Bible Quotes, Details, Stories & Jewish Traditions

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into Light.” — Psalms 18:28

‘All things become visible when they are exposed by the Light.’ ~ Ephesians 5:13

Archangel Gabriel- angel of strength and wisdom and Light, God’s Light.

Jesse sighed, “God’s Light. It’s in everyone … right?”

“‘Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!’” ~ Philippians 4:4

“Do not conform to this world but be transformed.[Know God’s will: love goodness, hate evil. Bless those who persecute you. Do not repay evil for evil.”] ~ Romans 12:2

“The Lord sees not as man sees but looks into the heart.” ~ Samuel 16:7

Psalms: “‘For God will give His angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.” ~ Psalm 91:11

‘Love is patient and love is kind, rejoicing in truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, Love never fails.” ~ Corinthians 13:4-8

“Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful Light.” ~ 1 Peter 2:9

“God knew you before you were born. He knows the plans He has for you. For your good … to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 1:4- 5 + 29:11

Lyla beamed: “Angus Lucien! Meaning strong and Light. Like Matthew’s gospel: ‘Let your Light shine!’”
— “Ah, Michael! God’s brave angel of loyalty and protection! My, you boys have auspicious names!”

“Saint Paul the Apostle tells us, ‘We must speak the truth in love.’ ~ St Paul’s Ephesians 4:15

Mac smiled. “Y’ know, God’s got all this figured out. We just gotta choose to connect with Him. Stay in God’s lovin’ arms.”

Mac hushed, “When we choose God, we can share in His earthly paradise.”

“That is odd,” Mac murmeled to Jesse when Theo ignored their “Good Morning”. “Theophilus means ‘beloved of God.’” Mac shook his head, “To be cherished by God and dismissive of your brethren seems to me a worrisome combination.”

Mac gestured to the meadow and the bay beyond, “How beautiful this is! God’s Light in God’s beauty! Keep this inside you, Jesse.”
David quietly added, “Psalm 121 says, ‘I lid my eyes to the hills. My help comes from the Lord.’”
“The Lord will help you,” Hendrik told Jesse, “when you keep Him near.”
Gabe offered, “Yeah, Jesse, keep God close. Keep Dominic away … well, try …”
Jesse felt his Lights tumbling like a kaleidoscope. He sighed, “That’s a tall order.”
Hendrik chuckled, “Well, Jesse, God is very tall.”
Mac nodded, “Jesse, God loves you. Let Him.”

Jesse. Listen: God tells us over and over, ‘Be still and know that I am God. Do not let your heart be troubled.’ ~ Psalm 46:10 + John 14:1
— Jesse felt James smile
Remember, Jesse, God told Noah when to build the ark, and He told the walls of Jericho when to fall. God’s magic—God’s Light—is in the works. Believe.
In the morning, Jesse awoke feeling James’ words: Be still. He thought, The boxes are gone. But My Light is still here. I need to be still … and believe. God has a plan.

At the Yacht Club, the rain stopped. Like magic. The sun came out. And a gorgeous rainbow appeared over the bay. — “God is in the sky,” David pointed.
“A new beginning,” Jesse enthused.

Siobhan: “Look closely, Jesse: God’s fingers, still reach for Adam’s fingers, but they’re not quite touching. I think it is more than the moment of Creation. I think it’s God reaching towards man, saying, ‘I love you … forever.’ And He is waiting for us to say it back: ‘Yes, I love You, God. I choose You. I am Yours, forever.’”
Jesse gazed at the painting: the fingers of God and man, almost touching. And he saw. The space. Between. The waiting.
“It’s God’s Light, isn’t it? He gave it to me—to everyone. He’s waiting for us to love His Light. And shine it out everywhere, especially back to Him.”

After the Regatta, Jesse explained his good spirits: “It’s my Light. God’s Light. I’m learning more about it. If you’re not in God’s Light, you’re in the dark.” He thought about Dominic’s darkness, adding, “And I don’t think it feels good to be there. I wanna be with God … in the Light.”

