Category Archives: Prophecy

September 22, 2013 · 10:40 am

Inside Israel

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 …

5 Sept 2013 – My elderly neighbor’s voice was very loud as he was on speaker phone to a friend. I worked in the kitchen and went to close the window when I caught his words basically saying: “Yes, and the Suez Canal was not that far…” I began to listen. This is the day that the 40^th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war is being commemorated. I listened as he and his friend recounted their minute by minute experiences. “No. That was Thursday and I still didn’t know what was happening. Rumor said that there would be a cease fire (hafsaket esh) but we were still fighting.”

I had listened to a stirring account given by a man on the radio news this morning. He said that in the first day of the war alone he lost 85 of his friends, family and unit. The interviewer asked how he had survived and he immediately said, “That was only God.”

It was better then listening to the news where I heard a disappointing statement given by our Defense Chief this week saying that Israel can depend on no one but herself, her capabilities and the IDF (our military). I gasped with grief, not a mention of The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God have mercy!

I said out loud: “We depend on You Lord! Our eyes are upon You!”

Dear Brothers and sisters, Shalom. May The God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, by the power of The Holy Spirit. May you be blessed and may The Lord be glorified and blessed.

I wrote the above several days ago and then time ran out and I lagged several days behind.

“Succot Sameach. Happy Succot!” we said yesterday to bus drivers, vendors and strangers on the street, rushing home after work to prepare the dishes to bring out to the sukka. There was a heavy air between my husband and me this year as we put up and decorated our succa. Some family issues weighed heavily upon us, as well as the uncertainty concerning our move and the lack of family with us tried to block out the joy of the holiday. Finally, however, the succa was up, and I added new scripture verses this year to the ones I normally hang in Hebrew and in English. Our visitors usually include local believers, Christians from the nations here for the MANY feast related meetings and prayer watches, and local friends and neighbors who are not yet believers, some of whom don’t yet know what we believe.

The scriptures therefore have a multifold purpose: to glorify Him, to remind us of why we are sitting in the succa, to spur us to Him, to declare Him and His purposes both to those who come in and go out and to the very heavens above, to stand in agreement with Him.

So I carefully pin the computer generated hangings I too hastily put together on our walls made of strips of different material I have collected over the years. My husband cuts the palm branches from a few date palms around our house and puts them on top of the lattice of loose sticks that are laid across our clothes line. Usually I am able to get some willow and other branches added in, but this year it is just date palm. As tacky as it sounds, I then put up the ‘plastic’ fruit hangings − grapes, pomegranates, peppers etc. − I have collected over the years, much like Christmas ornaments. Then I put up the fresh fruit I bought at the shuk yesterday: pomegranates with their stems and leaves and boughs of early yellow dates.

Finally, I head out through the area in search of boughs and colorful flowers. I come back with lots of fragrant myrtle, branches from the red pepper trees laden with red peppercorns, a blue hanging flower, and various lovely leaves and fragrant herbs, and I hang them where there are spaces. I have to be careful that the pomegranates are not hung above where someone will sit as they can HURT when they fall! Bowls of huge sweet grapes, dates, all colors and varieties of fruit and nuts sit on the table. The living Thanksgiving offering is prepared in a living tabernacle to house living stones hoping to be a sweet smelling savor to Him. Time to enter in.

This is my “close up view” of yesterday’s preparations.

Around us swirl a huge flurry of events including a spiraling amount of convocations hosting Christians from around the world. What a cacophony of activity. When we first made aliyah, there was ONE Christian Feast of Tabernacles’ conference which hosted believers from all around the globe. It was one of the biggest events in the general Jerusalem calendar yearly. Over the past few years groups have split off and other groups have come in, depending upon persuasion and emphasis of doctrine, and perhaps geographic area of the world. The result has been multiple large conferences going on simultaneously.

How blessed we are to have many, many thousands of believers from all over the world gathering to pray and intercede for the nation and to worship The King. Although we don’t often get to go to partake in any of the meetings due to work constraints and so forth, we often get meet encouraging visitors during the holidays. Our kehila will be full of visitors tomorrow night. One was with us last night in our succa from California. She joined, with a pastor friend and his wife, as we sat under the Jerusalem stars sharing The Word, testimonies, and His glory.

Along with the Christian feasts, there are both huge and small Jewish gatherings in individual and group succas. The secular make it a “nature feast” and travel and camp and have fun. Each morning thousands of people wend their way to the Western Wall or to synagogue with their “four species:” a palm branch, called a lulav, two willow called the aravot, minimum of three myrtle branches called haddasim , and finally one citron called an etrog. They pray and say special blessings. There will also be the ‘Blessing of the Cohenim, the proclaiming of the priestly blessing over the people sometime later this week at the western wall.

AND there will be the Jerusalem March where believers come front and center: marching through the streets of Jerusalem often in traditional dress depicting their home countries and with banners proclaiming scriptures and promise. The streets are all closed and lined with joyful spectators, amazed that Christians come to bless them. What a season!

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. ³⁵On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary workon it. ³⁶For 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— ³⁸besides 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. ⁴⁰And 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. ⁴¹You shall keep it as a feast to theLord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. ⁴²You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, ⁴³that 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 amthe Lord your God.’” ⁴⁴So 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)

I must continue to work during Succot so it is a particularly busy time for me. The first and the last days of the feast are both proclaimed days of rest. I don’t work on those and neither does public transportation or anything else. Yet how I love to see the succas lining the streets as I make my way to and from work, and to hear the noise of people inside. Occasionally, if I have a moment, I will drop in to a stranger’s succa and become an immediate friend. The succas are open to all. Strangers are welcome. It is a law in Jerusalem that every house must be built with a place for a succa, even if that is in the street out front.

The last day of Succot is Simchat Torah, or Joy in the Torah. It symbolizes the end of the yearly cycle of reading the torah scroll and the beginning again at “In the beginning GOD…” ( Gen 1:1)

A dear friend who was just in our succa for lunch today told us how it just hit her they are not talking about reading the Bible, but THE SCROLL. It is rolled out through out the year, and at the beginning of the new cycle of reading through the scroll, it must be manually and carefully rolled up to start again, which is no small job. What an interesting thought: someday this world will be “rolled up as a scroll” and there will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. We do long for such a day.

