Candlelighters
a place for women who cherish the TorahAuthor Archive
Death vs. Sin
by cndllighter
In a conversation I had, my attention was recently brought to the fact that we should hate sin more than anything – even the death of a loved one. I pondered this for a moment, taking it in. Death is very serious in the Jewish culture, and as you know, the death of a loved one is mourned every year, with the annual reminder of their yahrzeit. The point was clarified with the following quote by Thomas Watson:
We must grieve more for offending G-d than for the loss of dear relations. Sorrow for sin must exceed sorrow at the grave, and with good reason; for in the burial of the dead it is only a friend who departs, but in sin…G-d departs.
We must hate it, dread it, flee from it, and fear the places where it inhabits; for G-d is watching over all.
I am Nobody
by cndllighter
I know this is a popular topic in our lives, but it doesn’t hurt to go over it again, and regarding myself, I recently found it touching and convicting.
I was reading a piece of Emily Dickinson’s poetry today and at first glance, I wondered why this certain poem had made her so famous. Why it had made such an impact on her readers. It’s called “I’m Nobody! Who are you?”:
I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you Nobody, too?
Then there’s a pair of us — don’t tell!
They’d banish us, you know.
How dreary to be Somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
-Emily Dickinson
Sheep Will Always Need A Shepherd
by cndllighter
Picture a herd of sheep, scattered on a bright green hill. The sheep are stark white against the vibrant green grass. They appear like perfect white clouds…
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the law; for I would not have known about coveting if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’” {Romans 7.7}
Now picture the same hill, but it’s winter, and the grass is hidden beneath a blanket of snow. It’s pure, and crisp. The same sheep stand on the hill, but now they do not look so white. Now with a perfect standard with which to compare them, we realize how fooled we were in comparison to the green hill.
On G-d’s Easel
by cndllighter
You’re standing in front of a mirror looking at yourself. Your mind is flooded with imperfections as you stare back. You have the power to change anything and everything with which you’re unhappy, unsatisfied. It is painless, immediate and efficient. Do you use this power?
Most people do not accept the way G-d made them – myself included. 
Every relationship in life will be affected by how we view ourselves. If we reject our design, it will be difficult to trust our designer. It makes us feel inferior and inadequate. We develop a balance: there is no good in the flesh (Romans 7:18), but we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We are desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), but we are made in the image of G-d (Genesis 1:27).
Early Bird
by cndllighter
Get up early? No way! I need my sleep – I’m a hard worker. I’ll always have the rest of the day, besides, if I don’t finish what I need to do I can always work a little late…These are thoughts that have entered my mind many times when someone mentions getting up early. Our culture is focused around staying up late instead of waking up at dawn – we’re producing night owls rather than early birds.
Defending the Hebrew Roots Movement: Part 1
by girlfortorah & cndllighter
Last Tuesday at the Torah study we read a post about ” Law Keepers” written by someone with a “grace-oriented” perspective of the completed work of Christ at the cross, who did in-depth research online about the Hebrew Roots Movement and concluded that Law Keepers are wrong in what we teach. So far, we’ve covered five out of ten points.
The Whole Megillah
by cndllighter
Purim: a festival not specifically commanded in Torah, but celebrated by many in memory of the miraculous saving of G-d’s people.
“So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants.” (Esther 9:28)
Serving Like A Son
by cndllighter
Statement: The crucifixion itself is the best, as well as the worst of all historical events, but the role of Judas remains simply evil.
Example: Suppose there is a “merciful man“. This man looks to do his neighbor good. By this, he is doing G-d’s will. Consciously cooperating with the simple good. Then suppose there is a “cruel man“. This man oppresses his neighbor, and so doing, he does simple evil, but in doing such evil, he is used by G-d without his own knowledge or consent to produce the complex good. So the first man serves G-d as a son, and the second as a tool.
Summary: You will carry out G-d’s purpose however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas, or like John.
source: c.s. lewis
Can G-d Do Anything?
by cndllighter
I was recently thinking of an issue that came to my attention a few months ago, in a theological debate with a friend. The question at hand is, “Can G-d Do Anything?” Of course, we both agreed that G-d is omniscient, able of doing the impossible, and all-powerful. I went so far as to say, “G-d can’t move a parked car, because if he did, it wouldn’t be parked anymore.” Unfortunately, this may have not been the best example, as the quick response was, “Well G-d could change the laws of science, or the definition of ‘parked’ and then he could.” This argument stayed in my head until the other night when I thought up this rebuttal:
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