tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55433636716063344422024-03-05T05:00:40.593-08:00Celebrate Jesus - The BookUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-59031767919846872422009-12-09T20:40:00.001-08:002009-12-09T20:40:59.306-08:00Hanukkah - Part 2http://EzineArticles.com/?id=3380076Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-16270840586571785182009-10-19T18:34:00.000-07:002009-10-19T18:37:21.418-07:00People are saying....<span style="font-style:italic;">Have just started reading the book and am so blessed by it--it is the type of book I will read over and over and study various portions, looking up the scriptures. There were stunning insights in it, am particularly enjoying the chapter on New Moon,... which is all new. It is enlarging my vision and understanding of our God, Christ, and the Kingdom!</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">LR (Portland, OR)</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /><br />Hi Joan: Just getting into the book. Lots to think about</span>. <span style="font-weight:bold;">CS (Portland, OR)</span><br /><br />Wow! I had some quiet time last night to sit and read... Wonderful! I laughed and cried! I love how you have interjected your own experience and humour! I so much enjoy the presentation, the writing style and the organization, including the divisions, fonts etc. Makes it so easy to follow and to learn from. After the intro chapters I decided to go right to the 'season' we are in and read all about the King fulfillment... Shabbat Shalom sister!</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">NS (Canada)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-7601275522139118132009-10-07T13:49:00.000-07:002009-10-07T13:56:30.337-07:00Feasting Around the WorldPUBLISHED IN THE CHRISTIAN EDITION OF THE JERUSALEM POST, OCTOBER 2, 2009<br /><br /><br />FEASTING AROUND THE WORLD<br />-by Kasey Bar<br /><br />Across the globe – in Chatsworth, England; Panajachel, Guatemala; Devenport, Tasmania; Hyderabad, India; Melbourne, Florida, and hundreds of other locations – Christians are gearing up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in a town near you.<br /><br />Jerusalem is of course the most coveted location for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has been sponsoring a week-long spectacular there each year since its inception in September 1980. That ground-breaking celebration quickly grew into Israel’s largest annual tourist event, with more than 5,000 Christian regularly attending, coming from over 100 nations of the globe.<br /><br />The success of that event appears to have spawned a growing number of Feast gatherings worldwide that today involve tens of thousands of Christian celebrants, some of whom may never have the privilege of pilgrimage to the Holy Land.<br /><br />“Being in the body of Christ... enables us to experience the Feast of Tabernacles in unity, harmony and joy as if we were all at one site,” said Ryan Denee of the Restored Church of God, which will be holding a Sukkot gathering again this year.<br /><br />“Due to the socio-political situation in Honduras, we are not going to be able to attend this year’s Feast in Jerusalem,” said Fabiola Radriguez de Vieytez of Honduras, who has missed only two Feasts in Jerusalem since 1984. “But we think that is it important to never forget the faithfulness of our God, through every situation that we pass in our lives and we will be celebrating the Feast locally with Pastor Evelio Reyes of Vida Abundante [Abundant Life] in Tegucigalpa,” she recently told The Christian Edition.<br /><br />How many feasts will there be this year? According the Web site www.feastgoer.org, there are at least 200 public Christian celebrations of the Feast in nearly 100 different countries spanning the breadth of the globe. This statistic represents only organized events that have been widely advertised. The number of locations is likely much greater when one includes informal celebrations and unpublicized observances by churches and ministries throughout the world.<br /><br />FeastGoer is a Web venture dedicated to connecting Christians with biblical Feast celebrations in their respective areas. They state that they “believe the God-given feasts are entirely relevant to the Christian today and teach so much about God and Jesus Christ that they cannot be overlooked and relegated to the past.”<br /><br />But for centuries of Christian history, that is exactly what happened. Both the Old and New Testaments reveal the Feast of Tabernacles as a corporate celebration. However, in the Fourth Century, when Constantine became emperor of Rome, he forced both Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus to give up any ties with Judaism, Jewish practices and the Hebrew calendar under the threat of imprisonment or death. All of the biblical holidays and feasts were either replaced by separate holidays or rejected entirely.<br /><br />Over the ensuing centuries, Christians drifted further and further from their Hebraic roots to the point that contemporary Christianity had lost touch with the Biblical feasts that Jesus himself had faithfully observed.<br /><br />It was in the 19th century that certain Christian leaders were moved by a deep desire to reconnect to Israel and in fact they had a great impact upon Zionism. In the US, Protestant minister William E. Blackstone circulated a petition in 1892 to urge the US to reestablish a Jewish state in Palestine. Meanwhile in Europe, Rev. William Hechler, chaplain of the British Embassy in Vienna, became a close friend of Theodore Herzl, the father of the modern Zionist movement. With the establishment of the state of Israel, Christians began looking at Biblical references to Israel more practically, including the Divine call to keep the appointed feasts “forever, throughout the generations” (Leviticus 23:41).<br /><br />For example, noted writer Basilea Schlink, co-founder of the Evangelical order of the Sisters of Mary, arranged to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in 1946 with local Jewish survivors of the Holocaust in her hometown of Darmstadt, Germany. But the practice did not become a mainstream Christian event until the early 1980s when the Christian Embassy began hosting their international Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.<br /><br />Since its inception in 1980, the ICEJ has faithfully encouraged pilgrims from all nations to join them in Jerusalem to celebrate the biblical feast of the Ingathering. This is in anticipation of the prophecy spoken of in Zechariah 14:16 that all the nations will one day come up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.<br /><br />This event has become the signal Christian Zionist gathering in Israel each year, and what began in Jerusalem 30 years ago has now spread throughout the world. The ICEJ’s Feasts have always featured not only strong biblical messages on Israel and the Church, but also Hebraic worship, Davidic dance, artistic banners and other innovations that have now been duplicated far and wide.<br /><br />“It's really not a tourist event. It is indeed a celebration of God's love, an expression of the diverse and united Kingdom of God, and a statement of God's faithfulness to Israel,” said Rev. Malcolm Hedding, Executive Director of the ICEJ.<br /><br />It is true that there is no other site like Jerusalem, yet the message of Sukkot reverberates across borders and continents, demonstrating that no matter where Christians are located, they indeed share the same inspirations.<br /><br />Vieytez says what she enjoys most is the Communion services conducted at the Feast celebrations in Jerusalem and now in her native Honduras. “We have the opportunity to share in unity no matter our language, or race, or anything else,” she said.<br /><br />“A corporate celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is an acknowledgement that all of us together represent the 'tabernacle of God' among men,” said Pastor Bob Summerville of Hunstville, Alabama, who has a long-time teaching ministry on the Hebraic roots of Christianity and conducts observances of Jewish festivals for Christians.