Category Archives: Jerusalem

September 20, 2015 · 8:15 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

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 …

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters, from Jerusalem, the still undivided Capital of Israel.

May The Lord be glorified and may you be blessed as I seek to share, once again, about Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as I observe it from here.

Rosh h’shanah has now come and gone. The shofarim have sounded throughout the land and the  Shana tova greetings have changed to g’mar kha’ti’mah tova  [literally: may you end or finish with a good seal or stamp or signature, which means “may your name be sealed in the Book of Life.”]

This greeting is always a perplexing one for me to respond to, for I have the assurance that my name has been sealed in The Book of Life, but how to explain my joy and peace in a way that will make a difference and bear fruit in the lives of those around me is the key that I seek.  Another greeting is easier for me to answer: “tsom kal” [may you have an easy fast]. I respond to this with “May your fast be meaningful.”

Sometimes this answer does bring about a rich exchange of hearts. The thought that we don’t need to endure a fast but to be thankful that through it we can more readily press through to God. This is often a challenging thought to those I speak with daily.

But after 21 years now of meeting Yom Kippur in the land, I notice differences.  As in your land, the generations change and with them also the seasons and the expressions.  An important landmark for one generation often disappears with the next, and so I notice the change of flavors here.

With the holidays (hagim) here, the kids are once again out of school and many tourists flood our city. Both tourists from outside of the country, but also many tourists from other parts of the country.  Jerusalem is to the people, THE HOLY city, the city where the Temple (Beit h’Mikdash in Hebrew) stood and where the Western Wall (kotel in Hebrew) stands as the place of prayer. It’s the ancient city over which so many wars have been fought and are obviously yet to be fought, as the tension only increases daily, particularly over Temple Mount (Har h’Bayit in Hebrew).

As I ride the early morning train I often sit near the same people.  One group of 3 regulars always catch my eye and stir my imagination.  They are 3 Russian speaking men in their late 60s early 70s.  Every morning they are deep in passionate, loud, animated discussion about something or other.  One looks like a businessman and wears a white shirt and a neat knitted kippa.  He always sits on the left.  On the right sits the one with the security guard uniform, who always looks a bit confused and gestures as if he is constantly asking, “why?” B still he’s intent on understanding  what appears to be world shaking decisions.  In the middle sits the one that I call the “philosopher king.” Intellectual, highly passionate and sure of himself, he sits the center of the morning ritual consultation and is the unchallenged leader.  He wears Levis and sandals and sports a professor-like beard, and yet there is no doubt in my mind that these 3 are perhaps neighbors and on equal footing.

What I am observing is a cultural order from the old country.  It really does look as if they are deciding the most serious destinies every morning until they reach the central bus station where they get up and solemnly shake each other’s hands and part ways.

The three men fascinate me morning after morning as I watch their animated discussions.  I was surprised to see “the philosopher-king” this morning with a most unusual, large kippa, but hand-made out of a burlap-type material and stitched with designs similar to American Indian designs in turquoise, burgundy and gold.  Quite striking, signifying the place of his birth, securing his identity, saying  “this is who I am.”

As they went through their parting ritual, my eyes drifted to a lovely tall thin girl in a straight black dress reaching to her ankles, covering the tops of her army boots.  She hiked her huge, heavy backpack on to her back and exited with them.  I guessed she was going to an army base, but perhaps she had been at all night prayers here in Jerusalem.

As I told you, the month before Yom Kippur, the early morning slichut [prayers of repentance] begin and many groups meet all through the night to seek repentance.  After Rosh h’shana, they increase in intensity and become THE main focus.  There are no more preparations for Rosh h’shana, so no distraction from the task at hand, which is to prepare hearts to stand as a people-nation before The Holy God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

This is one the areas in which I’ve see a shift this year. Perhaps it has been happening subtly and I didn’t really take notice?

The days leading up to Yom Kippur have always been considered the holiest time of year − the days of awe.  Certainly I’m not saying that EVERYONE takes the issues of life seriously, but I have always been struck by the fact that MOST Jews do seem really concerned about their eternal fates.  When we first arrived in the land, there were still a few street criers who would go through some of the religious neighborhoods at about 2 a.m. to awaken the people to go to the synagogue for prayer.  This very touching tradition disappeared some years ago now as cell phones became popular with their ever-convenient alarm systems.

I have described to you the shuk h’kaparah (or the sacrifice market) that USED to be out in the open for all. It was a place where chickens were purchased and slaughtered in a ritual manner.  A prayer was said over them and then they were passed over the head (I believe 3 times) of the person being prayed for.  It follows the idea of the scapegoat − that the sins are passed through the blood spilt.  The shuk h’kaparah is now behind curtained areas as the current generation has held some disruptive animal rights demonstrations in recent years. The times change.

However we know that the blood of lambs and bulls were not enough and certainly the blood of chickens was never required. I want to scream that The Precious Blood of The Sacrificed Lamb has prevailed once and for all and has set us free and birthed PEACE within our hearts by bringing us and presenting us CLEAN before The One True and Holy God.

But all of my screaming won’t make it happen without prevailing prayer unto the REAL moving of His Spirit upon prepared hearts so that the veil can once again be pierced and rent and the scales fall from the eyes. Oh may it be soon, even now Lord!

 

The shuk was full of laughing groups of people at 6 a.m. and the challot (shabat bread) was already half sold out.  I grabbed a loaf and gawked at the line of perhaps 30 people.  The worker recognized me and beckoned me to come aside and wrapped my bread, bidding me a shabat shalom.  I felt special and took off for a prayer meeting.

The groups of people were everywhere and it hit me that these were tourists from around the country that came to experience the slichut prayers in Jerusalem.  They find it interesting rather than convicting.

“Are they rowdier than usual this year?” I asked myself.  It seems to me that they are, which made me sad.

After prayer I continued on to work.  On the bus, most people were reading Psalms or prayers.  The seriousness of the time settled in again.  As I walked past several synagogues after the bus ride, I looked in and saw each one filled with men, their heads and shoulders covered in prayer shawls (tallit) with tfillin boxes on their foreheads, straps wrapped around their arms (for the Biblical sources of these traditions see Numbers 15:37-41, Exodus 13:9+16, Deut 6:4-9), their voices fervent, and raised in prayer.

And at work again, serious faces wish me “g’mar kha’ti’mah tova” and I continue to long for and pray for that anointed answer.

God bless you!

Love from your sis in Jerusalem,

J

 

 

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September 13, 2015 · 7:22 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

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 …

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I greet you in The Name of The Lord Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ.  May He be blessed and glorified, and may you be blessed and encouraged.  In ALL things may HE have the preeminence.

It’s a “Yellow Day.” We were told that we were about to be blessed with more very oppressive heat, but this sha’arav (dry desert heat) that took everyone by surprise, has literally covered the country with the thick, hard to breath dust and sand of Iraq and Syria. The saying that it is “an ill wind blows no good” seems to be clearly illustrated in dull yellow.  Thick layers of dust cover everything from the pomegranates at the shuk to the laundry on the line, as well as trees, plants, birds and cats and the entire contents of our homes.

As the countdown to Rosh Hashanah races toward us, an apparently unheeded weather advisory was issued to stay indoors and refrain from any unnecessary exertion.  Particularly at risk are the young and old, people with heart or lung problems and pregnant women.  Local airlines were grounded and visibility is nonexistent.

Actually, because the sun is obscured, the 34-37 degree Celsius (in Jerusalem about 100 degrees again), the heat does not feel quite as oppressive as it is expected to feel for the rest of the week when and if the sand moves out of the area and the temperatures continues to soar.

