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Still Small Voice – August 15th 2022

“For the word of God is living and active and full of power. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person] and both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

I have always loved this scripture, and took great comfort in the knowledge that the medical world is still unable to find the dividing line between one’s bone and bone marrow. Yet, nothing is hidden from the eyes of our great Creator. When He sees us, He does not turn away but has purposed to LOVE us. It’s hard to take in.

A historical misnomer:

Palestinians have suggested for years now that Jesus was a Palestinian but it is incorrect. Jesus was born in Judea and was identified as a Jew. Indeed, the cross upon which He was crucified was inscribed with INRI – Lesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm – which means, Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. Anti-Israel propaganda is deadly, and getting more so with each passing day. See above.

Warfare:

Israel World News reports: Sunday night a 26 year old from East Jerusalem sprayed 7 Israelis with bullets. The injured were at a bus s top, in a car and on a bus near the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Souls lay between life and death on life support as a result of the deadly fruit of hatred.

“Let all those who wish us evil know that they will pay a price for any harming of civilians,” Prime Minister Yair Lapid said shortly after the attack.

In a statement, the Gaza-based terror group Hamas praised Sidawi’s attack on unarmed Jewish civilians, calling his actions “heroic” and an “appropriate response to the crimes of the occupation in Gaza and Nablus.”

Anti-Semitism will not end until Messiah-Yeshua comes. This is the fruit of a media war, being waged against Jews globally on every front. Some say we will see another Holocaust. “If people knew what was coming the altars would be filled.” Barry Wunsch August 2022.

What is a Remnant?

– a part or quantity that is left after the greater part has been used, removed, or destroyed.

a small minority of people who will remain faithful to God and so be saved (alluding to biblical prophecies concerning Israel).

“After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and will restore it, so that the rest of mankind may see the LORD, and all the Gentiles upon whom My Name has been invoked [Christians] says the LORD, Who has been making the things known from long ago.”
Acts 15:16-18, Isaiah 45:21, Jeremiah 12:15, Amos 9:11,12.

Sadly, today, most churches only use the Bible to teach moral lessons, seldom teaching about Christianity’s roots or the value of the modern nation of Israel today. Most Christians are not taught WHY it is vital that the church stand with the people of Israel. When was the last time your church prayed for the Jews AND Palestinian peoples together? When was the last time they took an offering for someone in modern Israel or Palestine? When Israelis and Palestinians worship together heaven comes down in waves of glory. Our God is at work!

A Boy and His Dog by Meridel Rawlings

I wrote the following story for my family and we decided to share it with you:

There is nothing typical about Israel. Trouble sits in the atmosphere on stifling hot summer days, when not a leaf moves. On one such day, my two pedigree American bulldogs, mother and pup died in surgery. Excuses don’t fly, especially with emotional loss. Dark revenge filled my exhausted mind and heart, taking me down. I sucked in more nicotine but nothing soothed.

Amir, a good buddy of mine called a couple of weeks later. He is a chef, working in a major Jerusalem hotel. “Dan,” he was excited, “I heard two Arabs talking in the kitchen. A prize fighter Pit Bull is going to be put down. He’s a champ.”

“No man, not interested in that scene; can’t think of anything worse and it’s just 6 miles away. What kind of people bet on dogs fighting to the death? Disgusting! Just like the other filth that comes out of Ramallah in the P.A. … why should I care?“Well, you like Pit-Bulls, and this boy needs a home.”

“But, he has been a killer, no way?”

“Think about it pal, take your time.” His voice registered surprise.

Hot monotonous days wore on. My family was out of the land. Israel had a skirmish with our difficult neighbors, which in the heat of summer is not unusual. Everything compounded, and I felt terribly alone. It was harder without my dogs to feed, groom and walk. My thoughts turned back to Amir’s challenging offer, yet I held back. I called my Mom. “What do you think about my getting a Pit Bull?”

She surprised me, “Go for it Dan, he will bring you joy.” She was so encouraging.

I pondered, unsure. Would I dare to save an animal from man’s cruelty? The little voice spoke right up, “You can do that!”.

I found I was grinning, and said aloud to no one, “Yes I can!”

I picked up the phone and gave Amir the go-ahead. He made arrangements. Later I discovered, he anticipated my decision but knew I wouldn’t pay the price. Weeks ago he put down half the cost of the dog to keep him alive until I ‘got with it’.

We couldn’t tell anyone what we were up to. On a Friday afternoon we drove on back roads towards the Palestinian Authority. I knew we were taking a chance. First I had to dig into my savings. I tucked the shekels carefully into the front pocket of my genes. As if that wasn’t enough, even being out here like this was nuts. Common sense left me at this moment and I began to second guess. “Don’t worry”. Amir read my thoughts. “These guys are okay, I work with them 6 days a week.”

I said nothing as we rattled on deeper into the sun-scorched dusty landscape. Abruptly, he pulled over to the side of the dirt trail and turned off the engine. He jumped out, and lifted the hood, explaining “It looks like we have engine trouble inches Security shows up.” The tension was palpable, the silence, nerve wracking.

We waited in silence.

Twenty minutes later we heard it before we saw it. A battered pick up came into view. The piece of junk, missing front fenders, slowly approached, pulling to an abrupt stop twenty meters ahead. Two men got out. One released a large golden Pit Bull from its chains. It strained on the leash. The tawny creature had a beautiful muscled body, but my attention was drawn to his large head, wide smiling mouth, long tongue and sharp teeth.

Cautiously, we began to approach. The hair stood up on the back of my neck. Fear made me shiver and snickered, “Fool, so … you love animals.”

Listening, I was tempted to believe I was heading for trouble with a capital T.

In spite of the wrestling match going on in my head, I had to fight in order to proceed. Suddenly, without thinking, I knelt down in the powdery dust, opening my arms wide. Surprised, the men and dog came to an abrupt standstill. The handler unclipped the leash, releasing the animal.

This is a killer Pit … the words roared into my mind. “Get a grip man! Get up and get out NOW while you still can!

Again, I had to fight the war in my head, to remain kneeling in the dirt.

“He’s a great dog, Dan.” Amir ’s reassuring voice spoke into the terror from his safe place several meters behind me.

