Earth Day - Day 18 5786 Omer Count!

Loving the Creator by Cherishing His Creation

Happy Earth Day! Today is Day 18 of Counting the Omer - two weeks and four days. Earth Day is a beautiful reminder to pause and think about ways we can take better care of our environment here in our corner of the world.

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Often, people find themselves wondering, "Why am I here?" The answer is actually quite simple: we are here to love our Creator. In the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), Yeshua reminds us of the greatest mitzvah:

“‘And you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your understanding and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:30, CJB)

What better way to show that love for our Creator than by cherishing everyone and everything He has made? In the beginning, we were given a clear job:

“Adonai, God, took the person and put him in the garden of ‘Eden to cultivate and care for it.” (B’resheet/Genesis 2:15, CJB)

Being a good steward is a natural extension of that love. There are so many simple ways we can take better care of the earth’s resources, and honestly, those small changes often help us be better stewards of our funds, too!

Lighten the Load on the Grid

Since so much of our environmental footprint comes from power consumption, reducing electricity is a great place to start:

• Keep the Lights Off: Personally, I try to keep the lights off as much as possible, especially as the days get longer and it starts to get hotter outside—it keeps the house cooler and saves on the power bill!
• The "Fresh Air" Dryer: Instead of running the clothes dryer, try hanging your laundry to dry. There is nothing quite like the scent of sheets that have been dried in the fresh Canadian breeze, and it’s a great way to cut down on energy use and wear and tear on your clothes.
• Downsize Your Fridge: Did you know that a large, half-empty fridge uses a lot of power? If you’re living on your own, consider a smaller, energy-efficient model. It encourages you to buy only what you need, which helps prevent food waste while saving on your hydro bill.
• Solar-Powered Solutions: I’ve found fun ways to "green" my gear without spending extra. I recently got this solar crank flashlight for free through Amazon! I used a gift card I earned just by scanning my grocery receipts into an app. You can read more about how I do that in this post from my other blog.

Power Saving Solutions I'm Adding to My Wishlist

As I continue to find ways to reduce my reliance on the grid, here are a few things I'm keeping my eye on:

• BLAVOR Solar Power Bank for Charging Cell Phones
• Portable Hand Crank Washing Machine
• Solar Powered Fan

Let's look for those little opportunities today to honour God by looking after the gift of His creation. It’s about taking those small, faithful steps to preserve the world He so lovingly designed.

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About the Author

Sister Su is a survivor through her Saviour and has been blessed to see many miracles in her life. Currently digging her way out from under a mountain debt while battling chronic illness, she dreams of one day earning her doctorate in practical theology. For more information, visit her Linktree- Sister_Su.

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Day 17 Omer Count 2026 5786

Journey of the Heart: Understanding the Omer Count

If you are new to counting the Omer like me, you will discover more and more things about this as you go along. For instance, I never knew there were so many different ways to be doing this count! The important thing is to know Our Creator sees the intentions of our hearts.

I have been trying my best to follow the 7 weeks of 7 days Jewish teachings that focus on a specific area of repentance for each day—for example, today's focus is Tiferet shebeTiferet (Compassion within Compassion). I did not know that this is not done by the Karaites who closely follow the Torah.

Nowhere in the Torah does it say any specific blessing you must say each day—nor anything about special devotions, nor even repentance! The Torah simply says to count the days!

This has me thinking about when Yeshua walked with his disciples through Yerusalem—what was it He criticised again and again? That the leaders had overcomplicated the law by adding their own traditions to it!

Was Creator simply stating—bring a first fruits offering on the day after the first Sabbath following Passover—then count 50 days and bring a second offering?

The instruction for this count comes from Leviticus (Vayikra) Chapter 23.

"Vayikra (Lev) 23:15-17 CJB [15] “‘From the day after the day of rest — that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving — you are to count seven full weeks, [16] until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to Adonai. [17] You must bring bread from your homes for waving — two loaves made with one gallon of fine flour, baked with leaven — as firstfruits for Adonai. Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) Leviticus (Vayikra)23:15-17

Today, Tuesday, April 21, Karaite Jews and other Torah followers like me are marking Day 17 of the Omer (2 weeks and 3 days).

Day 17 of the journey: Finding harmony and balance through "Compassion within Compassion" as we number our days toward Shavuot.

Different Paths of Reflection

Omer Counting Day 16 5786 (2026)

From Walls to Bridges: Finding the Heart of Discipline

Following a week of focusing on Gevurah (Strength/Discipline), we transition to Tiferet (Harmony/Compassion), focusing on Gevurah sheb'Tiferet—Disciplined Compassion—on Day 16 of the Omer. Discipline is viewed here not as an end, but as a tool for balanced love.

Table of Contents

• Biblical Example of Gevurah sheb'Tiferet
• Scripture: Yochanan (John) 8:1–11 CJB
• Why the Shift Matters Today
• The Strategy: Moving Toward "Tactful Discipline"
• Today's Actionable Goal

Biblical Example of Gevurah sheb'Tiferet

Omer 12 2026 Thoughts

The Battleship vs. The Lighthouse: A Lesson in Restraint

Today is Day 12 of the Omer: one week and five days.I started counting the Omer late - thankfully there are rules to cover this unfortunate situation.You can learn a bit more about about starting counting the Omer late in this blogpost.Today's introspective theme is Hod of Gevurah—Humility in Strength.

