Have You Tried Journaling?

I had starting a journal to document some things I was learning about this walk some time ago. This journal is a different one from another I have shared in a past post. The subject of that other journal is about the land of Israel.

The first page of my "Land of Israel" journal previously shared.

                          MY FAITH JOURNAL
 The purpose of my faith journal is to record the important points in my walk with Yahweh -- Yeshua. This includes acknowledgement of His Feast Days, important Torah principles, and anything that He may bring to mind.

If you keep your own journal, I would suggest that every time you add something, you leave the next page or two blank. That way if you find out more about your subject, it can be connected to what you have already posted chronologically, so to speak.

Journal Cover

 The following pictures are the first pages of my faith journal.

This glorious walk.

How can you not rejoice?

Torah is YHVH's teaching and instruction.

Celebrating Rosh Chodesh -- the New Moon

Representing YHVH's Moadim -- the Feast Days

Yom Teruah -- the Blowing of the Trumpets

It's Yom Teruah Time

I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't posted anything since March. Life gets in the way sometimes and, even with our best intentions, not everything gets proper attention. I won't promise that I will post consistently every week again like I did before but I will post when I can. I hope my viewers will keep following this blog.

With the Fall Feasts approaching, Yom Teruah, also called the Feast of Trumpets, is the first of these feasts. Among many other names this day has also been known as Rosh HaShanah (from the Babylonian exile), Head of the Year, and Birthday of the World. Without getting into whether or not to call this day one name or another, what is important is to acknowledge the day and blow our shofars.

It is hard to find interesting ideas for expressing our faith. The purpose of this blog is to pass on ideas that would compliment what you may be learning in your walk in the Torah. With this in mind, I crafted a shofar out of Sculpey and mounted it in a simple frame that I decorated with ribbons.

'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations. You shall observe it as a day when the horn is sounded.'  Leviticus 29:1

This year -2015- Yom Teruah begins at sunset on Sunday, September 13 and ends at sunset on Monday, September 14. Some observe this moedim for two days instead one, especially in Israel. The reasoning behind this is because of the uncertainty that was involved in determining the new moon in ancient times. Regardless of whether observing one day or two, all will be reflecting on the past year for the next ten days and looking forward to Yom Kippur and Sukkot. May you be blessed in the coming year.

SOUND OUR SHOFARS!   SHOUT FOR JOY!   CHAG SAMAECH!

Hebrew Themed Paper Punches

I'm taking a break from pre-Passover cleaning and getting this post up before the week is gone. Yes, I started cleaning earlier this year. It seems I can't get more than halfway through cleaning the kitchen let alone the rest of the house otherwise. I confess that I really don't like to clean.

Now the reason for this post... My daughter told me about paper punches she had seen at the local Hobby Lobby store. I didn't find them the first time I looked but on the second trip...Bingo!

The smaller punches are the Star of David and a dreidel. Those were the ones my daughter told me about. I also found a crown that is a larger size. Both packages were $9.99 but the store's website always has 40% of coupons so that makes the purchase a bit more economic.

There are so many projects to use these on. I just make make my own confetti! LOL

So, back to my cleaning and thinking about what I'm serving for our Passover seder. 

Be Blessed Dear Ones!

Something For A Narrow Space

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.  -- Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

Looking through my supplies again I found a couple of packages of 1-1/4 inch wooden squares that I had acquired for another project but didn't use. I painted them with craft acrylic for a base coat and stenciled letters onto them. I glued the stenciled pieces onto a piece of glittered ribbon that I had prepared before hand. The ribbon was doubled over the top and glued down. Then a ring was sewn on the back to hang it with. At the bottom edge I folded the ribbon into a point and glued it down, adding a little jewel bead at the point.

This measures 1-1/4 inches wide by 12-3/4 inches long. It's perfect for a narrow spot on the wall but I have yet to decide the best place to hang it. It was a simple, easy project and worth giving it a try. If you prefer, you could stencil the word in Hebrew. What I like about this project is that I'll be  reminded of the Scripture whenever I pass by and see it. I won't only recite it when I rise up and lie down.