It is time to go and prepare the evening meal. I do love sitting outside and hearing the wind in the trees and the birds signaling the different times of day. It’s like hearing The Lord signaling the different seasons. May we have ears to hear.

Brief family update: our new son-in-law whom I’ve told you about, and whom I’ve asked for prayer, is suddenly becoming very “religious.” This is a shock and actually a panic. I told you that our daughter has been a backslidden believer and her husband a backslidden Haradi orthodox Jew. I have been praying The Lord would pursue them unto Himself as they both truly seem to want and be looking for His Truth.

Suddenly, however, he met a rabbi who is very cultish and has taken him in − hook line and sinker. They are currently in California living with our older daughter and family. It has become VERY strained, painful and grievous on many levels. Our younger daughter who is pregnant cries all of the time. Thank you for praying for them as there is tremendous tension now where there was joy. May we ALL – and our families and our generations − be found IN HIM FOR HIS GLORY.

I want to take a moment to thank you for caring. I mean that. Thank you for caring for us, our family, this people, this nation. Thank you for caring for the Church worldwide. Thank you for loving God and being Light in such a dark world.

Blessings to each of you,

Your sis in Jerusalem, J

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September 15, 2013 · 6:11 am

Inside Israel

Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, the day of repentance, the day of dread, the day that it is said all the hearts are examined, and those who are appointed for death, will be written for death, and those appointed for life will be written for life. Then the books are closed and sealed.

“G’mar khatima tova” is heard every few minutes. Literally it means: “may you finish with a good signature stamp.” We wrote in English − in my childhood days − “May you be inscribed in the book of life.” Others wish me also “tsom kal’’ or an easy fast and I respond, “tsom mashma’oti” or “may you have a MEANINGFUL fast” and then we enter into a short conversation concerning the true meaning of a fast before God.

A Hebrew language teacher advised me to say “tsom mo’il” or may you have a beneficial fast.

“What?” I asked. “Why is that better then a meaningful fast?”

My boss was quick to answer: “I want my fast to give me points.”

Wow! Talk about saying it as it is.

“Well, when I fast, my desire is to draw closer to God and to find those things that stand in the way of a deeper relationship, and repent from them,” I said.

He thought and said, “You must be ahead of me.”

But I added, “No. I could NEVER have enough points to win my way into the book of Life. I am way lower then you.”

His answer was from the teaching of the sages: “Those lower are far ahead…”

So it is at the time of Yom Kippur. The seriousness of it impacts the entire nation, a nation of people seeking to secure their place in the book of life. I am in the midst, SECURE that my name IS INDEED written in THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE. How wonderful to be both without fear or dread, and be assured that I have the adequate atonement.

It is almost sundown and the streets are silent as people finish up their last meal. I caught the last bus and train home from work. The buses stopped at 1:00 and the trains at 2. The television and radio stations shut down at the same time, and our airspace and airport are also closed, along with all of our borders. We are effectively sealed off from the world to be sealed in with God and here in Jerusalem it is silent.

Many of the believers take this time to fast as well, not to obtain atonement and gain points to get into the book of life, but hopefully, after spending special time asking The Lord to examine our hearts for any sins of compromise, presumption, unforgiveness, hardness, whatever we may have been blind to– to pray for the blinders to be taken off our nation and our people. For the veil must be be stripped from the eyes and YESHUA must be revealed as He says is Zech 12:

“And they shall look upon Him Whom they pierced and mourn for Him as for an only begotten Son.”

The Pascal Lamb IS among us and His once and for all time sacrifice IS sufficient and oh what reason for rejoicing! Zechariah 8:18 speaks of a day:

Zech 8:18 “And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.”

The entire chapter, indeed the book, is full of promises yet to be fulfilled, but I have heard people say, “How can a fast be a joyful feast?”

Oh, what joy to feast on The Lord and His heart for Israel during this fast. To me it already is a joyful feast and I long for the day that it will be for the entire nation.

The synagogue service is really a culmination of a month of prayer. For the past ten days many have been praying prayers of slichot or forgiveness at the western wall or in their synagogues at 4:30 in the morning. There have been daily special prayers and reading of scripture mid day and evening and into the night. Many, if not most, of what is read in synagogue and being prayed is directly from scripture and very passionate. But as is true in Christian churches, so it is in synagogues, people can sit hardened and unrepentant under The Word. People can harden their hearts, stiffen their necks, close their ears and remain blind.

On shabat, our Pastor’s wife challenged us to examine our own hearts once again concerning this issue of forgiveness before The Lord’s supper (tsudot h’adon in Hebrew):

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

“And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Years ago, as I was struggling and losing the battle to forgive a sister who seemed continually to hurt me, I suddenly understood my unforgiveness had the power to bind her so she could not be loosed in heaven. The awful understanding so horrified me that I seemed to stand on a precipice looking at the power we had toward one another, and The Lord set me free to forgive. Although I still struggle at times, the impact of that view has stayed with me all of these years. I have been forgiven MUCH. How dare I not forgive everything? I stand in the midst of a people who long to know that forgiveness.

This morning at prayer, a sister visiting here from another country for this season of feasts and conferences, shared that last night after being at a prayer conference, she had been able to witness to a group of 5 locals. She was amazed at how hungry and open they were to hear the good news. I envied her ability to share so freely.

Most Israelis will accept much more willingly the testimony of a gentile believer then a Jewish one. Indeed, today at work I had a strange experience that used to be much more common and it took me a bit aback. Some new immigrants came in to see the doctor where I work for the first time and we began to talk. They just arrived a week ago from the state of Texas. When they asked where I was from and I told them, suddenly the woman took a deep breath and looked askance at her husband and I remembered that look. She had been warned about me. She began to ask some specific questions which left little room for doubt.

I don’t feel worthy of the title: dangerous.

Years ago large groups of people were warned by their rabbis to stay away from me as I was such a dangerous woman, but I thought my lack of fruitfulness had stripped me of that distinction. But of course, the knowledge of Him – His Name – is dangerous. Dangerous to the enemy and to all we hold dear in this life, and the knowledge of Him so radically changes EVERYTHING.

