Back in 2009, I wrote an essay titled "Interview Season" where I shared my thoughts on what the Yomim Noraim (Days of Awe) meant to me. Some time later Rabbi Phyllis Sommer began her now-famous "BlogElul" writing challenge. The idea of #BlogElul resonated with the thoughts I had put down in my essay, so I was inspired to participate that year, and each year since. With a few years under my belt, I decided it was time to bundle up those efforts into this anthology.

Around September every year, Jews all over the world celebrate Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. However, it's not – to put it in business terms – a year-end review. It's a job interview. the month before Rosh Hashana (called "Elul" in Hebrew) is the time for getting one's balance sheet in order. To help with that, a bunch of folks from all walks of life participate in #BlogElul: A daily prompt provides the theme and people riff on that – sometimes a few hundred words, sometimes an image,...

If you are interested in monitoring and successfully set up a system for your own use, there comes a moment when you go from watching systems that you care about, to monitoring systems that other people care about. This is where things get especially tricky. In your new role, you will find yourself answering certain questions repeatedly.Over the course of 20 years as a monitoring specialist, I've come to think of them as "The Four Questions," modeled after the four questions that a...

Jewish tradition teaches that not even a single letter of the Torah is extraneous or un-necessary, that each and every letter is necessary and carries meaning. Since the Torah has 304,805 letters, which make up 79,847 words, which in turn form 4,845 verses, that is A LOT of meaning. In fact, tradition teaches us that the Torah is "black fire written on white fire" - that what is NOT written, what is between the lines, is as important as the words themselves.The Edible Torah web sit...

There is a self-consciousness that comes with trying something new, a concern about getting it right. It doesn't help that Shabbat carries with it the implication of thousands of years of tradition, not to mention the whole "God is watching" concept.The core of this book is about encouraging people - which goes beyond your immediate family - to participate in a Shabbat celebration, and to do so in a way that is non-threatening, enjoyable, engaging and fun.I'm not out to "im...

Love isn't a feeling. It's an activity. It's something you do. And participating in the act of love is the secret to understanding God's love--the secret to a life well lived.Building on the foundation of the New York Times bestseller, Love Does, the Love Does video study (DVD/digital video sold separately) is a case study in love done--a love that's practical, functional, active. Not a "love" that has all the right answers. Not ...

What To Do When Prayers for Healing Go UnansweredThe Bible is clear: God’s will is to heal! And yet, believers often pray for healing and do not receive it. Why? The answer can be found in the Courts of Heaven.Robert Henderson is internationally recognized for teaching the Courts of Heaven prayer strategy, which has brought breakthrough, answered prayers, and miraculous transformation to countless lives. In this Training Manual, Henderson helps bri...

Once you decide to follow Jesus, what does it look like? Many people who come to church aren’t really sure. Bullseye maps out six markers that are signs of a Christian life. In practical, inviting, and clear ways, Bullseye examines: Using Spiritual Practices; Worshipping Together Weekly; Discovering Authentic Community; Serving; Giving Generously; Sharing Christ. Bullseye: Practical Ideas for Individuals and Groups offers church leaders practical suggestions for helping members grow their ...

Encourage Her to Pray EffectivelyHelp girls, ages 8-12, understand prayer is more than just what they do before dinner or bedtime. It is an everyday, anytime, ongoing conversation that will enrich their lives and draw them closer to their loving Father.This unique prayer book, the latest in the bestselling One-Minute Prayers® series (over 1,000,000 copies sold) will teach girls to pray more creatively and open their eyes to how many different things they ca...

Fear comes in many forms: fear of the unknown, fear of man, fear of failure, fear of rejection, and fear of confrontation to name a few. Fears like these imprison and silence too many Christians. It seems we have subconsciously allowed fear to masquerade as a legitimate reason for silence. But Jesus rejects this excuse. His parable of the talents explains how one servant actually buried his talent because of fear (Matt 25:14-30). When the master returned, he rebuked him severely, calling h...

Whether you are in plenty or in want, money has a direct connection to your values, your faith, and the health of your relationships. It’s no wonder that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presented a radical message about our “treasure” and our hearts.In this four-week study, Jacob Armstrong uses Matthew 6 to reexamine how we look at our finances and possessions, through the counter-cultural teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.Sessions include:Week 1: Where Is Your ...