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">“God gave the holidays for His purpose, to both Jews and Gentiles, to help us see God and understand His plan of redemption,” said Joan Lipis, author of the new book, Celebrate Jesus: A Christian Perspective of the Biblical Feasts. She will be touring the US over the High Holy Days to encourage people to celebrate the festivals of Israel in order to better understand Jesus and the Kingdom of God.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Lipis told The Christian Edition that in the past, she tried to spend every Feast in Israel, but now wishes to share the message of the feasts with the world in their own area and with respect to their own cultures and traditions. This year she will be observing the Feast of Tabernacles in Portland, Oregon. </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">“When we come together to celebrate the Feast in our different cultures and different traditions but according to God’s calendar, we are demonstrating to the world, and the powers and the principalities, our diversity yet unity in the one new man, Christ Jesus,” said Lipis, just as the prophet Nehemiah wrote that “all the people assembled as one man” at Sukkot. Thus for Christians around the world, it should be a natural step to assemble as one body in observance of the Feast, she said. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In her book Lipis explains, “The Kingdom community consists of people of every tribe, nation, and language. Like the Word of God itself, the Kingdom transcends any one culture. We are enriched as we share our various styles of worship and celebration.”</span><br /><br />Sukkot, Tabernacles, Booths – the very name of the celebration represents the command to the ancient Israelites to build “temporary dwellings” to commemorate their times of wandering in the Wilderness, dependent on God for their daily sustenance and waiting to enter the Promised Land. For Christians today this expectation has again become very relevant, as they come together in anticipation of the day prophesied by Zechariah when all the nations will come up to Jerusalem and worship the Lord.<br /><br />Even as thousands of Christians attend the Feast celebrations in Jerusalem this year, tens of thousands more will be gathering in locations throughout the world to join in this time of rejoicing in God’s faithfulness. They will be dancing to their own rhythms and singing and teaching in their own languages, but also worshiping with one heart and thereby demonstrating that the message of Sukkot is not lost in translation, but rather proven by it.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">To Order: http://www.celebratejesusthebook.com/store/</span><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-59111462511362053932009-10-07T13:00:00.000-07:002009-10-07T13:02:52.143-07:00THE TRIPLE TRUMPET BLASTS - Sabbath<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJoan%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="time"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Adobe Garamond Pro"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:"Adobe Garamond Pro"; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:.7in .8in .7in .7in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:683629800; mso-list-template-ids:-824422124;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} @list l1 {mso-list-id:1175414186; mso-list-template-ids:33864914;} @list l1:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} @list l2 {mso-list-id:1262182905; mso-list-template-ids:-1332960732;} @list l2:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} @list l3 {mso-list-id:1632397214; mso-list-template-ids:-921933408;} @list l3:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} @list l4 {mso-list-id:1935046590; mso-list-template-ids:203314892;} @list l4:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">THE TRIPLE TRUMPET BLASTS <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">Sabbath <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center">On September 18th<b>, </b>God gives us the opportunity and privilege to stop our daily routines and celebrate His love and goodness. At sundown, the trumpets will blast to bring us to attention and usher in three of God’s feasts: </p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Sabbath </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">New Moon </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Tabernacles </li></ul> <p>Being in the seventh month of God’s redemptive calendar, these three together have tremendous spiritual and eschatological significance. Let’s investigate the meaning of each of these special holy days and glean their significance to our lives, beginning with the Sabbath. </p> <p><b style=""><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">The Sabbath: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p>God commanded His people to rest from their labors on the seventh day of the week. Regardless of our cultural traditions of worship, God’s calendar is clear: </p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>“…the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work …For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and <u>rested</u> the seventh day. Therefore the Lord</i> <i><u>blessed</u> the Sabbath day and <u>hallowed</u> it</i>.<b>" </b>Exodus 20:10-11. </p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">The Hebrew word for “rested” carries with it the sense of the victory which comes at the end of a battle. (Note: Joshua 1:17, Deuteronomy 25:19 and Psalm 23:1). </li></ul> <p>Could it be that on the Sabbath<b><span style="color:red;">,</span></b> God is instructing<b>--</b>no, commanding us to stop our striving and labor to look forward to the day when our battles will be over and we will enjoy the victory. In fact, God assures us that the battle is actually His (1 Samuel <st1:time hour="19" minute="47">7:47</st1:time>). Wow! Not only can we “rest” in that knowledge, we can rejoice in it! </p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >The Hebrew word translated “blessed” connotes the promise of being endued with power for success, prosperity, and longevity. </span></li></ul> <p><span style=";font-family:";" >Therefore on Sabbath we can rest and rejoice in God’s promises to “daily load us with blessing” and that “goodness and mercy follow (literally chase) us all the days of our lives.” (Psalm 68:19, Psalm 23:6)</span> </p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">The third Hebrew word, “hallowed,” comes from the root meaning to be holy, or to be separated unto holiness. </li></ul> <p>Consequently on Sabbath we can meditate on the wonder of God’s love that has separated us from the common<b>,</b> and transformed us to be holy as He is holy. </p> <p>In summary, God gave the Sabbath to His people as a time when they might lay aside the cares and concerns of today to remember His goodness in the past<b>,</b> rejoice in His faithfulness in the present<b><span style="color:red;">,</span></b> and rest in His promises for our future. We need not wonder why Messiah Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark <st1:time hour="14" minute="24">2:24</st1:time>) </p> <p><b style=""><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Eschatological significance of Sabbath <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p>The eschatological significance of the Sabbath comes through the prophet Isaiah. God assures us that one day, all nations will come to <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> to celebrate and worship: </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;">“<i>For as the new heavens and the new earth</i> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;"><i>Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord …</i> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;"><i>… it shall come to pass</i> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;"><i>That from one New Moon to another,</i> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;"><i>And from one Sabbath to another,</i> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;"><i>All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord</i>. (Isaiah 66:22-23) </p> <p><b style=""><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Ultimate and Eternal Rest <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p>In today’s hectic world, people are all searching for the rest which the Sabbath foreshadows and God promises: </p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.