Jerusalem on earth is twinned to the Jerusalem above.
Jerusalem points to the one that is to come.
This is Jerusalem the earthly and speaks of Jerusalem the heavenly.
This is Jerusalem of time and space, pointing to the Eternal.
This city is flawed and imperfect and points to the perfect and glorious.
If you belong to God you belong to both Jerusalems.
We are celebrating 55 years since Jerusalem was united under Israeli sovereignty in 1967, for the first time since her destruction in 70 CE / AD. Marchers will carry flags of Israel throughout the city. Hamas is threatening rocket attacks. They are insulted that Israel’s flag flies over all of the ancient city. Yes, hatred is a kind of madness.
It’s very simple. Hamas wants Jerusalem. The world wants Jerusalem. Do you want Jerusalem? See Psalm 122.
“Jerusalem has been fought over 16 times. It has been destroyed twice. Besieged 23 times. Attacked 52 times. Captured and recaptured 44 times.”
Wikipedia
Jerusalem today, sits in the very centre of the Almighty’s eternal prophetic plans and purposes for all of mankind.
Do you pray for the peace of Jerusalem? The peace of your nation is linked to Jerusalem’s peace!
“May those who love you be secure.” Psalm 122
It is the only city on earth calledThe Holy City. Almighty God chose to place His Name here.
“In Jerusalem, I will put My name.” 2 Kings 21:7
Yeshua-Messiah is returning to Jerusalem.
“… why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus-Yeshua, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11
Friends, thank you for letting us know that you are out there. I feel comforted when writing, knowing that somewhere, someone is reading and praying. Thank you on behalf of all Israelis and peace-loving Palestinians.
Muhammad Al-Lahham, a member of the Palestinian Authority’s – Fatah’s Revolutionary Council led by President Mahmoud Abbas said: “The conflict is about Israel’s existence, not borders. Jews are a loathsome nation.” May 15, 2022, Egypt’s Alghad TV.
One of the biggest lies Satan tells every human on the planet is this: “You are alone!”
But Jesus counters this lie in Hebrews 13:5b: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. He was referencing Joshua 1;5b “I will not fail you or abandon you.”
We have chosen along with our people to believe it and live here!
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous of her with great fervour I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain. Old men and old women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there. I will save my people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”
Zechariah 8: 2-5,7,8. Berean Study Bible.
As a family, we were together over Shabbat. Our sons lovingly reminisced about their days living in the Old City of Jerusalem. Just boys, they ran from the rooftop of our apartment all the way down to the Western Wall. Those were the days my friends. This is no longer possible because of the terror threat.
Quote:
“Thanks for your extensive reporting on the situation in Israel. It helps us to pray more intelligently about the conditions there. Our prayers go out to you all; knowing our redemption draws nigh.”
Reynold Rutledge
“So rise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Behold darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people, But the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you.”
Isaiah:60:1-2.
I close with a musical video: Jerusalem of Gold sung by Ofra Haza in English
“…And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,So your God will rejoice over you.”
Isaiah 62:5b
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb …”
Allow us to share our family’s joy over the recent Hebrew wedding in the family.
The Bride and Groom: Shelly Bandel and Daniel Rawlings.
The Location: out on the Hills of Benjamin in Yad ha Shmoneh at sunset.
The Setting: an ancient synagogue relocated from Galilee; reconstructed of its original 2,000-year-old basalt hand-chiselled stones. This unique setting took us to another world. Perhaps this was one of the many synagogues where Rabbi Yeshua taught.
The Rabbi: Rabbi Ehud Bandel, Shelly’s uncle, performed the ceremony with all the love of the LORD God of Israel and his family.
Yes, Daniel and Shelly were married in Canada in 2020, but as Jews living in Israel, they wanted their families to have the privilege of attending their Hebrew nuptials. A Hebrew wedding is very much a family affair. The parents of the groom walk their son to the Hupa first. Followed by the parents walking their daughter, the Bride into the presence of her bridegroom. Parents stand as witnesses in the Hupa along with the groomsmen and Rabbi. As Daniel observed: “I get it, it’s a contract!” Ryan, one year and three months was also front and centre with his parents. He was fixated upon the face and words of his Great Uncle Ehud’s message, taking everything in! The Rabbi read the ketubah contract and afterwards, Ryan held it up! So proudly for all to see!
Golden light filled the Hupa as Daniel placed his prayer shawl over Shelly. The symbolism goes all the way back to the book of Ruth when Boaz laid his cloak over Ruth on the threshing floor.
“I am Ruth your maid. Spread the hem of your garment over me, for you are a close relative and redeemer.”
Ruth 3:9
Wedding vows were said and rings exchanged. The Rabbi pronounced this blessing over the Bride and Groom and Ryan.
“The LORD bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, guard you];
The LORD make His face shine upon you [with favour].
The LORD lift up His countenance [face] upon you [with divine approval]
And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life!]’
So Aaron and his sons shall put My name upon the children of Israel and I will bless them.“
Numbers 6:24-27 The Aaronic Blessing
Then came Daniel’s vow found in Psalm 137: 5,6
“If I forget you O Jerusalem,
Let my right had forget [her skill with the harp]
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
If I do not remember you,
If I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.”
Then he smashed the wine glass,
Then came Rabbi Ehud’s final benediction.
All present felt heaven’s touch.
The seven blessings were pronounced by family and friends: Gil Bandel, Yaniv Almagor, Alon Shofman, Gal Gersom, Eliyah Yehudai, Meridel and Jay Rawlings. Instantly, the Hupa filled with guests, hugging and kissing and congratulating the royal couple.
By this time, the sun had set. We were alight with the burning golden glow and as sunsets mural rested upon the evening sky. Almost imperceptibly the heavens transformed to luminous bright emerald green. The lone evening star appeared shining pure silver down upon us. Behold the birth of a new day!
Delightful dinner reception with our family on both sides and close friends was enjoyed by all. The piece d’resistance came with the speeches given by Jay, Daniel, and Shelly, followed by friends. First came those who have stood with Daniel from age three in kindergarten all the way to the Hupa, some 31 years. Israeli men do not hesitate to show emotion. We saw hugs and kisses and many tears. Michael Hilsden has known Daniel from birth, and in so many words called him a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Paul Chobaniuk a cousin from Vancouver said, one of the best years of his life was here, working with Israel Vision. Hebrought best wishes from our Canadian family. Alon Shofman flew in from Berlin, to remind Daniel of their high-school and university days. Chris Rawlings reminded us of Daniel’s giftings. He brought his wife Terhi and twin sons Youni and Liam from Helsinki. David Rawlings, Daniel’s eldest brother came from Jerusalem with his wife Adi, and children Amitai and Liyah. He jokingly rehearsed Daniel’s birth and early years. Rita a dear friend of Shelly’s spoke about their friendship and Mom completed the story of Daniel’s life and why he wore a kilt. Who knew of his passion for his Scots connection?
Everyone laughed and cried with the good memories and joy that come when love is poured forth; it is sweeter than wine! YES! A great time was had by all.
If you would like to send a gift to the Bride and Groom please feel free to send it to me and I will see that it goes to them towards a honeymoon. With JOY!