“I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as Light is better than darkness.” ~ Ecclesiastes 2:13

Father Angelo opened the wedding ceremony with scripture ~ from Matthew 18:20: “‘For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.’” — Jesse felt it: God is in the midst of us.

Jesse thought, Charlie loves Siobhan … but now he doesn’t have her. He said a little prayer: Dear God, please help Charlie … keep his Light on.

Gabe: “But somethin’s happenin’ now. Tilly and God are pumn’ Dad back together. He’s really … tryin’. I’m hopin’ Tilly and Dad can fix Dominic. Like your Light is on us, Jesse.”
— Jesse said, “It’s God’s Light.”

Tilly, happily chimed in with scripture. “Micah 6:8 says: ‘The Lord has told you, O man, what is good: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.’”
— Ellie cut in. “Justice and loving kindness. They need balance, God’s balance. Without God and without balance, it is all chaos and disrupDon. You see it daily in your son, Dominic. He is a bully who faces no justice, no consequences. He’s not getting love either. Thus, Dominic feels no obligation to act with justice or love.”

Stuck in the hurricane winds at the hotel, Jesse calmed, and his mind grew quiet. He heard a beautiful voice, comforting, tender, like Dearie and Jane and James and Angels—all together.
Jesse, don’t give up. Remember what God told Joshua at Jericho: ‘Be strong and courageous. Fear not. Be not dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you!’ ~ Joshua 1:9
Jesse lay in the warm radiance of that voice, those words. He knew, “God is here.”

Going night swimming, they reached the top of the hill and stood sDll, gazing at the stars that hung over the water, creating a black mirror of magical reflections.
“God’s gifts,” David opened his arms to the sky. “All the beauty and truth and goodness of earth … gifts from God, our Creator.”

In the Principal’s Office, Jesse squeezed his eyes shut, and Tilly’s Bible voice echoed: Speak the truth in love.

Miss Marley leaned toward Dominic, “Stand up. Place your right hand on this Bible. Swear to God Almighty that you will abide by these rules. You must say, ‘I will.’”
— “I will,” Dominic whispered, staring at his hand on the Bible.
— “Loud and clear,” Miss Marley directed.
— His voice cracked, “I will.”

Dominic gave Jesse a scrawled note: “Sorry” — “From Dominic?” Jesse gasped, “Sorry?” It was a small thing, but Jesse felt like a match was struck in the darkness. “Maybe this is a new beginning.”

“Every good and perfect gid is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly Lights.” – James 1:17

James: Jesse. Jesse … listen! — Jesse’s heart leapt. Strained. – – Hear God’s words, Jesse. In the Psalm: ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; I am your God. I will strengthen you, uphold you with my righteous hand.’
Jesse’s Light flickered. I–I have to sh–shake off this d–dark. Sh–shake off–Dominic. I have to sh–shine my Light … my God Light.
He prayed silently, repeating the Psalm: Do not fear … I am with you … I will strengthen you. Eyes closed, hands clasped, he sat, turning the words over and over.

Jesse said a silent prayer: Help! Help me. Help Dominic. Oh, God, please!
— He heard James’ voice: Yes, Jesse. God needs you. Be calm. Be patient. Someone is here. Light On, Jesse!
Jesse marveled: My Lights! They’re like dust glimmering in sunlight! No. Wait. Are these my Lights? They’re pink!
Then came music. Sweet, lilting, beautiful music. Oh, I know this song! Gabe sang it. His mother, Francie, sang it to Gabe, dancing with him. Gabe taught Angus and Dominic, and danced, saying, “This was our mom, Francie.”

When Ben announced: we’re expecting a new baby Dorking!” The table went wild! Just wild! Delirious!
— Jesse saw the moon outside the window, glowing like a smiling face from Heaven. He smiled too. God and His angels must be listening to this!

Jesse reflected: “Do you know what ‘serendipity’ means?” — Gemma answered, “A happy coincidence.”
— Conor nodded. “James called coincidences divine winks—God winks!”