At the shuk today many people covered their mouths and noses in an attempt to breathe easier, but the mood was dusty and yellow.

The weather, though an obstacle to preparations, will not prevent Rosh Hashanah from arriving at sundown on Sunday night, so we must do what we can.  Today, Tuesday, is my last day off so I had no choice but to join the throngs who also felt that they had no choice but to keep shopping.

Rosh Hashanah is the Feast of the blowing of Trumpets (rams horn − the shofar) as I said in my last email.  We are commanded in scripture to have a festive meal and to do no customary work, aside from the blowing of the shofarim, but of course many things have been added.

As this is considered a New Year celebration, there is the giving of gifts, not big ones, but gifts of thanksgiving, just to bless one another.  It might be apples and honey, or a beautifully engraved honey vessel, another trademark of the holiday.  When wishing one another a sweet new year, apples dipped in honey are served. Even in the streets, scouts or other groups offer plates of apple slices dipped in honey to passersby’s  with the greeting “shana tova o’metock o bracha” (a good new year, sweet and blessed).  Sweets, dried fruits and nuts or small household items are shared and perhaps towels or a bowl.  At the traditional dinner, fish is served among many other foods, with the blessing, “May you be the head and not the tail in this new year.”

But of course, this is only the first of the three main fall feast and they are BIG.

The month of introspection has been ongoing as people prepare their hearts for Yom Kippur (the day of atonement). It’s a bit more than a week after Rosh Hashanah – the most solemn time for a Jew when the entire nation grinds to a serious halt with fasting and prayer, repentance and introspection. This is the day it is said that the book of life in heaven is open and our destiny for the year ahead is sealed. The day is taken deeply seriously by even the secular. It’s when the entire nation repents and stands before God and not just here.  Jews in the diaspora, your nations, will likely take off from normal routine and take a day of fasting and prayer. It is a fearsome day to most.

So Rosh Hashanah holds within it the weight of the narrow path ahead.  That in turn leads to the great rejoicing of the weeklong Feast of Tabernacles. Whew!  I’m tired already!

There are very interesting things to observe as Rosh Hashanah approaches.  I hope that this doesn’t sound superstitious as I feel that it should be reported.  A black and white poster is posted around a neighborhood when someone dies.  It usually says “Blessed is the Judgment/Judge” and has the name of the person who passed away, their family, the time and place of the burial (usually within 24 hours), and the address where the family will be sitting the weeklong shiva (mourning and receiving people).  The amount of signs DOUBLE during this season.  Why?  I don’t know nor does my boss (the doctor) as we brace ourselves. He shares with me each morning who else has gone.

Indeed, as I have shared before, my dear earthly Father went between the first and second days of Rosh Hashanah. He told us that he wanted to hear the shofar blown, and a rabbi came to the hospital to blow it.  He was gone before the second sounding on the following evening.  I have asked Rabbis about this. Their reply,” Well, the books are open.  He Who is All Wise and has written our days opens them again.”

In any case, I see the notices up, two to a spot, all over town.

And restitution is made − SOMETIMES!

My heart broke as I was in the shuk at a small dry goods shop that I frequent.  The owner is a religious, a kippa-wearing (kippa- the small skull cap worn by religious Jews) man about 75 years old from, I believe, of Uzbekistani background.  He is usually very soft spoken and kind, and in this season, when people are seeking a clean heart, I did not expect what I found.  The shop was full of customers but the proprietor and another man of the same age (indeed they could have been brothers) were engaged in a screaming match over an item or a refund.

“You should not be allowed to wear a kippa!  You are a sinner! You are not a religious man, but a fraud!” shouted the suit clad distinguished yet disgruntled customer.

‘You are nothing but a lowly Kurdi (from Kurdistan) and you tell ME that I can’t wear a kippa? You don’t deserve a kippa!  Take it off!” the proprietor shouted.

These are about the worst disgraces they could have thrown at one another.  I wanted to jump in and say, “You are brothers!  It is almost Yom Kippur!  What are you doing?”

I was also concerned for their blood pressure, but mostly it just grieved me to see this display of anger between two men who obviously knew one another.  I lifted them in prayer and then turned back into the crowds where I watched the assortment of people. Many were poor and elderly, mixed with tourists and young, strong men pushing about carts trying to deliver crates of fresh fruit and vegetables, nimbly maneuvering through the dense crowds.  The ever present street cleaner deftly reached between some 20-30 shoppers to whisk away a can of olive pits, the remnants of the many free tastes.  The beggars line the entrances to each alley and compare their take as they chat with one another.  Even the thick yellow can’t diminish the character of the shuk before a holiday.

 

As I rode the train back home I couldn’t help but notice two big men speaking English and looking quite perplexed.  One was covered with tattoos and holding 2 books that I recognized right away as being Christian.  They were trying to make sense out of our train map. The train only goes from one place to another. One line, back and forth, but it can still be confusing.  Seeing a number of Hebrew speakers trying to help them, I went over and asked them in English if they needed help and where they were going.

We were soon deep in conversation and I was able to tell them that I was also a believer.  They were from N. England and this was their first time over here.  “You know?  This country of yours gets a bad rap,” one of them said.

I smiled. “Yes I know.  What have you found?” I asked them.

“Well, all that we hear is that you people are so rude and cunning but all that we see is the most kind and helpful people and you know, we have been in all of the Arab neighborhoods, and we are starting to understand that this is not so simple.”

I smiled and we carried on talking for quite awhile until it was time to get off.  We DO get a bad rap and it is hard to take, so filled with lies.  It is painful and hardest on Sabras (native born Israelis) who have no idea why they are so hated. So this conversation was refreshing.

It reminded me of the woman in line in front of me at the market.  It was the first day of Rosh Hashanah sales and the store was packed. The wait in line was long.  Suddenly the woman turned around and said, “What is this?  Everyone is shopping for the war?”

People turned around and I asked, “Is there a war? I didn’t hear the news today yet.”

She sighed. “No, but why is everyone here today?” she asked.

“Getting started for Rosh Hashanah” was the obvious answer.

“We still have 10 days. Why today?  I’m tired and want to get home.  I’ve been up since 4 a.m.”

“Well, I leave for work at 6 and am also up at 4am, but why are you?” This is a perfectly acceptable question for Israelis.

“My daughter works and I have to babysit for my 1 year and 1 month old Granddaughter.”

I smiled back at her as she nodded joyfully. “How WONDERFUL! Brachot (blessings). I wish I could do that again because my children and grandchildren are living outside (of the country) right now.”

Her face fell in pity and she slapped her cheek. “Oh no!  I’m SO sorry.  The only thing worse than being tired from babysitting is having your children living outside.”

We nodded as her turn came.  “I’ll do a bigger shopping tomorrow morning,” she said.

“And I will be at work again − that is why I’m here now.”

She turned back to me and in all honesty said, “Give me your list.  I’ll shop for you if you want.”

And that is the Israel that I walk among.

God BLESS you,

Your sis J

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September 6, 2015 · 6:57 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

 

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 …

I am thrilled to greet you, DEAR brothers and sisters, chosen for such a time as this to be knit together into His temple, for the glory of The King of kings and The Lord of lords, Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God. He’s the Hope, Light, and Truth. May He be glorified and blessed and may you be encouraged and blessed.