And call out to her, that her time of compulsory service in warfare is finished,
That her wickedness has been taken away,
That she has received from the LORD’s hand
Double [punishment] for all her sins.”
Isaiah 40:1-2
If you are a prayer warrior, and I am assuming that the majority of my readers are: one of your calls will be to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” You in return are promised prosperity. It is a bond with the Almighty worth cashing in on. Psalm 122:6
We must always remember that nothing can be done without the permission of a man or woman giving ascent spiritually.
Father God gave the earth to the children of men, not angels. Just as Adam was called to keep and tend the Garden of Eden, so we are called to do the same in our spheres of inference. But Jerusalem stands out as the City of God for all peoples.
Let me quote Jesus:
“You shall not make false vows,
but you shall fulfil your vows to the LORD.
But I say to you, do not make an oath at all,
either by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet;
or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [Psalm 48:2, Isaiah 66;1]
Nor shall you make an oath by your head,
for you are not able to make a single hair white or black.
But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no.’;
anything more than that comes from the evil one.’”
Matthew 5:33b,-37.
So … let’s keep our prayers simple and agree with God’s eternal promises.
“And I will bring Israel [home] again to his pasture and he will graze on Carmel, and Bashan and his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and at that time says the LORD, ‘a search will be made for the wickedness of Israel, but there will be none and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I‘ll pardon those whom Ieave as a remnant.’”
Calling all People to pray. Israel sits between a rock and a hard place.
The government of Israel is still standing! Our fine example of democracy, covering the full gamut of political thought. We almost reached a breaking point, between the resignation of a right-wing member of the coalition and the recent unrest bringing Ra’am, the Arab party, to make a choice. Will they stay in the coalition or resign? This would cause the downfall of the government. Dr Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra’am, took the question to an Ashura, a religious Muslim council, and they came to the decision to remain, and give this government the chance it deserves to continue. It was a brave move considering the level of unrest, and of violence in his Arab community. This is possibly exactly what drove him to the decision. Mansour Abbas, above most other politicians, is serving those he represents.
World media will not ever give Israel a break. CNN is the worst. Lies are powerful and so easy to be believed?
case in point: this week an Aljazeera journalist was shot and killed in crossfire between Palestinians and the IDF in Jenin. Israel has called for a fair and open investigation. The Palestinians have the body and REFUSE to release the bullet that killed her. They blatantly blame Israel. Obviously, they have something to hide. Yes, of course, world media has taken an anti-Israel stance.
Pray over the 120 members of our Knesset, our Parliament, please. One side is crowing that Prime Minister Bennett’s government will fail. They are filled with vitriol because this Prime Minister invited the Arab Party to join them, [Ra’am]. This Arab representation is smart enough to know that Israel is good for them all in the long run. Pray for hearts of stone to be made hearts of flesh on both sides.
Terror escalates. This week during a confrontation with the police, a Palestinian grabbed the driver of an ambulance, throwing him and a woman to the street in his desperate push he managed to escape in the ambulance. We are living with madness, which escalates by the day. In my last letter I mentioned the challenges on our Gaza, Lebanese, Syrian, Palestine and Egyptian borders.
Iraq’s parliament this week, through the Council of Representatives, advanced legislation to criminalise the normalization of ties with Israel. Any Iraqi with ties to Israel faces a punishment of life imprisonment or execution. New Arab Newspaper
CORRECTION: 4,216 Israeli civilians have died from terror attacks since May 1948 NOT 2021. Sorry.
How Israel is Changing the World:
How to drink seawater? Israel’s advances in desalination and recycling of wastewater.
How to Freeze a Breast Tumor to Death? It is a 15-minute procedure.
How to Hack a Hacker? Developed by an elite Israeli army unit of cybersecurity intelligence experts.
Did You Know?
Israel’s Minister of Immigration was a former Ethiopian immigrant. Another Ethiopian woman became a colonel in the Israel Defence Forces.
An Arab Justice sits on the Supreme Court of Israel.
17% of all of Israel’s doctors are Arabs.
Miss Israel IS a stunning Arab beauty.
“Israel is the 8th most innovative country in the world.” Bloomberg.
There are 195 nations in the world. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states in the U. N. and 2 countries that are non-member observer states the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
“Israel is the world’s worst country at self-promotion”. That fact is one of the very reasons that compelled Jay and I to spend 40 plus years working in media, telling Israel’s story to the world. It is common knowledge that Israel’s PR did such a terrible job, and has not progressed much. Anti-Semitism is on the rise globally. Pray for the younger generation to be raised up including the Rawlings.
You are the silent majority we need to speak up and support modern Israel. Pray God’s Word and Heart out over this people and nation. We desperately need your prayer power to help to bring change inside of Israel as well as globally. Please. We need to BEGIN BY creating a positive attitude toward Israel among Christians. The young people, most of whom glean their knowledge of history, from social media, and finally our leaders. It is a vitally important call!
My Latest book STAIN REMOVER …
Stain Remover is as relevant in these perilous times as it was when I was a child trying to ‘get away’. Send in your favourable review to Amazon (or Barnes and Noble). Please feel free to forward the link to others who are interested. See below for an example. Link to the book’s page here
Review by Graham Powell
To address the issue of sexual abuse requires great sensitivity, wisdom, and compassion. Stain Remover is a book that embraces all these qualities and more. Written from a background of unrelenting sexual abuse, Meridel Rawlings takes us inside the world of a child trapped in the snare of incest.
Meridel has gained much understanding through her own healing journey and by her sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit which in turn has brought life into the lives of those she has ministered to.
For years, Meridel and her husband Jay, have conducted seminars in numerous nations worldwide and seen God setting people free and to be able to live normal and productive lives. Not only is her story clearly and uncompromisingly told but numerous other testimonies are given that reveals how we can be set free by a personal and loving heavenly Father and understand what those abused often suffer before they themselves are healed.
‘Stain Remover‘ is not for the faint of heart nor the casual reader, but for those desiring insight and understanding on how to help those damaged by abuse and wanting to partake in freedom.
“Now an adult and a master communicator, she shares uncompromisingly of her journey from victim to victor, from terror to triumph, from wounding to healing, from despair to hope and from weakness to strength. Because of her story and the freedom, Jesus has brought into her life she is well qualified to guide others to the very source of deliverance and healing.
Now an adult and a master communicator she addresses this most personal and private of subjects with understanding and skill. It is a classic!”
– Graham Powell, 50 years Traveling Minister, Author.
Together we can make a great difference on many levels.
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not frightened …”
Matthew 24:6
But the good news:
“But for you who fear My name, [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.”
Malachi 4:2
Israel Celebrates 74 Years: Independence Day
The Arabs refer to this day as Nack-bah – Disaster! It seems the whole country spent the day picnicking in our many parks. Our son David and his best friend kept 3 barbecues going the entire time. Forty young Israelis came and Jay and I were the ‘older’ generation. We spoke into several needly young lives. On the way, we drove by Jerusalem’s major parks and saw many tens of thousands of families out ‘barbecuing’! The Jews were the original barbecuers; it all began 4,000 years ago in the desert of Arabia. Jay said, “The blue smoke can be seen from outer space on Israel’s birthday! At the close of my letter, I have included a most anointed speech by our Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. His message brings you into the very core of Israel and closes with a plea, I hope you will pray for our People and Nation.