</i> (Hebrews 4:9-10) </p> <p>While God’s promise of the ultimate rest is available to everyone, only “the people of God” can enjoy that blissful state. The writer to the Hebrew people explains why <st1:country-region><st1:place>Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> never experienced that rest: </p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it …those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience. </i> (Hebrews 4:2, 6) </p> <p><b style=""><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">The entrance to this perfect rest is faith: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Faith in God and His provision </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Faith to obey His commands </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Faith in the only one who is rest – Jesus the Messiah of Israel and the world </li></ul> <p>Whatever the struggle, whatever the battle you are going through, as the trumpets blast on Friday 18 September, remember the promise of victory in Jesus and accept His invitation </p> <p style="margin: 5pt 81pt 5pt 27pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><b><i>Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”</i></b> (Matthew 11:27-30)</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-61008612629339689532009-10-06T17:01:00.000-07:002009-10-06T17:04:31.200-07:00Feasting Around the WorldRead this article which recently appeared in the Christian Edition of the Jerusalem Post:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">http://www.morethanawarzone.blogspot.com/<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Copy and paste the URL into your browser. <br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-82467250278797699162009-08-17T19:24:00.000-07:002009-08-17T19:25:47.665-07:00New Testimony<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dear Rev.Joanie</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Praise the LORD !</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Warmest greetings from Nagoya, Japan, in the Name of Christ Jesus our LORD. I hope this will find you well in your home at Jerusalem. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Your book entitled 'Celebrate Jesus' becomes really an invaluable reference book to the Bible. I love very straight-forwarded and articulated messages with your style of writings which significantly reveal the Will of Father full of His Vision given through you. I can not remember how many times I nodded through reading sentences or paragraphs in your book. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, I can not find out appropriate words to express my feeling inside me..... I was given a heart to really love Jerusalem, especially the Old City. Since last year, I have been given more heart to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You may feel strange when I say that I really feel Jerusalem is my home, although I am a Gentile. On 1 August 2009, the Sabbath, when I looked at the Temple Mount from the place where the Golden Menorah stands, I started weeping, yet when I turned the direction of my sight into the Mount Olive, I started feeling hope of His coming back. With this feeling inside me, I am fully convinced by the guidance stated in your book completely in consistency with the Bible. .... (1) to advance the Kingdom of God; (2) to pray for the peace of Jerusalem; (3) to make the Jews jealous; (4) to help rebuild Jerusalem; (5) to rejoice over the destruction of Israel's enemies; and (6) to receive God's blessing (pages 340 - 341).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Having said the above, I really miss you and Jerusalem.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If I would live in Jerusalem, I could have more opportunities to learn Chris Jesus our LORD through you, especially through your book. I have some inquiries but I am sure you will clarify these.<br />I thank LORD our God for allowing me to have a Jewish preacher about God's Promises and Prophesies that is you.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-61733816488701031482009-06-16T16:55:00.001-07:002009-06-16T16:56:09.975-07:00Yahoooooo, another country is reading the book: Mexico!<br /><br />Here's the latest endorsement:<br /><br />My long standing friendship with Joan Lipis compels me to write a brief endorsement for her book that was recently published. "Celebrate Jesus" renewed my interest in, and enlarged my understanding of the Jewish feasts. For many years of preaching the Word, I had some difficulty knowing how these feasts related to my personal walk with the Lord. After a careful reading of Joan's book, I have come to see the beautiful balance of God's character throughout each of His dispensations, whether it was displayed by Messianic Prophecy or exhibited by Jesus Christ in the Gospels. This richer insight into God's intended Celebrations is bound to enhance my own ministry of proclaiming Christ in coming days.<br /><br />Cloyse V. Drake<br />Retired Pastor of Dilly Bible Church<br />Forest Grove, OregonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-6442475647514401852009-06-09T20:11:00.000-07:002009-06-09T20:13:41.022-07:0013 countries!Celebrate Jesus! is now being read in 13 countries:<br /><br />Israel<br />North America<br />Canada<br />Puerto Rico<br />Hungary<br />Germany<br />Russia<br />South Africa<br />Kenya<br />Uganda<br />Russia<br />Japan<br />India<br />China (as of July!)<br /><br />Is God in this or what?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-15725797460064363822009-06-09T20:10:00.000-07:002009-06-09T20:11:49.110-07:00Another testimony<div id=":hb" class="ii gt"> <div bg style="color:#ffffff;"> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#0000ff;">Hi Joan--</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#0000ff;">I haven't finished the book yet (I am a before bedtime reader), but am enjoying it immensely. I love the word definitions--especially the Hebrew ones. Am getting 2 more copies from Meade to give as gifts.</span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:#0000ff;">Love & blessings--Val</span></div></div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-31711820471825502922009-05-28T14:56:00.000-07:002009-05-28T14:57:53.655-07:00New Moon Testimony<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> I am writing about a New Moon Celebration that we had at our church on </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">March 25, 2009</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Joan Lipis</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> led the celebration and the Spirit of the Lord was mighty in presence and power. From the very beginning Joan explained the purpose of this Old Testament Celebration and how it relates to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. <span style="font-weight: bold;">This essentially is a kingdom celebration that has great relevance for the </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;" ><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">church</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;" ><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> of </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;" ><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Jesus Christ</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> I was personally refreshed by Joan’s teaching and the praise and worship. The eating of food and fellowship with other believers was a blessing to all in attendance. </span></span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> I highly recommend Joan’s ministry and her book and believe her to be a blessing to the greater body of Christ.