As in many places, today is the first day of school here. I watched from my merepesset (balcony) as tiny boys with worried eyes grasped their parents hands while bubbly girls bounced and giggled and sang their ways down the street.  I have always been stunned by a basic difference between boys and girls, despite all of the variables. One thing they all have in common here though, no matter what age or gender is the telltale Israeli backpack. The tiny preschoolers (gan is the word for pre-school in Hebrew) seem smaller than their backpacks, but this is the trademark Israeli essential uniform: the loaded backpack.

Education is free here, but also expensive at the same time. When we arrived with a 12-year old in 1994, it took me by surprise.  Besides the various high school fees, we received a long list of books and supplies that were required as the schools don’t supply the books. They supply a modest building, tables, and chairs and teachers.  Coming from the USA where even my HOMESCHOOL supplies had been mailed to us by the state free of charge, we were surprised.  It was very insignificant though, compared to the long list of cultural differences we were scrambling to adjust to.

Today, however, as I traveled home with the now returning kids, I smiled for two reasons: (1) there were no terror attacks on this first day of school (although there was a rocket shot in the direction of Ashkelon that fell short and landed back into Gaza that jiggled the nerves of families in that region) (2) and that Israel somehow succeeds so well in instilling a team or family atmosphere right from the beginning.  It was fun watching the kids of all ages in their different groups.

When I was young I was always a loner, afraid of groups.  But because of the need to live together and sadly, fight together, a warm team and family spirit is planted deep in our society.  It was really evident today.

I thought of that last week as I witnessed a poignant street scene on Jaffa Road.  There are many street musicians, but one in particular always stands out to me.  He is a religious (Jewish) man who sings religious worship and plays a portable piano.  His music and voice are beautiful, and often people gather around him to sit and play along or sing. He encourages all to worship with his joyful smile.

This day, he was alone, except for a young woman in a motorized wheel chair.  They were deep in song together and she looked at him so peacefully. Their eye contact was striking, considering that it’s forbidden for religious men.  I kept walking as I watched and just some short distance beyond I noticed a third party; a beggar who lies in a pile of blankets on this busy street.  He was propped up on one hand watching them with a huge smile of joy. I thought about this odd scene, a scene that could have been from an old silent Charlie Chaplain film.

I long to share with you the heart that beats, so often in small places in Israel.

Surely things are hot, and not just the weather.

Israel is extremely concerned about the deal with Iran and the rapid embrace being given to it by western nations fawning over it.  Many other issues are also extremely alarming that really have not been seen since WW2.  The violent wars and turmoil in the region and the very rapid advance of Islamic extremism is hard to keep up with. Most Western nations are at a loss as to how to interpret what they see and hear. So they look at it through western filters and come up with inaccurate answers.

I KNOW that many, if not most of you grieve deeply over your leaders and so many are truly seeking The Lord.  We are ALL watching what swirls around us, knowing that very hard things stand at the threshold, awaiting opportunities. But, OH THANK YOU LORD, WE HAVE THE ANSWER in YESHUA. THE LORD.  THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIGHT WHO KNOWS THE BEGINNING FROM THE END. And His is the beginning and the end.

So we must, in the midst of the pressure, whether here or there, wherever you are, turn our heads and hearts and feet to Him.  There just is no other way.

Here, we are rapidly approaching the Jewish New Year although not biblically. And for the life of me I have sought the reason and have never gotten a good answer, even though The Lord told us that we were to start the New Year from Pesach (Passover).  I am confident that He will set it right some day, but meanwhile I am tickled that more and more people have ALSO begun to say, “Shannah tovah” (happy new year, or literally “year good” at Passover as well.

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the 3 fall feasts or holidays or holy days.  They are all commanded in scripture.  I began hearing the shofarim (rams horns) being blown on the first day of Elul, leading up to the month of Tishrai, which begins on Rosh Hashanah.  Not much is said about this holiday except that it is for the blowing of rams’ horns.

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.  You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.” (Leveticus 23:24-25)

 

There is much to be said about the meanings for the blowing of the rams horn, which is commanding and hauntingly beautiful.  I hope to write that before Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown on the 13th of Sept.  Meanwhile, people are scurrying around preparing.

Traditionally, this is a time of giving of gifts, of setting a beautiful table of worship and celebration and blessing others.  Apples and honey and their variations are the traditional foods that includes pomegranates which are ripening right now. Also date honey, nuts of all sorts, particularly almonds are also considered a blessing.  Indeed we ARE blessed as I look at the display of fall fruits: figs and dates, grapes of all shapes and colors, pomegranates and melons, we are truly blessed.

A small oasis in the midst of pain and turmoil. May we always look up.  May the body be LOOKING UP and truly preparing His temple according to His plan.

I was reading one of the exhortations in Matthew the other day and I stopped to weep and thought, “Oh Lord, don’t let me talk about weighty issues when I can’t even obey Your smallest command.  Let me see as You do and learn to walk with You.  And as we learn to really BE His obedient children, may it make those around us hungry and be used of Him to open the flood gates for surly the time is short.

God BLESS you,

Your sis J

 

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July 26, 2015 · 6:20 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

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 …

Greetings, dearest sisters and brothers!  I greet you because we are His. May He be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed and edified.

As I walk through the streets, the air is hot and still. It reflects well the sense that I’m getting from the Israelis around me right now.  Tisha b’av, or the ninth of the month of Av, is again approaching with fasting from the end of Shabat on this Saturday until sundown Sunday.

On Wednesday the air raid sirens were tested.  The siren, when sounded for war or danger is a rising and lowering (undulating) sound, rather then the steady wail of the memorial blast that calls us to a minute or two of silence.

Both are eerie.  Both signify something way bigger then we are.

The test that occurred on Wednesday was announced ahead of time, but not widely, so it took many by surprise.  Although the signing of the pact with Iran and the resulting strained relations that we now have with the USA is giving the far left in Israel reason to complain about our government’s handling of the problem, their protests are weak. Most Israelis know that this is way bigger then we are and that no matter WHAT they think of our Prime Minister, they really can’t accuse him of having been too quiet.

And as the snow ball effect grabs hold of the incredible world shifts, and events move at an ever increasing speed, my sense of it is that most of the country is drawing together as one, knowing that we can not be divided.

 

With this backdrop, Tisha b’av approaches.

Judaism has a number of “fast days,” but I believe that the main ones are Yom Kippur in the fall of the year, (the day of atonement – a time for personal soul searching and repentance) and Tisha b’av, which I feel is more of a day of collective repentance.

I was given the opportunity on Wednesday to speak up at my work right after the siren test ended.  Everyone began talking about our situation and the restructuring of our defense forces, which is called “the Gideon Plan.”

“I was just reading in Judges this morning about Gideon,” I announced to them.

“You read the scriptures just to read them?” a rabbi’s wife asked.

“Yep.  And I’m thrilled with the new name of the Gideon Plan because God told Gideon that if there were too many men going to battle with him, Israel would take the credit for the victory instead of giving the glory to God. That made me think about our pride and why it is that the rabbis say that it is sinat chinam (baseless hatred) that brought about the judgments upon us when it is so MANY sins that we have committed?”

All heads shook up and down and turned toward me, so I kept going. “What about pride and…”

The list got long, but everyone was in agreement.

 

But let me back up a bit.  Hopefully, if you have been reading my letters for a while, you remember that Tisha b’av commemorates the destruction of BOTH the first and second temples, the dispersion (the judgment upon Israel according to the blessings and curses written in Deuteronomy and throughout the Prophets) and the uncanny coincidental disasters befalling the Jews on the same date throughout history.  However as I was thinking about how to write this letter today I realized that the SIGNIFICANCE of the temple and its destruction to the Jews might be illusive to many of you. I’m not sure that I can explain it, but I am asking The Lord to help me to try:

Remember when The Lord God Almighty FILLED the temple, both first and second one?  His Presence…His Shekinah glory FILLED the temple, even though He said to David in 2Samuel 7 − “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?” and yet He humbled Himself to dwell amongst the people in the temple that He granted Solomon to build.