The Pit came bounding towards me, whimpering and wiggling all over. He crashed into my chest. His enormous pink tongue covered my face, neck and arms with sloppy wet licks. “Well, hello to you too buddy.” I said, rubbing his strong neck.

Immediately I noticed the many scars that covered his face. I too carried scars and knew in that instant, we would understand each other!

The handlers approached, grinning. I extended the envelope with the money.

One of the men quickly ripped it open, counting the cash.

“What does he eat?” I asked in Hebrew.

“Pita.”

“Where does he sleep?”

“He lived in a cage in a cement compound.”

“What is his name?”

“Joy!”

“What?” Incredulity edged my voice.

“Joy!”

“Yes, he is a very loyal animal, I don’t have the heart to put him down.”

”Thanks!” I said, looking up into his smiling face. “Shalom.”

“Shalom.” He nodded and quickly retreated back to the pick up.

No sooner had I opened our car door and “Joy” leapt in. His body language said, Come on, let’s get going!

You have just met my most faithful and loyal dog who thrived for years on the love of our extended family. I renamed him Jojo more in keeping with his massive physique. Jojo was the most gentle and loving creature I have ever had the privilege of caring for. He was so buff. When we walked, local dogs were afraid and instantly went into attack mode. We learned immediately to always walk on the other side of the trail or road. He hurt no one. My infant son grew up with Jojo. He lovingly put his tiny hands into that cavernous mouth feeding him treats or holding up a cup of water. When Jojo was ailing in his bed, my son crawled in and stretched out on top of him. His hugs and kisses were generous. The truth is, Jojo was a gift to us all and leaves a great empty place.

Author’s Note: Jojo was the most loving creature ever to enter our home. It was our privilege to enjoy him for too few years. We felt that he appreciated the fact that he had been ‘saved’. Some say our pets go to heaven. I sure hope so. Scripture gives us these comforting words.

“And not a creature exists that is concealed from his sight … but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.”
Hebrews 4:13

“Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.”
Matthew 10:29

I always look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings from,

Meridel Rawlings

Still Small Voice – August 6th, 9th of Av 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Shalom Dear Friends:

For He does not afflict willingly from His heart
Or grieve the children of men.
To trample and crush under His feet
All the prisoners of the land,
To deprive a man of justice
In the presence of the Most High,
To defraud a man in his lawsuit –
The Lord does not approve these things,
Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass?
Unless the Lord has authorized and commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High?
That both adversity (misfortune) and good proceed?
Lamentations 3:33-38.

When was the last time you opened the Book of Lamentations?

In Hebrew it is simply: Ek! Just like it sounds.

Can you hear Jeremiah’s expression of incredulousness? It is read on this day as the saddest in the Jewish calendar. It is Tisha b’Av, the 6th of August 2022. The 9th of Av (in English) has heralded many disasters experienced by the Jewish people, AND let me add the entire world as well. What affects the Jews, or the Russian, or the Taiwanese affects us. It is a sad day of tears, fasting and prayer. It is NOT a bad thing to remember what was, and work for a better future.

A Look at History:

Tisha b’Av, this year is August 6th. It is the collective day of mourning in the Jewish calendar for 2022. Some of the tragic events of history are:

God decreed that the generation of Israelites who left Egypt would never realize their dream of the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb of that generation entered it. The old generation had no faith even tho they lived by the faithful Hand of God. Their children inherited the promise.
Solomon’s Temple, the crown jewel of Jerusalem stood for nearly 400 years. It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 BCE.

Herod’s Temple, where Jesus sat on the porch, teaching and healing was destroyed by Titus and the Romans in 70 C.E. at this time.
Hadrian, Emperor of Rome, Ruler of Jerusalem 136 C.E. built a heathen temple making Jerusalem a pagan city. No Jews were permitted entrance.
William the Conqueror invited Jews to settle in England in the late 11th Century. They became an essential part of the English economy as skilled doctors, goldsmiths and poets. Jews were permitted to loan money and provide loans for many in the royal court. But, as always, they were expendable and often exploited by kings in dire need of money.
Why the expulsion of the Jews from England on this auspicious date in 1290? Jews were under the protection of the crown, giving them the title of ‘servant of the king.’ The religion at that time was Catholicism. There was no knowledge of or access to the holy scriptures. Superstitions flourished as did anti-Semitism. By the mid 12th century in England and across Europe, this hatred of the ‘other’ was fueled by the ‘blood libel’. It is a hoax, a fabricated allegation that Jews stole Christian children and used their blood for magical rituals. Hostility grew linked to the crusades which began in 1096 when so-called Christians tried to reclaim the Holy Land. Indiscriminately Jews and Muslims were slaughtered by Crusaders.

Truth to be told, it was financial pressures that pushed King Henry lll (1216-72) to take large sums of money from the Jewish community.

Jews were seen as troublemakers, greedy, (of course). In Parliament (it had to be made legal) Jews got the blame for the debts of English knights from the 1260’s onward. In 1275 Edward I decreed that Jews could no longer loan money. Badges (in the shape of stone tables -10 Commandments) had to be worn on the outward clothing of all Jews. It didn’t start with Hitler … it started in jolly old England. The King bartered away the souls of the Jews to pay his debts. With Parliament’s permission, in return for an Edict of Expulsion, signed by King Edward 1 in 1290, Parliament granted him a tax of English Pounds 116,000, the largest single tax of the Middle Ages. He got their money and got rid of them at the same time. History repeats itself.

Jews did not return to England until the 1650’s when they were invited to resettle by Oliver Cromwell.

History has a very strange way of repeating itself.

The nations today are in trouble. Again war looms large, economies are unsure, hundreds of thousands have lost their livelihood we hear of a cold and hungry winter on the horizon. Leaders have always used Jew-hatred to their own advantage. It begins with misinformation – lies.

In Spain in 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella decreed this to be the official date for the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. 300,000 Jews began to leave Spain on that date. At the sometime Columbus set out on his first voyage of discovery on the day after Tisha B’Av (He delayed his sailing by one day, funded by Jews.) A new world was discovered, Jews fled to it.

“Are you saying the Hebrew calendar affects our world today?”

“Yes, that is exactly what I am saying.”

