Letters from Jerusalem
November 24, 2023
“Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30 1:6
It is day 49 and I am listening to the ‘live coverage’ of the release of the of the first 13 children, mothers and elderly from Hamas. Lord…You have called me to ‘what I see…what I hear…that write.’ I can’t. It is the first time…but there is a great divide, and Lord I cannot…I need You to translate in the breach. Help Lord.
May The Lord be glorified and may The Holy Spirit give understanding and be The Translator.
Brothers and sisters, it is Shabbat. The Shabbat prayer played over the loudspeakers in my village at exactly 4pm my time…the time that was given for the release of the first of the 13 captives, among the 50 infants, children, mothers and elderly that are to be released over the next 4 days…by God’s grace…in His mercy. That will STILL leave approximately 185 more still in captivity.
The question caught me…[and it came from many, so if you asked me, please don’t feel badly]…some whom I knew and just some other voices: ‘NO! How can Israel stop NOW? Don’t they know that Hamas will take advantage; that the world will press in and cause you guys to stop fighting before the war is won? Aren’t you tough? Keep going! Don’t stop! This is crazy! It’s a trap! How can you be so foolish!
And this is where my mouth falls open and nothing comes out and I can’t explain, because there IS a big gulf. You see…the ENTIRE country is mourning and grieving its children…Rachel crying and not being comforted AGAIN!
“Thus says the Lord: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18) And it is REAL…it’s not sentimental emotion…it IS what we are made of …it is our children, and our sisters and brothers weeping and lamenting. To the Jews, L-I-F-E is of utmost importance. That is why our (yes) socialistic medical system here ‘WORKS’. It is mixed with a deep compassion and belief that each life is holy. Yes, OFCOURSE it isn’t 100%! Yes, I KNOW that we have abortion. I know that we also have people who don’t care about life; but in general, a driving concern for ‘LIFE’ is what binds this people together. LIFE…points to GOD…in Him is Life and that Life echoes HIM.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
Yesterday a friend told me a story that she heard first hand at ‘Efrat’, an organization that reaches out to people who are planning to have an abortion. [this is NOT the one that believers have called Ba’ad Hayim but Efrat is run by religious Jews] The father of a soldier went there a day or two ago and asked them for a coat for their son and for all of the 20 soldiers in his unit. They said that they couldn’t provide that many because they only had 30 coats and they could not give most of them away right at the start of the winter; they could give one or maybe two. The father looked at them and said; ‘But you must, because this son of mine who is defending you, is only here because you convinced us to have him and not kill him…and he is asking for them!’ They gave him the 20 coats.
Now how do I put THAT particular quality of the heart into words? I can’t. All I can say is that it is REAL. The entire country has been grieving and suffering with the families (can you imagine?) who have loved ones somewhere underground in Gaza as the war rages…Everyone here KNOWS that it is ALL ‘for them’…for the 9 month old baby or the 3 year old girl whose parents were killed before her eyes just before she was grabbed, or the holocaust survivor who lived life to say ‘NEVER AGAIN’…or simply each child, sibling, spouse, parent, grandparent.
Yesterday I read the account of David in Ziklag that I wrote at the top of this letter and I wept. It says that the men were so grieved for their captive wives and children that they were about to stone David. Grief does that… it rips people to pieces…and we ARE experiencing a collective grief. We have been praying that our soldiers would discover the captives and set them free (as David and his men did), but only one captive was set free thus far in this manner and we have been told that it was an extremely dangerous operation. Quoting an analysis by David Horovitz in Times of Israel:
“Obviously, Israel would have wanted an agreement to secure the return of all hostages. Ministers were told that there was no such deal to be made. Obviously, too, Israel would have wanted the IDF to have itself located and rescued all, or at least more of the hostages — without necessitating any deal with the terrorists, any release of Palestinian security prisoners, any halt to the war. But that option, ministers were told, was not available either. Only one hostage has been extricated from Gaza to date — Orit Megidish, three weeks ago, in an extremely high-risk operation — even as the IDF has taken greater control of many of Hamas’s strongholds in the north of the strip. (The case of Nachshon Wachsman. a soldier abducted and held hostage by Hamas in 1994, underscores the difficulty of such rescues. In Wachsman’s case, Israel knew precisely where he was being held, in the West Bank just outside Jerusalem, but a rescue attempt proved disastrous, with Wachsman killed by his captors as IDF commandos attempted to break in, and the lead officer in the rescue attempt killed as well.)”
I remember well the sad death of Nachshon Wachsman. We had just made Aliyah and this life was so new to me. Many thousands gathered at the western wall of the temple, praying, beseeching God to spare him…it was so vivid to me…and so new.
A sister wrote to me that she had been thinking about how many times Moses went to Pharaoh to beseech him: “Let My people go!”. And this war is not over yet. Although we are aware that Hamas has laid a trap in this 4 day ‘pause’, we pray with David “Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.” In Psalm 141:9 and Psalm 124:7 “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped.” We are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices.
The hour is late and we now see the faces of those who were released today. No one dares to say ‘So many little old ladies!’…because each life is considered holy and precious…but oh how we had hoped to see more than 4 children today. Actually, until they all come home it will not be enough. BUT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THESE AND WE LOOK TO GOD FOR THE FUTURE.
Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America and although the article that I printed below is…just an article…it touched me and perhaps it will give you more of a ‘flavor’ of Israel today than I am able to do. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR STAYING FAITHFUL TO HIM. MAY WE KNOW HIM MORE DEEPLY DAY BY DAY AND…BE FOUND FAITHFUL.
Loving blessings, your sister here.
AN ARTICLE FROM Times of Israel
Thanksgiving: This year in Jerusalem
Anxiety about Israel at war, the hostages, antisemitism (the list goes on) makes it hard to give thanks, but it's exactly the right thing to do
NOV 22, 2023
Tomorrow, Thursday, if I were in America, I would set the table early, organize a lavish mid-afternoon meal, and put the menu on the refrigerator. I would have scoured recipes in newspaper food sections intended for anxious would-be cooks and put the ingredients together on the counter. The day would be blessedly slow and calm. I’d have time to pause and consider the matanot ketanot, the small gifts of the day.
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. The streets are quiet. The stores are closed (most of them), and family and friends gather together to celebrate. Everyone can drive over, and the food doesn’t dry out because you serve it right after you make it. Old and new immigrants usually love Thanksgiving, as my grandparents did. They loved America and were grateful for their new lives and new freedoms. It’s a festive time to recount blessings. In his book, Celebrating Life, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes, “A blessing is an expression of the miracle of simple things.”
But I am in Israel this year. It’s going to be different.
Together Watching
It was different even before I got on the plane. When the El Al security representative asked us if we packed our bags ourselves, he also asked why we were coming.
“For a visit.”
“A visit during a war?”
“A visit because of the war.”
He looked up from our passports with grateful eyes and thanked us. The pilot also thanked us for coming and reminded us that El Al, the only airline flying to Israel right now, continues to serve Israel in peace and in crisis. The airport was empty of the usual noises of families and friends reunited. There were no children holding balloons or boyfriends clutching cheap flowers and handmade signs.
The war is inescapable and everywhere. The automated passport reader that takes your photo first displayed a picture of one hostage, as if joining us together in a common fate. Ben Gurion’s long marble corridor is now flanked on both sides with posters of hostages. Walking by them quickly felt disrespectful. I took my time, pausing in front of babies and children under 10. Forty-six (now 47) days in captivity. Every one of those lives will be shattered in permanent ways. I touched my dog-tag that says, “Bring Them Home Now,” as a talisman and a prayer.
On Highway #1 to Jerusalem, there are signs promoting our victory, but the news makes it clear we’re not there yet. For the 10 hours on the plane, we had been cut off from our usual doom-scrolling, but when we landed, we learned that two more soldiers had been killed. We heard reports of a possible hostage deal to free 50 women and children that may take place on Thanksgiving. Together, may we say on this Thanksgiving the words of our morning prayer: “Blessed are You Lord, our God, King of the Universe who frees the imprisoned.”
Our anxiety about Israel at war is palpable, which makes it harder to give thanks. When Americans sit at tables to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, our soldiers will still be deep in Gaza. Family and friends will run into protective shelters when sirens cry out, and we will pray that today is the day that all the hostages see their loved ones. I find myself perpetually on the precipice of a deep black hole of sorrow. I weep randomly. It all seems absurd until I realize that this is exactly the right time to be thankful.
This Thanksgiving, let us offer a prayer of gratitude.
We are grateful that we have an army to protect us. We didn’t for most of Jewish history.
We are grateful that soldiers, many of them away for weeks without breaks, wake up each day and fight for democracy and Israel’s right to exist.
We are grateful for those hostages who have been released (and rescued) and pray for them all to come home.
We are grateful that reservists everywhere came home to serve in the IDF.
We are grateful for the strength of those holding down the home front while their family members are at war.
We are grateful that Israel is more unified than ever.
We are grateful that Israelis put down signs of protest and responded to ferocious atrocity with unconditional altruism.
We are grateful for the everyday miracles of volunteers who are packing food, doing laundry, sorting donations, picking fruit, babysitting, driving, and attending the funerals of those they don’t know.
We are grateful that Israel has a remarkable network and infrastructure of communal organizations in place that were ready and able to mobilize resources and respond quickly.
We are grateful that Jews and non-Jews across the globe are expressing solidarity with Israel when it matters most.
We are grateful that the rise in antisemitism has woken us up to the reality that we must show up for each other, now more than ever.
We are grateful that college students facing antisemitism on campus are finding the voice to fight back. This war will turn them into the future leaders of our people.
We are grateful that we have the technology to reach across the ocean in real time and support those who serve and those we love.
We are grateful that Israel continues to provide a sheltering embrace for refugees and immigrants who cannot live safely and securely elsewhere.
We are grateful for the many, many new babies born during this war whom we hope will one day enjoy peace.
We are grateful for the friends who carry us across the pain.
We are grateful for the love and support of strangers.
Spiritual writer Melodie Beattie, once wrote, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” We can be sad, despondent, and struggling and still offer thanks for life’s fullness. This year, Thanksgiving is more complicated. But sometimes squeezing gratitude out of despair makes it more rich, more textured, and more deeply felt.
AND ALTHOUGH THAT WAS A LOVELY PIECE I MUST ADD:
“GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD, AND HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER”
It is day 49 and I am listening to the ‘live coverage’ of the release of the of the first 13 children, mothers and elderly from Hamas. Lord…You have called me to ‘what I see…what I hear…that write.’ I can’t. It is the first time…but there is a great divide, and Lord I cannot…I need You to translate in the breach. Help Lord.
May The Lord be glorified and may The Holy Spirit give understanding and be The Translator.
Brothers and sisters, it is Shabbat. The Shabbat prayer played over the loudspeakers in my village at exactly 4pm my time…the time that was given for the release of the first of the 13 captives, among the 50 infants, children, mothers and elderly that are to be released over the next 4 days…by God’s grace…in His mercy. That will STILL leave approximately 185 more still in captivity.
The question caught me…[and it came from many, so if you asked me, please don’t feel badly]…some whom I knew and just some other voices: ‘NO! How can Israel stop NOW? Don’t they know that Hamas will take advantage; that the world will press in and cause you guys to stop fighting before the war is won? Aren’t you tough? Keep going! Don’t stop! This is crazy! It’s a trap! How can you be so foolish!
And this is where my mouth falls open and nothing comes out and I can’t explain, because there IS a big gulf. You see…the ENTIRE country is mourning and grieving its children…Rachel crying and not being comforted AGAIN!
“Thus says the Lord: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18) And it is REAL…it’s not sentimental emotion…it IS what we are made of …it is our children, and our sisters and brothers weeping and lamenting. To the Jews, L-I-F-E is of utmost importance. That is why our (yes) socialistic medical system here ‘WORKS’. It is mixed with a deep compassion and belief that each life is holy. Yes, OFCOURSE it isn’t 100%! Yes, I KNOW that we have abortion. I know that we also have people who don’t care about life; but in general, a driving concern for ‘LIFE’ is what binds this people together. LIFE…points to GOD…in Him is Life and that Life echoes HIM.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
Yesterday a friend told me a story that she heard first hand at ‘Efrat’, an organization that reaches out to people who are planning to have an abortion. [this is NOT the one that believers have called Ba’ad Hayim but Efrat is run by religious Jews] The father of a soldier went there a day or two ago and asked them for a coat for their son and for all of the 20 soldiers in his unit. They said that they couldn’t provide that many because they only had 30 coats and they could not give most of them away right at the start of the winter; they could give one or maybe two. The father looked at them and said; ‘But you must, because this son of mine who is defending you, is only here because you convinced us to have him and not kill him…and he is asking for them!’ They gave him the 20 coats.
Now how do I put THAT particular quality of the heart into words? I can’t. All I can say is that it is REAL. The entire country has been grieving and suffering with the families (can you imagine?) who have loved ones somewhere underground in Gaza as the war rages…Everyone here KNOWS that it is ALL ‘for them’…for the 9 month old baby or the 3 year old girl whose parents were killed before her eyes just before she was grabbed, or the holocaust survivor who lived life to say ‘NEVER AGAIN’…or simply each child, sibling, spouse, parent, grandparent.
Yesterday I read the account of David in Ziklag that I wrote at the top of this letter and I wept. It says that the men were so grieved for their captive wives and children that they were about to stone David. Grief does that… it rips people to pieces…and we ARE experiencing a collective grief. We have been praying that our soldiers would discover the captives and set them free (as David and his men did), but only one captive was set free thus far in this manner and we have been told that it was an extremely dangerous operation. Quoting an analysis by David Horovitz in Times of Israel:
“Obviously, Israel would have wanted an agreement to secure the return of all hostages. Ministers were told that there was no such deal to be made. Obviously, too, Israel would have wanted the IDF to have itself located and rescued all, or at least more of the hostages — without necessitating any deal with the terrorists, any release of Palestinian security prisoners, any halt to the war. But that option, ministers were told, was not available either. Only one hostage has been extricated from Gaza to date — Orit Megidish, three weeks ago, in an extremely high-risk operation — even as the IDF has taken greater control of many of Hamas’s strongholds in the north of the strip. (The case of Nachshon Wachsman. a soldier abducted and held hostage by Hamas in 1994, underscores the difficulty of such rescues. In Wachsman’s case, Israel knew precisely where he was being held, in the West Bank just outside Jerusalem, but a rescue attempt proved disastrous, with Wachsman killed by his captors as IDF commandos attempted to break in, and the lead officer in the rescue attempt killed as well.)”
I remember well the sad death of Nachshon Wachsman. We had just made Aliyah and this life was so new to me. Many thousands gathered at the western wall of the temple, praying, beseeching God to spare him…it was so vivid to me…and so new.
A sister wrote to me that she had been thinking about how many times Moses went to Pharaoh to beseech him: “Let My people go!”. And this war is not over yet. Although we are aware that Hamas has laid a trap in this 4 day ‘pause’, we pray with David “Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.” In Psalm 141:9 and Psalm 124:7 “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped.” We are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices.
The hour is late and we now see the faces of those who were released today. No one dares to say ‘So many little old ladies!’…because each life is considered holy and precious…but oh how we had hoped to see more than 4 children today. Actually, until they all come home it will not be enough. BUT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THESE AND WE LOOK TO GOD FOR THE FUTURE.
Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America and although the article that I printed below is…just an article…it touched me and perhaps it will give you more of a ‘flavor’ of Israel today than I am able to do. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR STAYING FAITHFUL TO HIM. MAY WE KNOW HIM MORE DEEPLY DAY BY DAY AND…BE FOUND FAITHFUL.
Loving blessings, your sister here.
AN ARTICLE FROM Times of Israel
Thanksgiving: This year in Jerusalem
Anxiety about Israel at war, the hostages, antisemitism (the list goes on) makes it hard to give thanks, but it's exactly the right thing to do
NOV 22, 2023
Tomorrow, Thursday, if I were in America, I would set the table early, organize a lavish mid-afternoon meal, and put the menu on the refrigerator. I would have scoured recipes in newspaper food sections intended for anxious would-be cooks and put the ingredients together on the counter. The day would be blessedly slow and calm. I’d have time to pause and consider the matanot ketanot, the small gifts of the day.
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. The streets are quiet. The stores are closed (most of them), and family and friends gather together to celebrate. Everyone can drive over, and the food doesn’t dry out because you serve it right after you make it. Old and new immigrants usually love Thanksgiving, as my grandparents did. They loved America and were grateful for their new lives and new freedoms. It’s a festive time to recount blessings. In his book, Celebrating Life, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes, “A blessing is an expression of the miracle of simple things.”
But I am in Israel this year. It’s going to be different.
Together Watching
It was different even before I got on the plane. When the El Al security representative asked us if we packed our bags ourselves, he also asked why we were coming.
“For a visit.”
“A visit during a war?”
“A visit because of the war.”
He looked up from our passports with grateful eyes and thanked us. The pilot also thanked us for coming and reminded us that El Al, the only airline flying to Israel right now, continues to serve Israel in peace and in crisis. The airport was empty of the usual noises of families and friends reunited. There were no children holding balloons or boyfriends clutching cheap flowers and handmade signs.
The war is inescapable and everywhere. The automated passport reader that takes your photo first displayed a picture of one hostage, as if joining us together in a common fate. Ben Gurion’s long marble corridor is now flanked on both sides with posters of hostages. Walking by them quickly felt disrespectful. I took my time, pausing in front of babies and children under 10. Forty-six (now 47) days in captivity. Every one of those lives will be shattered in permanent ways. I touched my dog-tag that says, “Bring Them Home Now,” as a talisman and a prayer.
On Highway #1 to Jerusalem, there are signs promoting our victory, but the news makes it clear we’re not there yet. For the 10 hours on the plane, we had been cut off from our usual doom-scrolling, but when we landed, we learned that two more soldiers had been killed. We heard reports of a possible hostage deal to free 50 women and children that may take place on Thanksgiving. Together, may we say on this Thanksgiving the words of our morning prayer: “Blessed are You Lord, our God, King of the Universe who frees the imprisoned.”
Our anxiety about Israel at war is palpable, which makes it harder to give thanks. When Americans sit at tables to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, our soldiers will still be deep in Gaza. Family and friends will run into protective shelters when sirens cry out, and we will pray that today is the day that all the hostages see their loved ones. I find myself perpetually on the precipice of a deep black hole of sorrow. I weep randomly. It all seems absurd until I realize that this is exactly the right time to be thankful.
This Thanksgiving, let us offer a prayer of gratitude.
We are grateful that we have an army to protect us. We didn’t for most of Jewish history.
We are grateful that soldiers, many of them away for weeks without breaks, wake up each day and fight for democracy and Israel’s right to exist.
We are grateful for those hostages who have been released (and rescued) and pray for them all to come home.
We are grateful that reservists everywhere came home to serve in the IDF.
We are grateful for the strength of those holding down the home front while their family members are at war.
We are grateful that Israel is more unified than ever.
We are grateful that Israelis put down signs of protest and responded to ferocious atrocity with unconditional altruism.
We are grateful for the everyday miracles of volunteers who are packing food, doing laundry, sorting donations, picking fruit, babysitting, driving, and attending the funerals of those they don’t know.
We are grateful that Israel has a remarkable network and infrastructure of communal organizations in place that were ready and able to mobilize resources and respond quickly.
We are grateful that Jews and non-Jews across the globe are expressing solidarity with Israel when it matters most.
We are grateful that the rise in antisemitism has woken us up to the reality that we must show up for each other, now more than ever.
We are grateful that college students facing antisemitism on campus are finding the voice to fight back. This war will turn them into the future leaders of our people.
We are grateful that we have the technology to reach across the ocean in real time and support those who serve and those we love.
We are grateful that Israel continues to provide a sheltering embrace for refugees and immigrants who cannot live safely and securely elsewhere.
We are grateful for the many, many new babies born during this war whom we hope will one day enjoy peace.
We are grateful for the friends who carry us across the pain.
We are grateful for the love and support of strangers.
Spiritual writer Melodie Beattie, once wrote, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” We can be sad, despondent, and struggling and still offer thanks for life’s fullness. This year, Thanksgiving is more complicated. But sometimes squeezing gratitude out of despair makes it more rich, more textured, and more deeply felt.
AND ALTHOUGH THAT WAS A LOVELY PIECE I MUST ADD:
“GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD, AND HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER”
November 19, 2023
Psalm 129 “’Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,’ Let Israel now say— “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long.” The Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back. Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up, With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms. Neither let those who pass by them say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you; We bless you in the name of the Lord!’”
Psalm 114 “When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.
Psalm 115:1-3 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.”
Psalm 119:37-42 “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness. Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord-- Your salvation according to Your word. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.”
Greetings and blessings to you in THE NAME of The Lord of hosts, in The Name of His Precious Messiah Yeshua, Who gives us access to the throne of grace, as well as His Peace and forgiveness and cleansing and wisdom and Truth all IN HIM Who IS The ONLY Answer. May He be known, glorified and blessed…and may you be encouraged.
Today is…I think…day 44 of this war. The statistics have become a bit fuzzy: “More than” 1,200 dead from 7 Oct… 58 of our soldiers killed since the beginning of the ground operations…Last I saw there were 139 captives, but I have not seen the number re-set since the bodies of two captives were discovered before Shabbat…that would make 137 now in captivity…not to mention their agonized families…and an agonized nation sharing the pain.
I am so aware that all of the events that I have walked through for the past year and almost a half have brought me to this solitary little ‘cabin’ alone…with almost no necessary distraction or restraint on my time for prayer and being before The Lord in His Word. Although the world is all too effectively hijacking (technologically) it…people have been doing a magnificent job defending Israel’s position, situation, history, and hope. You name it, it is in print and one is able to spend endless hours listening or reading. Arguing and defending.
I came to The Lord and asked Him; ‘With all of this distracting people from prayer, should I still write these letters and what should I write?’ He reminded me instantly of what He told me nearly 30 years ago: ‘Be my witness…what you see, write. What you hear, write.’
I will attempt to leave the reporting, the explaining and the history to others and I will tell you what it ‘looks like’ around me…through my eyes.
The (physical) sky has been dramatic! Yes, it is Autumn and the beginning of the rainy season, but the ‘anger’ in the clouds… the lights in the sky, encourage me that The Lord, The Creator, The Lord of hosts (armies) IS HERE; and I feel that I can bear witness to that in what I hear from and see in people around me. [“Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His Word.” Psalm 148:8] It is so good to smell the familiar smell of wood smoke around me [a benefit of having moved to a village] as the days grow chilly, and we are reminded of the soldiers, sleeping out in the cold, and the country is busy making or securing hats and scarves, sox and gloves for them as we pray for them.
I took Gila out for her walk on Friday night and as I passed a young religious man I said ‘Shabbat Shalom’. He said ‘Ah yes! Shabbat Shalom! May we have ‘shalom!’ What will be? I lifted my hand up to The Lord and said ‘Only HE knows, and we must continue to be soft and obey and seek Him with our whole hearts.’ He said ‘Oh yes! We must…so who are you? Do you live here?’ I told him a bit of how I had moved here in June. ‘Do you like it here?’ he asked me. ‘Oh! I love it here! The people are so very warm and friendly, like family!’ He was pleased and told me that he had been born on this moshav (technically it is still a moshav) and loves it here. When he asked where I lived and I showed him he said ‘Oh, with the French people?’ (They are Finnish but the wife, who was born French Moroccan, has a thick French accent) ‘That’s right’ I answered. He immediately started telling me about other places that I should rent that I would like more in Kurdish houses. This made me smile and I understood that it was a sign of ‘acceptance’…being taken in by ‘the family.’ We talked some more and he said ‘My name is ..... It was nice to meet you.’ And it was. May each of these encounters be SEEDS until I can freely speak His Name into plowed and prepared soil…soil ready to receive and produce fruit unto salvation.
I have found people around me very much to be calling out to God. It seems to be real and with a new and broken tenderness. Some believers that I have spoken to about it have sloughed it off as worthless without Yeshua, but others agree with me that The Word is LOADED with the PROMISE that all those who seek Him or call upon Him with their whole hearts WILL FIND HIM! I went to find a verse to include here…but there are too many! It is truly a promise…HE WILL HEAR THE CRY OF THE NEEDY and I am excited for I know that He never lies and we are hearing of so many answers to those cries and they can only point to Him! I don’t believe that this is a vain fleshly hope. I am hearing all around me people crying out to God to save us, both in public and in private; Almost all conversations turn to God…and they surely did not used to.
We have been witnessing an amazing phenomenon in this divided world. You may recall that before the war, the division here was awful (as in your countries as well…all of them). The rage between right and left, religious and secular had many (including me) in tears. We had come to the brink of a civil war and the anger had become hatred. The 7th of October changed MUCH (not all) of it and surely the voices of descent have quieted down although not disappeared completely. The well know Psalm 133 begins “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” and the fruit of the unity that we have had since 7 October has produced something difficult to describe. A social media post spoke about it well through a handsome young man picking vegetables who said “They told us ‘The people need help’! So we all ran out to help the people. Then they said ‘The animals need help! [there were so many pets and farm animals stranded after the attacks] So we all ran out to help the animals. Now they said ‘The cherry tomatoes need help!’ So here we all are, picking cherry tomatoes’…and yes! This is true. The post was humorous, but so very true (they were there picking the cherry tomatoes). One industry is BOOMING through all of this and that is the local company that makes Israeli flags. They have had to hire many people to help…and I encourage you to look at photos. Almost every house in Israel (including many Arab houses) have atleast one large flag and the streets are literally CLOTHED in flags! I have seen fairly dramatic displays of nationalistic unity in the past…but NOTHING compared to this. Even the garbage trucks have large flags flying over them…the taxis…you name it. In Hebrew the word for flag is ‘degel’ and for banner is ‘nes’. Many scriptures speak of the flag and banner that is set up in The Name of The Lord marking ‘the way’…displayed because of His faithfulness… calling us to gather to it.
I just thought of something that you might not realize: The rockets being shot from Gaza are still raining upon Israel. Did you know that? In all honesty, from perhaps Thursday or Friday, there seem to be less sirens around the country, however our northern border has seen many more attacks from Hizbollah. I just checked my ‘red alert’ app, which shows incoming rockets (often a barrage of 40-50) and it showed 18 such barrages within the past 24 hours. That is way down from a week ago.
This is a hard time to be living through. Yet it is a privilege to be here for such a time as this.
The question in all of our hearts is: Is this the ‘real thing’…will THE move of His Spirit among our people, that we long for, be the result, or will hearts again grow hard and turn back? To this end we pray for God’s mercy…When judgment is ordained, He offers us a place in the gap…in the cleft of the Rock…in the valley of the shadow…to prevail. Will we prevail for mercy over judgment? Oh Lord, please! I do not KNOW…but I do know that this is REAL. It is no longer a test.
I am touched by the kindness of neighbors. Everyone wants to help. When I stand outside waiting for my ride to Kehila I have so many people stop and ask me if I need help. It is touching. I know that I told you in the past, but it has (thankfully) been awhile. When there is a funeral (and there have been woefully many lately) perhaps you remember that Jewish funerals usually take place within 24 hours of the death and people here are not buried in coffins but in shrouds. Thousands of people show up spontaneously at the funerals to support the family. These are not people who KNOW the family, but they honestly CARE and willing come to help carry the burden of pain. The same is taking place in the hospitals. [Again, I have told you before that our health system is very different here and the presence of family and friends – even around the clock- is encouraged…and this people IS FAMILY.] We have an inordinate number of young people who have lost limbs…such a difficult injury to accept. Their hospital rooms are filled with people from around the country who come to sing to them, to pray for them, to encourage and support them.
These things give the people hope and strength in the face of so much hatred, lies and death. The drawing together and giving of one’s self sacrificially is such a manifestation of The Lord’s Heart…I must believe that He is near.
I have told you about the organization ‘Latet’ (means ‘to give’) which is a food rescue program normally. Their volunteers would glean the fields and orchards, and also the hotels and restaurants as well as food shops to give to those who might lack food. With the war and the lack of farm hands, they have instead been harvesting the fields (volunteers) and paying the farmers for the goods and giving them away; a triple blessing! Once a week, since the area has been secured and there are less rockets reaching our area, we have had their trucks in our school parking area to share the abundance with the community. I have been deeply blessed by the produce, but I also enjoy standing in line with the people. Over the years, The Lord has convicted me concerning murmuring and complaining rather than giving of thanks in all situations. The Lord’s judgment against murmuring and complaining is very severe; in Exodus, He sent ‘the destroyer’ against those who murmured and complained. He has turned up the heat on my heart and I have heard myself complaining about all sorts of things. He has made it clear to me that there is no ‘free ground’ for complaining…not even concerning politics or someone else’s poor judgment…He has made it a firm ‘NO’. It is a ‘spirit’! Because He has dealt with me so firmly, I have found that complaining (sometimes disguised as ‘prudent judgment’ or ‘opinions’ or ‘reason’) hurts the ears of my heart. I’m NOT saying that I’m perfect or free of this…but I have learned to recognize it and be quick(er) to repent…my own murmuring has begun to ‘stink’ to me. I was grieved to stand in line for our FREE, freshly picked produce and hear some people grumbling…that the line wasn’t moving fast enough or that they didn’t like something. I spoke up (shy I’m not) and encouraged people to be thankful (and OFCOURSE most were) but how grievous it was to my heart. Yesterday I read the slim volume of ‘Praying Hyde’ (the biography of John Hyde). It has been a couple of years since I read it, and a particular lesson that The Holy Spirit taught him really grabbed me. He relayed about a time that he was burdened concerning the coldness of a certain pastor’s heart, so he went to prayer for him and told The Lord that he was concerned for the pastor’s lack. The Lord stopped him immediately and brought him to Philippians 4:8, 9. He wrestled with the verses and said ‘Lord…Your Word says ‘whatsoever things are true and it is true that this man is cold’. The Lord showed him that until he could also pray about what was praiseworthy in the man, his prayer would not be heard. What a powerful lesson this was for me. When I am again in the line for receiving these blessings, I will praise God for the life of each of the people on line with me.
And now I am falling asleep as I write, so it must be time for me to close. I give thanks for each one of you…for your portion…large or small…may we all just be found faithful with what He has set before us. Thank you so very very much for praying and caring. This is WAY bigger than all of us!
Lovingly, your sister here
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you; We bless you in the name of the Lord!’”
Psalm 114 “When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.
Psalm 115:1-3 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.”
Psalm 119:37-42 “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness. Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord-- Your salvation according to Your word. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.”
Greetings and blessings to you in THE NAME of The Lord of hosts, in The Name of His Precious Messiah Yeshua, Who gives us access to the throne of grace, as well as His Peace and forgiveness and cleansing and wisdom and Truth all IN HIM Who IS The ONLY Answer. May He be known, glorified and blessed…and may you be encouraged.
Today is…I think…day 44 of this war. The statistics have become a bit fuzzy: “More than” 1,200 dead from 7 Oct… 58 of our soldiers killed since the beginning of the ground operations…Last I saw there were 139 captives, but I have not seen the number re-set since the bodies of two captives were discovered before Shabbat…that would make 137 now in captivity…not to mention their agonized families…and an agonized nation sharing the pain.
I am so aware that all of the events that I have walked through for the past year and almost a half have brought me to this solitary little ‘cabin’ alone…with almost no necessary distraction or restraint on my time for prayer and being before The Lord in His Word. Although the world is all too effectively hijacking (technologically) it…people have been doing a magnificent job defending Israel’s position, situation, history, and hope. You name it, it is in print and one is able to spend endless hours listening or reading. Arguing and defending.