Then again in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra.  THIS was “God with us…Emanuel” to His people.

WE who believe, have entered into the understanding of Heb. 10:5 − “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.’” (see also Ps. 40:7)

To the Jews: GOD dwelling in a body seems impossible.  Indeed the entire book of Hebrews sometimes seems to me to be written to transition the understanding that the temple is no longer needed. (It is an AMAZING book to read when you look at it as almost a revelation of transition from His Presence in the temple to His Presence with us −The Living Lord.)

Okay, do you get a taste of the idea?

Here I go teaching again, and please forgive me, I am NOT a teacher, but Tisha b’av would mean so little if you thought that it was a building that we fast for and mourn about or if you thought that the temple mount that is the center of the world’s conflict were a piece of property and the western wall as a shrine.  But to understand that this is a people mourning and anguishing for The Shekinah Glory − the Presence of The Living God. EVEN if not yet with the revelation of knowing Who He Is, at least it is the MEMORY tucked away that GOD WAS WITH US, even though our sin had separated us.

To me, this is the POTENTIAL of Tisha b’av. 

If you are challenged to grasp it, then you might want to read the book of Hebrews along with other portions concerning the building of and FILLING of the temple.  Isn’t this what we ALL long for: EMANUEL?  GOD WITH US?

 

And so, I continue to walk the streets of Jerusalem daily, riding the bus, the train, walking through the shuk and working in the doctor’s office, trying to find a way to glorify Him in the midst.  The people ARE more tense.

It is not a nervous fear, more of a resolve.  Around us ISIS battles the Iranian backed militant terror groups for who will lead the way into Jerusalem − Shiite or Sunni. That is all that it is.

We don’t see one as moderate and one as extreme.  They BOTH want the prize and that is Israel.  They speak it openly, making it very clear.  ISIS has been challenging Hamas in the Gaza Strip (yes, there is a mini terror war there that you likely don’t hear about) saying that Hamas is too friendly to Israel and ISIS will take over and conquer us. They are trying. It’s time to look up and everyone here knows it. Sadly they just are not sure HOW!

It has been a beautiful cool summer until now, but it has turned hot since the day that the pact was signed.  As I walk the two short, lovely blocks from the main street to the street where I work, the grapes and the pomegranates are quickly ripening in such a majestic way that it catches my breath.  When I see the grapes and the pomegranates swelling I remember that Sukkot (feast of tabernacles) is approaching, and that reminds me that His cycles continue.

The summer fruits and vegetables fill the shuk (at double the price for some reason) and the Arab and Jewish vendors continue to get along with no problem.  We walk through our days, only with slightly more vigilance and slightly raised eyebrows.  What a season we live in and how quickly it is all moving, at least from my perspective.

And then I remember that some of you do live in lovely and peaceful places.  That makes me happy.  Because I also know that His Spirit lives within you and allows you and I to join into one temple before Him for His purposes and to worship Him in His glory.  Wow!  What a privilege!

Well, I’m sorry that this isn’t my usual sharing but it is almost Tisha b’av. Thanks so much for being my friends.  Thank you for your prayers for us and for this nation.  I send love.

Your sis in Jerusalem,

J

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July 19, 2015 · 7:51 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

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 …

So on April 17 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Haman dictated. It was sent to the king’s highest officers, the governors of the respective provinces, and the nobles of each province in their own scripts and languages. The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year.The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them. A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that they would be ready to do their duty on the appointed day. At the king’s command, the decree went out by swift messengers, and it was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion. When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail. He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning. And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes. (Esther 3:12 – 4:3 NLT) 

Greetings Dear Sisters and Brothers in The precious Name of Yeshua h’Meshiach, King of kings and Lord of lords.  May He be blessed and glorified and guide my writing and may you be edified and blessed.

The 13th of July was the 21-year anniversary of my first setting eyes on our “new/ancient homeland,” having never been here before that date.  By the 18th of that first month, we were full citizens.  Today, writing to you between those dates, it is nothing short of a wonder and a miracle still.

I don’t know HOW it looks from where you sit so please take what I share as from my vantage point, weighing it ALL in scripture and His Spirit. As I write from my seat here in Jerusalem, the scripture above seems to perfectly fit the situation today as we see it.  I’m referring, of course, to the world’s most powerful nations newly signed agreement with Iran (Persia).

You may remember in the book of Daniel that Michael (the guardian angel of Israel) said that he was delayed in coming to Daniel because he had to fight the prince of Persia.  That fight has continued through the ages, and here we are today.

As you well know, our Prime Minister has been making quite a nuisance of himself, trying to expose the plans of Iran and attempting to get the leaders of the world to take what Iranian leaders openly say, seriously.  Today, as I read a cross section of news pieces, the mocking of our Prime Minister and nation has definitely taken on new proportions.

We stand alone as the laughing stock of the world (paraphrasing one article from abroad) now that this powerful PEACE ACCORD has been signed. “New winds blowing”…”change”…but there is nothing new under the sun, as King Solomon said.  Amazing that this was signed during Ramadan and during our 3 weeks of mourning…

The mood in the country is sober.  Saudi Arabia is reaching out to us in a new way, while Turkey and Syria are rejoicing with Iran.  New alliances are being forged in secret corners of the Middle East. The people are listening. They are under no illusions.  Even criticism toward the government is toned down as the people sense gathering clouds and know that we MUST stand together in unity.

I think of the cloud and the pillar of fire by which The Lord revealed Himself as a Guide, Protector and Comforter through the book of Exodus. A terror to the Egyptians but a comfort and guide to the children of Israel.  I think of that as well whenever I read Revelation: His judgment is True and Righteous in the eyes of His children, but great fear to those whose hearts are hardened against Him.

Israel right now is in the midst of the 3 weeks of mourning (as I mentioned above) before ‘tisha b’av’ (the 9th of the month of Av). This is a day of fasting, repentance and soul-searching as we remember the destruction of both the first and second temples. Interestingly enough, both happened on the same day.

God DOES speak in times and seasons, although not always as we interpret Him.  ‘Tisha b’av’ is also a date when a shocking amount of disasters befell the Jewish people and nation. We DO see them as God’s judgment and we know that He means what He says. So, Tisha b’av is approaching.

I love listening to the discussions that go on during this time of year. Soul searching, heart searching.  Current rabbinical wisdom says that the temples were destroyed and that Israel is usually judged because of animosity (or hatred) among the brethren. Bickering, cheating, backbiting, not looking out lovingly for one another.

That does go along with what Yeshua said when He said that the entire law could be summed up in Mark 12:31, 32

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Right now there is a trickle of a demonstration of this as people read portions of scripture including Jeremiah and Lamentations. There is a seeking, by our own strength, to live this humble, selfless love.  I think of how we as believers with the Holy Spirit working within us so often fall short. What will it be like when all of these people come to know Him?

 

At the shuk, the prices are shockingly high, but people need to eat one way of another.  I run into Dalia regularly (the demon possessed woman whom I’ve asked prayer for) and we talk. She has many worries and I talk to her about God but during the times we talk I am constantly asking Him to prepare her heart to hear HIS NAME and receive HIS delivering power into her life. Yet I still get a check to walk carefully. So I wait to share more.  I share some temporal wealth with her but long to share the TRUE riches.  She hugs me and people look at us with interest because most people are scared of her as she is rather fearsome. Then she goes off to scream and yell at others.