Years ago, before we moved here, a young Israeli man stayed in our village to work in the fishing industry there. We became very close and I talked to him much about The Lord. One day I said to him, “I can not convince you. You ask Him yourself. Ask Him, ‘Do you have a Son, is He The Messiah, and is His Name Yeshua (Jesus)?”‘

He bowed his head and did just that and to my shock, he crumpled in a heap on to the floor. He began to weep and to pray. But when it was over he said to me, “Do you know what I just did? I have separated myself from my people, my nation and my family.”

Well, I knew that feeling partially. I remember thinking, “Uh oh. I’m Jewish. What will happen to my parents,” but I didn’t understand then Aam Israel – the people/nation so ancient and so veiled. I had been in the captivity (dispersion or diaspora or scattering) for too many millennia to fully understand.

So, the kitchens of Israel or at least most of Jerusalem are closed now for 25 hours. Darkness has fallen and the synagogues are full. The vehicle-free streets are full of children riding bikes. Although we are sealed off and silent, today also marks 40 years since the Yom Kippur war and 20 years since the disastrous Oslo “peace accords” were signed.

People are dying as I write in Syria. Iran is plotting our demise and the world stands on the precipice. It is the right moment to stand sealed off before The Lord.

And, of course, Wednesday night we get to, once again, to dwell in our little succa’s (booths) for a week and rejoice together. What a great great God we serve. He certainly knows what is best.

If you choose to fast and or pray along for this nation, it might be a good time to read the book of Hebrews. It is so rich in truths which are still hidden here.

Thank you so much for caring and for even reading what I write. I am so blessed by you, dear sisters and brothers.

Lovingly, your sis J

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September 10, 2013 · 7:43 am

Why Should We Prepare And Plan Now?

Here’s a prophetic video for America, which none of us ever want to watch because once we do, we’re forced to make decisions.

Do we believe what Dean Odle says in the video?

If we don’t believe him, then there are no problems. We can continue on with our lives, believing Odle is another Harold Camping, deserving of having verbal rocks thrown at him.

Yet, if we do believe him, then what will we do? Just add the info to our mental archives, waiting for one of those rainy days which never seem to come. Or do we begin acting right now?

The choice is ours to make.

As for me, it’s a no-brainer. My books listed on the right sidebar− Jonah, Prophecy 101, Planning + Preparation = Survival, What’s In It For Me? − were especially written for the scenarios described by Dean Odle in the above video.

Like so many times in the past, my British friend, Mercedes, at Believe, alerted me to this video by posting it on her site. Thanks Mercedes and God bless you for your hearing heart.

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September 8, 2013 · 8:16 am

Inside Israel

Apples and Honey – “Shana Tova oobrakha oometookha” (Good and blessed and sweet New Year.)

The time is winding down and the air is fragrant with food preparations as the streets begin to clear, with only an occasional car whizzing by to make it home before sundown. Soon the shabat horn will sound and the blasts of the shofar will begin. The streets are rapidly emptying and the very air is changing, quieting, and anticipating change in a new year.

I wrote the above last night before we left for the home of dear friends who live in a lovely apartment, across town with a spectacular view of the Eastern Jerusalem hills into the desert. We celebrated together, looking into The Word, blowing the shofar, partaking of the traditional foods and wondering again at the symbolism, so deep and delightful, surrounding every word and every food. GOD, and His SON YESHUA, revealed in the simplest things − take… eat… this is My body broken for you. He is seen everywhere, and was wonderfully present in the fellowship of the body.

Taf shin ayin dalet (looks like this in Hebrew: תשע”ד) – or the year 5,774 – arrived with the setting of the sun. Jewish tradition says that it is now 5,774 years since the 6^th day of creation and the birth of Adam.

As we drove over to our friends apartment, my eyes were drawn to a bearded father and his two sons. A joyful formally dressed little group. Each boy cradled a package larger then himself. Each one had a long beautiful shofar wrapped in a soft shawl held with such a sense of importance and awe. It was delightful to watch them and to hear their father speaking to them, teaching them of the honor and dignity with which they should treat the shofar, as an instrument of worship, and as an instrument of war.

Our internet news had an excellent story for the new year about one of the only 3 shofar makers in Israel. It shows how a shofar is made and the short video is really worth watching. It is delightful and I encourage you to watch it. You can watch it here.

Although we discussed what the New Year might hold, there was a shabat rest which we all settled into, trusting Him to see us through whatever lies ahead as we keep our eyes fixed on Him and our hearts tender to hear Him and do His will.

Traditionally, today is the day that the Book of Life is opened in heaven and is said to remain open until the sundown on Yom Kippur, in about 8 more days. Yom Kippur is the most solemn fast day in the year −the day of repentance. From now until then (actually the entire month) are called “the days of awe” and deep soul searching is taking place. Restoration is made, relationships which have been broken seek to be healed, people examine their actions, responses and motives. It is taken quite seriously (obviously not by everybody but by those who care…and there are many) and it is said that whether we live or die this year will be sealed on Yom Kippur as our hearts are searched.

My earthly father died on the second day of Rosh h’shana. He longed to hear the shofar blown. So a rabbi came to his hospital and blew the shofar for him. There was such relief on my father’s face and then he left.

The day is lovely today with perfect weather and a refreshing cool breeze. We enjoyed the silence of the city and listened to the birds while we sat outside drinking our morning coffee out behind our apartment, surrounded by trees and flowers. I heard a dove’s wings and looked over to watch it fly up to the branch above me. As I watched, it dropped a large feather. I got up, retrieved it, and examined with wonder its intricate beauty and design. And I delighted at the fact that I have never actually seen a bird dropping a feather before, watching it float from the bird to the ground. I was thankful that even now I can enjoy new experiences.

This life is such a wonder, isn’t it. Such a gift we have to be called to serve Him, The King of kings . Yet, in the midst of everything, He gives us things which so personally speak to us and delight our hearts. We really can do nothing but worship Him.

May each of you be BLESSED in this new year with more of Him. I am thankful for you and send much love.

Your sis in Jerusalem, J

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September 1, 2013 · 9:19 am

Inside Israel

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ²Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps. ³When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. ⁴But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you. ⁵When you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey. ⁶When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys.⁷And when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but not sound the advance. ⁸The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations. ⁹When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. ¹⁰Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God. (Numbers 10:1-10)

And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. For you it is a day of blowing the trumpets. (Numbers 29:1)

There is not a great deal of scripture concerning the Feast of the Blowing of Trumpets, but there has evolved a great deal of tradition. Through tradition, we Jews celebrate the New Year on this day − although scripture tells us that Passover is the New Year − and call it Rosh h’shana, or “the head (rosh) of the(h) year (shana).”

