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Still Small Voice – July 23, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Friends: 

“I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you [My] friends because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.”

John 15:15

I believe the majority of my readership has grown children and grandchildren. You know how your heart expands when, finally after so many years of caring, instructing and providing, your child or grandchild crosses over that invisible line into your heart as a friend. I have found no other relationship in life to equal this joy.  

Today the time for ‘goodbyes’ finally arrived. By 8:30 a.m. three of our beautiful granddaughters were all packed and ready to head to the airport, return home and step back into their lives once again. Our interlude together was so short; almost like a few sweet notes of a favourite love song running through your thoughts.

Today’s Youth:

Young women today are very determined about so much. Studies rank number one I think. ‘Becoming’ is all important.  My sage advice was: [for what it was worth:] “Lean to help people and you will always have work.”  This was met with silence. Today, the young face challenges that we couldn’t possibly have imagined at their age. The girls brought us into their world. Peer pressure is real. The internet has had its insidious way of influencing what they should or should not be thinking or doing, right down to the very kinds of foods they eat, or what kind of exercises to engage in. Social media is more demanding than any parent could ever think of being, I am told. So we need to walk softly. LOVE at all times!

God…

Then there is the controversy about the subject of god, with a little ‘g’ of course. ’God’ alludes to images in young minds of heavy-handed masculine authority.  Reading my Bible daily according to one young observer was because I was bored. Then the question: How do we know that the Almighty isn’t a “SHE”?   

The LORD … she?  When speaking with the girls, Jay referred to The LORD.  “Oh, Grandpa, when you say that I can’t hear anything else, I close down.”

“Can you explain?” He said.

“I guess it is the awful burden of the influence of the patriarchy; the power of the ’white, middle-aged male.” We shun ‘it’ at all costs, and beside him stands the overbearing domineering mother. God just can’t be like that! We just can’t accept what was …” 

God, a family? My response: “Want to know how I see God?” I took the silence to be a yes. “I see God as a family. We have learned about God the Father, filled with compassion and mercy. From the Hebrew, I learned that El Shaddai means, double-breasted One. The three root letters of that mysterious word appear on every mezuzah which is placed on the right door post of every Jewish home, and every room throughout the house. (It is never fixed to the entrance of a workroom or bathroom.) 

I asked, “Have you heard the saying, the mother is the home? John the Baptist said after Jesus had his mikvah (baptism) he heard the words, ’This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and delighted.’“ (Matthew 4:17, Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 42:1)  A Father, Mother and Son = a family.

Life from Above:

And … I explained, the Bible has a ‘family’, both Israel and the Church. Moses wrote about the Almighty who made the heavens and the earth and everything in them. But it is the sustaining kindness and mercy that comes from heaven that keeps us. This kind of love is pure and peaceful. The wisdom of God causes us to thrive. It is better than good fatherly and motherly advice and has a way of keeping us on the path of Life. Finally, it is Joshua, Yeshua, or Jesus, which means – Salvation – a gift from of this Almighty Being that brings us life from above.’” John 3:16

What is love?

We discussed the Greek understanding of love found in the word agape. Kindly allow me to quote: “We ought always and indeed are morally obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing even greater, and the [unselfish] agape-love of each one of you toward one another is continually increasing.”   2 Thessalonians 1:3

The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love, (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person. For example, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another. This kind of agape was so evident in my granddaughter’s lives one for the other.  The most important gift for them was the ability given to everyone to “choose LIFE”. 

Love your Young Adults just as they are

Religiosity

Perhaps what young people fear or shun most of all is religiosity. They are very sensitive to an ego that thrives on being just a little more ‘in the know’ than the poor average man on the street. This kind of attitude does not go unnoticed.

Gender Pronouns:

Then came the epigenetic discussion, followed by the gender phenomena sweeping the globe. The girls had experience in school. One friend in grade 4 was Steve, and by grade 9 he had become Elisabeth. My granddaughter learned as the teacher asked respectfully: “What pronouns do you prefer?” Whether you agree with the narrative or not is not the question. How to respect the other soul of ‘the other’ is.  Trust me, I learned a thing or two.

Gospel of Peace:

Again, old stigmas are out the window. But I believe this so-called ‘new’ (nothing is new under the sun), has to give way to the ‘good news of peace. Pray for them to encounter the LOVE and LIVE from above. These beautiful young people are idealistic, yet very kind and loving. I pray this will change and they will think more kindly of themselves and not push so hard.  As they hugged us goodbye for this year, I knew more than ever, my task is – to pray without ceasing.

To our dear friends of Still Small Voice, I fail to tell you enough how very appreciative we all are of your agape to not only me, but for my outreaches, and those of my husband and the Israel Vision team.

From a Friend in Russia:

“So… I am sure these lovely days you enjoy now are times of refreshing. I think you and Jay are right where the Lord wants you to be. The Lord will give you the right words for each occasion in Canada. We prepare, He leads and guides. The Holy Spirit will fine-tune the message exactly for each specific group. I have saved snippets from your 2015 Canadian tour and that is exactly what I saw then. You and Jay have had a lot of experience in following God’s Spirit over the years. Enjoy!” 

Germany:

Dear Jay and Meridel: My family and I ENCOURAGE you to trust even more! It is the Father’s good pleasure to do all that you need to be done for you … expect it!”

Canada Tour: 

Of course, we do not know what to expect, since Canada has made a great political shift since we were last there. Yes, we have learned to adjust to each particular audience we minister to. May the LORD guide our every step. The tour is shaping up very nicely. The only place we do not have accommodation is in Vancouver. Please pray.

Wisdom:  

I am reminded of my Grandma’s wise words one cold Canadian fall day. A bitter north wind rose sharply and began to thrash the tall Lombardy Poplar grove. Showers of golden leaves blew over the garden, stripping the trees bare. “See those great trees? Why do you suppose they are not broken in that wind?” Grandma knelt down and asked, searching my blank face for an answer, but finding one she went on. “Because they are created to bend in the wind.” Then she paused for it to sink in and added, “Meridel, you must learn to bend throughout your life, especially during the hard times.”  Thank you, Grandma!

The Latest in Israel:

  • Housing has gone up over 15% this year. Israelis are now looking for a very different kind of community. They continue moving out of cities and into collective settlements, even as (almost) post-COVID normalcy returns. Perhaps once again the kibbutz way of life will flourish. The middle class is disappearing.
  • The Palestinian People continue to suffer under cruel and duplicitous leaders. Young thugs are now using Lasers at night; blinding Israeli drivers, and causing them temporary blindness. The entire area is a hotbed of madness. Put Jenin on your prayer list, it is home to radical anti-Israel groups such as the head of Islamic Jihad who was just killed. Hell is twisting minds and feeding this foment.
  • Who knew Ethiopia was so blessed with a substance that has been forbidden to be exported? In the 1980s Israel began to airlift her Jewish children home. Today Hebrew University researchers are developing Ethiopian teff seeds, which could be the world’s next superfood. Teff is a grain, the staple Ethiopian diet for thousands of years. It is the key ingredient in a sour flatbread called injera. Researchers are bringing this protein-rich, gluten-free grain to Israel. Full of amino acids, minerals, fibre and protein, teff can grow in far from optimal conditions and regions suffering drought. You can read more on the Israeli- Innovation website: NoCamels. By United with Israel Staff

In closing: 

“… But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.”  

Proverbs 18:24

I can call you a friend. I write because I love writing, Still Small Voice, reaching out, and trying to communicate. Thank you for responding.  

Meridel Rawlings

Still Small Voice – July 16th 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Kalimera dear Friends … this is Greek for Good Morning! 

Three of our granddaughters are visiting. They are ages 22, 18 and 16. We are having a ‘blast’ together, catching up after a year. “What is it with the people here? Are they always this friendly?” One asked.