When I fret about “what am I really DOING for YOU Lord…to make YOU known?” I will find the vendors lighting up when they see me and I must trust that is because His Light is somehow seen and it is precious even to those who don’t yet know His Name.

The train has become one of the great summer vacation outings and every day as I come home from work, it is filled with families. These families have 5 or 10 children all dressed alike and excited to be riding on the train.  They run up to the window to get a glimpse of the bridge of strings (glorified overpass) as the train passes over it for all of 7 seconds.

“Is that ALL?” they ask their parents, but they are still in wonder.

The city has provided many street activities and everyone with children is busy about enriching their summer and keeping their minds free from worry.  In the south, there are increasing rockets from Gaza again and that doubly impacts the children.

I don’t really have much to share, so won’t waste your time, but I do hope that those of you who pray for Israel are seeking Him as to how to pray into all of this change. I personally believe that we MUST hear from The Holy Spirit HOW to pray and that He will be specific.  I feel my heart resisting suggestions given by others as to how to pray and am waiting on Him to lead me. Some of His leadings have been very interesting.  I challenge you with that.

I want to add 2 websites of English news from here that I use now, if you care to look into our news.  They are:

Israel hayom (Israel Today)

The Times of Israel

I also want to thank you for your prayers for me and for my family.  I have been very tired. His Strength is such a wonderful promise that keeps me going.  He is just so very good and is more then enough for every need.  I send much love,

Your sis J

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July 12, 2015 · 7:49 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

 

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 …

Greetings dear brothers and sisters,

May each of you be finding His joy and His peace in the midst of whatever you are walking through.  (Thinking of the scripture to “Count it all joy…”) May The Lord be blessed and glorified in and through you, and may you be blessed and encouraged today.

I was hoping to write sooner then this concerning a Holocaust survivor named Ruth who is in her 90s.  I wrote to you a number of years ago about a unique problem that some here. I first ran across it when it so suddenly afflicted another of our survivor patients.  It seems that there is a syndrome among this dear group.

So many of them who survived such terrible things during the World War II were able to make their way to Israel afterward and amazingly begin new and very productive lives.  So many who had lost everyone married, started families, and went on to leave a legacy that is a true wonder.  But a hidden horror lurked unknown inside them until they began to reach an advanced age. Many of them who seemed to be fine and had much to show for their productive lives, very suddenly were plunged back into the horrors that lived in the recesses of their minds.

I once wrote to you about this when Kala came to the Doctor’s office looking unusually tired and stressed.  When I asked her what was wrong, she said, “All of Noah’s family visited me all night…his parents, aunts and uncles, children…”

But you see, they had all been slain in the Holocaust camps.  I was horrified as I watched this lovely, well-respected dentist retreat into a closet of horrors.  That was when I found out more about the nature of the Holocaust. Some horrors results lie dormant for a lifetime.

Now Ruth is suffering and I ask for prayer for her. Her story is different.

Whereas Kala and Noah believed in God, I have actually asked for prayer for her husband, Ya’akov.  He is the survivor who is so bitter toward God and claims, not to be an atheist, but to be a “hater of God” and a mocker as well. “Where was HE during the holocaust?” he spit at me.

Yet I hear his crying heart. I do not know the ways of God well enough to say more, but I do know HIM well enough to know that He is big and merciful enough to do more then I could imagine.

Ya’akov’s wife Ruth has been special to me over the years.  There was just something about her. When we went through our breast cancers together (even meeting at the hospital), I was able to encourage her and was endeared to her.

She has recently become severely clinically depressed. I did my best to reach out to her but did not realize that she is also suffering from the “Holocaust syndrome.”

On Friday, I asked about her and Ya’akov told me that she is just inconsolable.  “She tells him again and again ‘I am ALONE!  I have NO one!  They are all murdered!” he said. “And she also visits with them all night.”

Ya’akov tells her, “Ruth!  You have me!  You have the children and grandchildren. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY.”

But she just weeps and says, “No, you are not my REAL family!” And that breaks his heart as well.  He is 94.

I did not know their story as well as others (because of his bitterness) but he told me a few things. When she was young, she was on a train with her entire family, heading to the gas chambers.  As the train rounded a corner at high speed, she alone jumped out, surviving somehow. The rest of her family perished. Eventually she was taken in by a Polish Christian family who then cared for her. Undoubtedly she has heard of Him.  I would like to send her a copy of the Gospel of John in Hebrew.  Will you pray that this is done and received as well?  How deeply she needs His Love and healing and freedom and PEACE!

 

People seem more edgy again as we come down to the last 10 days of Ramadan.  Perhaps you heard of the major Islamic state attack in Sinai, the area relinquished to Egypt when the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was signed.  The area is a hotbed of terrorism and extremism and now ISIS is working at staking a claim there, just as it has been doing on our northern border and in Gaza.  At the beginning of Ramadan there was a spate of 6 terror attacks, two resulting in Israeli deaths, and although that appears to have quieted down, people are alert.  Particularly since our schools are now out for summer vacation and our children are longing for fun.

This morning I heard a HUGE ruckus outside. The air was FILLED with the voices of children.  I went to the merepeset (balcony) and looked over at perhaps 150 or more little ones, probably 6 and 7 year olds. They skipped along behind leaders, and followed by security guards there to protect them.  They look so bright and sweet, all in little hats and backpacks with water bottles. The girls all pinky and the boys all…well…boys.

The “day-camp” program here is very different then it was back in the states.  Called khoog (the “kh” is like the sound you would make when you say an “h” and clear your throat at the same time.  It used to be represented by “ch” but is too easily confused with the “ch” combination in English).

These programs are often subsidized and can be really wonderful.  They are very creative and active and it was so much fun to see this gaggle of little ones bursting with joy, expecting to have fun.  It was a great opportunity to pray for them, an illustrated prayer request of sorts.

I had more to share but my husband has just called and said that he would be coming home early.  He is a barber/hairdresser and we have just entered the 3 weeks of mourning leading up to tisha b’av’ (the 9th of the month of Av on the Hebrew calendar). These are the days on which both the first and second temples were destroyed and many catastrophic events befell the tribes of Israel, both historically and in modern times.  It is the custom of some not to have their hair cut during this period. Thus, I will go and prepare for my husband’s earlier then usual arrival.

God bless you. Thank you for prayers. May His body continue to be built into His temple and may He be glorified.

Lovingly,

your sis J

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June 28, 2015 · 7:17 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

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 …

Blessings to you this day dear brothers and sisters.  May His glory be in your midst.
“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go unto the house of The Lord.  Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!  Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together.  Where the tribes go up, the tribes of The Lord, to the Testimony of Israel to give thanks to the Name of the Lord for throes are set there for judgment.  The thrones of the house of David.  ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.  Peace be within your palaces.’  For the sake of my brethren and companions I will now say ‘Peace be in You.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.” Psalm 122 A song of Ascents.

The “songs of Ascents” are literally the songs that were sung as the tribes made their way up to Jerusalem for the 3 feasts (Passover, Shavuot or weeks or Pentecost, and Sukkot or feast of tabernacles) that contain the command for all of the men of Israel to come up and worship here. They were to bring their offerings and to give thanks and be blessed.  These songs are STILL sung today, both traditionally and even in music heard on the radio. And yes, as people still make their way up to Jerusalem during the feasts.

As I read this Psalm this morning as part of my regular devotions I thought first about Jerusalem being built as a “city that is compacted together.” I blurted out, “Why, Lord, did you bring me of all people to a city so compacted together when You made me one who longs for the quiet places?”

