Like the mellowing sun

Drinking from the fountain

I got up to stretch.

It was almost sunset,

the time for our appointment.

I almost missed it

but I had come.

 I climed the ladder

way over the trees.

Warmth settled in

like the mellowing sun;

because you were near

I found perfect peace.

Only You could still

the hunger of my soul.

By your side I want to be

your purpose to fulfill.

Oh, to know such perfect bliss

as the blending of our souls;

to cherish and behold

the One who made us His!

Our covenant promise

Golden harvest, 

fruit of the vine

 Flower's perfume,
 love's delight

 Covenant promise,
 light divine!

Keep on keeping on

Along life’s road are obstacles

Our choice becomes a test;

Let’s seek wisdom to know our way

That we might choose what is best!

Keep on keeping on

Do not give in to stress

Take it one step at a time

Until you’ve gained success!

Practicing hospitality

The greatest love is shown when a person

 lays down his life for his friends.

I have been reading about a people who show 
 outstanding hospitality to their guests,
offering protection and great kindness towards them.
 There is so much joy in sharing with a friend!

There were two sisters and a brother

 who loved to have their friend over.
 They would sit for hours on end
 to chat or go for walks
 and think deep thoughts.

One day one of them was so busy fixing dinner
while the other sister simply sat at her Rabi's feet
 to listen to Him.
This caused the busy one to complain
 and she asked her friend to scold her sister
 and tell her to help with the chores.
 "Martha, Martha,  you are so worked up
 and fretting  but your sister has chosen the best part
 and I will not take it from her!".

The best part of our day is listening to our Teacher,

 the one we love, the one who is our guest!

We can still go about our chores,
 getting busy and all
but we do not need to fret!

The more we work together,
 the happier we will be.

We are never alone
when our hearts are tuned to Him!

Loving one another

Dear brothers,
I am not writing a new rule for you to obey,
for it is an old one you have always had,
right form the start.
You have heard it all before
yet it is always new,
and it works for you
just as it did in the past;
and as we obey this commandment
to love one another,
the darkness in our lives dissapears
and the new light of life shines in!

With roots deep in your love

I have stilled and quieted myself,
just like a small child
is quiet with its mother
My soul longs
to be close to yours
to listen to what you have to say.


To release all of my cares
as I draw close and lean my head on your shoulder
with Your strong arm around me
I am reminded that I am safe,
I am cared for
and you are watching over me!


I rest against your heart
as I am determined
to walk your narrow path,
to delight myself
in doing all you want,
to meditate in your words.


To follow you more closely,
Oh, that I may stand among the godly
Do not let me blow away like chaff
before the wind
but may I stand firm in my belief
with roots deep in your love!

Building Bridges

 One of my favorite sayings is
 "I'm out to build bridges"

I first read it in Ann Kiemel's book
called "I'm celebrating"

A bridge establishes a connection, the ability to extend oneself from one zone and reach out to another. This takes courage, effort, a willingness to risk, to share, to relate. A bridge also takes us above canyons, rivers of difficulty, rifts, onto the other side. It ends our loneliness as we connect to others,  it takes us beyond our circumstances and opens our eyes to the world around us giving us great opportunities to empathize.

People who have this friendly attitude towards others, who are willing to build relationships, who are good listeners with a caring attitude, sharing, smiling, inviting others to join in, bring warmth and light to our lives and to those around. Never give up building bridges!