Subtitles can be added to the video by clicking the lower-left corner where the settings icon is located and by adding automatic subtitles to English.
Summary of the Speech:
He described being in a fighting unit in Lebanon and the buddies who fell.
He said David and Solomon’s kingdom only lasted 80 years.
Israel under the Romans lasted 77 years.
Israel is 77 years old on May 5th 2022.
His challenge was:
Will we make it as a nation to our 80th years. If we do not there will not be Another Israel.
The Rabbis teach that ‘evil-speech’ was the root reason why the former Kingdoms of Israel were obliterated. Today the in fighting in the nation is tearing it apart… secular -religious, Jew- Arab etc etc.
Will you pray for a deep reconciliation to come over this nation from the Heat outward. We need a sweeping revival as promised in the Book of Joel.
Thank you for praying.
Martyrs in the Midst:
Tragedy struck during the last hours of this great celebration in the town of Eldad in Samaria. Two young men, twisted by the heinous incitement filling their society, took axes and machetes and went on an orgy of bloodthirsty slaughter. They killed 3 men and injured 4. All Orthodox Jews, three lives still hang between life and death. 16 children have been left without fathers. Jews read Psalm 130 at times like these.
The response of the Palestinian and Hamas leaders will help you understand … what is fueling this hatred. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, expressed delight, yes I said delight, at the success of the attack and encouraged young Palestinians “and Israeli Arabs” to continue the “good work”. This is insanity. To his credit, Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack. Hamas is on the rise among young Palestinians. 4,216 Israeli civilians died from terror attacks since May 2021! Pause and think of that!
News if you have the strength:
“Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world.”
Henry Kissinger
All eyes are on Ukraine:
But … our attention should be on Shanghai. China is experimenting with an exercise of total control over a city of 14 million. They are not even allowed to go out on their balconies. They are totally controlled. People are starving. Dog robots and a handful of police control the streets. In one of my last letters, I sent you a video of the desperate cries rising in Shanghai at night. Pray.
Russia, Israel, Hamas:
Only after Foreign Minister Yair Lapid condemned the invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of war crimes. Moscow then demanded Israel to transfer ownership of the ancient Russian Church compound to Russia. It sits in the heart of Jerusalem’s Police Headquarters. It is all heating up. The terrorist organization, Hamas rules Gaza. Their leaders have visited Moscow 14 times in the last year. Israel’s relationship with Russia is changing as a result. Russia’s foreign minister recently said publicly said;“Hitler had Jewish blood” His logic is “therefore the Jews were responsible for the Holocaust.” Watch and pray.
Israel Welcomes Ukrainians:
“38,000, new olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel since Independence Day 2021, the highest number in 20 years. It is partly due to immigration during the war in Ukraine, carried out mostly by rescue operations conducted by The Jewish Agency and partners”. Mor Danielle
Israel’s Borders:
Israel continually battles on all fronts. Recently the IDF had to respond to attacks coming in from Gaza, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority. In Egypt, ISIS is alive and active.
“Working with Egypt in a military manoeuvre, Israeli planes took out the ISIS Commander of Sinai province.” Al-Nakba Newspaper Cairo.
The reality on the Ground:
Before I begin work every morning, I pray: “Father, this is YOUR world.” And then I thank Him for our place in this drama of the ages being played out according to His design. I encourage you to move into these days of new releases, and acceleration with the faith of expectancy? I believe heaven is sending help to people on a global scale. Justice is on the way. This morning around our breakfast table Jay read: “Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth.” Psalm 85:10,11. Truth is springing forth because people are standing up and speaking out. We are the ones called to make a difference on the earth.
ATTENTION: To those of you who have read my latest book; See the link below.
“ Now an adult and a master communicator she addresses this most personal and private of subjects with understanding and skill. It is a classic.”
Graham Powell, 50 years a Pastor and travelling Minister
I need your help. The LORD Jesus needs your help. Take a moment, please write a comment. I know the true stories of so many lives set free in “Stain Remover”, including my own are needed by millions worldwide.
We are battling the gates of hell over this.
May the LORD help us in this endeavour.
“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”
” … was wir sein werden, ist noch nicht bekannt. Wir wissen aber, dass wir, wenn Er erscheint, Ihm gleich sein werden; denn wir werden Ihn sehen, wie Er ist.”
1. Johannes 3:2
Jay und ich stammen aus der Generation des Zweiten Weltkriegs. Jay erinnert sich, dass die Fenster seines Hauses in Victoria, Kanada, verdunkelt waren. Er hatte Angst vor dem Klang der Luftschutzsirenen, weil seine Mutter ihn dann jeweils festhielt und vor Angst weinte. An die Ausgangssperren kann er sich nicht erinnern. Ich erinnere mich noch, dass Zucker, Kaffee und Fleisch rationiert waren. Jays Vater, Vic, kam nie mehr nach Hause. Er starb mit 28 Jahren als kanadischer Soldat bei der Befreiung von Deventer, Holland, von den Nazis. Mein Vater Don war von 1941 bis 1945 als Soldat der Luftwaffe unterwegs. Ich erinnere mich an die Vorfreude auf sein Kommen, als ich auf dem Bahnsteig stand. Die alte Dampflokomotive brachte den mit Soldaten beladenen Zug mit einem lauten Gequietsche zum Stehen. Der Jubel war groß. Papa kam auf uns zu und hatte Geschenke für uns alle dabei. Ich erinnere mich besonders an die Musik aus dieser Zeit. Unser Haus war erfüllt von Musik. Das waren harte Jahre. Jay und ich lernten schon sehr früh im Leben viele unschätzbare Lektionen.
Erstens: Die Welt drehte sich nicht um mich.
“Gott ist nicht daran interessiert, dich jetzt glücklich zu machen. Er arbeitet unablässig an seiner unbegrenzten Vollkommenheit für dich, die im Buch zu finden ist.”
Oswald Chambers
Ich hoffe, dass Ihr den Gedenktag in Eurem Land beibehalten habt, oder wurde er für überholt erklärt? Ich glaube, dass die Menschen in jeder Nation, die vom Zweiten Weltkrieg betroffen war, sich erinnern! Mütter tun das.
Betet auf jeden Fall für alle Nationen, die sich im Krieg befinden, wie so viele in Afrika, die unter dem Fluch des Terrors von El Shaba und anderen stehen. Israel nimmt weiterhin Flüchtlinge aus der Ukraine und ukrainische Juden auf.
Wenn mein Herz für die Autorität des Himmels empfänglich ist,
werde ich für Seine ewigen Pläne und Absichten empfänglich sein.
