We need to test the truth of each message we hear, or the result will be our deception and the distortion of the gospel.

During a quick five-minute break between afternoon tasks, I decided to read a short excerpt from a devotional book, one I had enjoyed reading for daily reflection a few years prior. As I read the day’s content, I began to feel less and less comfortable with the spiritual language used. Something about it rubbed me the wrong way. This nagging sense of unease had not been present in years before, so why now? As I thought more about the content, I realized that the book’s thoughts and encouragements had little basis in Scripture and in the gospel message. They revolved more around one person’s perception of the truth and in personal revelation and feelings.

In today’s world, half-truths and false messages are not limited to the books we read. They run rampant on the Internet, on Christian radio and, unfortunately, in the pulpit of our churches. Beyond blatantly non-Christian, non-Biblical worldviews are cunning messages proclaiming a false version of Christianity, the gospel and the Bible.

Edward T. Welch puts it this way: “We live in a time when there is a resurgence of God-talk and spiritual language, but conversations rarely get to the thing of “first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…”’¹ This is where it gets tricky for believers, and where the rubber hits the road. How do we as Christians or just Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) discern whether or not the whole truth is being taught in the messages presented to us? How do we protect ourselves against being deceived by false versions of the truth?

One thing is clear: We need to take seriously the call to become women of Biblical, gospel-centered discernment. We need to be trained to test the truth of each message we hear—or the result will be our spiritual deception and the distortion of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This devotion will attempt to answer two important questions:

Why is our growth in spiritual discernment important?

And how can we cultivate discernment in our walk with God?

Why is Our Growth in Spiritual Discernment Important?

My heart breaks when I consider the thousands of Believers who have been, and will be, led astray by false teaching and false gospels. The reality is, however, that warnings about these very problems were given long ago, as seen in these New Testament passages:

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people…these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified in the faith” (2 Timothy 3:1,4,8-9).

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

“Certain persons, by swerving from [a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith], have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions” (1 Timothy 1:5-7).

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world…therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:1).

Scripture makes it absolutely clear that the times are indeed coming, and have already come, when false teachers will appear on the scene and lead many well-intentioned people astray. Without a consistent, Spirit-led growth in Biblical and gospel-centered discernment, any Christian is susceptible to confusion, deceit, and blindness.

Our growth in Biblical, gospel-centered discernment is important because the name of Jesus Christ is at stake. Without cultivating this discernment, our hearts will be led astray to believe unsound, corrupt teaching that glorifies man and promotes worldly pleasure and gain. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh…We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” There is a greater war at hand, a spiritual battle for souls, and the enemy is on the front lines, ready to deceive all who are unprepared in the truth.

But isn’t this judging? You might be asking this question, and it is a valid one at that. It is true that only God is able to judge the heart because of his perfect righteousness (Psalm 9:8), and we are not to partake in such judgment (James 4:12). However, there is a major difference between judgment of souls and judgment of truth. Believers should take seriously the ability to discern between truth and error—the gospel is at stake! False representations of truth are not to be taken lightly. Consider Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

Paul encourages the church to discern when a different gospel is preached, while surrendering the ultimate judgment of false teachers to the Lord, who alone can judge the soul.

How Can we Cultivate Biblical, Gospel-Centered Discernment?

Stay in relationship with Christ. Loving obedience and humble surrender before the Lord are actions that put our lives in right perspective before him. Neglecting time at his feet will only result in following a wayward, self-focused heart that often forgets the lordship of Christ. Our lives are not our own; we were bought with the blood of Christ. A person is far less likely to fall prey to deceit and false messages if they are choosing on a daily basis to submit to Christ, our Ruler and Firm Foundation. His loving grace is enough to guide us into all truth.

Stay in Scripture. Proverbs 3:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” The very Word of God tell us the inerrant truth and acts as our guide. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Scripture makes us wiser than our enemies and guards our paths so we stay pure and do not wander. The Word of God discerns the “thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) and is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) for the eternal battle we fight. Jesus prayed for believers, that the Father would guard them from the evil one and sanctify them in the truth (John 17:17). Our part is to choose growth in the Word every single day. As with counterfeit money, Christians wisely discern counterfeit messages because we thoroughly know the original.

Stay in prayer. We are encouraged in Proverbs 3 to “call out for insight and raise [our] voice for understanding.” Prayer is part of our submission to Christ, as we realize our need for communing with the Father of all truth. My pastor once explained the importance of gaining wisdom through prayer like grocery shopping: If we shop on an empty stomach, we are more likely to make poor decisions that suit our immediate needs. But the person who fills up on a hearty meal before shopping makes wiser decisions and can discern options more clearly. When we stay in prayer and seek wisdom and discernment, we are then more likely to look at false messages with a clearer understanding of Biblical, gospel-centered truth.

Stay in Community. The Body of Christ is Yeshua’s bride and his instrument for spreading his glory to the world. The gathering is comprised with individual believers who, if all are submitted to Christ, in the Word and in prayer, can teach and admonish one another in all truth (Colossians 3:16). At times, if any certain teaching is rubbing me wrong, I will talk about it with another believer. The body of Christ has a responsibility to point out false teaching within its own walls, to seek wisdom about godly leaders and to declare God’s greatness by its hunger for the truth. If you attend an assembly that has fallen prey to false teachers or gospels, please seek out the leadership, and begin a conversation. Another wise point of action could also be to explore an alternative body of believers where Christ is glorified as the supreme authority.

Be On Guard

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) Godly woman, may you always be on guard against the deceiver, and all the way and means Satan intends to use to derail your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. May the grace and peace of our Lord Yeshua lead you into all truth, deepening your wisdom and founding you in his love, until you see Him face to face. I can’t wait for Yeshua’s coming.

Remember that Yeshua has a plan for you, and it’s not in the past. Christians are a new creation through Christ, so it’s time to move forward into what He has prepared for you. 