Blessings Dear Ones. I'm so glad you came to view this blog. Be sure to return for more ideas.

Thinking About Purim

Purim is fast approaching and before we know it Pesach will be here. I've been trying to come up with something to represent Purim this year so I'll start with 'crowns'.

I always try to use materials that I have on hand first and that may limit what I want to present. However I think you'll like this idea.

Those battery operated candles from the $ store are great if you're concerned about real lighted candles and the safety of your children. So, how can you dress them up? Here's my idea.

I started by making a pattern. Measure the circumference and height of your candle. Be sure to add a little extra to overlap and a little to be taller than your candle. Use fancy paper, glittery craft foam, scrapbooking paper (there are some pretty sparkly ones available) or any material that is flexible enough to wrap around your candle and hold their shape. Transfer your pattern on the backside of your chosen material and cut out. Overlap and glue the edges but don't make it so tight that it won't slip over the candle.

Materials that I had on hand...Heavy gold embossed wrapping paper and glitter encrusted craft foam.

Craft foam on the right. Heavy wrapping paper on the left with sequins and jewels added.

The lighted 'fake' candle inside the candle cover.

This would make a fun project for the kids too. So get out your supplies and glue and go at it. Have fun! Shalom Dear Ones.

Something For Me Instead Of The House

This week I was pawing around in my craft supplies and trying to come up with another idea to post. I came across a bag of letter beads that I purchased from a dollar store a while back. They were too small to do a home decor project with so I decided to do something to decorate me. I've made fabric and mixed media pins in the past and so I began to play a little with some other supplies. This is what I came up with.

I made a pillow form about 3 by 1-1/4 inches finished with a stiff piece of interfacing inside to stabilize it. Trim was added to the outside and then the fun began. I picked out spacer beads to place between the letter beads which were sewn on swag style. Then on to my other embellishments where the basket and star metal stampings and tiny red heart were found and sewn on. Lastly a pin back was added.

I hope you'll try this idea too. Shalom!

Tu B'Shevat

I apologize for my blogging absence last week. I was studying for my Bible College course final test last week, which I passed with a 99% grade. The same question tripped me up on this test as a previous test. After this I'm pretty sure I won't miss it again. Also last week was our 45th wedding anniversary and I was a bit busy getting a special dinner ready for my honey!

While attempting to learn more about the land of Israel, I 'll share my findings with my readers. This week the subject will be on Tu B'Shevat. This is the season when the trees begin to bloom and bear fruit. In looking for the Hebrew spelling טו בשבט  (it seems that it is much like the multiple spellings of Hanakkah) I came across the following link. http://hazon.org/how-do-you-spell-tu-bshvat/ It is worth checking out this interesting article.

And so you ask, what is Tu B'Shevat? Israel celebrates what is called 'New Year for the Trees'. It falls on the 15th of the month of Shvat. This year it corresponds with February 4th on the Gregorian calender. This is the season in Israel when the trees begin to bloom and bear fruit. The following Scripture names the seven species of 'fruit' as special agricultural products of the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grape, figs, pomegantes, olive and date (honey).
 
Deuteronomy 8: 6-10 states: Therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God: walk in His ways and revere Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill, a land of wheat and barley,of vines,figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey; a land where you may eat food without stint, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and from whose hills you can mine copper. When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

While we may not be in the Land of Israel, we are connected with Israel through our obedience to YHVH's Torah. While there are certainly observances in Israel that one may decide not to take part in, it would benefit to know what they are.

To decorate your home for Tu B'Shevat could include anything with trees and fruit. I live in an area of the northeast US and I have always loved trees and particularly pine trees. I have a small collection of counter top pine tress and I'll have to work on the fruit theme, but it's a start. What about you?

My tree collection

A painting of the shagbark hickory tree in my front yard.

 As an afterthought, the Tree of Life theme could be added to the mix.

Chag Sameach!