Repentance and Atonement for Jews and Non-Jews

A fable about changing relationships

by Rabbi Allen S. Maller

Her mother once gave her a bag of nails and told her that every time she lost her temper or insulted somebody she must hammer a small nail into large tree in the back of their house.

The first day the girl hit 14 nails into the bark of the tree. Over the next few weeks, as she learned to control her anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled. She discovered it was easier to hold her temper than to drive those nails into the tree.

Finally the day came when the girl didn't lose her temper at all. She told her mother about it and the mother suggested that the girl now pull out one nail for each day that she was able to hold her temper. The days passed. Finally, she told her mother that all the nails were gone. 

The mother took her daughter by the hand and led her to the tree. She said, "You have done well, my daughter, but look at all the holes in the tree. This tree will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like these." You can put a knife in a person and draw it out. It does not matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is almost as bad as a physical one.“How can I fix the tree?” asked the girl. “Will it have to remain damaged forever?” (more…)

Raising a Candle

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

From time to time
I have to remember
Why I came here.
So often, the passing days
Cause me to forget.
You see, I hold in my hand
A candle, with a brilliant flame,
To fight the growing darkness.

Yet, when aglow
I raise my candle high
So others might see,
And the Light blinds them.
They run away, holding their eyes,
Shaking their head, confused.

So what am I to do?

Still, I raise my candle
Waiting for the weary traveler
Who needs a Light
To find their Way.
Then, as indicated,
I touch my candle to theirs
And together we travel
Illuminating the dark night.
-SB

___________

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What the Master Offers

by Dr Stewart Bitkoff

Traveler: "Master, why don't more of the people take what you offer them? In your hand you hold a wondrous element that can transform their lives."

Master: "I extend my hand to everyone, yet few see what I hold. Most never open their eyes."

Traveler: "Then, why don't you teach them to open their eyes?"

Master: "First, they must be willing and able to learn."

____

Excerpt from Journey of Light: Trilogy, Authorhouse, 2004.

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A Parable of Earth and Spirit

An English man and his wife moved to France, but decided to keep their English lifestyle and communicate with each other in the English language. In the morning they eat eggs and bacon. In the afternoon they drink tea with cucumber sandwiches and cakes. For dinner they have roast beef or fish and chips. And before going to bed in the evening they stand to attention and sing "God Save the Queen!" (more…)

Have You Heard? He Has Risen, And So Can We

A Message for Easter

Niánn Emerson Chase

Dear Friend:

How are you? I just had to send you this letter to tell you how much I love and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would talk to me also. As evening drew near I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you. And I waited. You never came. Oh yes, it hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend. I saw you fall asleep last night, and I longed to touch your brow so I spilled moonlight upon your pillow and face. Again, I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you. You awakened late and rushed off for the day. My tears were in the rain. Today you looked so sad, so alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me many times too,. but I love you. I try to tell you in the quiet green grass; I whisper it in the leaves and trees; breathe it in the colors of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air. My love for you is deeper than oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need you have. We will spend eternity together in heaven. I know how hard it is on this earth. I really know because I was there, and I want to help you. My Father wants to help you too. He’s that way you know. Just call me; ask me; talk to me. It’s your decision. I have chosen you, and because of this, I will wait because I love you.

Your friend,
Jesus (more…)

Two Days We Should Not Worry

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.

Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.

We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone forever.

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. (more…)

Lessons from the Game

You're playing a game of soccer, and make a mistake that gifts the opposing team a goal. Do you:

1. storm off the pitch in anger (at yourself, your opponents, the ref, the crowd, the coach, the restaurant where you had your breakfast...)?
2. stay on the pitch and nominally continue playing but with no real passion, effort or belief in the abilities that earned your place in the team? or
3. admit your error and resolve to double your efforts not only to make up for the lost goal but also to win the game?

Surely the only logical answer is 3.

And so it is with life. To live life is to make mistakes. Accept them as part of your learning process (otherwise known as your purpose), take on board their lessons, and continue in earnest pursuit of your goals.

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The Meaning Behind the Words

The words spoken by a person reveal much more about the speaker than those they speak about.

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Prayer for the New Age

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

Each is an eternal child of the universe;
A ray of Light from a larger, more glorious sun,
Traveling from world to world,
Creating their individual Reality.

O Radiances of Truth,
As this New Age Dawns
Fill us with joy and wonder.
Let your life giving energy
Rain down upon us;
Stilling all fear and worry,
Helping us to rise higher
Creating aNew World
Of Light, health and beauty.

O Radiances of Truth,
May each heart embrace
Its own higher purpose.
Lifting their fellows;
Smiling, celebrating together
In the morning sun of Universal Love.

O Radiances of Truth,
May thisNew Worldstart with me;
Bless my efforts to rise higher,
Every moment of every day,
And live according to my Higher Self
And the Higher Destiny of the Universe.

Invitation: Celebrate The Dawn of A New Age

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The Sunday Service

The people of the little village of Carra pride themselves on their religion. Every Sunday morning they make their way to the delightful old village church to hear their pastor, Father Shine, deliver his words of wisdom. And thanks to their freely given efforts Carra had won first prize for churchyard of the year for the past 99 years. (more…)