Thursday, September 29
Tuesday, September 27
Monday, September 26
How to become a Rabbi?
There is an ehow for almost anything so why should I be surprised they put "becoming a Rabbi" into 9 simple steps?
Anyway, I was surprised to see that one of the Rabbis at my daughter's school is a female and I just thought to look that up: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/femalerabbi.html this was an interesting article. I like how Rabbi really just means teacher. They state that the mastery of text is really what being a Rabbi signifies and not necessarily, administrator of sacramental functions.
What a nice thing to be!
Anyway, I was surprised to see that one of the Rabbis at my daughter's school is a female and I just thought to look that up: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/femalerabbi.html this was an interesting article. I like how Rabbi really just means teacher. They state that the mastery of text is really what being a Rabbi signifies and not necessarily, administrator of sacramental functions.
What a nice thing to be!
Sunday, September 25
Saturday, September 24
Friday, September 23
Rosh Hashanah
Argh. So. I'm feeling kinda like a looser right now (as is witnessed by my salty snacks and larger-than-lately glass of wine). I am up to the very last minute with one of the very black and white promises I made last year at Rosh Hashanah: http://www.nellsgodblog.com/2010/09/my-five.html
-to think about our tzedakah box more often result: A fine amount of cash but only resentful thoughts of where to give it
-not to fib anymore
result: Pretty great actually. This one I can almost be proud of except the last week or so when I've been putting off calling this customer back...not that I'm fibbing about it but I just know it's wrong and it's in my power to correct and I refuse to
-to give a nod to my religion in daily conversation
result: Ok. I have opened up a lot but I haven't been diligent or made a point to track the progress
-to attend a Jewish service
result: A markedly failed attempt today (and duly note that it was basically my only attempt so far). This is the very black and white promise that I can be most disappointed about
-to make a wholehearted attempt to open an unbeliever's mind to Christianity
result: Ok. Again, opening up has helped just get religion into conversation but I am a "project manager" and I'm not sure if other people's decision making can be managed but I feel like I should have had an outline...like a opening conversation and carefully timed follow up points and some goal marking and then a wrap up session and an introduction to other faithful believers and poof ~ a new Christian. Right? All I have right now are a couple good friends who are likely just more confident that I like God a lot. Argh
What have I learned from this and what will the next year bring?
Let me ramble for a bit and maybe I will make sense of it later.
Let go let go let go let go. For as much as I want to be a free-spirit I'm so plagued by whatever is itching my brain. I had a stash of tzedakah money at Christmas and an idea of what to do with it and when that fell through my whole idea just fell apart. Now all I can think about when I think of giving is the possible negatives of any organization I come across. Nothing is good enough all of a sudden for this money that the Lord has blessed me with and its aggravating but I can't tell if I just give it to a bum on the street or to the nearest church if that will help or if I will forever be second guessing. And I feel silly about that because the money isn't even mine, you know? And I have every worldly thing I could want (well, I was coveting this lovely sage green leather planner today but you know what I mean in that I'm not "wanting" for a single thing).
As far as the fibbing thing goes I almost have that under wraps. I love how I've almost learned not to over promise. Almost. It's gotten very very challenging at work lately just because of the quantity of tasks that exist but I feel like I'm very good with our daughter and the more she understands the more honest I want to be!
With religion in daily conversation there is for sure more that I could do to be in touch with my friends who I know share my faith in God. That's probably what I'm shooting for because I think that just connecting with them is good for my soul (especially since we aren't church go-ers right now). And of course I find, as the title to my blog implies, that forcing my spirituality to the top of my mind makes it more a central focus of my whole day/life/whatever. And I know that I see things differently. I react to other's faith differently and I like that a lot. My knowledge base is expanding but to that point I think that I'm realizing now more than ever how far behind I am on my Bible studies. I also realize though that I don't love the Word enough and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I think that the Jewish faith has SO much to offer and I'm really thankful that God brought the idea of sending our daughter to a Jewish dayschool into our minds. What a super duper blessing. Really -When I walk their halls I can see the loving and creative basis for their teachings in everything! From the classroom decor to the kids art projects...it's just the very most amazing school and I'm so happy that we get to be a part of their world. I feel like there is a lot to learn from the Jewish faith and maybe the struggle to get to one of their services is just a testament to our inability to do community things? Again though, a concept that is very strong in their religion. And maybe our little family is a bad family for not being able to get up and go?! It's hard not to feel like a spiritual outsider when there is little/no participation in all the communing that goes along with it but are the nervous thoughts and late comings/early exits worth it?
