Monthly Archives: October 2016

October 23, 2016 · 3:44 pm

Lord, Help Me Love Democrats (Part 1)

What national leader do you trust? President Obama? Vice President Biden? Senate Majority Leader McConnell? Senate Minority Leader Reid? Speaker of the House Ryan? House Majority Leader McCarthy? House Minority Leader Pelosi? Any senator? Any congressional representative? Or even the Republican Party or Democratic Party? Can you believe much of anything these leaders ever say?

If you have the common sense of an amoeba, your answer has to be “NO.”

But maybe you think your favorite politicians and favorite political parties are better than the opposition because your favorites lie less than the other political side. Okay, maybe you are correct with your assumptions, but a liar who prevaricates fewer times than another politician is still what? That’s right! That politician is still a liar.

Good golly Miss Molly!

How did America end up with shameless liars for leaders who have not an ounce of remorse in them, even when they are caught in their lies?

“We have met the enemy and he is us.” (Pogo Comic Strip poster, Walt Kelly, Earth Day, 1970)

Most of us Christians are quick to point our fingers at politicians, judges, attorneys, the media, talk show hosts, or whomever and blame them for America’s downfall. But that is foolish because we believers are the ones who should be wearing sackcloth and ashes, bowing down before everyone in our shame for allowing America to undergo such a horrendous transformation on our watch. We are the blame! Repeat: we are the blame!

It won’t be long before both political parties will be labeling the 2016 Presidential Elections as “the most important election” in the history of America. So to be ahead of the curve, let’s look at what I consider are some bad choices we believers have made over the last sixty years, which need to be handled now.

(Continued in Part 2…if you are interested, the full series, which was written in 2014, may be seen on Scribd here.)

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October 23, 2016 · 7:35 am

Inside Israel

Sukka in Jreusalem

Sukka in Jreusalem

Once again, it’s time to hear from our sister in Jerusalem about what she is witnessing there as a believer in Yeshua. Put your prayer shawls on and pray for Israel and Sister J. Now here she is —

Shalom, mercy and grace to each of you in The Name of our Lord and may He alone be glorified and blessed.  May you be blessed and edified.

Well, you can say many things about the religious, and point out many errors and traditions, but one thing is for certain; they sure know how to rejoice.

The greeting for the “in between” days of Sukkot is moedeem l’simkha or “appointment to rejoice.”  I love that because that is the scriptural command for Sukkot: you shall REJOICE BEFORE HIM!

So it was, that at just about 6:30 on Wed. night there was a LOUD crackle and bang, then a drum, and then the music started.  Talk about LOUD!  Across the street from our apartment, a group of Haradi men had set up with musical instruments (actually, the loud speaker equipment was most prominent) in front of the sukka, which stands in front of the market for anyone who wishes to use it.  There were maybe 4 bearded middle aged to elderly men with a drum, a guitar, a clarinet and a singer, as is the habit of Haradim, dressed in black and white.  I found Maya’s shoes and sox and down we went to join in the fun. For this isn’t my first experience and knowing what to expect, I was not disappointed.

By looking at these serious, elderly, bearded men, you might not expect them to be leading such an event, but this is a big part of who they are.  The dancing had begun by the time 2 year old Maya and I arrived and her little feet joined right in.  A large circle had formed of Haradi men who were jumping and kicking in a fast moving circle with ever increasing speed to the traditional songs of praise so old and so familiar to our people.  With huge glowing smiles and voices lifted, their energy was contagious.

A very old man entered into the center of the circle with a much younger man and they danced almost in a joyous frenzy.  Meanwhile, several young fathers coaxed the small children into a circle and Maya was joyfully in the midst.  This was neither staged nor learned. It is a command to rejoice before The Lord and this is one of the ways on how they do it.  It went on, by the way, unabated, until 10:30 p.m.

It has been a full week indeed.  Even with me being somewhat on the outside of the celebration this year due to the current necessities of our family, nonetheless, we are part of the busyness swirling all around the country.

I left from work a bit early yesterday as it was the day of the Jerusalem March and the main streets were to be closed off for a good part of the afternoon.  As soon as my bus arrived in the center of town it was evident that the troops had gathered: this year the largest representation of Christians coming up to Jerusalem to join in the feast appeared to be Asian from my vantage point.  Large groups of brightly dressed Christians from China, Korea, Viet Nam, Philippines, Islanders from Samoa, Fiji and so on joined believers from Africa, South and North America and yes, other Middle Eastern nations, Europe and the continental Islands – people from 80 nations in all, filling our streets and greeting us locals.