Has the spirit of pride ever put you in a disastrous circumstance like this?

Unyielding strength without humility is a wreck waiting to happen. This reminds me of that old joke about the arrogant Navy ship's captain. Have you heard it?

The "Big Ship" Ego

An arrogant Captain, chest puffed with medals, spots a light in the fog. He signals: "Change your course 15 degrees north!"

The reply comes back: "Change your course 15 degrees south."

Insulted, the Captain pulls rank: "I am a Captain! Identify yourself!"

The reply: "I am a Seaman Second Class. Move."

Furious, the Captain signals a final boast: "I am a 100,000-ton battleship! Change your course now!"

The reply: "I am a lighthouse. Your move."

Power Under Control

That Captain has Gevurah (Strength) without Hod (Humility). He’s so focused on his "rank" that he’s about to sail 100,000 tons of steel into a pile of rocks. The sin of pride is deadly.

The Lesson

The Ruach HaKodesh can’t write the Torah on a "battleship" heart that demands the world move for it. It needs a heart strong enough to be disciplined, but humble enough to yield to Divine Truth.

Today’s Challenge: Stop shouting at the lighthouse. Where do you need to yield your "rank" to avoid a wreck?

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Day 12 Checklist: The Lighthouse & The Wolf

Refining Hod of Gevurah

• Identify the "Battleship": Where am I being unyielding just to protect my ego or "rank"?
• Spot the "Lighthouse": Is there a truth or a person I’m fighting that I actually need to listen to?
• Practice restraint: Just because you can win an argument, pull rank, or be harsh, doesn't mean you should.
• Yield the Course: Intentionally step back in one interaction today to make room for peace.
• Prep the Heart: Acknowledge that yielding to Truth is the only way to let the Ruach HaKodesh write the Torah inside.

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Next Step: Tomorrow, we move to Day 13: Yesod of Gevurah, where we see how this "Restrained Strength" actually builds unshakable bonds with others.

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I hope this is useful to you.

Su

About the Author

Sister Su is a survivor through her Saviour and has been blessed to see many miracles in her life. Currently digging her way out from under a mountain of debt while battling chronic illness, she dreams of one day earning her doctorate in practical theology.

For more information, visit her Linktree- Sister_Su.

2027 World Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Prep & Family Activities

Don’t Let the Oil Run Dry: Getting Ready for the 2027 Week of Prayer

Shalom, friends! Well, if you’re like me—your favorite 65-year-old Metis auntie who sometimes forgets where she put her spectacles let alone her blogging calendar—you might remember my silence last year. I completely missed writing about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity! My poor lamp was definitely out of oil on that one. But as they say, "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is right now."

So, I’m getting a massive head start for 2027! We aren't going to be the "foolish virgins" this time, are we? We’re going to be ready for January 18–25, 2027.

Unity starts at the kitchen table. I’m imagining families everywhere—our 'little flock'—getting ready for the 2027 World Week of Prayer

What’s Inside:

• 1. Why We're Starting So Early
• 2. A Word from the Word
• 3. Family Activities for Unity
• 4. Final Thoughts from Su

1. Why We're Starting So Early

Last year, I blinked and it was February. This year, I'm marking the calendar in ink. The 2027 theme is inspired by the Irish drafting group and focuses on Luke 12:32: "Do not be afraid, little flock..." It’s about letting go of anxiety and watching for the Kingdom together. Whether you're in a Messianic congregation or a little country chapel, we're all part of that same "little flock."

2. A Word from the Word

Since I'm determined not to be late again, I’ve been meditating on this beautiful reminder about the importance of being prepared:

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
— 1 Peter 1:13

3. Family Activities for Unity

Unity starts at the kitchen table! Here are a few ways to get the grandkids and the neighbors involved when the time comes:

• The "Thank You" Jar: Throughout the week, have everyone write down one thing they are thankful for about a different congregation or culture. It’s hard to stay divided when you're busy being grateful!
• Prayer Stones: Grab some smooth stones and paint words like "Unity," "Peace," or "Ahavah" (Love). Place them in your garden or around the neighborhood as little prayer reminders.
• Map Night: Get out a map and look at where our brothers and sisters are praying around the world. We might even find some Metis settlements or Messianic hubs in places you'd never expect!
• Bread Breaking: Bake a traditional bannock or challah together and talk about how Messiah is the Bread of Life for everyone.

4. Final Thoughts from Su

I hope this gives you a little nudge (and a giggle) to start thinking ahead. We have plenty of time to get our hearts and houses in order for 2027. I’d love it if you’d share this post with your own "flock" and leave a note in the comments—do you have any creative family activities we could add to our list?

Thanks for visiting with me on my blog. Your prayers and encouragement are really appreciated. ~ Su