Category Archives: Loving Others

Fill Your Lamps

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John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Fill your lamp with the love of Yeshua

Matthew 25:1-10 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

During the feast of Tabernacles in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) day, the temple priests would set up four great lamp stands with golden lamp holders, which they would light with the aid of enormous ladders in the Temple courtyard. The lighting of these lamps began the celebration of the “Great Hosannah” (Hoshannah Rabbah, in Hebrew). The celebration went on in to the wee hours — with music and dancing and rejoicing, while the beautiful lights lit up the night. Jerusalem was a breathtaking, illuminated city on a hill.

The following morning the Jewish people would recite the prayer for the eighth day of the feast — “Be thou praised, O L-RD our G-D, King of the Universe, who makes light and causes darkness, who makes peace and creates all: the light of the world as the treasure of life…” Yeshua said, “I am the Light of the world.”.

G-D is Light, He loves light, He creates light, He sheds light, He desires light. Lamps with oil produce light, both for those who carry them and for those who see the light bearers. “You are the light of the world”, He said. So the L-RD also expects light from and His people. The light of G-D in our lives comes from His Holy Spirit, and oil has always been associated with the Spirit’s ministry in the lives of believers. Burning oil produces light. If we are spiritual “virgins” because we are betrothed to one Heavenly Husband, we ought to bear His light in this dark world. Yet, He has told us that some virgins will not have the wisdom to do it, so it is a warning to us; a warning not to quench the Spirit, but be filled with Him and be the light of the world.

Some of us though virgins, have been walking in darkness. This could change. The choice to light our lamps belongs to us. The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to all true virgins. The wise among us will “buy oil” and maintain our lamps thoroughly filled. To “buy oil” means to “spend time” with the One who supplies it, asking Him to fill us up, and to clean out the impurities in our “lamps”. You know what this means for you personally, and I know what it means for me. We ought to think about the joy of the wedding, and prepare our hearts with His light… illuminated beautifully for all the world to see, and to be ready! At midnight, when the Bridegroom suddenly appears, our joy will be unspeakable.

Chag Sameach (Happy holidays), Shabbat Shalom, and have a great weekend!

Your family in the L-RD with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna
(Bradenton, Florida)

Reprinted with permission.

Be blessed,

Dr. Dee

Twisted Tongues…

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book opened on white surface selective focus photography
Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

Currently, I am reading a book called Chofetz Chaim. I have only read the first few pages and, yet, I am overwhelmed and blessed by the profundity of the laws of proper speech according to some Rabbis in order to please HaShem and live at peace with others.

As a believer in Yeshua, for the last year or so, I have been working on proper G-DLY speech and what that sounds like. Most of us realize that gossip, criticism, and negative speech is harmful to both ourselves and to the hearers of our words as well as violates Torah. However, there is a much deeper issue according to the Torah commentaries and the authors of this particular book.

Many know the story of Miriam who was struck with leprosy due to evil speech about her brother Moses. Traditionally in Christian circles, her condition has been named leprosy but is really a different condition based on Judaic thought. This in-depth analysis of biblical leprosy is not the focus of this blog. I just want to highlight the overall theme.

Musing: One of the most amazing things in this book is the idea of the creation of the tongue…partially hidden and partially revealed. The tongue though not seen is heard…just like the heart is not seen, but what comes out of the heart is displayed and/or heard. Further, out of the heart comes rivers of life and/or death depending on the individual speaking.

LaShon Hara or evil speech has planted seeds of destruction in marriages, relationships, and every human interaction we can think of. The twisted tongue if not aligned with G-D’s good pleasure will kill, lie, and destroy. And, why? Because as human beings we are inclined to judge and criticize others though we are much more deserving of criticism and judgement. We are all guilty of evil speech (even complaining) and unless we are actively aware of this and allow the Spirit of G-D to transform us, we speak evil constantly of others … even unaware.

If we could envision that each person has a drop of the image of G-D planted within them, then evil, derogatory, damaging speech would be eliminated at least some of the time. We would use our words to build up others instead of tear each other down in order to falsely build ourselves up. What a better world we might live in if people did not complain, criticize, humiliate, demonize, belittle, shame, curse, etc., etc. each other! Can you imagine?

