So what should we count when we count the Omer? The first thing we count are the days. We are counting the days between the Passover and Pentecost. In Old Testament times, the Jewish people received God’s Law fifty days after the Passover. Through the Ten Commandments given to Moses, the people received God’s Word.…
Counting the Omer
Between the time of the Passover and Pentecost, the Jews developed a tradition called “Counting the Omer.” The tradition came from a passage telling the faithful to count the days and the weeks following the Passover. Let’s set the stage just a bit to help us understand. My grandmother had a habit of counting things.…
Counting the Omer | from Passover to Shavuot
Thirty days in May. Growing up in Indianapolis, those words were shouted on the radio and plastered in the newspapers. Thirty days in May. My grandfather loathed counting thirty days in May. Thirty days that you couldn’t shop at the Topp’s Discount Store (Walmart wannabe) in Speedway because of the crowds. During these thirty days…
Perseverance | persistence and tenacity of faith
Our counting from Easter to Pentecost readies itself for the fourth week of the study. By Wednesday of this week, we will be at the halfway mark of the adventure. During the time, we focused on characteristics of spiritual growth, looking at unity and the mind. During the next week, the topic perseverance garners our…
Strength and Sound Judgment
The qualities that are emphasized in week two are strength, sound judgment and discipline. What will it take to develop those characteristics in your life? Perhaps more importantly, why are these characteristics that we should be concerned about at all? These are the issues that we will address during the days this week. Let’s think…
The Reckless Love of God
As this week draws to a close, let’s spend a little bit of time thinking about the quality or characteristic of life that we want to count this week. Up until now our focus has been on why we are counting – and what we are counting. By no means do I want to imply…
Counting on the Father
We spend a great deal of time counting on routines to provide a source of stability in our lives. The need for a foundation that does not change is especially true in our spiritual lives. The effects of the COVID-19 disease has shaken our routines and traditions. It is not easy to not have Bible…
Traditions of Pentecost: A New Movement is Born
Traditions aren’t what they used to be, are they? Some things are just not necessary because they are no longer needed. I don’t have to sing all sixteen verses of Just as I Am as a hymn of invitation at the end of every church service. I don’t have to listen to my favorite music…