We were told to make two silver trumpets, but traditionally rams horns, or shofarim have been blown. Although I’m sure that silver horns were used in temple times, and perhaps still are by some, many beautiful rams horns today have silver work encircling them. Many of you, I know, have a shofar of your own and blow it at significant times.

It is a most beautiful and even haunting sound, for those of you who have not heard it. When Israel found that she was once again, in possession of the Old City and Jerusalem was reunited after 2,000 years, the sound of the blowing of this rams horn at the Western Wall by the Chief Rabbi still sends chills through all of us. (You can hear it here, around the 39 second point in the video.)

So, although we celebrate with assembling together, the giving of gifts, sharing apples and honey, and traditional meals, the commandment stands for it to be a day of “the blowing of trumpets.” It seems to awake the spirit within us when we hear the blowing of the shofar throughout the neighborhood.

My father died on the second day of Rosh h’shana, and although he was so very ill and in the hospital at the time, he determined that he must hear the rabbi blow the shofar…and he did. The rabbi came into the hospital, blew the shofar, and my natural father heeded the call that will come to all flesh.

The trumpet was to be blown when the congregation was being called to move. It was to be blown one way to call all of the people together and another way to call the leadership together. It was to be blown when we were going to war against an enemy and it was to be blown when we rejoice before our God. It was always a call to attention, and always a call to change where we are looking − whether to war, to move, or to rejoice. Actually, all THREE of these things speak to my situation right now.

What a wonderful commandment! How beautifully The Lord does things, caring about small details, and orchestrating our lives according to His score − if we have ears to hear.

So we as a nation are preparing for the feast that will begin at sundown on Wednesday evening. But it is a very subdued preparation this year as the uncertainty of the situation around us has many people on edge. The shops are much emptier then usual. Part of this, of course, is due to the economic situation, but even those of us who will skimp on meals will prepare. There is a tension underlying everything. It is easily perceived, but not being much spoken of.

For myself, I also stand against it as well. As I prepare dinner tonight there is a knock on the door and a young religious family comes to look at our apartment. Daily people are coming over to see the apartment which we have lived in for 19 years, now up for sale for nearly half a million US dollars. “Where do they get the money?” my husband asks. I don’t know. They are not immigrants.

They are also far younger then us and have bank loans available or families or whatever. We have better. We have GOD Who IS Our Provider and Who will lead us in the way that we should go to the right place to live. The main battle for me is to keep my heart in faith which equals peace. It is still a battle.

For those of you who have joined us in prayer, our younger pregnant daughter and husband have happily arrived at the home of our older daughter − surprising them. Thank you for praying that he will find work and that they will be able to settle into a place of their own SOON…also for her health and for her to find the right care that she needs. Thank you so much for your concern for our family amidst your prayers for the fulfillment of God’s purposes , His HEART for this nation and the Church in relation.

I must go and get dinner on the table, but I greet you all in His Love from the heart of Jerusalem, His crucible. May HE be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed. May we each have ears to hear His trumpet sound.

Lovingly,

your sis J

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August 25, 2013 · 3:44 am

Inside Israel

It seems as if we barely turned around here and, wham! The fall feasts are upon us with Rosh h’shana (the head of the year – the feast of trumpets) just ahead of us. This year it is celebrated on the night of the 4^th of September and the day of the 5^th. I was blessed this morning as I read:

…I also gave them my Sabbaths (the Sabbaths are the holy days including the weekly shabat and the other holy days) to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I Am The Lord Who sanctifies them.

Hallow My Sabbaths and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I Am The Lord your God. (Ezekiel 20:12, 20)

That is the purpose of the sabbaths. It is ALL about HIM.

As you know, our Granddaughter Ana has been with us for the past month so we have been very busy. However, we were not the only ones taken by surprise one day about 10 days ago to see our local supermarket scrubbing down all of its shelves and changing their displays, lining the front with gifts and sales. Suddenly I heard a shofar blowing in the store so I followed the sound − which I love − to the wine and grape juice aisle. There was a rabbi, blowing the shofar to sanctify the fruit of the vine as kosher and clean. A week later I saw the same scene replayed at the meat counter.

It is summer. What is happening? The signs went up and we all scrambled for our calendars. Rosh h’shana? Already? Where did the time fly to?

Rosh h’shana is characterized by the blowing of the traditional rams’ horn − shofar. Added to this, it bears the identity of joy, celebration, meals together, gifts, apples and honey, almonds, new calendars, and preparing the heart for Yom Kippur, when repentance is sought and the book of life is said to be open in heaven. This occurs ten days after Rosh h’shana.

Yearly I argue with Rabbis about WHY the feast of trumpets has turned into the Jewish New Year, when scripture so clearly says that PASSOVER is to signify the New Year. No adequate answer are ever given. I trust God to set it all right in His time but still I am studying scriptures, preparing myself for the inevitable discussions.

Right now on the streets, there is cleaning and tidying up going on everywhere. The shuk display has changed subtly to include pomegranates, dates, figs, grapes of all sizes and colors, honey, apples, and plenty more. These nudge us into preparations. Will we host the large festive meal or will we be invited somewhere? For whom are we to purchase gifts this year? I, personally, begin to ask my yearly question of The Lord: “What special word do you have for me to know You in this year?”

Many years ago He began giving me a single word and having me look for Him in that word through out the year. It took me many years to realize that He was doing this, but yearly I begin to anticipate my new revelation of Him. This past year has been The kingdom of God/heaven.

One other thing characterizes this time period− the roosters crowing. Those of you who have been reading these letters may remember the strange custom that took root during the 2,000 years of dispersion from the promised land when there was no temple and no longer a temple sacrifice given for forgiveness of sins. The rabbis came up with the sacrifice of a chicken in a ritual manner, and a number of small communities continue to practice this. I will describe it as we get closer to Yom Kippur.