Trust that Yeshua will help you move forward and guide you to make the best choices. Let your faith be your motivation, and don’t dwell on the past. Instead, focus on what’s ahead of you and move forward with confidence in Christ. 

Scripture provides guidance and encouragement for moving forward and overcoming life’s tragedies. I pray this gathering of scriptures on moving forward is able to provide the guidance and encouragement you seek.  

• Isaiah 40:31
  Those who hope in the Lord
      will renew their strength.
  They will soar on wings like eagles;
      they will run and not grow weary,
      they will walk and not be faint.

• Jeremiah 29:11 
  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

• Job 17:9 
  Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,
      and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

• Philippians 3:12 –14 
  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

• Proverbs 3:5-6 
  Trust in the Lord with all your heart
      and lean not on your own understanding;
   in all your ways submit to him,
      and he will make your paths straight.

• Isaiah 43:18 
  Forget the former things;
      do not dwell on the past.

• Proverbs 16:3
  Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
      and he will establish your plans.

• Psalm 119:11 
  I have hidden your word in my heart
      that I might not sin against you.

• Romans 8:1  
  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

• Romans 12:2 
  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• 2 Corinthians 12:10   
  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 
  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!

• Proverbs 4:25  
  Let your eyes look straight ahead;
      fix your gaze directly before you.

• 1 John 1:9  
  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

• Exodus 14:14
  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

• Galatians 2:20 
   I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

• Hebrews 12:1-2
  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

• Philippians 4:13  
  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

• Philippians 1:6 
   …he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

• Luke 1:3
  For no word from God will ever fail.

• Psalm 23:4 
  Even though I walk
      through the darkest valley,
  I will fear no evil,
      for you are with me.
  your rod and your staff,
      they comfort me.

• Proverbs 3:5-6
  Trust in the Lord with all your heart
      and lean not on your own understanding;
   in all your ways submit to him,
      and he will make your paths straight.

Well, here I am writing this out to you. My husband and I are stepping out more hand in hand. We are exploring some fun and exciting things to do together. I’m excited but nervous too, only because we won’t be able to do the fun things we always wanted to do. We’re not as young, I do believe Yeshua has some exciting things for us to explore and have many adventures together. To me I finally have a man that will go do things even if he has to push himself.

You wouldn’t believe it my husband and I went up to the mountains, to the snow. We went snow shoeing, now it’s not for the faint of heart. It kicked our butts and legs. We were so exhausted, but we did it. We went up and down hills and thought the woods. Don’t get me wrong, we really enjoyed it. We sat in our car having lunch afterwards. We brought a picnic basket full of goodies. It actually was my husband’s idea. I was amazed. We missed the snowstorm that was going to hit the mountains that night. We might go check out the star gazing snow shoeing next time, we’ll see.

Traveling has great Biblical significance. The stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Jonah, and even Jesus Christ himself are just some examples of how travel is a way for people to better themselves through challenges, fulfill God’s plans, and become closer to Him.

According to the Bible, dreaming about travel can mean validation, incoming success, divine assistance, or heavenly guidance. Conversely, it can also denote warnings of challenges ahead, danger, and bad practices that prevent individuals from living up to God’s plan.

Dreams of travel mean that Yeshua is trying to send us a message about our destiny or our relationship with Him. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully analyze such dreams through a Biblical lens because they can profoundly impact our lives and yield important insights.

The Biblical Meaning of Travel in Dreams

1) You’re On the Right Track

To dream of a good trip can be a sign from the heavens that we are on the right path. Validation from God is a valuable thing. It means that we are growing and thriving according to His design.

According to Psalms 23:3-4, “He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of His name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because You are with me. Your rod and Your shepherd’s staff comfort me.”

Sometimes, we get discouraged when our efforts do not yield immediate results. Impatience and frustration may take root, especially when one forgets the reasons one started a project, a job, or a big life adjustment.

Dreams of travel, especially ones lacking in many details, may be a message from the Lord to continue on our current path. He is telling us that it is a boon to our growth. In Romans 12:12, we are told to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

As long as we remember why we began an endeavor and continuously pray for God’s guidance, our day of generous blessings will come, and we shall be glad that we stayed on track.

2) Success Is Near

Future success may be foretold in dreams of traveling, especially when it involves a trip to a foreign country. Embarking on a journey abroad opens us to new experiences and new people. The inherent excitement and positivity of this dream have stellar chances of being translated into one’s waking life.

Dreaming of a good trip may mean that Yeshua will take us to a better place, be it in our personal or professional life. This could be a sign of Him finally rewarding us for our hard work very soon. Through these visions, the Lord is acknowledging us even if others around us do not.

Alternatively, this could also be an encouragement to be braver in taking chances and grabbing the opportunities presented to us. According to Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Perhaps one may doubt one’s ability or chances of success in expanding a business, applying for a promotion, or taking a romantic relationship to the next level.

3) Divine Assistance

Each of us needs assistance from time to time. A dream of traveling could be a sign from the Yeshua that He can see our struggles and that help is on the way.

On trips, we typically meet many new people. Through them, we learn more ways in which to appreciate the Lord’s creations. This might foreshadow a similar experience in our waking life.

The lives of believers are full of daily challenges. Visions of travel may mean that divine forces are at work and that there will be help from God in the form of a sympathetic friend, colleague, relative, or even a stranger.

For some, receiving help is a challenge because they may believe too much in self-reliance. However, the Lord created humans to need one another. Indeed, He made Adam for Eve so they can help each other through the hard times. Galatians 6:2 commands us to “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Just as we aspire to give help, we should allow ourselves to receive it. It honors God’s design of man supporting each other, and it blesses our fellow believers who provide us assistance. In these instances, one should maintain gratefulness to Yeshua/Jesus and allow good things to happen.

