Author Archives: James

About James

I’m an ordinary guy walking a path of faith and trying to understand my relationship with God. I’m not a Pastor, teacher, or leader of any kind. Just a Christian husband married to a Jewish wife. Part of this blog has to do with the joys and challenges of being intermarried and part of it has to do with my return to church after a long absence. I also write a great deal about how a Christian can look through a Jewish lens and get a better perspective on life, love, and the God who made us all.

Behaalotecha: The Journey of Grass

Posted on May 24, 2013

Then Moses said to Hobab, son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place about which the L‑rd said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Go with us, and we will be good to you.” -Numbers … Continue reading →

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Gifts of the Spirit: For the Common Good

Posted on May 23, 2013

“Everyone knew I was Jewish. It just didn’t mean anything.” -Rabbi Carl Kinbar I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. -Isaiah 58:14 Rabbi Kinbar gave his first presentation … Continue reading →

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Gifts of the Spirit: Let Us Be Healed by God

Posted on May 22, 2013

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.” -2 Kings … Continue reading →

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Gifts of the Spirit: Dancing at the King’s Wedding

Posted on May 21, 2013

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.” -2 Kings … Continue reading →

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Praying for Oklahoma

Posted on May 20, 2013

A mammoth tornado carved a trail of destruction through the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, killing at least 51 people, including some children, and ripping apart two elementary schools today, local authorities said. “It is absolutely devastating, this is horrific,” Oklahoma … Continue reading →

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Gifts of the Spirit: Even the Living Stones Weep

Posted on May 20, 2013

“Listen: Billy Pilgrim has become unstuck in time.” So begins Vonnegut’s absurdist 1969 classic. Centering on the infamous fire-bombing of Dresden, Billy Pilgrim’s odyssey through time reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning … Continue reading →

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Gifts of the Spirit: Don’t Change a Thing

Posted on May 20, 2013

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all … Continue reading →

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I am Iron Man

Posted on May 16, 2013

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh … Continue reading →

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Unpopular Righteousness

Posted on May 15, 2013

The ascent of the soul occurs three times daily, during the three times of davening. This is particularly true of the souls of tzadikim who “go from strength to strength.” It is certain that at all times and in every … Continue reading →

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Pilgrimage to Wisconsin

Posted on May 14, 2013

This Shavu’ot, in honor of the anniversary of the giving of the Torah and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the teachers from First Fruits of Zion are gathering to provide historical answers about the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” … Continue reading →

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