My husband is hoping that I will finish up with the computer, so I will quickly fill you in on some personal issues and also mention the situation in the Middle East. Our 7 year old Granddaughter arrived home to her family in California,USA, safely late Thursday night. I was thrilled to hear our older daughter say that it is like we have pushed the re-start button. My times with her in His Word and around two old books: Treasures of the Snow and Rainbow Garden by Patricia M. St. John.

For those of you who have children or grandchildren, ages 6 or 7 up, these two books are gold for calling children to know Him. She was thrilled to memorize verses and earn the right to get a gift from my treasure chest, knowing that the verses, hidden in her heart were her true treasure. And I SPOILED HER no end and I am not ashamed as she is a middle child. I am praying that she will begin to understand what a gift His gift of Life really is. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Our younger daughter is still quite sick, but HAPPY. They are making plans to move to California from Minnesota to be near to her older sister. Her older sister is a ‘doula’ (birth helper) and she so wants to be with family. They were hoping that they would come home but she is in no condition to travel such a distance. She is on daily intravenous (I.V.) infusions of rehydration and anti nausea meds and full rest. They don’t have a job or a place to live. Ah to be young! Thank you for keeping them in prayer!

The apartment that we have lived in for 19 years is for sale now at a HUGE price. It looks as if we will be able to stay until June/July, the time of year apartments go up for rent and people move here. We have been blessed with an unusually low rent for Jerusalem for these years. I ask for prayer for Him to lead us to the right apartment at the right time for the right price.

‪

‪LASTLY…

I had a friend who had given her life to serving Him in prayer. She was from America but lived here for a number of years, walking the streets and praying. It was a privilege to know her before she went to be with Him. I learned a number of things from her, but one incident that stayed with me over the years has just begun to teach me.

This dear sister told me, weeping, that in the valley below where she lived that witches were sacrificing babies and they would scream awful screams. One evening many years ago, I was there with her and she said to me: ‘There it is! They are sacrificing babies!”

And she began to weep. I listened. As gently as I could I told her that was the sound of cats mating. She had never heard that city sound before and was shocked and relieved. I kept it hidden in my heart but am just learning the lesson that I believe I needed to learn. This was a Spirit filled, praying sister who witnessed a fact but misinterpreted it. She was prayed something that wasn’t real.

Over the years I have longed to pray silver bullet prayers − prayers that hit the mark, agreeing with The Heart of God because The Holy Spirit prays through me. Truth is very important to me. In this day of internet and instant communication, we not only get to view photos, videos, read news reports, and ministry news letters, I have noticed that we tend to believe what agrees with our view, or what convinces us.

Living here I am shocked at the things that I have seen and heard in the media that come across totally convincingly as Truth, but are, in fact, distorted lies. It riveted my attention during our fighting in Jenin a number of years back. We awoke one morning to the world press screaming “Massacre in Jenin” and instantly the world was up in arms. You likely don’t remember, but it made a big impression upon me. The photos of the devastation were splashed across front pages world wide. The only problem was the photos showed a close up view of an area less then one block square. When the larger picture was finally shown, NOTHING around this terrorist hotbed had been touched. The 900 dead and buried alive turned out to be about 20. I DON’T remember the exact details, but it taught me that in this computer age, you can NOT trust photos or words.

Right now, in Syria and Egypt there is large scale fighting with many dead and injured. Yesterday many were killed in a suicide bombing in Bagdad. We were hit by 3 bombs from Lebanon and retaliated. Turkey has unrest as does Jordan. And there is Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and the list goes on. I looked at the photos today of those killed in Syria from chemical attack and I wondered: “Where is the Truth? Are they REALLY dead?”

I ask that because I have SEEN photos of dead caught jumping up and moving later on. Why was it reported that 3,000 had been killed and then revised to around 50? Who REALLY did this? I have my opinion, but what difference does that make? Is it Truth? For that I must hear from The Lord. I will pray for The Lord to reveal the Truth to those in positions of power.

So, what am I getting at? This: It is all about HIM and always has been. We live in dangerous times − spiritually dangerous times. The Truth is HIM and we MUST discern Truth in the midst of so many lies. I believe that a key is to walk very simply and humbly before Him with face turned to Him, trusting Him to lead AND correct us.

But as you form opinions about what is happening in the Middle East, I know that you will base those opinions first on what He has already said in His Word − for that IS TRUTH.

God bless and keep you and make His Face to shine upon you and give you HIS shalom!

Lovingly,

your sis J

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August 18, 2013 · 7:28 am

Inside Israel

Dear Brothers and sisters, beloved in Him Who is above all, I greet you, thankful for a moment to write and to update you on certain things…well…perhaps it is selfish as it is I who need to reach out and touch the body and receive the stability that comes through His people. It has been in intense time.

Ana and I just returned from the hospital, my second trip for the day. I share this just to give an impression of the intensity.

Yesterday I got up at 4:30 and had a good time with Him before leaving for work . My boss has been away and I needed to be there for one of my ‘vacation’ weeks. My husband was going to take Ana to her day camp (kaytina) at 8am and I would pick her up at 3:30 on my way home. I arrived at work at 7 and was surprised by a phone call from my husband at 7:40.

“I am having severe chest pain and my blood pressure is high. What should I do?” he asked.

“Where is Ana?” I asked.

He had set her up with some play tasks and she was fine. I caught a cab home, committing the calculations to The Lord in a battle to walk in all that I believe. Although the drive home seemed to take forever, we arrived behind the ambulance which I was able to direct to our door. I supplied necessary information while trying to reassure Ana that all was fine and “would she like to play ‘doctor’’.

Husband was packed off into intensive care ambulance and Ana and I found another taxi to her kaytina. The driver gasped when I told him that I needed to go the congested center of town and then way off to the far west side. I again tried to block all calculations and take on His yoke. The rides seemed to take forever and I finally arrived at the emergency room at 10, having been moving at top speed since 7:40.

Husband was diagnosed with unstable angina. I was so thankful that he hadn’t had another heart attack incurring further damage. He was going to be sent up to cardiology. Ana went home with a friend at 3:30 but by 5 I left to pick her up. One of my husband’s clients is a young almost-doctor – fifth year medical student – and she stayed with us the whole time. When she heard that Ana’s friend lived at the farthest part of town possible, she said that she would drive me there and then take us home. The only catch was that she didn’t know where this address was and neither did I.