Yep, feeling low today.  I still haven’t been feeling well and even missed kehila (our fellowship) last night. Indeed a rare event for me.

But His answer came quickly and without rebuke: “Write…tell them…see, hear, tell them…for I’m building My temple even here…My body is being built into a holy temple fit for My Presence…be My eyes and ears and witness for what I AM doing.”

“For the sake of my brethren and companions I will now say ‘Peace be in You.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.”

I thought about His body here (His house according to scripture), thinking of each face and of each one’s struggles.  It isn’t easy being part of His body here and it can be lonely, although we are “a city compacted together,” we are also busy busy bees and very much spread out one from another.

Then I thought of each of you and those who I am NOT in contact with, but whom I have loved over the years, parts of His body, being built together for His glory into heavenly Jerusalem. Never an easy walk. For if we are truly being built together, we are being chiseled away and dropped deep into the Refiners fire.

So, enough of feeling low!  Repent, brush it off and get busy doing what He told me to do and leave the rest to Him.

What DO my eyes and ears see here in Jerusalem at this time?

I imagine that most of you are pretty caught up in your own rapidly moving events during this world changing time.  Well, yesterday a 25 year old Israeli was killed and another wounded as they returned from a hike.  A Palestinian stopped them to ask for help, but after asking if they were Jewish he fired at point blank range.  And just now a soldier was stabbed in the neck at the Old City’s Damascus Gate not too far from here.  He is reported as fighting for his life.

The Iranian deal that our government has cried out against (to the irritation of the rest of the world) is looming before us.  The boycott, divest, sanction movement against Israel has also forced itself into our daily reality as it is growing as an aggressive cancer worldwide.  It really has become rather alarming in that it somehow legitimized the ugliest forms of anti-semitism, seemingly dead or at least stifled since WWII.

We are again inundated with weighty dignitaries from all over Europe seeking to and threatening to apply all sorts of pressure to impose a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, restoring the indefensible ’67 borders, releasing prisoners, dividing Jerusalem and so forth.  The Syrian war – so sad! – inches ever closer to us and the tension between the US leadership and the Israeli leadership continues to approach freezing levels. Plus, it’s Ramadan.

Not the most encouraging news.

I was thinking of that as I read a different portion in the scriptures this morning: John 7:42-53.

At one point the Pharisees quote the scriptures concerning the place of Messiah’s birth, but they did not apparently know that He had been born in Bethlehem.  Later, they said, with Nicodemus present, “Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed on Him?” Although in several places as I read John it has already said that some of the leaders believed, but kept it quiet.

It made me think, really with trembling, that WE KNOW NOTHING except by THE DISCERNMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!  It seems to me that The Lord has made us in a way that we CAN not discern His way BUT by The Spirit AND The Word working TOGETHER in our lives.

I’m saying this because as The Lord reminds me to be a witness to what I see, even that has to be weighed in the Light of His Word by His Spirit.  The more I read The Word I wonder how I could have missed for so many years the centrality of His plans and purposes concerning the Jews and Israel in His heart.  I DID miss it however, until He, by His Spirit, began planting a God-given hunger in me until He could speak more and more clearly and make me a better follower of Him.

But even in that, I don’t claim to have the entire picture: just the part that He has given me.  Part of my part is to beg anyone who listens to me to SEEK HIS SPIRIT WITH HIS WORD.  I’m pretty sure that you all know this and do it, and I’m probably as annoying as Netanyahu is when constantly says that the Iranian deal is a bad one. But it just seems to me that as the days get more and more dangerous, we need His discernment more and more.  I hear so many who seem to be off on bunny-trails. May we major in Knowing Him and trust Him to lead us by His Spirit into all Truth; AND TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE TRUTH THAT WE HAVE.

So, Jerusalem is compacted together.  Ha!

I came home from work on Thursday to see that the city had, for some reason TOTALLY unknown to me, lobbed off the large leafy limbs of the one tree in front of our apartment that thankfully had blocked my view (and somewhat muffled the noise) of the train, the traffic and the buildings.  I was NOT happy!

There at the foot of the trunk laid a huge pile of greenery that I had DELIGHTED in. Possibly the thing that I enjoyed most about our apartment.  I loved watching the birds right in front of my face as I looked out of the window or the balcony (merapeset), and they enjoyed me.  Now there it was: our apartment, naked to the sight of everyone as the train stopped in front. My mouth fell open.

I wailed to my husband when I walked in the house, “WHY DID THEY DO THAT TO ME?”

“Huh?” he answered. “Who did what to you?”  He hadn’t noticed.  Different priorities.

‘Oh Lord, You have my attention!  It’s noisy!  It’s even LESS pretty here!  So, here I am…Your servant… Yours to do with as You wish.  Get glory…and HELP ME TO MEAN THAT”

As if to mock my prayer the dying branches laid in an ugly pile below my window. He answers prayer, but in His time.  He brought us here for His purposes, and not for my comfort.

So, enough thoughts and comments.  God bless you and encourage you in Him.  I send my love,

Your sister J

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June 21, 2015 · 7:35 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

The Shuk in Jerusalem

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 …

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Shalom with blessing to you, with thanks to Him for the privilege of being made one with you by His Precious Blood.  May Yeshua be glorified and blessed and may we be encouraged to hunger for Him more and more.

As loud music blares from huge loud speakers in front of my apartment I will try to share some of what is happening here for you who can’t be here to see for yourselves.  Israel is family oriented and our many street parties are an extension of that: celebrate summer with loud sounds.  Sigh.

Putting that aside for now…

As we do gather together, so do our enemies.  There were sirens heard today on our northern border, the Golan Heights, where the Syrian war rages daily and is getting closer and closer.  Although no rockets seem to have landed in our territory today, the war is now less then 4 kilometers from the border which is within easy eye view.

I have spoken to you before about our Druze communities, which are split, half here and half in Syria.  Right now it is the Christian and Druze villages on the border that are under attack.  Many gather on our side of the border to pray for them while watching the war, and our defense forces have been directed to care for the refugees that are crossing over.  It is touchy and painful.  It is also a dangerous situation for Israel, which has thus far been able to steer clear of being sucked into this particular war.  (see attached news update below)

As this issue is fresh in our sights, the month long Moslem holiday of Ramadan begins tonight with feasting, prayer and studying of Koran, followed by daily fasting and evening feasts.

Refugees from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya − all countries ravaged by the so-called “Arab Spring” and its resulting jihad revolutions. These revolutions include ISIS and Hamas in Gaza.

I have received a number of emails predicting upcoming wars and turbulence.  None of that surprises us here…it is a given.

IN THE MEANTIME, I continue to ride the bus, train and walk around the shuk after serving many people daily in the doctor’s office where I work.  Last week, at the shuk, I made note to myself to share with you a story or two.

Big groups of what I call puppy soldiers (young new recruits who still jump around together like a litter of puppies) have been in the shuk.  These new recruits take numerous trips, learning history, geography, and culture, while they learn to function as a unit.  They are let loose in the shuk to organize various charity events, such as buying food for needy or handicapped groups of children perhaps or just to wander around.

As I’ve told you before, about half of the vendors at the shuk are Jewish and the other half Arab (as opposed to the Arab souk in the Old City, which is completely Arab owned).  Even in the worst of times, the shuk has maintained a brotherly air about it, which makes it a unique place.

Being late spring, the bins are piled high with tempting summer fruits − peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, and more, which replace the winter apples, oranges, pears and bananas.  I gave in and bought a kilo of cherries to surprise my husband.