Mein Gebet für Euch lautet: “Möge sich die ältere Generation daran erinnern und es verstehen und sie tut es. Heute lebt Israel immer noch mit Stromausfällen, Bombenkellern und Sirenen. Wir sind immer noch ständig unter Beschuss. Wir haben immer noch Witwen und Waisen wegen des Krieges. Für uns hat sich nichts geändert. Ich bete, dass Euer Herz weich wird. Ich hoffe, dass Ihr diesen Brief an Eure Kinder und deren Kinder weitergebt und mit weichen Herzen für Israel in dieser verletzlichen Zeit beten werdet.”
“Ich habe ihnen die Herrlichkeit und Ehre gegeben, die du mir gegeben hast, damit sie eins seien, wie wir eins sind”
Johannes 17,22
Sanft und zärtlich hat Jesus mich in den Kriegsjahren gefunden. Er hat die Lichter in meiner Seele angezündet, und sie sind seither nicht mehr ausgegangen. Ich bin ihm so dankbar. Er kann es für ganze Nationen tun.
“Jesus, was bist Du für ein Wunder,
Du bist so sanft, so gut und so freundlich.
Du leuchtest wie der Morgenstern.
Jesus, was für ein Wunder du bist.”
Eines der Geheimnisse des jüdischen Volkes ist: Es weigert sich, geliebte Menschen zu vergessen.
“Der Allmächtige schreibt sie auf seine Handflächen.”
Ich halte jetzt inne, um über die moderne Geschichte Israels nachzudenken, über die Vergangenheit und die Gegenwart. Letzte Woche ertönten Sirenen, die die Nation aufforderten, innezuhalten und sich zum Gedenken an die Opfer des Holocausts zu erheben. Israel erinnert sich. Anders als die Militärs in den großen Kriegen waren diese Opfer wehrlose Einzelpersonen und Familien. Die “abscheulichen Feinde” Hitlers waren Großväter, Großmütter, Söhne, Töchter, Brüder, Schwestern und Kleinkinder. Vielleicht lautet Eure Antwort: “Warum können die Juden nicht aufgeben? Sie müssen schon vergeben und vergessen können.”
Wenn Ihr das Privileg habt, das Zeugnis eines Holocaust-Überlebenden zu hören, werdet Ihr Euch wundern, dass sie nicht hasserfüllt sind? Dasselbe gilt für die Aussagen von Eltern, die ihre Söhne und Töchter in den Kriegen von Israel verloren haben. Ja, sie erinnern sich und weinen, ABER sie hassen nicht. Die Trauer hat all das weggebrannt, und so viele Überlebende sind mit einem langen Leben gesegnet. “Unser himmlischer Vater ignoriert oft unser gegenwärtiges Maß an Vollkommenheit zugunsten unserer endgültigen zukünftigen Vollkommenheit.”
In dieser Woche werden die Sirenen wieder über das ganze Land erschallen. Und wieder werden wir alle stramm stehen. Diesmal gedenken wir unserer gefallenen Soldaten und der Opfer des Terrors. Israel wurde gegen alle Widerstände geboren, als die moderne Nation an einem Tag geboren wurde! Jesaja 66:8 Seit 1948 hat Israel blühende diplomatische Beziehungen zu Nationen aufgebaut, die früher erbitterte Feinde waren. Israel hat die ganze Welt gesegnet; es hat sie mit der Frucht von Gottes Wort, dem Messias, der Frucht seiner Felder, der Frucht seines Verstandes und seines Herzens [Frucht der Erfindungen, der Medizin und der Technik] erfüllt, wie es die Propheten vorausgesagt haben.
Zum Schluss, Freunde:
Erinnert euch, George Beverly Shay sang einst: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold… (ich möchte lieber Jesus haben als Silber oder Gold…)”. Wenn mein Herz weich ist, werde ich weich für Seine ewigen Pläne und Absichten sein.
“Was will ich in meinem Leben?
Strebe ich nach großen Dingen für mich selbst;
Oder versuche ich, ein großartiger Mensch zu sein?
Was wäre, wenn ich sagen würde: “Ich will Dich, Jesus, ich will mehr von Dir in meinem Leben.”
Es ist so wichtig, sich daran zu erinnern, woher ich komme. Ich erinnere mich an die Menschen, welche sich um mich kümmerten, als ich am verletzlichsten war. Ich erinnere mich an die Tage meiner kleinen Anfänge und bin dankbar dafür. Ich weiß, dass das, was ich damals erlebt habe, Israel heute noch erlebt. Werdet Ihr für Israel beten und es segnen? Denkt daran: “Wenn Ihr Ihn liebt, werdet Ihr Sein Volk Israel lieben.”
Genießt die berühmten Lieder aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg, die durch Vera Lynn bekannt wurden. Denkt daran und betet für diejenigen, die keinen Frieden kennen. Besonders für Eure jüdischen und arabischen Brüder, welche im “längsten Krieg” gefangen sind.
”…eikä vielä ole käynyt ilmi, mitä meistä tulee. Me tiedämme tulevamme hänen kaltaisikseen, kun hän ilmestyy, sillä me saamme nähdä hänet sellaisena kuin hän on …”
1. Johanneksen kirje 3:2 RK
[Käytetty englanninkielinen käännös ilmaisee hieman toisin: … mitä meistä tulee, se ei vielä ole tiedossa. Mutta tiedämme, että Hänen ilmestyessään me tulemme olemaan Hänen kaltaisiaan, sillä me näemme Hänet sellaisena kuin Hän on…]
Jay ja minä olemme II maailmansodan sukupolvea. Jay muistaa, miten hänen Kanadan Victoriassa olleen kotinsa ikkunat pimennettiin. Hän kauhistui ilmahälytyssireenien ääntä, koska hänen äitinsä piteli häntä tiukasti sylissä itkien samalla pelosta. Jay ei muista ulkonaliikkumiskieltoa. Jayn isä, Vic, ei koskaan palannut kotiin. Hän kuoli 28-vuotiaana yhtenä kanadalaisista sotilaista, jotka vapauttivat Alankomaiden Deventerin natseilta.
Minä muistan sokerin, kahvin ja lihan säännöstelyn. Isäni Don oli poissa vuodet 1941-1945 palvellessaan ilmavoimissa. Muistan myös hänen paluunsa odottamisen ja seisomisen asemalaiturilla. Vanha höyryveturi veti täynnä sotilaita olevan junaa, joka pysähtyi kirskuen. Juhlinta oli villiä. Isä käveli meitä kohti mukanaan lahjoja kaikille. Muistan erityisesti tuon aikakauden musiikin, olihan kotini täynnä musiikkia.
Ne olivat vaikeita vuosia. Jay ja minä opimme monia erittäin arvokkaita seikkoja jo hyvin varhaisina vuosina. Listan ykkösenä oli ymmärrys, ettei maailman pyöri meidän minuutemme ympärillä.
”Jumala ei keskity tekemään sinua onnelliseksi juuri tällä hetkellä. Hän työstää jatkuvasti omaa rajatonta täydellisyyttään sinua varten. Sitä, joka löytyy Kirjasta.”
Oswald Chambers
Toivon, että kotimaassasi vietettiin holokaustin muistopäivää. Vai onko se julistettu vanhentuneeksi? Uskon, että ihmiset kaikissa niissä maissa, joita II maailmansota kosketti kyllä muistavat! Etenkin äidit.