As believers in HaShem, it is our responsibility to live according to His Torah (teachings) and be the light and salt of this world as commanded by our Savior Yeshua. Our speech, whether good or bad, reflects our heart’s condition. All manner of wickedness is bound in our hearts and profusely expounds daily in our lives unless we allow ourselves to be controlled by G-D’s Holy Spirit in order to demonstrate the abundant life He has bestowed upon us.

Is this easy? You know the answer. But all things are possible for those of us who love the L-RD and seek to be His eyes, arms and feet in this earthly realm. And, when we fail, as we will, we can run to Him for forgiveness and continue to allow Him to grow and transform us. We can grow away from the negativity that has been ingrained in us and become beacons of light in order to honor our King Yeshua.

How about it? Join the movement of love according to G-D’s directive. Each moment consider your speech. Is it beneficial and glorying HaShem? Are you building up the community in which you live and serve? Or is your speech part of the problem which proliferates in our contemporary culture of divisiveness? You choose…a twisted tongue of evil or an edifying tongue of blessings?

Musings,

Dr. Dee

PRAYER:

Dear ABBA,

Help us to speak words of life as you create clean and pure hearts within us that pant after you. Help others to hear your love as we speak wherever we find ourselves, and help us to model our speech after our Master Yeshua. Please transform us and be pleased with our serve. To YOU be all the glory! Amen

July 3, 2024

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Personal Photo added

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ (Messiah Yeshua) hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Is that a trend or something? I don’t know what it is but I’ve heard that phrase said quite a bit. We were even walking down the Wal-Mart aisle to pick up a few things and my wife showed me a T-shirt with “I have issues” written across the front! I guess the world is coming to the sad reality that we really do have some issues.

It’s always good to realize this kind of thing — but realizing is only half the battle. It looks like the world has gone and just left it at that. What they’re really saying is “We have issues and we’re just going to let you know that up front — we’ll even be wearing a T-shirt to remind you so that you won’t be expecting much from us!”

Well guess what? We, as believers, don’t need to fall for that baloney! Yes, we all acquire issues in this sinful, painful world we live in — but it is possible to be free from those issues in Messiah! It’s not only possible — it’s crucial! We need to be wearing a T-shirt that says “We had issues, but the L-RD delivered us and now we’re free — and hey — you too can be free!”

Believers, we are the ones who need to be leading the way to Freedom, wouldn’t you agree? This Independence Week, let’s take a moment to celebrate our freedom in the L-RD! Take all those issues, write them down on a scrap piece of paper and burn them to ashes! If we’ll be serious about getting free, G-D will be serious about setting us free!

Your family in the L-RD with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Missouri)

Reproduced with permission…Dr. Dee

Worthy Brief June 28, 2024

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Let’s reflect; reflect on faces, and behold His beauty!

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the L-RD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the L-RD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the L-RD, And to inquire in His temple.

The Hebrew word for “face” is “panim”, (the Hebrew letters, peh-nun-yud-mem), literally “faces”, a plural word. Normally, when we think about G-D, we focus only upon one of His “faces” at a time. G-D is “love” – or He is “holy”– or He is “just”— or He’s a G-D of “wrath”. Yet, of course, ALL these “faces” are His at once; and so the word “panim” accurately reflects the truth of G-D’s multifaceted being. As we get to know Him better we begin to appreciate the complexity of His nature and the fact that our focus on one “face” is a very limited view, since there’s so much more going on in His amazing “Personality”.

Now the same four Hebrew letters which form the word “face”, (peh-nun-yud-mem), also form the Hebrew word for “inside” or “interior”. * This would seem to contradict the first meaning, “face”, since “face” is the external part of a person or thing, not the inside. Yet here, as with many Hebrew words and concepts lies a deep truth, a paradox which expresses two sides of reality. The “face” is intimately connected with the “interior“, and may accurately reveal the true “interior” of someone. There’s even a science (or perhaps you might call it an art) of reading peoples’ true attitudes and character by looking carefully at their facial expressions. So while we don’t “judge a book by it’s cover”, we may begin to know a person better by carefully looking at her face…because it is true that the face often says something real about the inside of a person. Yeshua (Jesus) said, “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.” Inside and out, we’re connected.

And this is something G-D wants us to do with Him; to meditate, or gaze upon His “panim”, His “faces”, and so to receive from His interior depths. Someday, we will see Him “face to face”, and begin to know Him in ways which are unimaginable. Yet it is possible, by His Spirit within us, to begin now.