I came to The Lord and asked Him; ‘With all of this distracting people from prayer, should I still write these letters and what should I write?’ He reminded me instantly of what He told me nearly 30 years ago: ‘Be my witness…what you see, write. What you hear, write.’
I will attempt to leave the reporting, the explaining and the history to others and I will tell you what it ‘looks like’ around me…through my eyes.
The (physical) sky has been dramatic! Yes, it is Autumn and the beginning of the rainy season, but the ‘anger’ in the clouds… the lights in the sky, encourage me that The Lord, The Creator, The Lord of hosts (armies) IS HERE; and I feel that I can bear witness to that in what I hear from and see in people around me. [“Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His Word.” Psalm 148:8] It is so good to smell the familiar smell of wood smoke around me [a benefit of having moved to a village] as the days grow chilly, and we are reminded of the soldiers, sleeping out in the cold, and the country is busy making or securing hats and scarves, sox and gloves for them as we pray for them.
I took Gila out for her walk on Friday night and as I passed a young religious man I said ‘Shabbat Shalom’. He said ‘Ah yes! Shabbat Shalom! May we have ‘shalom!’ What will be? I lifted my hand up to The Lord and said ‘Only HE knows, and we must continue to be soft and obey and seek Him with our whole hearts.’ He said ‘Oh yes! We must…so who are you? Do you live here?’ I told him a bit of how I had moved here in June. ‘Do you like it here?’ he asked me. ‘Oh! I love it here! The people are so very warm and friendly, like family!’ He was pleased and told me that he had been born on this moshav (technically it is still a moshav) and loves it here. When he asked where I lived and I showed him he said ‘Oh, with the French people?’ (They are Finnish but the wife, who was born French Moroccan, has a thick French accent) ‘That’s right’ I answered. He immediately started telling me about other places that I should rent that I would like more in Kurdish houses. This made me smile and I understood that it was a sign of ‘acceptance’…being taken in by ‘the family.’ We talked some more and he said ‘My name is ..... It was nice to meet you.’ And it was. May each of these encounters be SEEDS until I can freely speak His Name into plowed and prepared soil…soil ready to receive and produce fruit unto salvation.
I have found people around me very much to be calling out to God. It seems to be real and with a new and broken tenderness. Some believers that I have spoken to about it have sloughed it off as worthless without Yeshua, but others agree with me that The Word is LOADED with the PROMISE that all those who seek Him or call upon Him with their whole hearts WILL FIND HIM! I went to find a verse to include here…but there are too many! It is truly a promise…HE WILL HEAR THE CRY OF THE NEEDY and I am excited for I know that He never lies and we are hearing of so many answers to those cries and they can only point to Him! I don’t believe that this is a vain fleshly hope. I am hearing all around me people crying out to God to save us, both in public and in private; Almost all conversations turn to God…and they surely did not used to.
We have been witnessing an amazing phenomenon in this divided world. You may recall that before the war, the division here was awful (as in your countries as well…all of them). The rage between right and left, religious and secular had many (including me) in tears. We had come to the brink of a civil war and the anger had become hatred. The 7th of October changed MUCH (not all) of it and surely the voices of descent have quieted down although not disappeared completely. The well know Psalm 133 begins “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” and the fruit of the unity that we have had since 7 October has produced something difficult to describe. A social media post spoke about it well through a handsome young man picking vegetables who said “They told us ‘The people need help’! So we all ran out to help the people. Then they said ‘The animals need help! [there were so many pets and farm animals stranded after the attacks] So we all ran out to help the animals. Now they said ‘The cherry tomatoes need help!’ So here we all are, picking cherry tomatoes’…and yes! This is true. The post was humorous, but so very true (they were there picking the cherry tomatoes). One industry is BOOMING through all of this and that is the local company that makes Israeli flags. They have had to hire many people to help…and I encourage you to look at photos. Almost every house in Israel (including many Arab houses) have atleast one large flag and the streets are literally CLOTHED in flags! I have seen fairly dramatic displays of nationalistic unity in the past…but NOTHING compared to this. Even the garbage trucks have large flags flying over them…the taxis…you name it. In Hebrew the word for flag is ‘degel’ and for banner is ‘nes’. Many scriptures speak of the flag and banner that is set up in The Name of The Lord marking ‘the way’…displayed because of His faithfulness… calling us to gather to it.
I just thought of something that you might not realize: The rockets being shot from Gaza are still raining upon Israel. Did you know that? In all honesty, from perhaps Thursday or Friday, there seem to be less sirens around the country, however our northern border has seen many more attacks from Hizbollah. I just checked my ‘red alert’ app, which shows incoming rockets (often a barrage of 40-50) and it showed 18 such barrages within the past 24 hours. That is way down from a week ago.
This is a hard time to be living through. Yet it is a privilege to be here for such a time as this.
The question in all of our hearts is: Is this the ‘real thing’…will THE move of His Spirit among our people, that we long for, be the result, or will hearts again grow hard and turn back? To this end we pray for God’s mercy…When judgment is ordained, He offers us a place in the gap…in the cleft of the Rock…in the valley of the shadow…to prevail. Will we prevail for mercy over judgment? Oh Lord, please! I do not KNOW…but I do know that this is REAL. It is no longer a test.
I am touched by the kindness of neighbors. Everyone wants to help. When I stand outside waiting for my ride to Kehila I have so many people stop and ask me if I need help. It is touching. I know that I told you in the past, but it has (thankfully) been awhile. When there is a funeral (and there have been woefully many lately) perhaps you remember that Jewish funerals usually take place within 24 hours of the death and people here are not buried in coffins but in shrouds. Thousands of people show up spontaneously at the funerals to support the family. These are not people who KNOW the family, but they honestly CARE and willing come to help carry the burden of pain. The same is taking place in the hospitals. [Again, I have told you before that our health system is very different here and the presence of family and friends – even around the clock- is encouraged…and this people IS FAMILY.] We have an inordinate number of young people who have lost limbs…such a difficult injury to accept. Their hospital rooms are filled with people from around the country who come to sing to them, to pray for them, to encourage and support them.
These things give the people hope and strength in the face of so much hatred, lies and death. The drawing together and giving of one’s self sacrificially is such a manifestation of The Lord’s Heart…I must believe that He is near.
I have told you about the organization ‘Latet’ (means ‘to give’) which is a food rescue program normally. Their volunteers would glean the fields and orchards, and also the hotels and restaurants as well as food shops to give to those who might lack food. With the war and the lack of farm hands, they have instead been harvesting the fields (volunteers) and paying the farmers for the goods and giving them away; a triple blessing! Once a week, since the area has been secured and there are less rockets reaching our area, we have had their trucks in our school parking area to share the abundance with the community. I have been deeply blessed by the produce, but I also enjoy standing in line with the people. Over the years, The Lord has convicted me concerning murmuring and complaining rather than giving of thanks in all situations. The Lord’s judgment against murmuring and complaining is very severe; in Exodus, He sent ‘the destroyer’ against those who murmured and complained. He has turned up the heat on my heart and I have heard myself complaining about all sorts of things. He has made it clear to me that there is no ‘free ground’ for complaining…not even concerning politics or someone else’s poor judgment…He has made it a firm ‘NO’. It is a ‘spirit’! Because He has dealt with me so firmly, I have found that complaining (sometimes disguised as ‘prudent judgment’ or ‘opinions’ or ‘reason’) hurts the ears of my heart. I’m NOT saying that I’m perfect or free of this…but I have learned to recognize it and be quick(er) to repent…my own murmuring has begun to ‘stink’ to me. I was grieved to stand in line for our FREE, freshly picked produce and hear some people grumbling…that the line wasn’t moving fast enough or that they didn’t like something. I spoke up (shy I’m not) and encouraged people to be thankful (and OFCOURSE most were) but how grievous it was to my heart. Yesterday I read the slim volume of ‘Praying Hyde’ (the biography of John Hyde). It has been a couple of years since I read it, and a particular lesson that The Holy Spirit taught him really grabbed me. He relayed about a time that he was burdened concerning the coldness of a certain pastor’s heart, so he went to prayer for him and told The Lord that he was concerned for the pastor’s lack. The Lord stopped him immediately and brought him to Philippians 4:8, 9. He wrestled with the verses and said ‘Lord…Your Word says ‘whatsoever things are true and it is true that this man is cold’. The Lord showed him that until he could also pray about what was praiseworthy in the man, his prayer would not be heard. What a powerful lesson this was for me. When I am again in the line for receiving these blessings, I will praise God for the life of each of the people on line with me.
And now I am falling asleep as I write, so it must be time for me to close. I give thanks for each one of you…for your portion…large or small…may we all just be found faithful with what He has set before us. Thank you so very very much for praying and caring. This is WAY bigger than all of us!
Lovingly, your sister here
November 12, 2023
“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end…. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” PSALM 119:111-114 [forget it…just read the whole Psalm and pray it.]
May The Lord, Who made the heavens and the earth, be known, and loved and followed…and glorified. May His mercy and His ways be known and seen. May you be blessed and encouraged in all that is of Him. Shabbat Shalom.
I have lost track of the days…they blend together. We are collectively emotionally tired but strengthened as well. We check our phones to see where the last red alerts (meaning; siren; run to your bomb shelter) were sounded. There appear to be, finally, less in the south (reflecting our successes in Gaza) however more in the North (Iran using Lebanon, Syria, Hezbollah) …and even Yemenite Houthi attacks on Eilat in the far south, where many, who were displaced from their kibbutzim, were put up in hotels. The war has been costly…more than 360 Israeli soldiers killed to date.
Many of you expressed surprise at the way our soldiers are fed by the citizens of the country and I thought that it is probably difficult to picture the fact that the soldiers are rotated to come home to their families every week or two…to embrace their loved ones and get showers, do laundry, enjoy family meals, and sleep in a real bed. They might be sent home for as short a period as 12 hours or for several days. They return refreshed. Some of them live within walking distance of where they are fighting…others travel by car or public transportation. The war is ‘right here’…those fighting for us are our family members. It’s very, very personal.
Many volunteers have come from around the world to join those volunteering to help keep the country running. Particularly hard hit has been our agriculture. Most ‘POPULAR’ among our volunteers seem to be 4 American cowboys (3 from Montana and one from Arkansas) who simply bought tickets and came, saying; ‘We are Christians, so we love you…and we are farmers, so we know that when a farmer is down, everyone needs to pitch in.’ It has really warmed the hearts of the nation. (I just found out that FIFTEEN actually came!) My helper (from the government) goes south one day a week to pick crops. She sent me a picture of herself in a tree harvesting olives. Many of the schools have dismissed their classes for students to go and help in the fields or in hospitals…where ever there is a need.
One day when I had watched far too many videos chanting ‘from the river to the sea…’, my neighbor sent me yet another video. I had to do a double take; was it fake? But it wasn’t and I burst out crying. Silently…reported almost no where…there were our soldiers unfurling and raising the Israeli flag…at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea in Gaza! Our soldiers had fought through…from the river to the sea…in Israeli hands! They raised the flag and sang Hatikvah…our national anthem. They are moving slowly, methodically, carefully…non the less, last I had heard, we have lost 35 soldiers in the fighting with many wounded since entering the ground war in Gaza.
I wrote that yesterday. We lost 5 more last night.
Because of the nature of the attack, it has been difficult to perfectly identify many of the bodies, and there has been a need to call for the aid of archeologists to sift through the ashes and identify remnants of bodies. In Judaism, the body is considered holy, even in death, and so the identification is very important. With their help, 200 more people who were thought to have been perished were found to be bodies of terrorists and not Israelis, so the number of those killed initially has moved from approximately 1,400 to approximately 1,200. Perhaps this article will help to explain: death tolls revised down
I spoke to a brother who is very involved in hospital work and asked him how the hospitals are holding up. He told me that they are doing well…but that the rehabilitation centers are staggering…and that the emotional impact of having so many young people (soldiers) with amputated limbs is difficult. Shortly after that, I learned that a believer from the south (I think) was critically injured and lost both of his legs. He is 20 and still in critical condition. His first name is A...... for those who would pray for him.
_____________________________________
I wrote the above yesterday. Things change so rapidly. I try to remember things that I want to write about but the priorities change. Today is day 37 of the war and it is necessary to keep encouraging one another to life, strength, and to look TO THE LORD!
I just came back from a shop…sort of a general store farm style. There were a number of customers and workers and as I went to pay for my stuff, this song came on the radio. It is a song that we also sing in Kehila and speaks of the times that the Jews have been near annihilation and YET GOD saved us…He Who saved us WILL YET save us it says. EVERYONE THERE JOINED IN SINGING! It was an emotional and strengthening moment. Yonatan Razel - Vehi Sheamda
At Kehila last night, I found out that A..... was starting a ‘ministry’ of designing and producing bedrooms for all of the new orphans that we now have. A.... is a registered nurse who has worked in child cancer care for many years, but when her own second daughter was born last year, she stopped working. The Lord placed this need on her heart as she looked at the rooms of her own little girls and saw the burned homes (and families) of the new orphans. She thought about what it would be like for these little ones to have NOTHING comforting in their lives, and this new idea was born…with prayer for each of these little ones.
We prayed for each of the soldiers from our own congregation and others that we know who are fighting… praying for their spirit and soul to be guarded as well as their bodies.
My son in law w....... came by and took me out for lunch on Thursday. He has always been a pacifist and did religious studies rather than go to army. As things heated up and he understood that he may need (we pray not) to defend his family, after much counsel and soul searching, he applied for a gun license and went through weapons training. Sometimes he comes to me when something is heavy on his heart, for which I am deeply thankful. We sat in a small local Kurdi restaurant and he told me that he is not sleeping. He knows that he is responsible for his family’s safety and it weighs on him. He looks at his own 3 little girls and knows that they depend upon him. Because their village is so small, everyone with a weapon must do guard duty and he has been given the 2am shift. I told him that I would be praying for him, so last night I got up at 2am. to lift him in prayer. Suddenly at about 2:15 I heard the roaring overhead of heavily loaded planes: That alerted me to know that we were bombing in the north. When I woke, sure enough there had been increased attacks in the north and we had struck back…was it Lebanon or Syria? It has already been replaced by more current news; it is just being reported that there was a Hezbollah attack in the north severely injuring a number of civilians. How secure I am KNOWING that THE LORD OF HOSTS really IS in control!
My other son in law, ......., also blessed me last week by sending me a link to an interactive zoom lecture class that he was giving in Sderot School of Animation where he taught in the past when they were living here…and after as well (online). What a JOY it was for me to see some 200 students encouraged by his presentation…and to see the compassion in his face and voice.
Brothers and sisters…this season feels surreal…but it is VERY ‘REAL’ and how we each relate to it and walk through it (I believe) will affect the rest of our lives.
This has gotten too long for ‘a quick update’ but events around me are moving so quickly. I am deeply thankful for your prayers and encouragement. I, myself, am fine and have deep peace in my heart…and no fear.
I send my love. May your week ahead be blessed with more of Him.
Lovingly, your sister.
May The Lord, Who made the heavens and the earth, be known, and loved and followed…and glorified. May His mercy and His ways be known and seen. May you be blessed and encouraged in all that is of Him. Shabbat Shalom.
I have lost track of the days…they blend together. We are collectively emotionally tired but strengthened as well. We check our phones to see where the last red alerts (meaning; siren; run to your bomb shelter) were sounded. There appear to be, finally, less in the south (reflecting our successes in Gaza) however more in the North (Iran using Lebanon, Syria, Hezbollah) …and even Yemenite Houthi attacks on Eilat in the far south, where many, who were displaced from their kibbutzim, were put up in hotels. The war has been costly…more than 360 Israeli soldiers killed to date.
Many of you expressed surprise at the way our soldiers are fed by the citizens of the country and I thought that it is probably difficult to picture the fact that the soldiers are rotated to come home to their families every week or two…to embrace their loved ones and get showers, do laundry, enjoy family meals, and sleep in a real bed. They might be sent home for as short a period as 12 hours or for several days. They return refreshed. Some of them live within walking distance of where they are fighting…others travel by car or public transportation. The war is ‘right here’…those fighting for us are our family members. It’s very, very personal.
Many volunteers have come from around the world to join those volunteering to help keep the country running. Particularly hard hit has been our agriculture. Most ‘POPULAR’ among our volunteers seem to be 4 American cowboys (3 from Montana and one from Arkansas) who simply bought tickets and came, saying; ‘We are Christians, so we love you…and we are farmers, so we know that when a farmer is down, everyone needs to pitch in.’ It has really warmed the hearts of the nation. (I just found out that FIFTEEN actually came!) My helper (from the government) goes south one day a week to pick crops. She sent me a picture of herself in a tree harvesting olives. Many of the schools have dismissed their classes for students to go and help in the fields or in hospitals…where ever there is a need.
One day when I had watched far too many videos chanting ‘from the river to the sea…’, my neighbor sent me yet another video. I had to do a double take; was it fake? But it wasn’t and I burst out crying. Silently…reported almost no where…there were our soldiers unfurling and raising the Israeli flag…at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea in Gaza! Our soldiers had fought through…from the river to the sea…in Israeli hands! They raised the flag and sang Hatikvah…our national anthem. They are moving slowly, methodically, carefully…non the less, last I had heard, we have lost 35 soldiers in the fighting with many wounded since entering the ground war in Gaza.
I wrote that yesterday. We lost 5 more last night.
Because of the nature of the attack, it has been difficult to perfectly identify many of the bodies, and there has been a need to call for the aid of archeologists to sift through the ashes and identify remnants of bodies. In Judaism, the body is considered holy, even in death, and so the identification is very important. With their help, 200 more people who were thought to have been perished were found to be bodies of terrorists and not Israelis, so the number of those killed initially has moved from approximately 1,400 to approximately 1,200. Perhaps this article will help to explain: death tolls revised down
I spoke to a brother who is very involved in hospital work and asked him how the hospitals are holding up. He told me that they are doing well…but that the rehabilitation centers are staggering…and that the emotional impact of having so many young people (soldiers) with amputated limbs is difficult. Shortly after that, I learned that a believer from the south (I think) was critically injured and lost both of his legs. He is 20 and still in critical condition. His first name is A...... for those who would pray for him.
_____________________________________
I wrote the above yesterday. Things change so rapidly. I try to remember things that I want to write about but the priorities change. Today is day 37 of the war and it is necessary to keep encouraging one another to life, strength, and to look TO THE LORD!
I just came back from a shop…sort of a general store farm style. There were a number of customers and workers and as I went to pay for my stuff, this song came on the radio. It is a song that we also sing in Kehila and speaks of the times that the Jews have been near annihilation and YET GOD saved us…He Who saved us WILL YET save us it says. EVERYONE THERE JOINED IN SINGING! It was an emotional and strengthening moment. Yonatan Razel - Vehi Sheamda
At Kehila last night, I found out that A..... was starting a ‘ministry’ of designing and producing bedrooms for all of the new orphans that we now have. A.... is a registered nurse who has worked in child cancer care for many years, but when her own second daughter was born last year, she stopped working. The Lord placed this need on her heart as she looked at the rooms of her own little girls and saw the burned homes (and families) of the new orphans. She thought about what it would be like for these little ones to have NOTHING comforting in their lives, and this new idea was born…with prayer for each of these little ones.
We prayed for each of the soldiers from our own congregation and others that we know who are fighting… praying for their spirit and soul to be guarded as well as their bodies.
My son in law w....... came by and took me out for lunch on Thursday. He has always been a pacifist and did religious studies rather than go to army. As things heated up and he understood that he may need (we pray not) to defend his family, after much counsel and soul searching, he applied for a gun license and went through weapons training. Sometimes he comes to me when something is heavy on his heart, for which I am deeply thankful. We sat in a small local Kurdi restaurant and he told me that he is not sleeping. He knows that he is responsible for his family’s safety and it weighs on him. He looks at his own 3 little girls and knows that they depend upon him. Because their village is so small, everyone with a weapon must do guard duty and he has been given the 2am shift. I told him that I would be praying for him, so last night I got up at 2am. to lift him in prayer. Suddenly at about 2:15 I heard the roaring overhead of heavily loaded planes: That alerted me to know that we were bombing in the north. When I woke, sure enough there had been increased attacks in the north and we had struck back…was it Lebanon or Syria? It has already been replaced by more current news; it is just being reported that there was a Hezbollah attack in the north severely injuring a number of civilians. How secure I am KNOWING that THE LORD OF HOSTS really IS in control!
My other son in law, ......., also blessed me last week by sending me a link to an interactive zoom lecture class that he was giving in Sderot School of Animation where he taught in the past when they were living here…and after as well (online). What a JOY it was for me to see some 200 students encouraged by his presentation…and to see the compassion in his face and voice.
Brothers and sisters…this season feels surreal…but it is VERY ‘REAL’ and how we each relate to it and walk through it (I believe) will affect the rest of our lives.
This has gotten too long for ‘a quick update’ but events around me are moving so quickly. I am deeply thankful for your prayers and encouragement. I, myself, am fine and have deep peace in my heart…and no fear.
I send my love. May your week ahead be blessed with more of Him.
Lovingly, your sister.
November 7, 2023
PSALM 114:1-8 “When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language,Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled;
Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.”
PSALM 115:1-3 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy,Because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” But our God is in heaven;He does whatever He pleases.”
2 CHRONICLES 15:1-8 Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the Lord that was before the vestibule of the Lord.
To The One True God…The Creator of heaven and earth Who has given us His Messiah Yeshua – may all glory go…may He be our one fear…He is still The Lord of Hosts. Loving greetings to each of you, and thank you so very much for your prayers and love.
I began to write and then I received a prayer request that a fierce battle was raging, so I have been praying. I still have no news, but my heart is quiet, so I will continue to write as I continue to lift up our soldiers.
1 Samuel 17 contains the beloved report of David and Goliath. Verses 17 and 18 say: “Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.” It was part of my reading this morning and I thought about how I USED to think ‘that was quaint’. I know that western armies have ‘kitchens’ and the like, but that isn’t so here during battle. It is as in the days of David. Right now, much of the non-fighting part of the country is engaged in food preparation and delivery. Pizza delivery for the soldiers has become tax free (I kid you not).
There are no health department inspections…there are only loving families and other volunteers making sandwiches, soups, all manner of food. Home kitchens, commercial kitchens…any free working space has become and area to ‘feed the soldiers’. My 82 year old friend, ....., used to own an amazing middle eastern restaurant. She volunteered to make food. She called me: ‘Oy! I can not do what they are asking! They want me to make the food AND to bring it to Gaza the same day. I told them ‘I can not cook and drive the same day. I can make the food today and bring it down tomorrow.’ No! They told me…I have to bring it the same day! Oy! What can I do?’
I told you in my last update about the nephew of G.... and O..i who was killed in Gaza. Because our funerals are held within 24 hours of the death, I did not hear in time to attend the funeral, but the shiva is held for the 7 days following the burial. Yesterday I took the bus into Jerusalem for the first time since I stopped working, the day before Sukkot [that seems so long ago now]. The shiva was held in a synagogue. When I found the place, the large room was filled with hundreds of young people…most of whom had a weapon slung over their shoulder. I realized that I had not been at a shiva for a young person before. In the far corner, I spotted G... and O... It was hard to digest just how few ‘older people’ there were compared with the young mourners. We embraced and talked for awhile…there really are no words and everyone knows that, and no one expects ‘the right words’, for there just aren’t any. I only stayed for a half hour or so, but during that time two older men in army fatigues came in – their presence was strong and everyone’s eyes turned toward them. They went to the Grandfather …they were official army support, assigned to comfort the grieving…it is a heavy job, but they are appreciated.
I was very tired when I left. I had walked a long way trying to find the synagogue and then I walked for another hour to an appointment with a lung doctor. When I got out of the doctor’s office, it was dark and I decided that I would take a taxi home rather than battle the bus and train and another bus. I prayed for the right driver. I didn’t feel emotionally strong enough to get an Arab driver. I was standing on the corner for quite awhile and almost despairing of being able to get a taxi, when ‘the right’ driver came by. It’s funny how you can ‘feel’ true humility in some people and it’s just so refreshing. We were soon talking about the war, our families, and life in general. I told him that I had been at a shiva earlier and he told me that he had attended 3 funerals this week. ‘How could we expect to NOT be judged when we have been fighting one another…when people want to do away with Shabbat, when we don’t respect each other and we don’t respect God’s commandments.’ he commented. We began talking about the fear of God and how we must not worship the IDF (“may God bless them”) but worship only God Who gives our soldiers the strength to overcome the enemy. Suddenly he told me shyly; ‘I believe in miracles.’ I told him that I do too and he said ‘I had a miracle in my own life’. So I said ‘Please. Tell me about it!’ He told me that last week he had driven to Rishon L’Zion (along the coast) and was on a narrow street when a siren sounded. He looked and could see no place to pull over. Rishon L’Zion is very close to Gaza so whereas we have 90 seconds to reach shelter here, they have about 20 seconds. He finally pulled over and left his car to lie down against a wall and cover his head when the rocket exploded less than 10 meters in front of him. He said that he heard the ‘pop pop pop’ (he made a sound like bullets hitting the ground) and whizzing all around him as the shrapnel struck and he called out to God who covered him and he was not hit! ‘HALLELUYAH’ I shouted from the back seat! ‘That was a miracle!’ And he took up the cry: ‘Hodu l’Adonai ki tov…ki lay olam hasdo!’ (“Give thanks to The Lord for His mercy endures forever”) we shouted over and over! It was a wonderful time of rejoicing with him and we shared scriptures and the atmosphere in that taxi was so light and joyful. He said to me ‘My rabbi once told me a wonderful secret. That God has given the Arabs a particular blessing…that they must always fight and hate one another.’ I said ‘Oh ofcourse. That is in Genesis 16:12 where God said of Ishmael: “He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Again, we rejoiced in the scriptures! It was a WONDERFUL trip home and when we arrived the price was half of what I expected…so I blessed him with double what he asked for and all that I can say my heart was so uplifted and I believe that his was as well.
It was an emotional day today…each day getting more emotional, but His Hand is so evident at every turn. As I shared, the whole country is volunteering in one way or another and there is a general ‘sweet kindness’ being shown to one another. Nobody knows what the next person might be going through so everyone is unusually sensitive. I read this headline a short time ago:
“The education ministry said it was considering suspending high school studies during wartime and shifting students to volunteer programs. "All the Israeli youth today are the State of Israel. Its routine has gone completely wrong. I am discussing the subject with officials in the ministry," Education Minister Yoav Kisch said in the Knesset…According to the Education ministry, many high school students chose to join voluntary initiatives, including babysitters, receiving evacuees in reception centers, helping the elderly, assisting less fortunate families and more…Hundreds of teenagers who speak foreign languages have taken a course in advocacy and are active in global social networks. In addition, the education ministry, in cooperation with the agriculture ministry, began to send volunteers to support Israel's agriculture.”
I am so thankful for your prayers and encouragement! I am so thankful for having the TIME undistracted for staying in The Word and in prayer. I am so thankful for the body and for His Holy Spirit! May we be THANKFUL and found not complaining nor murmuring; He has been and is only Good and Faithful.
Loving blessings from your sis.
Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.”
PSALM 115:1-3 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy,Because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” But our God is in heaven;He does whatever He pleases.”
2 CHRONICLES 15:1-8 Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the Lord that was before the vestibule of the Lord.
To The One True God…The Creator of heaven and earth Who has given us His Messiah Yeshua – may all glory go…may He be our one fear…He is still The Lord of Hosts. Loving greetings to each of you, and thank you so very much for your prayers and love.
I began to write and then I received a prayer request that a fierce battle was raging, so I have been praying. I still have no news, but my heart is quiet, so I will continue to write as I continue to lift up our soldiers.
1 Samuel 17 contains the beloved report of David and Goliath. Verses 17 and 18 say: “Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.” It was part of my reading this morning and I thought about how I USED to think ‘that was quaint’. I know that western armies have ‘kitchens’ and the like, but that isn’t so here during battle. It is as in the days of David. Right now, much of the non-fighting part of the country is engaged in food preparation and delivery. Pizza delivery for the soldiers has become tax free (I kid you not).
There are no health department inspections…there are only loving families and other volunteers making sandwiches, soups, all manner of food. Home kitchens, commercial kitchens…any free working space has become and area to ‘feed the soldiers’. My 82 year old friend, ....., used to own an amazing middle eastern restaurant. She volunteered to make food. She called me: ‘Oy! I can not do what they are asking! They want me to make the food AND to bring it to Gaza the same day. I told them ‘I can not cook and drive the same day. I can make the food today and bring it down tomorrow.’ No! They told me…I have to bring it the same day! Oy! What can I do?’
I told you in my last update about the nephew of G.... and O..i who was killed in Gaza. Because our funerals are held within 24 hours of the death, I did not hear in time to attend the funeral, but the shiva is held for the 7 days following the burial. Yesterday I took the bus into Jerusalem for the first time since I stopped working, the day before Sukkot [that seems so long ago now]. The shiva was held in a synagogue. When I found the place, the large room was filled with hundreds of young people…most of whom had a weapon slung over their shoulder. I realized that I had not been at a shiva for a young person before. In the far corner, I spotted G... and O... It was hard to digest just how few ‘older people’ there were compared with the young mourners. We embraced and talked for awhile…there really are no words and everyone knows that, and no one expects ‘the right words’, for there just aren’t any. I only stayed for a half hour or so, but during that time two older men in army fatigues came in – their presence was strong and everyone’s eyes turned toward them. They went to the Grandfather …they were official army support, assigned to comfort the grieving…it is a heavy job, but they are appreciated.
I was very tired when I left. I had walked a long way trying to find the synagogue and then I walked for another hour to an appointment with a lung doctor. When I got out of the doctor’s office, it was dark and I decided that I would take a taxi home rather than battle the bus and train and another bus. I prayed for the right driver. I didn’t feel emotionally strong enough to get an Arab driver. I was standing on the corner for quite awhile and almost despairing of being able to get a taxi, when ‘the right’ driver came by. It’s funny how you can ‘feel’ true humility in some people and it’s just so refreshing. We were soon talking about the war, our families, and life in general. I told him that I had been at a shiva earlier and he told me that he had attended 3 funerals this week. ‘How could we expect to NOT be judged when we have been fighting one another…when people want to do away with Shabbat, when we don’t respect each other and we don’t respect God’s commandments.’ he commented. We began talking about the fear of God and how we must not worship the IDF (“may God bless them”) but worship only God Who gives our soldiers the strength to overcome the enemy. Suddenly he told me shyly; ‘I believe in miracles.’ I told him that I do too and he said ‘I had a miracle in my own life’. So I said ‘Please. Tell me about it!’ He told me that last week he had driven to Rishon L’Zion (along the coast) and was on a narrow street when a siren sounded. He looked and could see no place to pull over. Rishon L’Zion is very close to Gaza so whereas we have 90 seconds to reach shelter here, they have about 20 seconds. He finally pulled over and left his car to lie down against a wall and cover his head when the rocket exploded less than 10 meters in front of him. He said that he heard the ‘pop pop pop’ (he made a sound like bullets hitting the ground) and whizzing all around him as the shrapnel struck and he called out to God who covered him and he was not hit! ‘HALLELUYAH’ I shouted from the back seat! ‘That was a miracle!’ And he took up the cry: ‘Hodu l’Adonai ki tov…ki lay olam hasdo!’ (“Give thanks to The Lord for His mercy endures forever”) we shouted over and over! It was a wonderful time of rejoicing with him and we shared scriptures and the atmosphere in that taxi was so light and joyful. He said to me ‘My rabbi once told me a wonderful secret. That God has given the Arabs a particular blessing…that they must always fight and hate one another.’ I said ‘Oh ofcourse. That is in Genesis 16:12 where God said of Ishmael: “He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Again, we rejoiced in the scriptures! It was a WONDERFUL trip home and when we arrived the price was half of what I expected…so I blessed him with double what he asked for and all that I can say my heart was so uplifted and I believe that his was as well.
