All posts tagged: Israel

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Still Small Voice – July 3rd 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

My dear friends: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 3:1-5. Yes, a mighty thank you for helping us this past month to climb over many walls. Because of your kindness, we are able to pay something down on our plane tickets to Canada. We also hope to have our latest book, ‘Miracles Among the Nations’ available by September also. We are thankful for the effectual doors that have opened in Canada. Hebrew Words Matter: For believers, “Let there be Light!” are the Divine words which created our world. “Tzedakah – Charity is words of truth and conveys values, culture, and tradition. False words tear at the fabric of life and have the power to kill. They can create a chaotic biblical Tower of Babel. Every word in Hebrew has a 3 letter shoresh or root, which reveals the true meaning and impacts culture. Take, ‘tzedakah’, the word listed above. English describes it as ’charity’ from ‘caritas, love and philanthropy’ from philo, also love. Giving to the needy is an act of …

Still Small Voice – June 19th 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

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

Still Small Voice – June 13th, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends: I begin with this encouraging quote: “The presence of the LORD comes when reading the Still Small Voice and with it a mixture of joy and tears. I love to support your work, you are good ground, and I pray for you and your family daily.” J. M., USA “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great …” Genesis 6:5 To quote Jesus: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Matthew 15:18 What does My Future Hold? Today, citizens in every nation are grappling with this question. Will slavery continue? I can hear the Spirit of the LORD calling ‘listen’! Those who desire to hear the invisible voice will obey. “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek and inquire of the LORD: Look to the rock you were cut from and to the quarry from which you were dug.” Isaiah 51:1 Sometimes we need to backtrack to see how far we have gotten off the beaten track. No matter the challenges; …

Pieni hiljainen ääni – Kesäkuun 5. päivä 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom, kallisarvoiset ystäväni! Shavuot – Helluntai Viime viikonloppuna vietimme täällä Israelissa viikkojen juhlaa, shavuotia, eli helluntaita. Jumala valitsi itselleen perheväen, juutalaiset. Hän johdatti heidät orjuuteen, jotta he huutaisivat Hänen puoleensa. Sitten Hän vapautti heidät Mooseksen välityksellä juutalaisena pääsiäisenä, pesachina. Siinain erämaassa oltaessa Hän valitsi PUHUA. Pimeys, maanjäristykset ja tuli laskeutuivat Siinain vuorelle. Surullista, että pelko lähetti ihmiset juoksemaan vastakkaiseen suuntaan Peljättävästä, Käskevästä, silti Siunaavasta Läsnäolosta. He pakenivat. Täysin yksin jätettynä Mooses kommunikoi Kaikkivaltiaan kanssa ja kirjoitti ja puhui kuulemansa ohjeistuksen sanat. Tämä Jumalan laki, joka tunnetaan kymmenenä käskynä, muutti maailman ainaiseksi. ENSIN siitä tuli perusta Israelille valtiona. Nykyisiin päiviin asti Moosekselle annetut raamatulliset lait ovat olleet demokratioiden ja korkeimpien oikeuksien perusta. Surullista kyllä, näinä päivinä KAIKKI demokratiat ovat kaventumisuhan alaisia. Jeesus tuo täyttymyksen Kaksi tuhatta vuotta myöhemmin juutalaiset tulivat Jerusalemin temppeliin kolme kertaa vuodessa: pääsiäisen, helluntain ja lehtimajanjuhlan aikaan. Jeesuksen viimeiset ohjeet valitsemalleen johtajistolle kuuluivat näin: ”… mutta teidät kastetaan Pyhällä Hengellä, ei kauan näitten päivien jälkeen… kun Pyhä Henki tulee teihin, niin te saatte voiman, ja te tulette olemaan minun todistajani sekä Jerusalemissa että …

Still Small Voice – 5. Juni 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Meine lieben Freunde Schalom! Schawuot – Pfingsten An diesem Wochenende feiern wir in Israel das Fest Schawuot, was auf Englisch Pfingsten heisst. Gott hat ein Volk, die Juden, für sich auserwählt. Er führte sie in die Sklaverei, damit sie zu ihm schreien würden. Dann befreite er sie durch Mose am Passahfest. Dann, während sie in der Wüste Sinai waren, beschloss er zu SPRECHEN. Dunkelheit, Erdbeben und Feuer fielen auf den Berg Sinai. Leider ließ die Angst das Volk in die entgegengesetzte Richtung der furchterregenden, befehlenden und doch gesegneten Gegenwart rennen. Sie flohen. Allein gelassen, kommunizierte Mose mit dem Allmächtigen und schrieb und sprach die Worte der Unterweisung, die er hörte. Dieses Gesetz Gottes, bekannt als die Zehn Gebote, veränderte die Welt für immer und wurde ZUERST zur Grundlage des Volkes Israel. Bis heute sind die biblischen Gesetze, die Moses gegeben wurden, die Grundlage der Verfassungen von Demokratien und obersten Gerichten. Doch leider sind heute ALLE Demokratien davon bedroht, ausgehöhlt zu werden. Jesus bringt die Erfüllung Zweitausend Jahre später kamen die Juden dreimal im Jahr zu …