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> Pastor David Greenidge, Senior Pastor, </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Tigard</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Covenant</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Church</span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-31311928413718089752009-05-19T18:04:00.000-07:002009-05-19T18:05:22.065-07:00A new testimonyFrom Barbara:<br /><br />When you talked about the whole world coming together at the same time to celebrate the feasts, it was exciting. But then you said to imagine that people would be celebrating in different time zones...which means there will be 24 hours of continued worship! Awesome.<br /><br />This is so of the Lord. Praise Him!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-88456053874012971012009-05-07T20:33:00.000-07:002009-05-07T20:35:14.675-07:00A New EndorsementWhat a blessing and inspiration<strong><em><span style="color:#000099;"> "Celebrate Jesus!"</span></em></strong> is to me! I'm slowly soaking in every word. I will be blogging very soon.<br /><br />Anne S.<br /><br /><a href="http://celebratejesusthebook.com/">http://celebratejesusthebook.com</a><br /><a href="http://novea.org/">http://novea.org</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-58012168986243359712009-05-07T17:37:00.000-07:002009-05-07T18:18:14.665-07:00Passover Celebrations, California 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6Fbm5tM0fFK9GDD8VA-cTzUvrWBLNj5TbqoRgBRy6fB_XSs5GnJyEmUZCM06yuR2aVJ5zHJdV1usJbUeDwACIgVHmyNMY17IFqcnEeKzp0xdmDMDiLYAw535pI3ttBipCxS5JVOFAmE/s1600-h/CelebratePassoverHaggadah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6Fbm5tM0fFK9GDD8VA-cTzUvrWBLNj5TbqoRgBRy6fB_XSs5GnJyEmUZCM06yuR2aVJ5zHJdV1usJbUeDwACIgVHmyNMY17IFqcnEeKzp0xdmDMDiLYAw535pI3ttBipCxS5JVOFAmE/s200/CelebratePassoverHaggadah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333249940072635586" border="0" /></a><br />Three cities, three Passover Seders, three unique celebrations. That was Passover 2009, California style.<br /><br />Grace Community Church in Madera, CA combined the celebrations of Passover and the sacrament of Baptism. With great joy over a hundred people enjoyed the ritual of Passover using an abbreviated version of "<span style="font-style: italic;">Celebrate Passover Haggadah</span>" and was co-facilitated by Joan and Pastor Mark Lacaze<span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>. Each table was hosted separately. The result was a creative and unique blending of dinners and decorations.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjoan.lipis%2Falbumid%2F5333242168965992401%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="192" width="288"></embed><br /><br />Sr. Pastor Randy Brannon said of the evening, "Every church, every Christian should experience the joy of this evening. The Passover Seder brings a new and deeper understanding and appreciation of Communion. " Everyone agreed that it was a life impacting experience.<br /><br />Several days later, Bob and Carol Eberly of Fullerton, CA brought their Bible study members together for a more personal and intimate Passover celebration in their home. Host Bob co-facilitated the evening with Joan and everyone brought something for a yummy dinner. Matzo-ball soup always reflects the individual personality of the cook. The noodle pudding was fantastic!<br /><br />The Messianic Jewish Club of Biola Unversity, LaMirada, CA celebrated Passover with students, faculty and friends. The evening was professionally catered and the desert macaroon were a taste of heaven.<br /><br />The evening was co-facilitated with Student Club President Sam Rood who did a fantastic job. The dancers were a blessed addition to our worship.<br /><br />For me, the joy of facilitating Passover celebrations is the uniquness of each event reflecting the diversity but untiy of the community of the Kingdom of God. I never tire of remembering God's goodness and deliverance of the past and His continued goodness and redemption through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. He is the Passover Lamb, worthy of all worship, praise and celebration!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-22972119591999964812009-03-07T16:06:00.000-08:002009-05-06T15:49:45.610-07:00New Moon Celebration - February 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2kRRJskcfV4U7pgaPzK7B-DzKiK6KZDjWDz61oD56drYj1uWk5nsgecEKzQWrJFx5R0xGGhxLnc96J1-jrmgvlRsQUl-kNbqnCJjxvT6tEpljYHO4AOEhwdfLbot5uTiqzj8n-oiUDI/s1600-h/shofar+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2kRRJskcfV4U7pgaPzK7B-DzKiK6KZDjWDz61oD56drYj1uWk5nsgecEKzQWrJFx5R0xGGhxLnc96J1-jrmgvlRsQUl-kNbqnCJjxvT6tEpljYHO4AOEhwdfLbot5uTiqzj8n-oiUDI/s200/shofar+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331789581438376738" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Worship began with the sound of the shofar. Soon more shofars, trumpets and a bugle broke through into the heavenly realms. Our voices joined together with a single shout and then we began to worship our King of kings and Lord of all lords.<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>About one hundred people gathered to <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_APbI0GWoSSI/SbMQheK5YlI/AAAAAAAAAFk/cMLSftfu3QY/s1600-h/shofar+1.jpg"></a>celebrate Jesus as Creator on the New Moon festival. Some traveled great distances to be part of this "first". It's always such a joy when the family of God comes together.<br /><br />Diversity of traditions and cultures was testimony to the growing unity of the Body. Racial, gender, age differences faded as we focused on the wonder of God's love.</div></div><div><br /><div>With only a bit of coaxing, people began to testify of God's goodness, mercy and love. The microphone was passed around the room as people shared words of encouragement.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjoan.lipis%2Falbumid%2F5331783059230655537%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /></div><div>Diversity in worship styles was soon evident as well. As for me, I love to worship with flags, ribbons and the tambourine. Freedom and fun!<br /></div><br /><br />Scripture implies that New Moon was a special time when the people sought God in worship andsupplication. They worshipped with thanksgiving for God's provision during the previous month; they prayed with confident expectation for His continued provision for the coming month. Thus, we joined in small groups, praying together and carrying each others' burdens to the Cross.<br /><br />The evening ended with communion as Pastor T. Allen Bethel encouraged us to focus on God's extended, nail pierced hand - as Savior, Deliverer, and Redeemer.<br /><br /><div>God gives us the same opportunity each month to gather and worship Him on His festival of "New Moon." Won't you join us wherever you are?<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp4oCIHrM_AbP_HbQpghe35gbVtnAPxV4Ja1gClZKPqQa3R5BZn2jtw5ziv4po9C9ltG5qhAr6OOMsuZPr_u_KinvqWPIblyawE8zw5eRMJ8vIwXJoashKTp2vNapJZqxiA544SYWl7k/s1600-h/me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310611157956572338" style="width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp4oCIHrM_AbP_HbQpghe35gbVtnAPxV4Ja1gClZKPqQa3R5BZn2jtw5ziv4po9C9ltG5qhAr6OOMsuZPr_u_KinvqWPIblyawE8zw5eRMJ8vIwXJoashKTp2vNapJZqxiA544SYWl7k/s200/me.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL695qTN_XJNCVMieEJo7_AFMayuCaVeIlVo-bt91FR65TCpusK8caITUt3_6rqAnJ783g8y6zJlIybqwk1pQ3QuYZRBMPt9grI3-RrGJ6_84mdw1dAhDY313z31LC0K96ndLhQxqhHsc/s1600-h/Tanis+son.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMrX-BfveaOfZ2-OSSnfgspAOvd6UPV9-CnRMPe4f6k369kxMhTQKpNLqPMDGtPe-QOsDLPDiSNNzXLjdRacsgE1P44y4YSokqdsaB6c5nnxQEiiNdi5J_5xMhNsIRkKkRCQNvVtwjdM/s1600-h/Lyla+testifies.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoRjebqD5wm9IWnl7UeTMVtullAF16mLofHEYe5KQqX-iew6RivWGq7pyDU7Z1TFEzvLecVnmjL08Yu7WM1SSmMPxHkaXM89a2u7bsIzm4VPjsAYkT60WZtwBBAcgr7z0CKfALSbge70/s1600-h/woman+2.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_APbI0GWoSSI/SbMPkcxV1RI/AAAAAAAAAEs/FJL0OJ1Khzw/s1600-h/Tanis+son.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JIAcoGtxYR5QBoQ9MdI2j9McYjLHiXR5jrlpiAJGSSTkMX9oTIVj-xxzHDXc3lYmByeCwJT7A0qLnC6ixQmf5kNWWB2XXcwQxNNDjA6CRSIta6A4yFrcXW-QMR_q95f9GeUFEq6U8Ec/s1600-h/man+with+story.