It was an emotional day today…each day getting more emotional, but His Hand is so evident at every turn. As I shared, the whole country is volunteering in one way or another and there is a general ‘sweet kindness’ being shown to one another. Nobody knows what the next person might be going through so everyone is unusually sensitive. I read this headline a short time ago:
“The education ministry said it was considering suspending high school studies during wartime and shifting students to volunteer programs. "All the Israeli youth today are the State of Israel. Its routine has gone completely wrong. I am discussing the subject with officials in the ministry," Education Minister Yoav Kisch said in the Knesset…According to the Education ministry, many high school students chose to join voluntary initiatives, including babysitters, receiving evacuees in reception centers, helping the elderly, assisting less fortunate families and more…Hundreds of teenagers who speak foreign languages have taken a course in advocacy and are active in global social networks. In addition, the education ministry, in cooperation with the agriculture ministry, began to send volunteers to support Israel's agriculture.”
I am so thankful for your prayers and encouragement! I am so thankful for having the TIME undistracted for staying in The Word and in prayer. I am so thankful for the body and for His Holy Spirit! May we be THANKFUL and found not complaining nor murmuring; He has been and is only Good and Faithful.
Loving blessings from your sis.
November 2, 2023
“For from the top of the rocks I see him, And from the hills I behold him; There! A people dwelling alone, Not reckoning itself among the nations.” NUMBERS 23:9
Thank you for searching the scriptures, loving The Lord and choosing His way, which is narrow. May He be glorified and find us faithful!
The view from my small place is what I have to offer.
I have always been fascinated by weather and, whether it meant taking a train to the NYC beach during a hurricane or pressing into the typhoon winds in Bristol Bay Alaska…I was always aware of the weather. I have written here many times about having noticed that dramatic weather here, has seemed to me – often! – to accompany dramatic events. Yesterday my heart pounded as the sky turned black. It IS the rainy season (since Sukkot) but it has been dry. I have mentioned that Maoz Zion overlooks a forest and a valley and that I have a breathtaking view of Jerusalem to the left…really, I have a wonderful view all around. There was a clap of thunder as I went out to the cliff to look. The clouds were dramatically rolling and, as I said, the brooding black clouds engulfing Jerusalem were commanding. For 6 hours here in Maoz Zion we had rolling thunder, often punctuated by planes or bombs rumbling in unison. After several hours, pouring rain washed us for about an hour; wonderful buckets of it. As suddenly as it started, it stopped and again the clouds, golden, silver, black, white, rolling around…and then a rainbow! WOW! We don’t see rainbows here as often as we did in Alaska where double and triple ones were not rare. I stood there wondering if the weather was this way all over the country. S... (my upstairs neighbor from Estonia) came home. He is a video photographer and had been taping in Ashkelon. He was overcome by the devastation that he saw there…the city destroyed…but he told me that it was clear and dry. He had seen no signs of the storm. Another friend was not far away in Beit Shemesh and he also reported ‘only a few drops of rain’.
Last night I slept well, but the night before (Tues-Wed) there was very little sleep for me. It was a different kind of prayer that night; a different kind of wrestling…I felt often, in the midst, as if I were actually a soldier fighting in a tight place in combat. Eventually I slept for a couple of hours and got up to check the news. They were reporting 9, then 10, then 11, then 12 Golani soldiers killed during horrific battles in Gaza. The names and the pictures appeared. One by one I read them…looked at the pictures…thought about their families…and had to weep with them. I just pulled up this headline at random:
IDF steps up Gaza ground operation, 18 Israeli troops killed
1,400 Israelis murdered since October 7, including 332 soldiers- 242 held hostage by Hamas, four hostages released, one rescued
The headlines (and stories) change moment by moment. I do hope that you have accessed the news sites that I sent links to. It is worth taking a look several times a day…events are moving so rapidly.
Today, again, a number of countries removed their ambassadors or severed all diplomatic ties with Israel. I seem to remember Columbia, Chile, and several other South American countries as well. Jordan withdrew their ambassador (this is a big deal since we signed peace accords with them in 1994.) I can not remember them all. Most airlines have stopped flying here. Only ElAl continues flights on a regular basis. A list of companies worldwide that have come out in support of Israel was published (I will attach it), since the BDS movement has been thriving since the war began. I KNOW that you understand and stand with us in prayer and love and that a number of wonderful governmental leaders also are wonderfully vocal, but the venom running in the streets…I have no words. May it be a wave on which the Jews still in exile among the nations will finally flee home, even if we are wartorn.
Yesterday R... S.... came by with a gift for me. She was one of our patients and I have always liked her. She is my age, the only child of holocaust survivors. She said that it was only after her father died that she found that he had had another family before the holocaust, but they were all killed in Auschwitz. She told me that her father never spoke of it…so it was a shock to find out. I shared with her my testimony and would appreciate prayer for her salvation.
Today at prayer there was a request for O.. H...... ‘O..?’ I said…’What is wrong…she is a friend of mine’ (not yet a believer). ‘A.... R.... was her nephew that she raised with his two brothers. He was killed in the war yesterday.’ I did not know! ‘They were looking for people to line the streets in holding flags on the route to the cemetery.’ I sent off a quick WhatsApp to G... (O.... husband) and he sent back a picture of the black and white mourning poster with the shiva times. The amount of grieving…it is something that still seems unreal. I listen to the stories told by those working in forensics, to identify bodies still piled up (because in Israel…everyone has a name and must be identified beyond a doubt. I listened to an interview on the news with a woman from the ‘women’s burial unit’…describing how they take the bodies with such care…realizing that they will be the last person on earth to care for them…they wash them and gently wrap them in a white burial shroud…but they have never seen such mutilated bodies…nor so many. It IS traumatic. It IS necessary to keep going. It IS necessary to encourage one another.
Volunteers come from other countries to help in many capacities. I watched a video today of an American man who heard about the laundry problem (our soldiers bring their laundry home…but they aren’t going home right now so there is a ‘smelly laundry problem’. This man bought and shipped here a LAUNDRYMAT on a long truck with washers and dryers and right on the battle front he set this contraption up and soldiers lined up with their laundry! What a service! People are so creative. I just got a notice asking for anyone with any teaching experience to volunteer to fill in for teachers called to fight. The bloodmobile was camped out today with people lined up to give blood. At the food shop there are big bins for soldiers and for displaced families. I was told that hundreds of thousands of families have immediately been housed and clothed…people are just moving over and making room.
PRAYER REQUEST: We will know that The Lord has heard our prayers and had mercy on us if we survive. To survive, we MUST defeat the enemies…there IS no ‘time out’ or ‘cease fire’…this is unto the finish. Tomorrow America’s A. Blinken is arriving – our understanding is that they STRONGLY want a ‘PAUSE’ (what a politically correct word!). The pressure will be great. We are praying that our leadership will NOT GIVE IN. A ‘pause’ will only weaken us and strengthen them.
Everywhere people are praying. The western wall has been constantly full of people gathering to pray. Yes, I see so many calling on The Name of The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…not yet YESHUA…but praying that NOW, LORD.
I apologize that these letters are disjointed and not painting a complete picture. I am tired and emotions are very stretched. I encourage you to, yes, keep up with what is happening through the sites that I shared with you…but most of all … keep praying. This is perhaps…(I don’t want to sound too dramatic) the battle of our lifetime. May we be filled with The Holy Spirit and The Spirit of discernment…may we not be deceived or turned out of the straight path by emotion or sentimentality. May He give us His Spirit of prayer in our prayer closets.
I am very tired so I will not be reading this over. (I don't know why the 'formatting' got esqued, but I'm too tired to figure it out)
Lovingly, your sister
Thank you for searching the scriptures, loving The Lord and choosing His way, which is narrow. May He be glorified and find us faithful!
The view from my small place is what I have to offer.
I have always been fascinated by weather and, whether it meant taking a train to the NYC beach during a hurricane or pressing into the typhoon winds in Bristol Bay Alaska…I was always aware of the weather. I have written here many times about having noticed that dramatic weather here, has seemed to me – often! – to accompany dramatic events. Yesterday my heart pounded as the sky turned black. It IS the rainy season (since Sukkot) but it has been dry. I have mentioned that Maoz Zion overlooks a forest and a valley and that I have a breathtaking view of Jerusalem to the left…really, I have a wonderful view all around. There was a clap of thunder as I went out to the cliff to look. The clouds were dramatically rolling and, as I said, the brooding black clouds engulfing Jerusalem were commanding. For 6 hours here in Maoz Zion we had rolling thunder, often punctuated by planes or bombs rumbling in unison. After several hours, pouring rain washed us for about an hour; wonderful buckets of it. As suddenly as it started, it stopped and again the clouds, golden, silver, black, white, rolling around…and then a rainbow! WOW! We don’t see rainbows here as often as we did in Alaska where double and triple ones were not rare. I stood there wondering if the weather was this way all over the country. S... (my upstairs neighbor from Estonia) came home. He is a video photographer and had been taping in Ashkelon. He was overcome by the devastation that he saw there…the city destroyed…but he told me that it was clear and dry. He had seen no signs of the storm. Another friend was not far away in Beit Shemesh and he also reported ‘only a few drops of rain’.
Last night I slept well, but the night before (Tues-Wed) there was very little sleep for me. It was a different kind of prayer that night; a different kind of wrestling…I felt often, in the midst, as if I were actually a soldier fighting in a tight place in combat. Eventually I slept for a couple of hours and got up to check the news. They were reporting 9, then 10, then 11, then 12 Golani soldiers killed during horrific battles in Gaza. The names and the pictures appeared. One by one I read them…looked at the pictures…thought about their families…and had to weep with them. I just pulled up this headline at random:
IDF steps up Gaza ground operation, 18 Israeli troops killed
1,400 Israelis murdered since October 7, including 332 soldiers- 242 held hostage by Hamas, four hostages released, one rescued
The headlines (and stories) change moment by moment. I do hope that you have accessed the news sites that I sent links to. It is worth taking a look several times a day…events are moving so rapidly.
Today, again, a number of countries removed their ambassadors or severed all diplomatic ties with Israel. I seem to remember Columbia, Chile, and several other South American countries as well. Jordan withdrew their ambassador (this is a big deal since we signed peace accords with them in 1994.) I can not remember them all. Most airlines have stopped flying here. Only ElAl continues flights on a regular basis. A list of companies worldwide that have come out in support of Israel was published (I will attach it), since the BDS movement has been thriving since the war began. I KNOW that you understand and stand with us in prayer and love and that a number of wonderful governmental leaders also are wonderfully vocal, but the venom running in the streets…I have no words. May it be a wave on which the Jews still in exile among the nations will finally flee home, even if we are wartorn.
Yesterday R... S.... came by with a gift for me. She was one of our patients and I have always liked her. She is my age, the only child of holocaust survivors. She said that it was only after her father died that she found that he had had another family before the holocaust, but they were all killed in Auschwitz. She told me that her father never spoke of it…so it was a shock to find out. I shared with her my testimony and would appreciate prayer for her salvation.
Today at prayer there was a request for O.. H...... ‘O..?’ I said…’What is wrong…she is a friend of mine’ (not yet a believer). ‘A.... R.... was her nephew that she raised with his two brothers. He was killed in the war yesterday.’ I did not know! ‘They were looking for people to line the streets in holding flags on the route to the cemetery.’ I sent off a quick WhatsApp to G... (O.... husband) and he sent back a picture of the black and white mourning poster with the shiva times. The amount of grieving…it is something that still seems unreal. I listen to the stories told by those working in forensics, to identify bodies still piled up (because in Israel…everyone has a name and must be identified beyond a doubt. I listened to an interview on the news with a woman from the ‘women’s burial unit’…describing how they take the bodies with such care…realizing that they will be the last person on earth to care for them…they wash them and gently wrap them in a white burial shroud…but they have never seen such mutilated bodies…nor so many. It IS traumatic. It IS necessary to keep going. It IS necessary to encourage one another.
Volunteers come from other countries to help in many capacities. I watched a video today of an American man who heard about the laundry problem (our soldiers bring their laundry home…but they aren’t going home right now so there is a ‘smelly laundry problem’. This man bought and shipped here a LAUNDRYMAT on a long truck with washers and dryers and right on the battle front he set this contraption up and soldiers lined up with their laundry! What a service! People are so creative. I just got a notice asking for anyone with any teaching experience to volunteer to fill in for teachers called to fight. The bloodmobile was camped out today with people lined up to give blood. At the food shop there are big bins for soldiers and for displaced families. I was told that hundreds of thousands of families have immediately been housed and clothed…people are just moving over and making room.
PRAYER REQUEST: We will know that The Lord has heard our prayers and had mercy on us if we survive. To survive, we MUST defeat the enemies…there IS no ‘time out’ or ‘cease fire’…this is unto the finish. Tomorrow America’s A. Blinken is arriving – our understanding is that they STRONGLY want a ‘PAUSE’ (what a politically correct word!). The pressure will be great. We are praying that our leadership will NOT GIVE IN. A ‘pause’ will only weaken us and strengthen them.
Everywhere people are praying. The western wall has been constantly full of people gathering to pray. Yes, I see so many calling on The Name of The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…not yet YESHUA…but praying that NOW, LORD.
I apologize that these letters are disjointed and not painting a complete picture. I am tired and emotions are very stretched. I encourage you to, yes, keep up with what is happening through the sites that I shared with you…but most of all … keep praying. This is perhaps…(I don’t want to sound too dramatic) the battle of our lifetime. May we be filled with The Holy Spirit and The Spirit of discernment…may we not be deceived or turned out of the straight path by emotion or sentimentality. May He give us His Spirit of prayer in our prayer closets.
I am very tired so I will not be reading this over. (I don't know why the 'formatting' got esqued, but I'm too tired to figure it out)
Lovingly, your sister
November 1, 2023
PSALM 27
It is evening. We have just turned our clocks back and so it is darker at this time than it was a few days ago.The Lord is faithful in the dark and in the light, in the storm and in the calm. He simply IS faithful...He can not deny Himself. May we also stand faithful, you and I...at all times.
The war continues and increases in intensity. Fierce combat is going on and increasing in Gaza and we are praying for our soldiers and the captives...they are constantly on our minds and hearts as well as the deep anguish of those who still are waiting for news of missing loved ones or loved ones on the front lines (our back yard). A WONDERFUL THING HAPPENED YESTERDAY! We do not (of necessity!) know the details, but a young woman soldier who was taken captive on the 7th, was rescued by the IDF and returned to her family. This was such a huge ray of hope to us all! We long to see other families also giving credit first to 'God The Creator of all' as her family did. Praise God for such encouragement!
As things continue to heat up, the Houthis in Yemen, backed by Iran and similar to isis, have entered the war and have been launching long range missiles at us. Several were intercepted, but several have also hit. This is an unwanted addition, but here it is. The morale of the citizens and IDF is very high and it is doubted by no one that we will either win or be annihilated. Our eyes are on God, Who promised, Who gave, Who is faithful. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and we know that. Our eyes are on Him. May Messiah be NOW seen and NOW received. May THE SHOUT go up from the camp HE IS ALIVE! May we believers be faithful to shine HIM forth!
Lovingly, your sister
It is evening. We have just turned our clocks back and so it is darker at this time than it was a few days ago.The Lord is faithful in the dark and in the light, in the storm and in the calm. He simply IS faithful...He can not deny Himself. May we also stand faithful, you and I...at all times.
The war continues and increases in intensity. Fierce combat is going on and increasing in Gaza and we are praying for our soldiers and the captives...they are constantly on our minds and hearts as well as the deep anguish of those who still are waiting for news of missing loved ones or loved ones on the front lines (our back yard). A WONDERFUL THING HAPPENED YESTERDAY! We do not (of necessity!) know the details, but a young woman soldier who was taken captive on the 7th, was rescued by the IDF and returned to her family. This was such a huge ray of hope to us all! We long to see other families also giving credit first to 'God The Creator of all' as her family did. Praise God for such encouragement!
As things continue to heat up, the Houthis in Yemen, backed by Iran and similar to isis, have entered the war and have been launching long range missiles at us. Several were intercepted, but several have also hit. This is an unwanted addition, but here it is. The morale of the citizens and IDF is very high and it is doubted by no one that we will either win or be annihilated. Our eyes are on God, Who promised, Who gave, Who is faithful. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and we know that. Our eyes are on Him. May Messiah be NOW seen and NOW received. May THE SHOUT go up from the camp HE IS ALIVE! May we believers be faithful to shine HIM forth!
Lovingly, your sister
October 30, 2023
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” Corinthians 3-5
BLESSED BE THE GOD…THE ONLY AND ONE TRUE GOD…GOD THE CREATOR…THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE… THE TRUTH…THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF ALL THINGS. May HE be glorified and known…touched and seen and worshipped.
War is a great sifter. The intensity…the seriousness…the moment by moment life and death reality sifts us, searches our hearts, wades in boots through the tender places of our hearts that we would rather reserve and hide.
As the fighting increases with the daily deepening of the ground war, the aerial bombings have not lessened. My neighborhood hasn’t had a siren in 2 weeks and it is amazing how quickly our systems try to ‘re-set’ to some sort of ‘normal’. I had been out all morning and agreed with a sister in Him that we are all so tired, even if we are ‘strong and courageous’…the constant stress is taking a toll on us. She took me shopping and we noted that the store shelves are really showing a difference; they are pretty bare. I got home and began checking the war progress. Last night’s violent riot in an airport in the Russian province of Dagestan shook everyone up…the videos were shocking…even more shocking than the awful demonic demonstrations around the world (yes, I know that there are also supporters and thank you to all of you!) which have re-awakened all of the memories of past hatreds…AMALEK is here and now…never again is here and now…and somehow the reality of that settles into us and takes its toll.
HOWEVER, alongside there is great brightness on many levels. On the natural level there is the endurance and resilience of the people that is so very encouraging. The kindness and yes even press toward God. There is the determination to survive, and to encourage one another along the way. There is wit. There is a humility…a ‘collective’ credit rather than one person wishing to be recognized…the credit goes to everyone. There is a seeking out of those in need.
EVERYONE is painfully aware of the hostages and their waiting loved ones…the AGONY of not knowing! This is the national burden in every heart. We are bearing the captives and their families. And everyone is bearing the soldiers…EVERYONE! I was in line at the drug store the other day and a sneezing soldier came in and I stepped aside and told him ‘Please! You first and bless you!’ and he said ‘God forbid! I always let old people go first. I won’t take your place.’ Oh my!
The hostages: There are now 239 confirmed last I heard. Two who were thought to be hostages were identified today from their brutalized remains as dead. Every other picture is of another one gone, finally identified…either a hostage or a soldier. There are so many ‘remains’ waiting to be identified. The number has overwhelmed the forensic institute. At a funeral for a fallen soldier today in Jerusalem, everyone had to lie flat on the ground and cover their heads as the rockets flew overhead.
The babies…the children…the young, middle and old people. We weep as we see interviews with parents who have lost their minds in the midst of this grief. Where will this lead? NONE OF US KNOW. We have not walked this way before. May it lead to Him. Ultimately that is all that matters. I have had more and more opportunities to share my testimony. May it bear fruit for His kingdom. Believers seem more ‘real’ and less ‘guarded’…seeking to be restored to our first love and in a position for Him to use us as He wishes.
Again, I would ask for prayer for our daughter in the Gush Etzion area of Judea. I woke up Friday night with a sudden memory of the days when isis was being fought in the area and I vividly remembered that we were told that they had planted ‘sleeper cells’! I had forgotten. Those cells were waiting for these days. Please bring this before The Lord and pray as He would lead you.
And so, this is real and all of our years of preparation … may they bring forth fruit for His glory. Thank you so much for your prayers. Thank you so much for standing. It is painful to try to write these letters now.
Lovingly, your sister.
BLESSED BE THE GOD…THE ONLY AND ONE TRUE GOD…GOD THE CREATOR…THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE… THE TRUTH…THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF ALL THINGS. May HE be glorified and known…touched and seen and worshipped.
War is a great sifter. The intensity…the seriousness…the moment by moment life and death reality sifts us, searches our hearts, wades in boots through the tender places of our hearts that we would rather reserve and hide.
As the fighting increases with the daily deepening of the ground war, the aerial bombings have not lessened. My neighborhood hasn’t had a siren in 2 weeks and it is amazing how quickly our systems try to ‘re-set’ to some sort of ‘normal’. I had been out all morning and agreed with a sister in Him that we are all so tired, even if we are ‘strong and courageous’…the constant stress is taking a toll on us. She took me shopping and we noted that the store shelves are really showing a difference; they are pretty bare. I got home and began checking the war progress. Last night’s violent riot in an airport in the Russian province of Dagestan shook everyone up…the videos were shocking…even more shocking than the awful demonic demonstrations around the world (yes, I know that there are also supporters and thank you to all of you!) which have re-awakened all of the memories of past hatreds…AMALEK is here and now…never again is here and now…and somehow the reality of that settles into us and takes its toll.
HOWEVER, alongside there is great brightness on many levels. On the natural level there is the endurance and resilience of the people that is so very encouraging. The kindness and yes even press toward God. There is the determination to survive, and to encourage one another along the way. There is wit. There is a humility…a ‘collective’ credit rather than one person wishing to be recognized…the credit goes to everyone. There is a seeking out of those in need.
EVERYONE is painfully aware of the hostages and their waiting loved ones…the AGONY of not knowing! This is the national burden in every heart. We are bearing the captives and their families. And everyone is bearing the soldiers…EVERYONE! I was in line at the drug store the other day and a sneezing soldier came in and I stepped aside and told him ‘Please! You first and bless you!’ and he said ‘God forbid! I always let old people go first. I won’t take your place.’ Oh my!
The hostages: There are now 239 confirmed last I heard. Two who were thought to be hostages were identified today from their brutalized remains as dead. Every other picture is of another one gone, finally identified…either a hostage or a soldier. There are so many ‘remains’ waiting to be identified. The number has overwhelmed the forensic institute. At a funeral for a fallen soldier today in Jerusalem, everyone had to lie flat on the ground and cover their heads as the rockets flew overhead.
The babies…the children…the young, middle and old people. We weep as we see interviews with parents who have lost their minds in the midst of this grief. Where will this lead? NONE OF US KNOW. We have not walked this way before. May it lead to Him. Ultimately that is all that matters. I have had more and more opportunities to share my testimony. May it bear fruit for His kingdom. Believers seem more ‘real’ and less ‘guarded’…seeking to be restored to our first love and in a position for Him to use us as He wishes.
Again, I would ask for prayer for our daughter in the Gush Etzion area of Judea. I woke up Friday night with a sudden memory of the days when isis was being fought in the area and I vividly remembered that we were told that they had planted ‘sleeper cells’! I had forgotten. Those cells were waiting for these days. Please bring this before The Lord and pray as He would lead you.
And so, this is real and all of our years of preparation … may they bring forth fruit for His glory. Thank you so much for your prayers. Thank you so much for standing. It is painful to try to write these letters now.
Lovingly, your sister.
October 29, 2023
“So His disciples went out and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them…”
MARK 14:16
May The Lord glorify His Name.
That verse in Mark always arrests me and reminds me that I can (and must) ALWAYS trust Him. Because if it is Him Whom I am listening to, it will ALWAYS come to pass.
Today is the 22nd day of the war and it is again Shabbat.
I have just come home from Kehila in time to listen to the news where the nation was briefed concerning what lies ahead. I will print out for you a summary of the Prime Minister’s speech from YNET and Minister of defense Gallant’s speech from Times of Israel. This afternoon the Prime Minister met with the families of the captives…the number of captives has been raised to 229.
IT IS TIME TO PRAY.
.
Netanyahu: This is a second Independence War
'In first weeks of war, we have dealt severe blow to enemy to ensure safest possible entry for our ground forces,' he says during joint presser with Gallant, Gantz; rockets fired toward central Israel during speech
"This is our second War of Independence; we are fighting to defend our homeland, and we will eradicate the enemy from above and below the ground. It will be a triumph of good over evil, life over death. This is our life's mission - my life's mission," he said during a joint press conference alongside Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz.
"We will be victorious. In the first weeks of the war, we have dealt a severe blow to the enemy to ensure the safest possible entry for our forces on the ground, and we are only at the beginning of the path. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be tough and protracted."
He also addressed the launch of Israel's ground offensive in Gaza, which he said received unanimous support from members of the emergency wartime Cabinet.
"On Friday evening, additional ground forces entered the Gaza Strip. This marks the second phase of the war. We have decided to expand the ground offensive." Netanyahu added, "We are determined to settle the score with the murderers as they deserve for the heinous acts they have committed. We've always said to the world, 'Never again - Never again is now.'"
During the press conference, a barrage of rockets was fired toward the central cities of Ness Ziona, Yavne and other neighboring communities, as well as toward the southern city of Ashkelon, which bore the brunt of rocket fire since hostilities began earlier this month.
In an earlier rocket attack toward central Israel, three people sustained light injuries. First responders reported providing medical treatment to a man in his 50s in Holon who suffered from smoke inhalation, two people who were injured while heading to a shelter in Tel Aviv and Yehud and six people who suffered shock in Kiryat Ono and Ramat Gan.
Meanwhile, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that three rocket launches from Lebanon were detected, triggering rocket sirens in the border community of Margaliot near Mount Hermon. All three rockets landed in unpopulated areas. The army said that it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response.
One rocket struck a parking lot in the central city of Kiryat Ono, igniting a fire and causing several cars to explode. Fire and rescue services reported that "the rocket fell near a residential building. The teams are engaged in extinguishing the fire and searching for casualties near the vehicles and the adjacent building."
Abu Obaida, the spokesperson of Hamas's military wing, said Saturday evening that the Gaza-ruling terrorist group would be willing to release all the Israeli hostages it holds in exchange for “emptying Israeli prisons” of all Palestinian prisoners.
"If Israel wants to address the issue of the captives all at once, we are ready, and if it wishes to break down the matter, we are prepared for that as well," he said in a statement. "The price for the large number of captives we have is emptying Israeli prisons of all the detainees."
The IDF said Saturday evening that it identified several rocket launches from Lebanese territory toward the Zar'it area in northern Israel. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused. Israeli forces were responding with artillery fire toward the source of the rockets.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the families of hostages or missing persons at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the base, holding pictures of the abductees and distributing yellow ribbons to drivers as a symbol of solidarity with the captives.
Earlier, after hours of intensive rocket fire into southern Israel, including the border area and the city of Ashkelon, Hamas targeted Tel Aviv and Be'er Sheva in the early afternoon. A rocket landed in the southern city, causing property damage but no injuries.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Saturday that Israel began a new stage in the war late on Friday when forces entered Gaza. "The ground in Gaza shook," Gallant said "We attacked above and below ground, struck terrorists of all ranks and in all places. The orders are clear. the fight continues until otherwise ordered.
Hamas said it was trying to locate eight Russian-Israeli dual citizens who were taken hostage during the terrorist attack on Israel in order to free them on Moscow's request, Russian news agencies reported Saturday. "From the Russian side, via the foreign ministry, we received a list of citizens that have dual citizenship," senior Hamas representative Moussa Abu Marzook was cited as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency. "We are looking for those people... It is hard but we are looking. And when we find them, we will let them go."
Gallant says return of captives ‘not a secondary mission,’ warns ‘long war’ ahead in Gaza
By LAZAR BERMAN
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a press conference about the war against the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror group, October 28, 2023. (YouTube screenshot; used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Speaking after Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says there is not one moment he is not thinking about the hostages.
“Over the last day, we advanced to a new stage” in the war, he says. “The strength of the fire shook the ground in Gaza, and it’s different from anything Hamas has experienced since its creation.
“IDF forces are maneuvering in the relevant places, and are striking Hamas arrays right now, above ground and underground.”
“Hamas is suffering shocks it has never suffered,” he says.
Gallant says Israeli forces in Gaza are receiving all the intelligence and supportive fire they need, adding the operation is precise, lethal and extremely powerful.
Gallant says he “has full faith” in the IDF chief of staff, the heads of Shin Bet and Mossad, and the soldiers in the field.
He stresses Israel doesn’t want to expand the war, but is ready if anyone else gets involved.
Gallant also says the country is taking care of the reservists, those living near the combat areas and those who have had to leave their houses.
Turning to the hostages, Gallant says Israel is doing everything it can to bring the hostages back. “It is not a secondary mission.”
“Let’s not delude ourselves, our enemies are not looking for humanitarian solutions.”
Gallant says the harder Israel hits Hamas, the greater the chances Hamas will agree to release hostages.
“It will not be a short war. It will be a long war,” he says.
“It is us or them,” Gallant says.
here's an encouraging article about volunteer dairy farmers
The pictures did not come through. You can see them on the media links that I sent.
The number of captives was just readjusted to 230. You might ask how this is happening. My boss sent me an article by a dentist friend and (was) a patient of ours who is volunteering at the forensic center, to identify the remains of the still many unidentified bodies through dental identification. He explained that when someone is identified as dead, it also means that someone else who it MIGHT have been, is now missing.
MARK 14:16
May The Lord glorify His Name.
That verse in Mark always arrests me and reminds me that I can (and must) ALWAYS trust Him. Because if it is Him Whom I am listening to, it will ALWAYS come to pass.
Today is the 22nd day of the war and it is again Shabbat.
I have just come home from Kehila in time to listen to the news where the nation was briefed concerning what lies ahead. I will print out for you a summary of the Prime Minister’s speech from YNET and Minister of defense Gallant’s speech from Times of Israel. This afternoon the Prime Minister met with the families of the captives…the number of captives has been raised to 229.
IT IS TIME TO PRAY.
.
Netanyahu: This is a second Independence War
'In first weeks of war, we have dealt severe blow to enemy to ensure safest possible entry for our ground forces,' he says during joint presser with Gallant, Gantz; rockets fired toward central Israel during speech
"This is our second War of Independence; we are fighting to defend our homeland, and we will eradicate the enemy from above and below the ground. It will be a triumph of good over evil, life over death. This is our life's mission - my life's mission," he said during a joint press conference alongside Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz.
"We will be victorious. In the first weeks of the war, we have dealt a severe blow to the enemy to ensure the safest possible entry for our forces on the ground, and we are only at the beginning of the path. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be tough and protracted."
He also addressed the launch of Israel's ground offensive in Gaza, which he said received unanimous support from members of the emergency wartime Cabinet.
"On Friday evening, additional ground forces entered the Gaza Strip. This marks the second phase of the war. We have decided to expand the ground offensive." Netanyahu added, "We are determined to settle the score with the murderers as they deserve for the heinous acts they have committed. We've always said to the world, 'Never again - Never again is now.'"
During the press conference, a barrage of rockets was fired toward the central cities of Ness Ziona, Yavne and other neighboring communities, as well as toward the southern city of Ashkelon, which bore the brunt of rocket fire since hostilities began earlier this month.
In an earlier rocket attack toward central Israel, three people sustained light injuries. First responders reported providing medical treatment to a man in his 50s in Holon who suffered from smoke inhalation, two people who were injured while heading to a shelter in Tel Aviv and Yehud and six people who suffered shock in Kiryat Ono and Ramat Gan.