Not so fast. Is it not astounding that on this very day over many centuries, human history has been turned upside down? What about in our lifetime?

W.W.1 began on July 28th 1914 (Tisha b’Av) introducing machine guns and mustard gas, with deadly consequences. Russia, Europe, N.A., Africa, The Ottoman Empire and the Middle East were involved. An estimated 40 million civilian and military lives were lost. Two of Jay’s grandfathers fought in this war and were damaged by mustard gas.

W.W.11 began on September 1, 1939. It left 3% of the global population dead … 70 million souls. Jay’s father fell in this war, my Dad served along with 3 of our uncles. This mysterious date the 9th of Av still speaks.

Greed and Hatred = A Toxic Mix

In Hebrew we say; Sinat Hinam, unwarranted hatred. And yes, this scenario is alive and well in our world today. Before the Russian-Ukraine War, Russia’s foreign minister typically used anti-Semitic slurs. He accused Ukrainians of being Nazis, and said, Hitler was partly Jewish. Hatred is fueled by disgust. The mind and heart become blinded with the urge to destroy.

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

The following PROPHECY was given by Zvi Jabotinsky to the Jews of Poland BEFORE all hell broke out. Hitler invaded on September 1st 1939. “For three years that I have been calling on you, Jews of Poland, the glory of world Jewry, with an appeal. I have been ceaselessly warning you that the catastrophe is coming closer. My hair has turned white and I have aged in these years, because my heart is bleeding, for you, dear brothers and sisters. You do not see the volcano which will soon begin to spurt out the fire of destruction. I see a terrifying sight. The time is short in which one can still be saved. I know: you do not see, because you are bothered and rushing about with everyday worries … Listen to my remarks at the twelfth hour. For God’s sake: may each one save his life while there is still time. And time is short.

I want to say one more thing to you on this day of the Ninth of Av: Those who will succeed to escape from the catastrophe will merit a moment of great Jewish joy — the rebirth and rise of a Jewish State. I do not know if I will earn that. My son, yes! I believe in this just as I am sure that tomorrow morning the sun will shine once again. I believe in this with total faith.”

Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Prophecy, Warsaw, Tisha B’Av, 1938 for the Jews of Warsaw. He was a Zionist, orator and writer. He was a soldier and founded the Jewish Legion in WW1. He believed that salvation for Jews – both on a personal level and as a national entity lay only in the land of Israel. He died of a heart attack at the age of 60 in 1940 and in 1965 his remains were buried on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. He was a true prophet who died of a broken heart.

To be led by the Spirit of the Living God takes guts and courage!

Daring to obey the Still Small Voice has profound consequences whether we listen and obey or not! I am convinced that obedience to this Voice has sculpted our lives from the beginning. “For this God is our God forever and ever:

He will be our guide even unto death”
Psalm 48:14

We all understand, the nations are in a very tenuous state of affairs. Let us not be weary in well doing. Our God loves to hear our voices raised in faith! He always come to us. But, remember: He does not go where He is not wanted. It is the same for an individual or a nation. Our choices will result in life or death. It is just that drastic. Choose LIFE that you may live!

Let us test and examine our ways, And let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands [in prayer] Toward God in heaven.
Lamentations 3:40, 41

Blessings from Meridel Rawlings.

Still Small Voice – July 31st 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Good Morning dear Friends:

We all know that in life, there is ‘never a dull moment.’ Keep your eyes on Russia.

“Afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go …’”
Exodus 5:1

This week I heard the words: “Lose him, and let him go …” John 11:44

Watch as Russia comes to loggerheads with Bible Prophecy.

Then this news broke: “Jews fear Shut Down of Immigration to Israel!”

World Israel News: July 29th 2022.

Mr. Scharansky is featured in our film about Soviet Jews trapped in the USSR. Gates of Brass was released worldwide in 1986. The same year this modern hero walked to freedom from his years in Soviet prisons. He made Aliyah to Israel. Jay Rawlings Executive Producer, Director Bruce Allen and wife Moira, with Writer Meridel, envisioned the following prison scene, which we all worked hard to recreate. I made the prison garb and we filmed it in an old pre-state (1948) British prison. Shortly after his release in 1986, Natan told EO-TV in Holland during an interview after they showed Gates of Brass, “the prison scene that was created actually happened to me not once but several times, when I was in solitary confinement in a Soviet prison.”

It is important to understand: YOU, our supporters, played a tremendous part in the release of 2,000,000 Russian Jews home to Israel in the 1990’s. Thank you. Israel together with praying Christians is invincible. We are witness to the Divine Prophetic Will coming to pass on earth as it is in heaven. How, we need each other! Get ready! History is repeating itself. Keep your eyes and hearts open to pray.

And… Ukraine?

Earlier this month, Israel sent equipment to emergency and civilian organizations in the Ukraine, including; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear filters. Add to this protective equipment and hundreds of thousands of meals. Israel’s previous mobilization and transfer of humanitarian and medical assistance to the Ukraine included flying children with cancer to Israel for treatment, sending the fully equipped and staffed Kochav Meir field hospital; and donating ALL of the equipment, medicines, ambulances, food, generators and more.

Ukraine has demanded that Israel equip it with military gear. Seeking to avoid a clash with Russia, Israel has lent its humanitarian support to Ukraine while maintaining a semblance of neutrality, transferring tons of equipment in civilian aid. This could all change very quickly. Pray with understanding. Pray in the Spirit!

Oh, vey … Uncomfortable Conversations!

I enjoyed your many responses to the conversations with my granddaughters.

Canadian Grandmothers:

“It was very interesting to read about the talk with your granddaughters. I like the answers you gave them. I understand it is not easy for young girls in our present world of negative influences.”

“I loved the discussions you had with your granddaughters! Powerful stuff! We know the Lord has such wonderful plans to bring hope and joy to the gender-confused. A generation that has been sold a lie. Absolutely wonderful conversations. Thank you for sharing that in your letter.”

American Grandfather:

“You certainly are a gifted writer and articulate story-teller. What a privilege to spend time with your young ladies; listening to them express their heart-concerns. I thought what you shared with them was ‘wise-council’.