“What you see is what you get.” Jay assured them. 

Coming out of big cities, one is not used to encountering the milk of human kindness so liberally shared as here. Welcome to Greece!

Our conversations and laughter are the most exiting times of all for me personally. Over coffee, one of the girls offered: “Fear has to be the biggest enemy ever!”

“Fear is like an ever-present shadow that follows us. It sneaks its way into our thinking.” I said, in agreement.

“YES, exactly.” She said excitedly.

I continued; “I was your age when I came to realize: the hateful, fearful thoughts that sprang into my thinking were NOT me!  I saw they were lies. I separated myself from the hurtful insinuations and learned to fight them off. They were so pervasive I sometimes cried in pain. That was the beginning of change for me.”

“That’s fantastic!  Grandma!” She said, hugging me.

“But, I have to tell you honestly,” I broke in, “I learned to fight off the darkness of negativity and fear BECAUSE it was always trying to define me to be what I was NOT. Only in the Light of God’s Love could I see this. I prayed using the Name of the Highest Authority given to human beings. That Name has power to bring permanent change!”

Then I was so excited seeing the hunger in my granddaughter, that I burst forth with a short phrase in another language.

“Grandma, what was that?” She asked repeating the beautiful sounds.

“That is called ‘speaking in other tongues’ … or languages. Professors call it glossalia, and scientists have proven by the syntax and structure that these languages are real, known and unknown.” I explained. “We were in Moscow on a subway in 1971 and the LORD gave me the language of the people. They melted when I began to speak, Grandpa caught it on a Bolex camera at the time. It was like time stood still. I was their own, there was no division. That means, heaven came down. There are other times when we experienced this with other people- groups as well.  Our God is the Greatest Communicator!”

“But, what did you just say just now, Grandma?”

I was quiet a moment and asked for the interpretation. The meaning of what I just said, is: “It is entirely possible.” As I did so the Holy Spirit showered down over me, and I shivered with joy.

“How marvellous!” Exclaimed our young intellectual.

“Come, may I put my hands on your head, so that you too can sense what I am experiencing right now? ” I suggested. 

She stood before me with absolutely no hesitation and as I raised my hands the LORD spoke: “Be not afraid to look inside of your heart, for what you will find there is entirely possible.”

She was initially thrilled and then became very quiet, it was something brand new.

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of His people.”  

Amos 5:14,15

Hebrew Word: “Tefila – Prayer”

It comes from the three-letter root – ‘pilel’ meaning to ‘indite, or in the reflexive form, ‘l’hitpalel’ meaning, to judge yourself and your deeds. This is very different from what we might assume from the word ‘prayer’. It may mainly involve asking for things, for Divine intervention. In prayer, Jews stand in the Presence of the Divine and use tefila or prayer as a mirror, to appraise one’s actions. That is why the word tefila is very different from the English translation, prayer. I just shared a perfect example of this above.

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your transgressions.”

Mark 11:25,26

The US President visits Israel: 

Upon arrival in Israel this week Mr Biden said: “My first visit was as a young senator from Delaware in 1973, just a few weeks before the Yom Kippur War. I had the privilege of spending time with Prime Minister Golda Meir. I was sitting next to one of her aides, his name was Rabin. I look back on it all now, and I realize that I had the great honour of living part of this great history of Israel. You need not be a Jew to be a Zionist. The fact is that, since then, I’ve known every single prime minister, and it has been an honour. I’ve formed a strong working relationship with each of them. And now, this is my tenth visit. US President Joe Biden 

Facts on the Ground in Israel:

  • How much does gas cost in your hometown today? Here gasoline is US $2.50            a liter or US $8.96 a gallon.
  • Israel is considered a developed modern nation, BUT extremely low wages an a high cost of living are taking their toll on everyone.
  • Did you know that over 1.7 million people, including 900,000 children live below the poverty line in Israel, out of a population of 9 million. “Defend the weak and fatherless: uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3
  • Russian/Ukrainian immigration in 2022 as of this week is 29,000. 45,000 are expected by the end of the year. “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”   Isaiah 43:6,7.
  • The Maccabiah Games (Jewish Olympics) were held in Teddy Stadium in   Jerusalem this week.  These Jewish Olympic Games are conceivably the greatest victory of the Jewish people over adversity. This week, over 10,000 athletes from nearly 80 countries came to compete.

From Our Readers:

  • “I enjoyed your newsletter Meridel and remember back in 1979 when Apples Of Gold was filmed in Israel. Bruce Allen was on camera with wife Moira his assistant. You posted a great picture of you and Jay so young and vibrant. Little did you know what the Lord had planned for your lives, and all you’d accomplish over the next 43 years to bless Israel. May the Lord bless all of your endeavors and provide all your needs as you travel across Canada raising needed financial support.”  Reynold Rutledge
  • D.M. in the UK wrote;  “Your letter came in 6 days.  I admire you being able to leave your family. Our world is in a mess, but obviously, the LORD is in control

    The faith of my prayer partner and I hold firm. We pray on the phone every Friday for Israel. 

  • “I am so happy that you and Jay are among those who have been given eyes to see and hearts to understand the Lord’s amazing plan for bringing His people home. And I am very blessed to have you both as my dear friends. In many ways, you have been my mentors also and I am so grateful for that too!”  Howard Flower, St. Petersburg Russia, heads up the Aliyah Desk for ICEJ.

Thank you, Howard! Keep up the GREAT work of helping with Aliyah. Meridel

Answering Your Questions:

“Have you moved out of Israel, the land you were ‘called’ to?”

A.H Norway

No! Israel is our high-calling. Jay and I are taking a year of Sabbatical rest. We will not be sitting around, but will travel and speak in Holland and Canada this fall when we release our latest book. Later this fall, we hope to complete writing our 3rd Vol. of Timeless Secrets. Jay may paint, he has not had time to express this gift. It is a time of change for everyone. Perhaps you would be surprised to know how many ‘old timers’ refuse to ‘let go’ and ‘let others’. FAITH in action ‘follows on, willing for the change of direction’.

Forgotten Changes in History:

I love to hear from you. This comes with blessings and I hope encouragement for a wonderful week ahead.  Take time to be restored, renewed and refreshed as you take time to soak I this worship music. May you hear the Still Small Voice, whispering deep within. It is PEACE that passes all understanding. 

Blessings from Meridel Rawlings.  

Still Small Voice – 10 Juli, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Schalom liebe Freunde von Jay und Meridel


Wie David haben Jay und ich es gewagt, “durch eine Truppe zu laufen und über eine Mauer zu springen!”


Jesus nahm den himmlischen Schlüssel, welchen er von seinem irdischen Vorfahr erhielt, König David, durch den Propheten Jesaja, und versprach ihn denjenigen von uns, welche sich entscheiden, in seine Fußstapfen zu treten.

Ich werde euch die Schlüssel (Vollmacht) des Königreichs des Himmels geben; und alles, was ihr auf Erden bindet [verbietet, für unzulässig erklärt, ungesetzlich) das ist im Himmel schon gebunden, und was immer du auf der Erde löst [erlaubst, legal erklärst] wird [schon] im Himmel gelöst [erlaubt] sein.

Jesaja 22:22, Matthäus 18:18

Ich danke Euch für Eure Hilfe für uns als Familie. Ich habe alles in die Familienkasse investiert, um die Dinge am Laufen zu halten. Seht, Jay hat all die Jahre über kein Gehalt von Vistas erhalten, sondern hat 100% seiner Zeit und Kraft ehrenamtlich zur Verfügung gestellt. Unsere Vorstandsmitglieder (angeführt von einem Anwalt) weigerten sich, uns eine Rente von Vistas zu gewähren, egal wie gering sie auch sein möge. Diese Entscheidung machte es uns sehr leicht, “als Diener auf die Hand unseres Meisters zu
schauen, um alles zu bekommen, was wir brauchen.” Wir wissen, dass wir nicht nur Freunde, sondern eine Familie dieses wunderbarsten aller Meistern sind – Jesus! Wir kommen in einer vergebenden Haltung, und dies ist einfach die Realität.