Meanwhile, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that three rocket launches from Lebanon were detected, triggering rocket sirens in the border community of Margaliot near Mount Hermon. All three rockets landed in unpopulated areas. The army said that it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response.
One rocket struck a parking lot in the central city of Kiryat Ono, igniting a fire and causing several cars to explode. Fire and rescue services reported that "the rocket fell near a residential building. The teams are engaged in extinguishing the fire and searching for casualties near the vehicles and the adjacent building."
Abu Obaida, the spokesperson of Hamas's military wing, said Saturday evening that the Gaza-ruling terrorist group would be willing to release all the Israeli hostages it holds in exchange for “emptying Israeli prisons” of all Palestinian prisoners.
"If Israel wants to address the issue of the captives all at once, we are ready, and if it wishes to break down the matter, we are prepared for that as well," he said in a statement. "The price for the large number of captives we have is emptying Israeli prisons of all the detainees."
The IDF said Saturday evening that it identified several rocket launches from Lebanese territory toward the Zar'it area in northern Israel. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused. Israeli forces were responding with artillery fire toward the source of the rockets.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the families of hostages or missing persons at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the base, holding pictures of the abductees and distributing yellow ribbons to drivers as a symbol of solidarity with the captives.
Earlier, after hours of intensive rocket fire into southern Israel, including the border area and the city of Ashkelon, Hamas targeted Tel Aviv and Be'er Sheva in the early afternoon. A rocket landed in the southern city, causing property damage but no injuries.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Saturday that Israel began a new stage in the war late on Friday when forces entered Gaza. "The ground in Gaza shook," Gallant said "We attacked above and below ground, struck terrorists of all ranks and in all places. The orders are clear. the fight continues until otherwise ordered.
Hamas said it was trying to locate eight Russian-Israeli dual citizens who were taken hostage during the terrorist attack on Israel in order to free them on Moscow's request, Russian news agencies reported Saturday. "From the Russian side, via the foreign ministry, we received a list of citizens that have dual citizenship," senior Hamas representative Moussa Abu Marzook was cited as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency. "We are looking for those people... It is hard but we are looking. And when we find them, we will let them go."
Gallant says return of captives ‘not a secondary mission,’ warns ‘long war’ ahead in Gaza
By LAZAR BERMAN
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a press conference about the war against the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror group, October 28, 2023. (YouTube screenshot; used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Speaking after Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says there is not one moment he is not thinking about the hostages.
“Over the last day, we advanced to a new stage” in the war, he says. “The strength of the fire shook the ground in Gaza, and it’s different from anything Hamas has experienced since its creation.
“IDF forces are maneuvering in the relevant places, and are striking Hamas arrays right now, above ground and underground.”
“Hamas is suffering shocks it has never suffered,” he says.
Gallant says Israeli forces in Gaza are receiving all the intelligence and supportive fire they need, adding the operation is precise, lethal and extremely powerful.
Gallant says he “has full faith” in the IDF chief of staff, the heads of Shin Bet and Mossad, and the soldiers in the field.
He stresses Israel doesn’t want to expand the war, but is ready if anyone else gets involved.
Gallant also says the country is taking care of the reservists, those living near the combat areas and those who have had to leave their houses.
Turning to the hostages, Gallant says Israel is doing everything it can to bring the hostages back. “It is not a secondary mission.”
“Let’s not delude ourselves, our enemies are not looking for humanitarian solutions.”
Gallant says the harder Israel hits Hamas, the greater the chances Hamas will agree to release hostages.
“It will not be a short war. It will be a long war,” he says.
“It is us or them,” Gallant says.
here's an encouraging article about volunteer dairy farmers
The pictures did not come through. You can see them on the media links that I sent.
The number of captives was just readjusted to 230. You might ask how this is happening. My boss sent me an article by a dentist friend and (was) a patient of ours who is volunteering at the forensic center, to identify the remains of the still many unidentified bodies through dental identification. He explained that when someone is identified as dead, it also means that someone else who it MIGHT have been, is now missing.
October 27, 2023
“He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” PSALM 103:7
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”
EZEKIEL 22:30
His WAYS He made know to Moses, but the children of Israel wanted to know only His acts. They didn’t have a capacity for His WAYS. His WAYS almost never appeal to our flesh, which does not want pain and, yes, wants recognition and the preeminence. His WAY is narrow, lowly: and He shares His glory with NO ONE.
There was a notice on my cell phone this morning that there is a current cyber attack alert concerning phones and computers. I am thankful that yesterday I sent you links to my news sources so that you can read for yourself in ‘real time’ what is happening here…for it is necessary to have facts at this time. I will refrain from adding links to my letters for now. I so deeply do not want to lose touch with my children and this is the only form of communication that I have.
R...... came to help me today…my Bituach Leumi helper who has also become a friend. You might remember that I shared my testimony with her awhile back, when her niece was going through a hard time. Today I felt pressed to share with her about the way of salvation and that included some more of my testimony. She listened deeply, but then said that she HAS peace in her heart. She didn’t say ‘no’ to Him, she just does not yet clearly see her need. It’s not my work, but His, to reveal Himself to hearts. I am praying for wisdom and for The Holy Spirit to continue to work in her.
Yesterday I walked up to the HarEl School where the farmer’s market from the south was to be held. I had actually bought cherry tomatoes and cucumbers the day before, but I felt an urgency to support the farmers. The market was supposed to be open from 15:00 (3pm) until 17:30 (5:30pm). I got there right at 3 and by the time I reached the point in line to purchase, the cucumbers were gone already. I took a box of tomatoes and gave them a donation. Everybody is so thankful and trying to do whatever they can. By the time I got home at about 4:15pm, a notice had been sent out already that they were all sold out, due to the wonderful turnout. Part of my reading this morning was in 1 Chronicles 6…the beginning of the wonderful prayer of King Solomon’s as he dedicated the temple. He said ‘WHEN there is war, plague, famine, drought… ‘for all people sin…(and these are Your PROMISES to us WHEN we sin)’ …but when they turn again to You with their WHOLE HEART…HEAR! My heart churned within me to be truly FAITHFUL…to be one who will REALLY STAND IN THE GAP FOR OUR PEOPLE AND NATION(for – woe! – it is recorded in Ezekiel 22:30 that He found NO ONE)…YET BY HIS OWN HAND HE will accomplish what He sees fit.
Tomorrow morning it will be three weeks…21 days…since this nightmare began. Where will it lead? It will lead to HIM if we turn toward Him full faced.
In the midst of all of this…this – yet another very surreal part of the path – we can not forget the captives – night and day – wondering, praying, hoping…224 people…the little children…held deep in the underground tunnels below Gaza…being told lies. We all know what it is to hear the lies of the enemy. When that enemy clothes himself with a human face and voice, OH LORD! May he not prevail in any of those precious lives. May HE Who is The Light and The Truth appear to them and comfort them.
I have been the reluctant recipient of ‘good deeds to be done’ lately. With so many volunteers, people are looking for ways to help (me too)…but it seems as if the ‘good deed’ of ‘feed the widow’ is a popular one and the knocks on my door are non stop. Praise God for such kindness, but neither my refrigerator nor my body has the capacity to consume all of these blessings. I am thankful to share them around, and so as I leave now for shabbat dinner at a friend’s house, I am thrilled to go laden with exotic dishes that I have not made.
I must close now…but again…thank you for praying and for standing firm in His Truth even when the whole world rises us …may we stay behind The Lord’s standard.
Loving blessings,
Shabbat shalom, your sis
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”
EZEKIEL 22:30
His WAYS He made know to Moses, but the children of Israel wanted to know only His acts. They didn’t have a capacity for His WAYS. His WAYS almost never appeal to our flesh, which does not want pain and, yes, wants recognition and the preeminence. His WAY is narrow, lowly: and He shares His glory with NO ONE.
There was a notice on my cell phone this morning that there is a current cyber attack alert concerning phones and computers. I am thankful that yesterday I sent you links to my news sources so that you can read for yourself in ‘real time’ what is happening here…for it is necessary to have facts at this time. I will refrain from adding links to my letters for now. I so deeply do not want to lose touch with my children and this is the only form of communication that I have.
R...... came to help me today…my Bituach Leumi helper who has also become a friend. You might remember that I shared my testimony with her awhile back, when her niece was going through a hard time. Today I felt pressed to share with her about the way of salvation and that included some more of my testimony. She listened deeply, but then said that she HAS peace in her heart. She didn’t say ‘no’ to Him, she just does not yet clearly see her need. It’s not my work, but His, to reveal Himself to hearts. I am praying for wisdom and for The Holy Spirit to continue to work in her.
Yesterday I walked up to the HarEl School where the farmer’s market from the south was to be held. I had actually bought cherry tomatoes and cucumbers the day before, but I felt an urgency to support the farmers. The market was supposed to be open from 15:00 (3pm) until 17:30 (5:30pm). I got there right at 3 and by the time I reached the point in line to purchase, the cucumbers were gone already. I took a box of tomatoes and gave them a donation. Everybody is so thankful and trying to do whatever they can. By the time I got home at about 4:15pm, a notice had been sent out already that they were all sold out, due to the wonderful turnout. Part of my reading this morning was in 1 Chronicles 6…the beginning of the wonderful prayer of King Solomon’s as he dedicated the temple. He said ‘WHEN there is war, plague, famine, drought… ‘for all people sin…(and these are Your PROMISES to us WHEN we sin)’ …but when they turn again to You with their WHOLE HEART…HEAR! My heart churned within me to be truly FAITHFUL…to be one who will REALLY STAND IN THE GAP FOR OUR PEOPLE AND NATION(for – woe! – it is recorded in Ezekiel 22:30 that He found NO ONE)…YET BY HIS OWN HAND HE will accomplish what He sees fit.
Tomorrow morning it will be three weeks…21 days…since this nightmare began. Where will it lead? It will lead to HIM if we turn toward Him full faced.
In the midst of all of this…this – yet another very surreal part of the path – we can not forget the captives – night and day – wondering, praying, hoping…224 people…the little children…held deep in the underground tunnels below Gaza…being told lies. We all know what it is to hear the lies of the enemy. When that enemy clothes himself with a human face and voice, OH LORD! May he not prevail in any of those precious lives. May HE Who is The Light and The Truth appear to them and comfort them.
I have been the reluctant recipient of ‘good deeds to be done’ lately. With so many volunteers, people are looking for ways to help (me too)…but it seems as if the ‘good deed’ of ‘feed the widow’ is a popular one and the knocks on my door are non stop. Praise God for such kindness, but neither my refrigerator nor my body has the capacity to consume all of these blessings. I am thankful to share them around, and so as I leave now for shabbat dinner at a friend’s house, I am thrilled to go laden with exotic dishes that I have not made.
I must close now…but again…thank you for praying and for standing firm in His Truth even when the whole world rises us …may we stay behind The Lord’s standard.
Loving blessings,
Shabbat shalom, your sis
October 26, 2023
“Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. And Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. So the children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 7:3-7
Dear Brothers and sisters, shalom.
As you know (the above verses)…The Lord defeated the Philistines, He thundered upon them and overthrew them with confusion. True repentance…true turning TO Him and not turning away…what a beautiful Lord we have and serve!
I was just out walking my dog and I was thinking about the PRIVILEDGE He has given me to be His, here at this time in this moment. I look at the preparation that He has done…and it IS ‘enough’. If I have not learned the lessons then it is only my own fault because His preparation IS sufficient and in each of our lives…and ‘the test’ comes.
This is war and it is nasty and painful. Last night’s incursion into Gaza revealed two more captives, bringing the total now to 224 in captivity (alive or dead we do not know). It is agonizing. The stories that unfold minute by minute are ripping people’s hearts out. The worlds’ reaction (generally. Thank you to all of you who are praying and seeking truth) is beyond shocking…people here can not fathom it.
I answered a letter to a sister the other day and I think that I will reiterate what I wrote to her here. I try to be very careful what I read in any media. I DO NOT WANT INTERPRETATIONS. That, I receive in The Word by the power of His Holy Spirit. I look for ‘facts’ because I feel that it is necessary and important that I be informed, but I don’t ‘MAJOR’ in knowing them or trying to figure them out. I generally do NOT read the Christian media because (as I said) I am not looking to have it interpreted. I also do not look at ‘foreign (out side of Israel) media’. I read 4 secular sources that span left and right. I ask The Lord to lead me into Truth through this. I FORGOT to tell you that our secular media (that I recommend) has some truly disgusting advertisements. (someone brought that to my attention). I admit to totally ignoring that. Please just block it out…don’t let your eyes settle on it. That’s what I have learned to do.
ynet english news
Jerusalem post
Times of Israel
Israel hayom
I am writing this because today’s stories blew me away across the board and they should be seen. Perhaps you would like to take a look throughout the day. NOT to be obsessed with it! But it is better than me picking and choosing. Please take a look. There are other good ones, but I find these give a good cross section in English. At this moment I can not stomach picking out stories…especially concerning the world response.
I have been reading about the devastation done to our agriculture and I have been concerned and began praying about it. (least we also have no food) There is no one to work the fields that are left. In the south, many farms were destroyed, as well as farm animals killed…and there just aren’t workers to harvest what is left. People have been called to just show up and work, but more is needed and I was pleased last night to get a message that there will be a farmer’s market held here in my community today to support the farmers. Praise God! I was greatly heartened and plan to go.
The stores are now showing the strain of the situation. Again, it is NOT critical but I do miss some of the products that I grew to love. Oh well, again, it is a privilege to have been trained by Him and now the tests are here. May we pass them and bring Him glory! How ARE we supposed to WALK in the times of great pressing? We are to praise Him…to be found of Him in His Peace…to be of a quiet heart and a PRAYING HEART turned to Him. We are to fear not and to be strong and courageous. We KNOW the scriptures because He exhorts us to meditate in them day and night…but then the test comes, and we get a glimpse of what is in our own hearts. Here we are Lord…glorify Your Name!
Thank you for all of your prayers for our country and our people and HIS PURPOSES to be fulfilled.
Again, I apologize for the quick, very unpolished, note.
Loving blessings.
A sister.
1 Samuel 7:3-7
Dear Brothers and sisters, shalom.
As you know (the above verses)…The Lord defeated the Philistines, He thundered upon them and overthrew them with confusion. True repentance…true turning TO Him and not turning away…what a beautiful Lord we have and serve!
I was just out walking my dog and I was thinking about the PRIVILEDGE He has given me to be His, here at this time in this moment. I look at the preparation that He has done…and it IS ‘enough’. If I have not learned the lessons then it is only my own fault because His preparation IS sufficient and in each of our lives…and ‘the test’ comes.
This is war and it is nasty and painful. Last night’s incursion into Gaza revealed two more captives, bringing the total now to 224 in captivity (alive or dead we do not know). It is agonizing. The stories that unfold minute by minute are ripping people’s hearts out. The worlds’ reaction (generally. Thank you to all of you who are praying and seeking truth) is beyond shocking…people here can not fathom it.
I answered a letter to a sister the other day and I think that I will reiterate what I wrote to her here. I try to be very careful what I read in any media. I DO NOT WANT INTERPRETATIONS. That, I receive in The Word by the power of His Holy Spirit. I look for ‘facts’ because I feel that it is necessary and important that I be informed, but I don’t ‘MAJOR’ in knowing them or trying to figure them out. I generally do NOT read the Christian media because (as I said) I am not looking to have it interpreted. I also do not look at ‘foreign (out side of Israel) media’. I read 4 secular sources that span left and right. I ask The Lord to lead me into Truth through this. I FORGOT to tell you that our secular media (that I recommend) has some truly disgusting advertisements. (someone brought that to my attention). I admit to totally ignoring that. Please just block it out…don’t let your eyes settle on it. That’s what I have learned to do.
ynet english news
Jerusalem post
Times of Israel
Israel hayom
I am writing this because today’s stories blew me away across the board and they should be seen. Perhaps you would like to take a look throughout the day. NOT to be obsessed with it! But it is better than me picking and choosing. Please take a look. There are other good ones, but I find these give a good cross section in English. At this moment I can not stomach picking out stories…especially concerning the world response.
I have been reading about the devastation done to our agriculture and I have been concerned and began praying about it. (least we also have no food) There is no one to work the fields that are left. In the south, many farms were destroyed, as well as farm animals killed…and there just aren’t workers to harvest what is left. People have been called to just show up and work, but more is needed and I was pleased last night to get a message that there will be a farmer’s market held here in my community today to support the farmers. Praise God! I was greatly heartened and plan to go.
The stores are now showing the strain of the situation. Again, it is NOT critical but I do miss some of the products that I grew to love. Oh well, again, it is a privilege to have been trained by Him and now the tests are here. May we pass them and bring Him glory! How ARE we supposed to WALK in the times of great pressing? We are to praise Him…to be found of Him in His Peace…to be of a quiet heart and a PRAYING HEART turned to Him. We are to fear not and to be strong and courageous. We KNOW the scriptures because He exhorts us to meditate in them day and night…but then the test comes, and we get a glimpse of what is in our own hearts. Here we are Lord…glorify Your Name!
Thank you for all of your prayers for our country and our people and HIS PURPOSES to be fulfilled.
Again, I apologize for the quick, very unpolished, note.
Loving blessings.
A sister.
October 25, 2023
"The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad! Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about. His lightnings light the world The earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory. Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. Zion hears and is glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoice Because of Your judgments, O Lord. For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name." PSALM 97
Good morning. I asked the taxi driver yesterday 'How he is' and he said to me 'If I get up in the morning and am alive, I must be thankful.' I know that that is often a sober joke among us older people, but he wasn't older and right now here it is no joke. It was nice to talk with him. Everyone is 'real'. A social worker came to see me yesterday and I have not met her before. S.... is probably in her 40s and has a 13 year old son. She asked me if I wanted to leave the country, because she did. As we talked and shared, she told me that she was born during the '67 war. Then there was the 1973 war. Then she fought in the war of 1982 and then the two intifadas. She said 'I was born during the sirens and sirens I hear all of my life. Atleast my son has not had them from birth. I can not stand them anymore!' She told me that her mother was a holocaust survivor and told her that there is a difference between those who were born here and those who were not: that those who were born here think that there is something better for Jews outside. She said 'I see that you are still Zionist'. I told her that I believe God and I believe His plan and purpose and that I have peace in my heart. Sadly, she represents many war weary sabras. (those born here).
There are some wonderful things to report: The unity of the people is extraordinary. The volunteerism...the helping...the kindness...it is something to see. For years there has been a battle between the secular and the haredim claiming that the haredim won't fight for the country (they often study religion rather than go to the army. There is a move among the haredim to join the army and in the past 2 weeks more than 2,000 have gone and signed up to fight. This is very healing.
You know that in the past I have found that I can look at the weather here and 'suspect' what might be ahead of us. This week is expecting a strong unusual heat wave. That puts a check in my heart. We had MUCH activity from both the south and the north yesterday. Between 3-5 in the evening I asked a neighbor if there was thunder and she told me 'No...it is the bombs', which I expected, but hoped that perhaps it was thunder.
I have been having some discussions with people about news sources. I want to share with you 'my opinion' concerning what I listen to and why. I try to NOT look much at the news, but I feel that it is important to know what is happening. I VERY RARELY LOOK FOR INTERPRETATION (for that I go to the Bible) and for that reason I only go to a cross section of our own (NOT international) secular press. RIGHT HERE I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE BECAUSE I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW DISGUSTING OUR ADVERTISEMENTS ARE IN THE SECULAR PRESS AND WHEN I SEND IT TO YOU, SOME OF YOU ARE SHOCKED. PLEASE FORGIVE ME...I HAVE LEARNED TO KEEP MY EYES BLIND TO THAT. I find by this - and the discernment of The Holy Spirit - I can usually come up with what really is taking place on the ground - and is not sensationalized. I LOOK TO THE LORD ONLY FOR THE INTERPRETATION.
Having said that, I want to resend a couple of links if you missed them. They are worthwhile taking a look at:
My pastor rarely speaks in English here, so this site that he just put up in English I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It is his teaching.
https://www.youtube.com/@_HungerForGod
Also the article that I sent yesterday from Chris Mitchell...I didn't see until after that there was a video and on the video is an WELL WORTHY TO WATCH (EXCELLENT) interview with Michael Oren - a brilliant man who used to be Ambassador to the US.
FINALLY...ONLY FOR THE STRONG OF HEART...I send this with a caution...it is shocking.
It is a recording from a terrorist on the first day who took the cell phone from a woman that he had killed and called his parents to ecstatically boast how he had just killed 10 Jews and their blood was on his hands. His parents rejoiced with great joy with him. It is shocking but it is important to hear (if you can stomach it)
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-769989
their blood is on my hands
Please keep praying (as most of you are...THANK YOU!)
If anyone wants a list of the names of soldiers to pray for please ask me and I will send it.
May He lead us into Himself ...and be glorified.
Lovingly, your sister.
Good morning. I asked the taxi driver yesterday 'How he is' and he said to me 'If I get up in the morning and am alive, I must be thankful.' I know that that is often a sober joke among us older people, but he wasn't older and right now here it is no joke. It was nice to talk with him. Everyone is 'real'. A social worker came to see me yesterday and I have not met her before. S.... is probably in her 40s and has a 13 year old son. She asked me if I wanted to leave the country, because she did. As we talked and shared, she told me that she was born during the '67 war. Then there was the 1973 war. Then she fought in the war of 1982 and then the two intifadas. She said 'I was born during the sirens and sirens I hear all of my life. Atleast my son has not had them from birth. I can not stand them anymore!' She told me that her mother was a holocaust survivor and told her that there is a difference between those who were born here and those who were not: that those who were born here think that there is something better for Jews outside. She said 'I see that you are still Zionist'. I told her that I believe God and I believe His plan and purpose and that I have peace in my heart. Sadly, she represents many war weary sabras. (those born here).
There are some wonderful things to report: The unity of the people is extraordinary. The volunteerism...the helping...the kindness...it is something to see. For years there has been a battle between the secular and the haredim claiming that the haredim won't fight for the country (they often study religion rather than go to the army. There is a move among the haredim to join the army and in the past 2 weeks more than 2,000 have gone and signed up to fight. This is very healing.
You know that in the past I have found that I can look at the weather here and 'suspect' what might be ahead of us. This week is expecting a strong unusual heat wave. That puts a check in my heart. We had MUCH activity from both the south and the north yesterday. Between 3-5 in the evening I asked a neighbor if there was thunder and she told me 'No...it is the bombs', which I expected, but hoped that perhaps it was thunder.
I have been having some discussions with people about news sources. I want to share with you 'my opinion' concerning what I listen to and why. I try to NOT look much at the news, but I feel that it is important to know what is happening. I VERY RARELY LOOK FOR INTERPRETATION (for that I go to the Bible) and for that reason I only go to a cross section of our own (NOT international) secular press. RIGHT HERE I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE BECAUSE I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW DISGUSTING OUR ADVERTISEMENTS ARE IN THE SECULAR PRESS AND WHEN I SEND IT TO YOU, SOME OF YOU ARE SHOCKED. PLEASE FORGIVE ME...I HAVE LEARNED TO KEEP MY EYES BLIND TO THAT. I find by this - and the discernment of The Holy Spirit - I can usually come up with what really is taking place on the ground - and is not sensationalized. I LOOK TO THE LORD ONLY FOR THE INTERPRETATION.
Having said that, I want to resend a couple of links if you missed them. They are worthwhile taking a look at:
My pastor rarely speaks in English here, so this site that he just put up in English I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It is his teaching.
https://www.youtube.com/@_HungerForGod
Also the article that I sent yesterday from Chris Mitchell...I didn't see until after that there was a video and on the video is an WELL WORTHY TO WATCH (EXCELLENT) interview with Michael Oren - a brilliant man who used to be Ambassador to the US.
FINALLY...ONLY FOR THE STRONG OF HEART...I send this with a caution...it is shocking.
It is a recording from a terrorist on the first day who took the cell phone from a woman that he had killed and called his parents to ecstatically boast how he had just killed 10 Jews and their blood was on his hands. His parents rejoiced with great joy with him. It is shocking but it is important to hear (if you can stomach it)
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-769989
their blood is on my hands
Please keep praying (as most of you are...THANK YOU!)
If anyone wants a list of the names of soldiers to pray for please ask me and I will send it.
May He lead us into Himself ...and be glorified.
Lovingly, your sister.
October 22, 2023
"Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, THOU ART GOD." PSALM 90:1
“That in all things HE might have the preeminence.”
I decided that I needed to get out for a walk earlier today. The temptation to simply stay in by myself is an old trap for me. I stepped outside the gate and wondered if I should walk to the left or to the right; should I go to Rami Levi or Super Ofir? So I prayed. I felt that I should go right, and remembering how The Lord has trained me to listen to and obey His ‘nudges’…His ‘checks’…His ‘still small voice’. I turned right and had walked about 10 steps when I heard volleys of gunshots off to the left. I stopped and listened. I thanked The Lord for His faithfulness to remind me to look to Him for even the smallest thing. It was so reassuring! The days of ‘training’ seemed long…but we are no longer training. This is the real thing. We need to remind ourselves that this is all really happening, but the grieving are abundant, so we can't forget for long.
The streets are pretty empty and until last night I didn’t realize that I hadn’t been out of my area in two weeks, since the war began. Last night I was blessed to go back to the Kehila for the first time and I was overwhelmed as we drove through Jerusalem. The last time that I was there the city was filthy with all of the dust from so much construction, and huge signs covered buildings and billboards displaying the discord in the nation and the political division. Last night, the city looked so clean and EVERYWHERE were only Israeli flags. The political signs had been replaced with ones like those pictured below. They say (ya’khad n’netzhak) ‘TOGETHER WE WILL WIN' -some add ‘Israel lives’ (am Yisrael khai) or ‘we are strong together’. (khazak be’achad) It was dramatic.
And it IS dramatic. Although we are experiencing a defining moment in the spiritual war (which this ALL is and has been all along- it has ALWAYS been a spiritual war) I can not help but look and see what is around me and try to describe it to you. I thought about how the whole world is so divided and up until 2 weeks ago, so were we... right there at the top. That changed in a moment of time and it is extraordinary to see.
I got a phone call from a number that I didn’t know. ‘I’m calling from the city. How are you doing?’ the voice asked. ‘Is there anything that I can help you with? Do you need food or medicines or someone to talk to?’ I said ‘Well…actually no, but what I do need is a place to volunteer since I don’t have a car and I don’t get around as easily as I used to.’ He said to me ‘You know what? We think that it’s time that you have done enough and we want to help you instead.’… it was quite a touching conversation, actually it is the second call that I received like that. There literally is NO one who is not volunteering. (see article below) Cauldrons of soup are boiling on stoves, food is being packed, necessary clothing and hygiene articles are being boxed…cars load them on and bring them up north or down south to the soldiers. People take on doing laundry for soldiers. Families open their homes to the hundreds of thousands of displaced families and others are taken in by the hotels. Boxes of clothing and toys stack up for them. Calls go out asking who can take care of animals that are stuck without their families. Others go to pick crops on farms where the owners are on the fighting lines. IT IS EXTRAORDINARY!
It is hard to keep away from the media. It takes a lot of self discipline to limit how much I will look at. It is incredibly discouraging to see how quickly the truth is distorted and 'the world' tells us to 'back off'...it's our fault anyway. I listened to an Arabic interview with the head of Hamas. The (Arab) interviewer said to him ‘They are calling you isis! They are asking how you could do such an awful thing…babies…children…’ He sat there calmly and looked at her and said ‘Where did you see these things?’ She said ‘Everyone can see it! It is being shown everywhere!’ So calmly he looked her in the eye and said ‘It is all lies. You are watching the Israeli lie…Netanyahu has made it all up so that he can slaughter us. It is a lie and you are watching the Israeli lies!’ My mouth fell open! Brother, sister…he could have convinced me!
Israel is surrounded by 500 million Muslims! They are angry and are eating lies.
The war on the northern border is rapidly heating up and our northern communities have been evacuated. (as have our southern communities ofcourse)
We remain poised to go into Gaza. In last night’s briefing we were told that this war is very different and it will be long and painful. Everyone is very sober but trying to strengthen one another. Again (you must be tired of me saying this) may we be found of Him in His peace, glorifying Him alone and doing only what He tells us to do…even if our part is scrubbing the bathroom. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Before I close, some people have asked if there is enough to eat. Yes. The shelves may look somewhat empty but really, we don’t ‘NEED’ all that we think that we do. We really can do with much less. We may not have our 'dainties' but we have sustaining food.
Thank you for praying for – above all – the revelation of Yeshua…to all alive; the captives, the grieving, the fearful, the strong, the weak, and even the enemy…all…we need HIM.
Lovingly, your sis
The entire home front has become a network of WhatsApp groups buzzing non-stop. Everyone is helping everyone all the time.
“That in all things HE might have the preeminence.”
I decided that I needed to get out for a walk earlier today. The temptation to simply stay in by myself is an old trap for me. I stepped outside the gate and wondered if I should walk to the left or to the right; should I go to Rami Levi or Super Ofir? So I prayed. I felt that I should go right, and remembering how The Lord has trained me to listen to and obey His ‘nudges’…His ‘checks’…His ‘still small voice’. I turned right and had walked about 10 steps when I heard volleys of gunshots off to the left. I stopped and listened. I thanked The Lord for His faithfulness to remind me to look to Him for even the smallest thing. It was so reassuring! The days of ‘training’ seemed long…but we are no longer training. This is the real thing. We need to remind ourselves that this is all really happening, but the grieving are abundant, so we can't forget for long.
The streets are pretty empty and until last night I didn’t realize that I hadn’t been out of my area in two weeks, since the war began. Last night I was blessed to go back to the Kehila for the first time and I was overwhelmed as we drove through Jerusalem. The last time that I was there the city was filthy with all of the dust from so much construction, and huge signs covered buildings and billboards displaying the discord in the nation and the political division. Last night, the city looked so clean and EVERYWHERE were only Israeli flags. The political signs had been replaced with ones like those pictured below. They say (ya’khad n’netzhak) ‘TOGETHER WE WILL WIN' -some add ‘Israel lives’ (am Yisrael khai) or ‘we are strong together’. (khazak be’achad) It was dramatic.
And it IS dramatic. Although we are experiencing a defining moment in the spiritual war (which this ALL is and has been all along- it has ALWAYS been a spiritual war) I can not help but look and see what is around me and try to describe it to you. I thought about how the whole world is so divided and up until 2 weeks ago, so were we... right there at the top. That changed in a moment of time and it is extraordinary to see.
I got a phone call from a number that I didn’t know. ‘I’m calling from the city. How are you doing?’ the voice asked. ‘Is there anything that I can help you with? Do you need food or medicines or someone to talk to?’ I said ‘Well…actually no, but what I do need is a place to volunteer since I don’t have a car and I don’t get around as easily as I used to.’ He said to me ‘You know what? We think that it’s time that you have done enough and we want to help you instead.’… it was quite a touching conversation, actually it is the second call that I received like that. There literally is NO one who is not volunteering. (see article below) Cauldrons of soup are boiling on stoves, food is being packed, necessary clothing and hygiene articles are being boxed…cars load them on and bring them up north or down south to the soldiers. People take on doing laundry for soldiers. Families open their homes to the hundreds of thousands of displaced families and others are taken in by the hotels. Boxes of clothing and toys stack up for them. Calls go out asking who can take care of animals that are stuck without their families. Others go to pick crops on farms where the owners are on the fighting lines. IT IS EXTRAORDINARY!
