seraphima

Great discussion, Tikvah! I’ve struggled with worry/anxiety since I can remember. I used to think that was a bad thing or some kind of illness but I’m seeing things differently now…  
  
Here’s a video that really helped me to understand the Hebrew “deagah/da’ag” versus the Greek “merimnao/merimna” more:
![video](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ihsDgYnNgDg)
Philippians 4:6–7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  
  
So, I know that the Bible has no controlling authority for Jews but it does for me. What this tells me, with the use of “Be” is that anxiety is connected to a state of being.   
  
Humans are programmed to be anxious because there are real threats in the world and fear, etc. is a mechanism, I think, that allows us the ability to survive. The problem comes in when it controls us, takes over, and we see only through that lens…much like how the Bible tells Christians to not fear (365 times). It’s not that fear doesn’t exist or that it’s a sin but that there is something (Someone) in control Who is protecting us so the fear doesn’t have to be our motivation and or distraction anymore.   
  
Anyway, I really love your way of focusing on “returning” rather than only on repentance. Repentance is a key tenet of Christianity, you know. But the focus of repentance is always on something wrong, something bad, destructive, and causes shame and guilt. Contrition and feeling genuinely sorry for offending God and others is a good thing but we know that there is no condemnation so we have to forgive ourselves too for what we’ve done wrong. The Jewish notion of returning is so helpful to me because it changes my perspective because it changes the focus. Instead of criticizing myself all the time for sinning, now, I’m beginning to see that it’s an opportunity, a blessing, to become closer to God. I am keenly aware of what I do wrong and sometimes I get stuck in that. God makes me want to change not because I’m so horrible but because He loves me so much. Worrying about my relationship with God and not wanting to cause conflict and pain is a good thing. But, from now on, I’ll try to put what is most important first and that’s God and His feelings instead of focusing on me and my feelings so much. 🙏

4 bumps

seraphima · 9/2/2026, 2:11:37 PM · permalink

on The alarming vulnerabilities to americas power grid in america

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seraphima · 9/1/2026, 11:56:51 PM · permalink

on Commit To The Work of Shalom in teachingtorahtothenations

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seraphima · 9/1/2026, 11:49:34 PM · permalink

on Ultimate Comfort Sandwhich in food

1\. I really enjoy the way you write.   
2\. I LOVE your idea! It’s okay that you didn’t render the whole thing because your words definitely painted a picture in my mind. I feel at home in places like this. No pretense. No fuss. Slow. Down-home hospitality. Always friendly and clean and the patrons know each other and interact. This is the beauty of a small town. Man, I wish every big city had one of these too and enforced your rules! People would be polite and the food would be amazing. Your descriptions are making me salivate and I just had dinner.   
  
3\. I made this with ChatGPT. I am by no means an artist but it helps me make ideas come to life. It suggested $16.99 originally for the sandwich alone—no way! I had to slash the prices. In my world, especially, when you wanna feel at home, basic food made with real ingredients can’t break the bank. Anyway, here’s what it did with your ideas plus a few of my touches:
![image](https://us-lax-1.linodeobjects.com/sojooo/comments/2970/1788306573045-f5d73d3ba29c84c8.png)

10 bumps

seraphima · 9/1/2026, 11:27:14 PM · permalink

on Ultimate Comfort Sandwhich in food

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seraphima · 9/1/2026, 9:04:28 PM · permalink

on Ultimate Comfort Sandwhich in food

16 bumps

seraphima · 9/1/2026, 8:48:26 PM · permalink

on The alarming vulnerabilities to americas power grid in america

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seraphima · 9/1/2026, 8:34:30 PM · permalink

on Ultimate Comfort Sandwhich in food

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seraphima · 8/31/2026, 11:10:55 PM · permalink

on Commit To The Work of Shalom in teachingtorahtothenations

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seraphima · 8/31/2026, 10:50:57 PM · permalink

on The alarming vulnerabilities to americas power grid in america

It is extremely suspicious. I can’t believe the attack was in 2013. It’s good that this video is making the rounds for the new gen but I remember watching experts warn us over 20+ years ago. The guy in the vid said he wouldn’t be surprised if the FBI was in on it. And then also suggested that this seemed like a practice run from some organized entity-presumably nefarious and anti-American. Hmmm. Why was everything redacted? Why didn’t this get immense media attention? Why don’t the gurus overseeing the three grids, and the federal government prove that the system has been fixed since they know that if the power goes out, most people die immediately? This happened in the aftermath of 9/11 when most people would have done anything to avoid the effects of a power failure.  
  
To me, “they” aren’t fixing the situation (we can all be taken out by an EMP or a few snipers trained to destroy a power station in 20 minutes) any day now. They’ve been training in plain sight for a long time. They know what the problem is and I think the attack was a test, a field training exercise. Just ensuring that the plan works. I can only hope and pray that the plan is to save us. 😬

2 bumps

seraphima · 8/31/2026, 10:22:55 PM · permalink

on The most over-rated bonding/relationship that I have witnessed in person.......... in freethinkers

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seraphima · 8/31/2026, 10:21:53 PM · permalink

on Silent Speech: Total Assimilation in freethinkers

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seraphima · 8/31/2026, 10:20:25 PM · permalink

on Amazing Rooster Barn in architecture

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seraphima · 8/31/2026, 9:08:44 PM · permalink

on The alarming vulnerabilities to americas power grid in america