A lady approached me. “Hag Sameach.  God Bless you,” she said.

A refreshing wind covered me and I reached out. “Yes, and you too. I’m a local Jewish Israeli believer,” she said.

She hugged me and fumbled in her bag, handing me a lovely blue and white hanky.  We shared names.  Her name is Leslie and she is from Georgia and I loved her for coming and blessing so freely.  “I’ll pray for you,” she told me.

How precious.  And I have begun praying for her as well.  A very brief encounter but so edifying for me.

On the train again a large group of Mongolian Christians entered.  The women were wearing bright tee shirts with eagles on them, and the men’s shirts had lions.  Two of the women carried handmade drums and large tree branches.  The people on the train watched, amused, and interested.  The train stopped and the door in front of me opened to see a group of perhaps Samoans.  A rather large man was surrounded by a group as he put the biggest shofar I have ever seen up to his lips.  “This should be interesting,” I thought.

But as he blew my skin tingled and the most powerful, beautiful cry split the air.  The people on the train around me gasped and looked. We had just a moment before the doors closed on this passing scene.  How do you adequately describe such scenes?

I knew that I would not have the strength this year to be at the parade itself, but I have seen in years past how at first many of the old time Israelis are a bit jaded at seeing these rather naïve, often slogan slinging Christians, joining in with our own nationals from around the country.  They watch at first impatiently, but soon they are totally melted by the sincere love of the brethren.  Israelis are so used to being hated and misunderstood or romanticized, but this overt display of vocal exuberant love never fails to melt the hardest of hearts. It isn’t long before the crowd begins to shout and dance along with the marchers.  They begin to receive the flags and candy and souvenirs handed to them and then the embraces and the blessings Lord BLESS and strengthen you. “We are praying for you.”  It does something…the streets seem lighter and, well, it is a unique gift.

The parade and the many different Christian meetings and tours are going on alongside all of the Jewish Sukkot events. The families on their day trips exploring God’s gift of the land, the gatherings at the Western Wall, the rejoicing in sukkas all over the land, gathering of friends and families and fellowships to bless and be blessed and to rejoice.

It CAN be a bit overwhelming because in the midst of this, life goes on.

 

Rima is one of our patients at the Doctor’s office where I work.  The second doctor took the week for vacation, so we worked at double pace and it was EXHAUSTING.  Rima is a relative of Natan Sharansky, a name that many of you are familiar with.  He was perhaps the most famous and beloved of the “refuseniks” who were jailed in the Russian gulag in solitary confinement for many years, tortured for his Judaism and determination to leave Russia and to come to Israel. He survived by reciting the whole book of Psalms, which he had memorized and by playing chess with himself in his head. He survived not only to come to Israel but has held many key governmental positions. He is truly an amazing man whom I love deeply and who I’m honored to know through my work.  His whole family are patients of our.

Rima is pretty old, very short and VERY hard of hearing.  I love her!  She came in and I said, “Rima, you amaze me.  You never change, you are beautiful.”

She laughed and I looked down at her age in her chart.  “What?” I said. “You are NINETY SIX?”

She looked incredulous. “No no,” she laughed.  “I am still only 95. They made a mistake.  I am happy that I can still live alone and cook and clean for myself and thanks to these pills I can go to the concerts every night and not worry about where the bathroom is.”

Oh my!  What a bouquet of people I am privileged to meet.

Last night, we were finally able to join friends for a meal in their sukka and it was such a joy. I had to laugh as the new neighbors next door to them are religious and were having their joyful shabat meal while we had ours.  Their singing and prayers arose and here we were next to them (don’t forget, the sukkas have cloth walls) singing and praising God for having sent His Lamb, His Messiah, His fullness.  There is no doubt that they heard and felt the songs mingled together. Praise raising up with prayer that one day the whole people, (yes, it is NOT too big for Him Who can do ANYTHING that He promised) will be praising The Lord, SPEAKING HIS NAME, ELOHIM, GOD, YESHUA, JESUS, names which are forbidden to say out loud by so many, but when we see Him how can we BUT worship Him by Name.  And it will happen and we will taste the moisture in the air before the rains begin.

