Urgent Prayer for Temple Israel: Standing with West Bloomfield

Jonathan Bernis, President of Jewish Voice Ministries International, has just sent out an urgent prayer request regarding a shocking situation in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. An attack on Temple Israel occurred today, and it is extremely important that this situation and the families involved be surrounded with prayer.

Urgent Prayer for Temple Israel: Standing with West Bloomfield

The Prayer Request from Jonathan Bernis

"News of an active shooter situation at the Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, hit the news cycle. What we're hearing is that (besides the gunman, who was taken down by security officers), and we are grateful. Children from the onsite daycare center have been safely reunited with their parents. While much is still unknown concerning motive, we condemn any violence against Jewish people! I ask you to pray with us now for the Jewish community in West Bloomfield. Even as families in Israel continue to live under the shadow of uncertainty, wondering what each new day will bring in the ongoing conflict with Iran — Jewish people everywhere are experiencing antisemitism and violence. Yet even in these turbulent days, God’s faithfulness has not wavered. This is why I continue sending these updates — because you stand with God’s people. You pray. You give. You care deeply about the hope of Yeshua (Jesus) shining brightly in His Land, even as darkness presses in. Your support means more now than ever. Together, let us hold our ground in prayer, intercede for protection and peace, and respond with generosity and love. Thank you." — Jonathan Bernis, Jewish Voice Ministries

Praying for the Shooter

Scripture calls us to a high standard of love, even in the face of such darkness. We are instructed to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). While we condemn the violence, we recognize that anyone unkind is not in their right mind. We pray for the soul of the attacker, asking for God’s mercy and acknowledging that only a heart filled with confusion and darkness could choose this path.

Praying for the Families and Community

Our hearts go out to the families of Temple Israel. We pray for the children, staff, and security officers affected by this trauma. May Our Heavenly Father wrap them in His arms and grant them the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

We ask Our Creator to turn this incident around and use it for His Glory. Even in the midst of fear, may this event spark a renewed unity and a greater outpouring of love and protection for the Jewish community.

Closing Prayer in the Name of Yeshua

Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Your Son, Yeshua HaMashiach. We lift up the community of West Bloomfield and all those affected by this violence. We thank You for the lives spared and the protection over the children. Lord, heal the brokenhearted and bring comfort where there is fear. Let Your light shine in the darkness, and may Your peace reign in our hearts. Amen.

Thank you for joining your heart with mine in prayer ~ Su

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Help spread the word: Please share this post with your prayer groups and social circles so we can surround West Bloomfield with a canopy of prayer today.

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Prayer Resources from Jewish Voice

If you would like to continue interceding for the Jewish community and the peace of Israel, please utilize these deep-link resources from Jewish Voice Ministries:

• Downloadable Guides: Access scripture-based Prayer Infographics including the Intercessory Prayer Guide for Israel.
• Become a Prayer Partner: Sign up for bi-weekly Prayer Points Email Updates to stay informed on current needs.
• Scripture Declarations: Download and pray through these Blessing Scripture Statements to invite God's peace into your life and the lives of others.
• Weekly Prayer: Join the global community by subscribing to prayer text alerts.

José Berríos Insurance Rejection: A Call to Prayer and Hope in the Unexpected

A prayer for Blue Jays' José Berríos after his insurance rejection. Finding hope in God’s plan when life is turned upside down. Join our prayer.

Welcome to Turtle Dove Thoughts. Today, my heart is heavy as I reflect on a story that reminds us how quickly the ground can shift beneath our feet.

Have you ever had your whole world turned upside down? Have you ever stood on the precipice of your biggest dream, only to have the door slammed shut? Do you know the feeling of a "sure thing" vanishing into thin air?

Recently, the sports world was rocked by the news of a Toronto Blue Jays pitcher whose plans were suddenly derailed. This young man—José Berríos—was preparing for a major moment in his career, but during a routine process, he was rejected by an insurance company. The reason for this setback was rooted in medical concerns from his previous season; Berríos ended the 2025 campaign on the injured list with elbow inflammation. Because of this history, he was denied insurance approval to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. In an instant, his dream of representing Puerto Rico was met with a frustrating "no," leaving a significant part of his plans in a state of sudden uncertainty.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me continue to share these messages of hope. Thank you for supporting Turtle Dove Thoughts!

When life’s plans are turned upside down, we trust the One who holds the future. 🙏 Let us lift up Blue Jays’ José Berríos in prayer following his WBC insurance rejection. Let’s see what God can do! ✨

When life’s plans are turned upside down, we trust the One who holds the future. 🙏 Let us lift up Blue Jays’ José Berríos in prayer following his WBC insurance rejection. Let’s see what God can do! ✨

Turning Trials into Triumphs

Spring Feasts Prep 2026: Chametz Disposal

Spring Cleaning Traditions: Discovering the Life of Our Messiah

There is "spring cleaning," and then there is Passover spring cleaning. As a Messianic Metis woman, I am used to the idea of seasonal shifts and "clearing out the old," but this year, the process has become about something much deeper: as I focus on the life of our Messiah.

