Reading the news headlines these days can be disconcerting and more than a little irritating. Unfortunately, it is murder, mayhem, and negativity that sells. We read of wars, rumors of wars, and the atrocities of war. Man’s inhumanity against man is splattered across the page, as vicious words fly at...
The Devil Said “Now!” But God Said, “Wait!”
Worried wrinkles creased the face of the young emergency room doctor. His eyes betrayed the emotions he tried to suppress as he cleared his throat. The sound of my heart was loud in my ears, and my mouth went dry when I heard his words. “Mr. Settel, I don’t know...
Grey Hair, it’s Power and Might
“The Fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom” Proverbs 1:7 I was deep in thought as I stood in front of the luggage carousel waiting for my bags. Surrounding me were hundreds of people also waiting, some with great patience and others, not so much. It had been almost 20-minutes since we...
World Culture through Jewish Eyes
Being Jewish and traveling worldwide over many years has played a large role in shaping my Jewish identity. Likewise, my Jewish identity has shaped my life experiences over what I estimate to be some two million miles of travels. Add to the mix that I am a Messianic Jew (one...
The Journey
“God killed my mother!” Those are the words I spoke when my mom passed away, just three months after Yeshua claimed my heart on February 21, 1984—the date I asked our Jewish King to “save me.” I thought this was the beginning of the rest of my life. It was all great and glorious, and I was feeling giddy,...
To Give or Not To Give, That is the Question
The phone rang early breaking the silence with it’s piercing sound. The voice on the other end was young, pleasant and very proud of what she was about to say. “Do you need a copy machine?” I could hear her smile. “Why yes I do”. I was surprised because I...
The Day Heaven Broke Loose
August in England was cool and believe me – a welcome relief. The Florida sun and humidity had been dancing together, creating a symphony of 96 degrees in perfect harmony with 96 percent humidity. I gladly departed Fort Lauderdale at 2 PM Thursday afternoon. After a brief stop in Atlanta,...
Helpless
The last few years have been memorable for my family. Sharon and I have been blessed by two thundering little toddlers, and a very special eight-year-old grandson. The eight-year-old is very smart, even brilliant learning how to put together and take apart computers. The two girls, while only weeks apart,...
Is it The Song of Moses
To the Jews, arriving at the sea of Reeds (The Red Sea), all of creation became a symphony, a song, because they, “in the blink of an eye” understood how every unrelated and incomprehensible event in their lives suddenly became a miraculously part of this harmonious music score, (otherwise known...
Musical Homonyms
Those of us attending a recent Shabbat service at the Bethany Center witnessed a unique and vivid demonstration of life and the difference between illuminating a thought or idea with extensive life experience and maturity or presenting a new canvas, ready to experience with youthful energy. Neither being right or wrong—just...