Unsere Tour durch Kanada dient speziell dazu, 100.000 US-Dollar zu sammeln, welche benötigt werden, um das Ministerium Jerusalem/Vistas, Israel Vision vor Ende 2022 schuldenfrei zu machen. Dieser finanzielle Rückgang ergab sich während der COVID Zeit, aber rückblickend auf 40 Jahre Vistas, mit bis zu 15 Mitarbeitern und Dokumentarfilmen im Wert von mehreren Millionen Dollar, welche an Fernsehsender und Ministerien auf der ganzen Welt verteilt wurden, belaufen sich die Schulden auf 2.500 Dollar pro Jahr. Ende der Geschichte. Es war ein stetiger Aufstieg über mehr als 40 gute Jahre. Keiner von uns beiden bereut etwas, aber jetzt brauchen wir Zeit, um uns neuen Aufgaben im Herrn zuzuwenden. Eine davon ist:

Timeless Secrets (Zeitlose Geheimnisse) Vol.2. Miracles Among The Nations (Wunder unter den Nationen)

Jay und ich haben es gemeinsam geschrieben und uns mit Lachen und Weinen von Kapitel zu Kapitel gearbeitet. Es liest sich seltsamer als Fiktion, da wir mit dem Meister zusammenarbeiteten, um den Status quo zu verändern und Seine Gegenwart überall dort hinein brachten, wo Hunger herrschte. Ich fand den Schreibprozess faszinierend, lustig, familienorientiert, aufregend und wie wir beten, geistlich erfassend… als wir es wagten, dem Heiligen Geist zu erlauben, unsere Stifte und Computer zu benutzen.

Auf der bevorstehenden Tournee wollen die Leute etwas über unsere Arbeit unter den Völkern erfahren. “Was war der FUNKE?”, der die Kettenreaktion ausgelöst hat? fragten sie. Wir hoffen, dass wir diese Veranstaltungen aufzeichnen und Euch zur Verfügung stellen können.


Wie Ihr selbst sind auch Jay und ich meist unsichtbar. Unsere Freude war es immer, hervorzuheben, welch GROSSE Dinge der HERR getan hat, damit alle Menschen lernen, seinen Namen zu ehren und sein Königreich auf die Erde zu bringen! Ihr, unsere lieben Freunde und Unterstützer, habt uns ermutigt, immer wieder durchzuhalten. Außerdem haben wir, dank Euch, kürzlich eine Anzahlung von 8.000 US- Dollar an die Flugkosten nach Kanada und quer durch Kanada geleistet. Jay und ich haben das selbst übernommen, ohne Vistas zu belasten. Viele Türen haben sich geöffnet, für welche wir dankbar sind, und wir beten, dass wir bei jeder Begegnung, ob kurz oder lang, einen bedeutenden Anteil der Fülle von Gottes Geist hinterlassen können.

Alle Kanadier, welche sich für unseren Zeitplan interessieren, können eine E-Mail an Jay senden: jvrawlings@gmail.com

Wir freuen uns über Eure anhaltenden Gebete für diese Unternehmen.

Möge der HERR selbst Euch belohnen.

Jay schließt sich mir an, indem wir Euch den Aaronitischen Segen aus 4. Mose 6:23-27 senden.


Shabbat Shalom.


Jay und Meridel Rawlings

—
Meridel Rawlings PhD.
Postfach 84156
Mevasseret Zion,
9079097 Israel
Büro: 00 972 2 533 0382
http://www.stillsmallvoice.tv

Pieni Hiljainen Ääni – 10. Heinäkuuta 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom, kallisarvoiset Jayn ja Meridelin ystävät!

Daavidin tavoin Jay ja minä uskalsimme paeta ”läpi rosvojoukon ja hypätä ylitse muurin.”

Jeesus otti maalliselle esi-isälleen, kuningas Daavidille profeetta Jesajan kautta luvatun avaimen.
Jeesus lupasi sen niille, jotka valitsevat seurata Hänen jalanjäljissään.

Minä annan teille taivasten valtakunnan avaimet (auktoriteetin); ja mitä ikinä te sidotte (kiellätte, julistatte sopimattomaksi tai laittomaksi) maan päällä on (jo) sidottu taivaassa, ja mitä ikinä te päästätte (sallitte, julistatte lailliseksi) maan päällä on (jo) päästettyä (sallittua) taivaassa.

Vrt. Jesaja 22:22 ja Matteus 18:18

Kiitos avustanne meille perheenä. Siirrän kaiken [lahjoitetun] perheen yhteisiin varoihin, jotka auttavat asioiden pitämistä ”rullaamassa”. Jay ei nimittäin nostanut palkkaa Vistasilta moneen vuoteen, vaan toimi 100 %:sesti vapaaehtoisena aikaansa ja voimiaan antaen. Hallituksemme – jota johtaa juristi – jäsenet epäsivät meiltä vähäisenkin eläkkeen saamisen Vistalta. Tuo päätös teki meille todella helpoksi ”katsoa palvelijoiden tavoin Isännän käden suuntaan kaiken tarvitsemamme suhteen”. Tiedämme, ettemme ole vain ystäviä, vaan kaikkein ihmeellisimmän ja ihanimman Mestari Jeesuksen perhettä! Toimimme anteeksiannosta käsin; tämä on todellisuutta.

Kiertueemme halki Kanadan on erityisesti suunniteltu keräämään 100 000 dollaria, jotka ovat tarpeen saadaksemme Jerusalem Vistasin / Israel Visionin velattomaksi ennen vuoden 2022 loppua. Taantuma tuli koronan myötä, mutta kun katsomme taaksepäin Vistasin 40 vuotta kestänyttä toimintaa – johon kuului yhdessä vaiheessa 15 työntekijää ja monen miljoonan arvosta tuotettuja dokumenttifilmejä, joita jaeltiin ja näytettiin maailmanlaajuisesti televisioyhtiöiden ja palvelujärjestöjen kautta – niin velkaa on 2 500 dollaria vuotta kohden. Loppu tarinalle. Taival on ollut jatkuvaa ylämäkeen kipuamista runsaan 40 vuoden ajan. Kumpikaan meistä ei tunne mielipahaa tai valita, mutta meidän on nyt tarpeen ottaa aikaa jatkaaksemme uusiin töihin Herrassa. Yksi näistä töistä on muistelmiemme toinen osa nimeltä Timeless Secrets, Miracles Among the Nations. Jay ja minä kirjoitimme sen yhdessä nauraen ja itkien vaeltaen luku luvulta eteenpäin. Tarina on kummallisempaa kuin sepitelmä; mehän teimme työtä Mestarin kanssa muuttaaksemme ja mullistaaksemme status quon, tuodaksemme Hänen läheisyytensä sinne, missä ikinä oli nälkää. Kirjoitusprosessi oli mielestäni kiintoisa, hassu, perhekeskeinen ja jännittävä; rukoilemme sen olevan hengellisesti mukaansatempaava… uskalsimmehan sallia Pyhän Hengen käyttää kyniämme ja tietokoneitamme.

Tulevaan kiertueeseen liittyen ihmiset ovat pyytäneet saada kuulla työstämme kansakuntien keskuudessa. He ovat kysyneet: ”Mikä oli KIPINÄ, joka käynnisti ketjureaktion?” Toivottavasti voimme nauhoittaa tulevat kokoukset, jotta ne tulevat saataville.