Lastly I will say a little prayer for the couple people that are on my mind whose views I would like to have steered toward the Christian persuasion: Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done on earth as it is in heaven. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
-to think about our tzedakah box more often result: A fine amount of cash but only resentful thoughts of where to give it
-not to fib anymore
result: Pretty great actually. This one I can almost be proud of except the last week or so when I've been putting off calling this customer back...not that I'm fibbing about it but I just know it's wrong and it's in my power to correct and I refuse to
-to give a nod to my religion in daily conversation
result: Ok. I have opened up a lot but I haven't been diligent or made a point to track the progress
-to attend a Jewish service
result: A markedly failed attempt today (and duly note that it was basically my only attempt so far). This is the very black and white promise that I can be most disappointed about
-to make a wholehearted attempt to open an unbeliever's mind to Christianity
result: Ok. Again, opening up has helped just get religion into conversation but I am a "project manager" and I'm not sure if other people's decision making can be managed but I feel like I should have had an outline...like a opening conversation and carefully timed follow up points and some goal marking and then a wrap up session and an introduction to other faithful believers and poof ~ a new Christian. Right? All I have right now are a couple good friends who are likely just more confident that I like God a lot. Argh
What have I learned from this and what will the next year bring?
Let me ramble for a bit and maybe I will make sense of it later.
Let go let go let go let go. For as much as I want to be a free-spirit I'm so plagued by whatever is itching my brain. I had a stash of tzedakah money at Christmas and an idea of what to do with it and when that fell through my whole idea just fell apart. Now all I can think about when I think of giving is the possible negatives of any organization I come across. Nothing is good enough all of a sudden for this money that the Lord has blessed me with and its aggravating but I can't tell if I just give it to a bum on the street or to the nearest church if that will help or if I will forever be second guessing. And I feel silly about that because the money isn't even mine, you know? And I have every worldly thing I could want (well, I was coveting this lovely sage green leather planner today but you know what I mean in that I'm not "wanting" for a single thing).
As far as the fibbing thing goes I almost have that under wraps. I love how I've almost learned not to over promise. Almost. It's gotten very very challenging at work lately just because of the quantity of tasks that exist but I feel like I'm very good with our daughter and the more she understands the more honest I want to be!
With religion in daily conversation there is for sure more that I could do to be in touch with my friends who I know share my faith in God. That's probably what I'm shooting for because I think that just connecting with them is good for my soul (especially since we aren't church go-ers right now). And of course I find, as the title to my blog implies, that forcing my spirituality to the top of my mind makes it more a central focus of my whole day/life/whatever. And I know that I see things differently. I react to other's faith differently and I like that a lot. My knowledge base is expanding but to that point I think that I'm realizing now more than ever how far behind I am on my Bible studies. I also realize though that I don't love the Word enough and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I think that the Jewish faith has SO much to offer and I'm really thankful that God brought the idea of sending our daughter to a Jewish dayschool into our minds. What a super duper blessing. Really -When I walk their halls I can see the loving and creative basis for their teachings in everything! From the classroom decor to the kids art projects...it's just the very most amazing school and I'm so happy that we get to be a part of their world. I feel like there is a lot to learn from the Jewish faith and maybe the struggle to get to one of their services is just a testament to our inability to do community things? Again though, a concept that is very strong in their religion. And maybe our little family is a bad family for not being able to get up and go?! It's hard not to feel like a spiritual outsider when there is little/no participation in all the communing that goes along with it but are the nervous thoughts and late comings/early exits worth it?
Lastly I will say a little prayer for the couple people that are on my mind whose views I would like to have steered toward the Christian persuasion: Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done on earth as it is in heaven. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Thursday, September 22
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do,
work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord,
not for men
work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord,
not for men
Wednesday, September 21
Auto posting
Driving from my daughter's school to work this morning I realized that I absolutely forgot to post yesterday. So I texted the church enticement board that caught my eye and before I googled that question right now, I glanced at my blog just to double check what it was and holy crap (I almost capitalized Holy but I think that is sacrilegious) I DID post inadvertently last night.
Ha.
So yah. Hook up with me on LinkedIn (I always read that in my head as Lindikin) or not.
Here is the info I found most interesting on the onlines about the three Abrahamic faiths: http://lamar.colostate.edu/~grjan/Three%20Abrahamic%20Faiths.html
I should go back and read the World Religions text book we studied in College just because it would mean more now.