4) Redirection Toward Joy

Dreaming of a good trip may mean that God will take us to a better place, be it in our personal or professional life. This could be a sign of Him finally rewarding us for our hard work very soon. Through these visions, the Lord is acknowledging us even if others around us do not.

This could also be an encouragement to be braver in taking chances and grabbing the opportunities presented to us. According to Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

5) Designation for a Divine Task

If one dreams of travel, it might mean that God is preparing us for a divine task very soon and that He is telling us to make ourselves available. This is especially true if the dream includes the preparations for the journey (i.e., packing bags, buying supplies, waiting at the airport, etc.).

For Believers, it is a sacred duty to fulfill the Lord’s purpose for us. To allow His Holy Spirit to move through us in service of our fellow man brings great honor. To better respond to this calling, one may open themselves up through prayer, Bible study, and discernment.

Divine tasks typically have three purposes that may overlap: to be closer to the Yeshua, better our own lives, and uplift the lives of other people. By God’s design, we Believers must change the world for the better through loving our neighbor, doing good deeds, and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Corinthians 1:3-4, we are told, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.”

Despite this good news, it is crucial to remain humble and to keep to oneself in the meantime. Keeping to ourselves may allow us to experience God’s grace more profoundly and to better learn the lessons that the experience will have to teach us.

6) Need or Desire for Fundamental Changes

Traveling is usually a break from our normal routines. Dream journeys could be a sign that we are doing something fundamentally wrong in our approach to life. Having such errors could set foundational limits that prevent us from fully realizing our potential and attaining the heights that God has set out for us.

Many people voyage into unfamiliar and foreign lands to find themselves or learn more about life through a change of scenery. To dream of travel could be a hint to do something similar in our real life by doing necessary things that we may have been putting off out of fear, denial, or lack of awareness.

This might mean quitting a soulless job, leaving a loveless or abusive relationship, addressing deep-seated psychological issues, taking the first steps to recover from addiction or depression, or moving on from a loss. Dreams of travel could be a sign to take a major step that can improve our disposition.

For those with reservations, we turn to Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” God is telling us to trust in Him and, in doing so, acquire the courage to pick ourselves up and fix our lives.

For Believers, few things are worse than going against God’s plan for His creations. We should trust the Lord’s vision enough to follow it, even if it means doing uncomfortable and difficult things. To act on this dream means to do so in His name, with love in one’s heart, and with sincere and solid faith.

7) Hard Times Ahead

Dreams of traveling do not always mean good things. Getting lost, losing one’s passport, or failing to embark on the journey at all could be a warning of hardships or challenges ahead. This could be Yeshua warning us of an enemy, whether mortal or spiritual, plotting to sabotage our well-being.

The Bible is full of stories of great men and women who are put to the test by the Lord. Believers today are no exception. Life will have its fair share of trials and tribulations, but the Creator only gives us challenges that we can handle.

As Romans 5:3-5 so eloquently puts it, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

As Believers, difficult times should be seen as a measure of faith. It is easy to maintain faith in God when times are plentiful, but it is when we are put through hard times that our love for the Lord is truly tested. True Believers do not allow themselves to fear hardships more than they fear Yeshua Himself.

Final Thoughts

Dream journeys represent an internal reflection of a person’s progress in life. As Believers, we recognize that such dreams may be a dialogue with God. We have the advantage of the Bible and our communities’ guidance to help us maximize gains from them.

Whatever meaning one might find in travel dreams, the resolution should be the same: to seek and forge a closer relationship with God. As Isaiah 41:10 states, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Let’s as The Remanent hold on to Yeshua’s tzitzits/ prayer tassel on His tallit.

Cold weather and less sunlight got you down? Here’s how to rekindle your energy and creativity.

While the concept of “Blue Monday”, typically the third Monday in January as being the most depressing day of the year, might not be scientifically proven, let’s face it: January and February can be a drag. Winter stretches ahead for weeks and, in many places, it’s so cold you don’t want to go outside.

The combination can be enough to get anyone down. If you’ve got a case of the winter slumps, use these tips to feel better and rekindle your energy and creativity.

1. Stay Warm

Wear warm and fuzzy sweaters. Yes, sweaters are in this season. But I still like warm and thick sweatshirts with a huge hood. Create an environment where you’re going to be comfortable and not distracted by how cold you are.

2. Fake Sunlight

Staying indoors during winter’s daylight hours can lead to a reduction in Vitamin D and generally make us feel less energetic. If you can’t get outdoors a few times a day, then try to sit near a window whenever you can to catch some rays that way.

3. Reconsider Your New Year’s Diet

In January, your food choices are likely different than they are during the rest of the year. You may have indulged in rich, fatty foods during the holidays, which may make you feel lethargic. If you then began dieting as part of a New Year’s resolution, such dramatic food changes can have an impact on your energy levels.

“Cutting morning calories, giving up too many foods, and not addressing the needs that emotional eating fulfills can turn a health-bound dieting effort into a mental health emergency. Talk to your doctor about how you can adjust your eating properly and opt for balance. Eat soothing food like a crockpot meal or a roast with root veggies.

4. Plan Some Fun Time

People who live in cold-weather climates may find themselves more isolated during the winter months either because it’s too cold or plans get cancelled because of weather-related issues. “We tend to stay indoors more and not socialize,” she says. People who crave such social interactions may feel a lack of energy or enthusiasm without such connection. Positive social interactions are critical for our health and well-being, so make an effort to spend time with people who make you feel happy.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is the cheapest and most effective medicine you can give yourself. If you feel like you need to sleep more because of the shorter daylight hours, don’t fight it.

6. Tune In TO Your Energy

It can be tempting to want to power through when you feel “blah, it’s important to give yourselves the benefit of some downtime, too. Taking advantage of the winter months to slow down and “hibernate” can have tremendous restorative benefits and make our minds more creative.