G-D desires us to look deeper into who He is, even as we only look or meditate on one of His “faces”. King David expressed his own unique desire in these words: “One thing I have asked from YHVH, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of YHVH all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the YHVH and to meditate in His temple.” G-D’s faces and His “interior” are one continuous eternal wonder. Let us spend time simply beholding Him!

* In Israel, the Ministry of the “Interior” is the first “face” you meet when interacting with the State on visa issues which determine your internal status in the Land. In Hebrew it’s called the “Misrad HaPanim” (Office of the INTERIOR), literally, “Office of the Faces”!

Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend!

Your family in the L-RD with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Missouri)
(Baltimore, Maryland)

Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy Devotions. This devotional was originally published on Worthy Devotions and was reproduced with permission.

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A Good Seal…

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Yom Kippur – the last reflection from our worship community. Again, the basic ideas of this reflection were taken from AISH and compiled by one of our community leaders.

Create in Me A Clean Heart Oh Adonai and Renew a Right Spirit Within Me

Psalm 51

Read Psalm 27 Daily

10 DAYS OF AWE

Al Chet Prayer

The Goal of Al Chet Is to Get to The Root of the Problem.  To become more like Yeshua and to become conformed to His image and Torah is a process, it does not happen overnight.  The key is never to give up, because He does not give up on us.  We are all under construction and a work in process and this is the time to do spiritual house cleaning.

We are now in the last of the 10 days of awe, a time to measure our spiritual growth and make amends where needed prior to Yom Kippur.

My Spiritual Annual Review Days of Awe Day 10:

Confession

“All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Looking back over the past 40 days, I can rejoice because of the Ruach HaKodesh’s leading and correcting in my life areas that are contrary to what I desire and contrary to His Word.  Looking back over the last 40 days, I need to agree with (confess before) God certain issues in my life.  In the next year, I need to overcome temptations in my life that have held me captive.  I will commit to have my leadership or someone I trust to hold me accountable for my actions in the next year.

#40. For the sin we have sinned before You in the matter of extending a hand;

And for the sin we have sinned before You through confusion of heart.

FOR ALL THESE, O GOD OF FORGIVENESS IN YESHUA’S NAME, FORGIVE US,

PARDON US, ATONE FOR US THROUGH THE BLOOD OF YESHUA OUR MESSIAH.

I want to end with ‘Confusion of the Heart” because all sin is a heart issue.  We need to look deep into our hearts and ask God to heal us from all issues within our hearts that have caused us to sin.  Many of these issues stem from a wounded heart that needs to be healed.

There are almost 800 verses in The Bible that deal with the heart.  From the very beginning when sin entered through disobedience – Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The whole point of the 40 days of Teshuvah is:

Ps. 139:23, 24:  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The Good News is He wants to heal the wounds within us if we will let Him.  Thank G-d for providing Atonement for ALL of our sins through the blood of Yeshua our Messiah.

Is. 53:5:  But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises we are healed.

40a. For the mistakes we committed before You in extending the hand.

Ask yourself:  Have I withheld from touching things that don’t belong to me?  Have I stretched forth my hand to the poor and the needy?  Have I joined hands with wicked people?  Have I extended my hand to help in community projects?

40b. For the mistakes we committed before You through confusion of the heart.

The Sages tell us that ultimately all mistakes stem from a confusion of the heart.  This is why on Yom Kippur we tap our chest as we go through this list of “Al Chets.”

Ask yourself:  Have I not worked out issues because of laziness?   Have I made mistakes because I emotionally did not want to accept what I logically knew to be correct?  Have I properly developed my priorities and life goals?

In Him,

Dr. Dee

Al Chet

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Shalom Everyone,

We have been reflecting on our walk with HaShem during these 10 days of awe and on Monday, 9/25 is Yom Kippur – The Day of atonement. One of our congregational leaders has been sending daily reflections taken from Aish as encouragement for us to look inward. Our inward reflection is a way to examine what we need to work on in the coming New Year. As believers in Yeshua, we know we are dependent on Him to shed light on the dark areas within our hearts and to assist us in growing to be more like Him in order to please Abba. Below is one of the many reflections we received. I hope you will be blessed by the encouragement.