Oh and also, my friend at work (I need to share this endeavor with her. Not sure why I've been shy) said that she prayed about a decision and that was awesome.
Sleep tight
Love,
nell
Ha.
So yah. Hook up with me on LinkedIn (I always read that in my head as Lindikin) or not.
Here is the info I found most interesting on the onlines about the three Abrahamic faiths: http://lamar.colostate.edu/~grjan/Three%20Abrahamic%20Faiths.html
I should go back and read the World Religions text book we studied in College just because it would mean more now.
Oh and also, my friend at work (I need to share this endeavor with her. Not sure why I've been shy) said that she prayed about a decision and that was awesome.
Sleep tight
Love,
nell
Tuesday, September 20
Nell Speerschneider wants to stay in touch on LinkedIn
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Monday, September 19
AND He never needs a
AND He never needs a smoke break or eats the last handful of popcorn or complains about your choice of friends
Sunday, September 18
Saturday, September 17
The Lord, Not Idols
Isaiah 44:13
The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.
The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.
Friday, September 16
Thursday, September 15
Loving something can be very motivating
The title really has nothing to do with my quote except a thread of thought but whatever...
Ecclesiastes Seven: 1-6
A good name is better than fine perfume,
and the day of death better than the day of birth.
It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of every man;
the living should take this to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke
than to listen to the song of fools.
Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
so is the laughter of fools.
This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes Seven: 1-6
A good name is better than fine perfume,
and the day of death better than the day of birth.
It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of every man;
the living should take this to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke
than to listen to the song of fools.
Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
so is the laughter of fools.
This too is meaningless.
Wednesday, September 14
Keep your eyes on the road???
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD!
(thanks Mike ~*)
And that reminds me...I still need to make a sticker chart...Rosh Hashana is coming up soon! I'm a year behind!!
(thanks Mike ~*)
And that reminds me...I still need to make a sticker chart...Rosh Hashana is coming up soon! I'm a year behind!!
Monday, September 12
Sunday, September 11
Saturday, September 10
Friday, September 9
Can't half ass it
The Shabbat message from our daughter's school today had an interesting suggestion about turning off technology for a day of rest.
(and huh. thinking about it now, my husband and I only are having this convo because of the information I'm able to quickly retrieve from the glowing notebook on my lap. blessings and curses.........)
Through discussions and browsing I came across this sermon: http://www.congregationsinai.com/rabbi-cohens-sermons/143-connected.
I pray that God continue to bless our endevors as a mom (and a family) searching for spirituality.
(and huh. thinking about it now, my husband and I only are having this convo because of the information I'm able to quickly retrieve from the glowing notebook on my lap. blessings and curses.........)
Through discussions and browsing I came across this sermon: http://www.congregationsinai.com/rabbi-cohens-sermons/143-connected.
I pray that God continue to bless our endevors as a mom (and a family) searching for spirituality.
Thursday, September 8
Tuesday, September 6
Thanks Mom~
Your words lead me to this blogger's post which I appreciated: http://ceruleansanctum.com/2006/11/jesus-christ-lord-of-empathy.html Just getting ideas to chew on when I'm feeling dry in my thoughts and prayers was helpful...
(and Tizzy, if you are reading, I NEED help with a mantra -please. And perhaps a guest post :) I've been meaning to throw that idea out)
(and Tizzy, if you are reading, I NEED help with a mantra -please. And perhaps a guest post :) I've been meaning to throw that idea out)
Monday, September 5
Sunday, September 4
Coolest kindergarten class on the block
So, I jut have to plug this blog: http://churchfrogblog.blogspot.com/ and will put it on my newly added blog roll (part of the cleaning house bit). And while I hesitate to post a post with a million links I must explore my thought process and give the wiki-links a hit by saying I browsed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistine_Chapel_ceiling for a brief and interesting overview of a post from this spring that caught my attention. Who would have thought that children, of such a young age could comprehend such a historic event? And one of significant Christian history? Kudos Mrs.Barb for suggesting such a thing!Saturday, September 3
I have so much to do lately! to get my house in order (the font change/color was just a statement...I was going through archives to create a blog roll and it struck me how much more time I had back then to embellish)... that has little to do with my link but whatever...
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/streisand.html
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/streisand.html
Friday, September 2
Thursday, September 1
Who built the ark? Noah
Who built the ark? Noah Noah
it's amazing how the kids songs get stuck in ones head
it's amazing how the kids songs get stuck in ones head
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