It is hard to keep away from the media. It takes a lot of self discipline to limit how much I will look at. It is incredibly discouraging to see how quickly the truth is distorted and 'the world' tells us to 'back off'...it's our fault anyway. I listened to an Arabic interview with the head of Hamas. The (Arab) interviewer said to him ‘They are calling you isis! They are asking how you could do such an awful thing…babies…children…’ He sat there calmly and looked at her and said ‘Where did you see these things?’ She said ‘Everyone can see it! It is being shown everywhere!’ So calmly he looked her in the eye and said ‘It is all lies. You are watching the Israeli lie…Netanyahu has made it all up so that he can slaughter us. It is a lie and you are watching the Israeli lies!’ My mouth fell open! Brother, sister…he could have convinced me!
Israel is surrounded by 500 million Muslims! They are angry and are eating lies.
The war on the northern border is rapidly heating up and our northern communities have been evacuated. (as have our southern communities ofcourse)
We remain poised to go into Gaza. In last night’s briefing we were told that this war is very different and it will be long and painful. Everyone is very sober but trying to strengthen one another. Again (you must be tired of me saying this) may we be found of Him in His peace, glorifying Him alone and doing only what He tells us to do…even if our part is scrubbing the bathroom. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Before I close, some people have asked if there is enough to eat. Yes. The shelves may look somewhat empty but really, we don’t ‘NEED’ all that we think that we do. We really can do with much less. We may not have our 'dainties' but we have sustaining food.
Thank you for praying for – above all – the revelation of Yeshua…to all alive; the captives, the grieving, the fearful, the strong, the weak, and even the enemy…all…we need HIM.
Lovingly, your sis
The entire home front has become a network of WhatsApp groups buzzing non-stop. Everyone is helping everyone all the time.
October 19, 2023
Dear praying brothers and sisters,
Things are fluid here and events are moving rapidly. So thankful that you are praying for His discernment. May we be steadfast upon The Rock, free from personal opinions and preferences, sensationalism, and the like. I think that we hear better when we are lower lower...flat on our faces. We are of His kingdom.
A couple of hours ago (more or less) there were about 30 rockets in our north from Hezbollah and Hamas both in Lebanon. They fell at the same time as a large barrage from Hamas in Gaza targeted the South and Tel Aviv. It appears that the war is now on two fronts. There were 3 injured in Kiryat Shmona in the North as their building had a direct hit.
At the same time, the troops were briefed and told that 'soon they will be seeing Gaza from the inside.' This is difficult. If you are praying for IDF soldiers, please understand the horror that they may be walking into. Also, may His Light lead them to the captives...some may be in other countries...out of Gaza already. It is also stressful on the soldiers, not knowing 'when'...being ready and then having to wait. We don't want them to lose the energy that they have now, but the unity war cabinet is being very prudent and as accurate as possible for the sake of the troops and the hostages.
Many world leaders are arriving here showing support... Presidents from the USA, Great Britain, Germany and many others. Russia and China have not. They have allied with the Arab countries and Iran.
BUT GOD...WHO IS SOVEREIGN AND LORD OF ALL, reminds my heart constantly to stand firm on The Rock and look to Him Alone.
Thank you for praying with us.
Please see the video below. Sadly it has been clipped from the one that I saw earlier today, but it is still a blessing! These are all soldiers.
IDF singing and praying Psalm 12
Things are fluid here and events are moving rapidly. So thankful that you are praying for His discernment. May we be steadfast upon The Rock, free from personal opinions and preferences, sensationalism, and the like. I think that we hear better when we are lower lower...flat on our faces. We are of His kingdom.
A couple of hours ago (more or less) there were about 30 rockets in our north from Hezbollah and Hamas both in Lebanon. They fell at the same time as a large barrage from Hamas in Gaza targeted the South and Tel Aviv. It appears that the war is now on two fronts. There were 3 injured in Kiryat Shmona in the North as their building had a direct hit.
At the same time, the troops were briefed and told that 'soon they will be seeing Gaza from the inside.' This is difficult. If you are praying for IDF soldiers, please understand the horror that they may be walking into. Also, may His Light lead them to the captives...some may be in other countries...out of Gaza already. It is also stressful on the soldiers, not knowing 'when'...being ready and then having to wait. We don't want them to lose the energy that they have now, but the unity war cabinet is being very prudent and as accurate as possible for the sake of the troops and the hostages.
Many world leaders are arriving here showing support... Presidents from the USA, Great Britain, Germany and many others. Russia and China have not. They have allied with the Arab countries and Iran.
BUT GOD...WHO IS SOVEREIGN AND LORD OF ALL, reminds my heart constantly to stand firm on The Rock and look to Him Alone.
Thank you for praying with us.
Please see the video below. Sadly it has been clipped from the one that I saw earlier today, but it is still a blessing! These are all soldiers.
IDF singing and praying Psalm 12
October 18, 2023
Dear friends,
As the country...and, indeed, the world, continue to reel through these days, praying for discernment that we are not sidetracked by sensational or simply news that is really lies, I have a personal request (even as I listen to the planes flying overhead).
My younger daughter, her husband and (children.........) returned to their home today. They have been with me for well over a week and .... (my son in law) feels that they would likely be as safe there as here. They live in Judea and Samaria, the heartland of Israel, but often considered the 'disputed areas' or 'the settlements'. There are many Arab villages around them (as there are here) but what makes them particularly vulnerable is that they are a very small communitie (like the kibbutzim in the South) that could be easily overrun.
I ask you to pray for their safety and mostly, for them to come to know HIM. Our daughter knew Him in the past. I thank those of you who would pray with me for them. Thank you.
You all have heard about the destroyed hospital in Gaza, and most of you have heard about the fact that the blame was first placed on Israel until the truth came out that it was actually an Islamic Jihad rocket that misfired from a graveyard behind the hospital. The Arab countries and most Arab media have NOT reported the true findings, so the damage (free press...) was done and there is increasing rage in the countries around us. The days ahead of us ... are all in HIS Hands. HE IS SOVEREIGN AND HE IS LORD. Our job is to seek His Face and do what He says for HIS glory.
I'm off to bed and send you my love.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL FOR HIS HEART'S DESIRE.
Lovingly, a sister here.
As the country...and, indeed, the world, continue to reel through these days, praying for discernment that we are not sidetracked by sensational or simply news that is really lies, I have a personal request (even as I listen to the planes flying overhead).
My younger daughter, her husband and (children.........) returned to their home today. They have been with me for well over a week and .... (my son in law) feels that they would likely be as safe there as here. They live in Judea and Samaria, the heartland of Israel, but often considered the 'disputed areas' or 'the settlements'. There are many Arab villages around them (as there are here) but what makes them particularly vulnerable is that they are a very small communitie (like the kibbutzim in the South) that could be easily overrun.
I ask you to pray for their safety and mostly, for them to come to know HIM. Our daughter knew Him in the past. I thank those of you who would pray with me for them. Thank you.
You all have heard about the destroyed hospital in Gaza, and most of you have heard about the fact that the blame was first placed on Israel until the truth came out that it was actually an Islamic Jihad rocket that misfired from a graveyard behind the hospital. The Arab countries and most Arab media have NOT reported the true findings, so the damage (free press...) was done and there is increasing rage in the countries around us. The days ahead of us ... are all in HIS Hands. HE IS SOVEREIGN AND HE IS LORD. Our job is to seek His Face and do what He says for HIS glory.
I'm off to bed and send you my love.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL FOR HIS HEART'S DESIRE.
Lovingly, a sister here.
October 16, 2023
“Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed. Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power Preserve those who are appointed to die;” PSALM 79:9-11
SHABBAT SHALOM,
How wonderful that The Lord gave us Shabbat…a gift to His creation…a tool to draw us back to Him…calm us and shelter us. Lord, YOU ALONE are good, and righteous!
REPENTANCE has gripped me…my inability to truly repent…my lack of understanding of WHAT true repentance is…my need to know…the DESPERATE need to know!
Oh, I KNEW, and I did truly repent and was saved beyond a doubt…but as I look into the abyss (and yes, it is… the abyss of this battle between the kingdom of dark and light and I seek to know HOW to pray and WHAT to pray…I feel the need for the key of true repentance – which can come ONLY through The Holy Spirit– for judgment begins FIRST at the household of God…and I may be the only one that believes that we are seeing (but NOT seeing? HIS judgment) I could go into that more deeply with someone who would ask me, but I know that this is ‘NOT’ spoken about by many others, and I do NOT want to be a tool of division.
I began writing the above two days ago. THIS IS A POOR ATTEMPT AT AN UPDATE…GRACE PLEASE!
Each day at this point is a lifetime…and many lifetimes are drawing to a close.
The reason for my silence is that our daughter,..... and ..... children, ......have come to stay with me until they feel that it is safe to go home and the situation (mat’tsav in Hebrew) is fluid and changing minute by minute. It is an answer to prayer (for which I thank you for praying!) that she and the children are with me (Y was also with us over Shabbat) and I am thrilled, but the fact that we are in two small rooms most of the day and that we all seem to have a nasty cold has made even answering what’s apps very challenging. They are all upstairs right now getting baths. My landlords have an ‘air b and b’ on the top floor of this house and have given it to them to sleep there at night as there are no tourists now. What a blessing for us and how thankful I am. ..........
The situation from my point of view:
Most of you probably know what is happening. The magnitude of the butchery leaves the people (including me) speechless and traumatized. Is there anyone who does NOT know what has been going on? Let me know and I will try to update you. Thank you for those of you who have sent me news from different believers here…but I have enough. As of today, there are over 1,300 Israelis dead, at least 126 taken captive into Gaza, and more than 5,000 have been injured. Inspite of the fact that we are pretty well flattening Gaza from the air, have cut off electricity, fuel, water, their bombs continue to fall in Southern and central Israel (including Tel Aviv). I saw a report today that Hamas has dismantled the water pipes to build bombs. The photos of beheaded people…children…infants… burned…pools of blood…simply horrors…it is difficult to fathom that this is really happening right now. People constantly say with a sense of unbelief: ‘This is really happening now’. The heartbreaking stories coming out of the destroyed kibbutzim in the south increase daily as people search in agony for their loved ones and the mangled bodies take time to identify.
The beginning of the ground advance is just starting and it is the most dangerous, horrific part of war for soldiers…and these are the children and spouses of my friends and neighbors. All out ground fighting in Gaza is what lies ahead and it won’t be in and out. The constant overhead planes and booms are preparing the way into the area. Now Hezbollah in the North has joined in, albeit still tentatively, we have already had one killed in the north and people restricted from the border areas. The Palestinians within our country are being emboldened. Our government has formed an emergency unity war government (war was, yes, officially declared) and they announced today that they are prepared to battle on all THREE fronts. (that is why my daughter and children, who live in a small village in the Judean mountains ......, are with us)
So…what does it physically look like from where I am seated:
My village is a 12 minute bus ride from Jerusalem and it is legally a ‘moshav’. It is a very patriotic village where just about everyone was or is in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) The area is governed by a local council that is deeply involved in the well being of the people. There is a WhatsApp group and at least 3 times a day we are informed about everything that is going on, injuries, needs, and given directions. Literally everyone who is able, has volunteered for something. When I walk the dogs in the morning, I see cars loaded with water, supplies, food, home cooked meals, clothes, heading either north or south to bring them to the soldiers. Anyone who is able to bear arms has been licensed and equipped. Checkpoints have been set up all around and there are armed patrols day and night. At this point, only food stores, doctors and pharmacies, and fuel stations are to be opened, but I understand more and more stores are opening as much of the economy is hand to mouth. Everyone has relatives and friends fighting. Classes and most activities are suspended. People are all checking on one another.
This is NOT like any other war in the past more than 50 years for us. It IS existential and I have been told first hand that it is worse than the Yom Kippur war. There has been and probably will be more…fighting from house to house…and that is the reality, and yes, that is scary, although I AM FEELING NO FEAR BUT ONLY DEEP PEACE IN MY HEART, I know that that does not mean that my body will not be harmed. His kingdom is one of Peace. I look at the ways that He has been preparing me: “Let go of the rudder in the storm”. “Cling to Me…for you have not passed this way before.” “Not my will but Yours”. “It is not about you…it is all about Me”. “This cup too is from Me. Will you take it and drink it down?”, the shedding of all of our possessions, the move, the timing of the forced retirement…all of this…what Love!
It is about 9 years ago already that The Lord impressed on me one morning to ‘Learn My ways in judgment’, and I began reading my scriptures noting the causes and effects of His judgments and what He expects of me in the midst. I made copious notes and was taken by surprise by the fact that His PROMISES of judgment is as abundant as His PROMISES for blessing…even for His disciples. I have prayed and watched and wondered and heard very little about such things as I watched nations polarize and fall apart, confusion, darkness, plague, natural disasters, arguing, and most grievous, the church itself leaving it’s first love and running after conspiracy theories and entertainment. I AM NOT A PROPHET! I am a sheep…and if I am wrong, God have mercy! I pray daily …I BEG Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit and a Spirit of discernment; to keep me from deception and to search me and correct me…to keep me in His Word and His closet of prayer. I fail Him constantly and have to run to Him…but this does not leave me. ALL of His promises are true and amen…ALL of them. He tells us (Luke 12 -is not what I’m looking for but can’t recall at the moment the exact verse) that although some of us will be killed, not a hair of our head will be harmed. Surely our values need to be conformed to those of His kingdom.
I have been saddened by some local believers, close friends, who have glommed on to (what I call) a ‘spiritual rumor’ that this has all happened because of the wickedness of the ‘rave’ party that was going on in the south where many (some 260 I believe?) young people were slaughtered in the first assault. ‘They were dancing around a statue of Buddha’! they say in amazement. This WICKEDNESS has been going on for YEARS…both here and around the world…rave parties, burning man concerts…Woodstock… love orgies. I am saddened that believers would want to sensationalize, and that is what it is. HOW GOD MUST BE GRIEVED BY ALL OF THE TERRIBLE WICKEDNESS that has been going on all around! Will we yet be proud to think ‘oh, it was this or that?’. In Daniel 9, we read a true prayer of repentance.
I’m sorry for going on and on. Many people have asked me how to pray. I believe that we MUST be led by prayer by The Holy Spirit Who will show us and I will leave to others the lists, but please do pray for the captives to have Him come to them…for their families, for the soldiers to be strong and courageous, for HIS WILL in every area…for the soldiers to have enough food and equipment (there are tons of initiatives right now both in the country and outside of it) to provide for the needs of the soldiers. Please pray that they are expedited and that each soldier gets what he or she needs. Thank God for all of the believing soldiers! May they be found in Him in His Spirit and be given much fruit for His kingdom in the midst of this! May they see Him in the battle! MAY HIS NAME BE GLORIFIED AND MAY HIS SALVATION BE SEEN IN THE MIDST. My daughter told me that the religious Jews are reading Zechariah and believing that NOW Messiah will come and ‘the temple’ will be built! May they READ Zechariah and SEE HIM WHO THEY PIERCED! May He be revealed NOW! [and PLEASE GOD, to my daughter and her family as well!] May God be gracious for His Great Name’s sake!
My Pastor sent out the prayer notes below, so I will include those.
Thank you SO MUCH for your love and prayers and for staying in touch! I love your notes and sweet touches! Thank you for caring! I personally am fine, SO THANKFUL THAT E AND FAMILY ARE WITH ME…albeit physically tired and in pain (a pretty normal thing for me, I have had systemic lupus for years) and have a bad cold that I PRAY does not progress into anything that needs attention. This has been my ‘normal reality’ for years anyway, but I don’t want to be an added burden on anyone at this time. (there are so many that need medical attention). Yes, please pray for the weary medical system, the broken equipment…you know…He can lead you…all of those working so hard and worrying and grieving and seeing unspeakable things. That the eyes of the witnesses would be washed with eye salve. That The Lord would be glorified and seen…isn’t that our purpose on this earth anyway. Below is from my Pastor.
2Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Dear praying friends,
Mal. 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
As horrific as this war is, we continue to begin and base our prayer on the foundation of the Word of God and His promises to Israel.
If we are not careful, our emotions may get the better of us and lead us into "wild praying." "Wild" in the sense that they will be manufactured by the flesh and our emotions rather than the Spirit. These kinds of prayers may satisfy our own needs or our sense and desire for justice, but they may not reach God.
So we begin with the most significant thing that WILL COME TO PASS in the last days.
Mal. 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
Israel will be visited by her Messiah and brought face to face with the "One whom they have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10)
"The Sun of Righteousness" is no other than Yeshua, the Messiah, Son of God, Son of man, Son of David. "God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God." (1)
"With healing in His wings." - Note that the revelation of Yeshua to His people, their (implied) repentance (the light that shines is Righteousness), is followed by an inrushing of the Holy Spirit (symbolized here by 'wings') with healing.
With the healing reconciliation after two thousand years of estrangement between Israel and her God will come the healing and comforting of Israel's heart. She will find that she has not been abandoned but loved all along.
2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
"Father" is Source. God is Himself the source of ALL comfort. He is the source of ALL needed mercies.
Pray with us:
· Dear Lord, we call upon you to arise as the Sun of Righteousness in this hour of darkness. Shine the light of Messiah; shine forth the glory of God in the face of Yeshua upon this bleeding nation.
· May Israel see Him who IS Love, and may Israel see Him as Love crucified.
· May Israel's eyes be opened to the Wonder that Messiah is.
· May Israel's heart be broken not by terror but by the fear of God that arises in one who sees the Holy Love of God.
· Lord, we ask that You fulfill Your promises and show Yourself Great in all the earth by what You do in Israel as You bring her to Yourself.
· We pray that Your Goodness will cause the nations to "hear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.'" (Jeremiah 33:9)
· Lord, we have seen what the devil can do up to now, but we long to see what God can do!
· Show yourself, mighty Lord, Mighty to give Life, Mighty to save, Mighty to heal.
Praying for Israel at this time of war
Zooming out to the immediate verses before and after Malachi 4:2, we see the larger story!
Mal. 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal. 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
Mal. 4:3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.
As you can see, part of the package of Israel's restoration to Himself is God's dealing with wickedness in general, and for our purpose here, the unfathomable depravity of Hamas (which for all practical purposes is ISIS—ISIS flags and manuals were found on the ground where the terrorists have been.)
We prayed :
For the hostages and their families
We must resist the notion that they are beyond the help of God. That is precisely what the enemy wants you to feel so that you don't pray. God is not limited in ways and means to reach them. How often have you read stories of supernatural and divine help that captives or imprisoned hostages have received?
Heb. 1:7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
· Pray for the Lord to reach them.
· Pray for angelic protection and aid to each of them.
· Pray for God to sustain them. (Do you remember the three Hebrew children in the furnace? Daniel in the lion's den?)
· Pray for God's intervention — He can even bring their release, by Israel's army or otherwise.
· Pray for the families who know that their loved ones are in captivity.
· Pray for those who do not yet know but whose loved ones are missing.
For the families of those who died and have been massacred.
Many are left whose loved ones have not yet been identified or accounted for.
· Pray for the grace and comfort of God, both supernaturally by the Lord Himself and through those who are near and who surround them.
· Pray for the coming days as these families process what happened. Some stories are beyond human endurance to bear. The cruelty and evil are a great shock to Israel, let alone these dear ones who have lost family, even lost a whole family.
For the IDF
We pray for the IDF, which is our whole nation's sons and daughters and grandkids.
Pray for the right strategy, even genius ideas and tactics greater than the 'evil genius' of the Hamas.
· Pray for minimal causalities as the IDF goes into Gaza; the IDF will encounter a whole city set as a trap by roadside bombs, etc.
· Pray for the ongoing threat coming from Lebanon's Hezbollah.
· Pray into this Day of Rage (today), which has been called for the uprising of the Arabs in Israel and in Judea and Samaria and the nations surrounding Israel.
· Pray for the IDF's leadership.
For the government
A Unity government has been formed, with a small Defense Cabinet comprised of Netanyahu, Galant, and Eisencot.
· Pray that this Defense cabinet will succeed; there is much bad blood between Netanyahu, Galant, and Eisencot.
· Pray for good and solid decisions to be made and carried out.
Although Israel is now united by a common enemy, for now, an enormous amount of anger at this present government is accumulating beneath the surface. Evidence is mounting that the greater responsibility for this disaster lies at the feet of Netanyahu's government.
· Pray for Israel's 'day after.'
· Pray for "good shepherds," according to Ezekiel 34, Jeremiah 23.
Other issues:
The social media war.
A HUGE war is going on social media. The amount of venom and hatred spewed at Israel is enormous! This war is just as important as the physical war.
'Chaos' engulfs social media landscape as Israel-Hamas war shapes digital narratives
Food Supply and Demand
Although Israel does not lack in food, the supply chain is greatly hampered. Many workers in that sector (grocery chains, etc.) are Arabs, and they are afraid to appear at work. One food chain, for example, said that in one of its stores, instead of the usual 150 workers, only four appeared. This includes truck drivers, etc.
Farms in the south:
https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/bjbmtx8ba
Pray for the Church: Its silence is deafening!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ofer
SHABBAT SHALOM,
How wonderful that The Lord gave us Shabbat…a gift to His creation…a tool to draw us back to Him…calm us and shelter us. Lord, YOU ALONE are good, and righteous!
REPENTANCE has gripped me…my inability to truly repent…my lack of understanding of WHAT true repentance is…my need to know…the DESPERATE need to know!
Oh, I KNEW, and I did truly repent and was saved beyond a doubt…but as I look into the abyss (and yes, it is… the abyss of this battle between the kingdom of dark and light and I seek to know HOW to pray and WHAT to pray…I feel the need for the key of true repentance – which can come ONLY through The Holy Spirit– for judgment begins FIRST at the household of God…and I may be the only one that believes that we are seeing (but NOT seeing? HIS judgment) I could go into that more deeply with someone who would ask me, but I know that this is ‘NOT’ spoken about by many others, and I do NOT want to be a tool of division.
I began writing the above two days ago. THIS IS A POOR ATTEMPT AT AN UPDATE…GRACE PLEASE!
Each day at this point is a lifetime…and many lifetimes are drawing to a close.
The reason for my silence is that our daughter,..... and ..... children, ......have come to stay with me until they feel that it is safe to go home and the situation (mat’tsav in Hebrew) is fluid and changing minute by minute. It is an answer to prayer (for which I thank you for praying!) that she and the children are with me (Y was also with us over Shabbat) and I am thrilled, but the fact that we are in two small rooms most of the day and that we all seem to have a nasty cold has made even answering what’s apps very challenging. They are all upstairs right now getting baths. My landlords have an ‘air b and b’ on the top floor of this house and have given it to them to sleep there at night as there are no tourists now. What a blessing for us and how thankful I am. ..........
The situation from my point of view:
Most of you probably know what is happening. The magnitude of the butchery leaves the people (including me) speechless and traumatized. Is there anyone who does NOT know what has been going on? Let me know and I will try to update you. Thank you for those of you who have sent me news from different believers here…but I have enough. As of today, there are over 1,300 Israelis dead, at least 126 taken captive into Gaza, and more than 5,000 have been injured. Inspite of the fact that we are pretty well flattening Gaza from the air, have cut off electricity, fuel, water, their bombs continue to fall in Southern and central Israel (including Tel Aviv). I saw a report today that Hamas has dismantled the water pipes to build bombs. The photos of beheaded people…children…infants… burned…pools of blood…simply horrors…it is difficult to fathom that this is really happening right now. People constantly say with a sense of unbelief: ‘This is really happening now’. The heartbreaking stories coming out of the destroyed kibbutzim in the south increase daily as people search in agony for their loved ones and the mangled bodies take time to identify.
The beginning of the ground advance is just starting and it is the most dangerous, horrific part of war for soldiers…and these are the children and spouses of my friends and neighbors. All out ground fighting in Gaza is what lies ahead and it won’t be in and out. The constant overhead planes and booms are preparing the way into the area. Now Hezbollah in the North has joined in, albeit still tentatively, we have already had one killed in the north and people restricted from the border areas. The Palestinians within our country are being emboldened. Our government has formed an emergency unity war government (war was, yes, officially declared) and they announced today that they are prepared to battle on all THREE fronts. (that is why my daughter and children, who live in a small village in the Judean mountains ......, are with us)
So…what does it physically look like from where I am seated:
My village is a 12 minute bus ride from Jerusalem and it is legally a ‘moshav’. It is a very patriotic village where just about everyone was or is in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) The area is governed by a local council that is deeply involved in the well being of the people. There is a WhatsApp group and at least 3 times a day we are informed about everything that is going on, injuries, needs, and given directions. Literally everyone who is able, has volunteered for something. When I walk the dogs in the morning, I see cars loaded with water, supplies, food, home cooked meals, clothes, heading either north or south to bring them to the soldiers. Anyone who is able to bear arms has been licensed and equipped. Checkpoints have been set up all around and there are armed patrols day and night. At this point, only food stores, doctors and pharmacies, and fuel stations are to be opened, but I understand more and more stores are opening as much of the economy is hand to mouth. Everyone has relatives and friends fighting. Classes and most activities are suspended. People are all checking on one another.
This is NOT like any other war in the past more than 50 years for us. It IS existential and I have been told first hand that it is worse than the Yom Kippur war. There has been and probably will be more…fighting from house to house…and that is the reality, and yes, that is scary, although I AM FEELING NO FEAR BUT ONLY DEEP PEACE IN MY HEART, I know that that does not mean that my body will not be harmed. His kingdom is one of Peace. I look at the ways that He has been preparing me: “Let go of the rudder in the storm”. “Cling to Me…for you have not passed this way before.” “Not my will but Yours”. “It is not about you…it is all about Me”. “This cup too is from Me. Will you take it and drink it down?”, the shedding of all of our possessions, the move, the timing of the forced retirement…all of this…what Love!
It is about 9 years ago already that The Lord impressed on me one morning to ‘Learn My ways in judgment’, and I began reading my scriptures noting the causes and effects of His judgments and what He expects of me in the midst. I made copious notes and was taken by surprise by the fact that His PROMISES of judgment is as abundant as His PROMISES for blessing…even for His disciples. I have prayed and watched and wondered and heard very little about such things as I watched nations polarize and fall apart, confusion, darkness, plague, natural disasters, arguing, and most grievous, the church itself leaving it’s first love and running after conspiracy theories and entertainment. I AM NOT A PROPHET! I am a sheep…and if I am wrong, God have mercy! I pray daily …I BEG Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit and a Spirit of discernment; to keep me from deception and to search me and correct me…to keep me in His Word and His closet of prayer. I fail Him constantly and have to run to Him…but this does not leave me. ALL of His promises are true and amen…ALL of them. He tells us (Luke 12 -is not what I’m looking for but can’t recall at the moment the exact verse) that although some of us will be killed, not a hair of our head will be harmed. Surely our values need to be conformed to those of His kingdom.
I have been saddened by some local believers, close friends, who have glommed on to (what I call) a ‘spiritual rumor’ that this has all happened because of the wickedness of the ‘rave’ party that was going on in the south where many (some 260 I believe?) young people were slaughtered in the first assault. ‘They were dancing around a statue of Buddha’! they say in amazement. This WICKEDNESS has been going on for YEARS…both here and around the world…rave parties, burning man concerts…Woodstock… love orgies. I am saddened that believers would want to sensationalize, and that is what it is. HOW GOD MUST BE GRIEVED BY ALL OF THE TERRIBLE WICKEDNESS that has been going on all around! Will we yet be proud to think ‘oh, it was this or that?’. In Daniel 9, we read a true prayer of repentance.
I’m sorry for going on and on. Many people have asked me how to pray. I believe that we MUST be led by prayer by The Holy Spirit Who will show us and I will leave to others the lists, but please do pray for the captives to have Him come to them…for their families, for the soldiers to be strong and courageous, for HIS WILL in every area…for the soldiers to have enough food and equipment (there are tons of initiatives right now both in the country and outside of it) to provide for the needs of the soldiers. Please pray that they are expedited and that each soldier gets what he or she needs. Thank God for all of the believing soldiers! May they be found in Him in His Spirit and be given much fruit for His kingdom in the midst of this! May they see Him in the battle! MAY HIS NAME BE GLORIFIED AND MAY HIS SALVATION BE SEEN IN THE MIDST. My daughter told me that the religious Jews are reading Zechariah and believing that NOW Messiah will come and ‘the temple’ will be built! May they READ Zechariah and SEE HIM WHO THEY PIERCED! May He be revealed NOW! [and PLEASE GOD, to my daughter and her family as well!] May God be gracious for His Great Name’s sake!
My Pastor sent out the prayer notes below, so I will include those.
Thank you SO MUCH for your love and prayers and for staying in touch! I love your notes and sweet touches! Thank you for caring! I personally am fine, SO THANKFUL THAT E AND FAMILY ARE WITH ME…albeit physically tired and in pain (a pretty normal thing for me, I have had systemic lupus for years) and have a bad cold that I PRAY does not progress into anything that needs attention. This has been my ‘normal reality’ for years anyway, but I don’t want to be an added burden on anyone at this time. (there are so many that need medical attention). Yes, please pray for the weary medical system, the broken equipment…you know…He can lead you…all of those working so hard and worrying and grieving and seeing unspeakable things. That the eyes of the witnesses would be washed with eye salve. That The Lord would be glorified and seen…isn’t that our purpose on this earth anyway. Below is from my Pastor.
2Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Dear praying friends,
Mal. 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
As horrific as this war is, we continue to begin and base our prayer on the foundation of the Word of God and His promises to Israel.
If we are not careful, our emotions may get the better of us and lead us into "wild praying." "Wild" in the sense that they will be manufactured by the flesh and our emotions rather than the Spirit. These kinds of prayers may satisfy our own needs or our sense and desire for justice, but they may not reach God.
So we begin with the most significant thing that WILL COME TO PASS in the last days.
Mal. 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
Israel will be visited by her Messiah and brought face to face with the "One whom they have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10)
"The Sun of Righteousness" is no other than Yeshua, the Messiah, Son of God, Son of man, Son of David. "God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God." (1)
"With healing in His wings." - Note that the revelation of Yeshua to His people, their (implied) repentance (the light that shines is Righteousness), is followed by an inrushing of the Holy Spirit (symbolized here by 'wings') with healing.
With the healing reconciliation after two thousand years of estrangement between Israel and her God will come the healing and comforting of Israel's heart. She will find that she has not been abandoned but loved all along.
2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
"Father" is Source. God is Himself the source of ALL comfort. He is the source of ALL needed mercies.
Pray with us:
· Dear Lord, we call upon you to arise as the Sun of Righteousness in this hour of darkness. Shine the light of Messiah; shine forth the glory of God in the face of Yeshua upon this bleeding nation.
· May Israel see Him who IS Love, and may Israel see Him as Love crucified.
· May Israel's eyes be opened to the Wonder that Messiah is.
· May Israel's heart be broken not by terror but by the fear of God that arises in one who sees the Holy Love of God.
· Lord, we ask that You fulfill Your promises and show Yourself Great in all the earth by what You do in Israel as You bring her to Yourself.
· We pray that Your Goodness will cause the nations to "hear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.'" (Jeremiah 33:9)
· Lord, we have seen what the devil can do up to now, but we long to see what God can do!
· Show yourself, mighty Lord, Mighty to give Life, Mighty to save, Mighty to heal.
Praying for Israel at this time of war
Zooming out to the immediate verses before and after Malachi 4:2, we see the larger story!