I kissed my husband goodbye and asked that he call when he knew what room he would be in and we took off. About an hour later I took a deep breath and said, “Shay’nee, would it be ok if I pray and ask for The Lord in Whom I believe to guide us? And that would be Yeshua.”

We had been driving in circles asking directions every few blocks. “Sure,” she said.

So I took a DEEP breath and prayed a simple prayer, ending In The Name of Yeshua.

She looked at me. “I thought that you were Jewish,” she said.

“Oh. I am. But I believe that Yeshua IS our savior and I am His disciple.”

Hmm!”she answered and the questions began, just like with Mali.

However, almost IMMEDIATELY we found our way and she said, “Wow. I think He answered your prayer!”

Well, I KNEW He did, so we hadn’t much more time to share, but I could only stand thankful that He had opened TWO strong doors this week.

My husband had a tsentur (heart catheterization) this morning. After I dropped Ana at kaytina, and I was able to establish him back comfortably in his room before going to pick her up. He is doing well. They found no new blockages and are putting him on blood thinners. He can come home tomorrow. I didn’t think I could add ONE MORE EVENT into this very special, intense time, but God, in His mercy, enlarges our capacity for Him and prepares us for things to come. He must have apparently said, “Pour it on.” THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

In my last letter I did NOT include a request directly from my husband. In my conviction that I am NOT to mention such things, I would not have, but he directly asked me to ask all of you if: if there is ANYONE who might consider at this time investing in buying a flat – this one – in Jerusalem.”

There. I asked. I know that many many of you would LIKE to, but he is asking if someone feels led and is ABLE to. And I am being obedient to my husband and asking. I believe that I told you that our landlord IS putting this place that we have lived in for the past 19 years up for sale.

A dear friend who is also a writer, gave me her books this past week and as I was reading I thought to share part of something that she wrote. This is from Why Care About Israel by Sandra Teplinsky. I share it as I KNOW that when you take on His heart for Israel, you are part of the battle, and MANY of you have already experienced this:

“Why does Israel draw out the best and the worst in us? The Jewish nation is designed to test and expose the hearts of humanity. Like a threshing floor, she sifts our souls.

Long ago God picked a spot on earth to “put [His] Name forever” (2 Chronicles 33:7; see also 1 Kings9:3). That spot-Jerusalem’s Mount Moriah – originally served for centuries as a threshing floor. (A threshing floor, as you may know, is a place where wheat is sifted from chaff by repeatedly tossing both up in the air.) It was there that God halted a plague sent in judgment against Israel. King David purchased the threshing floor and, at God’s instruction, built an alter on it (see 2 Samuel 24:15-25). Later, on this precise plot of real estate, David’s son Solomon constructed Israel’s Holy Temple. There God’s Gory dwelt, unequaled in grandeur anywhere else on earth. This place is now known as the Temple Mount.

Is the Temple Mount any less a threshing floor in our day then it was when David bought it three thousand years ago? This dry and dusty hilltop sifts nations’ souls through their contests over its control. And little wonder, for here our Jesus will return in splendor to rule and reign – something His enemies are scrambling to prevent. The Temple Mount will prove the ultimate testing ground, the place where Messiah and anti-Messiah, and the followers of both, will someday be exposed. The site could be called Spiritual Testing Ground Zero, rendering Jerusalem and the rest of Israel a test zone surrounding it. A test God wants you to pass – because it is a test of love.

Does this mean everything Israel does is right? Of course not; the test would prove less genuine if issues involving Israel were so simple. Though matters are complex, Israel is ultimately about Him, and if you know Him as the God of Israel, your heart beating with His, you know the Answer…”

I just thought that might confirm some of your thinking during these critical times that we are in. The “peace process” is again underway with its vitriolic humanism setting the agenda and Israel’s God being mocked with nearly every word. Right now, the release of the murders is underway and there are sporadic riots around the city, while the western countries are chastening us sore for building in the country that He gave us. Will we serve man or God? May we all say, “As for me and my house, we WILL serve The Lord!”

Off to bed. May we be strengthened in one another for His Glory. Lovingly, and THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS (younger daughter has been quite sick again and also in hospital for another brief stay).

your sis in the midst,

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August 11, 2013 · 8:38 am

Inside Israel

Our computers went out while I was at work today, meaning that neither Molly (her name is actually ‘Mali’ – short for ‘Malcha’ or ‘queen’) nor I could bury our faces in news or email during our quieter moments. Some of you grabbed ahold of ‘Mali’ when I wrote about her and have prayed for her. She is one of the two young secretaries that I work with from time to time. She has been very depressed since her father died suddenly.

“I started taking an antidepressant drug 2 weeks ago.” She said, with a still-depressed expression. “Do you think that would hinder my job opportunities?”

The conversation turned several corners and I shared a bit more about my past with her and how Yeshua flooded me with His Joy. I didn’t expect what came next (be instant in season and out of season).

“So Who exactly IS this ‘Yeshu’ anyway?” she asked.

“I don’t know who ‘Yeshu’ is (that means “false messiah” and is how He is called by not-yet-believers here) but I can tell you Who YESHUA is.” I said.

To my surprise she began asking me how to pronounce His Name – and then… she said “Who was He? Where was He born? Why did He come?”

Where was He born?? Didn’t she know? I asked her what she had heard about Him and she said “I know NOTHING about Him at all. I have never heard about Him.”

I prayed. Mali does NOT speak English and I was going to have to share with her in Hebrew. I prayed for anointing from Him alone and that my poor language ability would not hinder her or stand in the way. “Why, Mali, He was born right here. He is a sabra and He was circumcised in Jerusalem in our Temple before the second destruction.”

She was so surprised! “What? He was Israeli? What happened?”

I told her that He had never left Israel but spent His full life here – how He preached the way to Life and how He rebuked the rabbis for teaching what was NOT written in the Tenach, but the traditions of men. Then I asked “Mali…do you believe that there is a Moshiach (Messiah or Christ)?”

She answered “Yes, but it ISN’T ‘Yeshu’ because the rabbis say it isn’t.”

I grabbed my small Bible and said “But Mali, the SCRIPTURES describe Moshiach perfectly.”