Kuten tekin, Jay ja minä olemme suurelta osin näkymättömissä. Ilomme on aina ollut korostaa, mitä SUURTA HERRA on tehnyt, jotta kaikki kansat oppisivat kunnioittamaan Hänen nimeään ja tuomaan Hänen valtakuntaansa maan päälle!

Te, kallisarvoiset ystävät ja tukijat olette pitäneet meidät rohkeina ja pystyssä. Ja kiitos teidän, olemme hiljattain maksaneet etumaksuna 8 000 dollaria lentolipuista Kanadaan ja maan halki. Jay ja minä otimme summan omalle kontollemme, emmekä veloita Vistasia. Monia ovia on avautunut, mistä kiitämme. Rukoilemme voivamme jättää jokaiseen tapaamiseen, niin suureen kuin pieneenkin, merkittävän ja runsaan määrän Jumalan Henkeä.

Mikäli joku kanadalainen haluaa saada matkamme aikataulun, niin sähköpostia voi lähettää Jaylle osoitteella: jvrawlings@gmail.com

Arvostamme jatkuvia rukouksianne tämän hankkeen puolesta. Palkitkoon itse HERRA teidät.

Jay ja minä lähetämme teille Aaronin siunauksen, joka löytyy IV Mooseksen kirjasta 6:24-26.

Shabbat shalom!

Jay ja Meridel Rawlings

Kesäkuu 1979, Israel, Jay ja Meridel “Apples of Gold” dokumentin kuvauksissa, 43 vuotta sitten!

Still Small Voice – July 10th 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Dear Friends of Jay and Meridel:

Like David, Jay and I have dared to run “through a troop and leap over a wall!” 

Jesus took the heavenly Key given by his earthly forefather, King David through the prophet Isaiah, and promised it to those of us who choose to follow in His footsteps. I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you lose, [permit declare lawful] one earth will have [already] been loosed [permitted] in heaven. 

Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 18:18

Thank you for your help to us as a family. I put everything into the family funds to help keep things running. You see, Jay has taken no salary from Vistas for years, but has volunteered 100% of his time and strength.  Our Board Members (led by a lawyer) refused to allow us to have a pension from Vistas, no matter how small. This decision made it real easy for us “to look as servants to the Hand of our Master for all that we need.” We know that we are not only friends but family of this most wonderful of all Masters-Jesus! We come from a position of forgiveness, and this is just the reality.

Our tour across Canada is specifically to raise US $100,000, needed to get the ministry Jerusalem/Vistas, Israel Vision out of debt before the end of 2022. This downturn came during COVID but looking back over 40 years of running Vistas, with up to 15 staff at one time, and multi-millions of dollars worth of documentaries, distributed to TV networks and ministries globally; the debt comes out to $2,500. a year. End of story. It has been a steady uphill climb for more than 40 good years. Neither of us regrets, but we need time now to go on to new works in the LORD. One of which is:

 Timeless Secrets Vol.2. Miracles Among The Nations 

Jay and I wrote it together, and laughed and cried our way from chapter to chapter. It reads stranger than fiction as we worked with the Master to turn and overturn the status quo and usher in His Presence wherever there was hunger. I found the writing process intriguing, funny, family-oriented, exciting, and we pray spiritually gripping … as we dared to allow the Holy Spirit to use our pens and computers.

On the upcoming tour, folks have asked to hear about our work among the nations. “What was the SPARK?” that set off the chain reactions? They asked. We hope to record these sessions and make them available to you. Like yourselves, Jay and I are mostly unseen. Our joy has always been to highlight what GREAT things the LORD has done that all people would learn to Honor His Name and bring His Kingdom to earth! 

You, our dear friends, and supporters have kept us encouraged and on our feet. Also, thanks to you, we have recently made a down payment on the US $8,000. airfares to Canada and across Canada. Jay and I have taken this on ourselves, not charging Vistas. Many doors have opened, for which we give thanks, and pray to leave a significant deposit of the abundance of God’s Spirit in each encounter whether great or small.

Any Canadians who would like our schedule may email Jay at: jvrawlings@gmail.com

We appreciate your continued prayers for these endeavours. 

May the LORD Himself reward you.  

Jay joins me in sending you the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:23-27.

Shabbat Shalom.

Jay and Meridel Rawlings. 

June 1979, Israel, Jay and Meridel Rawlings, during the filming of “Apples of Gold”,43 year ago

Still Small Voice – July 3rd 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

My dear friends:

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

Philippians  3:1-5.

Yes, a mighty thank you for helping us this past month to climb over many walls. Because of your kindness, we are able to pay something down on our plane tickets to Canada.  We also hope to have our latest book, ‘Miracles Among the Nations’ available by September also. We are thankful for the effectual doors that have opened in Canada.

Hebrew Words Matter: 

For believers, “Let there be Light!” are the Divine words which created our world. “Tzedakah – Charity is words of truth and conveys values, culture, and tradition. False words tear at the fabric of life and have the power to kill. They can create a chaotic biblical Tower of Babel.

Every word in Hebrew has a 3 letter shoresh or root, which reveals the true meaning and impacts culture.  Take, ‘tzedakah’, the word listed above. English describes it as ’charity’ from ‘caritas, love and philanthropy’ from philo, also love.  Giving to the needy is an act of love or justice. But for the Jews, it is simply just; or morally right. The true meaning is all in the root.

Speaking of Light and Justice – What about Hell? Many conflicts continue to rage, some in our own backyards; among them, an upsurge in COVID. One young professional person told me, “I feel like my life has been cut in half, I am struggling with what they are now calling, ‘’long-COVID’. I have no strength.”

The Big Picture

Any widespread spiritual conflict is a huge mosaic made up of individuals. The individuals that make up that mosaic are the real targets of hell’s assault. Nations fall because of one reason – individuals chose to follow the author of fallenness.

How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!

Isaiah 14:12

The word ‘weakened’ used in the verse above describes the work of Satan. His goal is to weaken. Weakened has been translated: to cause something to waste away, to become frail, to decay, or to be destroyed.  In our personal lives when we believe the lies offered to us by the fallen one without investigation as to its source and fail to offer a righteous challenge, our faith weakens with each compromise we allow. A weakening of our faith also happens when we believe the bluffing from the bully of hell and shrink away in silent fear or allow our need for group acceptance to control our speech and actions with the fear of rejection. 

“While each of us should be concerned and involved in the welfare of our nation through prayer, service, and sacrifice, we should not forget the first and foremost assault on any nation does not begin with its institutions. The initial target is the faith of the Church. We hold the destiny of nations in our hands. With a successful assault against truth and faith on an individual level, a nation cannot stand.

The word “nations” was mentioned over 60 times in the New Testament, many times by Jesus. Most noted was His use of the word in The Great Commission. Nations is a word that can refer to a tribe, race, or nation. These are groups of people where we live and work. Our faith needs to remain strong and not compromised so that our tribe, race, or nation can survive long enough to flourish under the influence of God’s love.

Maintaining a strong faith is what loving our neighbour as ourselves looks like. It is what will help a nation stand in challenging moments of history. One person with strong faith can become the ignition point of a wildfire of revival and reformation in any nation no matter how dire the situation of that nation might appear.” From a message by Garris Elkins

Give Thanks: Hands up!

