Shalom, Dear Friends:
“So when we could stand it no longer ….” 1 Thessalonians 3:1
“Having done all to stand, stand!:” Ephesians 6:13
We took time to reflect on the most holy day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement. We sat quietly, very quietly. It is a time of repentance, remembrance, reflection and thanksgiving. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Jay blows the shofar, ushering in the evening and pronouncing the end of the fast. Today, a week later, we welcome not only the Sabbath but also the Feast of Tabernacles, and again he blows the shofar. It cuts away the noise of the day, with a declaration on the devil’s schemes while filling the atmosphere with God’s authority. This sound of the shofar with herald in the return of our Messiah! We need to know the blessed sound.
This past year is marked by extraordinary challenges. An invisible current of Change is stirring around the world. We believe this is just the beginning of what is to come. Ever mindful to pray for those in authority over us, whether we agree with them or not. For me, it has been a year in the prayer closet. Prayer in the name of Jesus to the Father who sees in secret, then, for ourselves, family, leaders, community, Israel and the nations.
For Jay and I, it has been a year of pouring out in every way, holding nothing back. I felt full when it began… We have become poor, hopefully to make many rich, spiritually speaking, of course. Perhaps the verses above express Paul’s weariness having given his all. Having time with the grandchildren this summer, 11 in all, gave us an opportunity to engage in new and very personal ways. Sharing our saga of following the LORD around the world by faith brought many questions and wonderings. It was like watering young saplings in a dried and thirsty garden. We see such promising fruit in their lives. What a sweet blessing. His ways are much greater than our own. Hallelujah!
‘AI’ features loudly in so much of what is written. Is it that draw to sound professional, on top, knowledgeable? When ‘AI’ is used in a newsletter, human frailty melts away. What was to be a personal encounter turns into a polished production; professional, even efficient. By contrast, the words of Jesus are clear and speak to the heart. “AI’ guarantees the dilution of the gentle Holy Spirit. Be careful, dear ones. Choose to follow in the footsteps of Messiah very carefully. His Way, His Time!
I understand; this fall is the quiet before the storm. For when the Spirit of God is poured out, it will be uncontrollable and loud; man-made barriers will melt. The message for this new year 5787 is to consecrate our mouths as trumpets to usher G‑d’s Presence into whatever situation we find ourselves in. There are no shortcuts. Speak less and with honesty, using clean language. May our words shine the light of the living Word into everyday family experiences! “Your will be done on earth…” is my whispered morning prayer. It has to begin in me, before I ever climb out of bed. I was encouraged by these words whispered by the Still Small Voice: “Meridel, wherever you go, you take the Kingdom of God with you. The living Messiah, the Saviour in you is one of the ways in which those you encounter will catch a glimpse of Me, and I will draw them to desire more… I Am there.”
Thank you, dear friends of the Still Small Voice, for loving the Lord Jesus and for loving me. I treasure your kindness, and we, the Rawlings family, need your prayers. We are Jay 82, Meridel 84, and Josh 52 in Greece. Our Jerusalemites are our sons David 56, Adi 56, Amitai 25, and Liyah 22. In Finland, we have son Christian 55, Terhi 56, Noam 28, Heidi 29, Youni 19, Liam 19 (twins), son Joshua 52, Maya 26, Sophia 24, Cecilie 21 Danish. Son Daniel 40, Shelly 39, Ryan 5, Gabriel 3, and Emanuel 2. Live just 3 hours to the west of us. It’s amazing that so many of you pray for us as a family. Thank you for that! Please don’t stop.
The LORD gives us this beautiful promise as we begin a new year: “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”Psalm 65:11
May you and yours be blessed abundantly in this Jewish Year 5787, the number which also represents letters in the Hebrew alphabet. They spell Shechinah, God’s glorious Presence, and the numerical value of 5787 is the word for Speech. May He use each one of us to speak of His Presence and the change it will create!
Meridel Rawlings
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You can buy me a coffee on my new donations page:
https://buymeacoffee.com/stillsmallvoice
For donations in Europe, please send them here:
Greece: Piraeus Bank
Name: Meridel Rawlings
IBAN: GR70 0172 5280 0055 2811 1846 351
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