While I was making my purchase a loud group of puppy-soldiers were tumbling around enjoying the sights and smells (obviously not from Jerusalem) and one said “Oh, I would love to get some cherries.”

He came over to the Arab vendor from whom I was buying and asked for 5 shekels worth of cherries, not a lot.  As his bag was being filled, the soldier said, “Less, less,” but the vendor added more.  “How much?” he asked.

The vendor waved his hand and replied, “Nothing my brother.”

“No please, I insist.”

“No, please take it, a gift,” said the vendor.

I was deeply touched and I’m sure that the soldier was too because his face and attitude showed it.  I’m sure that he will remember it when he is faced with stone throwing, brainwashed youngsters.

I think of the intimate dance that our two people have embraced through the ages, locked together in such a complicated relationship, one so complicated that it will take God Himself to resolve.  I think of all of the failed marriages that I have seen Him miraculously work His love and healing into their midst and others that await His touch.  It’s quite similar − the Arab and Jew locked in a destiny that does not appear to have a resolution and yet He is in it and so we must look forward to His resolution.

On the train again I witness a different but similar scene.  As I sit down and adjust to my surroundings I notice that a number of young people on this train are blind and deformed in different ways.  They also seem mentally different, a mixed group of Arab and Jewish.  In front of me are three special police − kind of a compassion force that we have.

They came to our office recently when a mentally ill woman was in need of help and I watched them work with her, so kindly and patiently.  They appeared to be guarding this group that I soon noticed also had a madrikeem or leader guides.  These were young people, patient and gentle, perhaps 1 young leader for every 3 kids.  It seemed that the group was making its way to the blind school for some outing, but the train (as usual) had been held up by a hefetz ha’shood (unidentified package – this requires the bomb squad and results in delays and overcrowding).

The young charges (perhaps 12-15 years old) were NOT happy about the delay and were making their discontent known as they became more and more agitated.  “When will we get there? I don’t like this!” they proclaimed in loud shrieks.

Passengers joined in with their leaders to try to comfort them.  “We will be there soon…just one more stop, over the bridge now.”

I thought about how lovely it is that NO one is embarrassed by them or made uncomfortable by their different and demanding behavior. I like that about Israel.  Israelis are not politically correct or neat or even presentable sometimes, but we take responsibility for one another in a way that family members do or should do.

I even like the fact that the awful noise outside of my apartment this evening is for a reason.  The neighborhood assembled together to present all of the summer activities available for all ages of young people this year − a place to register, to come together, to encourage one another, exchange ideas and even entertain.  These are not hired professionals but kids themselves performing.  Some are performing children’s songs, engaging the children in Israeli folk songs and dancing.

I’m closing with an update on the Druze villages just to the north of us that just popped up on the news:

I have not been well and have needed to rest more; some yet not pinpointed heart changes, likely due to stress according to the doctor.  Period.  I’m encouraging myself by re-reading Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret.  What a challenge to deeper faith!

As usual, I hesitate to close…it has been good visiting with you, even one-sided-virtually; you seem near.  I send you much love and thank you for your prayers for the people of Israel and for our family.

Lovingly,

your sister J

 

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May 31, 2015 · 9:59 am

Inside Israel

IMG_0568

 

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 …

“Bear not a single care thyself,

One is too much for thee;

The work is Mine, and Mine alone;

Thy work-to rest in Me”

(From Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret)

 

Greetings DEAREST sisters and brothers.  I have missed you.  I greet you in The Name of Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ, Lord and Messiah in Whom we are one.  May He be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed and encouraged.  This comes with much love.

Mounted on the floor near the doors of our trains, there are central holding-on areas with space for 4 people (although there are usually around 8 or so hanging on at any given time) to a sort of handled pole.  I found myself as the 4th in a group of ladies even older then I am on one afternoon.  They didn’t seem to know one another to begin with, but as it is with us, every stranger is only a new friend waiting to happen.

Apparently I boarded the train very soon after the conversation had started.  Two of the women were dati (religious as identified by their clothing) and the third, in a pants outfit, was not.  It is such a blessing to be able to understand Hebrew for these precious conversations would pass me by otherwise.

This group was talking about life in Jerusalem during the war of the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967, when Jerusalem’s Jews were cut off from food and water supplies by the surrounding Arab countries that were fighting with Jordan against us.  They were talking about having many children and how it is a blessing, but not always an easy one to accept.

“I remember that my neighbor had twins and everyone was so happy but she wept and said, ‘How will I feed two more mouths?'”

One woman said, “Ah,” and another sighed.

“But then we would find a woman who was longing for a child and give THEM the blessing.  We knew they would be loved.  We had too many and some one else had too few.”

The others nodded, remembering.

“Yes.  And when there was no water and the thirst was overwhelming, some of us didn’t have milk, but others did, so we fed one another’s children.”

Again they nodded.  A woman got on the train with a stroller and we all looked over and smiled.

“Yes, that is how we did it back then.  We just filled the need.  Some with too many, some with not enough…the needs were met.  Yes.  Children are a blessing.”

They all nodded again, each with a sad smile, a smile of knowing and having walked a long hard path.

The two religious women got off the train and said their goodbye’s while the secular lady and I began to talk, not saying much really.  It was one of those moments when a trickle of history dropped into my heart.

Another frozen moment in time posed before my eyes several days ago, also on the train.  Crowded trains bring lots of different sized people into close contact. So it was as a young mother with a little boy perhaps nearly two years old, found themselves pressed against a strikingly handsome soldier, his Uzi machine gun slung over his shoulder, pointed down as he read things on his smart phone.

This time it was 4 of us older ones sitting in the seats and watching as the little guy stared up at the soldier in wonder and let his eyes slip down over the Uzi.  He tentatively reached up one tiny finger and ran it along the gun barrel, again looking up at the soldier who was engrossed in his phone.  We all stared at this unfolding scene and at the young mother who wasn’t quite sure what her response should be.

The little one’s adoring stare finally broke the soldier’s concentration and his handsome face embraced the little guy with a big gentle smile.  Down the finger went and up again, all the while staring at the soldier while patting the weapon.  We all sat chilled and warmed alternately by the sad irony of the scene and also the pathos of it. The baby, so open and simple, the soldier so handsome, strong and also open-faced, the mother, young and loving and the 4 of us older crows, weighing the picture in front of us.

To my left the man said to the little boy, “Just wait.  It won’t be too long.  You too will have one before you know it!”

Immediately, the woman on my right piped, “Halavai!! Oo lai, lo! (or I hope not…how sad! What a shame.) Oh that it would be that he will never need to see one and that there will be no more war!”

Another sighed and added, “Ha! And we all wish, but his time will also come.”

The young mother looked around and so did I. Each one in this tiny play sat with some pretty deep thoughts, fears and memories.  The little guy, tiny, and innocent, looked up again at the soldier and the soldier saluted him and left the train for his post.  This group also scattered, but not without an imprint in my heart.

Again, I am only a translator in the gap for those of you who don’t know Hebrew and may not find yourself on the Jerusalem trains.  These small vignettes are for me true tastes of life here, small windows through which I am able to catch a glimpse of the past.

The older I get, the more I wonder about life.  What a gift we have been given.  Whether we are blessed with material blessings or health or natural talents or NONE of these, it doesn’t so much matter as what we DO with what we HAVE been given. The more I observe and listen to those around me the more I see how important my moment by moment choices are in our daily walk with Him. Each choice really IS crucial on all levels. We dare not make them alone.  How good He has been to us to give us His Holy Spirit!