Who can understand Israeli politics? The left and right came together to ‘vote in’, a budget, for the first time in 3 long difficult years. Why? Mr Netanyahu, the former PM refused, sorry, I know he is a big hero outside of Israel. Miraculously, by working together, left and right, Arabs and Jews worked as a true democracy is supposed to work.  This special transaction gave hope to all of us in the centre who are sick and tired of the lies, shenanigans, indictments and divisive policies of the previous 12 years under Mr N. Yes, the world loved him, but not Mr and Mrs. middle-class in Israel, who have been almost obliterated. Meanwhile, P.M. Mr Bennet resigned from his position of power, to hand over that power to his colleague, Mr Yair Lapid. He spoke of his successor with amity and admiration. This is unique in Israel. To do so with grace and love of country is even rarer. Thank you, Mr Bennet, in spite of what the religious right spewed forth trying to discourage and destroy you. We, in Israel unfortunately have suffered for years, under leaders who swaggered with self-satisfaction, refusing to relinquish power. Some thrive upon the poisoned slings and arrows of politics and it is rare to find a self-effacing leader but we did. He brought impossible factions together despite the sneering backstabbing of the opposition’s leader Mr N. and his lackeys, who even voted against their own policies just to bring down the government. 

May time and history be kind to Naftali Bennett. The opposition and its leadership have resorted to many dirty tricks and lies over the last year. But Mr Bennett and Yair Lapid rose above the malicious tactics of the opposition. Naftali Bennett was labelled an extreme rightist, yet it is he, and his government, who included two Arab parties, Meretz, Avodah, New Hope, Yamina, Blue and White and Yesh Atid. They gave the average Israeli, a truly representative government. I’m disappointed that they were not able to survive, I pray that they will form an even wider coalition and come back fighting when new elections will be held on Nov. 2nd, 2022.

The Palestinian: Colonel-Cop or Terrorist?

The leading watchdog group Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) has exposed the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) underbelly. They translated an Arabic video from leader Mahmoud Abbas’ party that should shock American taxpayers and any other individual who abhors terrorism and believes in peace. 

In the video, Abbas’ party “reiterates that the U.S. trained and funded PA Security Forces fulfill a double role: Cops by day and terrorists by night,” reported PMW.“ In a post on its official Facebook page, Fatah refers to the security force terrorists who were arrested as ‘heroic prisoners,’ and to the security force terrorists who were killed as ‘martyrs,’ The video, which was posted on May 25, 2022, glorifies four PA Security Force members arrested or killed amid shootouts with Israeli counter-terrorism forces. The clip also lauds the father of terrorist Ra’ad Hazem, who murdered three innocent Israelis in cold blood during a terror attack in Tel Aviv. Hazem’s father, who is a colonel in the PA Security Forces, is currently on the run.

Quote from a reader of Stain Remover.

 “Circumstances of life finally opened my eyes to the brokenness in me and what was in need of healing. Your book, ‘Stain Remover’ was part of my initial healing process. Thank you.”

Germany

Home in Greece:

From our door in Jerusalem to our cottage in Greece, it turned into a saga of 14 long hours. Leaving at 3 p.m. one day, we arrived at our destination the following morning at 5:30 just in time for the sunrise! It’s good to be back, and out in the countryside, where the smell of zatar permeates the dry air. We can hear chickens on the little farm next door clucking over their eggs, and the wake-up call of a rooster. We enjoyed the outdoor market on Thursday and the church bells today. Ah, yes, rest. We slept long hours for days. One day, Jay took four naps. We had no idea how weary we were. Israel is such a pressure cooker. Our kids said they cried when we left, including little Ryan 17 months old. This is a new chapter for us and we are easing into it slowly, and preparing for the Canada trip at some time.

Take a moment now to enjoy the ‘Golden Gate Quartet’: introduced to me by Peter, an Austrian friend who came to us for dinner last week. 

You could print out a copy of my letter and give it to a praying person to read, who has no computer! Tell your friends who have computers.

The God of love and peace [the source of loving kindness]  will be with you.

Love from Meridel

Meridel Rawlings: P.O. Box 47554, Ermioni, 21051, Greece.

Still Small Voice – June 25th 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

From Meridel’s desk 

Dear reader,

By God’s grace, this will be my last letter to you from Israel this year. Our children Daniel and Shelly are living in our home for the next year, and we are going to our cottage in Greece. The sale of our home in Canada helped us buy an old house in Greece AND Josh designed and oversaw the construction of a place to go to rest and write.  Our address: P O Box 47554, 21051 Ermioni, Greece.

Your SNAIL mail will be safe here. It is not in Israel, I am very sad to say. We cannot receive checks as no bank will cash them. You can use this account in Germany. 

Jay Rawlings. T

Frankfurter Sparkasse

Nordend branch – Bergstrasse 29

D 60316, Frankfurt am Main, GERMANY

tel 49 69 24 182224    fax 49 69 264 15101,

BANK MANAGER 49 69 26415562 Mirjana’S DIRECT LINE

ACCOUNT NUMBER:   # 162008

IBAN: DE23 5005 0201 0000 1620 08

BIC/SWIFT:      HELADEF1822   

The angels bring your prayers and gifts to us and we are eternally grateful. Thank You! I hope you know that You enable me to send out my work, publish my books and help put food on the table.

We are invited to speak in Holland on Sept 3rd at the Christian Embassy’s Conf. They want us to tell of our years of “fishing” for Jews. We will also by God’s grace, release our latest book: Miracles Among the Nations” Vol. 2 Timeless Secrets. We go across Canada for 5 weeks, Sept and Oct. from Victoria to Halifax.  Jay and I can hardly believe all the LORD has enabled us and our team to do. It is utterly amazing. ALL of the glory to Jesus. YOU have helped the family by helping me.  Jay poured out for Israel Vision, and people support ministries but seldom families. I see it as a kind of short-sightedness. Where would the ministry be without family?  On this journey to Canada, Jay asked me to share the prophetic vision of Canada I received in 1976. It is coming to pass in the last two years.  Canada is now a “post-Christian nation.” It is NOT the nation it used to be. Daniel has pulled together material from over 40 years of media work into a video Jay will show. We are believing all the debt of Israel Vision will be paid off by Dec 31st 2022. Your help is vital. Today Israel is in chaos; war drums are sounding within and without. Jay and I  need rest and look forward to working together in the future, writing and teaching. Invite us and we will come.

A little History:

Because we are going to Holland, we have done a lot of reading particularly about WW2. Jay’s Dad fell near Deventer and a Dutch researcher gave Jay his book last fall when he was there. It tells the stories of farmers and village folk who suffered, joined the underground and even hid Jews and others. They were just 12 miles from the German border. It gave us such insight we could see it!  Also going through so much stuff in my office, my mother’s brother was in Europe in the army in Italy and Holland. I remember his stories as a child, of people so hungry they ate tulip bulbs. My Kibbutz mother, Irit van Esso, was a teenager hidden on a housebound and could only come up on deck at night to look at the stars and breathe fresh air. She wrote her memoirs and gave them to me to write into a book, which I shall do by God’s grace as he permits me. She was a real believer in Jesus, a tiny woman.

While going through our archives, I found a letter from a young 26-year-old farmer saying he was looking after Vic’s grave and would write to him. I don’t know if they ever did, but I find that very touching.

It is our joy to see the children being raised. Yesterday, Shelly, a professional chef, spent all day in the kitchen making a farewell feast for us. Our extended family came and love flowed at the Sabbath table. All praise to our Jesus for creating LOVE enough for us all. We are learning to appreciate each soul for who they are. It was exquisite. There were hugs and kisses all around as we bade farewell. 

This morning, during a quiet moment, Jay and I laid our hands on Daniel and Shelly. They feel unworthy as they take up the responsibility of running the house and keeping up with the little bit of work for Israel Vision, as our donor base is practically non-existent now. The LORD was Present as we have encouraged them to step into their own work, as the LORD leads them. That Eternal Loving Presence embraced us all. No matter, that we feel unworthy when He calls us. We are weak, but Hey is ever so gentle and strong. His mantle so loving yet holy and strong came down over us all. Hallelujah.

Remember please: for those of you who only use snail mail, our address in Greece for the next year will be: Jay and Meridel Rawlings: P O Box 47554, 21051 Ermioni, Greece.

To God be all the glory, great things He has done!