Commercial Fisherman:

“Thank you for your word today. You really hit the target. It saddens me to see and hear how our young people are so influenced by the gods of this age. We’re continually praying for breakthroughs in their lives. One thing that I am so thankful for is that we still have great influence with our grandkids. Hardly a day goes by that one of them doesn’t pop by for a visit. I cherish those times and use them to speak into their lives. As we sow imperishable seeds I have to believe Isaiah 55:8, 9,11 is springing to life.” See below.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts … So, is My word; It will not return to Me useless, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

From Meridel:

Thank you for your encouraging words. I was surprised at how difficult it was for me to write about those conversations. Being an ‘old school’ Grandma’, I needed to be brought up to date. I don’t buy the untruths but attitude is everything and I can always try to understand … I have not walked in their shoes.

Lazy, hazy daze of summer …

Greece is a boating world. We never tire of seeing the constant flotilla of activity. Early in the morning, brightly painted fishing boats of all sizes put out their nets. After breakfast the sail boats are out; white sails billow in the warm breezes. Late afternoon magnificent world class yachts rule the waves. It never fails to distract!

Those who enjoy the quiet life, anchor in the bay at night and row their tiny dinghy to the local ‘tavern’ for supper. On this same beach, every morning, the ‘Senate’ meets. That is my name for them. These older local residential men and sometimes women, do water aerobics, walking from one side of the expansive bay to the other with its level sandy sea bottom. They told us they refuse to get stressed so do not talk politics. Jay, Josh, our 3rd son and I swim daily and have made interesting friends among locals and villagers. I love to hear their stories of what ‘life was like in the old days’. In fact, I have a few of my own … Everyone we have met is pleased with the military and economic relationships blossoming between Greece and Israel. Us too! After all, both nations have everything in common, the Bible! Today a local fisherman gave us 8 beautiful fish. See photo.

My quiet accomplished friend.

This week, I was privileged to hear from a very accomplished translator whose work included a book of Holocaust poems. A poem by Nelly Sachs was translated into English by Catherine Sommer. (https://nellysachsenglish.wordpress.com)

Reading the poems is not for the faint in heart. Here is a sample.

Unknown

what inflames secret wars

Hairline wound

eyes turned away at the time of sacrifice

Forgiveness in the minute of bitterness

and Mount Moriah with the crown of grace

is torn to shreds

For love knows the terrible reason

for dying –

And this is from a very dear friend in Finland:

I was sitting in the botanical gardens one evening.The wind carried the fragrance of lavender. Suddenly a little sparrow flitted by; an old Finnish song sounded deep within. “I’m my Creator’s little sparrow. Every day He gives me nourishment, and all necessities are offered by my great Creator offers me.”

Thank you for making a difference in this world by your presence and your prayers.

Love from Meridel Rawlings.

Still Small Voice – 23. Juli 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Freunde

“Ich nenne euch nicht mehr Knechte, denn der Knecht weiß nicht, was sein Herr tut; ich habe euch aber Freunde genannt, weil ich euch alles offenbart habe, was ich von meinem Vater gehört habe.”
Johannes 15:15

Ich glaube, die Mehrheit meiner Leserschaft haben erwachsene Kinder, und Enkelkinder. Ihr wisst, wie sich Euer Herz anfühlt, wenn Euer Kind oder Enkelkind nach so vielen Jahren der Fürsorge, Anleitung und Versorgung endlich die unsichtbare Grenze zu Eurem Herzen als Freund überschreitet. Ich habe keine andere Beziehung im Leben gefunden, welche dieser Freude gleichkommt.

Heute war endlich die Zeit des «Abschieds» gekommen. Um 08.30 Uhr hatten drei unserer wunderbaren Enkeltöchter fertig gepackt und waren bereit, für die Fahrt zum Flughafen, um nach Hause zurückzukehren und sich wieder in ihr normales Leben einzufügen. Unser gemeinsames Zwischenspiel war so kurz, fast wie ein paar süße Töne eines Lieblingsliebesliedes, welche einem durch den Kopf gehen.

Die Jugend von heute:

Die jungen Frauen von heute sind sehr zielstrebig, was so vieles angeht. Das Studium steht an erster Stelle, glaube ich. Das ‘Werden‘ ist sehr wichtig. Mein weiser Rat war: “Lehne dich hinaus, um Menschen zu helfen, und du wirst immer Arbeit haben.” Das wurde mit Schweigen quittiert. Heute stehen die jungen Leute vor Herausforderungen, welche wir uns in ihrem Alter nicht hätten vorstellen können. Die Mädchen haben uns in ihre Welt eingeführt. Der Gruppenzwang ist real. Das Internet hat auf heimtückische Weise Einfluss darauf genommen, was sie denken oder tun sollten oder nicht, bis hin zu den Nahrungsmitteln, die sie essen, oder den Sportarten, die sie betreiben sollten. Die sozialen Medien sind anspruchsvoller, als es sich ein Elternteil je vorstellen könnte, wie mir gesagt wurde. Wir müssen also sanft vorgehen. LIEBE zu allen Zeiten!

gott …

Und dann ist da noch die Kontroverse über das Thema Gott, natürlich mit einem kleinen ‘g’. «Gott» weckt in den Köpfen junger Menschen Bilder von schwerfälliger, männlicher Autorität. Einem jungen Beobachter zufolge lese ich täglich in der Bibel, weil ich mich langweile. Dann die Frage: Woher wissen wir, dass der Allmächtige nicht eine “SIE” ist?

Der HERR … sie?

Als er mit den Mädchen sprach, bezog sich Jay auf den HERRN. “Oh, Großvater, wenn du sagst, dass ich nichts anderes hören kann, mache ich dicht.” “Kannst du das erklären?” sagte er. “Ich schätze, es ist die schreckliche Last des Einflusses des Patriarchats; die Macht des ‘weißen, mittelalten Mannes’. Wir meiden ‘ihn’ um jeden Preis, und neben ihm steht die überhebliche, herrschsüchtige Mutter. So kann Gott einfach nicht sein! Wir können einfach nicht akzeptieren, was war …”

Gott, eine Familie?