“Our mind is more likely to come up with novel, creative, and breakthrough kinds of ideas when we’re idle. It’s like the proverbial aha moment in the shower. Research shows that our brain is more likely to come up with those ideas when it’s just hazy, daydreamy, right before sleep, or you’re just relaxing”. But you can’t tap into that creative power when you’re mindlessly surfing social media or zoning out in front of the television.

7. Take Action If Needed

Sometimes, a slump is more than a slump. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, it might be time for help. If you need to talk to someone or just spend more time with Yeshua/ Jesus.

Scars tell a story whether physical or emotional, they remind us of past experiences. The Bible often speaks about healing and restoration, but does it mention scars? Let’s explore how Scripture addresses both the visible and invisible marks we carry and the hope of healing in Yeshua.

John 20:27

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.””

This verse reminds us of Jesus’ scars, specifically the scars on his hands and side from the crucifixion. Jesus showed these scars to Thomas to prove that He had indeed risen from the dead. It demonstrates that even in His resurrected body, Jesus still bore the marks of His sacrifice for our sins.

These scars serve as a powerful reminder of God’s love and grace, showing us the depth of His sacrifice and the victory He won over sin and death. They also serve as a source of hope and assurance, reminding us that no matter what scars we may carry in our own lives, God can bring healing and redemption.

Isaiah 53:5

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

This verse prophesies about the coming Messiah, Yeshua Ha Mashiach, who would endure great suffering and bear the wounds and scars of our sins. His wounds bring us spiritual healing and reconciliation with God, providing a pathway to peace.

These scars represent the depth of Yahweh’s love for us and the lengths He went to in order to redeem us. They testify to His willingness to take our place and suffer the consequences of our wrongdoing. Through Jesus’ scars, we find forgiveness, restoration, and the promise of eternal life.

Psalm 147:3

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

This verse assures us that God is a healer, both of physical and emotional wounds. Our scars, whether visible or invisible, are not beyond His ability to restore and mend. Yeshua’s love and compassion extend to those who are hurting and broken.

Through Yeshua, God offers healing and wholeness to all who come to Him with their wounds and scars. He is able to bring beauty out of our brokenness and turn our wounds into testimonies of His grace and faithfulness.

Psalms 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

In this verse, we are reminded that God is near to those who are hurting and brokenhearted. He sees our scars and understands our pain. He is not distant or indifferent but actively involved in our lives, offering comfort, support, and salvation.

When we feel overwhelmed by our scars, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual, we can find solace in knowing that God is with us. He is a present help in times of trouble, offering hope and a way forward.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

In these verses, Paul reminds us that Yeshua is the ultimate source of comfort and compassion. He not only comforts us in our own scars and struggles but equips us to extend that same comfort to others who are hurting.

Our scars can become a catalyst for empathy and compassion as we have personally experienced God’s healing and restoration in our lives. Through our own journeys of healing, we can share the hope and comfort we have received from Yeshua with others who are walking a similar path.

1 Peter 5:10

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

This verse reminds me that our scars and suffering are not in vain. Yeshua, in His infinite grace, can use our trials and scars to bring about restoration and strengthen our faith. He promises to personally restore and establish us, making us stronger and more steadfast.

Our scars can serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness in carrying us through difficult times and His ability to bring beauty out of ashes. They are testimonies of His power to transform our lives for His glory.

Romans 8:18

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

This verse encourages us to persevere in the midst of our scars and sufferings, knowing that the glory that awaits us far outweighs any pain or difficulty we may face in this present world. Our scars are temporary, but the eternal glory we will experience in the presence of God is incomparable.

When we fix our eyes on the promise of eternity with Yeshua, our perspective on our scar’s shifts. They become opportunities for growth, faith, and a deeper relationship with Him who will wipe away every tear and make all things new.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

In these verses, Paul reminds us that our scars and trials are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us in Christ. Our present struggles, though challenging, are working towards a greater purpose in God’s redemptive plan.

By fixing our eyes on the unseen, on the promises and hope of eternity, we can find strength and endurance in the face of adversity. Our scars become testimonies of Yeshua’s transformative power and His ability to work all things together for our ultimate good.

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

These verses remind us that our scars and sufferings have the potential to produce growth and resilience in our lives. Through perseverance, character is developed, and from character comes hope.

Our scars can become symbols of our journey towards greater faith and hope in God. They testify to His love and grace poured into our hearts by His Holy Spirit, enabling us to rise above our circumstances and find meaning and purpose in our trials.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

In these verses, Paul reveals the profound truth that in our weakness, God’s power is made perfect. Our scars and vulnerabilities become opportunities for us to experience the sufficiency of Yeshua’s grace and the strength found in surrendering to His power.

When we embrace our weaknesses and entrust them to Yeshua, His strength and power are manifested in and through us. Our scars, whether physical or emotional, become marks of His triumph and are transformed into sources of spiritual resilience and dependency on Him.

Psalm 34:15

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”

This verse reminds me that Yeshua sees and hears the righteous, including those with scars and wounds. He is not indifferent or unaware of our pain and struggles. His loving gaze is fixed upon us, and His ears are attentive to our every cry.

In our moments of despair and weariness, we can find comfort in knowing that God is intimately acquainted with our scars and the emotions they evoke. He is present with us, ready to offer consolation, strength, and guidance.

Jeremiah 30:17

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD.”

In this verse, Yeshua promises to restore and heal our wounds. He is the ultimate healer, capable of mending our brokenness and bringing wholeness to our scars.

God’s desire is not only to heal our physical wounds but also to tend to the deeper wounds of our hearts and souls. He offers us hope in the midst of our scars, assuring us that He is working diligently to bring about restoration and renewal.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

In this verse, Paul assures us that God is actively working in all things, including our scars and sufferings, for our ultimate good. Our scars are not wasted or meaningless but are part of God’s redemptive plan in our lives.

