Nativity Festival

• Just because Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate Messiah Yeshua’s (Jesus) birth. Post-biblical does not mean anti-biblical. Matthew and Luke both share this story that changed history forever! Another example of a post-biblical celebration is Hanukkah. Yeshua went up to the Temple in Jerusalem for this Feast of Dedication (John 10:22-23). If the events that this holiday celebrates had not happened, the Jews would have been annihilated, and Yeshua would not have been born.

In His Dust – An Overview 
His Word, Our Defense
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Recently, I heard an online roundtable discussion among leaders who are exposing corruption and bringing truth to light so we can act accordingly. Each leader was asked, “What can we do?” One man said something I didn’t expect given the topics of discussion – he said, “We must learn all we can about Yeshua (Jesus). We must know Him, spend time with Him, and follow Him. Then, we will be ready.”

In His Dust – A Quick Recap of the Purpose

In His Dust is a series based on my notes from Dwight Pryor’s teaching. (For details about him, please see In His Dust – An Overview at ShaleFragments.com.) Yeshua and His disciples were thoroughly Jewish and immersed in the study of the Tenakh (the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings). They spoke and studied in Hebrew. Since the New Testament was originally recorded in Hebrew before being translated into Greek, it is most valuable to learn the Hebraic context, meanings, and idioms that are not always apparent in the Greek. My ongoing study for this series pursues this goal.

Shalom,
Beth Ann

Are You Thirsty? 
Yeshua’s Supreme Invitation
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Are you thirsty?
Are you hungry?
Are you hungry for good to overcome evil?
Are you hungry for unconditional love?
Are you hungry to overcome habits that threaten your well-being?
Are you hungry for someone to listen… someone who would really hear?

Permeating Rest 
His Desire and Design
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In my writing from October 11, Coming Home for the Holy Days, I shared ways our faith in Yeshua (Jesus) is true, high, and distinct from all other worldviews or so-called “religions.” Here are three of many ways:

The Highest Form of Worship 
Learning from the Master
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In his book New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus, Insights from His Jewish Context, David Bivin writes about the first century schools in which Jewish children began their study of Torah (the first five books of our Old Testament) at five years of age. He writes,

“One might assume that the synagogue as the place of worship would be considered more important or more sacred than the schools, but this was not the case. To this day the bet midrash [the secondary school in which children and adults studied Torah and the oral traditions] is given more prominence than the synagogues – not because education is valued more highly than worship, but because Judaism does not make a distinction between the two. Indeed, Judaism has always held that the study of Torah is one of the highest forms of worship.”

In His Dust
Staying Close
A very short devotional and prayer
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As I continue to learn more about Yeshua (Jesus) by understanding the culture in which He lived, I fall more and more in love with Him! The autumn tasks seem to multiply, but I want to keep lots of room for this pursuit!

Coming Home for the Holy Days 
Coming Home to Him
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He is our Home
Most days my heart can barely take the news. How thankful I am that Yahweh, the Eternally-Existent, Majestic Creator, and Sovereign One is our only Home. Although He has allowed the waywardness of humankind to run its course, He is full of hesed (His indescribable, undeserved, vast love) to those who seek Him. Our faith in Him is true and high and distinct from every other so-called “religion” because:

Stress Relief 
Finding calm, clarity, and cleansing
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Dorcas came to my home a few weeks ago. Although I had never met her, I knew her like a sister. We had conversed many times, mostly through email. She is one of those called forth[1] gems in the body of Messiah. We had been praying for years to blanket certain communities in northeast Ohio with Flower Girl Greetings Art Cards. Finally, the day came. We filled her van and prayed for the ways the cards would be distributed and hearts would be softened and transformed by His Word of life.

His Very Words, Part 5 
Unsnatchable and Unhindered – An Understanding of the Jewish Context
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This study will show the importance of interpreting the New Testament from the Jewish perspective in which it was written. You may want to read the first four parts of His Very Words before you begin - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4!

His Very Words, Part 4 
Interferences to Hunger – Delight Deficiency, Dessert, Difficult Passages, and Distractions
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Before reading this Part 4 of His Very Words, it might be helpful to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 first!

A good friend met me over lunch this week. I don’t see her often because her children, grandchildren and other responsibilities keep her life full! She is overwhelmed most days. But she said, “I cannot miss my time with God in the morning. It is the best part of my day.” She delights in God’s presence and the rest falls into place with few interferences to her hunger for His Word.

His Very Words, Part 3 
Infallible, Inexhaustible Word – How I know the Bible is His Very Words
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The image for this post is a photograph I took at the location in Israel where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.

His Very Words, Part 2 
Invaluable, Irreplaceable Word – And a Fun, Do-able Reading Plan
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Amos, a sheepherder from Tekoa (about 10 miles south of Jerusalem), prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel in about 750 BC with a call for justice. He cried out against the unspeakable transgressions of Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and even worse, against Judah and Israel to whom He had given His covenant and precious statutes.

After a lengthy dirge, Amos called out to the house of Israel:

• “Seek Me that you may live” (Amos 5:4) and,
• “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord.”

His Very Words, Part 1 
A Fresh Look at New Testament Terms
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I’ll start with a quick overview of the Bible’s origin before sharing a fresh list of New Testament terms that will lead us into awe of His beautiful words and encourage us on our journey.

Beautiful Word
An oil painting of three passions

The original artwork for this greeting card was created in an oil painting workshop taught by nationally-known impressionist painter and friend, Mark Gingerich. I arranged the still life that included items representing my passions – my Bible, flowers and study books, symbolizing the beauty and depth of God’s Word. 