Meine Antwort: “Willst du wissen, wie ich Gott sehe?” Ich nahm das Schweigen als ein Ja. “Ich sehe Gott als eine Familie. Wir haben über Gott den Vater gelernt, welcher voller Mitgefühl und Barmherzigkeit ist. Aus dem Hebräischen habe ich gelernt, dass El Schaddai “Gott der Allmächtige” bedeutet. Die drei Anfangsbuchstaben dieses geheimnisvollen Wortes stehen auf jeder Mesusa (die Schriftkapsel am Türposten), welche am rechten Türpfosten jedes jüdischen Hauses und in jedem Raum des Hauses angebracht ist (sie wird nie am Eingang eines Arbeitszimmers oder eines Badezimmers angebracht). Ich fragte: “Kennt ihr das Sprichwort: Die Mutter ist das Zuhause? Johannes der Täufer sagte, dass er nach der Mikvah (Taufe) Jesu die Worte hörte: ‘Dies ist mein geliebter Sohn, an dem ich Wohlgefallen und Freude habe.‘” Matthäus 4,17, Psalm 2,7, Jesaja 42,1. Ein Vater, eine Mutter und ein Sohn = eine Familie.

Leben von oben:

Und … ich habe erklärt, dass die Bibel eine “Familie” hat, sowohl Israel als auch die Kirche/Gemeinde. Mose schrieb über den Allmächtigen, welcher den Himmel und die Erde und alles, was darin ist, geschaffen hat. Aber es ist die erhaltende Freundlichkeit und Barmherzigkeit, welche vom Himmel kommt, die uns erhält. Diese Art von Liebe ist rein und friedlich. Die Weisheit Gottes lässt uns gedeihen. Sie ist besser als ein guter väterlicher und mütterlicher Rat und hält uns auf dem Weg des Lebens. Schließlich ist es Joshua, Yeshua oder Jesus, was so viel bedeutet wie – Erlösung – ein Geschenk dieses allmächtigen Wesens, welches uns das Leben von oben bringt.” Johannes 3:16.

Was ist Liebe?

Wir haben über das griechische Verständnis von Liebe gesprochen, welches im Wort Agape enthalten ist. Erlaubt mir ein Zitat: “Wir sollen immer und sind sogar moralisch verpflichtet [als Schuldner], Gott für euch zu danken, Brüder und Schwestern, wie es sich gehört, weil euer Glaube immer größer wird und die [uneigennützige] Agape-Liebe eines jeden von euch zueinander immer mehr zunimmt.” 2. Thessalonicher 1:3.

Der Schlüssel zum Verständnis dieser und anderer Aussagen über die Liebe liegt darin, zu wissen, dass diese Liebe (das griechische Wort agape) nicht so sehr eine Sache der Emotionen ist, sondern dass es darum geht, Dinge zum Nutzen einer anderen Person zu tun. Zum Beispiel ein selbstloses Sorgen für den anderen und die Bereitschaft, das Beste für diesen zu suchen. Diese Art von Agape war im Leben meiner Enkelinnen so einleuchtend, für die eine wie für die andere. Das wichtigste Geschenk für sie war, die jedem Menschen gegebene Fähigkeit, “das LEBEN zu wählen”.

Liebt Eure jungen Erwachsenen so, wie sie sind.

Religiosität:

Was junge Menschen vielleicht am meisten fürchten oder meiden, ist Religiosität. Sie sind sehr empfindlich gegenüber einem Ego, das davon lebt, ein bisschen mehr “im Bilde” zu sein als der arme Durchschnittsbürger auf der Straße. Diese Haltung bleibt nicht unbemerkt.

Geschlechtsspezifische Pronomen:

Dann kam die epigenetische Diskussion, gefolgt von den Gender-Phänomenen, welche über den Globus hinwegfegen. Die Mädchen machten damit Erfahrungen in der Schule. Ein Freund in der vierten Klasse hieß Steve, und in der neunten Klasse wurde aus ihm plötzlich Elisabeth. Meine Enkelin hörte, wie die Lehrerin respektvoll fragte: “Welche Betonung bevorzugst du?” Ob man mit der Erzählung einverstanden ist oder nicht, ist nicht die Frage. Die Frage ist, wie man die Seele des “Anderen” respektiert. Glaubt mir, ich habe ein oder zwei Dinge gelernt.

Evangelium des Friedens:

Auch hier sind die alten Stigmata weg vom Fenster. Aber ich glaube, dass dieses so genannte “Neue” (nichts ist neu unter der Sonne), der “guten Nachricht des Friedens” weichen muss. Betet für sie, dass sie der LIEBE und dem LEBEN von oben begegnen. Diese wunderbaren jungen Menschen sind zwar idealistisch, aber trotzdem sehr freundlich und liebevoll. Ich bete, dass sich ihre Einstellungen noch ändern und dass sie freundlicher über sich selbst denken und nicht so sehr drängen lassen. Als sie uns zum Abschied für dieses Jahr umarmten, wusste ich mehr denn je, dass meine Aufgabe darin besteht – ohne Unterlass zu beten.

Unseren lieben Freunden von Still Small Voice kann ich gar nicht genug sagen, wie dankbar wir alle für Eure Agape sind, nicht nur für mich, sondern auch für meine Einsätze, und die meines Mannes und des Israel Vision Teams.

Von einem Freund in Russland:

“Ich bin sicher, dass diese schönen Tage, die Ihr jetzt genießt, eine Zeit der Erfrischung sind. Ich denke, Du und Jay sind genau da, wo der Herr Euch haben möchte. Der Herr wird euch die richtigen Worte für jede Gelegenheit in Kanada geben. Wir bereiten uns vor, Er führt und leitet. Der Heilige Geist wird die Botschaft für jede spezifische Gruppe genau abstimmen. Ich habe Ausschnitte von eurer Kanadatournee 2015 gespeichert, und das ist genau das, was ich damals gesehen habe. Du und Jay haben im Laufe der Jahre viel Erfahrung darin gesammelt, dem Geist Gottes zu folgen. Geniesst es!”

Deutschland:

Lieber Jay und Meridel: Meine Familie und ich ERMUTIGEN Euch, noch mehr zu vertrauen! Es ist das Wohlgefallen des Vaters, alles für Euch zu tun, was Ihr braucht … erwartet es!”

