Jerusalem, a site of controversy and violence, a place of contradiction. Jerusalem, the city of David, is sacred to three different religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What might we learn about Jerusalem from Psalm 122 – Jerusalem? Psalm 122 Psalm 122 is a song of ascents, attributed to David. Pilgrims rejoice on their way to Jerusalem. […]
Read More Any builder knows the importance of having strong foundations. Psalm 87 – foundation, states that God’s “foundation is in the holy mountains.” What does that mean for us? Psalm 87 Jerusalem is held holy by three religions: Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Why does it merit such a special place? Because it is God’s city, founded […]
Read More “He’s looking at me! Tell him to stop!” “She’s touching me. Ooo, cooteys!” Sound familiar? If not then you are not a parent to two or more kids. Siblings fight. It’s part of the reality of having kids. We love our brothers and sisters, but they also drive us crazy when we are little and […]
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Where is your Temple? Where do you find God? For the writer of Psalm 84, the answer to these questions is easy, the Temple in Jerusalem. This Temple is all of this and more. It was magnificent and beautiful, inspiring awe in all who entered its gates. Psalm 84 Psalm 84 starts by singing her […]
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Our psalm for last week of bargaining with God, gives way to depression this week with Psalm 80, the fourth stage of Kubler-Ross’ stages of dying. The Israelites are so sad that their daily bread is made up of tears, as well as their drinking water. “You have fed them with the bread of tears, […]
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“Next year in Jerusalem!” So ends the Jewish Seder meal. Pilgrimages to the holy city of Jerusalem were an important part of the Jewish faith in Old Testament times. There was only one Temple, the Temple in Jerusalem, David’s city. The journey was meant to give pilgrims plenty of time to reflect on God; the […]
Read More Jerusalem: sacred to all three of the major monotheistic faiths. A site of controversy, violence and abuse of the sacred, a place of contradiction. Karen Armstrong, in her book, Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths, describes thousands of years of history of this city, a history filled with bloodshed. With good reason, Jesus wept over the […]
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