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-pjeRni30MewSGR9QSPNBs5Le4zEC0ssvivUvxZkj6IH_Gwq2pN2rG_CATDiQU5zUYmYseAQEcrIxnPqAaRyw_B_dh6QeGWvHwp43kxhvsxhIfOwMnfee4Z3dQtoLomq46JuV-n3A6k/s1600-h/Paul+2.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSPq4c4VJ6JxbhUy7szERdT9zWRUrdDHgRxSIMP9o5e-XYteRZo2pch2kIO3EtvmiFFiHwCDLmW4zaYHrLlccJvKZI12RtDORMRqLqTvEbEK4ms6NEX_vqri10_83IYv-X7TpBmF5l5Y/s1600-h/Jenny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310604724328160482" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 123px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSPq4c4VJ6JxbhUy7szERdT9zWRUrdDHgRxSIMP9o5e-XYteRZo2pch2kIO3EtvmiFFiHwCDLmW4zaYHrLlccJvKZI12RtDORMRqLqTvEbEK4ms6NEX_vqri10_83IYv-X7TpBmF5l5Y/s200/Jenny.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-9972474291163218822009-02-23T11:42:00.000-08:002009-02-23T11:43:40.840-08:00ExcitementI took a look at the pdf Celebrate Jesus! -- and it is really good, Joan.<br /><br />I felt invited, as a reader, to keep reading...your writing style welcomes me to keep reading!! I can understand why Tom could not put your book down! Bravo Joan!<br /><br />I also checked out your website. Whoever designed your web site did a very good job. It is very user-friendly and simple to navigate on. Also, I really love the way you presented enough of your book (on your web site) so that I could get a real look at it. This honors those who visit your site because you don't just tempt people with a little nibble, but rather you give folks a real bite so they know what they are purchasing.<br /><br />"Thank you Holy Spirit for giving Joan divine wisdom!!"<br /><br />Kathy Thorne, Vancouver BCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-59168405813952309362008-12-18T17:33:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:30:26.991-07:00HANUKKAH - The Rest of the Story<div align="left">Excerpt from "Celebrate Jesus - A Christian Perspective of the Biblical Feasts."</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">HANUKKAH</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><div align="center"><br /><em>Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. John 10:22</em></div><em></em><div align="left"><br />“I hate this time of year!”</div><div align="left"><br />“Me too,” her friend replied as they walked into the synagogue. “I hate having Christmas shoved down my throat.”</div><div align="left"><br />I knew exactly how the two women felt. I’d felt the same way. Every December the entire world seemed to separate between Christians and Jews. As for me and my house, we felt isolated and rejected, as though we hadn’t been invited to a wonderful party. </div><div align="left"><br />It didn’t matter to me that we didn’t believe in Jesus, who was at the center of all the fun. I wanted what Christmas seemed to be: family, fun, and PRESENTS!</div><div align="left"><br />My family succumbed to my pleadings and we “did” Christmas. My brother and I made our wish lists and saved our pennies to find the perfect presents for others. Daddy took us shopping to find the largest tree, which we quickly festooned with hand-made and store bought decorations. Of course, the tree was crowned with a Jewish star to identify it as a Hanukkah bush.</div><div align="left"><br />Eventually however, we stopped the charade. Hanukkah was our holiday. I just didn’t know too much about it.</div><div align="left"><br />Many people don’t know what Hanukkah is all about. I thought Hanukkah was about Judah Maccabee, the Temple and some oil. But now I know it’s much more than that. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Hanukkah is about God’s blessing upon a faithful remnant that would not compromise their faith. </div><div align="left"><br />For all the wrong reasons, my family compromised their beliefs to be just like the world. The message of Hanukkah challenges us to stand firm in and for the name of the Lord Jesus despite personal costs and consequences. That is an important message for all of us today. </div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">SEASONAL</span></strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />Hanukkah takes place on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, usually from mid to end of December. It is celebrated for eight days, starting at sundown.</div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>NATIONAL</strong></span></div><div align="left"><br />Hanukkah commemorates the dedication of the Temple after it had been defiled by the Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV. </div><div align="left"><br />Hanukkah is not an Old Testament ordained holiday. Our understanding comes from Daniel (Chapters 8-12), the Books of the Maccabees and from Flavius Josephus. It was first celebrated in the year 163 BC and remained a minor holiday until recently. A legend surfaced about a miraculous supply of oil, “…a most difficult and beclouded point in the history of Hanukkah.”<a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> None of the histories above mentions any such occurrence. So let’s set the record straight. </div><div align="left"><br /><em><strong>Hanukkah – The Setting 198-165 BC<br /></strong></em>The historical context actually began with Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) who controlled his empire by the acculturation of the conquered people. </div><div align="left"><br />Before his death, Alexander divided his kingdom among his faithful generals. For the next hundred years, the Ptolemys of Egypt and the Seleucids of Greece fought for control of Israel.</div><div align="left"><br />The Ptolemys gave greater religious and political freedom. Israel was able to govern itself. The High Priest became both the religious leader and the political representative. </div><div align="left"><br />The Seleucids, however, were Hellenizers. Allegiance and participation in the Greek culture proved loyalty to the crown and brought economic, political and social benefits. In the year 198 BC, Israel came under the domination of the Seleucids. Within twenty years, the traditional disciplines of Jewish life had been almost completely destroyed. </div><div align="left"><br />As Jerusalem became a commercial center, many of the more liberal Jews saw the benefits of embracing the Hellenistic life style. They didn’t want the restrictions of a religious life, preferring the sensual pleasures and freedom of their neighbors. They pursued social acceptance, regardless of the cost. Assimilation for the men meant the gymnasium and performing in the nude; thus, many of the men subjected themselves to painful surgery to remove the sign of their circumcision, choosing the Hellenistic community rather than their own. Just like Esau before them, they despised their birthright and the sign of their covenant with God.<a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a></div><div align="left"><br />In opposition to these apostates were the orthodox, religious Jews who held to the Word of God. The Temple, not the gym, was the center of their lives.</div><div align="left"><br />Besides the breakdown of traditional values, there were other distinct changes in the Jewish society: </div><div align="left"><br />© <strong><em>Establishment of the Synagog</em></strong>ue. The Jews were to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. According to Malachi 2:7, the priests were the messengers of the Lord responsible for deciding matters of ritual and morals. But during the exile, while separated from the Temple, the synagogue was established as a local place of fellowship, study, and lively debate. Even today, observant Jewish life revolves around the neighborhood synagogue. </div><div align="left"><br />© <strong><em>The Scribes</em></strong> were a new class of “intelligentsia,” separated from and not dependent on the priests. The scribes came to power when Israel was in exile and unable to fulfill God’s commandments about Temple worship. Since the scribes were well versed in the Law of Moses, they devised a religion adapted to their circumstances. When Israel returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon, the scribes and priests contended for power. Influenced by Hellenistic love of debate, the scribes challenged the wisdom of God and the principles of His Bible and argued for the wisdom of man’s religion and philosophies. </div><div align="left"><br />© <strong><em> Corruption of the priests</em></strong>. The priests eventually buckled under the social and political pressure. Some sought to accommodate traditional Judaism to the times.