Though we may not always understand His purposes in the midst of our scars, we can trust that He is working in and through them to bring about His perfect will. Our faith and love for Him enable us to view our scars through the lens of hope and confidence in His sovereignty.

Psalm 34:19

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”

This verse reminds us that as righteous individuals in Christ, we are not exempt from troubles and scars. However, we can take comfort in knowing that Yeshua is our deliverer, capable of rescuing us from every trial and affliction we face.

Our scars do not have the final say in our lives. Yeshua is actively working on our behalf, bringing about deliverance and victory. Even in the midst of our scars, we can trust in His faithfulness and His power to bring about resounding triumph.

Psalm 30:2

“LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”

This verse affirms the healing power of God in response to our cries for help. When we call upon God, laying our scars before Him, He responds with His divine healing touch.

Our scars may be physical, emotional, or spiritual, but God’s healing power transcends all realms. He is attentive to our pleas for restoration and wholeness, and He is faithful to bring about healing in His perfect timing.

Psalm 103:2-3

“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits… who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

In these verses, the psalmist calls us to praise the Lord and remember His benefits, including the forgiveness of sins and the healing of diseases. Our scars and wounds are not beyond God’s ability to heal and restore.

God’s healing extends beyond physical ailments to the deepest parts of our being. He desires to bring healing and restoration to every aspect of our lives, including the scars caused by sin and brokenness. Through His mercy and grace, we can experience true healing and wholeness.

Psalm 103:11-12

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

These verses speak of the vastness of Yeshua’s love for those who fear Him. His love knows no bounds and extends far beyond our scars and sins.

Just as God removes our transgressions from us, He can also bring healing and restoration to our scars. His love has the power to erase the effects of sin and brokenness, offering us a fresh start and a new beginning.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

In this verse, Paul declares that when we are in Christ, we become new creations. The old, including our scars and wounds, is replaced by the new life and identity we have in Him.

Our scars no longer define us or hold us captive. In Christ, we are given a fresh start, free from the weight and shame of our past. Our scars become part of our testimony of God’s transforming power in our lives.

Isaiah 61:3

“And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

In this verse, Isaiah prophesies about the restoration and transformation that God brings to those who grieve. He replaces the ashes of mourning with a crown of beauty, the oil of joy, and a garment of praise.

Our scars, even the deepest ones, can be transformed by God’s divine touch. He can take the broken and wounded parts of our lives and make them a display of His splendor. Our scars become part of our testimony of His faithfulness and redemptive power.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

In these verses, Jesus offers an invitation to those who are weary and burdened by their scars and struggles. He promises to provide rest and relief, inviting us to take His yoke upon ourselves and learn from Him.

When we surrender our scars to Jesus and trust in His guidance, we find solace and peace for our souls. His love and gentleness bring comfort and strength, lightening the burden we carry and giving us renewed hope.

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

This verse encourages us to cast our cares, including our scars and wounds, upon the Lord Yeshua. When we entrust our burdens to Him, He promises to sustain us and keep us secure.

Our scars may be heavy and burdensome, but Yeshua invites us to lay them at His feet. He is faithful to carry our load and provide the strength we need to navigate through life’s challenges. In Him, we find unwavering support and stability.

Psalm 147:5

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

These verses extol the greatness and power of our Lord. His understanding is beyond measure, encompassing every scar and hurt we carry.

God’s wisdom and insight into our scars bring comfort and assurance that we are not alone in our experiences. He understands the depth of our pain and has the ability to bring true healing and restoration. His understanding reaches beyond our scars, offering hope and perspective.

1 Corinthians 15:42, 44

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable… it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

These verses speak of the transformation that awaits believers in the resurrection. Our current bodies, marked by scars and perishable, will be raised imperishable and transformed into spiritual bodies.

Our scars on this earth are temporary, but in the resurrection, we will receive bodies free from the limitations and brokenness of this world. The scars we bear now will be replaced with the glory of our new spiritual bodies, reflecting the redemption and renewal we have in Yeshua Ha Mashiach.

          I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant, that’s what the doctors said. But my God had a different plan. Does He do that to you sometimes? I had a beautiful baby boy from Yeshua/Jesus. I was so blessed and loved. He is older now and loves the Lord. I will never forget when my son asked me to help him move from our house to his bio dad’s. Can you believe it, he didn’t want to live with my husband and me any longer. Ok, he was getting older and needed to move out. But it was so hard to move him to the man who abused him and me for years. It broke my heart, but I wanted to help my son. He was 22 years old then. I know it was time. We had been through so much over the years. I wanted him to be a roommate with someone or live on his own. He just couldn’t afford to. So, he chose to be a roommate with his bio dad.

       I have lost two babies in my life so far. I thought I would have another, but God had a different story to tell. When I was pregnant with my son, I was extremely sick every day. I eventually couldn’t work anymore. I had stomach acid coming up in my mouth and I had to spit it out every few minutes in a towel. It burned my gums and made them reseed some. I didn’t know it tell I went to the dentist after months of having my son. I did recover, thank Yeshua for that. I wasn’t an average pregnant women. I actually lost so much weight while being pregnant. People could see my bones sticking out of my chest. I was only eighty pounds when I had my son.

          I had a midwife to help me at first but then later after I was so sick, the midwife didn’t or couldn’t help me any longer. So, I had to go to a regular M.D. at a clinic. I had a friend take me many times to my midwife, she gave up on me though. When I went to the doctor at the clinic, he didn’t know what to do for me. He said “Carmen, I can’t help you much, the midwife and the doctor she worked under gave you too many drugs. I know they were trying to stop you from vomiting so much. But It really messed you up, now you can’t sleep”. He said, “I wish I could give you something to help you, but I think you need to wean off all of those drugs they gave you, first”. I cried in the doctor’s office, and I said, “Doc how can I do that?” I found out years later that those drugs they gave me were experimental. How crazy uh? I did pray a lot, and I had God’s word on my belly reading it every moment of the day. I remember reading Job. While I was weaning off of all those drugs my body started to have huge hives all over me. My immune system was attacked. I’ll never forget all of the pain and agony. All I wanted is to have my baby boy asap.