 

Some of you know it’s generally crisis to crisis here and the current news is no different.  Today is the beginning of week-long home front command tests, simulating attacks on 3 fronts, from land, sea and air, with the entire country participating.  “Readiness drills” – they are called.  The group called ISIS is camped on all of our borders, with known cells already within. Since Israel is the chief prize, the “pot of gold,” we are not surprised.

Our poor fledgling government is being attacked from within and without as leaders from more countries then most people can name are waiting in line to make their stands known to our leaders.  The economy? Oy! We are engraved IN STONE as a stiff-necked people who grumble.  If you have any doubt, read the Old Testament. That’s why I had to laugh at our sizzling sha’rav heat wave that blew in off of the Sahara desert causing temperatures to soar into the high 40s Celsius (100s Fahrenheit).

As is often stated in other countries, “It isn’t so much the temperature, but the HUMIDITY,” was true here, but in a different way.  Our humidity was below 2% meaning that deadly dehydration became a serious threat to those walking around in the sun.

“OH THE HEAT! THIS IS AWFUL!” exclaimed one patient walking through the door of the doctor’s office where I work.  Suddenly I burst out laughing.

“I think that God sends us sha’ravs and blizzards just so we will give Him a rest from all of our other complaints and just focus them all on the weather.”

It really tickled my funny bone.

So as I was riding home on the bus I caught my breath as I saw that since 6:30 a.m. when I went to work, all of the flowering trees had broken open into their full glory of color. It is truly a canvas fit for The King: the array of huge purple flowering trees, blues, bright reds and yellows.

I realized that the intense HEAT had accomplished this in one morning. Whereas my little plants on my merepeset (balcony) were withering, but the trees, with their roots running deep, prospered.

Was there a lesson here?  Oh yes.  When He turns the heat on, we find out whether our roots run deep and drink from The Rock or whether our little flowers are in shallow earth. Anyway, for me it was a beautiful visual aid to think about the kingdom of God and to remember His ways.

I began this email with a quote from Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, a book that has greatly blessed me over the years and that I am again re-reading.  Being reminded that He OWNS us is such a relief to me: under the ownership of One so faithful…He is fully able to complete that which He has begun.

Lovingly,

your sister J

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May 24, 2015 · 8:08 am

Inside Israel

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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 …

Loving greetings to each of you, precious to Him Who is Lord of lords and King of kings.  THANKFULLY, He is really ABLE to keep us and present us safe in Him unto that day.  Thank You Lord for Your grace, mercy and the provision of the Precious Blood!

I thought about you much on Jerusalem Day and wrote many things in my head.  There is not much like a WONDERFUL one year old Granddaughter who is severely jet lagged to disrupt your life, unless it is an earthquake or a tornado.  She’s such a joy and gift, but when she’s up at 2a.m., she has the power of all sorts of natural disasters, so we are all tired (and the older ones of us perhaps a bit more).

Yom Yerushalaym (Jerusalem Day) was this past Sunday.  It is one of my favorite days, but I was surprised that already on Thursday, very large groups of youth were walking into Jerusalem singing and waving flags, dancing in the streets.  They walk here from all over the country to celebrate the miraculous reunification of Jerusalem after 2,000 years of Jewish exile from her capital.  This celebration marks the 48th year since her return in 1967. It definitely had some unique characteristics.

I frankly wondered what would happen at all.  Since our elections and the establishment of a markedly right wing religious government, the left wing secular segments of our society, greatly supported by the network of social media world wide, have been waging a distortion, smear and hate campaign against every move they make.  That included the usual Jerusalem Day activities.  They called it a provocation and staged counter rallies calling for the cancellation of all celebrations and events and for the re-dividing of Jerusalem.

I wasn’t sure exactly what was going to take place, but to my delight the Jerusalem songs began to play and people began to wish one another “Joyous Jerusalem Day” and hang out Jerusalem flags.  It was nice to turn away from the news media and look into the faces of the people, thankful faces of people who wanted to bless Jerusalem and The God Who said that He would put His Name here.

One of the more interesting chance observations that I made, was in the shuk – my favorite observation post.

I was passing two Arabs, one a vendor and another delivering something or other.  The one spoke in Arabic but the vendor turned and answered him in Arabic accented Hebrew and from his answer I was able to gather the point of the conversation.  Thanks to social media and many other instigators, there is active recruitment for ISIS here as in other countries.  The gist of the Hebrew answer was, “What! YOU can go to Syria under Asad or those clowns if you want!  I’m staying here!  My life is far better then any of theirs!”

I love the shuk where Arab and Jew are together day in and day out and share a unique bond.  When the intifada saw bombings at the shuk, both Arab and Jew suffered, and helped one another.

This morning I was meditating in Rev 6:4 –

“And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”  

And I began to thank The Lord for the OTHER PEACE that He has been speaking to my heart about: the Peace that is NOT as the world gives. Nothing in this world can take that Peace away.  Hallelujah!  Walking through…Looking away unto Him…letting the Peace that passes all understanding keep my heart and mind IN HIM. These seem to be my major focus as I live here on the rapidly changing front lines of things about to come.  Funny how a snow ball gathers speed as it rolls downhill and grows bigger and heavier.  So these days seem to be speeding up into a blur.  I have thought about the horrors of the earthquake and avalanches in Nepal and how suddenly  those were caught in it.  When the disciples asked Yeshua, as recorded in Matthew 24

 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? It says: “ And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.“

In other words…take heed to yourself…not to what is going on around you.  Be sure that you are walking in The Truth and anchored in The Rock.  Yes, we see the signs of the times all around us.

Jerusalem Day passed with no major disturbances, although many tried.  The celebrations were joyful and again the promise went forth that “Jerusalem will remain the undivided capital of Israel.”

Oh well.  Both the European Union chief and UN representatives are meeting here today to challenge that.  They do keep increasing the pressure but they don’t honor the Word of God or The God of the Word.  May He open their eyes in His mercy.  With Him ALL things are possible.

And so we are now getting ready for Shavout (Pentecost).  This marks the end of the Passover time and the end of the counting of the omer.  It was the second of the 3 holidays where God commanded all Israeli men to come up to Jerusalem and make specific offerings at the temple. This is the FIRST FRUITS offering, the time of the early harvest of the grain, barley, wheat and the first of the bread to be offered in Thanksgiving.  That is why all of the people were gathered at the temple on Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover of the crucifixion and the resurrection, when He poured His Spirit out upon the people in Jerusalem as described in Acts 2. The New Bread broken among the people – now able to offer true Thanksgiving from the heart.

Deut 26:1-10 is my favorite of the many shadow descriptions of Shavout…I say shadow’ because we know it now as a “shadow of things to come.”

Deut. 26:1-10 “And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lordyour God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. 3 And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’
4 “Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God. 5 And you shall answer and say before the Lord your God: ‘My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. 7 Then we cried out to the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. 8 So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. 9 He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, “a land flowing with milk and honey”; 10 and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me.’
“Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God.

Today, for some reason that I STILL don’t understand fully, Shavout is celebrated with the eating of milk products and everyone dressing in white.  It has to do with The Word of The Lord being pure and people stay up all night in large groups studying The Word and/or particular topics and subjects to be wrestled with until the understanding comes from God.  Many do this before the Western Wall (considered the last standing wall of the original temple and the holiest place in Judaism aside from Temple Mount itself).

Thank you for baring with me through these rather poor offerings.  And THANK YOU for your prayers for us, for my people by blood and for The Lord’s plans.  May we be found standing in agreement with His Heart.

Lovingly,

your sis J in Jerusalem

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