Amanda interrupted. “Gemma, you’re so desperately seeking Daniel. It’s all you think about. Maybe when you’re not seeking him, you’ll find him.” — “Just trust God,” Jesse urged.

Gemma teared-up: “But I miss Daniel so exceedingly. The clock is incessantly ticking, and another Christmas draws nigh without Daniel.”
— “Think, Gemma!” Conor interjected. “You were never seeking treasure! Yet riches chase you around like mad. God’s got a plan.”
— “But nothing– ” Gemma began.
— “Only God creates something from nothing,” Jesse interrupted.

Warm day for late November – playing Chinquapin: Unexpectedly, Jesse heard Gemma declare to Amanda and Conor, “I am newly determined. I shall surrender to God’s Magic. And enJOY the ticking moments!”

Caroling, Gemma experienced highs and lows. Jesse took her hand, “Trust God.” — Gemma prayed. She heard her own words inside her head: Surrender … enJOY! Shaking her head, she sang along to the next carol: “Joy to the World!”—smiling at the ‘coincidence’ of joy.

school gingerbread house event — Gemma invited everyone back to Windy Hill for tea and caroling: Mac played piano, beginning with, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” — Everyone sang, but at the final line, Gemma’s tears welled, singing, “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.”
— Jesse’s heart crinkled and he took her hand, “Gemma, we have to believe. God has a plan.”

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” It was an exquisite harmony in a German hymn from 1609, with Isaiah foretelling the birth of Jesus, from his lineage, the family Tree of Jesse!” — The tree of Jesse! Smiling, Jesse thought, Serendipity.

Train to Boston: Gemma talks about an art poster of Michelangelo’s “Creation”; Jesse reveled, hearing Gemma tell the story of God: his hand reaching, loving us … waiting for us to put our hand in His and love Him back.
— Mac nodded. “Our lovin’ God is always here.”
— Bridget added softly. “We need to choose to be here with God.”

Jesse loved hearing Gemma say, “I have seen it. How God waited for Dominic to say, ‘Yes.’ And when Dominic finally took God’s hand, oh, how happy he became! Carefree and brimming with Light.”
— Jesse nodded, “Dominic did a big pivot.”
— “Yes,” Gemma’s lips curved gently. “I want to pivot too. I know I must choose God’s Light. Choose to turn my Light on!”
— Jesse’s eyes softened. “With God, nothing’s impossible. All you have to do is say, ‘Yes.’”

“I–I believe in–in God. God’s winks and w–wonderments.” Jesse breathed. “Three years ago, I didn’t know my grandmother, Gemma, existed. But I found her. And we found her sister, Amanda. Then we found Gemma’s real grandmother, Lyla. And Gemma’s cousin, Charlie.” Jesse stopped and looked at Rob. “So I believe … in God’s miracles. Do you?”
— “Oh, yes. Yes, I do.”
— “Good. Then you need to get ready for God. He’s reaching out for you. And Jessica.

In a sudden snow fall, Jesse ran up to the pine trees to bring Gemma home. “Gemma, God is here!” he choked. “Right here! Believe! Your dream!” — “My dream,” Gemma murmeled. “All these years and years, clinging to my dream.” — “Yes!” Jesse said, “Come with me, right now!”

The snow wrapped around Jesse and Gemma like a coat of white magic. Jesse marveled, Like Joseph’s rainbow coat! Joseph’s dreams!

Lyla kissed the top of Jesse’s head. “You see, Jesse, today, Daniel was going to meet Gemma anyway. But God needed you to pave the way in Love—to Light them up, so they could truly see each other.
“Jesse, you let God’s Light guide you. A Light so bright … so gorgeous … such pure Love—your body and your mind can’t catch up.” She took his hand. “As you say, Jesse, it’s wonderlush. And now … you don’t want to let go… but you have to come back.”
Jesse choked, sobbing. Lyla held him tenderly. “God is sill here, Jesse. He will help you find new dreams. And His way will be filled with Love and Light … and laughter! God always has more waiting for you. He will surprise you.”
Jesse looked in her eyes and he was sure, Lyla can see—really, truly see—inside and beyond.
She gave Jesse her hanky and added: “This Love is Light. And this Light is Love.” She nodded, “Love Lights. Lighting up each one. A communion of Lights. Tonight, you must look! Use your love-adore eyes again. And you will see it all anew.”