        When I went into my last appointment the doc said “Carmen, your water won’t break you have been leaking, you need to go straight to the hospital. Of course I didn’t, I guess in a way I didn’t know if I would ever get to see my baby. It was such a long pregnancy. It just felt that way. My husband at the time finally got home and we ate dinner. Then I started to have contractions bad. I said “Ok I think it’s time, let’s go. So, we jumped, well I didn’t do that, I rolled into the 1969 Chevy pickup truck. We bounced along for miles. Ok, I forgot to tell you we lived way in the woods, miles away from a hospital. Anyways, we did make it to the hospital. My husband at the time was so nervous that he dropped me off two blocks to the hospital because he couldn’t find a parking spot. Funny uh?

        I was in so much pain I thought I would fall apart. My husband finally found a parking spot and came rushing towards me and practically carried me into an emergency. You would never guess what the lady at the front desk said to me, well maybe you would. She asked what I was in for. I looked at her and said, “Lady you can’t see that I’m pregnant?” Then the lady said, “Would you like to take the elevator or the stairs?” As I was doing my breathing techniques, I looked at her with a look I guess my husband told me that I looked at her like I would kill her. I don’t remember that all I remember is that I told her ok I’ll take the stairs. With a sarcastic voice of course. I did make it to the hospital room I was to go in and get that baby from God out of me. Well, I thought so, but of course not so easily. I pushed for twelve and a half hours. My doctor from the clinic came in the door smiling at me. I don’t remember saying this, but my mom and my sister-in-law said that I told the doctor to please excuse my hair legs and my stinky feet. He said “Oh, that’s no problem sweetheart.”

       After those hours of pushing the doctor called for an epidural. I waited for the nurse to put the needle in my spine, I was so nervous. Then after a few more hours. My doctor called for emergency c-section and another epidural. That’s when I was big time nervous. I didn’t understand what was going on. My doctor said that my pelvis was way too narrow for my baby to come out, that’s why I had to do the emergency c-section. I prayed that my baby boy and I would be ok. It did seem like my doc was a little nervous too, it was taking a long time. Since I was so dilated.  

       I finally had my baby boy. Praise Yeshua/Jesus! I’m a blessed mama. I found out I couldn’t hold my baby; my body was all paralyzed mostly on my left side. My face drooped on my left side. I was scared. So, I couldn’t breast feed my baby. For the next three and half months I couldn’t walk without a crutch. I had to drop my baby’s crib to the lowest position so I could roll him in my right arm to feed him. I actually don’t remember how I warmed his milk. My husband at the time he helped out for one week and then my mom helped out for one week. I guess by that time I should not be paralyzed anymore, right? Well, I was still, I thank God for my girl friend that dragged me to a chiropractor. This chiropractor adjusted my back and worked on my nerves in my back too. And after three and half months I was able to carry my baby boy and walk again. But mostly be able to work in the salon again, with my arms and hands working. Praise my Savior!

      Now my son moved out of his bio dad’s house and moved to Texas. He meets a beautiful young lady, and my son falls in love. I’m so proud of what he is becoming in Yeshua/Jesus. I’m so glad I got to have such a sweet son that loves his mama. He has a kind and caring spirit. I’m a blessed mom. I thank Yeshua for blessing me with such a special gift. Now I can watch from a far how much my son is becoming a man after God’s own heart.

If your favorite activity is just walking along the shoreline, smelling the fresh ocean air and feeling the wind blowing against your face, then there is no better time than winter when you can experience the beach without too many people around. While most people think that seaside activities are limited for the warm summer days, there are so many things to do at the beach in winter too!

Make a Beach Fire Pit

Nothing beats a beach fire pit to spend quality time with your family or friends, or just by yourself. If you live in an area where it’s legal to have a fire pit, then don’t forget to take advantage of the winter months to have a little beach party.

You will not only enjoy the lovely warmth coming off the flames, but you can roast marshmallows and make all sorts of tasty treats like s’mores. Keeping yourself warm by the fire while talking to your loved ones and listening to music is certainly one of the best things to do at the beach in winter. Just remember to always extinguish the fire completely before going back home!

Surfing

Winter is a great time to go surfing since this is the time of the year where you can catch some great waves. And not only the conditions are excellent but also schools are less crowded which means courses and equipment rental are a lot cheaper too. I don’t do this activity anymore.

Birdwatching

Another fun activity at the beach during winter is bird watching since it allows you to appreciate nature like never before. Many species spend the winter months in wildlife refuges near coastal areas and go back inland when spring comes around which means that you will be able to see different types of birds at once.

Many local communication channels offer information about different types of birds and even their migration patterns, allowing people to understand how important they are. Birdwatching is fun to do. I enjoy learning about knew kinds of birds that live next to the ocean. Even though this activity can be quite slow, it is worth doing it since observing nature can truly change your life for the better.

Watch the sunset

Sunset at the beach is something that can never get old. It’s so beautiful every day but especially in wintertime when the setting sun colors the clouds bright pink and red.

Tip: bring a picnic bag too filled with some snacks and something hot to drink and turn this cold weather beach activity into a romantic date experience!

Beachcombing

When wondering what to do at the beach in winter that costs nothing but brings fun for both young and old, you should definitely try beachcombing! The off-season is an excellent period for this activity when the coast is not as crowded, so it will be easier for you to find treasures from the sea such as various shells, shark tooth, sea glass and other interesting pieces that wash up on shore.