Kanada-Tour:

Natürlich wissen wir nicht, was uns erwartet, da Kanada seit unserem letzten Besuch einen großen politischen Wandel vollzogen hat. Ja, wir haben gelernt, uns auf jede einzelne Zuhörerschaft einzustellen, welcher wir dienen. Möge der HERR jeden unserer Schritte leiten. Die Tournee entwickelt sich sehr gut. Der einzige Ort, an welchem wir keine Unterkunft haben, ist Vancouver. Bitte betet dafür.

Weisheit:

Ich erinnere mich an die weisen Worte meiner Großmutter, welche sie mir an einem kalten kanadischen Herbsttag mitteilte. Ein scharfer, bitterer Nordwind kam auf und begann, den hohen Pappelhain zu verwüsten. Schauers aus goldenen Blättern wehten über den Garten und entblößten die Bäume. “Siehst du diese großen Bäume? Was glaubst du, warum sie bei diesem Wind nicht geknickt sind?” Großmutter kniete sich hin und fragte, suchte in meinem ausdruckslosen Gesicht nach einer Antwort, fand aber keine und fuhr fort. “Weil sie so geschaffen sind, um sich im Wind zu biegen.” Dann hielt sie inne, um es zu verinnerlichen, und fügte hinzu: “Meridel, du musst lernen, dich im Laufe deines Lebens zu biegen, besonders in schweren Zeiten.” Danke, Großmutter!

Das Neueste aus Israel:

Die Wohnungspreise sind in diesem Jahr um über 15 % gestiegen. Die Israelis suchen jetzt nach einer ganz anderen Art von Gemeinschaft. Sie verlassen weiterhin die Städte und ziehen in kollektive Siedlungen, auch wenn (fast) die Normalität nach dem COVID zurückkehrt. Vielleicht wird die Kibbuz-Lebensweise noch einmal aufblühen. Die Mittelschicht ist am Verschwinden.

Das palästinensische Volk leidet weiterhin unter grausamen und doppelzüngigen Führern. Junge Strolche setzen jetzt nachts Laser ein, welche israelische Autofahrer blenden, so dass sie vorübergehend erblindet sind. Die gesamte Region ist eine Brutstätte des Wahnsinns. Setzt Jenin auf Eure Gebetsliste, denn es ist die Heimat radikaler Anti-Israel-Gruppen, wie des Leiters des Islamischen Dschihad, welcher gerade getötet wurde. Die Hölle verdreht den Verstand und heizt den Wahnsinn an.

Wer hätte gedacht, dass Äthiopien mit einer Substanz gesegnet ist, welche nicht exportiert werden darf? In den 1980er Jahren begann Israel damit, seine jüdischen Kinder per Flugzeug nach Hause zu bringen. Heute entwickeln Forscher der Hebräischen Universität äthiopische Teffsamen, welche die nächste Superfood der Welt sein könnten. Teff ist ein Getreide, das seit Tausenden von Jahren das Grundnahrungsmittel in Äthiopien ist. Es ist die Hauptzutat für ein saures Fladenbrot namens Injera. Forscher bringen dieses proteinreiche, glutenfreie Getreide nach Israel. Teff ist reich an Aminosäuren, Mineralien, Ballaststoffen und Proteinen, und kann auch unter nicht optimalen Bedingungen und in Regionen wachsen, die unter Trockenheit leiden. Weitere Informationen findet ihr auf der Website von Israeli Innovation: NoCamels. Von Mitarbeitern von United with Israel.

Zum Schluss:

“… Aber es gibt einen [wahren, liebenden] Freund, welcher [zuverlässig ist und] näher steht als ein Bruder.”
Sprüche 18:24

Ich kann Dich Freund nennen. Ich schreibe, weil ich das Schreiben liebe, Still Small Voice, jemanden kontaktieren, versuchen zu kommunizieren.

Vielen Dank für Eure Antwort.

Meridel Rawlings

Pieni hiljainen ääni – Heinäkuun 23. päivä 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom ystävät!

”En minä enää sano teitä palvelijoiksi, sillä palvelija ei tiedä, mitä hänen herransa tekee; vaan ystäviksi minä sanon teitä, sillä minä olen ilmoittanut teille kaikki, mitä minä olen kuullut Isältäni.”
Johanneksen evankeliumi 15:15

Uskon, että suurimmalla osalla lukijoistani on aikuisia lapsia ja lastenlapsia. Tiedätte, miten sydän rentoutuu laajentuen monien vuosien hoitamisen, neuvomisen ja elättämisen jälkeen, kun oma lapsi tai lapsenlapsi ylittää tuon näkymättömän rajan ja astuu sydämeen ystävänä. En ole löytänyt elämässä toista ihmissuhdetta, joka vetäisi vertaa tälle ilolle.

Tänään oli lopulta jäähyväisten aika. Aamupäivän puoli yhdeksään mennessä kolme kaunista lastenlastamme olivat pakanneet ja valmiita suuntaamaan lentokentälle palatakseen kotiin ja astuakseen jälleen takaisin elämänarkeensa. Yhteinen välisoittomme oli kovin lyhyt, kuin muutaman suloisen sävelen muistuma suosikkirakkauslaulusta.

Nykypäivän nuoriso

Nuoret naiset ovat nykyään hyvin päättäväisiä kovin monen asian suhteen. Opinnot ovat ymmärtääkseni ykkössijalla. ”Tulla joksikin” on erittäin tärkeää. Iäntuoma, viisas neuvoni oli [minkä arvoinen se olikaan]: ”Ole aulis auttamaan toisia ihmisiä, ja sinulla tulee aina olemaan työtä.” Se otettiin vastaan vaieten. Nykyän nuoret kohtaavat haasteita, joita emme olisi mitenkään voineet kuvitella samassa iässä. Tytöt siirsivät meidät omaan maailmaansa. Vertaispaine on todellinen. Internetillä on juonikas tapansa vaikuttaa siihen, mitä heidän pitäisi tai ei pitäisi ajatella ja tehdä; se ulottuu jopa siihen, minkälaisia ruokia syödä tai minkälaisia kuntoilumuotoja harrastaa. Sosiaalinen media on vaativaisempi kuin yksikään vanhempi ikinä voisi kuvitella olevansa, näin minulle on kerrottu. Joten meidän on edettävä pehmeästi. RAKKAUTTA koko ajan!

jumala…

Sitten on vielä suuri kiista jumalaa koskevasta aiheesta, tietenkin pienellä alkukirjaimella kirjoitettuna, ”Jumala” tuo nuorten mieliin kuvaan kovakouraisesta, maskuliinisesta auktoriteetista. Se, että luin Raamattuani päivittäin johtui yhden nuoren tarkkailijan mielestä siitä, että olin pitkästynyt. Sitten tuli kysymyksiä, kuten: ”Miten tiedämme, että Kaikkivaltias ei ole naispuolinen?”