Rukoillaan tietenkin jokaisen sodassa olevan kansakunnan puolesta. Monet Afrikan maat ovat El Shaba -järjestön ja muidenkin terroritekojen kourissa. Israel ottaa jatkuasti vastaan pakolaisia Ukrainasta sekä ukrainanjuutalaisia.
Sydämeni on herkän altis taivaan auktoriteetille.
Haluan pysyä herkkänä Hänen ikuisille suunnitelmilleen ja tarkoituksilleen.
Teitä koskeva rukoukseni on: Muistakoon ja nähköön vanhempi sukupolvi tämän: nykyäänkin Israel yhä elää aikaa, johon kuuluvat pimennykset, pommisuojat ja sireenit. Olemme jatkuvasti hyökkäysten kohteena. Meillä on yhä sodan vuoksi leskiä ja orpoja. Mikään ei ole muuttunut meidän osaltamme. Rukoilen, että teidän sydämenne pehmenevät. Toivottavasti jaatte tätä kirjettä lapsillenne ja heidän lapsilleen, jotta he rukoilevat herkällä sydämellä Israelin puolesta tänä haavoittuvana aikana.
”Sen kirkkauden [glorian ja kunnian], jonka sinä olet antanut minulle, minä olen antanut heille, jotta he olisivat yhtä, niin kuin me olemme yhtä.”
Johanneksen evankeliumi 17:22 RK
Jeesus löysi minut pehmeästi ja hellästi sotavuosien aikana. Hän sytytti sieluni valot, ja ne ovat pysyneet päällä siitä lähtien. Olen hyvin kiitollinen. Hän voi tehdä niin kokonaisille kansakunnille.
Jeesus, mikä ihme oletkaan.
Niin hellä, hyvä ja sävyisä,
aamutähden lailla loistava.
Jeesus, mikä ihme oletkaan.
(Englanninkielinen laulu)
Yksi juutalaiskansaa koskeva ihme on tämä: he kieltäytyvät unohtamasta rakkaitaan. Kaikkivaltias kirjoittaa heidät omien kättensä hipiään.
Pysähdyn pohdiskelemaan Israelin modernien aikojen historiaa; sen menneisyyttä ja nykyisyyttä. Viime viikolla sireenit ulvoivat kutsuen kansakuntaa pysähtymään paikoilleen ja seisomaan huomioasennossa ja muistamaan holokaustin uhreja. Israel muistaa. Toisin kuin sotilaat suurissa sodissa nämä uhrit olivat puolustuskyvyttömiä yksilöitä ja perheitä. Hitlerin ”katalat viholliset” olivat isoisiä, isoäitejä, poikia, tyttäriä, veljiä, sisaria ja pikkulapsia. Ehkä vastauksesi kuuluu: ”Miksi juutalaiset eivät voi päästää irti, luovuttaa? Heidän on jo tarpeen antaa anteeksi ja unohtaa.”
Jos sinulla on ollut etuoikeus kuunnella holokaustista selviytynyttä henkilöä ja hänen kertomaansa todistusta, saatat ihmetellä. miksi he eivät ole täynnä vihaa. Sama pätee niihin puheenvuoroihin, joita kuulemme niiltä vanhemmilta, jotka ovat menettäneet poikiaan ja tyttäriään Israelin sodissa. Kyllä, he muistavat ja itkevät, MUTTA he eivät vihaa. Suru on polttanut kaiken sen pois. Monia holokaustista selvinneitä on siunattu pitkällä elämällä. ”Meidän taivaallinen Isämme jättää useinkin vaille huomiota tämänhetkisen tasomme täydellisyyden suhteen – lopullisen, tulevan täydellisyytemme hyväksi.”
Taas tällä viikolla hälytysireenit taas ulvovat koko kansakunnan yllä. Ja jälleen kerran seisomme huomioasennossa. Sillä kertaa muistamme kaatuneita sotilaitamme ja terrorin uhreja. Israel syntyi vastoin kaikkea todennäköisyyttä; moderni kansakunta syntyi yhdessä päivässä! Niin Jesaja 66:8 ennalta kertoi.
Vuodesta 1948 lähtien Israel on muovannut kukoistavat diplomaattisuhteet niihin kansakuntiin, jotka aiemmin olivat sen katkeria vihollisia. Israel on siunannut koko maailmaa täyttäen sen Jumalan Sanan hedelmällä; Messiaalla, peltojensa sadolla, mielensä ja sydämensä hedelmillä; keksinnöillä niin lääketieteen kuin teknologian aloilla. Kuten profeetat ennalta kertoivat.
Ystävät, vielä lopuksi: muistetaan, mitä George Beverly Shay usein lauloi:
”Pidän mieluummin omanani Jeesuksen kuin hopeaa ja kultaa…
Jos sydämeni on herkkä, se on herkkä Hänen ikuisille suunnitelmilleen ja päämäärilleen. Mitä tahdon saada elämääni? Tavoittelenko suuria itselleni?
Vai yritänkö olla suuri henkilö?
Entäpä jos sanoisin: ”Haluan Sinut, Jeesus; haluan enemmän Sinua elämääni.”
Minun on hyvin tärkeää muistaa, mistä tulin. Muistan ne ihmiset, jotka pitivät minusta huolta ollessani kaikkein haavoittuvimmillani. Muistan pienten alkujen päivät – ja kiitän. Tiedän, että se mitä läpikävin ja elin silloin, sitä Israel yhä läpikäy ja elää nykyään. Rukoilisitteko Israelin puolesta ja siunaisitteko Israelia?
Muistattehan: Jos rakastat Häntä, rakastat Hänen kansaansa Israelia.
Nauttikaa Vera Lynnin esittämästä kuuluisasta laulusta II maailmansodan ajalta. Muistakaa niitä ja rukoilkaa niiden puolesta, jotka eivät tunne rauhaa; etenkin juutalaisia ja arabeja, jotka ovat ”pisimmän sodan” kourissa.
“ … what we will be is not yet known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
1 John 3:2
Jay and I are of the WW2 generation. Jay remembers the windows of his home being blacked out in Victoria. He was terrified of the sound of air-raid sirens; because his mother held him close and cried in fear. He does not remember the curfews. I remember sugar, coffee and meat were rationed. Jay’s Daddy Vic never came home. He died at 28, as a Canadian soldier liberating Deventer Holland from the Nazis. My Dad Don, was gone from 1941 to 1945, serving in the Air Force. I remember the anticipation of his coming standing on the station platform. The old steam engine pulled the train filled with soldiers to a screeching halt. The jubilation was wild. Dad came walking toward us with gifts for us all. I especially remember the music of that era. Our home was filled with music. Those were hard years. Jay and I learned many invaluable lessons very early on in life. #1 the world did not revolve around me.
“God is not concerned about making you happy right now. His is continually working out His unlimited perfection for you that is found in the Book.”
Oswald Chambers
I hope you keep Remembrance Day, in your country, or has it been declared obsolete? I believe, people in every nation touched by WW2 remember! Mothers do.
Pray of course for any nations at war, as so many in Africa are under the curse of terror by El Shaba and others. Israel continues to welcome refugees from Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Jews.
