Hanukkah

What Is The Deal With Hanukkah?

Nathan SmithBible, Jewish Roots

Hanukkah is celebrated around the world this week and unless you’re Jewish you likely know little to nothing about it.  Though most Christians pay zero attention to the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah, you may be surprised to know the only time the holiday is mentioned in the Bible is in the NEW Testament book of John and Jesus is present! …

what is purim

What is Purim and Should I Care?

Nathan SmithBible, Jewish Roots

The Jewish holiday of Purim took place this past weekend and most of us missed it. I mean, if you’re not Jewish and you don’t know what Purim means anyway then why bother? I think that argument is a little ‘thin’ and worth rethinking. So, what is Purim and why should I care? Purim is the annual celebration of the story …

If Salt Looses Its Saltiness

Please Pass the Salt 

Nathan SmithBible, Christian Maturity

I have been pretty sick lately.  So much so that I was super late in getting my blog out for the week as I navigated sickness and tried to catch up from getting so far behind in several things.  A cold turned into a bad cold, which turned into a sinus infection which turned into yuck (there’s a point to this …

About This Time Tomorrow

About This Time Tomorrow

Nathan SmithBible, Faith

Here were are in the waning last days of the year.  I don’t know about you, but I often evaluate the past year and anticipate the coming year as December winds down.  Sometimes that is exciting and encouraging. Other times it is deflating and can feel a bit hopeless.  If I’m honest, I feel a bit of both this year.  …

Jerusalem

What’s the Big Deal About Israel?

Nathan SmithBible, Jewish Roots

Maybe you’re not asking that question?  Should you be?  Is it not odd for a country the size of New Jersey to be in headline news week after week on TV screens all over the world?  Maybe the news you hear is all positive?  Maybe your perspective is mostly negative?  Regardless, you’ve heard something about this small nation and you …