Tomorrow is the last night for eating in the sukka. Sunday night Simchat Torah begins – the “last great day of the feast”…the day of REJOICING IN AROUND AND FOR THE WORD OF GOD.  There will be the taking of the Torah scrolls into the streets and dancing and singing around them, thanking God for His Word.  I am thankful that “… the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

I send you love with joy, because of Yeshua!

Your sis,

J

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October 20, 2016 · 8:23 am

Thursday’s Prayers for America (10/20/2016)

On the one hand, there are Christian leaders and followers who think if we believers do not vote for Donald Trump that we will  have almost committed an unforgivable sin. Because after all, Trump may be the chosen one, much like Samson or King Cyrus, who has been chosen to lead America back to a godly path.

And should we choose not to vote, we will have broken some type of scriptural covenant with the Lord.

I would guess these views are held by 60 – 75% of white American Evangelical Christians.

Okay, let’s say all of these Christian leaders and believers are correct. Then, what will happen if Hillary is elected President?

Will the Trump-backing believers point their fingers at us lesser ones and blame us for America’s demise?

This is not a pretty scenario for the Body of Christ!

My prayer today:

Lord, open the spiritual eyes of American believers to see the traps laid by the accuser of the brethren to bring strife to the Body of Christ, which will render the Church powerless in the days ahead because You hate strife. (Based on Revelation 12:10 and Proverbs 6:19)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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October 19, 2016 · 5:38 am

Geezer Up (Part 9)

Jane

Jacob Cohen (J.C.) Bates and his wife, Shira, waited for me in their BMW outside San Francisco International Airport in the passenger arrival zone. I noticed J.C. packed on twenty extra pounds to his five-foot seven-inch frame, but it did not detract from his rugged good looks. Shira stood a couple of inches taller than him, but the difference seemed even greater because of her model-like figure. Both were Messianic believers and servants of Yeshua the Messiah.

“Shalom, Jane,” said J.C., jumping out of the car and greeting me with a hug and a kiss. “Here, let me put your suitcase in the trunk.”

“Thanks and shalom to you, J.C.,” I said, handing him my black suitcase.

“Even though this may not be the best of times for you,” said Shira, standing outside the BMW’s passenger door, and also hugging and kissing me, “I was so excited to see you again that I went out and spent J.C.’s money on this new black sweater. But as usual, you win the fashion prize with your blond hair, Levi jacket, and khaki slacks. You look fabulous.”

Her gracious words should have reddened my face, but instead, I broke down and wept. Shira hugged me even tighter.

“God will turn your mourning into dancing,” she whispered.

“I sure hope so.”

“Let’s keep moving,” shouted a TSA agent, walking toward J.C.’s car. He pointed at us with a black baton to emphasize his point.

We obeyed and took off for their home.

 

If you have ever wondered what type of home three million dollars would purchase in San Francisco, J.C. and Shira’s condo on the fourth floor of a prestigious address in Nob Hill would be the answer. Twenty-three hundred square feet, three bedrooms, two baths, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, dining room, large family room, and captivating views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge through floor to ceiling windows. The furniture and decorations looked like they had been selected by a top Bay area interior decorator.

Shira served a tossed salad with grilled chicken for dinner, but I only moved the food around on my plate without eating much. As soon as possible, I excused myself and headed for the guest bedroom. There I unpacked, hung up my clothes in the closet, and sat down on the bed without changing out of my traveling clothes. Somehow, I closed my eyes and dozed off.

Then, I had a terrifying vision.

In it, I stood before the Judgment Seat of Christ. I wasn’t alone because hundreds of other believers stood there in numerous rows, waiting for the Judge − Jesus − to appear in front of us. I watched Him off to my left walking down my row with a torch in His right hand. He stopped in front of each believer, looked down, and lit piles of what looked like grass and sticks at the feet of each person with His torch. The piles burst into flames. Then, the piles quickly burnt out to reveal gold, silver, precious stones, or nothing but scorch marks on the ground. Those who had precious metals and stones bowed down and worshipped the Lord. Those who had scorch marks wailed and screamed like they were in hell, even though they were in heaven.

I looked down at my feet and saw a puny pile. I knew this small heap represented all of my works done on earth for the Lord. Not much for a whole lifetime, I thought. A holy fear enveloped me.

I turned and looked at the person next to me and realized it was a successful Christian businessman, whom I greatly admired. He was an elder at Jedidiah Smith Community Church, Sunday School teacher, weekend street evangelist, and well-known benefactor. The newspapers were always reporting on his philanthropy and works.

