Shalom… to you this Passover – Easter Season from the Rawlings in Israel! You see to the above, an ancient menorah carved out of rock found by a friend during our recent tour of Yodfat, a village destroyed by Roman legions in 60 CE/AD. David alone in the wilderness of Judah wrote: “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my strength.“ Ps 63:6a. When David asked questions he expected answers. The on going war against Messiah and His Kingdom is found in Psalm 102. David carried the title, Messiah,  as did all of Israel’s kings because they were dedicated to the service of the Almighty and anointed with holy oil in the Name of the LORD GOD of Israel. “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together. Against the LORD and against His anointed? He who sits in the heavens shall laugh. The LORD has said …

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him. Psalm 25:14 Today is the first day of Purim and all of Israel is celebrating. This is one of my favourite feasts because it is time to “let down” to enjoy and send packages of cookies, cakes and chocolates to family, neighbours and friends. Yes,  just like we are instructed in Esther 9:22. This historical account ensures that we remember and celebrate God’s preservation of the Jewish people. …as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. There you have it… our LORD God put down our enemies of old and told His children to  remember, observe and keep this time of deliverance and salvation throughout our generations!  Now what does that teach us about Father God? Like Billy Graham of blessed …

Shalom Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and financial contributions. It has been put into the ‘pot’ to help keep our doors open and the work going forward. Here are some pointers to encourage you in prayer for us. The time is grave and growing ever more so… and we have to daily submit our hearts to Jesus. I told Jay, I feel like a leaf trembling on the end of a branch. But God…! We have learned to encourage ourselves in Him day after day. Kindly join Jay and I in this prayer for our four sons all working in Media: David 48 yrs, Christian 46, Joshua 42 and Daniel 31. They have been a tremendous blessing to us over these many years, but we sense the Holy Spirit wants to loose them for even greater service. We pray: Sanctify them – purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy – by the Truth. Your Word is Truth. Just as you sent Me into the world, I also …

“In childhood I was silenced by control, fear, shame and conflict. It took decades for my voice to be sounded.”  Meridel Rawlings Life begins in the family. But in my family, there were diseased individuals who plundered my childhood. Now, thankfully, they no longer have any power to define who I am. I was that small child who cringed inwardly when in their presence. With quiet determination, I learned to refuse their ‘mind-set’. I coped by being ever alert and running when I had to; sadly, I was not always successful.  It took almost four decades until I began to experience wholeness. My life, broken by generational sexual abuse is today proof that one seed properly planted and tended can and will grow in time to bear much fruit. The very thing that could have killed me became the spring board to my life’s work. Photo Lt. Meridel age 5, with her trusted brother Donnie 6 and Uncle Jamie 9, with Bambi the family pet on an Uncle’s ranch. Do you need to stand up …

  Dear Friends, Shalom and Hag Samach, Happy Holidays ring out all over the Land of the Bible – Israel during this season of the New Year, 5778; which arrived on Sept. 21st – 23rd with the blast of shofars and trumpets and don’t forget, prayers of repentance. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, was very different for us this year. We were called up to Galilee to nurse my dear friend, Irene Bredlow. She fell and broke her hip, so we cared for her post-op until other arrangements could be made. Irene and I have been friends since nursing school back in Canada 1960-1963. We are here to be a blessing, What ever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might…” yes LORD! Years ago the LORD spoke to Jay and I and said, “When others are fasting you will be feasting, and when others are feasting you will be fasting. When they are weeping you will be laughing, and when they are laughing you will be weeping.”  That is …

Thus ever on through life we find To trust, O Lord, is best. Who serve You with a quiet mind Find in Your service rest. Our outward trouble may not cease, But this our joy will be – Your Word to keep in perfect peace The mind stayed fast on Thee. Author Unknown Photo: Meridel, Josh, Yeshai a friend and Jay. We read this short verse during our devotions with our team out in the garden this morning. I found it so perfect. This Sabbath, we had all of the children and grands except our second son Chris and his wife and three sons who live in Helsinki. It was a perfect Sabbath. We had excellent food. I was inspired to bake two rather scrumptious cakes and they both disappeared over the course of two days… fellowship in the quiet assurance of acceptance is what its all about. We are indeed refreshed for the new week, which for us begins on Sunday. Thank you for your letter. I love your letters. I treasure good news …

Dear Friends: “Behold how good and blessed it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  For there the LORD commanded a blessing – Life forevermore.”  Ps. 133: 1,3b. Before summer completely slips away, here is an update on Jay. We enjoyed our first date since his surgery three months ago. Shlomi Arad, one of Daniel’s friends at age 3 made our garden his second home. He found his soulmate and we all shared in the joy of his wedding day.  After the ceremony when we joined them under the huppa. Suddenly, Shlomi laid his hands on Jay and commanded a blessing!   “Blessed is he who blesses you…” Numbers 24:9b “This is how I feel right now” Jay said, looking into the face of a delicately perfumed peach rose. Photo left. “Its going on three months now since the doctors repaired my mitral valve and regulated my heart beat. I am feeling so much better and grow stronger every day. I thank you for your prayers.  Thank God. Thank you Yeshua.”   Last week …