Snow-mageddon

I live in the south, in Tennessee, but lately is seems like I'm living in the frozen Arctic tundra.  We have had more snow in two months than we normally receive in a decade!  So much for global warming.  I really feel emphatic for people up north.  It really makes me long for the spring and warm weather.

Speaking of spring, the Jewish spring holidays are right around the corner.  Purim begins at sundown on March 19.  (Jewish holidays always begin at sundown, Genesis 1:5)  Purim is the celebration of Esther's courage to stand up and expose the evil Haman who wanted to exterminate the Jews living in Susa (Babylon), as found in the book of Esther in the Tanakh (Old Testament).

Purim is usually celebrated with a party where the children dress up as their favorite character from the story.  At some point during the festivities, the book of Esther is read aloud by an adult. Every time Esther's or Mordecai's names are mentioned, the crowd cheers in excitement; but every time the name of the evil Haman is mentioned, the crowd makes loud noises trying to drown out the sound of his name.  The kids can get pretty rambunctious, but its all in good fun.

If you prefer to celebrate with something a little more low key, rent the movie "One Night With the King," an excellent portrayal of the story of Esther.

All fun aside, the spirit of Haman (which desires to destroy the Jewish people) is still around. We saw it during World War II in Hitler and the Shoah (the Holocaust), and we can see it today in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his plans to 'wipe Israel off the map.' (Psalm 83)  But like Haman and Hitler, Ahmadinejad will also fail because Jehovah Himself takes care of Israel.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem   Psalm 122:6
Shalom, Dawn