At the dinner table, Tilly whistered a prayer, “Dear God, if Thou be near, we know Love is close at hand.” She looked at everyone. “Oh, yes, God is here! Hallelujah!”
— “Hallelujah,” the table quietly reveled.

In church, Jesse was startled to see the thin woman and the big fat man—from his hurricane escapade in the “Bucket of Blood.” Smiling at one another, Jesse thought, God gives every one of us His Light! Everyone!

Jesus was in the manger now. And the altar was ablaze with candlelight. Father spoke, “These candles remind us: even in the darkest nightfall, the Light of Christ Jesus is— and always will be— our Light … teaching us to love… teaching us what love is made of.”

On the ride home, Jesse thought: God’s Magic. I get it. It’s God’s love. God’s not done! He keeps giving me my dream! The family I wanted keeps growing. Jesse lit up, bright and irrepressible. And now, I have my own grandfather!

From the dizzying heights of the Star Cupola, Jesse saw all the friends and family gathered below. He recalled Tilly and Ben’s wedding: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Jesse felt it again: God is in the midst of us.
— Below everyone stood motionless, wrapped in the glorious, shimmering moon and star light. Jesse felt it, holding everyone—in a communion of Love and Light.

In that moment, Daniel’s voice rose, clear and tender, singing: “O Holy Night …” — Gemma’s voice intertwined with his, and Jesse couldn’t resist—he joined in too. — Below, everyone sang! — The stars seemed to be singing—like a heavenly host of angels! Singing God’s song, in the music of this dark, shining, sacred night.

O Holy Night, The stars are brightly shining!
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth!
A thrill of hope, The weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine !O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night! O night divine!

“You know God’s magic with Moses, parting the Red Sea to free His people from Egypt? Two million people crossed safely. But not Pharaoh’s army! Every man, every horse, drowned!”
“Yeah, I know that,” Billy said. “Then what?”
“After all God did for them,” David continued, “the people grumbled and turned away from Him. So they wandered the desert for forty years. The old generation died off, and their kids, God’s new people, led by Joshua, reached the Promised Land, but they had to cross the Jordan River.
“Again, God’s magic held back the river waters, and they all crossed safely. But this time, their enemy was waiting for them in a fortress! Massive, circular, with towering walls, iron gates, and fierce soldiers … How could they get past that?”
Matts shook his head, signing, “No one knew. But God did!”
“And God told Joshua!” Jesse whooped.
“Picture it,” David said, enthralled. “Joshua’s soldiers, armed with swords and shields, ready for war!”
“But no,” Joshua Weiss cut in. “God’s magic wasn’t about fighting.”
“Right,” Jesse said. “It was about faith, trusting God’s plan. Would they follow God?”
“You’ve got to admit,” David said, “it must’ve sounded crazy when Joshua told them: ‘God says no fighting. Just march around the city in silence, then return to camp in silence.’”
“For six days!” Matts signed.
Joshua laughed, “Could I stay quiet that long?”
“That’s what made the seventh day so … spectacular,” Gabe burst. “They encircled the city, and God said, ‘NOW! SHOUT! BLOW YOUR RAMS’ HORNS!’ And millions of voices whooped, screamed, roared at the top of their lungs!”
David, Joshua, Gabe, and Jesse bellowed, “‘AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN!’”
Billy clapped his ears, stunned. “Jericho’s mighty walls—just collapsed?”
“God’s magic!” Jesse grinned. “Jericho was rubble!”