I watched Judge Jesus bend over and light the businessman’s pile with His torch. The pile quickly burnt out to reveal nothing but scorch marks on the ground. The businessman fell to the ground and wailed at the top of his lungs. His screams echoed through my mind.

Oh no, I thought. If this businessman’s life did not please the Lord, how will mine be any better?

The Lord stood in front of me.

I looked into His eyes and knew His love was not on trial, but mine was at that moment. He bent over, ready to touch my puny pile with His torch.

“Lord, give me a second chance,” I pleaded.

He looked at me without straightening up. His torch remained close to my pile. “And what would you do differently?”

“I will serve you night and day without complaining. If need be, I will crawl across San Francisco on streets filled with broken glass to be Your ambassador. I will gladly carry cups of cold water to people and minister to them as Your servant.”

He straightened up and looked me squarely in the eyes. His love melted every hindrance in my heart. “Remember to do your works to please Me, not to please others like the businessman did during his life. He received his reward on earth. Go and be My servant.”

I woke up and immediately slipped off the bed onto my knees. I worshipped the Judge, King, and Lover of my soul − my Lord Jesus.

(Continued in Part 10…if you’re interested, the full series to date may be seen here.) 

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October 18, 2016 · 8:03 am

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (10/18/2016)

The door burst open and Quon stood in the doorway, his face red with anger.

“Next time, you better have a baby boy or I’ll send you back to North Korea. You’ll end up in prison, and this time, you’ll die there,” he screamed with his fists clenched, ready to strike.

Twenty-year old Soo Jin flinched, lifting her arms to protect her face from the expected blows by her elderly Chinese husband. She said nothing, knowing her excuses would only provoke him to greater wrath.

“And don’t even spend time thinking about your baby,” Quon said, “she’s dead.”

“How? Can I see her?” said Soo Jin, looking up at his gray whiskered face, but revealing little response in her vacant eyes.

Quon shook his head.

“I told you if you had a girl baby I’d throw her in the river and I did,” he exclaimed as he turned and partially closed the door. He added, “Tomorrow, you’ll clean the barn. It smells like you. You’re such a loser.”

He slammed the door and locked it.

Soo Jin leaned back against the wall with her knees pulled up near her chest. Her breasts ached from engorgement, but the vaginal discharge from the delivery had ceased. She hoped to wash up in the morning after finishing her chores and then change into clean clothes. Yet, changing clothes presented a problem as Quon would watch on and might be aroused by her nakedness, something she could not bear to think about.

Although exhausted and filled with grief for her dead daughter, Soo Jin braced herself and refused to curl up on the mat. She needed to make decisions, ones she had postponed until after her baby was born. It now was time.

“Oh Jesus, if only You could help me today and not just when I’m dead and in heaven,” she whispered, not waiting for an answer or expecting one.

 

Fourteen months earlier, a frail woman at the prison camp near Hoeryong, North Korea, just across the Tumen River from China, told Soo Jin about Jesus. The woman quoted John 3:16 and stated that if Soo Jin believed in Jesus she would go to heaven when she died.

It was an easy decision to make because heaven sounded better than any future Soo Jin could ever have dreamt for herself. She asked Jesus into her heart. Peaceful warmth comforted her, but agony and hunger soon dimmed its effects. It was now a distant memory hidden in the recesses of her heart.

A friend convinced Soo Jin to escape the prison camp with her. This was another easy decision. Eating rice husks, having electric cattle prods stuck in every body cavity by guards, and watching mothers boil young children for food had driven her close to the edge of insanity and suicide. Escape seemed to be her only answer.

The two girls’ plan was simple: avoid the guards, cross the Tumen River at night, and live happily ever after in China. Their plan succeeded on two out of three counts.

As soon as they crossed the river, two traffickers captured them. Soo Jin’s thirty-year old friend was sold for 3,000 yuan ($761) to a Chinese prostitution ring. Soo Jin was purchased by the elderly Chinese bachelor, Quon, for 7,000 yuan ($1,066).

Thus began her yearlong ordeal at Quon’s farm. Farm chores. House chores. Constant sexual assaults. Beatings. Verbal abuse because she was a North Korean, a loser in Quon’s eyes. It all blended itself into a living Hell for Soo Jin.