As I told her about Isaiah 53 she wanted to know if it was “our” prophet or “theirs.” I told her that all of the prophecies about Messiah are ours, just as Messiah is ours and that what the Christians read in the Old Testament is our scriptures. Then He opened the door for me to share my testimony with her. She was glued to every (poorly spoken but I trust anointed) word.

When I met Him, He showed me, also someone who knew nothing of Him, why He came. I told her – “Mali, read it yourself. Take the Tenach, and read, but do this: pray first and ask God IF HE SENT HIS MESSIAH AND IF WE KNOW HIS NAME. Pray that every time you read. DON’T read the commentaries, the Mishna and the like, but read the SCRIPTURES. It is NOT hard to understand and you do NOT need a rabbi to lead you. Ask God’s Spirit to lead you. Don’t take my word for it.”

I told her how when I met Him I really thought that I was the only Jew to believe, but now I know so many, and I told her of the many, many sabras (born here) who believe.

Our time of sharing was almost undisturbed and long enough. I was surprised and blessed by this opportunity and have no doubt that He is answering prayer because He Is The I Am.

My time with you to write is so short and I have only a million or two things that I wanted to share. I began writing what is below 9 days ago and left it to finish, but that has not happened, so I will share it and see if I can add on to it:

______________________________________

I greet you dear brothers and sisters on this first of August. May The Lord be blessed and glorified in all of us and may you be blessed.

Sizzling summer is here and so is our Little GRANDDAUGHTER, so thank you for all of your prayers. (I will share about her more at the bottom) She is scheduled to be with us through the 22^nd of Aug, so this will be a quick update as so much is happening here, but at the same time I have really so many observations that may have to wait until after our visit.

I am sure that you all know that we have, once again, been pressed into the compromising position that is opposed to God’s Word: to give up the land that He promised and He restored, in exchange for peace. A friend of mine here, the wife of a pastor, shared a Word that she had received from The Lord (this is NOT a sister who says that much) and it bore such witness to my soul that I asked her to write it out and I would like to share it with you:

“As I shared with you on the phone today how I was troubled by the wording of these negotiations being called “The Final Peace Agreement” and that it does not fit the Jewish people. The Lord spoke to me early this morning and said, “The Jewish people are not the people of ‘THE FINAL’ – THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE THE PEOPLE OF ‘THE ETERNAL!'” Isn’t that amazing

I looked up in the Webster dictionary for the word “Final” as (an adjective), and look what it says,

1. Not to be altered or undone

2. Relating to a conclusion

3. Being the last in a series, process or progress

4. Relating to the ultimate purpose or result of a process

5. Relating to or occurring at the end or conclusion

The word “Final” as (a noun) is as follows:

1. Something that is final

2. A deciding match, game, heat or trial

3. The last examination in a course.

Then of course, I looked up the Webster dictionary’s definition of “The Eternal”, (as an adjective) and look what it says:

1. Having Infinite duration – Everlasting

2. Relating to Eternity

3. Characterized by abiding Fellowship with God

4. Continued without intermission – Perpetual, seemingly endless

5. Valid or existing at all times; timeless

The word “Eternal” (as a noun) is as follows:

1. GOD

Thank you for allowing me to share all this with you today.

While we spoke on the phone she had shared with me that the word ‘’final’’ brought to mind the nazi ‘’final solution’’ and she had begun to pray, “Lord, this word ‘final’ – it makes my blood chill. What is this ‘final?’ You have the ‘final Word’ so please tell me how to pray. What you see above was spoken into her heart to her great surprise. (This is where I stopped writing)

By now we understand that our Prime Minister took what he believed to be the best of 3 evils that the international community was forcing upon us: we are scheduled to release 104 terrorists. NOT the ‘usual terrorists’ but terrorists with blood on their hands, in other words, they have been directly involved in the murder of non military civilians. We have not done this before. It would be as if we told America they had a choice: agree to give up Texas and California before negotiating with the Mexicans, or agree to stop ALL building, or release the Boston Marathon bombers. (Proportion wise? Thousands of them.)

I am afraid that we are not being led by God, but that once again we are bowing to the pressure of the world instead of bowing low before our God and casting ourselves upon Him. God open our eyes.

It is time for me to prepare dinner but I want to tell you that our younger pregnant daughter is responding to the home care that she is receiving and is stable on anti- nausea drugs which she administers by I.V. herself, checked every 3 days by a home visit nurse. Oh thank you for your prayers for them. And also for our Granddaughter Ana. I ask you to continue both. Ana is just 7 and is finally settling in after the ‘l..o..n..g’ trip with El Al’s unaccompanied minor program. We are having quite an intensive little Bible camp, she and I, and I am praying for her to truly come to Know Him and claim Him as her own to love and to follow, and to have fullness of His Joy. She has battled the same deep sadness that I had from infancy, and our family has known, but HE IS THE VICTOR. Thank you.

I am sorry for this truncated letter. I look forward to a portion of time to really write. It does come with much love. His WORD has been so alive and I long to share.

LOVINGLY,

your sis J

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July 28, 2013 · 6:12 am

Inside Israel

Answered prayer is always for His glory and I want to update you on how our younger daughter is doing, as so many of you have been praying for the situation and it has indeed stabilized. Thank you SO very much.

I told you she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. She is now in a ‘home care’ situation with a nurse visiting every other day. The nurse first arrived with boxes of medical supplies, an I.V. (intravenous hydration bag with the water solution balanced with electrolytes to keep people hydrated, like those given in hospitals), an IV pole, boxes of IV saline solution bags, syringes, and anti nausea meds to insert into the IV 6 times daily. Plus a course to teach her how to administer the IV with the meds by herself, etc.

This was the most ‘exciting’ part to her because from the time that she was a tiny child she wanted to be a doctor. Finding out that she was profoundly dyslexic dashed that dream for her and now, here she is, being given a real hospital to play with at home. That was her response when she FINALLY skyped us the other night.

She was weak and puffy but felt encouraged, and even happy. There are standing orders at the hospital to admit her immediately if she comes to the emergency room. She has seen a doctor, dietician, and psychiatrist and heard the Baby’s heartbeat. She is not fearful anymore and is convinced the Baby is healthy and that this will all pass, at least by the end of 9 months. She has even felt the Baby move.

