Tag Archives: Jews

A Nation who Heard God Speak

Posted in My thoughts, Nations, Thoughtful Thursday by

Moses was the leader of the descendants of Abraham. He led the people out from Egypt after God sent the ten plagues.


The people came to Mt Sinai. Moses brought the people out to meet God. There was thunder, lighting, a dense cloud and the sound of loud trumpets. All the people were filled with fear.


The Lord had descended upon Mt Sinai in the fire and smoke rose up like the smoke of a furnace. The entire mountain trembled. The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then God spoke the Ten Commandments to the people, the Jews. Exodus 19-20.


They were entrusted with the words of God. Romans 3. They heard God speak.
There is no other nation who heard God’s voice. God gave revelation to the Jews, the Ten Commandments.

Rosh HaShanah

Posted in Family, Healing, My thoughts by

Today is Rosh HaShanah. The day that marks the beginning of the Jewish New year.

As tradition goes in these first days the people of Israel are called to reflect on their lives, the good and the bad. On another day Yum Kippur, people fast and resolve to thank and praise God and return to follow him.

We are living in the prophecy that God promised the Jews would return to their own land. Where there had been desert land for 2000 years is now flourishing with cities, roads, railway networks and farms growing fruit and provisions. Children are once again playing in the streets and old people walking with canes. God is true to his promises.

I think it is a good idea to take time to remember how God has been faithful to me. I believe in God whom the Jews put their hope in, the creator of the heavens and the earth, and who gave his commandments to Moses. They are waiting for a Messiah.

Like Moses and Nehemiah I return to God and ask forgiveness for my sins and the sins of my forefathers so the next generations after me will be blessed. I am not an island. What I do will reflect on my children after me for good or bad.

Moses led the people of Israel out of 400 years of bondage in Egypt. Nehemiah led the people of Israel back to Jerusalem to restore the temple after seventy years in exile. He acknowledged before God that his forefathers had failed to obey God and they were sent into exile because of their disobedience.

I believe in Jesus the Messiah who came 2000 years ago. Through Jesus I have hope for the future and forgiveness for the past. I have a new beginning. The Shofar is blown on Rosh HaShanah a reminder that the people can have a new beginning.

If religion, work, family and friends have failed you there is still hope. His name is Jesus. Call on His name and follow him. He is the Hope of the world. Enjoy a new beginning. He will remember your failings no more. He will be with you and never leave you.

I think It is a good time to reflect on the past on your own and with your family. Resolve to obey God in the future. You can make a big change for good for blessing and not cursing.

It’s Good to Remember.

Posted in Family, My thoughts, Nations, The Poetry, Thoughtful Thursday by

I wasn’t that interested in history at school. I did not have any favor with the history teacher. I have since learned the importance of learning about the past.

My favourite history book is the Bible. I love reading it. It tells the history of mankind. Man is created in God’s image. God gave us guidelines on how to live together. He gave marriage for man and women to enjoy. He gave marriage for children to be born and raised with parents to care for them. It tells the genealogy of one family in particular, Abraham’s family, covering many hundreds of years till the coming of one of his descendants, Jesus Christ.

It is a love story. It shows the care and kindness of God who looked after mankind. He blessed Abraham’s descendants even though they didn’t always thank or appreciate Him. Yet He forgave them and waited patiently till they responded to His love.

It is a thriller. The Bible records battles and wars. Men going to fight their enemies. The good news is when the people fought God’s battles they always won because God was with them. Joshua and the tribes of Israel always defeated their enemies when they followed God’s guidance. None of David’s soldiers died in battle. They always won their wars.

Today we remember the men and women who died in the First and Second World Wars. Many millions died from the nations. They died in the fight against evil.

On Sunday I was listening to an interview with two Jewish men who live in Ireland. My son was listening with me. He was not aware of what happened to ordinary families during the war; families like his own. Young men like him went to fight in the war.

I told my son that people in Europe were living at ease before the world war. They were enjoying prosperity, music, theatre, eating and drinking. They did not honor God or care for the poor and needy. Sounds a familiar scenario of our society today. . Revolution occurred in Russian and Germany. Leaders rose up and controlled their countries killing many of their own people who didn’t agree with them.

Telling the story of the Holocaust of six millions Jews and others who were killed during the Second World War helps one realise what evil mankind can do. Many millions of Christians and soldiers died in the war. It’s good to remember today the people who have lived and died before us for us to enjoy freedom

My generation was born after the Second World War. I did not have to suffer the hardships of people who lived during those years. I did not know that part of history. We have lived at ease. We have had good health care, plenty of food and clothing, good housing and free education. We have had it so good. We have become selfish. We don’t want to make any sacrifices.

Another holocaust is happening in our prosperous nations today. The law allows developing human beings to be killed in the womb. The innocent are being sacrificed instead of the parents making sacrifices to have their young. This is the new evil one needs to fight against.