This journey is rooted in the instruction the Creator gave to our ancestors:

"Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses..." (Exodus 12:15).

Since our Messiah was a Torah-observant Jew, this yearly disposal of old leaven would have definitely been a part of His home life. Every year, Yeshua would have participated in this same rhythm—searching, sweeping, and clearing out the house to prepare for the Feast. By following this instruction today, we aren't just cleaning; we are walking in His footsteps and learning more about the life He lived.

It’s a physical act that mirrors a spiritual reality. By removing the physical yeast, we are reminded to search our hearts for the "puffed up" parts—the pride and hypocrisy that Yeshua warned us about when He said:

"Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6).

Doing a little 'freezer archaeology' with my flashlight!

The Freezer Archaeological Dig

I have a very practical system for stewardship. Whenever I bring grains home from the grocery store, they go straight into the freezer—my "grain vault"—to keep them fresh and prevent any "chiggers" or mealworms from hatching. But as I began my countdown to the formal search, I realized even a vault can hide things that don't belong in a season of unleavened truth.

Armed with a flashlight, I went deep-sea diving into the frost. There, at the very bottom, buried under a miniature glacier, sat a blue box of Barilla Gluten Free Rotini. It had been "safekeeping" so well I’d completely forgotten it was even there! It reminded me how easily the "old" can settle at the bottom of our lives, hidden away until we intentionally shine a light on it.

The Triple-Threat Popcorn Conundrum

The Popcorn Wilderness: What happens when your Biur Chametz plans meet three massive bags of kernels. A literal backyard snowstorm in the making! 🍿❄️"

Then, there’s the Popcorn Situation. I discovered three huge bags of popping corn. I’d originally bought them with the Metis ingenuity of one day grinding them into cornmeal, but now they stand between me and a leaven-free home.

The traditional next step is Biur Chametz—the ritual destruction of the leaven. I’ve been doing the math: Fire + Three huge bags of kernels = An Absolute Backyard Snowstorm.

Part of me thinks it would be hilarious to watch it "snow" popcorn over the neighborhood. The other part of me—the steward of the funds the Creator has provided—is cringing. Is it being a good steward to turn my grocery budget into a localized weather event? Probably not. But oh, the visual!

To Sell or Not to Sell?

I know many people "sell" their chametz to a non-Torah Observant friend, lock it up, and buy it back later. To be honest? It feels a bit hypocritical to me. If the Creator asked me to remove it, simply hiding it behind a locked door feels like I’m missing the point of the heart-change the Messiah calls us to. I don't want to just "re-title" my leaven; I want it truly gone.

A Greener Solution?

So, what do I do with the freezer pasta and my popcorn mountain? I’m wondering if I might be able to bury it in my garden. Returning these "roots" to the earth feels more in line with my walk—taking what was meant for one season and letting the Creator turn it into something new and life-giving for the next.

Since the goal of Biur Chametz is to remove the leaven from our possession and benefit, burying it is a valid and beautiful way to "return it to the dust." As the grains break down in the soil, they leave my possession forever, clearing the way for a season of "unleavened" sincerity.

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How are your preparations going?

Do you have any "freezer treasures" that surprised you this year? Have you ever thought about planting your grains instead of selling them? Please leave a note in the comments below! If this post gave you a chuckle or a new perspective, I'd be so grateful if you would share it with your community!

Thanks for popping into my blog today~ Su

Burnt Out? Try This Biblical Secret!

Finding Rest in a Restless World

Do you sometimes feel totally exhausted, no matter how much you sleep? Does it feel like your "to-do" list is growing faster than your energy? Are you longing for even a bit of true rest that doesn't involve just crashing on the couch?

👽 Ever feel like an alien in your own life because you're just THAT tired? You aren't alone. Whether it’s 3 AM insomnia or general life burnout, true rest is closer than you think. 🕊️

If you feel this way, you are certainly not alone. Recent 2025 data from the Robert Half Canada survey shows that nearly half of Canadian professionals (47%) report feeling burned out. Furthermore, reports indicate that approximately 48% of Canadian adults struggle with sleep, making unrefreshing sleep a widespread issue. Whether it is from heavy workloads, financial pressure, or the mental fatigue of modern life, the need for a real break is a universal struggle.

The good news is that you have been brought to the right place; it truly is possible to get that much-needed rest, and we can find the blueprint for it in the scriptures.

The Secret to True Rest: Lessons from 2 Chronicles 15:15

Get Your Free Book From In Touch Ministries!

Find Your Calm: Get Your Free Copy of Peaceful & Still

Life is loud. Between the relentless pace of your schedule and the persistent hum of anxiety, it’s easy to lose track of the one thing we need most: inner rest.

If you’ve been struggling to hear God’s voice over the noise, In Touch Ministries has a special gift for you. For a limited time, they are giving away 125,000 free copies of the book Peaceful & Still, featuring the timeless wisdom of Dr. Charles Stanley.

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Peace is a Person, Not a Circumstance