If my heart is tender to the Authority of heaven,
I will be tender to His Eternal plans and purposes.
My prayer for you is: “May the older generation remember and understand this and she it. Today, Israel still lives with blackouts, bomb shelters and sirens. We are continuously under attack. We still have widows and orphans because of war. Nothing has changed for us. I pray that your heart will be softened. Hopefully, you will share this letter with your children and their children and pray with tender hearts for Israel at this vulnerable time.”
“I have given them the glory and honour which You have given Me,
that they may be one, just as We are one:”
John 17:22
Softly and tenderly Jesus found me during the war years. He turned the lights on in my soul and they have stayed on ever since. I am so thankful. He can do it for entire nations.
“Jesus what a wonder You are
You are so gentle so good and so kind.
You shine like the morning star.
Jesus what a wonder you are.”
One of the mysteries of the Jewish people is: they refuse toforget loved ones.
“The Almighty writes them on the palms of his Hands.”
I pause now to reflect on Israel’s modern history; past and present. Last week sirens blared; calling the nation to stop and to stand to attention to remember the victims of the Holocaust. Israel remembers. Unlike the military in the great wars; these victims were defenceless individuals and families. The ‘vile enemies’ of Hitler were Grandpas, Grandmas, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and infants. Perhaps your response is: “Why can’t the Jews give it up? They need to forgive and forget, already.”
If you have the privilege of listening to a Holocaust survivor give their testimony, you will wonder if they are not hateful? The same applies to the testimonies we hear of parents who have lost their sons and daughters in Israel’s wars. Yes, they remember and weep, BUT they don’t hate. Sorrow has burned all of that away, and so many survivors are blessed with long lives. “Our Heavenly Father often ignores our present level of completeness in favour of our ultimate future completeness.”
This week those sirens will blare again out over the nation. And again we will all stand to attention. This time we remember our fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Israel was born against all odds when the modern nation was birthed in a day! Isaiah 66:8 Since 1948, Israel has forged flourishing diplomatic relations with nations that were formerly bitter enemies. Israel has blessed the whole world; filling it with the fruit of God’s Word, the Messiah, the fruit of their fields, the fruit of their minds and hearts [fruit of inventions, medical and technological.] as the prophets foretold.
In closing friends:
Remember, George Beverly Shay used to sing: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold…”. If my heart is tender; I will be tender to His Eternal plans and purposes.
“What do I want in my life?
Am I seeking great things for myself;
Or, am I seeking to be a great person?
How about if I said, “I want You Jesus, I want more of You in my life.”
It is so important to remember where I came from. I remember the people who cared for me when I was most vulnerable. I remember the days of my small beginnings and give thanks. I know that what I lived through then, Israel is still living through today. Will you pray for and bless Israel? Remember, “If you love Him you will love His people Israel.”
Enjoy the famous WW2 songs made famous by Vera Lynn below. Remember and pray for those who know no peace. Especially your Jewish and Arab brothers caught in the “Longest War”.
“When the LORD returned Zion from captivity, we were all visionaries. Our mouth was filled with laughter, our tongues with joy, then the nations said: ‘The LORD has done wonders for those people.’ The LORD did wonders to us, we were overjoyed. Return us from captivity as the streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he walks along weeping, carrying his store of seeds, He shall return carrying bundles of sheaves.”
Psalm 126
In ancient times these Songs of Ascent were sung by the Israelites as they approached Jerusalem for any one of the three great ‘travelling’ Feasts. It is also sung often today during feasts. Jay and I certainly have experienced the ‘visionary’ part, along with the sowing and reaping.
I love the ‘Grace after meal prayers’ and a portion here for you to savour.
“Have mercy LORD, on Israel Your people and on Jerusalem, Your city, and on Zion where Your glory dwells, and on the kingdom of David, Your Messiah, and on the great and holy temple, which was known by Your Name. Our God, our Father, keep us, sustain us, support us, maintain us, deliver us. Deliver us speedily, LORD our God from all our troubles. Please, LORD our God, do not let us become dependent on the gifts of flesh and blood, or need their loans, but rather need only Your full, open, holy and generous hand, that we never ever be ashamed or embarrassed.”
Now on to the HARD stuff:
I received a phone call yesterday from a young person plagued by dark and troubling thoughts. The solution taken in the past had been more medication. Well, obviously they are not working. But, don’t we all have troubled thoughts at times? I share with you some insights that I passed on to my young friend.
How well I remember the awful thoughts pommelling my mind, as a young nursing student. Telling me, I was never good enough and would amount to nothing. UNTIL I actively believed what the Bible said. “God is love.” 1 John 4:7- 21. I began to fight in the invisible realm, realizing; “Wait a minute. I didn’t choose to think that! This thing is not me! I got indignant and a little wiser.” Slowly I saw, I had an enemy. Call it fear, the devil or Satan. Choose your words. I began to resist those poisonous thoughts one by one. But, my resolve had the strength of a wet Chinese noodle. At first, I couldn’t resist the plague of discouragement and darkness that filled my mind. I cried, feeling helpless.
Then I learned how the Holy Spirit actually allowed Jesus to be tempted by the devil. See Matthew 4: 1 – 10. Take time to ponder this sinister kind of warfare against His very person, calling and legacy. Pause and think of that! It was the same insinuating voice of the serpent that tricked Mother Eve. The serpent said, “Can it really be that God said…?” Genesis 3:1b. She was unsure, confused, tempted, she doubted the Almighty’s word given to Adam. And she sinned.
I prayed and again I resisted. Reluctantly, the dark thoughts loosed their grip and began to recede for a short time, only to return and pounce again. I kept at it, resisting, sending them away: separating them from who I am. After some time I awoke one morning realizing I was winning this war. What triumph. I have worked at keeping the victory all of my life. Trust me and my family, I do not always succeed. But the important thing is, eventually, ‘meditating’ on the instructions of the Bible, I learned how to resist the evil insinuations against my very life.
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7
This has now been proven by science, but we shouldn’t need science to believe! I dared to believe that I was loved by God Himself. He wouldn’t speak to me in that ugly hateful way. I didn’t speak to others like that. I asked to hear the Still Small Voice instead and I learned to be ‘led’ by the Ruach ha Kodesh or Holy Spirit.
Jesus used the written word of scripture to fight off the tempter. He was active, not passive. In every temptation, he refuted the lies by quoting from the Hebrew Scriptures. He knew; ‘the source of conflict always begins in the mind.’ We are given charge of our minds and bodies. They are our responsibility. Jesus had an enemy. He did not second guess Himself. He understood the different kinds of temptations Satan devised to break him. He was not tricked into thinking the lying voice was His own. This war IS called spiritual warfare – a real fight for Truth in your mind and life! Every human being fights this fight! How many win?
The first step is to separate your thoughts.
Ask. Did that dark thought come from me?
NO! Not if it is a torment, hateful and hurtful.
Now your work is to drive it away.
How do you do that?
Paul teaches:
“Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
This is hard work. “We demolish arguments… and take EVERY THOUGHT captive.”