Go for a walk along the beach

Going to the beach in winter can provide you with various benefits, so why not take advantage of the fresh air and go on a nice long walk? Stroll around next to the ocean and chase the waves to find sand dollars. You don’t even have to leave everything you normally do inside, such as reading or listening to music. Just remember that it starts getting dark earlier and chilly in the evenings, so make sure to bring a torch/flashlight and jacket with you!

Organize beach game tournaments

If you are going to spend the weekend by the ocean with your family, game tournaments are another fun thing to do at the beach in winter since it allows everyone to get involved, especially if you have kids who love sports. You can choose from tennis, football, volleyball and many other types of team sports depending on your clan’s liking.

Fishing

If you have friends or family members who share the same passion for fishing, then this is one of the best winter beach activities that you can do together. Unless you want to go by yourself to fish, just make sure you have the right gear on. Enjoy this activity!

If you do not know where to start, then many local guides and services provide information about which type of fish is currently available at your favorite spot. Remember that this type of activity requires preparation since knowing what to expect from a specific location is vital for winter weather conditions. Do your research and ask for help from professional fishermen if needed!

Kayaking

When the ocean is too cold to swim, you can still go kayaking. A sunny, calm day offers excellent conditions to go out for an adventure to explore your local waters and get some exercise!

Many think that kayaking is a typical summer sport, but the truth is that it is more enjoyable during the winter months when there are fewer people out on the water so you can experience nature at its best. To ensure a safe experience, you need to plan a winter kayaking trip well in advance and get some special gear especially if you live in an area where the temperatures can get really low, but with thoughtful preparation, it is a great way to enjoy a cold day at the beach! Make sure you put on your long johns.

Camping

Beach camping is another excellent activity to do at the beach when it’s too cold to swim. There are numerous camping facilities available during the cold months offering a truly appealing experience for people who simply want to take their time enjoying our God’s beauty in the quiet off-season.

DO A BEACH WORK OUT

If you love exercising but hate going to a gym, then why not do it at the beach? You can just do your own thing, such as squat jumps or running on the sand, which requires more effort due to the soft surface but on the other hand, it also minimizes the risk of injuries and muscle damage because of the lower impact forces.

Doing exercise is one of those winter beach activities that will keep your body healthy and relax your mind. You can even intensify your training by taking a dip in the water or surfing through waves if you feel like it. If you want to reconnect with God’s nature, or just feel the sand between your toes, take your next workout to the beach!

Well, I hope you all got some ideas to do on the beach in the wintertime. I encourage you to rest next to your wood stove in your cabin too. And read your Bible or a book you’ve been wanting to have time to read. Enjoy yourselves at the ocean!

How Jews helped to create the American holiday.

1. Modeling the first Thanksgiving on Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles

America’s first Thanksgiving holiday took place in 1621, just a few months after the first Pilgrim settlers first landed on the shores of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. They arrived in the New World just as winter was approaching and spent their first few months in Massachusetts huddled on the Mayflower boat(Christipher Columbus) that had brought them from England, relying on the ship’s stores of food. Fully half of the Pilgrims perished over the winter.

When the weather began to improve, they ventured onto land. March 21 was the day the Pilgrims officially left the Mayflower and began to farm and build homesteads. The Pilgrims were aided by members of the local Abenaki, Pawtuxet and Wampanoag tribes, particularly by a Pawtuxet man named Squanto who had an amazing history. He had been kidnapped some years previously by an English ship captain, had learned English, and eventually returned to his tribe in Massachusetts. With Squanto’s aid, the Pilgrims succeeded in cultivating native crops.

At harvest time, the Pilgrims declared a three-day long feast of Thanksgiving to thank God for their harvest. Deeply religious Christians, the Pilgrims were well acquainted with the Hebrew Bible and Jewish holidays, including the autumn festival of Sukkot, when Jewish pilgrims brought offerings from their harvests to the Temple in Jerusalem. Some see the first American Thanksgiving was an attempt to thank God for His goodness in a new place, and to a new set of Pilgrims, a conscious imitation of Sukkot.

Pilgrim leader William Bradford had another Jewish custom in mind when he declared a service of thanksgiving soon after the Pilgrims made landfall in 1620. He opened his Bible and led the Pilgrims in reciting Psalm 107.

2. Ensuring Jews Can Celebrate Thanksgiving

During Colonial times, it was common for colonies to declare special days of thanksgiving at times of prosperity and good fortune. Shearith Israel, the oldest synagogue in America, eagerly took part. Established in 1654 by Sephardi Jews seeking refuge from the Portuguese Inquisition in Brazil, Shearith Israel (also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue) took part in various thanksgiving celebrations that were declared by New York’s colonial governor. Shearith Israel wrote new prayers and included prayers of thanksgiving during these colonial thanksgiving days.

There were times, however, when New York’s Colonial Governor insisted that special days of thanksgiving have a specifically Christian character. (This was true of other colonies as well, which sometimes insisted that days of thanksgiving be celebrated with Christian prayers.) At these times, Shearith Israel had no choice but to refrain from taking part. The synagogue’s predicament became known to George Washington, thanks to the synagogue’s leader, Gershom Mendes Seixas, the congregation’s cantor who was devoted to the cause of American Independence, and his family.

President George Washington

Many of Shearith Israel’s members joined the Continental Army and fought with George Washington; approximately 20 members of the synagogue died in America’s revolutionary war. After the war, Seixas was selected to be one of the small number of clergy people present at George Washington’s presidential inauguration. When the new President declared a national day of Thanksgiving for the new United States in 1789, he specifically made his day of thanks non-denominational, ensuring that his Jewish supporters could fully take part in America’s first national thanksgiving festival.

3. The Shavuot Connection

Thanksgiving only became a regular, annual holiday in 1863. That was thanks in large part to one woman: Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of America’s most popular journal, Godey’s Ladies Journal.