I located an organization dealing with hyperemesis gravidarum and have learned a great deal for myself. They were very supportive and sent a local volunteer to encourage her and loan her a baby heart monitor. They gave her a $100 gift certificate for Baby needs. Wow! The head of the organization explained that they do this because women are so ill they often opt to kill their babies. They need to meet others who have endured and let them know it is truly worth it and that it does eventually end with the joy of having a child. I am impressed and thankful and know this is TRULY an answer to your prayers. I even believe that she will NOT be this ill for the full 9 months.

ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS, several of you have contacted me to tell me that either you live in the area or know someone who does and who would be willing to go and encourage her and or do some meal preparation. This was my main prayer − outreach ministry through believers.

Our daughter truly has known The Lord and loved Him. Her husband has not yet known Him as I explained. He was brought up in a Jewish ultra-orthodox (Haradi) family (the oldest of 15 children). They are both backslidden, but both from different places. Both are really tender ‘Truth seekers’ so I believe with all of my heart that The Truth, The Face of Yeshua, will and IS pursuing them. Our daughter knows who my friends are. Yet she was so happy when I offered for each one to contact her and to come and visit. (She is alone in bed everyday.) THANK YOU DEAREST BODY OF MESSIAH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND WALK.

A brief update from our ever volatile front row center seat is called for right now:

Unless you have been enjoying a wonderful remote vacation, you likely know by now the Americans have succeeded in announcing the re-start (yet again) of ‘peace, peace, where there is no peace’ talks. The talks are scheduled to begin next week and already the rhetoric is heating up. Here are two quotes:

“The collapse of the upcoming round of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians may lead to the eruption of another intifada,” Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta’al) warned on Monday. Tibi, who served as an advisor to deceased Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat and remains close to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah, said he has sensed the “bottled-up rage on the Palestinian street over the occupation and the missing of the opportunity.” (Please understand: Ahmad Tibi is a member of our Israeli Knesset (Parliament). He is not part of ‘Palestine,’ part of the ‘other side,’ he is Israeli.)

While Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas said: “While Netanyahu declares any agreement will be brought to referendum, Jordanian paper releases interview with PA chairman conducted immediately after renewed talks statement. Abbas says ‘any solution must remove Israel permanently from Palestinian land’

When we arrived in 1994, the first ‘peace agreement’ had just been signed on the White House lawn by Arafat and Rabin. It was signed amidst pools of blood and further negotiations continued as the pools widened and deepened. Oh, that is Israeli blood that I am talking about. There were bombings, terror attacks, kidnappings. Through it all, the world kept telling us ‘Israel, be patient! It is ‘only’ a few frustrated extremists trying to kill the fragile peace.’ ‘Peace’ became a holy word- a god – where human blood became a sacrifice upon the alter to the god of peace.

As a front row viewer, I believe that I am being honest when I say that there is NO ONE IN THE WORLD who longs for peace more then the Israeli people, but it is NOT peace at any price. We know this land is not ours and it has been taken away from us before by The Owner because of our disobedience. It is not ours to give away, that would be stealing what is His and despising our birthright.

Speaking the Hebrew language has opened up an honest window to see into the Israeli heart. As I listen to the songs on the buses and even in the liturgy, ‘peace’ is possibly the main longing of the soul and subject of the songs.

I have been so very grateful for the MANY opportunities I have to ‘make peace’ one on one with Palestinians, to sit and talk and open hearts and allow them to see into mine. That one on one honesty opens REAL doors of peace. But even that is not the Real Peace which ONLY comes clothed in Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus the Messiah, the Christ. Aside from Him there just IS no peace.

My prayer is that He will anoint me and all of my beloved sisters and brothers here to EFFECTIVELY share Him – to freely give as we have received, to plant into fertile ground that which will produce kingdom FRUIT, 100 fold and make way for The Prince of Peace again. This time I pray He is recognized and embraced by all.

As I close, I would like to ask prayer for a 41 year old Mother of 4 (?) who is in home hospice care, dealing with great pain in the last stages of breast cancer which has overtaken most of her body. She had initially refused treatment for the cancer until it was too late. Her name is Ayella Weitzman. I have loved this dear woman. I told her husband, Daniel, I would be praying for them. Thank you.

May His Peace rule in your hearts (and mine) through the knowledge of Him and as we gaze at Him face to Face.

Lovingly,

your sis J in Jerusalem

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July 23, 2013 · 11:01 am

Prayer: So Easy To Talk About, Yet So Hard To Do (Part 8)

When my son played basketball in high school, I was a member of the school’s sports booster club. We sold drinks, hot dogs, popcorn, candy, and other treats at sporting events to raise money for athletic needs. Another fund raising activity was the annual 9th and 10th grade basketball tournament held each March.

One year, I coached our 9th grade’s third string basketball team. The youths were energetic and great, but they lacked talent, height, and speed. Most coaches would have considered them cannon fodder, but that’s not how I play or coach.

At our one practice before the game, I told them, “I’m coaching to win the game and expecting you to play to win. We’ll have fun together.” They gave high-fives and loud cheers.

With 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter of the game, I called time-out. The kids all gathered in a huddle around me. “Coach, do you have a play for us?” said a blond-headed guard.

“Yes,” I said, pointing at one player. “I want Joe to take a long shot and the rest of you to block everyone out.”

We stuck our hands in the middle and shouted, “Let’s go.”

The play worked to perfection with Joe hitting a long shot. The final score: 86 – 14. We lost.

Yet, if you would have seen the two teams on the court at the buzzer, you would have guessed my team had won. They hugged each other and me. Yes, we lost the game, but we were winners when we walked off the court because we did the best we could and had winning attitudes.

Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you. (Mark 11:24)

The Greek word pas is translated into the English words all things in Mark 11:24. The Greek actually means each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, and everything. So, there’s no wiggle room in this verse. All means all!

Like the basketball team, our job as believers is to pray in faith, trusting and believing God will move on our behalf every time we pray. If we do our part, God will do His part. Sometimes, we’ll see unbelievable miracles and sometimes, He’ll collect our prayers in a censer to be used later. The choice is His, not ours.

Now, the worst thing we can do is pray without faith, using careless, idle words because we will eventually give an accounting to the Judge for these prayers.

(Continued in Part 9)

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Filed under Christianity, Church, Faith, God, grace, jesus, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare

Tagged as Christianity, Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prophecy, Spiritual warfare