<a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a> “Their intention was to preserve those characteristics of the Jewish religion which suited Greek taste, but to remove everything which smacked of the separation of the conservatives.”<a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">[4]</a><br />The compromising of the priests soon led to their corruption and involvement in political alliances.<a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5">[5]</a></div><div align="left"><br />© <strong><em>Cry for Religious Tolerance</em></strong>. In those days, every nation had their own god. Their gods and their religions were territorial and exclusive – no foreigner or outsider was able to sacrifice to their gods.</div><div align="left"><br />But Jerusalem was different. With the fragmentation of society, and the constant flow of foreigners around the city, the cry for religious tolerance was heard. Even though Israel’s God was God of the world, to keep the status quo the Jews encouraged everyone to worship their own deity, believing everyone had the right to worship their own god in their own way. </div><div align="left"><br />Tolerance enabled some strange political and religious alliances. The characteristics of Israel in 165 BC bear a striking resemblance to our world today:</div><div align="left"><br /> Society was fragmented; </div><div align="left"><br /> Everyone wanted the right to do ‘their own thing;’</div><div align="left"><br /> God’s word was reinterpreted to accommodate the times;</div><div align="left"><br /> Argument challenged authority;</div><div align="left"><br /> Materialism and humanism were the order of the day;</div><div align="left"><br /> Local taxes were collected by local notables, giving them a stake in their political situation;</div><div align="left"><br /> Religion and traditions replaced a simple faith/grace based relationship with God;</div><div align="left"><br /> The clergy was compromised by those more concerned with money and politics than with worship and care for the sheep.</div><div align="left"><br /><strong><em>Hanukkah - the Story</em></strong><br />In 165 BC, Antiochus IV came to power. He has been described as restless, energetic, opinionated and emotionally unbalanced. He could not stand to be contradicted and was totally undisciplined. His aides had to constantly detangle him from one error after another. </div><div align="left"><br />Antiochus considered himself to be a god and gave himself the nickname Epiphanes which means god in the flesh, or god manifest. The Jews nicknamed him Epimanes, which means madman. Antiochus was determined to eliminate anyone who rebelled or challenged him. Inspired by a demonic hatred, he turned against the righteous remnant of the Jews. He issued terrible decrees against them and against their worship. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">He forbade the practice of Judaism, including:</div><ul><li><div align="left">Sacrifices of burnt offerings in the sanctuary;</div></li><li><div align="left">Keeping the Sabbaths and feasts;</div></li><li><div align="left">Keeping the dietary laws;</div></li><li><div align="left">Circumcision. In fact, if a male child was found circumcised, the child was killed and the dead body was hung around the mother's neck until she too died;</div></li><li><div align="left">Reading of the Bible. Anyone found in possession of a Torah was condemned to death and the Torah was taken, torn into pieces, and burned.<br /></div></li></ul><div align="left">Antiochus built altars and shrines for idols, defiled the Temple by erecting a statue of Zeus which looked very much like himself, and demanded the sacrifice and eating of swine (which were considered unclean animals.)</div><div align="left"><br />Each person had to decide if they would obey God or Antiochus, some preferring death rather than apostasy. The final showdown took place in a small town outside of Jerusalem called Modi’in.</div><div align="left"><br />The accounts of this event set the scene: Appelles, a messenger from the king, strode into town carrying a squealing piglet. The townspeople gathered around a priest named Mattathias and his five sons. </div><div align="left"><br />Face to face with Mattathias, Appelles said:"<em>You are a leader, honored and great in this city. Now be the first to do what the king commands. Then you and your sons will be honored with silver, gold and with many gif</em>ts." 1 Maccabees 2:17-18</div><div align="left"><br />A hush settled upon the people as the two men faced each other. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Echoing the words of Joshua, Mattathias answered: "<em>Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him and have chosen to do his commandments, I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion either to the right or to the left</em>." 1 Maccabees 2:19-22 cf Joshua 24:14-17 </div><div align="left"><br />Tension mounted. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Another hush blanketed the people. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Suddenly, a man rushed forward from the crowd and in sight of all the people sacrificed the pig upon the altar. In a righteous rage, Mattathias slew the villager, Appelles and a few of his soldiers. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Turning to the stunned villagers, he issued this challenge, “If <em>any one be zealous for the laws of this country, and for worship of God, let him follow me</em>.” With that, Mattathias and his sons left everything and ran into the desert. </div><div align="left"><br />Their decision began three years of warfare. This was a defining war in Israel’s history. It set Jew against Jew, separating those who were determined to follow God from those who were willing to compromise. </div><div align="left"><br />Mattathias and his sons were soon joined by other righteous men and women, zealous for God and His city. Their ranks were thin and poorly armed. Most of them were farmers using their farming tools as their weapons. Their commander was Judah, soon nicknamed Judah the Hammer (Maccabee in Hebrew) because of his style of guerilla warfare. </div><div align="left"><br />Night after night this ragtag army would come down from the hills and hammer away at the Greek army. Completely outnumbered and ill equipped against the Greeks, Judah continually kept the reason of their battle burning in their hearts. Antiochus poured his army and equipment into Israel, but was defeated by the mighty hand of God. After three years, God gave Judah a miraculous victory. </div><div align="left"><br />Without hesitation, their victory march went straight to the Temple. The city was in ruins, filled with pagan idolatry and immoral living. </div><div align="left"><br />The condition of the Temple was worse. Before them was the defiled altar. It had once been dedicated to God, but now could never be used. Legend tells that they took apart the altar stone by stone saying that "one day Messiah will come and he will tell us what to do with the stones." They built a new altar – a memorial of God's victory and faithfulness.</div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Legend of the Oil</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="left"><br />Legend claims that when Judah went to light the menorahs, he found only a small cruse of oil. Although only enough for one day, that oil burned for eight days. Hence, Hanukkah today is celebrated for eight days and is often referred to as the Festival of Lights.<br />But the history books never mention this miraculous provision. God could, of course, stretch the oil, but the greater miracle is the victory of a small group of ill suited men, women and children who fought for God and defeated a mighty, powerful army. The miraculous provision was the victory of the faithful righteous!