HERRA… naispuolinen?

Jutellessaan tyttöjen kanssa Jay viittasi HERRAAN. ”Voi Isoisä, kun sanot noin, en pysty kuulemaan mitään muuta, menen lukkoon.” ”Voitko selittää?”, Jay sanoi siihen. ”Luulen sen johtuvan patriarkaatin vaikutuksen kamalasta taakasta; valkoisten, keski-ikäisten mieshenkilöiden vallasta. Me kaihdamme sitä kaikin keinoin; ja hänen vierelläänhän seisoo määräilevän dominoiva äiti. Jumala ei voi olla sellainen! Me nyt emme vaan voi hyväksyä entisiä…”

Onko Jumala perhe?

Vastaukseni: ”Haluatteko tietää, millaisena näen Jumalan?” Tulkitsin hiljaisuuden myöntäväksi vastaukseksi. ”Minä näen Jumalan perheenä. Olemme oppineet ja kuulleet Isä Jumalasta, joka on täynnä myötätuntoa ja armoa. Heprean kielestä opin nimen El Shaddai merkitsevän kahdella rinnalla varustettua. Tuon mystisen sanan kolme juurikirjainta ovat näkyvillä jokaisessa mezuzassa, joka sijoitetaan ulko-oven oikeanpuoleiseen karmiin jokaisessa juutalaisessa kodissa, myös kaikkien huoneiden ovenkarmeihin. [Sitä ei koskaan kiinnitetä työ- ja kylpyhuoneen ovenkarmeihin.] Kysyin: ”Oletteko kuulleet sanottavan, että äiti on koti. Johannes Kastaja sanoi Jeesuksen mikvan, kasteen jälkeen kuulleensa sanat: “Tämä on minun rakas Poikani, johon minä olen mielistynyt”. Matteus 3:17, psalmi 2:7, Jesaja 42:1. Isä, Äiti ja Poika = perhe

Elämä ylhäältä

Ja… minä selitin, että Raamatussa on perhe, sekä Israel että seurakunta. Mooses kirjoitti Kaikkivaltiaasta, joka teki taivaat ja maan ja kaiken niissä. Mutta taivaasta tuleva lempeys ja armollisuus pitää meidät elossa, turvassa. Senlaatuinen rakkaus on puhdasta ja rauhaisaa. Jumalan viisaus saa meidän menestymään. Se on parempaa kuin isälliset ja äidilliset neuvot. Se pitää meidän Elämän tiellä. Loppujen lopuksi pelastusta merkitsevät nimet: Joosua, Yeshua tai Jeesus, joka on Kaikkivaltiaan lahjaa, tuo meille elämän ylhäältä. Vrt. Johannes 3:16

Mitä on rakkaus?

Keskustelimme kreikan kielen tarjoamasta käsityksestä rakkaudesta, joka löytyy sanasta agape. Saanen siteerata: ”Me olemme velvolliset aina kiittämään Jumalaa teidän tähtenne, veljet, niinkuin oikein onkin, koska teidän uskonne runsaasti kasvaa ja keskinäinen rakkautenne lisääntyy itsekussakin, kaikissa teissä,” 2. kirje tessalonikalaisille 1:3 [Käytetty englanninkielinen käännös ilmaisee hieman toisin: Meidän tulisi aina, ja meillä on itse asiassa moraalinen velvoite ja niin kuin sopivaa on [kuin velassa olevilla] kiittää Jumalaa teistä veljet ja sisaret, koska teidän uskonne ja jokaisen teistä toisiaan kohtaan tuntema [epäitsekäs] agape-rakkaus jatkuvasti enenee. Suom.huom.]

Avain tämän ja muiden rakkautta määrittävien toteamusten ymmärtämiseen on tietää, että tämä rakkaus (kreikan kielen agape) ei niinkään ole tunneasia, vaan sen tekemistä, mikä on hyödyksi toiselle ihmiselle. Esimerkiksi epäitsekäs välittäminen toisista ja halukkuus etsiä toisen ihmisen parasta. Tämänkaltainen agape oli hyvin ilmeistä pojantytärteni elämissä toinen toistaan kohtaan. Kaikkein tärkein oli heistä jokaisen saama kyky ”valita ELÄMÄ”.

Nuorten aikuisten rakastaminen sellaisina kuin he ovat

Nuorten ihmisten ehkä eniten pelkäämä ja kammoksuma seikka on uskonnollisuus. He ovat hyvin herkkiä tunnistamaan egon, joka rehottaa sen myötä, että on vähän enemmän ‘tietäväinen’ kuin katujen keskinkertainen ihmisparka. Sellainen asenne ei jää huomaamatta.

Sukupuolta ilmaiset persoonapronominit

Sitten käytiin geneettistä perimää koskeva keskustelu, jota seurasi sananvaihtoa maapalloa pyyhkäisevästä mies-nais -sukupuolisuutta koskevasta ilmiöstä. Tytöillä oli kokemusta siitä koulusta. Eräs kaveri oli ollut 4. luokalla nimeltään Steve ja 9. luokalla hänestä oli tullut Elisabeth. Pojantyttäreni oli kuullut opettajan kysyvän kunnioittavasti: ”Kumpaa persoonapronominia käytät mielummin?” [(Suomen kielessähän ei eroteta she / he.)] Se, oletko samaa mieltä tuosta narratiivista vai et, ei vaikuta asiaan. Miten kunnioittaa tuota toista sielua, joka tuo toinen on? Uskokaa pois, opin yhtä ja toista.

