Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, December 21, 2019
Shabbat Shalom *|FNAME|*,
I’m sending this out early because I forgot to remind everyone yesterday about the monthly Erev Shabbat service tonight. Bring a little something to share so we can eat as we welcome the Shabbat. Then we’ll have a short Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcome the Sabbath) service and conclude with communion. What could you possibly have already planned that can trump that? Hope to see you tonight.
You may have heard, “Tis the season to be jolly.” In that regard many people increase their alcohol consumption at this time of year. But I can tell you with blessed assurance that is not God’s plan for your life.
Rabbi Trail: I am inspired to write this by Sally McClung (married to Floyd McClung), who is a missionary to South Africa, living in Capetown. I’ve written about them before, but we have new RR subscribers, so let me repeat myself. I have never met Sally or Floyd, but I feel like I know them. I was introduced to them by a series of emails Sally sends (For many years. Used to be every day, but most recently weekly or slightly more often) through a list to which I belong called “World Wide Prayer Partners” – WWPP for short. Max Morris frequently sends prayer requests to his list of WWPP. (wwpp@aol.com if you would like to ask Max to be added.)
Briefly, (as far as I can remember) Floyd contracted a bacteria or virus in the jungle about 4 years ago that left him completely debilitated. Sally is responsible for his care (he can do nothing for himself) but she, herself, is now battling cancer for the third time. Through it all, Sally writes such inspiring emails. I marvel at her strong faith. While I was writing this RR, I got an email with instructions to give to their ministry. Thanks to Amy, we set up this to assist us in giving to them. https://syknox.org/give-all-nations-floyd-sally-mcclung/. End RT.
This is also the season for giving gifts. There is now one shopping day left before Chanukah starts on Sunday night. Of course, Chanukah lasts 8 nights, so last minute shopping is possible. But I want to write today about another type of giving. What we give to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuzeqmExEqM
We are used to asking God to give us…_____________ (fill in the blank). Now let’s turn that around. Let’s give God what He cannot give Himself. Let’s give Him the praise and worship He deserves. This is how we show He has our hearts. In want to copy and paste one verse per day, (for the next 11 days) which addresses our desire to praise the Lord. These verses come from the end of Sally McClung’s email post last week.
Psalm 100:2 Serve Adonai with gladness. Come before His presence with joyful singing.
PS: I have not forgotten about the 7 Spirits of God. I will begin writing about them on Monday. Shabbat shalom.