Thank you that we can call you friend.

Still Small Voice – June 19th 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends:

I feel the following life-giving words belong to those suffering from the ongoing effects of the vaccine. Mind you, the doctors call it ‘long COVID’. Having not had COVID but after taking the 2nd vaccine in early February 2021, I had an immediate negative reaction. Fluid poured out of my nostrils after 15 minutes and continued for some time. Seven months later, I was stricken with debilitating weakness. imbalance and exhaustion. 8 months later to the day, I woke up with weakness in my right hand. I couldn’t turn on my electric toothbrush or open a cupboard door. I was hospitalized for a week in Neurology, and given daily tests, and 3 MRIs. Nothing!  But one of my Drs. came to me privately and said, “We’ve had many such cases.”  I am allowed my personal experience. I have a brother who died of a massive heart attack a month after the 3rd dose. I had never heard him complain of heart trouble or needing heart meds. Yes, this is my experience and opinion. In spite of the damage inflicted, let us always turn to the LORD in our need.

“He restores my soul. (My life) …” Psalm 23:a

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The everlasting God the LORD, 

Creator of the ends of the earth.

 He does not grow weary.

 He gives strength to him who has no might, 

He increases power.

Even youths grow weary and tired

 and vigorous young men stumble badly.

But those who wait for the LORD,

Will gain new strength and renew their power.

They will lift up their wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow tired.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Why not take a moment and pray those scriptures with me? It takes repentance, time and rests to HEAL in Jesus’ Name!  His blood covers every blood cell and organ, cleansing us body soul and spirit. Let us pray for one another.

Today in Helsinki Finland, our son Chris and his wife Terhi and family are celebrating. Our twin grandsons, Youni 5 minutes older than Liam were ‘Confirmed’ this morning in a 15th Century church. Later, family and friends flocked to their homes for a feast!  We sent our blessings to the twins and their exemplary parents.  I share with you, what I wrote to them: “Scholars feel that David was 15 when he was secretly anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel. They say that at 19 he killed Goliath, who was 9 feet or 3 meters tall. David was the bravest warrior in the land. How and why? It did not just happen …”

My son Daniel pointed out: “God chose David. His family had rejected him. He was God-taught and became a formidable shepherd-hunter-protector. He defied the fierce cunning of wild beasts. He killed a lion and bear saving the lambs!”

Do you have severe realities today? David’s victory was short-lived. He was forced to learn survival strategies and escape time and again from King Saul who not only degraded his name but sent his armies to murder him. We say he was insane. The Bible says an ‘evil spirit’ sent from God troubled him. Believe it or not friends!  I believe in the Bible.

David was robbed of his wife, defamed and made a castaway. These were the KEYS, chosen in the furnace of affliction to make him a fit leader. David learned that his life depended upon listening for, hearing and obeying the Still Small Voice. The Father’s invisible words of succour and direction taught him to discern and trust, knowing his life was in constant danger. God gave him the victory over time. He became the Shepherd of Israel and loved to worship. The fruit of his life is the Book of Psalms. Jesus is a descendant of David. In like manner, He gave us the ultimate gift: His life! Imagine? 

For survival, David learned beyond a shadow of any doubt; “I have an Enemy! It is Satan.”  He first moved into Saul and then used him to torment David. Satan has never been human, he is so jealous, having lost his position of the Prince of worship and sen out of heaven to hell! He never had a human body or blood. He despised David’s relationship as an earthly son of the Heavenly Father. David was, after all, ‘man after God’s own heart.” 1 Sam13:14  Also a man of flesh and blood.

Jay and I have had the privilege of raising four precious sons. In the long process, we lost three babies, two sons and a daughter;  waiting for us in heaven. I have given the following poem to our sons and grandsons. One of our grandsons is only 14 months, so his turn will also come.

THE WORTH OF A BOY

How do you measure the worth of a boy?

  With his hair all tousled and curled?

You either see him through the eyes of God

Or through the eyes of the world.

The world says, “Educate him well:

All knowledge to him impart.”

But God says,” That’s not where it’s at!

I think I’ll look on the heart.”

The world says “Enter into sports

And with all your life pursue.”

But God says, “Seek my Kingdom first

The rest will be given to you!”

The world would like to make him think

That happiness comes from fame.

But God says, “That real joy in life

Comes only through Jesus’ Name!”

The world says, “Think only of ‘me and mine’

Others needs you wouldn’t recall.”

But God says, “To be great in My Kingdom

You must be the servant of all.”

The world says, “Accumulate money

Until vast sums you control.”

But God says, “What does it profit a man

To gain the world but lose his soul?”

“Encourage your son to trust in God’s word,

To know its value and worth.

Better to be great in the sight of God

Then applauded by men on earth.”

“Let my life be His constant example.

Teach him to know the ‘Perfect Plan.’

For a little boy is the only thing

God can use to make a man!”

Barry Walkup 1979

Take a moment for reflection. Try and slow down on the inside. Take inventory of your thoughts and intentions. May the God of all Peace overshadow you today.

From Israel with loving-kindness:

Meridel Rawlings.

Note:

We are coming to Canada in September and October 2022. It is an Israel Vision Tour. But, I have been encouraged to make myself available to offer anyone interested, a one-time-only counselling session of 45 minutes. Ask for our schedule. I hope to help and encourage you on your way. My Work Book ‘Healing for the Family’, will be available on my website. In preparation, you may choose to read Stain Remover, available on Amazon.

Gmail: meridel.rawlings@gmail.com

I am too busy to respond to FaceBook. Sorry.

This is our only Canadian Bank Account now:

Royal Bank of Canada

Bank number 003

In Favour of John Rawlings and or Meridel Rawlings

Branch number 04130

Account number 547 315 2

Swift  ROYCCAT2

ABA 021000021

IBAN CA00 3547 3152 0413 0

Still Small Voice – June 13th, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends:

I begin with this encouraging quote:

“The presence of the LORD comes when reading the Still Small Voice and with it a mixture of joy and tears. I love to support your work, you are good ground, and I pray for you and your family daily.”

J. M., USA

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great …”

Genesis 6:5

To quote Jesus: 

“What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.”

Matthew 15:18

What does My Future Hold?

Today, citizens in every nation are grappling with this question. Will slavery continue? I can hear the Spirit of the LORD calling ‘listen’! Those who desire to hear the invisible voice will obey.

“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek and inquire of the LORD: Look to the rock you were cut from and to the quarry from which you were dug.”

Isaiah 51:1

Sometimes we need to backtrack to see how far we have gotten off the beaten track. No matter the challenges; the fundamental problem never changes. 

“The heart is deceitful above all things. It is extremely sick (incurable). Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Jeremiah 17:9,10

Have you ever asked yourself … 

“What is the connection between the spiritual condition of my people and the welfare of my nation?” (Put the name of your nation here.) Ancient Israel was first blessed, spiritually. Foreigners even desired to come and pray in the Temple. They were welcomed. King Solomon wrote that God promised to hear their prayers. The land was productive, business was also good, and international commerce flourished. But In just 80 short years Judah went into slavery. Survivors were driven and dragged on foot all the way to Babylon; some with fish hooks in their jaws to add to their torment. The blessed nation they took for-granted lay a smouldering ruin behind them.

Our reality

“For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Matthew 12:34

Jesus put His finger on the pulse of His nation. He was calling the people to repent, take responsibility and act without deceit and hypocrisy. I find, in principle, the biblical account of the nation of Israel, a guide to the destiny of all peoples and nations. This concept of ‘democracy’ from God was delivered to Moses who taught it. Both the criminal and civil laws were given to man to run a prosperous and just society. We were given ’the’ pattern. But the people of Israel forgot the Living God and chose other gods linked to the phallus symbol [penis]. “ … arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she [Sodom] did not help the poor and needy.”  Ezekiel 16:49

Nothing has changed since then. Yes, man proposes but, watch … God disposes. Ultimately He rules the nation’s friends, whether you believe it or not.

