Tag Archives: Spiritual warfare

January 29, 2014 · 1:25 pm

Lord, Help me Love Democrats (Part 1)

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

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

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

Good golly Miss Molly!

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

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

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

It won’t be long before both political parties will be labeling the 2014 Midterm Elections as “the most important elections” in the history of America. So to be ahead of the curve, let’s look at what I consider some bad choices we believers have made over the last sixty years which need to be handled now.

(Continued in Part 2)

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

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 1, 2013 · 9:19 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 …

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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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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July 21, 2013 · 1:12 pm

Inside Israel

Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Blessings to you from quiet, subdued Jerusalem. May The Lord give us His Light into all that will glorify Him.

We had incurred some ‘city hall’ issues that needed to be attended to, and being my day off I needed to go down to city hall to see if they were open during their usual hours or if they were closed for the tisha b’av fast.

Things like that change every year. One year it will be open, and another close. One year everyone will seem to be fasting, and another not. One year I will hear weeping and prayer through the night and another not. This year, our city hall was closed and, interestingly, so were most of the shops on Jaffa Road.

The law states that restaurants and places of entertainment should be closed but other stores do as they wish, so in the past I had only seen restaurants or stores with religious owners closed. Being that so many were closed, I did not have to maneuver the crowds and had ample opportunity to observe. It surprised me how many cafes were open. I understand that there must be service for tourists, but this year I did not see many closed. Many tourists were, in fact, on the streets and some of them were obviously wondering what had happened.

Grocery stores, the shuk, public transportation, and so forth all function as normal on tisha b’av and it has been an individual choice for the 19 years that we have been here: to work or not to work. The train was blissfully, well, not ‘empty’, but there were some seats at times and no pushing. So it struck my funny bone to watch a family of tourists from Europe, armed with maps and plenty of food, having succeeded (with the help of passerby) at buying tickets in the automated booth, observe the bright yellow ‘IN-OUT ‘arrows painted on the sidewalks. I told you about our unsuccessful campaign to teach locals to ‘let the crowds off of the train BEFORE you rush on’.

I was reminded just how different life is here as I watched the dad of the visiting family observe the arrows, instruct his family where to stand, push one of the teenagers further back on the arrow, and wait for the train. It was so, well, ‘neat, orderly, and EASY’. Why can’t we do that? Cultural differences can be glaring and humerous and I have found that my response is a test of my walk with The Lord, one I don’t always pass. Yet, He is patient to help me learn.

There are other interesting things. Since it is also Ramadan, Moslems are also fasting during the day hours, and Jaffa Road was full of Moslem Arabs, as well as Jews, strolling along the street. The religious or observant men who are fasting today are obvious. The tradition is not to cut your hair or shave from Shavuot (Pentecost, the feast of weeks) to lag b’omer (the ‘bon fire’ night) when you can cut your hair and shave for one day. Then it begins again until tisha b’av, so, by now the fasting men are obvious not only because they look quite ‘holy’, serious, hungry and sad, but because they are also very shaggy.

It started me thinking even more about fasting and what it is for and WHO it is for.

Probably many of you have read the old book, God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis, but even if you haven’t, or if you have read others, my favorite text simply came from the scripture mentioned above in Matthew 6, which I interpreted this way:

‘Fast unto ME…secretly…tell only ME…and I will search your heart’s motives and either set them straight (my heart’s motives) or change them. Do NOT appear unto men to fast.’

To me, that seemed simple enough. So in my life, and maybe yours, there have been ‘seasons of fasting’ and ‘choices to fast’, times of regularly scheduled fasting and other times when it seems woefully impossible to fast and even failed attempts. Among the faces that I see around me today there are some whom I am sure are really seeking God. I heard that there were many many thousands at the western wall last night for prayer and reading of the book of Lamentations as well as full synagogues all over the city.

During the news broadcasts there is time given to a rabbi to share a devotional explaining tisha b’av, and since I listen to the news in English I can only hope that what is shared on the Hebrew news is deeper, somehow more meaningful. In my readings of the prophets the reason for the fast rings loud and clear. It is NOT to mourn the destruction of the temples and the dispersion, NOR hatred between brothers, but to REPENT FOR THE SIN that turns our faces away from our God toward other things and other gods and causes our hearts to harden and REQUIRES punishment. The fast itself accomplishes nothing without the heart, eh? And I’m thankful that God can turn our hearts and open the eyes of every hungry heart. I am praying that He will appear to hungry hearts today.

But the grave events that have historically impacted the Jewish people on tisha b’av did not stop today. We were shocked to receive today’s news (article below is part of an article from ynet just now):

EU bans contracts between member states, settlements

New decree restricts any Israeli entity beyond 1967 lines from EU funding, prizes, grants. Housing Minister Ariel: Decision reminiscent of Holocaust

The European Union has decreed that contracts between EU member states and Israel must include a clause stating that east Jerusalem and the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) are not part of the State of Israel and therefore not part of the contract, it was reported on Tuesday. (*Please note that they also included the Golan Heights)

The decree, which will go into effect Friday, will forbid any cooperation, awarding of grants, prizes and funding for any Israeli entity in the specified areas.

The EU’s funding, direct and indirect, of Israel bodies which operate in the settlements has long drawn fire from various organizations within the Union. The EU is severely opposed to Israeli construction beyond the 1967 lines and has acted repeatedly to draw a clear line between Israel and its settlements in the West Bank.

The latest decree resulted from the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s directives of December 2012, which stated that “all agreements between the State of Israel and the EU must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.”

However, the directive will not harm funding for research institutes, such as the Hebrew University, which employs settlers in their staff. Government ministries, which have offices in east Jerusalem, such as the Justice Ministry, will still enjoy the EU’s cooperation as well.