All Satan is capable of is hatred. He is actually afraid of … Light! Remember Father God banished him forever from His Presence. Ezekiel 14 speaks of the evil nature of Satan. Jesus said, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a bolt of lightning.” Luke 10:18
– Be aware of the activity going on in your thought life. You must own it.
– Learn to separate the dark thoughts just as soon as they enter your mind.
– Forbid the broken record from playing on and on.
– Demand the dark thought to STOP at once.
– Send it away! You can say, “Go to hell for that is where it came from.”
Authority is yours, use the words in the Bible.
Overcome every wicked thought.
PRAY: “Our Father, deliver me from this evil thought. Let me be open to receive your Spirit. Teach me to sing in Your Spirit and worship from the Psalms.”
“Finally, brothers [and sisters] whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things … and the God of peace will be with you.”
This salutation is how we greet everyone in our local supermarkets, on the streets, on local trains, buses, in the markets and shops. The atmosphere is hectic but joyful. It’s the season of miracles, and anything could happen, even Elijah could turn up at our door. It’s that annual time of frantic cleaning, buying, cooking and preparing for the great ‘seder’ or Passover Feast. It begins on Friday evening, April 15th. Fifty-one years ago I gave birth to our second son James Christian in Hong Kong at this time. His was a glorious entry. I was ‘singing in the Spirit’ during and upon his arrival to the amazement of 8 doctors who came to watch. It was faith in action: no drugs, no pain and a perfect birth!
Passover and Pain:
Just as it was at the beginning of this holiday of deliverance; so it is today. “Why is tonight different from all other nights?” For millennia, this ancient question has been asked by the youngest child at the Passover table.
“How many are coming to your seder?” Daniel asked Ya’akov our postman.
“Too many, I’ve lost count!” was his terse reply. ”
When Jay asked Zion his barber, “Where are you and the family going for the holidays? He replied; “We are not leaving the house, there are terrorists everywhere, it’s far too dangerous!” Unfortunately, he speaks the truth.
War on the Inside:
On the Temple Mount, which is home to the Al Aska golden dome mosque in Jerusalem, thousands of Muslims gather daily. Over blaring loudspeakers they are led in singing, chanting and rejoicing for Allah’s goodness over the slaughter of 14 Israelis in the past few days. Yes, this is tragic for them and for us!
Meanwhile, on the other side of this scale, which weighs madness: is an ultra-orthodox Jewish group scheming how to get their living sacrifice up to the area of the Al Aska in order to perform the ‘perfect sacrifice’. Someone is offering them 800 NIS (New Israeli Shekels) if they are successful in slaughtering and offering up a goat. They understand something of the need for a ‘perfect sacrifice’ all right but are completely misguided in this. See Isaiah 53. Join us in prayer for the revelation of Biblical truth. Any kind of zeal without knowledge and wisdom can be dangerous. We are in the midst of living out the awful reality of both cultures infused by radical belief systems clashing within this tiny land. Pray for the Presence of Messiah’s love to grace the P.A. and Israel this Ramadan, Passover and Easter season.
Dreams and Visitations:
The reality of thy “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven …” is coming closer with every passing day. In the night I visited with the adult son of an outstanding Rabbi. I just answered his searching questions. Then I visited a very brave but tired woman who leads a global Jewish ministry. She was waiting for me with many questions as well. I was in a third home with a very pregnant mother who was also waiting for me. I hugged her and immediately sensed a debilitating sickness in her body. Of course, I prayed for her healing. There was a complete acceptance of the messages I brought in these miraculous encounters last night. I was so joyful and privileged upon waking and paused to worship before getting out of bed. I have been praying to move out into new realms of the blessed Holy Spirit without fear. This is all in the realm of the Spirit and is as real as me sitting here and typing at my computer.
In 1971 Jay and I took our first trip into Soviet Russia. Supernaturally I was shown where the worst prisons were located and in the Holy Spirit, visited many known Jewish inmates. Also, the Holy Spirit gave me the Russian language as I rode on the subways. Again TODAY is the day of the supernatural. Believe it!
Take a lamb:
“Take a lamb or young goat for each household. It is to be slaughtered at twilight on the 14th of Nissan … take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; when I see the blood I shall pass over you, and no affliction shall happen to you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
See Exodus12 v:3,7,13.
To me, this is the most essential part of Passover. “When I see the blood I shall pass over you.” Today we pray this prayer as we take Communion daily and give thanks for continued protection. With the ‘great escape’ through the desert and the Red Sea following this, the Hebrew slaves were born into a nation. The LORD God Almighty came down and His voice shook the mountain. Every democracy on earth used to follow the Mosaic code of law in governing their nations. (The ten commandments.) I don’t believe this is true any longer in our world.
A Must Read:
A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, published in 2021. It is an informative book you could read during the holidays to get some idea of what Israel is and is not.
Our good news:
The Sea of Galilee is full and will overflow when the snow on Mount Hermon melts. Everywhere the trees and crops are bursting forth into colour and fragrance. The blossoms of plum, cherry, apricot and olive trees are replaced by embryonic fruit. Israel expects a bumper harvest this spring and again in the fall because of the prolonged rainy season.
Did you know?
Mr Putin has placed a man in charge of his military campaign in Ukraine? Here he is known locally as ‘The Butcher of Syria’. During Syria’s Civil War, this man ordered the torture and killing of untold numbers of his own people. Four million Syrians fled. Hundreds of thousands remain locked away and forgotten in prison. Please let us not forget the victims, refugees and imprisoned in and outside of Russia, the Ukraine and Syria. Israel has taken in thousands of Ukrainian Jews and also given thousands of non-Jews work permits for a year and a half.
Congo and Tesla:
‘Blood batteries’ are what electric cars are being called by those in the ‘know’. Why? Congo supplies the cobalt needed for the batteries in these cars and children are the slaves who mine this mineral. These children never had the luxury of going to school. Most often they are barefoot, using their own hands to dislodge the rock. It is then hammered into small pieces and put into sacks. Stronger youths carry the sacks to the local markets for quick cheap sales. Children are given 75 cents to $1.00 a day for their life’s blood. It is a modern-day travesty.
The monetary value of children:
The greatest pandemic in the Western world today IS child trafficking. Please friends, buy my book Stain Remover. Share it. Tell your friends, your church, teachers and others working with children. It is an expose of the infrastructure, the finely spun web of familiar child sexual abuse. It details the road to freedom. It is most important for teachers, pastors, social workers, and anyone working with children in the public arena. One woman wrote that it was pornography. Sadly, this only reveals how IGNORANT she is. Stain Remover is available on Amazon and Book Deposit in the U.K. IF you have read this book, KINDLY send your ‘review’ back to these companies to help boost sales. Help us make a difference and speak into this darkness. See: Matthew 16:19, 18:6.
“Listen to the agony of Asia …”
“… I who am fed who never yet went hungry for want of bread. I see and try to pray?”
– Dr Tom Dooley
Out of Shanghai’s 29 million inhabitants, 13 million were diagnosed with COVID and locked away in special places. However, every normal and healthy citizen is locked down. The entire megacity is in lockdown. People are starving, rioting and looting. The torment of the people of Shanghai can be heard at night from the windows of their high-rise apartments. They are screaming for relief; all prisoners with no escape. Their cries make one think of modern hell. The sound is eerie and very unsettling. Please pray.