The Price

Mark Twain visited Palestine in Nov. 1867. “… We pressed on toward the goal … Jerusalem. The further we went, the hotter the sun got and the more rocky and bare the landscape became. There was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere. Even the olive and cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country. Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it, the spell of a curse.” 

The Promise

“The LORD will send upon you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you undertake to do, until you are destroyed, perishing quickly because of the evil of your deeds, because you have turned away from Me. The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze [giving no rain and blocking all prayers], and the earth which is under you, iron [hard to plow and yielding no produce].”

Deuteronomy 28:20

“Behold, He who keeps Israel will not slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper.”

Psalm 121: 4a,5a 

Yet, again just 30 years after Jesus’ warnings: Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. Jews were murdered; made slaves dragged off to Rome and sold. Jerusalem was renamed, Aelia Capitolena, and sown in salt so nothing would grow. No Jew was permitted to enter. The once prosperous nation of Israel was renamed Palestine and remained inactive and inhabitable, defying any and all who would use it. 

Yet, by faith, fathers taught their sons to pray down through the generations of almost 2,000 years. Believing in the good promises of the Almighty, they prayed every day, every Sabbath and at every Festival and wedding, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

The Proof

NO ONE could successfully settle His land, until the fullness of time. God caused His sons and daughters to finally begin returning home in the 1880s. Here is also proof of the intimate relationship between a nation and her people. History has proved that because the Jewish people corrupted the integrity and honour of Israel, no one but the Jew would be given the privilege of lifting the curse. They alone were given the heart and know-how to unlock its full potential as seen today. Deserts and wastelands are blooming and have become commercial centres. Lush verdant landscapes, orchards and crops are abundant. This proof carries with it a great ongoing cost; the continual loss of life. In the midst of salvation, God does not destroy evil. Through our blood sweat and tears, daily hard work learning from experience, we triumph both spiritually and naturally. The combination of democratic freedom and economic welfare is rare in the modern world, and even more scarce in the Middle East. And Father God has initiated it all.

The Prize

The resuscitation of Israel agriculturally, coupled with the creation of a stable and sturdy modern state is built upon the principles of freedom and human dignity. Israel listens and looks to The Invisible for answers. A people unafraid to quit, are ever finding solutions in today’s fast-changing world. Israel brings those answers down to earth and blesses all of mankind!

Israel’s Voice in a Dark Place

  • Israel was elected to be vice president of the UN General Assembly. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, will chair the General Assembly. 
  • Israel has been elected for the first time as a member of the critical UN Economic Council (ECOSOC). 
  • Israeli disability advocate Odelia Fitousse was chosen to serve on the Committee of Experts on Disability.  
  • The Israeli UN mission’s legal adviser Sarah Weiss Maudi was chosen as vice-chair of the UN Legal Committee. Israel World News. June 8th 2022:

A Bright Future

We Israelis yearn for a vital spiritual revival. We pray and work for an Israel saturated with the presence of God. Yes, our land has been revived and its energy restored to more than its former glory. We believe these blessings came with God’s perfect timing. He continues to call His children to come home from the four corners of the globe. 

The Key to My Nation? 

History ancient and modern does give us answers. On November 19th, 1864,  Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address begins with: 

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” He ended with “… and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln, 1864

This statement was a beacon of light in an America struggling against slave traders.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21

Mark Twain saw a Palestine sitting in sackcloth! Today the State of Israel is wearing her wedding dress … waiting for her Messiah. Will you determine to make a difference today? Ask for the key to unlock closed hearts and doors. Listen to His Still Small Voice.  I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Canada this Sept/Oct.

Meridel Rawlings.

A note from one of my translators:

“Ooh! I’m perplexed that you don’t have the response I think your letters deserve! For me translating them is a double joy; I receive understanding, encouragement and insights.”

H.T. 

I am sad to tell you that my mail is being pilfered. Please find another way to support my work. My mail is being cut open and robbed. I’m very sorry to say.

This is our only Canadian Bank Account now:

Royal Bank of Canada

Bank number 003

In Favour of John Rawlings and or Meridel Rawlings

Branch number 04130

Account number 547 315 2

Swift  ROYCCAT2

ABA 021000021

IBAN CA00 3547 3152 0413 0

Pieni hiljainen ääni – Kesäkuun 5. päivä 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom, kallisarvoiset ystäväni!

Shavuot – Helluntai

Viime viikonloppuna vietimme täällä Israelissa viikkojen juhlaa, shavuotia, eli helluntaita. Jumala valitsi itselleen perheväen, juutalaiset. Hän johdatti heidät orjuuteen, jotta he huutaisivat Hänen puoleensa. Sitten Hän vapautti heidät Mooseksen välityksellä juutalaisena pääsiäisenä, pesachina. Siinain erämaassa oltaessa Hän valitsi PUHUA. Pimeys, maanjäristykset ja tuli laskeutuivat Siinain vuorelle. Surullista, että pelko lähetti ihmiset juoksemaan vastakkaiseen suuntaan Peljättävästä, Käskevästä, silti Siunaavasta Läsnäolosta. He pakenivat. Täysin yksin jätettynä Mooses kommunikoi Kaikkivaltiaan kanssa ja kirjoitti ja puhui kuulemansa ohjeistuksen sanat. Tämä Jumalan laki, joka tunnetaan kymmenenä käskynä, muutti maailman ainaiseksi. ENSIN siitä tuli perusta Israelille valtiona. Nykyisiin päiviin asti Moosekselle annetut raamatulliset lait ovat olleet demokratioiden ja korkeimpien oikeuksien perusta. Surullista kyllä, näinä päivinä KAIKKI demokratiat ovat kaventumisuhan alaisia.

Jeesus tuo täyttymyksen

Kaksi tuhatta vuotta myöhemmin juutalaiset tulivat Jerusalemin temppeliin kolme kertaa vuodessa: pääsiäisen, helluntain ja lehtimajanjuhlan aikaan. Jeesuksen viimeiset ohjeet valitsemalleen johtajistolle kuuluivat näin: ”… mutta teidät kastetaan Pyhällä Hengellä, ei kauan näitten päivien jälkeen… kun Pyhä Henki tulee teihin, niin te saatte voiman, ja te tulette olemaan minun todistajani sekä Jerusalemissa että koko Juudeassa ja Samariassa ja aina maan ääriin saakka”. (Apostolien teot 1:5,8 Raamattu 1933/38.)

Apostolit kyselivät Jeesukselta milloin Hän jälleenasettaisi kuningaskunnan ja ennallistaisi sen Israeliin. He olivat lyhytnäköisiä ja ajattelivat poliittisesti. Jeesus vastasi kerkeästi: ”Ei ole teidän asianne tietää aikoja eikä hetkiä, jotka Isä oman valtansa voimalla on asettanut.” (Apostolien teot 1:7)

Aikaa pääsiäisestä on nyt kulunut 50 päivää [Monilla kielillä helluntaita kutsutaan kreikan kieleen sanaan penta = viisi pohjautuvalla sanajuurella. Vrt. sv pingst, en Pentecost, fr. Pantecôte, de Pfingsten. Suom.huom.] Pyhän Hengen vuodattamiseen liittyivät tuuli ja tulenliekit, eli siihen liittyi samankaltaista kuin lain antamiseen Siinailla. Isän tuli ja lupaukset sinetöitiin tuona päivänä noiden

120 varhaisen uskovan sieluun. Sitten he todistivat Israelissa, Juudeassa ja Samariassa ja lähtivät Jerusalemista kääntämään maailmaa ylösalaisin. Jumalan voima tuo muutosta, minne tahansa se saapuukaan. Miten paljon historiaa on tapahtunut viimeksi kuluneiden 2 000 vuoden aikana? Nykyään moderni Israel on niin hyvinvoiva ja menestynyt, ettei kukaan olisi voinut tuolloin sellaista edes kuvitella. Kuten luvattua: ”… Sinä valmistat minulle pöydän minun vihollisteni silmien eteen…”.