An EU official said on Tuesday that Israel should not be surprised with the directive, as the issue has been repeatedly addressed and forewarned by EU officials.

The new directive, said the official, is in line with opinions in the EU which have been prevalent for several years.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office MK Ofir Akunis said in response: “It’s a wrong and regrettable decision. Such steps – even before the Palestinians announced they are even ready to return to the negotiation table – are pushing the peace talks away, not drawing them closer.”

“Let them know even in Europe – Judea and Samaria are not ‘occupied,’ they’re the homeland of the Jewish nation.”

Housing Minister Uri Ariel said in response to the decree: “This decision is tainted by racism and discrimination against the Jewish people which is reminiscent of the bans against Jews in Europe over 66 years ago,”

Minister Ariel added, “The Israeli government must not, under any condition, be a part of any future agreement which includes a clause that Judea and Samaria are not a part of the sovereign State of Israel.”

The Yesha Council stated that “To our regret, in Tisha B’av Europe has returned to a policy of boycott and segregation against the State of Israel. Europe’s unrestrained support of the Palestinian Authority has turned it into a non-neutral element.

“The Israeli government must instruct the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry to immediately halt all European projects in Judea and Samaria until this unilateral decision is aborted.”

So, the day is drawing toward a close and our landlord just came and told us that she is looking into selling the apartment that we live in and asked if we want to buy it. Thankfully, she told us that we would be able to sign another one-year lease so I have another ‘issue’ to help learn the stance of faith vs. doubt (fear, worry, sin) Again I have not heard more from our younger daughter but I have been overwhelmed with the loving prayerful response on her behalf. God bless you!

I must go so will sign off quickly.

Loving blessings,

your sis J

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July 19, 2013 · 1:28 pm

Larry the Lizard Slayer

wildherps.com

I had no intention of causing the little lizard problems, but it’s hard to convince him now because he’s dead.

It all began with me looking out the window and seeing a six-inch fence lizard resting on the patio. I opened the door and watched him scamper toward the BBQ grill. I followed him with my finger poised on the camera button of my i-Phone. He dove into a hole in the butane tank which proved to be his downfall.

Although his head and front legs fit through the hole, his larger back legs could not. He was stuck. I tried helping, but his fear proved too great. I walked away and prayed, asking the Lord to free him.

The next day, I checked again. He was still stuck.

On my walk around the neighborhood, I decided the lizard was in desperate straits and needed help now. I prayed and asked the Lord to relax the lizard, maybe even put him into a deep sleep.

I softly crept up behind the lizard. I reached down and gave him a quick jerk, hoping to surprise him and free him at the same time.

Let’s just say, it did not work out quite like I planned. He died in my hand.

I felt terrible and asked forgiveness of the Lord for killing the lizard. An empty feeling hung on me for hours like a funeral shroud. If only I wouldn’t have bothered the lizard, he’d still be alive.

Now think about it, okay?

There are probably 500, 000 of these fence lizards in my neighborhood alone, ranging in size from itsy-bitsy to six inches, measuring from head to tail. Cars, lawn mowers, cats, birds, snakes, and dogs remove thousands of them every week from my area. So, what’s the big deal, right?

He lived in my yard, under my care. I let him die for no good reason at all.

Do you know what made me feel better?

I received a letter in the mail from a child we sponsor in India. Her words warmed my heart, knowing she thinks I’m someone special, but in reality, I’m not. She’s the special one who God laid on our hearts to love and help.

If you’re interested in knowing how to sponsor a child in Gospel For Asia’s Bridge of Hope program, click here.

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July 15, 2013 · 3:53 pm

Prayer: So Easy To Talk About, Yet So Hard To Do (Part 7)

When J. Hudson Taylor was born in 1832, his mother and father prayed, “Lord, grant that he may work in China.”

The parents saw little evidence their prayer had any effect on their son’s life as he grew up in Yorkshire, England. In fact, he became a skeptic and wandered far from his Methodist upbringing. But when Taylor reached his teenage years, God grabbed his heart while he read a Christian tract in his father’s apothecary shop. A short time later, Taylor felt God had called him to be a missionary to China.

Then, Hudson Taylor’s training began in earnest.

Taylor read George Mueller’s newsletter and believed he needed strong faith and a prayer life like Mueller’s to succeed in China. To accomplish this, Taylor moved miles away from home to live in a poor area. He vowed to never ask people for help, but instead, like Mueller, he prayed, asking God to meet his needs. An absent-minded employer and sickness brought him close to starvation and death, yet God proved Himself faithful, delivering and healing him.

In 1853, Taylor sailed as a missionary for a new missionary society to Shanghai, China. The society seldom sent funds and Taylor refused to ask for help. “Depend upon it. God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack for supplies,” he proclaimed.

After seven years of hard work, he built a church of only 21 believers in an inland city. But because of illness, he and his wife returned to England. It was during his stay in England, when he felt defeated and depressed, that God gave him a vision for a new missionary society for China. Struggling with the vision and his lack of faith for it, Hudson Taylor eventually told God: “All responsibility as to the issues and consequences must rest with You. I am Your servant and I will obey and follow You.”

From this point forward, Hudson Taylor began praying for missionaries to join his missionary society: China Inland Mission. By 1895, 641 missionaries and 462 Chinese helpers at 260 missionary stations were the results of his prayers, more than half of all Protestant missionaries in the nation.

Missiologists and historians refer to Taylor as ‘one of the profoundest Christian thinkers of all time’, ‘a visionary pioneer’ and ‘one of the four or five most influential foreigners in 19th century China’.

Taylor’s own assessment was somewhat different: ‘I often think that God must have been looking for someone small enough and weak enough for Him to use, and that He found me.’

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