</div><div align="left"><br /><strong><em>Hanukkah - the Celebration</em></strong></div><strong><em></em></strong><div align="left"><strong><em><br /></em></strong>“So,” you ask, “if the legend of the oil is circumspect, why is Hanukkah celebrated for eight days? And why do we light candles?” <a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6">[6]</a></div><div align="left"><br />Glad you asked. Our historians give us a clue by calling the holiday, “Sukkot of Kislev.”<a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7">[7]</a> Remember that Solomon and Ezra dedicated the Temple on the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> I imagine that the Maccabees worked furiously to finish cleansing the Temple in time to rededicate it on the same festival, but time ran out.</div><div align="left"><br />So, they simply patterned their dedication celebration after Feast of Tabernacles. Their choice of date was exactly three years to the day since Antiochus had first defiled it.<br />Subsequently, Hanukkah became an eight day celebration, including the illumination of Jerusalem!<br /></div><div align="center"><strong>End Notes:</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><strong><br /></strong><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Schauss, Hayyim, The Jewish Festivals, History and Observance, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1938. Pg 223</div><div align="left"><br /><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> “In those days there came forth out of Israel transgressors of the law, and persuaded many saying, ‘Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles that are around us; for since we parted from them many evils have befallen us.’ And the saying was good in their eyes. And certain of the people were forward herein, and went to the king and he gave them license to do after the ordinances of the Gentiles. And they build a place of exercise in Jerusalem according to the law of the Gentiles; and they made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.” 1 Maccabee 1:11-15</div><div align="left"><br /><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> This is why the Judaism of today looks so different than the Judaism of the Bible. </div><div align="left"><br /><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">[4]</a> Bickerman, Elias, source unknown.</div><div align="left"><br /><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5">[5]</a> This fascinating yet depressing history is recorded by Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XII.</div><div align="left"><br /><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6">[6]</a> Among Jewish homes today, the holiday is observed by lighting a special 9 branch candelabra. Songs are sung and presents are exchanged which is why some consider Hanukkah to be the “Jewish Christmas.” Foods fried in oil (potato pancakes, jelly donuts) are eaten.</div><div align="left"><br /><a title="" style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5543363671606334442#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7">[7]</a> Kislev is the Jewish month which corresponds to December. Sukkot is the Hebrew name for the Feast of Tabernacles.<br /></div></span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-58806010368707835262008-12-18T16:24:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:34:06.713-07:00Applesauce Noodle Kugel<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Applesauce Noodle Kugel</span></strong><br /></div><br />Tender noodles are stirred with a comforting blend of margarine, sour cream, egg substitute, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, chunky applesauce, and raisins. Bake over a light sprinkling of graham cracker crumbs and top with cinnamon for a sweet treat."<br /><br />SUBMITTED BY: <a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_lblSubmitter_lnkUser19669" href="http://allrecipes.com/Cooks-Profile/Main.aspx?userID=184224">ANGCHICK</a> (<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Applesauce-Noodle-Kugel/Detail.aspx">http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Applesauce-Noodle-Kugel/Detail.aspx</a>)<br /><br /><a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_lnkUploadImage" style="border-width: 0px;" href="http://allrecipes.com/My/Shared/Photos/UserPhotos.aspx?RecipeID=11748"></a><br />PREP TIME: 20 Min<br />COOK TIME: 1 Hr 10 Min<br />SERVINGS: 12 <br />Servings<br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">INGREDIENTS:</span></strong><br />1 (16 ounce) package wide egg noodles<br />1 cup reduced fat margarine<br />1/2 cup fat free sour cream<br />1 1/2 cups egg substitute<br />2 cups white sugar<br />1 teaspoon lemon juice<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />1/2 (16 ounce) jar applesauce<br />1/4 cup raisins<br />1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (optional)<br />1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste<br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">DIRECTIONS:</span></strong><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).<br /><br />Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.<br /><br />Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain.<br /><br />In a large bowl, mix together margarine, sour cream, egg substitute, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and applesauce.<br /><br />Stir in noodles and raisins.<br /><br />Spread graham cracker crumbs on the bottom of the prepared dish.<br /><br />Pour the noodle mixture over the crumbs. Sprinkle top with cinnamon.<br /><br />Bake 45 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set. Cover with foil if it browns too quickly.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-12981797963524432292008-12-18T16:20:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:35:47.033-07:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>RAISIN-FARFEL-KUGEL</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"> "Nice dish for a sweet afternoon snack."<br /></div><br />Submitted by: Niblets (<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Raisin-Farfel-Kugel/Detail.aspx">http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Raisin-Farfel-Kugel/Detail.aspx</a>)<a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_lnkUploadImage" style="border-width: 0px;" href="http://allrecipes.com/My/Shared/Photos/UserPhotos.aspx?RecipeID=16071"></a><br /><br />SERVINGS: 6<br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>INGREDIENTS:<br /></strong></span>2 cups farfel<br />6 eggs, beaten<br />1/2 cup raisins<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup white sugar<br />2 tablespoons ground cinnamon<br />4 tablespoons butter<br /><a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_RecipeToolsControl_lnkSaveToRecipeBoxIcon" style="border-width: 0px;" href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Raisin-Farfel-Kugel/SaveToRecipeBox.ashx" rel="nofollow"></a><a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_RecipeToolsControl_lnkAddNoteIcon" style="border-width: 0px;" href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Raisin-Farfel-Kugel/Detail.aspx?strb=4"></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>DIRECTIONS:<br /></strong></span>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).<br /><br />Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.<br /><br />Soak farfel in water 10 minutes. Drain.<br /><br />Add beaten eggs into the bowl of farfel, and let stand 10 minutes.<br /><br />Stir in raisins, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and butter.<br /><br />Transfer mixture to prepared dish.<br /><br />Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-45433516591275509732008-12-18T16:04:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:50:44.457-07:00APRICOT CHICKEN<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">APRICOT CHICKEN</span></strong></div><br />Tangy, fruity chicken made in just 3 easy steps! It's great served with rice."