Monthly Archives: September 2026

Happily Rejoice …

Coming Kingdom, Loving G-d, , , , , , , ,

Have you heard any good news lately on ABC, CNN, Fox, CBN, etc.? Reflecting on the current state of the world, good news can be hard to hear. Often, happiness and contentment feels out of reach.

Yet, we are not of this world but aliens passing through; and not the “outer-world” or “science-fiction extraterrestrial type”. (1 Peter 2:11) We aligned with Messiah Yeshua live as strangers. We are foreigners and refugees passing through a strange land. We face many reasons to be depressed or distraught, yet our hope is not in this dying world.

So, today and everyday let us rejoice in the Salvation that is ours and available to every person who says yes to Yeshua’s redemptive loving sacrifice. Let us rejoice in the blessings we have in our lives at this very moment irrespective of how small, large or ones taken for granted.

Rejoice in your Salvation and be grateful for each moment on this side of Heaven and look forward to being with the L-RD and family that have preceded you. Rejoice and give ABBA praise for all the things… for all the things work for our good regardless of our perceptions. (Romans 8:28)

Try not to allow the bad news of this world to dampen your joy of being in the L-RD. Maybe consider refraining from the news daily and spend that time connecting with family and friends. Consider reading more and communing with the Heavenly Father, listening to music, exercising, etc., but refrain or limit negative social media. We can be a by-product of what we feed ourselves.

man jumping during sunset on a beach
Photo by Samir Jammal on Pexels.com

This blog is a reminder for me too! Over the years I have learned that when worldly news saturates me, I should take a break. I have been ridiculed for this and accused of burying my head in the sand. But, you know what…I have discovered that when I put my head in the sand for a while, when I come up for air…that same bad news is still prevalent. So like the character in The Wizard of Oz…DON’T NOBODY BRING ME NO BAD NEWS! At least for a little while… I need to stop “feasting” on negative media.

My point, though things are gloomy and dark in this world, find joy and happiness in knowing the Savior and knowing the time is short. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing and being with our Savior, as well as being with the ones waiting for me on the other side. Having family and friends who love and want to be around me makes me happy. My gratitude extends to my life, to the strangers I meet, to the air I breathe, and to the beauty of this planet. I am thankful for having a home, transportation, clothes, food and stuff I don’t really need. I am grateful for a sound mind most of the time and the physical abilities G-D has given me. There is so much more I could name, but I will stop here. What are you grateful for?

We don’t speak enough about the goodness of the L-RD! His goodness should make us joyful, happy, secure and grateful. Being saved is mysterious, exciting, wonderful, serious, awe-inspiring and so very much more. Let’s happily walk in who we are so that others may see the glory in us of WHO we serve!

Be encouraged and encourage someone else with the goodness of our Savior.

Now and today is the day to rejoice in the L-RD and to be glad in it! (Ps. 118:4)

To You I give the praise!

Dee

Palm Trees on the Walls…

Loving G-d, , , , , , ,

Psalm 92:12-15 – The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the L-RD’s house. They will flourish in our G-D’s courts. They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green, to show that the L-RD is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. ESV

tropical palm trees in barbados lush garden
Photo by Daniel Adesina on Pexels.com

Recently, I was reading 1 Kings 6. Shlomo (Solomon) completed the first Temple in seven years. I was awe-struck by imagery carved into the walls. It was on the doors and in the wood used for the floors.

So, I asked myself, why palm trees; why open flowers; why cedar wood and why cypress wood? A quick search gave me some answers, but the profound spiritual insights spoke to how the character of G-D is revealed in so many ways in Scripture. If we are reading carefully with our hearts tuned to His Spirit, we will see ABBA’s love and majesty in passages that may seem mundane or boring to us. Therefore, for the purposes of this blog, I will briefly consider one of my questions…why palm trees?

According to some scholars, palm trees were significant in the ancient near east because they provided shade, food and sustenance. Theologically, palm trees are mentioned 32 times in the Scriptures and the palm branches symbolize shalom, victory, and righteousness. This links the palm trees to the imagery of flourishing in G-D’s presence. In John 12:13 and Matt 21:8, the crowds welcomed Yeshua into Jerusalem waving palm branches fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. 

Another interesting point, palm trees are either male or female and can not produce fruit without the other. Scholars link palm trees to the Garden of Eden, and the flourishing of them in the presence of G-D pre-fall of humans. Therefore, entering the Temple would be a return to the original paradise (spiritually or at least a reminder). Finally, palm trees also signify righteousness and endurance and grow straight even in harsh conditions. Much can be unpacked with just the previous sentence.

What is the significance? Well, according to Psalm 92:12-15, the righteous will flourish like a palm tree and even in old age will be full of sap, bearing fruit and proclaiming that ADONAI is upright. (CJB) So the significance is in the passage and the following questions worth considering: How are we flourishing like a palm tree? Who can recognize that we are full of sap if we are older, bearing fruit and proclaiming the uprightness of ADONAI? In addition, how are the ordinary things in our lives reflecting the majesty of the ONE who died so that we might have life? Aligning ourselves with the Messiah requires us to answer these vital questions and integrate their guidance via the Holy Spirit into our daily lives.

silhouette of a man standing on a hill at sunset with his arms raised
Photo by Luna Joie on Pexels.com

All the spiritual connections surrounding palm trees are important, but the one which stands out is the fact that palm trees are either male or female and cannot produce fruit on their own. This could point to an earthly marriage, but more importantly it points to Yeshua and His Bride (Community Of His followers). We cannot produce fruit without the VINE! And, in and of ourselves we are righteous only in Him.

This quick overview reveals that the Word of G-D wastes no details. We can see His Majesty and Glory in all He has created, all He says and all He is and does. Therefore, the next time you see a palm tree consider its spiritual significance. Consider the victories and righteousness afforded us through the shed blood of Yeshua. Ponder the fact that we are connected and aligned with Him. Consider and know that we find His (ABBA’s) utter Shalom only in Yeshua, our daily and eternal Shabbat.

What have you read in the Scripture recently that was astonishing? I would love to hear from you.

Aligned with Messiah and much love,

Dee