Nälänhätä muuttui valtaisaksi sadoksi

Luemme tähän vuodenaikaan Ruutin kirjan ja muistelemme äitiämme Naomia, josta tuli leski Moabin maassa. Menetettyään aviomiehensä ja poikansa Naomi neuvoi miniöitään, jotka hekin olivat leskiä, palaamaan takaisin. ”… Vaikka ajattelisinkin: ‘Minulla on vielä toivoa’ … Ei, tyttäreni; minä olen hyvin murheissani teidän tähtenne, sillä Herran käsi on sattunut minuun.” (Ruut 1:13.) Ruut koki Jumalan tulleen päätepisteeseen, mitä häneen tuli.

Ja keskelle murhenäytelmää avautuu rakkaustarina. Kaikki kolme naista itkivät yhdessä. Orpa palasi ehdotuksen mukaisesti mooabilaisen perheensä luokse, mutta Ruut vastasi Naomille: ”Älä vaadi minua jättämään sinua ja kääntymään takaisin, pois sinun tyköäsi. Sillä mihin sinä menet, sinne minäkin menen, ja mihin sinä jäät, sinne minäkin jään; sinun kansasi on minun kansani, sinun Jumalasi on minun Jumalani. Missä sinä kuolet, siellä minäkin tahdon kuolla ja sinne tulla haudatuksi.” (Ruutin kirja 2:16-17.) Millainen rakkauden ja uskollisuuden julistus! Se oli ja on puhtaimman sitoutumisen mittapuu pakanan ja juutalaisen välillä – yhä tänäänkin.

Israelissa vehnän ja ohran satoa on korjattu. Ruutin kirja kertoo meille sadonkorjuun aikaan tapahtuneesta. Sen ansioista tiedämme, että kyseessä oli tämä vuodenaika, vain hieman yli 3 000 vuotta sitten. Hedelmä- ja vihannessatoa korjattiin talteen: persikoita, kirsikoita, rypäleitä, banaaneja, aprikooseja, avokadoja, sitruunoita, vesimeloneita, hunajameloneita ja moni muita.

Rakkaus muuttaa KAIKEN

Murhenäytelmän keskellä alkaa avautua huomattava ja ihmeellinen rakkaustarina, joka lämmittää sydämiämme. HERRA, Kaikkivaltias Jumala löysi Mooseksessa palvelijan juutalaiselle kansakunnalleen. Hän löysi Naomin sovittamaan oman sukupolvensa itsensä ja Ruutin välisen rakastavan ja kunnioittavan suhteen kautta. Herra pelasti Boazin sukupolven piskuisesta Betlehemin kylästä antamalla tälle pojan. Tunnette tarinan tähkäpäitä poimineesta Ruutista ja maanomistaja Boazista, joka menetteli vanhurskaasti ja lunasti Ruutin. Rakkaus muuttaa kaiken.

Todellinen rakkaus alkaa Adonai Eloheinun, HERRAN, meidän Jumalamme ja ihmisolennon väliltä. Hän luo rakkauden äidin ja tyttären välille. Se on väkevä työväline Hänen käsissään. Hänen rakkautensa miehen ja naisen välillä on toinen mahtava välikappale, joka on tarkoitettu kääntämään maailma ylösalaisin. On myös olemassa veljesten ja perheiden välinen rakkaus. Muistakaa aina, että Taivaallinen Isämme pitää aikoja hallussaan. Meidän päivämme ovat Hänen käsissään, kuten olivat Daavidinkin päivät. Daavid oli Boazin ja Ruutin isoisän isän poika. Tuo paimenpoika Betlehemistä sijoittui Messias Jeesuksen sukulinjaan.

Me kaikki tiedämme ja olemme kokeneet, mitä tapahtuu, kun rakkautta ei ole. Niinpä tänään iloitsemme historiastamme, sekä menneestä, nykyisestä että tulevasta. Emme ole yksin, meidän Pelastajamme on Suuri Lunastaja! Meitä ei ole unohdettu, eikä meitä milloinkaan jätetty yksin. Emmekä milloinkaan tule olemaan yksin. Halleluja. Meillä on luettavanamme kirjoitettu rakkauskertomus, Raamattu, päivittaisenä muistutuksena. Toistakaa kanssani: MINUA RAKASTETAAN!

Israelin uutiset ovat kamalia, joten säästän teidät niiltä. Ettehän unohda rukoilla Jerusalemin ja kansakunnan puolesta. Tarvitsemme kipeästi Ylhäältä tulevaa kosketusta… toista helluntaita!

Kiertue halki Kanadan

Jay ja minä valmistelemme kiertuetta halki Kanadan ensi syys- ja lokakuuksi. Sen teema on: ”Oi Kanada ja Jerusalem – seison vartiossa teidän puolestanne.” Jos tiedossanne on kokouspaikka, jossa voimme palvella, niin tulemme vierailulle. Kertokaa tästä ystävillenne, seurakunnille ja rukousryhmille kehottaen heitä valmistautumaan! Kiertueesta tulee hyvin erityinen!

Järjestyksessä toinen kirja nimeltään ”Miracles Among the Nations” (Ihmeitä kansakuntien keskellä) trilogiasta ”Timeless Secrets” (Ajattomia salaisuuksia) julkaistaan tuolla kiertueella. Kuljetamme teitä mukanamme eri puolilla maailmaa todistamassa ihmeellisistä tapahtumista arjen keskellä; Jumalan voimasta heikkoudessa ja Jumalan valosta epätoivoisen synkissä kolkissa. Nautimme kirjan kirjoittamisesta. Te tulette nauttimaan sen lukemisesta.

APUA!

Jos voitte auttaa meitä jollain tapaa taloudellisesti lentolippujen ja painatuskustannuksien osalta, olisimme hyvin kiitollisia. Kirjani Stain-Remover (Tahranpoistaja) – Healing the Indelible Stains of Sexual Child Abuse (Lähtemättömien lapsuuden ajan seksuaalisen hyväksikäytön tahrojen parantuminen), on nyt käännetty espanjaksi. Odottelemme Herran mahdollistavan sen painatuksen voidaksemme lähettää sitä Etelä-Afrikkaan ja espanjankieliseen maailmaan. Voitte lahjoittaa suoraan tililleni Kanadaan, jos käytätte mieluummin sitä tapaa PayPal-järjestelmän asemesta.

Royal Bank of Canada: in favour of Meridel Rawlings,
Savings Account: 08249-5117957
IBAN CA003547315204130
SWIFT ROYCCAT2
ABA 021000021
Advisor Julia Cherry
Tel 12509544805

Suurkiitos kipeästi tarvittavasta avustanne!

Rakkaudellisin terveisin Israelista

Meridel Rawlings

Minut tavoittaa sähköpostilla: meridel.rawlings@gmail.com

PS. Tiedostan, että tilattuanne Pieni hiljainen ääni -uutiskirjeet suomeksi, ette saa viikoittain ilmestyvää englanninkielistä uutiskirjettä. Jos haluaisitte saada sen, niin käykää tekemässä tilaus osoitteessa: www.stillsmallvoice.tv rekisteröitymällä englanninkielisen kirjeen tilaukseen. Uskon, että tietokoneenne kääntää sen äidinkielellenne. Jaattehan tätä viestiä ystävillenne. Kiitos! Olisi mukava saada postia teiltä. Toivottavasti te luette mielellään minun viestejäni.