Rauhan evankeliumi

Jälleen vanhat stigmat lensivät ulos ikkunasta. Mutta uskon, että tämän ns. ”uuden” (auringon alla ei ole mitään uutta) on väistyttävä ”hyvien, rauhaa tuovien uutisten” tieltä. Rukoillaan, että he kohtaavat RAKKAUDEN ja ELÄMÄN ylhäältä. Nämä kauniit nuoret ihmiset ovat idealisteja, ja silti hyvin ystävällisiä ja rakastavia. Rukoilen, että he muuttuvat ja ryhtyvät ajattelemaan itsestään lempeämmin ja olemaan ponnistelematta niin kovin. Heidän halatessaan meitä tämän vuoden jäähyväisiksi, tiesin tehtäväni entistä paremmin: rukoilla lakkaamatta.

Teille rakkaat Pienen hiljaisen äänen ystävät en voi kertoa kyllin selvästi, miten paljon arvostamme teidän agape-rakkauttanne, jota osoitatte ette vain minua ja työtäni vaan myös aviomieheni ja Israel Visionin tiimin työtä kohtaan.

Viesti Venäjällä asuvalta ystävältä

”Jotenka… olen varma, että nämä nykyään nauttimanne ihanat päivät ovat virkistymisen aikaa. Ajattelen, että Sinä ja Jay olette juuri siellä, missä Jumala tahtoo teidän olevan. Herra kyllä antaa teille oikeat sanat jokaiseen tilaisuuteen Kanadassa. Me valmistelemme, Hän johtaa ja opastaa. Pyhä Henki hienosäätää viestit tarkoin jokaista erityistä ryhmää varten. Olen tallentanut pätkiä vuoden 2015 Kanadan-kiertueeltanne, ja havaitsin juuri tämän siltä ajalta. Sinulla ja Jaylla on paljon kokemusta menneiltä vuosilta Jumalan Hengen seuraamisesta. Nauttikaa!”

Viesti Saksasta

”Hyvät Jay ja Meridel! Perheeni ja minä ROHKAISEMME teitä luottamaan vielä enemmän! Isälle tuottaa mielihyvää tehdä kaikki tarvitsemanne teidän puolestanne… ennakoikaa, odottakaa sitä!”

Kiertue Kanadassa

Emme tietenkään tiedä, mitä odottaa, koska Kanadassa on otettu suuri poliittinen siirtymä edellisen käyntimme jälkeen. Olemme kyllä oppineet sopeutumaan jokaiseen tilannekohtaiseen kuulijakuntaan, jota palvelemme. Opastakoon HERRA meidän jokaista askeltamme. Kiertue hahmottuu hyvin mukavasti. Ainoa kohde, missä meillä ei ole yöpymispaikkaa on Vancouver. Rukoilettehan.

Viisaus

Mieleeni muistuvat Isoäitini viisaat sanat eräänä kylmänä kanadalaisena syyspäivänä. Äkisti nousi raju pohjoistuuli, joka alkoi riipiä korkeaa mustapoppelimetsikköä. Puutarhaan pelmahti kullankeltaisia lehtiä, ja puunrungot karsiutuivat lehdettömiksi. ”Katsopa noita suuria puita. Mitä ajattelet, miksi ne eivät katkea tuossa tuulessa?” Niin Isoäiti kysyi kumartuen ja etsien vastausta ilmeettömiltä kasvoiltani, mutta koska ei sitä löytänyt, hän jatkoi itse. ”Koska ne on luotu taipumaan tuulessa.” Sitten hän piti tauon, jotta ajatus meni perille, ja lisäsi vielä: ”Meridel, sinun täytyy oppia taipumaan elämäsi mittaan, etenkin vaikeina aikoina.” Kiitos Isoäiti!

Tuoreita uutisia Israelista

Asumiskustannuksest ovat kohonnut yli 15 % tänä vuonna. Israelilaiset etsivät parhaillaan hyvin toisenlaisia yhteisöjä. Heitä muuttaa jatkuvasti pois kaupungeista kollektiivisiin asuinyhteisöihin, vaikka korona-ajan jälkeen normaalius on (lähes) palannut arkeen. Ehkä kibbutsielämäntapa jälleen kerran alkaa kukoistaa. Keskiluokka on häviämässä.
Palestiinalaiset kärsivät yhä julmien ja kaksinaamaisten johtajiensa alaisuudessa. Nuoret kovanaamat käyttävät öisin lasereita aiheuttaaksen hetkellisen sokaistumisen israelilaisille autoilijoille. Koko alue on hulluuden temmellyskenttä. Ottakaa Jenin rukouslistallenne. Se on radikaalien Israel-vastaisten ryhmien koti, sillä islamilaisen jihadin johtaja surmattiin hiljattain. Helvetti vääntää mieliä solmuun ja lietsoo tilannetta.
Kukapa tiesi, että Etiopiaa on siunattua aineella, jonka vienti maasta on kielletty? Israel aloitti 1980-luvulla omien juutalaislastensa tuomisen lentoteitse kotiin. Nykyään Heprealaisen yliopiston tutkijat jalostavat etiopialaisen tef-kasvin jyviä, jotka saattavat olla maailman seuraava superruoka. Tef on vilja, joka on ollut tuhansia vuosia etiopialaisen ruokavalion perusruoka-aine. Se on keskeinen ainesosa happamassa, injeraksi kutsutussa litteässä leivässä. Tutkijat ovat tuoneet tätä runsaasti proteiinia sisältävää ja gluteenitonta viljaa Israeliin. Se sisältää paljon aminohappoja, hivenaineita, kuitua ja proteiinia. Tef pystyy kasvamaan muissakin kuin vain suotuisissa olosuhteissa, myös kuivuudesta kärsivillä alueilla. Tästä kasvista voi lukea lisää israelilaiselta nettisivustolta: NoCamels. By United with Israel Staff.

Lopuksi

”… mutta on myös ystäviä, veljiäkin uskollisempia.” [Mutta on olemassa (todellinen, rakastava) ystävä, joka (on luotettava ja) pysyy lähempänä kuin veli.]
Sananlaskut 18:24

Minä voin kutsua teitä ystäviksi. Kirjoitan, koska pidän paljon Pieni hiljainen ääni -viestien laatimisesta, suuntaudun ulospäin, pyrin kommunikoimaan. Kiitos vastausviesteistä.

Meridel Rawlings

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.