Create in Me A Clean Heart Oh Adonai and Renew a Right Spirit Within Me

Psalm 51

Read Psalm 27 Daily

Al Chet Prayer 

The Goal of Al Chet Is to Get to The Root of the Problem.  To become more like Yeshua and to become conformed to His Image and Torah is a process, it does not happen overnight.  The key is never to give up, because He does not give up on us.  We are all under construction and a work in process and this is the time to do spiritual housecleaning.

#27. For the sin we have sinned before You through haughtiness/arrogance.

Definition of haughtiness:  Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:  HAUGHTINESS, n. haughtiness.  The quality of being haughty; pride mingled with some degree of contempt for others; arrogance.

Isa. 2:11:  The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

When you look up scriptures referring to haughtiness, it always refers to those who are rebellious against G-D and His Ways and contempt for His people.

Jer. 48:29:  We have heard the pride of Moab (he is exceedingly proud), his loftiness, and his arrogance, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.

Haughtiness is a form of pride as well.

Prov. 8:13:  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:  pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate.

Prov. 11:2:  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Prov. 13:10:  Only by pride cometh contention:  but with the well advised is wisdom.

Prov. 14:3:  In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride:  but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Prov. 16:18:  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

So what is the “cure” for haughtiness, arrogance and pride?

Humility:  Definition of Humility – YESHUA

Phil. 2:8:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

James 4:10:  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Pet. 5:5, 6:  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:  for G-D resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of G-D, that he may exalt you in due time;

Matt. 18:4:  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

To walk in humility is to die to SELF or the ME, ME, ME, I, I, I syndrome.

Self-Conceit

Self-Righteousness

Self-Exaltation

Self-Consciousness

Self-Pity

Self-Destruction

Self-Centeredness

Matt. 23:11:  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Matt. 23:12:  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

28. For the mistakes we committed before You by being arrogant.

The trait the Torah uses to describe Moses is “the humblest man.”  Humility is a key to spiritual growth, because it allows us to make room in our life for other people – and for G-D.

Ask yourself:  Have I made others feel lowly in order to raise myself higher?  Do I dress and speak in a way that draws extra attention to self?  When walking through a door, do I usually go first, or let others go first?

In Him, 

Dr. Dee

Good Husbands…

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Sometimes we feel …

Recently, I read an article titled Why are all the good husbands already taken? The article was pretty interesting and thought worthy for all the single ladies out there who might be asking themselves the same question. 

As the article stated there is a dating paradox: Why are all the good guys taken? Why are my friend’s husbands such amazing people and the guys a lot of us meet/date all seem to be missing something? What is that something? 

According to the article, all the good guys are not taken. Being in love, loving someone and being loved by someone brings the best out in us. Have you ever noticed that especially in the beginning of a relationship? The individuals have a certain glow and even look better. I have noticed this glow or radiance in men who are loved and giving love. Their countenance is beautifully transformed. So, according to the article a guy in a loving relationship does have something that available guys do not have… and that is someone to love.

G-D created us to be in loving and harmonious relationships with each other, but especially our spouses. G-D stated in Genesis, it is not good for man to be alone. (Gen. 2:18) Therefore until our hearts are massaged by true love, first by G-D and then a loving mate, it can appear as if all the good husbands or men are taken. The human soul is meant to open up and connect with someone else. And, yet the human soul has to desire to live and love another.

Loving someone brings out the best in us. We feel alive, more vivid and our personalities blossom. It feels amazing to be loved and in a relationship that is mutually satisfying. In a loving relationship, especially a g-dly one, we feel free, more confident, content, beautiful and complete. On most days, the world seems wonderful and our marriage is our home. Remember, a harmonious, g-dly, loving relationship is the focus of this blog. 

Obviously, we can share love with family and friends, even our enemies; but until we find that special someone, we are incomplete. When a biological male and a biological woman come together in the wisdom of the Creator, it is then they can begin the process of reflecting the image of G-D to each other and those around them.  It is imperative to remember that we are created in the image of G-D. Loving each other is a form of loving Him.

Remember, you can’t shop for a vehicle in someone else’s garage or shop for a dining set in someone else’s dining room. Nor can you expect someone to allow you to use their debit card to pay your monthly bills and expenses. (Exodus 20:17) And, you can’t compare the guys you date to your friend’s husbands, i.e., g-dly husbands. 