Soo Jin made up her mind. She would no longer be a slave and a sperm depository for Quon. She would escape and take her chances. Maybe, this time, she would make it to South Korea.

“Oh, Jesus, why did You create me to be such a loser?” Soo Jin whispered.

(Excerpt from Deceived Dead and Delivered by Larry Nevenhoven, ©2013, Amazon eBook)

Although the above is a fictional story, it is totally based on facts. And sadly, this nightmare continues for thousands and thousands of women in Asia.

My prayer today:

Lord, help us American believers to realize we will reap in the future what we sew today so that our hearts will be broken and opened up to praying and fasting for female prisoners in Asia. (Based on Galatians 6:7)

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for  prisoners in Asia, according to Hebrews 13:3.

Why Asia?

1. 4.4 billion people live in Asia.

2.. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

3. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

4. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

5. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

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October 17, 2016 · 6:35 am

Geezer Up (Part 8)

Jane

Because of my standby reservation, I was the last person to board the Virgin Airline’s Airbus A320. One hundred and forty-five other passengers walked ahead of me to their seats. I looked at my boarding pass − Row 24 Seat B − and tried to look over shoulders and heads for my seat, but my five feet three inches of stature hindered my efforts. I eventually arrived there, lifted my black suitcase into the overhead storage compartment, and squeezed past the outside passenger’s long legs into the seat.

The young sailor with a shaved head in Seat A by the window looked up from his iPad and nodded at me. The lanky man to my right, sitting by the aisle in Seat C, paid no attention and opened his iPad, connecting to the Internet through Virgin’s free WiFi service. Both put headphones on as soon as the plane taxied toward the runway.

I reached down and pulled a Michael Connelly paperback novel out of my purse, but the Harry Bosch story failed to hold my interest for long. My mind kept wandering back over Dylan’s and my off-the-beaten-path spiritual journey.

It all began when Dylan walked out of Jedidiah Smith Community Church on that first Sunday in June three years earlier when the new pastor preached his first sermon. Dylan explained that he couldn’t listen to another sermon while he ignored the Lord’s voice telling him to branch off into a different type of church ministry. That different type of church ended up being a home church, which we called Last Chance. Two senior couples joined us in the new venture: Phil and Faye Strawmeier and Vinnie and Gracie Nguyen. Both couples had been our closest friends for years. Others joined our house church so that the original assembly now numbered eighteen people.

But it was Pamela Walter’s words to Dylan and me just before she died which stirred Dylan’s heart. “The Lord wants the Last Chance groups, like yours, to spread all along the West Coast, from San Diego to Seattle. He wants to use senior citizens as His last chance army to touch millions of people −” she said.

Dylan interrupted her and explained we didn’t know how to do something like that.

I still remember her words: “Shush! Of course, you don’t, but He knows how to do it. Fast and pray and He will show you.”

Then, she died.

Dylan focused his life on obeying Pamela’s prophetic words to us from that moment forward. He fasted, prayed, studied the word, and continually sought the Lord on what we needed to do. His seeking led to three new groups being started: one in Hemet, Lake Elsinore, and Corona.

I went along with whatever Dylan wanted, not because I heard the Lord’s voice for myself or even felt impressed to do so. I just trusted that Dylan heard the Lord’s voice and followed him. Maybe I caved in too easily rather than seeking the Lord on my own.

But when Dylan said he felt the Lord wanted us to plant Last Chance home churches in San Francisco, I was shocked and nervous. As he spoke his vision to me, I comforted myself by figuring it would be years before we reached the Bay area. Yet, two days later, he received an invitation to speak at a Business Men’s Fellowship luncheon in China Town. He left a week later, hoping doors would open for Last Chance groups in San Francisco.

I watched him leave and waved at him, but in my heart, I prayed nothing special would happen. I hoped it would be a nice trip for Dylan but nothing more. Nothing more at all.

Maybe you think I’m selfish and maybe I am. But I am seventy-three years old and so is Dylan. I want to get off this spiritual merry-go-round and enjoy life again. Do some traveling to Branson, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, and even Paris or London. I want to enjoy our sunset years without worrying about jail or confrontations. Why not? We deserve it, don’t we?

(Continued in Part 9…if you’re interested, the full series to date may be seen here.) 