Mal. 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal. 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
Mal. 4:3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.
As you can see, part of the package of Israel's restoration to Himself is God's dealing with wickedness in general, and for our purpose here, the unfathomable depravity of Hamas (which for all practical purposes is ISIS—ISIS flags and manuals were found on the ground where the terrorists have been.)
We prayed :
For the hostages and their families
We must resist the notion that they are beyond the help of God. That is precisely what the enemy wants you to feel so that you don't pray. God is not limited in ways and means to reach them. How often have you read stories of supernatural and divine help that captives or imprisoned hostages have received?
Heb. 1:7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
· Pray for the Lord to reach them.
· Pray for angelic protection and aid to each of them.
· Pray for God to sustain them. (Do you remember the three Hebrew children in the furnace? Daniel in the lion's den?)
· Pray for God's intervention — He can even bring their release, by Israel's army or otherwise.
· Pray for the families who know that their loved ones are in captivity.
· Pray for those who do not yet know but whose loved ones are missing.
For the families of those who died and have been massacred.
Many are left whose loved ones have not yet been identified or accounted for.
· Pray for the grace and comfort of God, both supernaturally by the Lord Himself and through those who are near and who surround them.
· Pray for the coming days as these families process what happened. Some stories are beyond human endurance to bear. The cruelty and evil are a great shock to Israel, let alone these dear ones who have lost family, even lost a whole family.
For the IDF
We pray for the IDF, which is our whole nation's sons and daughters and grandkids.
Pray for the right strategy, even genius ideas and tactics greater than the 'evil genius' of the Hamas.
· Pray for minimal causalities as the IDF goes into Gaza; the IDF will encounter a whole city set as a trap by roadside bombs, etc.
· Pray for the ongoing threat coming from Lebanon's Hezbollah.
· Pray into this Day of Rage (today), which has been called for the uprising of the Arabs in Israel and in Judea and Samaria and the nations surrounding Israel.
· Pray for the IDF's leadership.
For the government
A Unity government has been formed, with a small Defense Cabinet comprised of Netanyahu, Galant, and Eisencot.
· Pray that this Defense cabinet will succeed; there is much bad blood between Netanyahu, Galant, and Eisencot.
· Pray for good and solid decisions to be made and carried out.
Although Israel is now united by a common enemy, for now, an enormous amount of anger at this present government is accumulating beneath the surface. Evidence is mounting that the greater responsibility for this disaster lies at the feet of Netanyahu's government.
· Pray for Israel's 'day after.'
· Pray for "good shepherds," according to Ezekiel 34, Jeremiah 23.
Other issues:
The social media war.
A HUGE war is going on social media. The amount of venom and hatred spewed at Israel is enormous! This war is just as important as the physical war.
'Chaos' engulfs social media landscape as Israel-Hamas war shapes digital narratives
Food Supply and Demand
Although Israel does not lack in food, the supply chain is greatly hampered. Many workers in that sector (grocery chains, etc.) are Arabs, and they are afraid to appear at work. One food chain, for example, said that in one of its stores, instead of the usual 150 workers, only four appeared. This includes truck drivers, etc.
Farms in the south:
https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/bjbmtx8ba
Pray for the Church: Its silence is deafening!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ofer
October 8, 2023
Although I experienced a quiet night where I am (except for the noisy militia - may they be blessed for guarding the village), the strong fighting continues in the south, and the personal stories emerging from there are horrific. Many older people have likened this to the 1948 war of Independence. So many are weeping for their family members, kidnapped in front of their eyes...children, spouses, parents...begging to find their loved ones; having watched them dragged off into Gaza.
But even beyond that...another woe!
Hezbollah is sending rockets into our north. Our armed forces, already overwhelmed in the south, now have a northern front with Iran pulling the strings.
Everybody who can, has been called to fight.
Thank you for continuing to pray for my daughter and family. She is texting me every few hours so far that they are safe.
PLEASE LET THE HOLY SPIRIT LEAD YOU IN PRAYER, FOR PRAYER WE NEED.
(I personally am at peace and not anxious)
But even beyond that...another woe!
Hezbollah is sending rockets into our north. Our armed forces, already overwhelmed in the south, now have a northern front with Iran pulling the strings.
Everybody who can, has been called to fight.
Thank you for continuing to pray for my daughter and family. She is texting me every few hours so far that they are safe.
PLEASE LET THE HOLY SPIRIT LEAD YOU IN PRAYER, FOR PRAYER WE NEED.
(I personally am at peace and not anxious)
October 7, 2023
AMOS 3
I do not want to start this letter with this scripture but it keeps coming to me…I can’t even write it out. Hopefully it’s just ‘coming to mind’ for no reason.
Greetings brothers and sisters, HE IS STILL GOD AND RULER OVER ALL! I have no doubt and I hope that you also have no doubt. MAY HE ALONE BE GLORIFIED! May we be sharpened and before Him Alone.
I want to write this update now. I am not sure if we will have electricity or the ability to communicate as this war is different. They are saying that there has been nothing like this since 1973 – the devastating Yom Kippur war. As of now (I am listening to our local news as I write) they are reporting over 250 Israelis killed, over 1,100 injured…and many (the number is NOT being announced although I know that there are people saying that they know…the government told us that the numbers are NOT accurate, even thought I know that there are some believers giving numbers) …many civilians and soldiers have been captured and taken hostage into Gaza.
Olga came over for dinner last night and before she left, we prayed that we would sleep well. Lately I have been waking up at 2am. The Lord answered that prayer and I woke up at 6am, thanking Him for the wonderful sleep… however I kept hearing strange ‘booms’. I wondered if my neighbor was dropping items. I took Gila out and looked toward the west. Boom after boom filled the air. A neighbor came out and we looked at one another…’that knowing look’. I went back in and checked the news…yep…just after 6am the first bombs were fired from Gaza. 2,500 bombs. I turned on my air raid alert app. It didn’t stop flashing. Usually, the Jerusalem area is not targeted until the END of a war, but by 11:00 I had been directed to the shelter 7 times with atleast one direct hit (thankfully no one injured) in my small village. Each time, the bombs were very close. There is a shelter 2 doors away from me, but when it was open, I saw that there are many steep steps inside going deep underground and I am choosing to stay in my bedroom and pray.
I am not thinking about writing, and this is not ‘flowing, but I want to send out facts as I know them, and prayer requests.
The communities in the south around Gaza are being devastated. At the start of the attack, the border fence between Israel and Gaza, was bulldozed down and terrorists overran the south…they also entered the country by sea and hang gliders. They attacked (I believe) 22 communities in the south, burning houses, kidnapping and killing from house to house…breaking windows and entering homes and killing entire families. It took an extremely long time before security forces could get to them. It was a nightmare in the eyes of the entire country.
I am including 3 local news websites that I usually go to, to try and glean ‘facts without interpretation. Ynet is a translation of a Hebrew newspaper, The Jerusalem Post serves the English speaking community and Times of Israel is left wing…however reading the 3, I can usually figure out what is going on. I offer them to you as my ‘tool’. I TEND TO NOT LOOK FOR INTERPRETATION. (As I write, I am listening to the 8pm news in English and an Israeli General is giving the report. It is very sobering, but it is good to be listening to an update by a General)
In my new, small community, I have been getting announcements all day on my whatsapp. A local group has formed. The message went out asking who has weapons to please report. There are volunteers forming checkpoints at the entrances to my area and others to drive through as ‘watchers and helpers.’ Everyone is volunteering for everything.
There has been a general call up of all reserves.
That is what I have to report at the moment.
These are some concerns that I have:
Those of you who have been here on a trip have often commented that you were surprised at how close Israeli and Palestinian towns (NOT Israeli Arabs, who are Israeli citizens…but Palestinians, WHO ARE NOT ISRAELI CITIZENS) are to one another. In these Palestinian towns, the mullahs have been inciting their people over the minarets to destroy nearby Israeli villages. This is serious. An uprising from within … Please…my daughter Elena and her family live in such a community in Judea…I am asking for prayer for them. Please pray for them.
MANY believers have been called up and are now fighting and we are asking for them. Do you want names? There are SO SO many, but I will ask for Natanel, Marco, Ben, Gabriella, Liora, Nir, …Oh I can not think of them all…hundreds! AND then there are all of those soldiers who DON’T know Him! Thank you for praying!
The people in the South are traumatized and being slaughtered….
Hezbollah in the north is a serious concern. A battle on all sides is a horrible possibility. Iran is involved in this.
We have been a violently divided country. We need to unity to not be temporary…but real and enduring.
We need more blood donations.
Thank you for praying. I’m sorry that this is such a poor update.
I have no fear, but only peace in my heart.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!
ynet English news
Jerusalem Post
Times of Israel
My Pastor Ofer's update :
Shabbat Shalom, to each of you,
We sent the following bulletin to our congregation. You may want to see how we are praying and perhaps join us in prayer.
I am including a link to a bulletin in Ynet news. It will give you a picture of the gravity of the situation.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysg8i0l6#autoplay
******
Dear Kehila Shabbat Shalom,
We all woke up this morning to the sounds of an attack from Gaza. Rockets were fired, and terrorists infiltrated in several places.
Greetings brothers and sisters, HE IS STILL GOD AND RULER OVER ALL! I have no doubt and I hope that you also have no doubt. MAY HE ALONE BE GLORIFIED! May we be sharpened and before Him Alone.
I want to write this update now. I am not sure if we will have electricity or the ability to communicate as this war is different. They are saying that there has been nothing like this since 1973 – the devastating Yom Kippur war. As of now (I am listening to our local news as I write) they are reporting over 250 Israelis killed, over 1,100 injured…and many (the number is NOT being announced although I know that there are people saying that they know…the government told us that the numbers are NOT accurate, even thought I know that there are some believers giving numbers) …many civilians and soldiers have been captured and taken hostage into Gaza.
Olga came over for dinner last night and before she left, we prayed that we would sleep well. Lately I have been waking up at 2am. The Lord answered that prayer and I woke up at 6am, thanking Him for the wonderful sleep… however I kept hearing strange ‘booms’. I wondered if my neighbor was dropping items. I took Gila out and looked toward the west. Boom after boom filled the air. A neighbor came out and we looked at one another…’that knowing look’. I went back in and checked the news…yep…just after 6am the first bombs were fired from Gaza. 2,500 bombs. I turned on my air raid alert app. It didn’t stop flashing. Usually, the Jerusalem area is not targeted until the END of a war, but by 11:00 I had been directed to the shelter 7 times with atleast one direct hit (thankfully no one injured) in my small village. Each time, the bombs were very close. There is a shelter 2 doors away from me, but when it was open, I saw that there are many steep steps inside going deep underground and I am choosing to stay in my bedroom and pray.
I am not thinking about writing, and this is not ‘flowing, but I want to send out facts as I know them, and prayer requests.
The communities in the south around Gaza are being devastated. At the start of the attack, the border fence between Israel and Gaza, was bulldozed down and terrorists overran the south…they also entered the country by sea and hang gliders. They attacked (I believe) 22 communities in the south, burning houses, kidnapping and killing from house to house…breaking windows and entering homes and killing entire families. It took an extremely long time before security forces could get to them. It was a nightmare in the eyes of the entire country.
I am including 3 local news websites that I usually go to, to try and glean ‘facts without interpretation. Ynet is a translation of a Hebrew newspaper, The Jerusalem Post serves the English speaking community and Times of Israel is left wing…however reading the 3, I can usually figure out what is going on. I offer them to you as my ‘tool’. I TEND TO NOT LOOK FOR INTERPRETATION. (As I write, I am listening to the 8pm news in English and an Israeli General is giving the report. It is very sobering, but it is good to be listening to an update by a General)
In my new, small community, I have been getting announcements all day on my whatsapp. A local group has formed. The message went out asking who has weapons to please report. There are volunteers forming checkpoints at the entrances to my area and others to drive through as ‘watchers and helpers.’ Everyone is volunteering for everything.
There has been a general call up of all reserves.
That is what I have to report at the moment.
These are some concerns that I have:
Those of you who have been here on a trip have often commented that you were surprised at how close Israeli and Palestinian towns (NOT Israeli Arabs, who are Israeli citizens…but Palestinians, WHO ARE NOT ISRAELI CITIZENS) are to one another. In these Palestinian towns, the mullahs have been inciting their people over the minarets to destroy nearby Israeli villages. This is serious. An uprising from within … Please…my daughter Elena and her family live in such a community in Judea…I am asking for prayer for them. Please pray for them.
MANY believers have been called up and are now fighting and we are asking for them. Do you want names? There are SO SO many, but I will ask for Natanel, Marco, Ben, Gabriella, Liora, Nir, …Oh I can not think of them all…hundreds! AND then there are all of those soldiers who DON’T know Him! Thank you for praying!
The people in the South are traumatized and being slaughtered….
Hezbollah in the north is a serious concern. A battle on all sides is a horrible possibility. Iran is involved in this.
We have been a violently divided country. We need to unity to not be temporary…but real and enduring.
We need more blood donations.
Thank you for praying. I’m sorry that this is such a poor update.
I have no fear, but only peace in my heart.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!
ynet English news
Jerusalem Post
Times of Israel
My Pastor Ofer's update :
Shabbat Shalom, to each of you,
We sent the following bulletin to our congregation. You may want to see how we are praying and perhaps join us in prayer.
I am including a link to a bulletin in Ynet news. It will give you a picture of the gravity of the situation.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysg8i0l6#autoplay
******
Dear Kehila Shabbat Shalom,
We all woke up this morning to the sounds of an attack from Gaza. Rockets were fired, and terrorists infiltrated in several places.
- Please pray for the people of those towns most affected; they are paying the highest price.
- Please pray for the political and military security establishment that they will know how to respond best.
- Please pray for Israel amid one of the most severe political/social crises since its founding.
October 5, 2023
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said…” JOHN 7:37-41a
Greetings, sisters and brothers, from Maoz Zion…a stone’s throw from the city on the hill, chosen by God Almighty, The Creator, as the place where He would put His Name. May HE be seen and known and recognized and adored. May He be blessed and glorified, and may you be encouraged and blessed.
Today is Thursday the 5th of October. Even though I now live outside of the city, the sukkahs are full of happy families and friends, joyful children and the smell of ‘mangal’ (grilling meat) fills the air. It has been an INTENSE week! Yesterday was the Jerusalem march which includes the much loved march of the nations, organized by ICEJ (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem). Although the Jerusalem march, which is 68 years old, is organized by Israel, the largest and most anticipated part is the Christian representation. This year (according to our local news) there were over 3,000 participants from more than 90 nations. Many of them march in their ‘native’ dress and dance under banners blessing Israel. Trinkets are tossed to the delight of bystanders, and in the past, when E and I would attend, we have watched with wonder how this display of love softens the hearts of the hardest and most skeptical. One year we were standing alongside of several families who were sort of mocking the Christians and suddenly the man beside me saw a leather jacket on one of the marchers. Somehow, the marcher in the jacket was moved to take that jacket off and give it to the man. I cannot explain well what I saw…but I saw GOD soften the heart of that man and his family…I SAW his heart change. I believe that that one small sacrificial act changed all who saw it forever. So much happens in small corners…in hidden quiet corners that bring much glory to God. And, yes, there is also hoopla…but God is greater!
And the march is really one of the sideline events in this wonderous week.
On Tuesday was the blessing of the Kohenim…the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:23-27) given to the people by those who are aware that they are from the priestly line. https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Synagogue_Blessings/Priestly_Blessing/priestly_blessing.html#loaded
Many people gather to receive the blessing. Daily the streets are packed out with a variety of tourists from all over the world, religious Jews taking part in various activities and secular Jews also coming from around the country to participate and to tour the city during this wonderful season, to ‘come up to Jerusalem’ as all of the tribes were commanded…to sit in sukkahs and to share. It is truly a wonder. It’s also a …balagan!
Last Thursday was my last day at work. That’s right…I’m officially retired as there are not many places that wish to hire a 78 year old, nor do I really want to train for a new job. Traveling to work that day, I got off of the bus early to walk past places that I might not walk through again. Emek Refaim is a colorful, rather artsy, neighborhood street with many restaurants and small shops. All of the restaurants put up sukkahs for their clientele to eat in during Sukkot. Well…I got to watch a 5 (?7maybe?) Arabs trying to put up a Sukkah outside of a restaurant. (Most of the modern sukkahs -although not all- are sort of snap together metal ‘modules’) Now THAT was a funny sight! ‘Balagan’…total confusion…a mass of many things happening at once. Watching them scratching their heads and trying to figure it out just tickled my funny bone and was an appropriate last walk to work. But, yep…the word ‘balagan’ would be my best effort - trying to describe Jerusalem during the fall feasts…more and more as they approach the climactic finish.
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood…” [in the temple] …He came to participate…for so it was commanded. Tonight begins ‘the last day…the great day of the feast.’ Beginning this night and through tomorrow…the Hoshana Rabba…the people gather again at the Western Wall of the temple (the Kotel) and pray for RAIN…the outpouring of the physical water…but also the outpouring of The Spiritual Water as shouts of ’Hoshana!’ fill the air and we remember that Yeshua said on that day to those people crying for the heavens to pour down…that it had INDEED poured down and HE …THE LIVING WATER…WAS STANDING IN THEIR MIDST! Psalm 69:23 “Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually.” David had prayed, actually cursing the people…and thus it still is. HE stood in the midst and they did not recognize Him, for their eyes were darkened. He still stands in the midst…The Living Water…and we are still praying for the veil to be ripped off of all eyes…that HE may be seen in the midst and known! Romans 11:26-29 reminds me constantly to pray with fervency… “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Again…we see a graphic picture of God’s plan before our eyes…and with longing we await the fulfillment and the outpouring.
All has not been ‘well’ during this season of the fall feasts. On the holiest, most awesome day on the Hebrew calendar, Yom Kippur, there was hatred and dissention in the streets of Tel Aviv when a prayer service became a political, idealistic battle ground. For me and many others, it was heartbreaking to see. The political schism has filled the air with hateful rhetoric…yet the commanded feasts continue. I remember a wonderful series of messages that my Pastor gave us about ‘Looking away unto Him’. He spoke of Daniel opening his window 3 times daily to pray, looking away toward Jerusalem, even when the penalty for doing so was that he be thrown into the lion’s den. He spoke of Elijah, seeing the blue sky but KNOWING that rain was coming, putting his head between his knees to pray (looking away from the sky, unto The Lord) UNTIL…the answer came.
I remember another time when we sat in our little sukkah and things were not well…although the attacks were from outside rather than inside. It was during the intifada as we tiptoed or ran between bombs and bullets…and yet the command came to sit outside in flimsy shacks and REMEMBER that it is GOD Who is our protector, our tabernacle, our ALL. It was a bit surreal as we sat there under our date palm roof covered with flowers and fruit and listened to the bombs…but we SAW they sky and beyond that, to our LORD and the peace of KNOWING THAT HE WAS LORD OF ALL really did fill our hearts and I remember thinking of the verse “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” He COMMANDS us to sit in flimsy booths and to REMEMBER and to REJOICE! Perhaps next year someone will help me to build a sukkah. For now, I will sit in other people’s and REMEMBER and REJOICE.
And…it’s not over yet! Starting Saturday night (I THINK) IS Simchat Torah…the joy of the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible). It celebrates the completion of the yearly cycle of the reading of the Torah. There will be dancing and singing in the streets around the Torah scrolls. I find it a joyous time. This is NOT a ‘commanded feast’ but it has hooked along…and I don’t mind at all.
It is funny how a stumbling block works…it is simply ‘there’ and the stumbling is our part. I used to have a ‘cartoon’ on my refrigerator that illustrated: “The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how high you lift your feet.” To me, this was very profound. And perhaps, it still is. If you are like me, you ‘beg’ God for His Spirit of discernment and to be kept from deception …that we not get sidetracked into bunny trails. To my understanding, NOTHING that He has given is given to trip us up, but to grow us up. There are those here who are saying that we must not rejoice because of the mess that we are in and because ‘the religious’ are making a mockery of it. BUT THE LORD SAID TO REJOICE…before Him, and unto Him I will rejoice, for HE commanded it. Others are caught in the ‘Jew/Gentile’ snare. I council you to buy of Him GOLD tried in the fire! If you are a gentile and joining in with the commanded feasts will be a snare or a stumbling block to you or someone around you, or (GOD FORBID!) a source of ‘pride’? Refrain from outward displays. Whom we are called to be, that is who we are! May we each walk in the FREEDOM of HIS SPIRIT to obey and follow Him as He leads us…BUT GOD FORBID THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING OUR FLESH OR ANOTHER SPIRIT! And this is a real snare and concern seemingly prevalent in the body today.
Well, the flavor of this letter suddenly turned while I wasn’t looking! We live in ‘narrow days’ and walk on ‘narrow path’, BUT GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL! May we be found following Him! It’s funny in a way, but being rather dramatically stripped of everything that made up my life until now…I have found that it was NEVER about me at all…but that it is ALL ABOUT HIM! May we be found of Him in His Peace, which is such a safe and wonderful place…the pearl of great price…worth it all.
God bless you and keep you and make His Face to shine upon you and give you His Peace.
Lovingly, a sister here.
Greetings, sisters and brothers, from Maoz Zion…a stone’s throw from the city on the hill, chosen by God Almighty, The Creator, as the place where He would put His Name. May HE be seen and known and recognized and adored. May He be blessed and glorified, and may you be encouraged and blessed.
Today is Thursday the 5th of October. Even though I now live outside of the city, the sukkahs are full of happy families and friends, joyful children and the smell of ‘mangal’ (grilling meat) fills the air. It has been an INTENSE week! Yesterday was the Jerusalem march which includes the much loved march of the nations, organized by ICEJ (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem). Although the Jerusalem march, which is 68 years old, is organized by Israel, the largest and most anticipated part is the Christian representation. This year (according to our local news) there were over 3,000 participants from more than 90 nations. Many of them march in their ‘native’ dress and dance under banners blessing Israel. Trinkets are tossed to the delight of bystanders, and in the past, when E and I would attend, we have watched with wonder how this display of love softens the hearts of the hardest and most skeptical. One year we were standing alongside of several families who were sort of mocking the Christians and suddenly the man beside me saw a leather jacket on one of the marchers. Somehow, the marcher in the jacket was moved to take that jacket off and give it to the man. I cannot explain well what I saw…but I saw GOD soften the heart of that man and his family…I SAW his heart change. I believe that that one small sacrificial act changed all who saw it forever. So much happens in small corners…in hidden quiet corners that bring much glory to God. And, yes, there is also hoopla…but God is greater!
And the march is really one of the sideline events in this wonderous week.
On Tuesday was the blessing of the Kohenim…the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:23-27) given to the people by those who are aware that they are from the priestly line. https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Synagogue_Blessings/Priestly_Blessing/priestly_blessing.html#loaded
Many people gather to receive the blessing. Daily the streets are packed out with a variety of tourists from all over the world, religious Jews taking part in various activities and secular Jews also coming from around the country to participate and to tour the city during this wonderful season, to ‘come up to Jerusalem’ as all of the tribes were commanded…to sit in sukkahs and to share. It is truly a wonder. It’s also a …balagan!
Last Thursday was my last day at work. That’s right…I’m officially retired as there are not many places that wish to hire a 78 year old, nor do I really want to train for a new job. Traveling to work that day, I got off of the bus early to walk past places that I might not walk through again. Emek Refaim is a colorful, rather artsy, neighborhood street with many restaurants and small shops. All of the restaurants put up sukkahs for their clientele to eat in during Sukkot. Well…I got to watch a 5 (?7maybe?) Arabs trying to put up a Sukkah outside of a restaurant. (Most of the modern sukkahs -although not all- are sort of snap together metal ‘modules’) Now THAT was a funny sight! ‘Balagan’…total confusion…a mass of many things happening at once. Watching them scratching their heads and trying to figure it out just tickled my funny bone and was an appropriate last walk to work. But, yep…the word ‘balagan’ would be my best effort - trying to describe Jerusalem during the fall feasts…more and more as they approach the climactic finish.
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood…” [in the temple] …He came to participate…for so it was commanded. Tonight begins ‘the last day…the great day of the feast.’ Beginning this night and through tomorrow…the Hoshana Rabba…the people gather again at the Western Wall of the temple (the Kotel) and pray for RAIN…the outpouring of the physical water…but also the outpouring of The Spiritual Water as shouts of ’Hoshana!’ fill the air and we remember that Yeshua said on that day to those people crying for the heavens to pour down…that it had INDEED poured down and HE …THE LIVING WATER…WAS STANDING IN THEIR MIDST! Psalm 69:23 “Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually.” David had prayed, actually cursing the people…and thus it still is. HE stood in the midst and they did not recognize Him, for their eyes were darkened. He still stands in the midst…The Living Water…and we are still praying for the veil to be ripped off of all eyes…that HE may be seen in the midst and known! Romans 11:26-29 reminds me constantly to pray with fervency… “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Again…we see a graphic picture of God’s plan before our eyes…and with longing we await the fulfillment and the outpouring.
All has not been ‘well’ during this season of the fall feasts. On the holiest, most awesome day on the Hebrew calendar, Yom Kippur, there was hatred and dissention in the streets of Tel Aviv when a prayer service became a political, idealistic battle ground. For me and many others, it was heartbreaking to see. The political schism has filled the air with hateful rhetoric…yet the commanded feasts continue. I remember a wonderful series of messages that my Pastor gave us about ‘Looking away unto Him’. He spoke of Daniel opening his window 3 times daily to pray, looking away toward Jerusalem, even when the penalty for doing so was that he be thrown into the lion’s den. He spoke of Elijah, seeing the blue sky but KNOWING that rain was coming, putting his head between his knees to pray (looking away from the sky, unto The Lord) UNTIL…the answer came.
I remember another time when we sat in our little sukkah and things were not well…although the attacks were from outside rather than inside. It was during the intifada as we tiptoed or ran between bombs and bullets…and yet the command came to sit outside in flimsy shacks and REMEMBER that it is GOD Who is our protector, our tabernacle, our ALL. It was a bit surreal as we sat there under our date palm roof covered with flowers and fruit and listened to the bombs…but we SAW they sky and beyond that, to our LORD and the peace of KNOWING THAT HE WAS LORD OF ALL really did fill our hearts and I remember thinking of the verse “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” He COMMANDS us to sit in flimsy booths and to REMEMBER and to REJOICE! Perhaps next year someone will help me to build a sukkah. For now, I will sit in other people’s and REMEMBER and REJOICE.
And…it’s not over yet! Starting Saturday night (I THINK) IS Simchat Torah…the joy of the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible). It celebrates the completion of the yearly cycle of the reading of the Torah. There will be dancing and singing in the streets around the Torah scrolls. I find it a joyous time. This is NOT a ‘commanded feast’ but it has hooked along…and I don’t mind at all.
It is funny how a stumbling block works…it is simply ‘there’ and the stumbling is our part. I used to have a ‘cartoon’ on my refrigerator that illustrated: “The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how high you lift your feet.” To me, this was very profound. And perhaps, it still is. If you are like me, you ‘beg’ God for His Spirit of discernment and to be kept from deception …that we not get sidetracked into bunny trails. To my understanding, NOTHING that He has given is given to trip us up, but to grow us up. There are those here who are saying that we must not rejoice because of the mess that we are in and because ‘the religious’ are making a mockery of it. BUT THE LORD SAID TO REJOICE…before Him, and unto Him I will rejoice, for HE commanded it. Others are caught in the ‘Jew/Gentile’ snare. I council you to buy of Him GOLD tried in the fire! If you are a gentile and joining in with the commanded feasts will be a snare or a stumbling block to you or someone around you, or (GOD FORBID!) a source of ‘pride’? Refrain from outward displays. Whom we are called to be, that is who we are! May we each walk in the FREEDOM of HIS SPIRIT to obey and follow Him as He leads us…BUT GOD FORBID THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING OUR FLESH OR ANOTHER SPIRIT! And this is a real snare and concern seemingly prevalent in the body today.
Well, the flavor of this letter suddenly turned while I wasn’t looking! We live in ‘narrow days’ and walk on ‘narrow path’, BUT GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL! May we be found following Him! It’s funny in a way, but being rather dramatically stripped of everything that made up my life until now…I have found that it was NEVER about me at all…but that it is ALL ABOUT HIM! May we be found of Him in His Peace, which is such a safe and wonderful place…the pearl of great price…worth it all.
God bless you and keep you and make His Face to shine upon you and give you His Peace.
Lovingly, a sister here.
September 25, 2023
“…do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” COLOSSIANS 1:9-14
Because of The Blood of Yeshua, The Messiah, The One and Only covering for our sins…because of His Cleansing Blood, I greet you today, this Yom Kippur…the day of Atonement…the holiest day on the Hebrew calendar…the dividing line day…may He be blessed, and seen, and glorified and embraced…and may you be edified.
Sitting here today in my tiny new home, it seems, indeed to be a ‘day of Awe’ (as it is called).
The first ‘letter’ that I wrote was 29 years ago today. We were a family of new immigrants, experiencing Yom Kippur for the first time in our new land…and in Jerusalem at that. As a child growing up in NYC, Yom Kippur was a fearsome day to me. I was able to fast on this day from the age of 8, and, not growing up in a ‘Jewish neighborhood’, we simply remained inside in silence. From the earliest age, my sister and I were allowed only very quiet activities on Yom Kippur. I remember lying on the floor coloring or reading. My parents were solemn. My Dad would be reading the Yom Kippur ‘Machzor’ or prayer book; however, ‘life as usual’ continued full speed outside of our windows.
That first Yom Kippur in Jerusalem, we were living in the neighborhood of Gilo, and although we had been amazed by the quiet every Shabbat, we were unprepared for the total shut down – and the spiritual battles – that our first Yom Kippur introduced us to. Back then, in 1994, (just 21 years after the Yom Kippur War) there was no question about all transportation closing down except for emergency vehicles. Ben Gurion Airport was silent (as it was back then every Shabbat as well). The minaret in the nearby Arab neighborhood took full advantage to shout Koran readings and sermons all day. The streets filled with lines of people going to synagogues. Also shocking both my senses and my sense of reason, the streets also FILLED with loud and unruly children (and sometimes adults). They introduced me to the uniquely Israeli tradition that continues to puzzle and shock me; mass bike riding in the streets! While the homes and synagogues are filled with people (hopefully) rending their hearts seeking repentance, the noisy racket in the streets made me weep as I wondered at ‘what age’ are these kids suddenly made aware that this day has a ‘different’ meaning…sort of like Santa Clause or the Easter bunny.
Today is my first Yom Kippur in my new neighborhood and the experience is different than it was for the past 28 years. It IS silent. There were a few very small children out in the street with bicycles or scooters, but enough to count on both hands. Perhaps there are more gathered on the main street of the neighborhood, but I can not hear them nor see any sign of them, so, personally, it is a very different experience. It is SILENT. The synagogues are full of people praying and in homes as well. As I took my dog Gila for her walk, my spectacular view of Jerusalem, and the valleys between, took my breath away. The air was clear and no cars, no noise took my brought me near tears. My eyes slowly followed the landscape…the road ‘UP’ to Jerusalem…highway 1 …empty. Nothing moving at all: It was so easy to picture ‘the tribes going up’ this very path to the Temple in Jerusalem when there were still offerings and sacrifices commanded for forgiveness of sins.
Where on the cross, The Blood that atones forever was shed.