“‘After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they had to leave the Garden of Eden. Time passed, and folks forgot God. Without Him, cruelty reigned: disease, tyranny, chaos. God mourned. The world was dark and upside down. The world needed Light. To put the world God-side up.’”
Jesse interrupted again. “So, without God, we don’t have Light?”
“Exactly,” Mac nodded. “‘And in all the earth, only one man could be found who kept his Light on, who wanted to be with God, who listened and talked to God, trusted and loved God, and always followed God. His name was Noah, and this is his story.
“‘To scrub the earth clean, God sent a flood. But first, He had Noah build a huge ark for his family, and two of every creature.
“‘The wicked people sneered at Noah, ‘Whoever heard of building a boat in the desert?’
“‘But Noah paid them no heed.
“‘And sure enough, forty days and forty nights of rain poured. Only those aboard the ark survived. God was with them always.
“‘Then the sun peeked out, and God told Noah to send a dove to find land. When the dove returned with an olive branch, Noah knew: Land ho! The ark reached Mount Ararat, and Noah’s family and the beasts found their way in the newly washed earth.
“‘Next, a ravishing surprise! God’s magic lit the sky. Something no one on earth had ever seen before: a rainbow … like a colorful bridge, connecting Heaven and earth.’”
“Y’ see,” Mac gushed, “God had already put the stars in the heavens—just for us human folk!”
“That’s true,” David affirmed. “There is a Belgian astronomer who is also a Catholic priest, named Lemaître; he formulated the Big Bang theory. His science explains God’s creation as an explosion that made all the stars and galaxies—and formed the universe. And the elements from that explosion eventually made earth habitable for all life, especially humans.”
“Yes, God’s plan is so ingenious!” Mac triumphed. “Even the rainbow! It’s God’s promise for a brand-new beginning! God holds us in his arms, like a hug from Heaven! He keeps us safe when we listen and talk, trust and follow, and love God always.”

Nolan said eagerly, “Let’s take turns telling a story! In a storm like this, how about the Bible story of Jonah?”
Jed and Eileen agreed, and Jesse perked up, “I know this story! From God’s Magic!”
“So!” Nolan enthused, “God sent Jonah to a wicked city– ”
“Nineveh!” Jesse delightedly rolled it on his tongue. “Nin-eh-va!”
“Yes!” Nolan continued. “To teach God’s Truth and Beauty and Goodness to the wicked people of Nineveh. But Jonah was terrified of their evil ways. He ran away and boarded a ship, trying to escape God’s Divine orders. So, God unleashed a ferocious tempest, like this one!”
“Jonah went overboard!” Jesse’s eyes gleamed. “But he couldn’t swim! And God had an enormous fish swallow him up.”
Eileen carried on, “Inside the fish, it was not pleasant. Stinky. But it was quiet. And Jonah had time to think.”
Jed nodded. “Three days. Time to reconsider.”
“To obey God,” Jesse murmured somberly.
“Then God had the fish spit him out,” Nolan exclaimed. “All in one piece, safe on shore!”
“And Jonah learned, finally,” Jesse recalled the beautiful voice in the storm, “that God is always with him.”
“Teaching, protecting, loving him,” Eileen added.
“Then Jonah preached,” Jed wrapped up. “And, lo and behold! The people listened. They stopped running away from God—just like Jonah! And the city changed its wicked ways!”