Instead, be your best self and recognize some single men are incomplete without someone to love, just like you might feel incomplete without someone to love. In the meantime, set your standards high and stick to them; and live life to the fullest as you wait and desire a mate. Give your loneliness to the L-RD and prayerfully, your wait won’t be too long.

Musings,

Dr. Dee

Friend or Foe?

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We normally think of blood being thicker than water, especially when it comes to family. We hear the adage that family is the most important investment; they are the main ones we can depend on though we know this is not always the case. In Proverbs 18:24 it teaches that Some “friends” pretend to be friends, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother. (CJB) Another translation: Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family. (GW)

This Scripture emphasizes the devastation of a fake friend  and the profundity of being the type of friend that exemplifies stick-to-it-ness. This brief blog attempts to look at the latter portion of Proverbs 18:24 in relation to those we call “friends”. We all have folks in our lives we consider friends. What is your definition of a friend? Let’s consider…

Some of us have virtual friends…FaceBook, Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter or whatever other social media platforms you might find entertaining and/or fulfilling. Some of our friends are work-buddies, gym-buddies, synagogue-buddies, church-buddies, bar-buddies, shopping-buddies, neighbor-buddies, and the list goes on. Some people have folks around them as the Scripture suggests that just want to be with others for the sake of stroking their egotistical cravings and/or maybe to receive some tangible rewards. However, what is a true friend? I described types of friends, but what are the characteristics of a true friend? This Scripture brings up jarring points. One, some friends just want to destroy others or are not true friends…posers; and two, there is a loving friend who is more loyal than family.

He has called us to be fishers of men.

How many people can stand and say, I have a friend who is more loyal than my family, my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother? Who can truly say this about any human being, other than Messiah, Himself? I know folks who claim this to be true. They have people in their lives who are closer and more loyal than their “blood” family members or their spouses for that matter. And, though I find this commentary astonishing and disheartening, I am not surprised. Assuming this statement is true, practically speaking as believers we are called to be friends to others. Therefore, what should our response include?

Obviously, as followers of Messiah, we live the best we can to be loyal family members as well as loyal friends. There is no competition between the two. We can be loving moms, dads, sisters, brothers, etc. and at the same time be loving friends to those we love who are not related to us by blood. Call me crazy, but I am a staunch believer that our hearts are big enough to love a lot of folks at various times in our lives, and then all at once, and into the future. There is room to love all, not necessarily loyal to all for obvious reasons, but the ability to love and care for others, and then to be the friend you want others to be to you…this is a worthy possible feat. This is the biblical principle of the golden rule.

 I just finished reading the letter to the Colossians and it is one of the richest letters in the Bible which exhorts us to practice our faith. The depth of this letter from Shaul to the Messianic Community in Colosse is beyond this blog. However, the following verses summarize the practical application of our faith, the kind of friend/person we should be and more.

Colossians 1:9–11 — G-D’S WORD Translation (GW)

9 For this reason we have not stopped praying for you since the day we heard about you. We ask ⸤G-D⸥ to fill you with the knowledge of his will through every kind of spiritual wisdom and insight. 10 We ask this so that you will live the kind of lives that prove you belong to the L-RD. Then you will want to please him in every way as you grow in producing every kind of good work by this knowledge about G-D. 11 We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy.

The richness of these verses are slathered with practical application on how we should live as a friend, family member and/or responsible g-dly person. We should be praying, filled with the knowledge of His will, live lives pleasing to the Father in order to prove we belong to Him and strengthened by Him to endure with joy all that this life has for us. Our lives must be bathed in Him so that we can be a true and righteous friend. In addition, as we allow ourselves to be filled with His Will, we fulfill the commandment to love others as we love ourselves practicing forgiveness, honesty, bearing great fruit, exemplifying who we are in Messiah as G-D’s Holy Spirit directs. 

So, let me challenge you (me as well), as 2023 is fast approaching to examine yourself, your loyalties to others and your growth in the Messiah. Ask yourself, where are your commitments to your friends on the Richter scale so to speak? What harmony and g-dly-gifts do you bring to the table of being a fantastic friend? Are you an example of a possible worthy feat? Are you the friend you would want someone else to be to you? Can folks see and hear G-D’s heart emanating from you?

Figure it out, do what is required to show your heart to those you claim you love; but more importantly, be the example of who you claim to serve. Do it unto the glory of G-D and be that loyal friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister. 

That’s all I’ve got!

In Him,

Dr. Dee