Where the armies climbed to execute the Holy Judgment of God Whose Judgment Alone is Righteous, and the temple was destroyed and the people sent into captivity.
And look at us today, you and I, how BLESSED we are to have had the veil pulled off of our eyes and to have said ‘Yes’ to Him Who gave us (so unworthy!) His Body, His Blood, His Spirit, His Word, His path…
But my people haven’t this Atonement. Not yet. And so we pray, and we take this day in particular to pray. For a number of years I have meditated through the book of Hebrews on Yom Kippur, but today I felt (after my regular reading) to meditate in Colossians. What a blessing! The Living Word always thrills my heart and two places in Joshua today had just dovetailed with the book of Colossians.
FIRST, I’LL SHARE A STORY FROM YESTERDAY:
Going to work, I took the 5:39 bus from Maoz Zion to the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem. It’s a 12 minute ride and I alight at the same bus stop where I continue on bus 18. Across from the bus stop is a ‘quick stop and candy store’ that I suspect deals in drugs. It’s open all night and before 6am anyway, it is ALWAYS blaring awful trance ‘music’ (probably internet radio). I have often wondered how it is tolerated to have that extreme noise level at such an hour. It grieves my spirit and I usually stand across from it praying, as it sort of exemplifies the broken spiritual state of the city that has been chosen by God and freed after 2,000 years…it is such a painful reminder of our fallen spiritual state!
There is another strange Israeli ‘tradition’ that I haven’t mentioned in a number of years. I was first made aware of it when our youngest daughter was in school and taken for ‘all night tours of ‘slichot’ (repentance) prayers’. What used to be a ‘teaching tool’ to introduce all Israeli kids to the observance of the month long prayers for repentance, has become a tourist attraction that has morphed into a night long ‘raucous party’. The last night of the slichot prayers are the most intense, so it is the night before Yom Kippur that the streets are full of these ‘spiritual tourists?’ The most rowdy, sad to say, are the ‘bad boys’ from religious homes…the teenage religious rebellious, joined by their secular counterpart. SO…background finished…
Back to my story:
The ‘candy store’ was filled with these young people, dancing to the trance music, jumping up and down with sad dark energy and passion, hooting and yelling. My heart was breaking for my people and this country and JERUSALEM…the place that HE chose to put His Name. SUDDENLY (I will do the best that I can to describe this!) the music stopped and the radio station seemed to switch and blaring over the loud speaker came something to the effect of ‘I GREET YOU IN JESUS NAME! JESUS CHRIST, LORD OF ALL! This is Pastor Fred, speaking to you from…(now here I can only say that THIS is what I heard!!) Alaska to tell you that All things work together for the good of those who love The Lord, who are called according to His purpose…and nothing is impossible for Him!’
MY MOUTH WAS AGAPE! What can I say or add to that?
After about 2 minutes the owner became aware that the station had changed and returned it to the trance… BUT MY HEART WAS REMINDED! This is not the first time that I have experienced such things in Jerusalem, but it’s the one that just happened and I’m sharing it today!
And it dovetails into what I saw in Joshua this morning. You have probably seen and understood these verses, but oh, in today’s world it seems to me to bear repeating again and again…that even in the midst of the worst battles we must have our eyes FIXED WHERE HE says! I won’t write out the full verses, but just the emphasis that He reminded me of today: In Joshua 5:13-15 as Israel faced it’s first battle… Jericho securely walled and shuttered, The Lord of Hosts approached Joshua with His sword drawn and Joshua said ‘Are You for us or for the adversary?’ The answer was “NO…”TAKE OFF YOUR SANDALS FOR THIS GROUND IS HOLY’. In other words…DON’T LOOK at the walled city, but you are walking ON HOLY GROUND, IN THE KINGDOM and keep your eyes there’. A bit further on I was reading in Joshua 7, that heartbreaking portion right after the dramatic conquest of Jericho, where Israel was defeated at Ai because Achan had taken the accursed items. AGAIN my eyes were riveted to a lesson (thank you for your patience…to me this all seems to say the same thing…THE LORD!)…it is NOT politically correct…nor…dare I say…democratic…because it does not allow for ‘individual rights’…but THE LORD called Achan’s sin, ISRAEL’S SIN. And His punishment was COLLECTIVE punishment. Achan sinned…but God said: “Israel has sinned, there fore he can not stand before his enemies.” The sin of Adam was one…The Blood of Yeshua was ONE; and in the body today?
So I looked at His design for THE BODY. I looked at HIS design for the Church. I looked at HIS design for His Temple. He doesn’t make provision for opting out…that really hit me. I looked at His tribal design and even the way that He set the boundaries of the countries and I thought about how fiercely individualistically I was raised, being taught that that was a very good character trait…and today I took time to repent of my individualism and asked The Lord to make me more anonymous and of more use to His Body…to help me to die to self once and for all.
I am sorry for rambling and I can only pray that The Holy Spirit will take these words and add His Purposes for His glory…it just seems so very important.
I have lost some very dear friends lately and have some other dear friends standing at the gate and these lives that we have are just so short. We KNOW these things…may we pray them and MEAN it: NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE…IT’S NOT ABOUT ME, IT’S ABOUT YOU…IT’S NOT ABOUT MY PERSONAL PREFERENCES OF OPINIONS…HE IS TRUTH….WE HAVEN’T PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE…MAY WE BE FOUND FAITHFUL.
Again, please forgive me if I have been rambling. Yom Kippur is an intense day. Soon it will be sundown and we will be on our way to Sukkot this coming Friday evening. For me…new beginnings as my job ends, but then again, every day is ‘new beginnings’ for each of us who belong to Him…for none of us have passed this way before.
May The Lord be glorified and may we be found praising Him!
Lovingly, a sister here.
Because of The Blood of Yeshua, The Messiah, The One and Only covering for our sins…because of His Cleansing Blood, I greet you today, this Yom Kippur…the day of Atonement…the holiest day on the Hebrew calendar…the dividing line day…may He be blessed, and seen, and glorified and embraced…and may you be edified.
Sitting here today in my tiny new home, it seems, indeed to be a ‘day of Awe’ (as it is called).
The first ‘letter’ that I wrote was 29 years ago today. We were a family of new immigrants, experiencing Yom Kippur for the first time in our new land…and in Jerusalem at that. As a child growing up in NYC, Yom Kippur was a fearsome day to me. I was able to fast on this day from the age of 8, and, not growing up in a ‘Jewish neighborhood’, we simply remained inside in silence. From the earliest age, my sister and I were allowed only very quiet activities on Yom Kippur. I remember lying on the floor coloring or reading. My parents were solemn. My Dad would be reading the Yom Kippur ‘Machzor’ or prayer book; however, ‘life as usual’ continued full speed outside of our windows.
That first Yom Kippur in Jerusalem, we were living in the neighborhood of Gilo, and although we had been amazed by the quiet every Shabbat, we were unprepared for the total shut down – and the spiritual battles – that our first Yom Kippur introduced us to. Back then, in 1994, (just 21 years after the Yom Kippur War) there was no question about all transportation closing down except for emergency vehicles. Ben Gurion Airport was silent (as it was back then every Shabbat as well). The minaret in the nearby Arab neighborhood took full advantage to shout Koran readings and sermons all day. The streets filled with lines of people going to synagogues. Also shocking both my senses and my sense of reason, the streets also FILLED with loud and unruly children (and sometimes adults). They introduced me to the uniquely Israeli tradition that continues to puzzle and shock me; mass bike riding in the streets! While the homes and synagogues are filled with people (hopefully) rending their hearts seeking repentance, the noisy racket in the streets made me weep as I wondered at ‘what age’ are these kids suddenly made aware that this day has a ‘different’ meaning…sort of like Santa Clause or the Easter bunny.
Today is my first Yom Kippur in my new neighborhood and the experience is different than it was for the past 28 years. It IS silent. There were a few very small children out in the street with bicycles or scooters, but enough to count on both hands. Perhaps there are more gathered on the main street of the neighborhood, but I can not hear them nor see any sign of them, so, personally, it is a very different experience. It is SILENT. The synagogues are full of people praying and in homes as well. As I took my dog Gila for her walk, my spectacular view of Jerusalem, and the valleys between, took my breath away. The air was clear and no cars, no noise took my brought me near tears. My eyes slowly followed the landscape…the road ‘UP’ to Jerusalem…highway 1 …empty. Nothing moving at all: It was so easy to picture ‘the tribes going up’ this very path to the Temple in Jerusalem when there were still offerings and sacrifices commanded for forgiveness of sins.
Where on the cross, The Blood that atones forever was shed.
Where the armies climbed to execute the Holy Judgment of God Whose Judgment Alone is Righteous, and the temple was destroyed and the people sent into captivity.
And look at us today, you and I, how BLESSED we are to have had the veil pulled off of our eyes and to have said ‘Yes’ to Him Who gave us (so unworthy!) His Body, His Blood, His Spirit, His Word, His path…
But my people haven’t this Atonement. Not yet. And so we pray, and we take this day in particular to pray. For a number of years I have meditated through the book of Hebrews on Yom Kippur, but today I felt (after my regular reading) to meditate in Colossians. What a blessing! The Living Word always thrills my heart and two places in Joshua today had just dovetailed with the book of Colossians.
FIRST, I’LL SHARE A STORY FROM YESTERDAY:
Going to work, I took the 5:39 bus from Maoz Zion to the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem. It’s a 12 minute ride and I alight at the same bus stop where I continue on bus 18. Across from the bus stop is a ‘quick stop and candy store’ that I suspect deals in drugs. It’s open all night and before 6am anyway, it is ALWAYS blaring awful trance ‘music’ (probably internet radio). I have often wondered how it is tolerated to have that extreme noise level at such an hour. It grieves my spirit and I usually stand across from it praying, as it sort of exemplifies the broken spiritual state of the city that has been chosen by God and freed after 2,000 years…it is such a painful reminder of our fallen spiritual state!
There is another strange Israeli ‘tradition’ that I haven’t mentioned in a number of years. I was first made aware of it when our youngest daughter was in school and taken for ‘all night tours of ‘slichot’ (repentance) prayers’. What used to be a ‘teaching tool’ to introduce all Israeli kids to the observance of the month long prayers for repentance, has become a tourist attraction that has morphed into a night long ‘raucous party’. The last night of the slichot prayers are the most intense, so it is the night before Yom Kippur that the streets are full of these ‘spiritual tourists?’ The most rowdy, sad to say, are the ‘bad boys’ from religious homes…the teenage religious rebellious, joined by their secular counterpart. SO…background finished…
Back to my story:
The ‘candy store’ was filled with these young people, dancing to the trance music, jumping up and down with sad dark energy and passion, hooting and yelling. My heart was breaking for my people and this country and JERUSALEM…the place that HE chose to put His Name. SUDDENLY (I will do the best that I can to describe this!) the music stopped and the radio station seemed to switch and blaring over the loud speaker came something to the effect of ‘I GREET YOU IN JESUS NAME! JESUS CHRIST, LORD OF ALL! This is Pastor Fred, speaking to you from…(now here I can only say that THIS is what I heard!!) Alaska to tell you that All things work together for the good of those who love The Lord, who are called according to His purpose…and nothing is impossible for Him!’
MY MOUTH WAS AGAPE! What can I say or add to that?
After about 2 minutes the owner became aware that the station had changed and returned it to the trance… BUT MY HEART WAS REMINDED! This is not the first time that I have experienced such things in Jerusalem, but it’s the one that just happened and I’m sharing it today!
And it dovetails into what I saw in Joshua this morning. You have probably seen and understood these verses, but oh, in today’s world it seems to me to bear repeating again and again…that even in the midst of the worst battles we must have our eyes FIXED WHERE HE says! I won’t write out the full verses, but just the emphasis that He reminded me of today: In Joshua 5:13-15 as Israel faced it’s first battle… Jericho securely walled and shuttered, The Lord of Hosts approached Joshua with His sword drawn and Joshua said ‘Are You for us or for the adversary?’ The answer was “NO…”TAKE OFF YOUR SANDALS FOR THIS GROUND IS HOLY’. In other words…DON’T LOOK at the walled city, but you are walking ON HOLY GROUND, IN THE KINGDOM and keep your eyes there’. A bit further on I was reading in Joshua 7, that heartbreaking portion right after the dramatic conquest of Jericho, where Israel was defeated at Ai because Achan had taken the accursed items. AGAIN my eyes were riveted to a lesson (thank you for your patience…to me this all seems to say the same thing…THE LORD!)…it is NOT politically correct…nor…dare I say…democratic…because it does not allow for ‘individual rights’…but THE LORD called Achan’s sin, ISRAEL’S SIN. And His punishment was COLLECTIVE punishment. Achan sinned…but God said: “Israel has sinned, there fore he can not stand before his enemies.” The sin of Adam was one…The Blood of Yeshua was ONE; and in the body today?
So I looked at His design for THE BODY. I looked at HIS design for the Church. I looked at HIS design for His Temple. He doesn’t make provision for opting out…that really hit me. I looked at His tribal design and even the way that He set the boundaries of the countries and I thought about how fiercely individualistically I was raised, being taught that that was a very good character trait…and today I took time to repent of my individualism and asked The Lord to make me more anonymous and of more use to His Body…to help me to die to self once and for all.
I am sorry for rambling and I can only pray that The Holy Spirit will take these words and add His Purposes for His glory…it just seems so very important.
I have lost some very dear friends lately and have some other dear friends standing at the gate and these lives that we have are just so short. We KNOW these things…may we pray them and MEAN it: NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE…IT’S NOT ABOUT ME, IT’S ABOUT YOU…IT’S NOT ABOUT MY PERSONAL PREFERENCES OF OPINIONS…HE IS TRUTH….WE HAVEN’T PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE…MAY WE BE FOUND FAITHFUL.
Again, please forgive me if I have been rambling. Yom Kippur is an intense day. Soon it will be sundown and we will be on our way to Sukkot this coming Friday evening. For me…new beginnings as my job ends, but then again, every day is ‘new beginnings’ for each of us who belong to Him…for none of us have passed this way before.
May The Lord be glorified and may we be found praising Him!
Lovingly, a sister here.
September 8, 2023
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
MATTHEW 6:5-8
Dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua,
Greetings! ALL glory and honor and praise to Him Who sits on the throne, and unto The Lamb. May we draw ever nearer to Him, restored to our first love. May you be blessed and encouraged and may The Lord Alone be glorified and may we be a blessing to Him.
Sometimes I have these, hum…’vignette’ moments. They just delight my heart, these small gifts. I had one yesterday on the way to work. It’s a ‘bus story’:
My new home is on a narrow road. Although traffic is one way (for MOST of the street), cars are parked on both sides of the street, on sidewalks and generally strewn around the area. On the days that I work, I catch the bus at 5:40am and am usually arrive at Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station 12-15 minutes later. That has me at my desk and working by 6:30 am.
My personal experience with delays and disruptions have been in Jerusalem, and in that context, I have found that most people are not particularly patient when it comes to waiting. I see it at my work too often. If the doctor is delayed with another patient, the one who is waiting makes sounds of annoyance, looks at his watch in an exaggerated manner or simply begins to complain. We all know that this does NOT alleviate the situation, but, alas…there it is; IMPATIENCE; grumbling and complaining.
So yesterday morning I was treated to a new Israeli experience.
Because it is an early bus, everyone who rides it is a ‘regular’. One man is on his way to cancer treatment. Others are on their way to work or study. Everyone has a schedule. So does the bus driver who will make it down the hair pin curved mountainside, by God’s grace! YESTERDAY, however, there were cars parked on the left side of the road and one on the right that were JUST TOO CLOSE…and the driver could NOT get through no matter how proficient his skill. He got out and pushed in their mirrors. He took a photo and measured the distance…he jockeyed this way and that and finally shrugged. Most of the passengers got out to take a look and give their opinions, discussing the situation. Soon they were all shaking their heads. Some neighbors came out to watch. The minutes ticked by. A group of strong men managed to move the cars…but it was not enough. The other 3 buses that share the route backed up behind us along with an increasing number of cars. The other bus drivers each tried their hand at the problem. They advised him to honk, perhaps waking someone in the neighborhood. That didn’t work. Stuck! No one was going anywhere! BUT…THERE WAS NO MURMERING OR COMPLAINING! There were some opinions, but to my amazement, everyone was calm and quiet. After a full hour, a police car drove up in front of the long line and examined the situation. He put on his LOUD speaker and began blasting the license plate numbers. Soon a bleary eyed girl came out to see what the problem was and she recognized one of the cars and ran off to get the owner. He came running out, rubbing sleep out of his eyes, and jumped into his car immediately. NO ONE YELLED AT HIM! No one said a word…everyone LAUGHED! Everyone was VERY late to go somewhere but they did the ‘Oh well… it is what it is…’ and it was wonderful and delightful!
However, that wasn’t the end of the morning experience. When I had gotten on the bus, it was pre-dawn. Now we were driving directly into the blinding sunrise. The driver squinted, adjusted his shade as best as possible, and we all prayed as we approached the downhill roller coaster. Just as we got to the worst of the curves he suddenly pulled to the right. Looming in front of him was a giant tour bus, the driver wide eyed. I had recently been told that it’s illegal for tour buses to go up this hill since the public bus route passes down the hill. Patiently our bus driver backed up and again maneuvered into a position that I could barely look at as he coached the tour driver around the curve. When we got to the Central Bus Station, a full hour and 15 minutes late, I thanked him and told him that I was going to write a letter of commendation to the bus company on his behalf.
And that was that…but it warmed my heart. It was a small ‘pocket’ in a pressure cooker life…and I simply appreciated the patience and quiet response. It made my day. It is so sadly rare to see, isn’t it.
Responses. Patience. Discernment. Rare displays of The Fruit of The Holy Spirit; they have become far too rare…dare I say, in the body where the orchard is…where The Holy Spirit is invited. It seems to me that the fruit of The Spirit is for ‘others’ to consume…that the sweetness of The Lord might draw people to Him.
I have been spending time with the neighbors that live above me; the new immigrants from Estonia, S... and N.... Last night S... was explaining to me again why he turned away from The Lord (woe!): Why, what he saw as hypocrisy, won him to bitterness over the lovely beauty of The Lord. It was terribly sad. I didn’t argue…I listened and prayed and I pray that God will use me in his life to somehow make him hungry to return. Who of us HASN’T heard the excuse that someone has turned away from The Lord because of the hypocrisy that they felt that they saw in His people, or that they have been wounded in the church. Whether real or perceived, we all know that this isn’t a legitimate excuse to turn from HIM. Men will always fail us but when it is The Lord Whom we know and love, He remains faithful and so must we.
I look at our nation, now 75 years old. When we came 29 years ago, I would have never believed that I would see days like these; such hatred between sides, so like the division between the tribes of Judah and Israel in the past, seemingly irreconcilable; palpable hatred. Our enemies, within and without, are gloating, and the division has reached the IDF, which, until now, has remained the untouchable shield against division.
Palpable hatred…just think…it can not enter the kingdom of God…but it is growing here now and it hurts to see.
Perhaps the small doctor’s office where I have worked for the past 25 years, is an island. I have been so blessed by the privilege of working there, totally unqualified as I was. This week more and more people have come by with gifts and tears and kind words. Emotionally I do find it difficult to bear. I remember when we first made Aliyah, being so struck by the differences between how things were done here as opposed to the west. What a rich opportunity was afforded me by literally APPRENTICING in the medical field; a field that I had neither interest nor experience in. The Hippocratic oath that is given in the west, is joined by two considered higher here. One is an Israeli oath given to doctors since 1952, and the other is the prayer of the sage Maimonides. Here is a link where you can see them if you are interested ISRAELI MEDICAL ASSOCIATION - OATH
I look in amazements at the number of lives that I have been able to touch and be touched by. Who was I that I should come to know Israelis from ALL walks of life…all backgrounds and all experiences, and to add to that, the bus and train rides, which would have meant only toil had it not been for the fact that this job FORCED me to speak and understand enough Hebrew to ‘hear’ the (dare I be dramatic and say) secret conversations of the heart that take place between strangers…it is simply a wonder and I can only give thanks and ask The Lord to make me faithful to know for what purpose He gave this experience to me and may I be faithful to use it as He wills. It has definitely affected my perspective of everything. I have been forced out of my comfort zone to become a witness to what The Finger of God is writing in and through His people…The Book that He wrote and continues writing… and all I can do is cry out: Here I am Lord! I don’t know what You want but make me faithful!
Somehow, having walked this path until now, I feel unable to grasp this hatred…a volcano of opinions…what are we supposed to learn Lord? How are we meant to walk through this? It seems to me a ‘given’ that ‘we’ (as believers) are NOT meant to ‘participate’; simply because hatred is not part of the kingdom that He has called us, purchased us by His Own Blood, into. Nor will He give one wit to ‘our opinions’ there, right or wrong, I suspect that it is the fruit of His Spirit that He will be looking for.
As I wrote the last sentence, the ‘Shalom Alechem’ song was played over the loud speaker signaling that it was time to light the shabbat candles, welcoming the Shabbat…the peace…the light that HE, The Lord of all creation, gave to His people as a gift, separating out the day of rest to gather ourselves unto Him. I am so blessed to be here where Shabbat is palpable …nevertheless, even here, Shabbat has become a source of friction, hatred, fighting and division. I want to tell God ‘Oh! I am so sorry! Don’t look! Plug Your ears so that you don’t have to hear the fury over this beautiful gift that You have given us.’
Please forgive me. I’m getting too emotional as I write. This is the last Shabbat of the year תשפ"ג tav, shin, pay, gimel 5,783. (Hebrew uses letters for numbers). Next Friday night at this time, the ג (gimel) will become ד (dalet) and the year will be 5.784. Tonight I am alone for the first time on Shabbat, but next week I have accepted an invitation to be with some believers who live several blocks away from me. It will be my first time that I am not with family for Rosh h’shana…another first. Our daughter in Bat Ayin does not yet have a road to her house and it is down a very steep mountain side that she is concerned about me being safe on. Once my work ends at Sukkot, I can take a bus out to her area and we can meet at a restaurant and visit and that will be nice. The buses that go there are armored against bullets and explosives. Her two older daughters also travel to and from school on such a bus. But this year I will not be with family. The shofar will be sounded and we will be called to rest and reflect. As I have shared many times, the traditions says that on Rosh h’shana, at the sounding of the shofar, the books in heaven are opened and those chosen for life will be inscribed. Then comes the 10 intensive ‘days of awe’ when repentance and soul searching become very serious and lead into the fast day of Yom Kippur. They say that on the day of atonement – Yom Kippur – (the night of 24thSeptember until the night of the 25th) the final decision will be made – who will continue to live and who will not – and the books will be sealed. This is the first time in my years that I have witnessed fighting and hatred continue through the days of repentance. I am witness to this; yet I wouldn’t dare to interpret what He has not shared with me: Where will this lead? All I know is this…that no matter what we see with our eyes, HE IS SOVERIGN AND HIS WILL WILL BE DONE. More than 8 years ago now, He pressed me to ‘learn His ways in (His) judgment’ and I have been doing that. How judgment fits in with His glorious promises, I do not know, but I know that ‘judgment’ IS one of His ‘promises’ although not the kind that we like to look at as believers…it behooves us to understand. Surely Jeremiah knew all of His glorious promises and believed them…AND…they remained His True Word even in the days when Jeremiah prophesied and then saw the awful judgment fulfilled. Even in the midst, seeing parents ‘eat their children’ (!) He KNEW that the wonderful promises of God WOULD BE FULFILLED. How do we grasp that? I don’t know. I just know that it IS. HE IS The God of judgment and HE IS The God of the glory that we long to see…even here and now.
Not my will but Yours, Abba!
May we be found with quiet hearts in the secret closet of prayer this year to come. May He search our hearts and purge us from all of the ways that we might deceive ourselves. May we be small in our own eyes. And may we have the courage to stand and walk with Him ALL THE WAY.
May you be blessed in the year closing 5.783, and in the year ahead 5.784. Thank you for your prayers for our people and for my family as well.
Lovingly, your sister
MATTHEW 6:5-8
Dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua,
Greetings! ALL glory and honor and praise to Him Who sits on the throne, and unto The Lamb. May we draw ever nearer to Him, restored to our first love. May you be blessed and encouraged and may The Lord Alone be glorified and may we be a blessing to Him.
Sometimes I have these, hum…’vignette’ moments. They just delight my heart, these small gifts. I had one yesterday on the way to work. It’s a ‘bus story’:
My new home is on a narrow road. Although traffic is one way (for MOST of the street), cars are parked on both sides of the street, on sidewalks and generally strewn around the area. On the days that I work, I catch the bus at 5:40am and am usually arrive at Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station 12-15 minutes later. That has me at my desk and working by 6:30 am.
My personal experience with delays and disruptions have been in Jerusalem, and in that context, I have found that most people are not particularly patient when it comes to waiting. I see it at my work too often. If the doctor is delayed with another patient, the one who is waiting makes sounds of annoyance, looks at his watch in an exaggerated manner or simply begins to complain. We all know that this does NOT alleviate the situation, but, alas…there it is; IMPATIENCE; grumbling and complaining.
So yesterday morning I was treated to a new Israeli experience.
Because it is an early bus, everyone who rides it is a ‘regular’. One man is on his way to cancer treatment. Others are on their way to work or study. Everyone has a schedule. So does the bus driver who will make it down the hair pin curved mountainside, by God’s grace! YESTERDAY, however, there were cars parked on the left side of the road and one on the right that were JUST TOO CLOSE…and the driver could NOT get through no matter how proficient his skill. He got out and pushed in their mirrors. He took a photo and measured the distance…he jockeyed this way and that and finally shrugged. Most of the passengers got out to take a look and give their opinions, discussing the situation. Soon they were all shaking their heads. Some neighbors came out to watch. The minutes ticked by. A group of strong men managed to move the cars…but it was not enough. The other 3 buses that share the route backed up behind us along with an increasing number of cars. The other bus drivers each tried their hand at the problem. They advised him to honk, perhaps waking someone in the neighborhood. That didn’t work. Stuck! No one was going anywhere! BUT…THERE WAS NO MURMERING OR COMPLAINING! There were some opinions, but to my amazement, everyone was calm and quiet. After a full hour, a police car drove up in front of the long line and examined the situation. He put on his LOUD speaker and began blasting the license plate numbers. Soon a bleary eyed girl came out to see what the problem was and she recognized one of the cars and ran off to get the owner. He came running out, rubbing sleep out of his eyes, and jumped into his car immediately. NO ONE YELLED AT HIM! No one said a word…everyone LAUGHED! Everyone was VERY late to go somewhere but they did the ‘Oh well… it is what it is…’ and it was wonderful and delightful!
However, that wasn’t the end of the morning experience. When I had gotten on the bus, it was pre-dawn. Now we were driving directly into the blinding sunrise. The driver squinted, adjusted his shade as best as possible, and we all prayed as we approached the downhill roller coaster. Just as we got to the worst of the curves he suddenly pulled to the right. Looming in front of him was a giant tour bus, the driver wide eyed. I had recently been told that it’s illegal for tour buses to go up this hill since the public bus route passes down the hill. Patiently our bus driver backed up and again maneuvered into a position that I could barely look at as he coached the tour driver around the curve. When we got to the Central Bus Station, a full hour and 15 minutes late, I thanked him and told him that I was going to write a letter of commendation to the bus company on his behalf.
And that was that…but it warmed my heart. It was a small ‘pocket’ in a pressure cooker life…and I simply appreciated the patience and quiet response. It made my day. It is so sadly rare to see, isn’t it.
Responses. Patience. Discernment. Rare displays of The Fruit of The Holy Spirit; they have become far too rare…dare I say, in the body where the orchard is…where The Holy Spirit is invited. It seems to me that the fruit of The Spirit is for ‘others’ to consume…that the sweetness of The Lord might draw people to Him.
I have been spending time with the neighbors that live above me; the new immigrants from Estonia, S... and N.... Last night S... was explaining to me again why he turned away from The Lord (woe!): Why, what he saw as hypocrisy, won him to bitterness over the lovely beauty of The Lord. It was terribly sad. I didn’t argue…I listened and prayed and I pray that God will use me in his life to somehow make him hungry to return. Who of us HASN’T heard the excuse that someone has turned away from The Lord because of the hypocrisy that they felt that they saw in His people, or that they have been wounded in the church. Whether real or perceived, we all know that this isn’t a legitimate excuse to turn from HIM. Men will always fail us but when it is The Lord Whom we know and love, He remains faithful and so must we.
I look at our nation, now 75 years old. When we came 29 years ago, I would have never believed that I would see days like these; such hatred between sides, so like the division between the tribes of Judah and Israel in the past, seemingly irreconcilable; palpable hatred. Our enemies, within and without, are gloating, and the division has reached the IDF, which, until now, has remained the untouchable shield against division.
Palpable hatred…just think…it can not enter the kingdom of God…but it is growing here now and it hurts to see.
Perhaps the small doctor’s office where I have worked for the past 25 years, is an island. I have been so blessed by the privilege of working there, totally unqualified as I was. This week more and more people have come by with gifts and tears and kind words. Emotionally I do find it difficult to bear. I remember when we first made Aliyah, being so struck by the differences between how things were done here as opposed to the west. What a rich opportunity was afforded me by literally APPRENTICING in the medical field; a field that I had neither interest nor experience in. The Hippocratic oath that is given in the west, is joined by two considered higher here. One is an Israeli oath given to doctors since 1952, and the other is the prayer of the sage Maimonides. Here is a link where you can see them if you are interested ISRAELI MEDICAL ASSOCIATION - OATH
I look in amazements at the number of lives that I have been able to touch and be touched by. Who was I that I should come to know Israelis from ALL walks of life…all backgrounds and all experiences, and to add to that, the bus and train rides, which would have meant only toil had it not been for the fact that this job FORCED me to speak and understand enough Hebrew to ‘hear’ the (dare I be dramatic and say) secret conversations of the heart that take place between strangers…it is simply a wonder and I can only give thanks and ask The Lord to make me faithful to know for what purpose He gave this experience to me and may I be faithful to use it as He wills. It has definitely affected my perspective of everything. I have been forced out of my comfort zone to become a witness to what The Finger of God is writing in and through His people…The Book that He wrote and continues writing… and all I can do is cry out: Here I am Lord! I don’t know what You want but make me faithful!
Somehow, having walked this path until now, I feel unable to grasp this hatred…a volcano of opinions…what are we supposed to learn Lord? How are we meant to walk through this? It seems to me a ‘given’ that ‘we’ (as believers) are NOT meant to ‘participate’; simply because hatred is not part of the kingdom that He has called us, purchased us by His Own Blood, into. Nor will He give one wit to ‘our opinions’ there, right or wrong, I suspect that it is the fruit of His Spirit that He will be looking for.
As I wrote the last sentence, the ‘Shalom Alechem’ song was played over the loud speaker signaling that it was time to light the shabbat candles, welcoming the Shabbat…the peace…the light that HE, The Lord of all creation, gave to His people as a gift, separating out the day of rest to gather ourselves unto Him. I am so blessed to be here where Shabbat is palpable …nevertheless, even here, Shabbat has become a source of friction, hatred, fighting and division. I want to tell God ‘Oh! I am so sorry! Don’t look! Plug Your ears so that you don’t have to hear the fury over this beautiful gift that You have given us.’