Eternal, Life-Giving Word 
Our Certainty in Difficult Times
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Greetings to you on this hot July weekend! This morning, the garden has been watered, the laundry started, the kitchen cleaned up, and here I am with a message on my heart!

He Rested
A Missing Piece Found
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I created the booklet The Feast of the Lamb – A Passover/Resurrection Devotional Haggadah in 2022 to make it easy to gather with friends each spring to celebrate Passover (traditionally called The Last Supper) and to remember Yeshua (Jesus) until He returns. With this booklet, the participants walk thoughtfully through the Israelite’s Exodus and then through a timeline of Yeshua’s life with a focus on His last week on earth. It is a special time to celebrate our deliverance through Him. (You can find the booklet here.)

Making Forgiveness a Reality 
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As the darkness deepens around us, we need spiritual sight more than ever to discern truth and hear God’s voice. He calls us to start by humbling ourselves (2 Chronicles 7:14). Last week, I shared three papers called Beautiful Progressions of Repentance to help us.

Part of humbling ourselves is walking tangibly in forgiveness. I like to ask Father simple questions, and so in my need to be sure my heart was clear toward the one who sinned against me, I asked, “What is forgiveness? When does the idea of forgiveness become a reality?”

His Promise of Freedom
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The image with this devotional is my untouched photograph from Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan. Yes, these pinks, lavenders, blues, and greens were in my view from the room where we stayed. The scene reminds me of Psalm 18:19, “He brought me forth into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

Loving Him First
Over 20 years ago when I was single, my pastor encouraged me to attend The Great Commandment Principal Seminar given by David Ferguson. In a moment during the seminar, I sat stunned, awed. Mr. Ferguson read the words of Yeshua (Jesus) from John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” Then, he asked us – “What if this statement is not a warning, but a promise?”

A Passover Meditation 
We have passed through the waters of forgiveness into freedom!
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The Israelites’ deliverance from judgment at Passover by the blood of spotless lambs foreshadows our deliverance from judgment through the blood of the Passover Lamb, Yeshua the Messiah.
In the judgment, He passes over us.

The Israelites’ subsequent deliverance out of the enemy’s control through the Red Sea foreshadows our deliverance out of the enemy’s control through Yeshua’s sacrifice on our behalf and the Father’s gift of our new birth in the Holy Spirit.

We have passed through the waters of forgiveness into freedom!

The trees clap 
You will go out with joy!
Isaiah 55:12

The original artwork for this art card was created with vibrant Ukrainian ink dyes and pointed pen calligraphy. The dyes were sprinkled and sprayed across the paper. The delicate lettering on the spray is Isaiah 55:12, “The trees clap their hands!” and was penned with white gouache (opaque watercolor) with an oblique pointed pen (designed after the old quill pens).

High mercy 
Psalm 103:11

All of God’s works are covered by the huge umbrella of His love. Everything He does emanates from the higher purpose of His love!

Spacious place 
He rescued me!
Psalm 18:19

The calligraphed words on this card were a result of my Hebrew word study for this verse.
He brought me forth into a spacious place of freedom;
He rescued me because He delights in me!

Nani 
A Brief Beauty

The text on the back of the card is:
This rare hibiscus, a gift from a friend, took my breath away one morning. The span of her bloom measured eight inches and lasted one day. Another friend named her Nani, the Hawaiian word for beautiful or splendor. Her photograph was superimposed onto a green watercolor wash to show off her exquisite salmon color.

Our Father 
The Lord's Prayer

In the 1990s in my small art room, I would press pansies in phone books and let them dry for a few months. Then, I would arrange them in sprays on different papers using glue sticks. Then, I would calligraphy with the script pen around the floral designs. I loved how the flourishing of the Zanerian Script alphabet harmonized with the shapes of the flowers!

Spirit of power 
Do not be afraid
2 Timothy 1:7

The original art for this card was commissioned by a counselor for his office wall. It was quite large and matted and framed. The art is called an illumination because the text has been decorated. It incorporates four calligraphy styles:

The Mountain View
Transfixed by His Glory
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When I was a teenager, my family vacationed in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I vividly remember sitting on top of a huge sand dune at dusk to see the view of the shoreline. I remember the deep loneliness I felt, wanting to share the experience with a forever-partner who would love me always no matter what.

Springs in the midst 
Refreshment in the valleys

He brings forth springs in the midst of the valleys;
They flow between the mountains.  Psalm 104:10

In the valleys, God’s presence brings springs of refreshing until that time when we are through the valley and walking up the mountain again.

Chosen for the Surge
His Purpose vs. My Dream
Written August 2020, revised February 2022, revised December 2023 for the New Year 2024
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As Yeshua (Jesus) and His disciples walked from their last Passover feast together through the gates of Jerusalem toward the garden of Gethsemane, He said to them,

“I Am the Vine; you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) and He said,

Purifying Fire 
A New Beginning
My Journey through January 2022
January 29, 2022; revisited January 28, 2024
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“In this you greatly rejoice even though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proof of your faith which is more precious than gold which perishes though refined by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Made for Another World 
Windows into Joy
written December 18, 2021
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On Saturday morning, December 18, 2021, I awoke after a long night’s sleep to waves of thoughts, all connecting into a powerful revelation that produced joy in me. I grabbed my journal to capture the thoughts. After writing them down, I realized what I so often realize when writing… that the thoughts were not particularly profound in themselves; but rather they were powerful because they were personal. The Lord simply wanted to give me joy.

Readiness for Yeshua’s Return 
He is eager to come for you!
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Every message these days seems to flow from the Song of Songs. He is coming back for us, His Bride! We are the delight of His heart, created in His image, the apple of His eye, the crown of His creation!

His love is our driving force for readiness. Let’s love Him back with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength by the power of the Holy Spirit!