Let us learn from history the consequences of war, hatred and selfishness. Let us do good to others who need help. Let us fight our spiritual enemies. We are sure of victory if we fight The Lord’s battles like David and Joshua did.


Christmas Shopping

Posted in Cancer, Family, Family Friday, Healing, My thoughts, Travel by

image“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We remember Jesus birth at this time.  A time of joy, to thank God the Father for making himself know through his son Jesus, who was conceived in Mary’s womb and born in an animals’ home.
God our Father’s plan was to redeem mankind from the power of sin, death and the devil, who kept mankind separated from God and prevented them from going to heaven.  The devil stole the authority over all the earth and all living creatures, from Adam.  Jesus is the new Adam.

Jesus grew up in his family and lived humbly helping his parents.  He would have helped with the other children, just as my older children did when they were growing up.  His father was a carpenter.  He did not have a high school or university education.  When he was thirty years old he entered his public ministry.  For three years he went about doing good, healing and delivering all who were oppressed of the devil. He was bringing down the power of the devil, who was keeping people in darkness, believing lies, living in oppression and sickness.  Jesus is the truth.

He was the son of God.  He could have set up a kingdom here on earth and ruled and ordered people what to do.  Instead he allowed himself to be arrested and accused of curing people on the day of rest, working miracles and claiming to be the son of God.  His accusers were jealous of him.  They had to get rid of him before everyone started following him and upsetting the kingdoms that were ruling at that time, including Romans and Jews.

His own people the Jews wanted him crucified.  “Away with him” they said.  Jesus never opened his mouth when he was whipped by soldiers, a crown of thorns hammered into his head, nails pierced into his hands and feet to nail him to a cross and when a sword opened up his side.  He hung on a cross till he breathed his last.  He suffered and died.  He became the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.  There is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood.

A leader from India told us recently how people sacrifice their children in the fire or in the river, or cut themselves in order to get their sins forgiven.  Even after such pain they find no relief from their guilt.  This man told some of these people, “Jesus has forgiven my sins.”  I’m not guilty any more.  They were surprised.  “What sacrifice did you make.”  “How much money did you pay.”
He said, “I believe in Jesus.  He was the sacrifice for my sins.  He died in my place.  He shed his blood for me.  This is good news.  You too can know your sins forgiven by believing in Jesus.”
One woman said “Why did you not come sooner, before I gave my child to the God of the river.”  She was heartbroken.  She was prayed for and Jesus healed her.

“ But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who please God completely.. He is the sacrifice for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What a wonderful privilege we in the west have to hear the name of Jesus.  We have good health care and good education.  Freedom to work, get married, have children, and live in peace in our homes and neighbourhoods.  But sadly many of us no longer know the power of the name of Jesus or the power of his shed blood or acknowledge, thank or honor him in our lives.   We have forgotten what Christmas really means.

We were travelling home from Dublin airport leaving at five pm yesterday evening.  The road out of Dublin was packed with cars.  On coming near Belfast the roads were packed with cars.  Why is this?   I have travelled at the same time earlier in the year and there were no holdups or roads full of cars.  Ah, people are out Christmas shopping!

Are they shopping for their children who are expecting Santa Clause to leave them some gifts?  Are they shopping for food and drink for fear the shops might run out of provisions nearer Christmas?  How can parents exhaust themselves and get into debt to buy presents for their children who think some mythical being drops them gifts down the chimney?  Are the father’s involved with the shopping, or is it just the mothers?  The children never thank them or appreciate the stress involved.  Why do they continue the lie of Santa Clause?

Do the refugees get presents?   Do the poor people of Africa or India get presents.  Does Santa just come to America and Europe and bless those who already have plenty.  I have asked myself this even when I was young.

Where does Jesus come in our celebration of Christmas?  “Joy to the World” the Christmas cards proclaim.   Brendan and I deleted Santa Clause out of our family when we had four children.  We told them the truth.  If we tell our children about Santa and years later realize there is no Santa, what will they think of mum and dad.  “They told us lies.”  We tell our children the good news that is at the heart of Christmas.  God sent the gift of his Son to us.  Jesus came to take away the sins of the whole world and the give the gift of eternal life.  We can be with him forever in heaven.  We tell them about the other gifts God has for us, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gift of children, the gift of life itself.

Many people did not agree with us, including family, friends and teachers.  The headmistress asked us to stop our children telling the other children there was no Santa.  Our children did not miss out on gifts.  We saved up and brought our children on summer holidays instead.  I refuse to get caught up in the hype of Christmas.  It does not satisfy!!!

I now live in the hope of going to heaven when I die.  I want to tell others this good news and tell them what Jesus has done for them.   God rescued me from an early death when he healed me of Malignant cancer.  I choose to follow him.  He is returning to the earth soon.  I want to be prepared.  I want to be of use in the years I have left.  I find comfort from this scripture,

“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