Five Reasons I ♥ the Sabbath!

This is our table one Friday evening before we ushered in the Shabbat.

1. God made it for us!

After He created us, what did He do next? He created the Sabbath, by resting Himself. Also in Mark 2, Yeshua literally said that Shabbat was made for man. It is His gift to us, and we should enjoy it!

2. We need it!

Studies have shown, and it's just plain common sense, that human beings need a "day of rest" every week. If you think about it, God could have made our bodies so that we didn't need rest or sleep. He could have made us so that we were able to just go, go, go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BUT, He didn't. He created us so that our bodies, our souls, our minds all needed a physical, spiritual and mental break.

3. It's something to look forward to.

All week long people say, "Is it Friday yet?" I kind of laugh to myself because they don't know it, but they are longing for the Sabbath as well. The rabbis say that starting Saturday evening immediately after the Sabbath, we should begin preparing for the next one. I heard a story about a lady who after every Havdalah (conclusion service of the Sabbath) would scurry to the kitchen to begin cleaning her Sabbath candlesticks for the next week. I, myself, remember the first time our family celebrated the Shabbat. I think I was around 8 or 9, but it is such a vivid memory. Immediately after the Sabbath meal on Friday evening, my sister and I begged our parents, "Can we do this again next week?"

4. It's a holiday, only every week!

If you ever get the chance to go to my parents' house for a Shabbat dinner, I highly recommend it. My dad has this theory that the more people they have for Shabbat, the better; the more food for Shabbat, the better. So basically, it is like celebrating Thanksgiving dinner with your family and friends every Friday night. It's not only fun, but a great way to bond as a family. We eat (of course!), sing songs, talk about the Bible, and just enjoy each other. It truly is a beautiful time.

5. It's a rehearsal.

One of the words God uses in the Torah for Shabbat is mikrah, which can be translated as "a rehearsal." What are we rehearsing for? The Seventh "Day", that is, the time when Messiah returns! Remember His words in John 9, "Night is coming, when no one can work." Some rabbis have said that we are entering in to the "Friday afternoon" of God's timeline. It's time for us to work like never before, to be prepared for the "Yom Shekulo Shabbat" (the Day that is ALL Sabbath) that is coming.

Those are just a few reasons I LOVE the Sabbath. If you want to read more about how my family celebrates, go here. How about you? I'd love to hear how others enjoy God's special day!

For Many Shall Come in My Name...

Matthew 24:5 - Do NOT be deceived!

It seems like everyone is talking about it. "The Messiah's coming, the Messiah's coming!" Actually, there's an elderly lady at my synagogue that asks me every Shabbat, "Is the Messiah coming soon?" "I hope so," is my reply every time. And now, I really do mean it. When I was younger, I used to think (which I'm kind of ashamed to admit now), "I hope Moshiach doesn't come until after I get married, or have kids, etc." But now, I really do mean it. If he came today, that would be A-OK with me!

Today I read an interesting article by Rabbi Lazer Brody here that really encouraged me. I like the fact that there is much rabbinic disdain for trying to speculate about specific details of the Messiah's arrival. I like that he encourages "simple and innocent faith" that Messiah IS coming. Read his article and let me know what you think!


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Romans 14

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. "

If you've ever wondered what exactly Shaul (Paul) is talking about in this passage, I just read this very interesting and thought-provoking post on The Emergent Observer. Check it out!

Yet Another Reason I May Go Vegetarian

As if soaring prices alone weren't enough to convince me to go completely veggie, I just read this eye-opening post at Fresh Thoughts from the Laundry Room. If you want to read more about Kosher eating, go to my post here.

Picture available at AllPosters.com.

Where Have I Been???

I'm so sorry about my non-existence on here for the past week. In addition to my normal semi-hectic schedule, I had dental implant surgery done on Monday and have just not felt like being on the computer beyond the 8 hours at work. Honestly, the surgery itself did not hurt that much (probably less than my botched root canal a few years ago), but I think I should take it easy so that it all heals up quickly. Actually, only phase one of the implant is done, which is the titanium screw. The crown will be attached in about two months. I'm just so thankful that I didn't have to get a bridge. I feel like I'm too young for that! : )

I'm starting to wonder how women who have children do all of this. I'm tired enough after waking early and going to work and then coming home and cooking dinner and washing dishes and doing laundry! Blogging is fun for me, and I love reading other blogs but sometimes it just seems like there aren't enough hours in the day. I know I shouldn't worry. When God decides to bless my husband and me with a child, HE alone will give me the strength to be able to do it all. It's just that sometimes I feel guilty for feeling overwhelmed, and there's only two of us. I just want to be faithful with what God has given me responsibility for thus far. Does anyone else ever feel this way?

One of My Favorite Things...

Have you tried the new Sharpie Mini? I got one about a year ago, and seriously I love this thing. I take it with me EVERYWHERE. And now, people have caught on. They always want to use it! "Jen, can I use your Sharpie Mini?" I'm not getting paid to say this...although if the Sharpie company would like to pay me I would not object. I don't know if this love for my mini-marker makes me a nerd. If it does, so be it. I heart my Sharpie Mini.

And...it really did make my day yesterday when I got two Sharpie Mini's for FREE at Publix!

Whoo hoo!

What's your favorite thing? Check out Fiddledeedee for more favorite things of the week!

My Favorite Publix Deals of the Week!

I didn't get a picture from my Publix trip yesterday, but here are my favorite deals for this week (until Wednesday night in my corner of the world):

Ziploc Easy Zipper Bags with Fresh Shield (various sizes) - on sale 2/$3.00
- Used $1/1 coupons found on displays in many local Publix stores. Makes each box 50 cents each!

Green Giant Steamers Frozen Vegetables - on sale 50% off
Used $1/1 coupons here (Thanks Sarah!) Made each bag of veggies 19 cents each!



Solo Grips Plastic Cups/Plates - Buy One, Get One Free $4.69.
No coupons, but I needed these for Thanksgiving, and I was so excited about the bonus FREE mini-Sharpies inside that it definitely was a good deal!

However, my ABSOLUTE favorite deal was my FREE Yoplait yogurt thanks to the Publix Promise! The sign on the shelf read $2.50, but they scanned $2.59 (I guess the price is going up!). So of course, I quickly pointed it out to my friendly cashier. Yay for free yogurt!

Wanna be a Publix Super Saver? Head back to Fiddledeedee for more great Publix deals this week!