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October 16, 2016 · 7:40 am

Inside Israel

Sukka in Jreusalem

Sukka in Jreusalem

Once again, it’s time to hear from our sister in Jerusalem about what she is witnessing there as a believer in Yeshua. Put your prayer shawls on and pray for Israel and Sister J. Now here she is —

BELOVED Sisters and Brothers,

Fellow travelers who KNOW that He is the same, yesterday, today and forever, I greet you and ask for His grace and mercy to write what will edify and bless you and will also glorify HIM.

ALMOST missed writing to you before Sukkot begins tomorrow night!

Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles:

Leviticus 23:33 “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord. 35 On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. 36 For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.

37 ‘These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day— 38 besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the Lord.

39 ‘Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. 40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’”

44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.

(For a few of the MANY other references in scripture see: Deut 31:10,Zech14:16, John 7:37, 2 Chron 5:3 and 2 Chron 7:8-end (amazing celebration)

Ok, yes!  It makes me laugh!  The world is upside down, spiraling into a chaotic quicksand bog and we STOP (FULL stop, for this is one of the THREE commanded feasts when The Lord, The Lord of Hosts, The Creator, God Almighty, commanded the children of Israel to come together IN JERUSALEM and to present themselves TO HIM with an offering of Thanksgiving. It doesn’t matter whether UNESCO says we existed here as a people or not because GOD has said we did and do.

We are to REJOICE before Him for 7 days while living and eating in a frail hut made of leafy branches, decorated with fruits and flowers, with a roof of palms through which we can see the sky, so that we can REMEMBER JUST HOW SMALL AND FRAIL WE ARE AND HOW HUGE AND BIG AND COMPLETE IS OUR TRUE PROVIDER AND LOVING FATHER.  Now THAT is something only God Himself could design.

Of course, we as the stiff necked people that we are, are totally able to pervert that beautiful command into customs galore, however I love this holiday and enjoy sharing with you how it is observed here in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Sukkas (or booths) begin cropping up immediately after Yom Kippur.

During the week of Sukkot rain is prayed for and so often arrives to the joy of everyone, even when we are suddenly drenched inside of our sukkas.  Israel, being a Middle Eastern desert country, is sunny and hot all summer and hopefully rainy and cold all winter.  Now that we have desalination it may not seem as urgent, but nothing is a substitute for God’s gift of rain, waters from above, and it remains a sign of His blessing.

This is a celebration of His gifts, the foods that He provides for us, the fruits of the land, but ALSO a time to remember HIS great deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt and the fulfillment of all of His promises.

Although I celebrated the holidays when I was a child, the celebrations were in a way empty of the experience that is felt HERE IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL. The earthly fulfillment of His covenant promise to the Jewish people: this land.  It remains a mystery, and yet a revealed one, only made more beautiful as the scriptures come more and more alive with each successive reading.

WHY would The Lord promise this land to this people?  I don’t know, but He surely has done just that and His faithfulness to keep that promise becomes more humbling the more I understand what He has promised, has done, and is doing.

I was touched tonight when my son in law told me that he had built a sukka at his uncle’s apartment down the road – for me.  His uncle’s apartment has a garden while our apartment does not have an appropriate place for a sukka.  He asked if we could eat there and I was overjoyed.  Once again, it will be a festive meal.  The shuk will be a mad house tomorrow as everyone buys sprays of dates and pomegranates with stems and leaves, grapes and green clementines, apples and persimmons, dried fruits and nuts.

And then there are the 4 species: a palm, a willow, myrtle, and etrog. They are shaken or waved together in the 4 directions – north, south, east and west – while a blessing is spoken.  An etrog is a citron, which looks somewhat like a lemon.

 

Of course, at the shuk, there IS a lively four species market, a BIG tent is set up, with tables galore selling the 4 items.  The tent is jammed with people inspecting the branches and fruit with magnifying glasses to make sure that they are perfect.  The more perfect the offering, the higher the price.  Many people travel to the Western Wall inside the Old City daily during the feast to present their offering of the four species blessing.

One day during the feast, at the wall, there will also be the blessing of the Cohenim (the priestly blessing).  The blessing of Aaron will be prayed over the nation by everyone who can trace themselves back to the priestly tribe of the Cohenim.  AND, one more major event is the Jerusalem march or the grand parade of blessing through the streets of Jerusalem.  Over the years, the Christians from various nations who have gathered to take part in the Christian Feast of Tabernacles’ activities take part in this march. They have become the main attraction with their God given joy and desire to bless the people. They walk in their native dress according to the country that they represent and throw candy and flags to the delight of the citizens lining the streets.  Israeli groups are also well represented, from the banks to the armed services, and from the phone company to the street cleaners. It is a parade of blessing and joy and looked forward to by nearly everyone.