<br /><a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_lnkUploadImage" style="border-width: 0px;" href="http://allrecipes.com/My/Shared/Photos/UserPhotos.aspx?RecipeID=8559"></a><br />Submitted by Shirley Rickey<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>PREP TIME</strong></span>: 30 Min<br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">COOK TIME</span></strong>: 1 Hr<br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">SERVES:</span></strong> 6<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>INGREDIENTS:</strong></span><br />6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves<br />1 1/2 (1 ounce) packages dry onion soup mix<br />1 (10 fluid ounce) bottle Russian-style salad dressing<br />1 cup apricot preserves<br /><a id="ctl00_CenterColumnPlaceHolder_RecipeToolsControl_lnkSaveToRecipeBoxIcon" style="border-width: 0px;" href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apricot-Chicken-I/SaveToRecipeBox.ashx" rel="nofollow"></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">DIRECTIONS:<br /></span></strong>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).<br />Place the chicken pieces in a 4 quart casserole dish. Mix the soup mix, dressing and jam together, and pour over the chicken.<br />Cover dish and bake for 1 hour in preheated oven.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-21077124706407206202008-12-17T14:44:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:52:00.555-07:00Hanukkah - Potato LatkesLatkes (or fried pancakes) are traditional for Hanukkah. They come in all varieties. Here's one which the author calls "Low-Fat." I wonder.<br /><br /><div align="center">Low-Fat Potato Latkes I</div><div align="left"><br /><br />3 teaspoons vegetable oil, preferably canola<br />2 pounds russet potatoes (about 4 or 5), peeled<br />3/4 cup finely chopped red onion (about 1 medium onion)<br />1/4 cup all-purpose white flour<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<br />1 large egg, lightly beaten<br />1 large egg white, lightly beaten </div><div align="left"><br />Set oven racks at middle and lower positions of the oven. Preheat oven to 450° F. Prepare 2 baking sheets by brushing with 1 teaspoon oil on each sheet.</div><div align="left"><br />Grate potatoes using hand grater or shredding blade of food processor. Place in a large bowl; add onions, flour, salt and pepper; toss to mix well. Add egg, egg white and remaining 1 teaspoon oil; toss to mix.</div><div align="left"><br />Drop onto prepared cookie sheets by rounded tablespoonfuls and press lightly to form cakes. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom. Turn latkes over, switch position of baking sheets, and bake about 5 more minutes, or until golden brown.</div><div align="left"><br />Transfer to a platter, arranging browned-side up, and serve with no-fat sour cream or applesauce, or both. May be made ahead and stored overnight in fridge. Reheat at 350° F for 10 minutes. Makes about 24 latkes.</div><div align="left"><br />Tip: Use the grater attachment of a food processor to simultaneously grate both the potatoes and the onion. Set the shredded material in a colander over a bowl to catch the dripping liquid. When the grated potato-onion mixture stops squishing combine with the egg, egg white and remaining teaspoon of oil as above. Carefully pour out the liquid collected from under the grated potatoes and onions, taking care to save the white cake which has formed at the bottom of the bowl (the potato starch). Add this white stuff to the latke mixture and mix well. Complete the above recipe as written.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">(<a href="http://www.chabad.org/">www.chabad.org</a>)</div><div align="left"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-54868855937423049112008-12-17T14:39:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:51:27.047-07:00Hanukkah FoodsBased on the legend of the oil, Hanukkah foods revolve around the fry pan.<br /><br />"A typical Chanukah menu sounds as though it were planned by the under-twelve crowd"<br /><br /><div align="center">potato pancakes, fried, of course, in lots of oil, </div><div align="center">sweet cream cheese rugelach, </div><div align="center">strawberry-jam-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot) covered in powdered sugar, </div><div align="center">fried apple fritters, cheese-filled doughnuts fried in oil and dipped in honey, cheese blintzes, etc.<br /></div><div align="left">(<a href="http://www.chabad.org/">http://www.chabad.org/</a>)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-11832483367046519512008-12-16T19:54:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:47:16.167-07:00Hi Joan,<br /><br />I just want to tell you that your piece on Hannukah is the best and truest that I have ever read.<br /><br />Wow! Looks like alot has been happening. There are alot of believers interested in the illumination of the feasts and I am sure that you will be blessed in the unveiling of His heart in this respect. The feasts of the Lord are like a lens to prophesy, prove, and examine Who our Messiah is and what He did for us, aren't they? Wonderful!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-24878175679832830682008-12-08T09:32:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:46:16.877-07:00Sabbath recipe - ChallahFrom Marilyn, Shelbyville, KY<br /><br />Over the years, I've come across recipes for Challah that I've adapted into my personal favorites.<br /><br />One tip I received from a lovely Jewish acquaintence was to use the food processor to mix and knead the ingredients! Sore joints really have enjoyed that help, tho when I can, I still prefer to use my hands!<br /><br />One recipe I found somewhere is for a whole-wheat with honey version, and it's delicious. That same whole-wheat/honey version was created to be made by children in a zip-lock baggie, tossed back and forth to help knead it! That must be a fun way to get children interested!<br /><br />I've made Challahs from two recipes (white and whole-wheat/honey), then made the braids this way; one from white flour version, one from the whole-wheat/honey version, and blended the two together for the third braid... reminded me of Eph 2, so I call it the "One New Man" Challah!<br /><br /><div align="right">From Marilyn, Shelbyville, KY</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-34449725560254229622008-12-02T09:22:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:45:40.220-07:00Celebrate Jesus - Endorsement<div>Many see the teachings of the "Old Testament" as antiquated and passé, Joan Lipis reminds us they're God-breathed and relevant.<br /><br />Several times in the in the Hebrew Scriptures we see the phrase, "feasts of the Lord." If they're "of the Lord" there's a good reason celebrate them with joy. And Joan Lipis shows us how.<br /><br />Joan Lipis has written a clear and compelling book. It's simple enough for the young believer to grasp, but goes deep enough to invite further investigation. Joan Lipis speaks from her rich experience as a seasoned Jewish believer in Jesus. I have had the privilege of being her pastor in Jerusalem. She's the real deal. Enjoy the celebration.<br /><br /><br />Wayne Hilsden<br />Senior Pastor, King of Kings Community, Jerusalem</div><div> </div><div>To order: <a href="http://www.celebratejesusthebook.com/">www.celebratejesusthebook.com</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5543363671606334442.post-65908037772605276132008-12-02T09:15:00.000-08:002009-05-03T19:45:09.865-07:00Celebrate Jesus - Endorsement<div>The New Testament is a completion of the preparatory work begun so wonderfully in the First Testament (Old Testament). Believers can understand the magnificent fullness of the LORD’s work only when they know both Testaments and the connections between them. Joan brings deep roots in Jewish and Jesus communities to this wonderful study of the Festivals. Her biblical and spiritual insights drawn from a life devoted to worship of the LORD will profoundly enrich your praise and love for our crucified, risen, and coming Messiah Jesus.<br /><br />Gerry Breshears, Ph.D.<br />Professor of Theology<br />Western Seminary, Portland</div><div> </div><div>To order: www.celebratejesusthebook.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0