This is Thy Hour, O Soul!

Attempting to love as God does everday. Everything you see on here is mine, if something perks your interest, reblog it. carry these ideas forward.

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Without a home I am. One who flies over the earth in search for a landing place, New England? Virginia? Elsewhere? Without ecclesiastical support by the Methodist Church, I am unable to progress toward my goal; to serve.

[goodquoteco]

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Maya Angelou (via hqlines)

R.I.P Maya Angelou

(via biosocialpsych)

Wonderful.

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I have been very inactive the past few weeks. My undergraduate schoolwork will become nonexistent by wednesday of this upcoming week, so expect some new stories then!

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This graded impurity of the sanctuary and its purgation leads to the second principle: A sin committed anywhere will generate impurity that, becoming airborne, penetrates the sanctuary in proportion to its magnitude. Israel's neighbors also believed that impurity polluted the sanctuary. For them, however, the source of impurity was demonic. Therefore, their priests devised rituals and incantations to immunize their temples against demonic penetration. Israel, however, in the wake of its monotheistic revolution, abolished the world of demonic divinities. Only a single being capable of demonic acts remained-the human being. The humans were even more powerful than their pagan counterparts: they could drive God out of God's sanctuary.

Milgrom, you keep blowing my mind. Keep it up.

[classy-handbook]

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Just received the official welcome to intern on the island this summer. PUMPED

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And G-d spoke to Moses, saying: ... A woman who shall seed and give birth (Leviticus 12:1-2) Rabbi Simlai said: Just as man's creation was after that of cattle, beasts and birds, so, too the laws concerning his [ritual impurity and purity] come after those concerning [the impurity and purity of] cattle, beasts and birds. Thus it is what is written (Leviticus 11:46-47), "This is the law of the beasts and of the fowl and of every living creature... to differentiate between the impure and the pure"; and immediately thereafter, "A woman who shall seed..." Why was man created last among the creations? So that if he is not meritorious, we say to him: "A gnat preceded you, a snail preceded you." (Midrash Rabbah; Rashi)

Superb. When I arise tomorrow, I will begin my attempt to honor God with how I eat, and where this decision leads me I am excited.

[kelseyralph-blog]

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Two more months and I will back back home, at my family's inn. CAN'T WAIT

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Going through a phase of rethinking many parts of my life. I'll explain briefly two of them : 1. My phone controls me. I am always clutching it, I need to be in control of ally friends and have tabs where everyone is in life, and phone is an one touch device for this. I am going to eventually give up control for an entire day from it, on the sabbath. But until that time, I will take baby steps toward it, the first being when I go out with friends, I leave my phone at home. 2. My heart longs for how the earth is affected by humanity, and going through Leviticus is opening my eyes to Judaistic views of diet, not only the dietary laws, but also how sacred each life is - human or animal or plant. How do I respond to this? Maybe becoming vegetarian

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Why did the Israelites eagerly bring their animals to the sanctuary to be offered on the altar to God? Early in the history of the ancient Near East the belief prevailed that the sacrifice was food for the worshiped god. This premise is imprinted on the architecture of the tabernacle, Israel's earliest sanctuary (fig. 2). The outer shrine was God's private dining room. The candelabrum (menorah) provided light; the incense altar, aroma; the bread loaves on the display table, the laden dining table. The innermost (most holy) room was God's resting place. It contained the ark (God's footstool) flanked by two winged seraphim (God's steeds) representing God's flying throne. The throne, however, was unoccupied by an image. The tabernacle represented the people's belief that the sacrifices might bring God to visit his earthly home to respond to the prayers of his people

Another excerpt from Milgrom's commentary on Leviticus

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Despite all of the changes that are manifested in the evolution of Israel's impurity laws, the objective remains the same: to sever impurity from the demonic and to reinterpret it as a symbolic system reminding Israel of the divine imperative to reject death and choose life.

Milgrom's Leviticus chp 1

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Great times

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Looking at photographs on social apps can become very existential, for all social media is a medium for how we want the world to see us - and how the world should see how we are pursuing life. So am I saying to get rid of it? By no means! Though when you take a photograph, make it one that is truthful and vulnerable, showing deep recesses of your soul which have hidden the most wonderful ideas ever created

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Wonderful ideas. Basically my brain is convulsing with new thought

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Somehow we found our way to UNC - Wilmington and are spending our time reading at the campus library. Being around those who are pursuing knowledge invites and excites me to also wade into the stream that is wisdom. Each footstep exploration.

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Days on end go by without updates, why Ross, why? Not due to a lack of faith in life or God, but rather actively engaging with friends, faith, and life. I have not forgotten you, tumblr, though I will not treat you as a facebook burden I must constantly update. If anyone has a new series topic you would like me to write about please let me know?

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Ukraine

As I watch the events unfold half a world away, I ask myself how will the Church respond to the crisis? 1 part prayer with silence, 1 part fasting, 1 part prayer with feet Sisters and brothers, lend me your ears. Listen for God stirring in your soul, and act how the King of the king of kings is encouraging you. For Elohim has children on both sides of this crisis, never forget this.

[rossvt]

Question

What would be more beneficial: 1. No military 2. No media If the choice between these two cannot be had, then the next choice of philosophy is finding a way in which both exist in manners which ultimately preserve human life and the vitality of this planet. Ukraine, Thailand, Venezuela, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Rwanda, Yemen, Nicaragua, Leaders and citizens of these states, I know I am small in comparison to government and politics but this fact doesn't diminish my voice: I am sorry for the strife and turmoil of your peoples. Know as each morning sun appears on the hillside God is equipping women and men in your country and around the earth to come to your aid. Know you are loved, at the very least by a 6'4 burly bearded boy in hills of Virginia, but I know I do not speak alone. I care for you and apologize for the role my country's media or military have had in your state. If ever in need of help, only ask and it will be given.