And yes, I have written this letter while being talked to so it feels very much like another poor offering.  Our children as yet have not found a place of their own, but I KNOW that HE Who provides, WILL provide and I am filled with joy to see HIS GRACE as we are stretched for His purposes.

I hope that you are all familiar with the insane UNESCO ruling at the UN this week. If not, please look it up.  The days are surely running through scripture and we are witnessing His Word coming to life.  Hag Sameach or Joyful Holiday, may you be BLESSED with His Presence!

Lovingly,

your sister J

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October 13, 2016 · 10:41 am

Thursday’s Prayers for America (10/13/2016)

The background for my prayer today can be seen on the following link:

(Life Is More Than This by Frank Viola)

My prayer today:

Lord, help us American believers to desire and hunger for Your divine plans and Eternal Purposes to be fulfilled in our lives, in our cities, in our states, in our nation, and to settle for nothing less than Your priorities to be observed in every part of our lives…not matter what the cost may be for us.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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October 11, 2016 · 8:26 am

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (10/11/2016)

Another vision goaded me on even more.

In it, I saw myself arriving in heaven, but not for a glorious homecoming. A line of dark-skinned children, as far as I could see, waited to talk with me. Each, in turn, said, “I did not make it into my divine calling on earth because you failed to fulfill your calling. I starved to death as a young child.”

Sobering isn’t it?

Just think: if you or I fail to fulfill our divine callings here on earth, people may die, and go to Hell or even die young before they were able to walk in their divine callings. It’s one of those revelations we don’t like pondering. (Excerpt from The Hunt for Larry Who by Larry Nevenhoven, ©2014, Amazon eBook)

Heaven is filled with truth. Some of this truth will be revealed to us about ourselves at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

As for me, I have no doubts I’m a flawed person and that even my attempts to obey and follow Jesus Christ are also flawed at best. So, I want to send as many prayers, fastings, and offerings for Asia ahead of time to improve my position before the Judge.

My prayer today:

Lord, help us American believers to remember the prisoners who are suffering in Asia for their faith as though we are chained with them and to remember those believers who are mistreated in Asia since they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Based on Hebrews 13:3)

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for  prisoners in Asia, according to Hebrews 13:3.

Why Asia?

1. 4.4 billion people live in Asia.

2.. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

3. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

4. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

5. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

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October 7, 2016 · 11:01 am

Geezer Up (Part 7)

Jane

“Hi Jane, I’ve been expecting your call,” said J. C. as he answered my phone call.

“Hi, I figured you would.”

“You probably want to know what happened?”

“Right! Dylan said that it was no big deal, but he’s the master of understatement. So, fill in the gaps between hate crime, no big deal, and a broken nose.

J. C. laughed.

“Well, as you know Dylan spoke and gave his testimony at our businessmen’s noontime luncheon down in China town. There were about thirty men there. All enjoyed his words and I’d say it was a great success.

J. C. was the owner of Bates Properties, a commercial real estate firm in San Francisco. His success caused him to seek ways on how he could give back to the city he loved. He ended up being involved in Business Men’s Fellowship and became the chapter president.

“After the luncheon, I was driving him to Mission Terrace to spend some time together before I dropped him off at the airport. We were heading down Market Street, past the Castro District, when we saw a Pride parade. He asked to stop and watch. I pulled over and walked across the street with him.”

“So far,” I said, “everything seems okay.”

“Yeah, nothing happened until Dylan stepped off the curb and began preaching in a loud voice, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

J. C. paused for a moment.

“Then everything happened at once. A couple of guys pushed and shoved him. Another hit him in the face, knocking his glasses off. He fell to the ground and quite a few kicked him. Two police officers came over and inquired what was happening. A man said that Dylan was preaching hate. One officer asked Dylan what he was doing and he replied he was preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God. They cuffed him and threw into a police cruiser and took him off to jail.”

“That’s all my sweet hubby did.”

“Yep and he even forgave the crowd before he was ushered away.”

We talked a few minutes more. J. C. offered to pick me up at the airport and wanted me stay in his home with his wife and him.

I agreed to his offers, but I still had an unanswered question gnawing at me.

(Continued in Part 8…if you’re interested, the full series to date may be seen here.) 

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