Hale was a progressive idealist. Each year, starting in 1846, she published a public appeal in Godey’s, asking the government to establish a national day of Thanksgiving across the entire country. Notably, she called for a day of Thanksgiving in which all Americans, including Jews, could take part. Hale made specific reference to a key Jewish holiday in her annual appeal, “Pentecost,” which is a Greek name for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, the day God gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai.

Sarah Hale

Hale saw this Jewish holiday as a time for family gatherings and giving charity so that no poor household would be left out of the national celebration. (Hale lived in New Hampshire, which had a small Jewish population, It’s possible she observed the ways that Jews support their communities with charity, ensuring that all members have the resources to celebrate festivals such as Shavuot and other Jewish holidays.)

“The noble annual feast day of our Thanksgiving resembles, in some respects, the Feast of Pentecost, which was, in fact, the yearly season of Thanksgiving with the Jews,” Hale insisted in the pages of her magazine, year after year. Fixing a regular Thanksgiving day “would then have a national character…. It is a festival which will never become obsolete, for it cherishes the best affections of the heart – the social and domestic ties. It calls together the dispersed members of the family circle, and brings plenty, joy and gladness to the dwellings of the poor and lowly.”

President Lincoln finally listened to Hale’s entreaties – and those of her many readers and admirers – and proclaimed the final Thursday in November to be an annual holiday of Thanksgiving across the United States. Deep in the Civil War, it was the hope of many that a national day of Thanksgiving could help heal the country’s wounds.

4. The Jew Who Changed the Date of Thanksgiving

For years, Thanksgiving was celebrated on the last Thursday in November: until a Jewish businessman helped alter the date – and provoked a firestorm across America.

In 1939, there were five Thursdays in November and Thanksgiving fell on November 30. With the economy in depression, merchants were worried that a late Thanksgiving would mean an unusually short Christmas shopping season, as in the 1930s it was customary to start decorating stores and promoting Christmas merchandise only after the Thanksgiving holiday.

American retailers lobbied President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to bring Thanksgiving forward a week, to November 23, to help America’s embattled retailers. The leader of the push was Fred Lazarus, Jr., the Jewish chairman of the Federated Department Stores, a national retailing grouping he’d organized in 1930 to link stores in different communities by sharing a financial base. (Federated Department Stores eventually became Macy’s.)

Fred Lazarus, Jr.

Lazarus’ logic appealed to President Roosevelt, who changed Thanksgiving from the final Thursday of November to the third Thursday of the month in order to help the nation’s merchants. This provoked a swift backlash from conservative states and politicians, some of whom seized on the change to promote antisemitic tinged criticisms of Pres. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies. Critics called the “new” Thanksgiving “Franksgiving” and many states refused to celebrate it.

The backlash fell along party lines. As the New England Historical Society notes, “Republicans called Roosevelt’s declaration an affront to the memory of Lincoln. (P)eople began referring to the ‘Republican Thanksgiving (last Thursday) and the ‘Democratic Thanksgiving’ (fourth Thursday) as ‘Franksgiving’.”

Pres. Roosevelt changed Thanksgiving back to its original date in 1941. Fred Lazarus Jr. went on to contribute to the American war effort, serving as vice-chairman of the Retail Advisory Council of the National Council of Defense. He also served on the Office of Price Administration and the War Production Board during World War II. After the war, President Eisenhower appointed Lazarus to the President’s Committee on Government Contracts, where Lazarus was a voice for fair labor practices. He passed away in 1973.

5. Inventing Thanksgiving Day Parade

No Thanksgiving would be complete without watching a Thanksgiving Day Parade, a tradition started by the descendants and business partners of a Jewish immigrant named Adam Gimbel.

Adam Gimbel

Born in 1817 in Bavaria, Gimbel moved to America where he worked as a dock hand and then a travelling peddler. He soon gained a sterling reputation as a scrupulously honest businessman who treated all people fairly, no matter what their background. Gimbel founded Gimbels Department Store in Milwaukee. He later expanded to Philadelphia; after his death, he sons expanded Gimbel’s further, opening a store in New York City.

In 1920, Bernard Gimbel, Adam’s grandson, held the first Thanksgiving Day Parade, sponsoring a huge spectacle that marched from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Gimbel’s Department Store at 8th and Market Streets. Each year, until the last Gimbels’ Parade in 1986, the department store sponsored Philadelphia’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s in New York started their own Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, in a clear imitation of Gimbels’.

6. Creating America’s Green Bean Casserole

The iconic green bean casserole topped with crunchy fried onions that many Americans enjoy on Thanksgiving has a remarkable story, and was popularized in the 1950s by the Jewish food writer Cecily Brownstone. In 1955, Ms. Brownstone wrote a story about a journalists’ dinner she’d attended at the home of John Snively Jr., a pioneering citrus grower in Florida.

At the dinner, Mrs. Snively served a delicious green bean casserole – and shared a remarkable story about that signature dish. The Snivelys had recently hosted the Shah of Iran and his wife, and Mrs. Snively made her delicious green bean casserole. The Iranian Queen was so taken with the dish that she kept asking about its ingredients. The Snivelys’ butler answered each question, until he finally lost his patience and told the royal, “Listen, lady, it’s just beans and stuff.”

Cecily Brownstone realized this would make a great food article. She wrote it up, but wanted a recipe to go with her story. Ms. Brownstone reached out to the Campbell Soup Company to see if they could help her develop a fool-proof green bean casserole that was similar to what she’d eaten at the Snivelys. Campbell complied, creating the iconic recipe featuring cream of mushroom soup that’s still popular today.

This is what I found in history. I hope this gets you all to investigate more for yourself. Many Blessings through this Harvest time for farmers and through this Autumn Thanksgiving time. To celebrate God’s Beauty all around you.