Back at Windy Hill after the Principal’s meeting with Jesse and Dominic, Mac was ready to read God’s Magic to the gang. But Jesse face was worse than ever, but he awkwardly asked, “Mac, why does a bully bully? Like Dominic?”
Mac sighed, “Well, God has lots of those stories in the Bible.”
“Oh good,” Jesse said with relief. “Will you tell?”
Mac began, “Well, here it is, and here it goes. I’ll tell you about Joseph and his brothers.
“Joseph was the Light of his father’s life, and his older brothers were deeply jealous. They hated him, especially when their father gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colors. Then again, they hated him because Joseph told his brothers of a dream God sent him, that he would rule over his brothers.
“The brothers plotted against Joseph and sold him as a slave. They shredded the beautiful coat and told their father a wild beast had killed him.
“In slavery, Joseph was brought to Egypt. But God blessed him and protected him through many a misadventure, including two years in prison. It was there that God gave Joseph the ability to understand dreams. Joseph explained the prisoners’ dreams, and when they came true, the Pharaoh of Egypt sent for Joseph to explain his own dreams.
“Soon Joseph became the Pharaoh’s favorite, and eventually, Joseph ruled all of Egypt for the Pharaoh.”
Angus mused, “So Joseph did end up ruling over his brothers?”
“Aye, though they didn’t know it was Joseph.”
Mac continued. “Well, then came a terrible famine, and Joseph’s brothers had to ask for food from Pharoah’s ruler. You can imagine their shock when they came face to face with Joseph.
“Yet Joseph generously forgave them, reunited with them, and he saved all the people of Israel from starvation.”
“Sooo,” Gabe affirmed, “God helped Joseph conquer the bullies.”
David observed, “Yes, but to answer Jesse’s question, the bullies, the brothers, were in a dark place of jealousy and hatred and fear. Their fear couldn’t stand Jesse’s—I mean, Joseph’s—beautiful Light.”
“Aye,” Mac said, hugging Jesse warmly. “The dark fears the Light.”
“Maybe, Dominic vanted to blow out your candle,” Greta said, “so his vould shine brighter.”
Jesse shrugged, “Maybe, but that’s not how Light works. There’s enough Light for everyone. Like love.”
Rose said thoughfully, “Right, the Light doesn’t fear the dark. So, Jesse, keep shining your Light.”
Jesse’s eyes were sDll swollen, but his mouth formed a small smile, “Once I can see again, I will.”

In the blackness of the ‘well’, Dominic nuzzled closer as Jesse retold Mac’s story from God’s Magic.
“Once upon an ancient time, in the prosperous city of Babylon, four Hebrew boys were enslaved by the powerful King, Nebuchadnezzar.” Jesse smiled at the sound of it and repeated, “King Neh-boo-cod-nez-zar.” He sniffed. “Well, the King found that the boys’ wisdom and understanding was ten times better than all the Ministers in his kingdom.
“Of course, the King’s Ministers were jealous of the boys. They plotted to get rid of them.
“Nebuchadnezzar had made a gold statue of himself, 90 feet high, and he commanded that everyone worship the statue.
“But the boys refused, remaining faithful to their one true God.
“Well, the Ministers couldn’t wait to tell the King! And you’d probably guess, Nebuchadnezzar raged furiously! He commanded that the boys be thrown into a fiery furnace.
“But! God protected the boys! The fire had no power! Not a hair on their heads was burned.
“Awestruck, the King declared, ‘These boys would give up their lives to worship their one, true God! And He saved them! Blessed be their God!’
“Then, Nebuchadnezzar made them High Officers in his Kingdom.
“One of the boys, Daniel, spoke, ‘There is a God in Heaven. I saw His Light—God’s Light. And I knew for certain: I was not alone. I was safe. And even more, I was loved.’”
Love, Jesse mused, a smile warming the dark. Softly, he sang his favorite song: “‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.’”

Shabbat, the Seventh Day, honors God’s rest after His glorious creations. For 3,000 years, we have celebrated these rituals. At sunset, we light the white Shabbat candles.

The youngest girl lights one candle, the woman of the house the other, and Father recites the ‘Shema’ in Hebrew, thanking God for our blessings: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.”

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel: May the Lord bless you and watch over you, shine on you, and favor you. May the Lord grant you peace.’”

the heart of our Shabbat: the mitzvah of oneg Shabbat. = Pleasure of the Sabbath. We beautify Shabbat with the best of God’s world.

~ a final blessing: “Shalom—Peace be upon you.”

The holiest Jewish season: the ten days bridging Rosh Hashanah (Days of Awe) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).

• attend synagogue in Port Haven.
• at home we fast, meaning we don’t eat.
• We pray our repentance, meaning, regretting our wrongs and vowing to be better.”

Joshua shared his favorite prayer: “‘Our God, we have strayed from your good laws, and it hurt us. You are righteous in all that befalls us, for you are Truth, and we have been false.’”