Another prisoner has written:
“I am writing to you who are beloved of God … in Rome …” Paul writes. “… for in regard to this sect (Christianity), we are fully aware that it is denounced everywhere.”
Acts 28:22
So what has changed in our world for Christians, who are no longer a sect? The Body is called to become a global force for change. Our calling is to be salt and light countering the growing darkness by dynamic powerful prayer. Persecution comes with the territory.
Canada is not what it used to be:
Action 4 Canada supplied this timely information. “On Feb. 8, 2022, Pastor Arthur Pawlowski, an evangelical clergyman, was arrested for standing up against unreasonable demands by the police. Why? He opened his church for worship services during endless months of lockdown. He was taken to the Calgary Remand Center in (Alberta Canada) and held in solitary confinement for 7 weeks. Meanwhile, the mosques were open during this time. I was shocked at this fact! The persecution of Canadian pastors has become so serious. Legislators in the Ohio House of Representatives, USA, have introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to add Canada to its Religious Persecution Watch List. The USCIRF is a focus group dedicated to the identification of worldwide religious persecution. An element of their mandate is to identify governments guilty of persecuting Christian communities. Including countries of particular concern as China, North Korea, Iran, Pakistan and India. An extra ‘special watch list’ includes Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, and Indonesia. Pastor Pawlowski is at the top of the long list of persecuted Canadian pastors, and he has not only been fined, arrested and imprisoned but also tortured for his faith. The following list of pastors has been either arrested and/or issued fines. This is by no means a complete list: Pastor Artur Pawlowski, ABPastor David Pawlowski, ABPastor Tim Stephens, ABPastor James Coates, AB Pastor Aaron Rock, ONPastor Michael Thiessen, ONPastor Henry Hildebrandt, ONPastor Jason Reaume, ONStreet Pastor Michael Ojinma, BC Pastor Grant, BCPastor Jim, BC Pastor Tobias Thissen, MBPastor Phil, NBAssociate Pastor Cody Butler, NBAccording to Section 176 (1-3) of the Criminal Code, it is an indictable offense to interfere with clergy or obstruct them from performing any function in connection with their calling. However, this has not stopped our tyrannical and spiteful leaders from issuing illegal warrants and fines and arresting pastors, in an effort to stop Christians from gathering.”
Alberta Mosques Remained Open Without Consequence!
In closing; dear friends, how do we pray?
One line in Canada’s national anthem is taken from the Bible: “And His dominion shall be from sea to sea …” Zech 9:10b.
“ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure. In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.”
“So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and slander and hateful speech.”
1 Peter 2:1
I am sorry to begin in sadness, but Israel is where I live. Thank you for sharing my thoughts, dear caring friends.
Thursday night on Dizengoff street in Tel Aviv two childhood friends Tomar Morad and Eytam Magini were shot in cold blood, 16 bystanders were wounded and hours later Barak Lufan, 35, succumbed to his wounds from the shooting. The country is sobered by all of these attacks, including the 13 deaths last week.
Israel is a family, nothing is impersonal here, nothing! When under attack that sense of brotherhood is undeniable. All grieve and pray. Tomar and Eytam had arrived only moments earlier to celebrate Eytam’s recent engagement. Barak, the third victim, was an Olympian athlete in the 2009 Olympics. The Palestinian from Jenin, Ra’ad Hazem, opened fire, spraying bullets far and wide. He escaped to a mosque in Jaffa and nine hours later was tracked down and died in a shootout.
Captured by Religion:
What kind of religion do you practice?
Do you embrace the teaching of the ‘brotherhood of man’ or are you separate?
Does your devotion make you part of an exclusive group, just a step or two or twenty above the madding crowd, most of whom to you are unbelievers?
What are your customs when it comes to pleasing the god you worship?
What does ‘devotion’ to this god require of you?
What has this faith cost your leaders, heroes, prophets and your god?
What is the fruit of their legacy?
Sadly, there are those among us on this earth, who are convinced their god requires the mutilation of their fellow man and themselves. They exist to murder any Jew. Israelis are the biggest target: to ram with a car, stab, or shoot. Their supreme sacrifice requires lots of blood. Often any human sacrifice will do. But it never satisfies their LUST for more blood. Their belief grants the reward of a brothel in “paradise complete with 72 dark-eyed virgins each” and banqueting tables filled with luscious foods.
“How ludicrous!” we respond. “How primitive!”
Yet in the leading nations of the world unborn babies are sacrificed to the same insatiable demon, whose LUST for human blood is never satisfied. What nation is not compliant? Thank goodness, Jesus declared, “My Kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world].” -John 18:36
I began my letter with 1 Peter 2:1 for a reason. Jerusalem was levelled by the Babylonians in 586 BC and by the Roman in 70 A.D. because of ‘lashon harah’ or evil speaking. According to the Rabbis, the wars began with gossip among the Jews themselves. We read about the controversies and accusations Jesus encountered with the authorities, which filtered down to the common crowd which called for His death. We read about the same spirit that eventually murdered Paul in Rome. The story grows. How many millions of Jews and Believers in Messiah Yeshua have been slaughtered down through the annals of history? It all began with ‘evil speaking – slander’ for want of a better definition. It is our biggest problem today I believe, among Jews and Palestinians.
My mother always said, “I love gossip! When I hear it, I squelch it right where I am. It will go no further!”
The Power of Gossip:
– Gossip and lies are bosom buddies.
– Gossip always begins with one voice before it is picked up and repeated.
– When you tear someone apart and come out looking good, it is worse, not better.
People gossip for status. Knowledge is status. Sharing it improves one’s status.
No matter what we say, the motivation for gossip is, almost always titillation and status arise, NOT JUSTICE.
In a court of law, everyone is permitted his or her testimony and is HEARD.
– The death of one’s character begins with gossip.
The sacred NO! :
Is it socially uncomfortable to back off and say, “I don’t wish to hear the latest.”
IF you must complain about your family or friend, only do so with someone who loves them as you do. IF you love them, you will NOT threaten or harm them.
Don’t gossip to someone who will remember and use the information against them or against you later.
Guard your ears – this discipline is as sacred as guarding your tongue. There is often nobility in not listening.
Words spoken or written can not be erased from memory. “Delete” is a fiction both online and in the world of discussion.
Bad words stick, even if they are disproved later.
Use your faculties of hearing and speech wisely. Especially in the days of this COVID pandemic. Of course, you have experienced how division confronts one on every level. All of mankind has been swept into a so-called ‘new reality’ that thrives on division. Beware!
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge in it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”
Proverbs. 18:21
“But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.”
Matthew 12:36
Friends, let us pray for one another and forgive one another quickly.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love her.”
Psalm 122:6
The days of spring cleaning are upon us, is it just an analogy for the greater work needed in each of our lives?
Sincerely,
Meridel Rawlings
Meridel Rawlings, Box 84156, Mevasseret Zion, 9079097 Israel