Please forgive me. I’m getting too emotional as I write. This is the last Shabbat of the year תשפ"ג tav, shin, pay, gimel 5,783. (Hebrew uses letters for numbers). Next Friday night at this time, the ג (gimel) will become ד (dalet) and the year will be 5.784. Tonight I am alone for the first time on Shabbat, but next week I have accepted an invitation to be with some believers who live several blocks away from me. It will be my first time that I am not with family for Rosh h’shana…another first. Our daughter in Bat Ayin does not yet have a road to her house and it is down a very steep mountain side that she is concerned about me being safe on. Once my work ends at Sukkot, I can take a bus out to her area and we can meet at a restaurant and visit and that will be nice. The buses that go there are armored against bullets and explosives. Her two older daughters also travel to and from school on such a bus. But this year I will not be with family. The shofar will be sounded and we will be called to rest and reflect. As I have shared many times, the traditions says that on Rosh h’shana, at the sounding of the shofar, the books in heaven are opened and those chosen for life will be inscribed. Then comes the 10 intensive ‘days of awe’ when repentance and soul searching become very serious and lead into the fast day of Yom Kippur. They say that on the day of atonement – Yom Kippur – (the night of 24thSeptember until the night of the 25th) the final decision will be made – who will continue to live and who will not – and the books will be sealed. This is the first time in my years that I have witnessed fighting and hatred continue through the days of repentance. I am witness to this; yet I wouldn’t dare to interpret what He has not shared with me: Where will this lead? All I know is this…that no matter what we see with our eyes, HE IS SOVERIGN AND HIS WILL WILL BE DONE. More than 8 years ago now, He pressed me to ‘learn His ways in (His) judgment’ and I have been doing that. How judgment fits in with His glorious promises, I do not know, but I know that ‘judgment’ IS one of His ‘promises’ although not the kind that we like to look at as believers…it behooves us to understand. Surely Jeremiah knew all of His glorious promises and believed them…AND…they remained His True Word even in the days when Jeremiah prophesied and then saw the awful judgment fulfilled. Even in the midst, seeing parents ‘eat their children’ (!) He KNEW that the wonderful promises of God WOULD BE FULFILLED. How do we grasp that? I don’t know. I just know that it IS. HE IS The God of judgment and HE IS The God of the glory that we long to see…even here and now.
Not my will but Yours, Abba!
May we be found with quiet hearts in the secret closet of prayer this year to come. May He search our hearts and purge us from all of the ways that we might deceive ourselves. May we be small in our own eyes. And may we have the courage to stand and walk with Him ALL THE WAY.
May you be blessed in the year closing 5.783, and in the year ahead 5.784. Thank you for your prayers for our people and for my family as well.
Lovingly, your sister
August 28, 2023
“…then there will be the place where The Lord your God chooses to make His Name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you…”; “And you shall rejoice before The Lord your God,…”; “Whatever I command you be careful to observe it’ you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:11, 12, 32
Greetings, sisters and brothers, in The Name of Yeshua, Lord, Messiah, Holy and Worthy Judge of all. ALL of His ways are just and true and merciful…even in the fires. The paths are His and may we find that our lives are too. May HE be blessed and glorified and may you be blessed and encouraged.
I just came in from walking Gila my smallish 15 year old geriatric dog. It’s wonderful living without steps; being able to open the door and there we are…outside. Gila agrees. We went for a walk as the streets were filling with men returning home from praying in the synagogues.
This is the month of Elul…the days of repentance have begun, with ‘slichot’ prayers, leading up to Yom Kippur…the most sober day on the Hebrew calendar…the day of fasting and prayer…the day for confessing sin and seeking repentance. Preparations of the heart begin a month-40 days before Yom Kippur, with prayers in the night and pre-dawn and again throughout each day. Yom Kippur is prescribed in The Bible (among other places) in Leviticus 16 and 23, Zechariah 8:18.
Yom Kippur takes place a week after Rosh h’shana. According to scripture, Rosh h’shana is the day of the sounding of the trumpets- (Yom Teruah in Hebrew) – This year it is 15-17th September. I am hearing the blowing of the shofar already this month as a call to prayer…to repentance…to prepare the heart, but the day of Rosh h’shana (extended to several days) is ‘the beginning’ of the cycle of fall festivals: Rosh h’shana 15-17, September…Yom Kippur 24-25 September: Sukkot 29 September- 6 October: Simchat Torah 7-8 October (I THINK! I know that it sounds strange, but the dates here are according to the Hebrew calendar and SOMETHING about the beginning or ending of a feast usually takes us by surprise.)
Rosh h’shana means ‘the head of the year’ and it is traditionally celebrated as the beginning of the new year. The scriptures are very clear that the year is to be counted from Passover. Traditions of man has changed that and the Hebrew calendar begins on the 16th of September this year.
When I first became a believer, nearly 50 years ago, I was (may it still be so) in shock and awe that His Word was given thus and so freely available to us. As soon as I was able to get a Bible, I devoured every word from Genesis through Revelation and then again and again. It was ALL HIS WORD…HOLY! I was blown away! It didn’t take me long to realize that HE definitely prescribed SHABBAT and that He had made it on Shabbat…I was scared! Stymied! UH-OH!! How do I tell the whole Church world wide that they are wrong by taking Sunday for Shabbat? I looked at the 7th Day Adventists…but I finally prayed. God was SO gracious to me! So gently He made it crystal clear to me that, although it was true that He set Shabbat on Saturday, it was more pleasing to Him that I not cause division in the body and trust HIM to set His children ‘straight’. There are so many fine lines! I am so thankful for The Holy Spirit and His leading!
ANYWAY…just to let you know, actually the new year being Rosh h’shana or Passover IS somewhat controversial here in Israel, but then again…EVERYTHING is controversial here, and I will leave it at that.
I am learning much about my new neighborhood…a mini Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Jews from Iraq and Persia, as I said, were given this area that I live in, back in 1951. Their first work was in the stone quarries. In general, they are a passionate and warm culture, very traditional, loyal and honest. As Gila and I walked back toward home, I saw a woman and her children sitting on cushions in her courtyard. At first I thought that perhaps they were sitting shiva and someone had died, but there were no signs announcing a death, so I took a closer look. She was sitting on a large cushion on the ground with a low flat table in front of her on which she was rolling out large pita. I had not seen that before here. One of the men returning from synagogue turned in and I heard him ask if she would sell some of the pita. He returned to his friend and said ‘no’. It was a special scene and I realized that I would not have seen this in my neighborhood in Jerusalem, although ofcourse I had seen it frequently in the markets, but never at home. Today I had to go into Jerusalem to my old neighborhood because of a postal problem and I was made even more aware of the dramatic change in my environment. How THANKFUL I am that I let The Lord lead me and was not stiff necked and stubborn to lean on my own understanding and demand my own way!
Part of my morning reading is in Nehemiah at the moment and I was reading chapters 8 and 9 which took place at the time of the fall feasts. My reading made me long long long to return to my ‘first Love’! I know that you all know ‘the story’ well. It just has become more and more real to me over the years and now, living among the people who stayed in Babylon or have been here with only a brief exile (Like Yael, who’s mothers’ family were taken captive into Byzantine [modern day Turkey] for only 40 years and other than that have been in the area of Jerusalem since Joshua’s days), it just seems even more alive. We know Jeremiah’s life…and how Daniel discerned that the 70 years prophesied by Jeremiah were fulfilled at the same time as Cyrus was raised up and Ezra, Nehemiah, and others turned back to Jerusalem…to return…to rebuild…the punishment of judgment having been fulfilled; the cup being drained. In my reading today, the people gathered together for Ezra the Priest (the ‘Co’hen’) to read the books of Moses to them…they stood and they were given understanding and they wept and cried out, fasting and praying! They repented and they were stilled from their grief by the oft quoted statement to them by Ezra “…for the joy of The Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Verses 13-18 of chapter 8 describe the WONDERFUL Sukkot that they were called to celebrate then…BEFORE they put feet to their repentance in chapter 9. I am in wonder every time I read of that Sukkot…as in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah we are treated again to descriptions of celebrations that seem to be after The Lord’s Own Heart, and I wonder if He Himself rejoiced with them because they ‘got it’!
But as usual, I’m ahead of myself. I do get carried away and it is a wonder to me how any of you keep reading these ‘offerings.
Although there are still some weeks left before Rosh h’shana, preparations are well under way. Traditions include special meals, gifts, apples and honey and cakes using those sweet ingredients. Blessings for a sweet new year…family gatherings. School begins and is continued for a week or 10 days before the 3 week break…that too is a tradition. It seems to work well after the ‘hofish h’gadol’ or the ‘big vacation’ of summer break. It gives the children a week to ‘sober and prepare’ and then the break for the fall feasts.
And this will be my first season…like…this. My work ends the evening that Sukkot begins, the end of September. It will be 25 years to the very day that I began working. Here I am Lord…I have no preconceived notions. I know nothing…I have never walked this way before, but my confidence is in You.
I am still finding some challenges getting around, as the buses remain a bit of a mystery inspite of the apps on my phone. But the good side is that my failure to find the appropriate bus routes has afforded me much more exercise as I walk and explore and make my way home. Today was the first time that I had to go into Jerusalem for errands on my day off with no other pressures. The Lord made my path smooth today and on my way home, I even got to my bus stop as the bus arrived, with out the posted waiting time. All of the people on the bus were locals (elderly people) .....and were chatting away. There weren’t many people on the bus as it was before midday. The driver waited for each of us to be seated and as we neared my stop, there was only one lady left. ‘I think that you are the best driver that we ever had here in Kastel’ she called out to him. ‘Why?’ He asked, pleasantly surprised. ‘Well, you are so kind to pull near the curb and then you waited for each of us to sit down before taking off and your manner is kind.’ I agreed with her and he explained how he takes his job seriously and is more concerned about the people he serves than the schedule that he is supposed to keep. She asked his name so that she could commend him to the bus company. It was another little kind corner of this new page that I’ve turned.
About 10 days ago, the health fund that my boss and his partner work for sent out a notice to all of our 5,000 patients that we are retiring. Well, THAT was a biggie! The office began filling with people…crying people…emotional people…upset people. They were losing their beloved doctor after 40 years. The phones wouldn’t stop ringing and the emails piled up. This work has always been intense…emotionally involved with people who are often facing life and death moments in their lives, but now? OY! And for me, they truly have been family. I have grown very close to these people. It reminds me of when we left Alaska to make Aliyah…we said goodbye to beloved friends and family whom we didn’t know if we would see again…it was heart wrenching.
Sometimes I feel as if I am watching my life as a movie. May He be working in me something of His kingdom…something of eternal value…and in you as well.
There is so much more to share as the shades of the seasons change, the cool wind begins to blow and there is again thick dew in the mornings…the pomegranates are ripening on the trees, the lemons and the nuts, the figs and the grapes…and here we are. May He deepen Himself in us! May we KNOW that He is Holy and that we can not take His dealings lightly. May we be changed into His likeness, but only for His glory.
I send my love and I thank you for your prayers for me and my family…and for this country that is going through so much that is painful and appears to be ripping us apart…but God…
Your sister here.
“…then there will be the place where The Lord your God chooses to make His Name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you…”; “And you shall rejoice before The Lord your God,…”; “Whatever I command you be careful to observe it’ you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:11, 12, 32
Greetings, sisters and brothers, in The Name of Yeshua, Lord, Messiah, Holy and Worthy Judge of all. ALL of His ways are just and true and merciful…even in the fires. The paths are His and may we find that our lives are too. May HE be blessed and glorified and may you be blessed and encouraged.
I just came in from walking Gila my smallish 15 year old geriatric dog. It’s wonderful living without steps; being able to open the door and there we are…outside. Gila agrees. We went for a walk as the streets were filling with men returning home from praying in the synagogues.
This is the month of Elul…the days of repentance have begun, with ‘slichot’ prayers, leading up to Yom Kippur…the most sober day on the Hebrew calendar…the day of fasting and prayer…the day for confessing sin and seeking repentance. Preparations of the heart begin a month-40 days before Yom Kippur, with prayers in the night and pre-dawn and again throughout each day. Yom Kippur is prescribed in The Bible (among other places) in Leviticus 16 and 23, Zechariah 8:18.
Yom Kippur takes place a week after Rosh h’shana. According to scripture, Rosh h’shana is the day of the sounding of the trumpets- (Yom Teruah in Hebrew) – This year it is 15-17th September. I am hearing the blowing of the shofar already this month as a call to prayer…to repentance…to prepare the heart, but the day of Rosh h’shana (extended to several days) is ‘the beginning’ of the cycle of fall festivals: Rosh h’shana 15-17, September…Yom Kippur 24-25 September: Sukkot 29 September- 6 October: Simchat Torah 7-8 October (I THINK! I know that it sounds strange, but the dates here are according to the Hebrew calendar and SOMETHING about the beginning or ending of a feast usually takes us by surprise.)
Rosh h’shana means ‘the head of the year’ and it is traditionally celebrated as the beginning of the new year. The scriptures are very clear that the year is to be counted from Passover. Traditions of man has changed that and the Hebrew calendar begins on the 16th of September this year.
When I first became a believer, nearly 50 years ago, I was (may it still be so) in shock and awe that His Word was given thus and so freely available to us. As soon as I was able to get a Bible, I devoured every word from Genesis through Revelation and then again and again. It was ALL HIS WORD…HOLY! I was blown away! It didn’t take me long to realize that HE definitely prescribed SHABBAT and that He had made it on Shabbat…I was scared! Stymied! UH-OH!! How do I tell the whole Church world wide that they are wrong by taking Sunday for Shabbat? I looked at the 7th Day Adventists…but I finally prayed. God was SO gracious to me! So gently He made it crystal clear to me that, although it was true that He set Shabbat on Saturday, it was more pleasing to Him that I not cause division in the body and trust HIM to set His children ‘straight’. There are so many fine lines! I am so thankful for The Holy Spirit and His leading!
ANYWAY…just to let you know, actually the new year being Rosh h’shana or Passover IS somewhat controversial here in Israel, but then again…EVERYTHING is controversial here, and I will leave it at that.
I am learning much about my new neighborhood…a mini Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Jews from Iraq and Persia, as I said, were given this area that I live in, back in 1951. Their first work was in the stone quarries. In general, they are a passionate and warm culture, very traditional, loyal and honest. As Gila and I walked back toward home, I saw a woman and her children sitting on cushions in her courtyard. At first I thought that perhaps they were sitting shiva and someone had died, but there were no signs announcing a death, so I took a closer look. She was sitting on a large cushion on the ground with a low flat table in front of her on which she was rolling out large pita. I had not seen that before here. One of the men returning from synagogue turned in and I heard him ask if she would sell some of the pita. He returned to his friend and said ‘no’. It was a special scene and I realized that I would not have seen this in my neighborhood in Jerusalem, although ofcourse I had seen it frequently in the markets, but never at home. Today I had to go into Jerusalem to my old neighborhood because of a postal problem and I was made even more aware of the dramatic change in my environment. How THANKFUL I am that I let The Lord lead me and was not stiff necked and stubborn to lean on my own understanding and demand my own way!
Part of my morning reading is in Nehemiah at the moment and I was reading chapters 8 and 9 which took place at the time of the fall feasts. My reading made me long long long to return to my ‘first Love’! I know that you all know ‘the story’ well. It just has become more and more real to me over the years and now, living among the people who stayed in Babylon or have been here with only a brief exile (Like Yael, who’s mothers’ family were taken captive into Byzantine [modern day Turkey] for only 40 years and other than that have been in the area of Jerusalem since Joshua’s days), it just seems even more alive. We know Jeremiah’s life…and how Daniel discerned that the 70 years prophesied by Jeremiah were fulfilled at the same time as Cyrus was raised up and Ezra, Nehemiah, and others turned back to Jerusalem…to return…to rebuild…the punishment of judgment having been fulfilled; the cup being drained. In my reading today, the people gathered together for Ezra the Priest (the ‘Co’hen’) to read the books of Moses to them…they stood and they were given understanding and they wept and cried out, fasting and praying! They repented and they were stilled from their grief by the oft quoted statement to them by Ezra “…for the joy of The Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Verses 13-18 of chapter 8 describe the WONDERFUL Sukkot that they were called to celebrate then…BEFORE they put feet to their repentance in chapter 9. I am in wonder every time I read of that Sukkot…as in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah we are treated again to descriptions of celebrations that seem to be after The Lord’s Own Heart, and I wonder if He Himself rejoiced with them because they ‘got it’!
But as usual, I’m ahead of myself. I do get carried away and it is a wonder to me how any of you keep reading these ‘offerings.
Although there are still some weeks left before Rosh h’shana, preparations are well under way. Traditions include special meals, gifts, apples and honey and cakes using those sweet ingredients. Blessings for a sweet new year…family gatherings. School begins and is continued for a week or 10 days before the 3 week break…that too is a tradition. It seems to work well after the ‘hofish h’gadol’ or the ‘big vacation’ of summer break. It gives the children a week to ‘sober and prepare’ and then the break for the fall feasts.
And this will be my first season…like…this. My work ends the evening that Sukkot begins, the end of September. It will be 25 years to the very day that I began working. Here I am Lord…I have no preconceived notions. I know nothing…I have never walked this way before, but my confidence is in You.
I am still finding some challenges getting around, as the buses remain a bit of a mystery inspite of the apps on my phone. But the good side is that my failure to find the appropriate bus routes has afforded me much more exercise as I walk and explore and make my way home. Today was the first time that I had to go into Jerusalem for errands on my day off with no other pressures. The Lord made my path smooth today and on my way home, I even got to my bus stop as the bus arrived, with out the posted waiting time. All of the people on the bus were locals (elderly people from Maoz Zion) and were chatting away. There weren’t many people on the bus as it was before midday. The driver waited for each of us to be seated and as we neared my stop, there was only one lady left. ‘I think that you are the best driver that we ever had here in Kastel’ she called out to him. ‘Why?’ He asked, pleasantly surprised. ‘Well, you are so kind to pull near the curb and then you waited for each of us to sit down before taking off and your manner is kind.’ I agreed with her and he explained how he takes his job seriously and is more concerned about the people he serves than the schedule that he is supposed to keep. She asked his name so that she could commend him to the bus company. It was another little kind corner of this new page that I’ve turned.
About 10 days ago, the health fund that my boss and his partner work for sent out a notice to all of our 5,000 patients that we are retiring. Well, THAT was a biggie! The office began filling with people…crying people…emotional people…upset people. They were losing their beloved doctor after 40 years. The phones wouldn’t stop ringing and the emails piled up. This work has always been intense…emotionally involved with people who are often facing life and death moments in their lives, but now? OY! And for me, they truly have been family. I have grown very close to these people. It reminds me of when we left Alaska to make Aliyah…we said goodbye to beloved friends and family whom we didn’t know if we would see again…it was heart wrenching.
Sometimes I feel as if I am watching my life as a movie. May He be working in me something of His kingdom…something of eternal value…and in you as well.
There is so much more to share as the shades of the seasons change, the cool wind begins to blow and there is again thick dew in the mornings…the pomegranates are ripening on the trees, the lemons and the nuts, the figs and the grapes…and here we are. May He deepen Himself in us! May we KNOW that He is Holy and that we can not take His dealings lightly. May we be changed into His likeness, but only for His glory.
I send my love and I thank you for your prayers for me and my family…and for this country that is going through so much that is painful and appears to be ripping us apart…but God…
Your sister here.
“…then there will be the place where The Lord your God chooses to make His Name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you…”; “And you shall rejoice before The Lord your God,…”; “Whatever I command you be careful to observe it’ you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:11, 12, 32
Greetings, sisters and brothers, in The Name of Yeshua, Lord, Messiah, Holy and Worthy Judge of all. ALL of His ways are just and true and merciful…even in the fires. The paths are His and may we find that our lives are too. May HE be blessed and glorified and may you be blessed and encouraged.
I just came in from walking Gila my smallish 15 year old geriatric dog. It’s wonderful living without steps; being able to open the door and there we are…outside. Gila agrees. We went for a walk as the streets were filling with men returning home from praying in the synagogues.
This is the month of Elul…the days of repentance have begun, with ‘slichot’ prayers, leading up to Yom Kippur…the most sober day on the Hebrew calendar…the day of fasting and prayer…the day for confessing sin and seeking repentance. Preparations of the heart begin a month-40 days before Yom Kippur, with prayers in the night and pre-dawn and again throughout each day. Yom Kippur is prescribed in The Bible (among other places) in Leviticus 16 and 23, Zechariah 8:18.
Yom Kippur takes place a week after Rosh h’shana. According to scripture, Rosh h’shana is the day of the sounding of the trumpets- (Yom Teruah in Hebrew) – This year it is 15-17th September. I am hearing the blowing of the shofar already this month as a call to prayer…to repentance…to prepare the heart, but the day of Rosh h’shana (extended to several days) is ‘the beginning’ of the cycle of fall festivals: Rosh h’shana 15-17, September…Yom Kippur 24-25 September: Sukkot 29 September- 6 October: Simchat Torah 7-8 October (I THINK! I know that it sounds strange, but the dates here are according to the Hebrew calendar and SOMETHING about the beginning or ending of a feast usually takes us by surprise.)
Rosh h’shana means ‘the head of the year’ and it is traditionally celebrated as the beginning of the new year. The scriptures are very clear that the year is to be counted from Passover. Traditions of man has changed that and the Hebrew calendar begins on the 16th of September this year.
When I first became a believer, nearly 50 years ago, I was (may it still be so) in shock and awe that His Word was given thus and so freely available to us. As soon as I was able to get a Bible, I devoured every word from Genesis through Revelation and then again and again. It was ALL HIS WORD…HOLY! I was blown away! It didn’t take me long to realize that HE definitely prescribed SHABBAT and that He had made it on Shabbat…I was scared! Stymied! UH-OH!! How do I tell the whole Church world wide that they are wrong by taking Sunday for Shabbat? I looked at the 7th Day Adventists…but I finally prayed. God was SO gracious to me! So gently He made it crystal clear to me that, although it was true that He set Shabbat on Saturday, it was more pleasing to Him that I not cause division in the body and trust HIM to set His children ‘straight’. There are so many fine lines! I am so thankful for The Holy Spirit and His leading!
ANYWAY…just to let you know, actually the new year being Rosh h’shana or Passover IS somewhat controversial here in Israel, but then again…EVERYTHING is controversial here, and I will leave it at that.
I am learning much about my new neighborhood…a mini Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Jews from Iraq and Persia, as I said, were given this area that I live in, back in 1951. Their first work was in the stone quarries. In general, they are a passionate and warm culture, very traditional, loyal and honest. As Gila and I walked back toward home, I saw a woman and her children sitting on cushions in her courtyard. At first I thought that perhaps they were sitting shiva and someone had died, but there were no signs announcing a death, so I took a closer look. She was sitting on a large cushion on the ground with a low flat table in front of her on which she was rolling out large pita. I had not seen that before here. One of the men returning from synagogue turned in and I heard him ask if she would sell some of the pita. He returned to his friend and said ‘no’. It was a special scene and I realized that I would not have seen this in my neighborhood in Jerusalem, although ofcourse I had seen it frequently in the markets, but never at home. Today I had to go into Jerusalem to my old neighborhood because of a postal problem and I was made even more aware of the dramatic change in my environment. How THANKFUL I am that I let The Lord lead me and was not stiff necked and stubborn to lean on my own understanding and demand my own way!
Part of my morning reading is in Nehemiah at the moment and I was reading chapters 8 and 9 which took place at the time of the fall feasts. My reading made me long long long to return to my ‘first Love’! I know that you all know ‘the story’ well. It just has become more and more real to me over the years and now, living among the people who stayed in Babylon or have been here with only a brief exile (Like Yael, who’s mothers’ family were taken captive into Byzantine [modern day Turkey] for only 40 years and other than that have been in the area of Jerusalem since Joshua’s days), it just seems even more alive. We know Jeremiah’s life…and how Daniel discerned that the 70 years prophesied by Jeremiah were fulfilled at the same time as Cyrus was raised up and Ezra, Nehemiah, and others turned back to Jerusalem…to return…to rebuild…the punishment of judgment having been fulfilled; the cup being drained. In my reading today, the people gathered together for Ezra the Priest (the ‘Co’hen’) to read the books of Moses to them…they stood and they were given understanding and they wept and cried out, fasting and praying! They repented and they were stilled from their grief by the oft quoted statement to them by Ezra “…for the joy of The Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Verses 13-18 of chapter 8 describe the WONDERFUL Sukkot that they were called to celebrate then…BEFORE they put feet to their repentance in chapter 9. I am in wonder every time I read of that Sukkot…as in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah we are treated again to descriptions of celebrations that seem to be after The Lord’s Own Heart, and I wonder if He Himself rejoiced with them because they ‘got it’!
But as usual, I’m ahead of myself. I do get carried away and it is a wonder to me how any of you keep reading these ‘offerings.
Although there are still some weeks left before Rosh h’shana, preparations are well under way. Traditions include special meals, gifts, apples and honey and cakes using those sweet ingredients. Blessings for a sweet new year…family gatherings. School begins and is continued for a week or 10 days before the 3 week break…that too is a tradition. It seems to work well after the ‘hofish h’gadol’ or the ‘big vacation’ of summer break. It gives the children a week to ‘sober and prepare’ and then the break for the fall feasts.
And this will be my first season…like…this. My work ends the evening that Sukkot begins, the end of September. It will be 25 years to the very day that I began working. Here I am Lord…I have no preconceived notions. I know nothing…I have never walked this way before, but my confidence is in You.
I am still finding some challenges getting around, as the buses remain a bit of a mystery inspite of the apps on my phone. But the good side is that my failure to find the appropriate bus routes has afforded me much more exercise as I walk and explore and make my way home. Today was the first time that I had to go into Jerusalem for errands on my day off with no other pressures. The Lord made my path smooth today and on my way home, I even got to my bus stop as the bus arrived, with out the posted waiting time. All of the people on the bus were locals (elderly people) .....and were chatting away. There weren’t many people on the bus as it was before midday. The driver waited for each of us to be seated and as we neared my stop, there was only one lady left. ‘I think that you are the best driver that we ever had here in Kastel’ she called out to him. ‘Why?’ He asked, pleasantly surprised. ‘Well, you are so kind to pull near the curb and then you waited for each of us to sit down before taking off and your manner is kind.’ I agreed with her and he explained how he takes his job seriously and is more concerned about the people he serves than the schedule that he is supposed to keep. She asked his name so that she could commend him to the bus company. It was another little kind corner of this new page that I’ve turned.
About 10 days ago, the health fund that my boss and his partner work for sent out a notice to all of our 5,000 patients that we are retiring. Well, THAT was a biggie! The office began filling with people…crying people…emotional people…upset people. They were losing their beloved doctor after 40 years. The phones wouldn’t stop ringing and the emails piled up. This work has always been intense…emotionally involved with people who are often facing life and death moments in their lives, but now? OY! And for me, they truly have been family. I have grown very close to these people. It reminds me of when we left Alaska to make Aliyah…we said goodbye to beloved friends and family whom we didn’t know if we would see again…it was heart wrenching.
Sometimes I feel as if I am watching my life as a movie. May He be working in me something of His kingdom…something of eternal value…and in you as well.
There is so much more to share as the shades of the seasons change, the cool wind begins to blow and there is again thick dew in the mornings…the pomegranates are ripening on the trees, the lemons and the nuts, the figs and the grapes…and here we are. May He deepen Himself in us! May we KNOW that He is Holy and that we can not take His dealings lightly. May we be changed into His likeness, but only for His glory.
I send my love and I thank you for your prayers for me and my family…and for this country that is going through so much that is painful and appears to be ripping us apart…but God…
Your sister here.
“…then there will be the place where The Lord your God chooses to make His Name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you…”; “And you shall rejoice before The Lord your God,…”; “Whatever I command you be careful to observe it’ you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:11, 12, 32
Greetings, sisters and brothers, in The Name of Yeshua, Lord, Messiah, Holy and Worthy Judge of all. ALL of His ways are just and true and merciful…even in the fires. The paths are His and may we find that our lives are too. May HE be blessed and glorified and may you be blessed and encouraged.
I just came in from walking Gila my smallish 15 year old geriatric dog. It’s wonderful living without steps; being able to open the door and there we are…outside. Gila agrees. We went for a walk as the streets were filling with men returning home from praying in the synagogues.
This is the month of Elul…the days of repentance have begun, with ‘slichot’ prayers, leading up to Yom Kippur…the most sober day on the Hebrew calendar…the day of fasting and prayer…the day for confessing sin and seeking repentance. Preparations of the heart begin a month-40 days before Yom Kippur, with prayers in the night and pre-dawn and again throughout each day. Yom Kippur is prescribed in The Bible (among other places) in Leviticus 16 and 23, Zechariah 8:18.
Yom Kippur takes place a week after Rosh h’shana. According to scripture, Rosh h’shana is the day of the sounding of the trumpets- (Yom Teruah in Hebrew) – This year it is 15-17th September. I am hearing the blowing of the shofar already this month as a call to prayer…to repentance…to prepare the heart, but the day of Rosh h’shana (extended to several days) is ‘the beginning’ of the cycle of fall festivals: Rosh h’shana 15-17, September…Yom Kippur 24-25 September: Sukkot 29 September- 6 October: Simchat Torah 7-8 October (I THINK! I know that it sounds strange, but the dates here are according to the Hebrew calendar and SOMETHING about the beginning or ending of a feast usually takes us by surprise.)
Rosh h’shana means ‘the head of the year’ and it is traditionally celebrated as the beginning of the new year. The scriptures are very clear that the year is to be counted from Passover. Traditions of man has changed that and the Hebrew calendar begins on the 16th of September this year.
When I first became a believer, nearly 50 years ago, I was (may it still be so) in shock and awe that His Word was given thus and so freely available to us. As soon as I was able to get a Bible, I devoured every word from Genesis through Revelation and then again and again. It was ALL HIS WORD…HOLY! I was blown away! It didn’t take me long to realize that HE definitely prescribed SHABBAT and that He had made it on Shabbat…I was scared! Stymied! UH-OH!! How do I tell the whole Church world wide that they are wrong by taking Sunday for Shabbat? I looked at the 7th Day Adventists…but I finally prayed. God was SO gracious to me! So gently He made it crystal clear to me that, although it was true that He set Shabbat on Saturday, it was more pleasing to Him that I not cause division in the body and trust HIM to set His children ‘straight’. There are so many fine lines! I am so thankful for The Holy Spirit and His leading!
ANYWAY…just to let you know, actually the new year being Rosh h’shana or Passover IS somewhat controversial here in Israel, but then again…EVERYTHING is controversial here, and I will leave it at that.
I am learning much about my new neighborhood…a mini Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Jews from Iraq and Persia, as I said, were given this area that I live in, back in 1951. Their first work was in the stone quarries. In general, they are a passionate and warm culture, very traditional, loyal and honest. As Gila and I walked back toward home, I saw a woman and her children sitting on cushions in her courtyard. At first I thought that perhaps they were sitting shiva and someone had died, but there were no signs announcing a death, so I took a closer look. She was sitting on a large cushion on the ground with a low flat table in front of her on which she was rolling out large pita. I had not seen that before here. One of the men returning from synagogue turned in and I heard him ask if she would sell some of the pita. He returned to his friend and said ‘no’. It was a special scene and I realized that I would not have seen this in my neighborhood in Jerusalem, although ofcourse I had seen it frequently in the markets, but never at home. Today I had to go into Jerusalem to my old neighborhood because of a postal problem and I was made even more aware of the dramatic change in my environment. How THANKFUL I am that I let The Lord lead me and was not stiff necked and stubborn to lean on my own understanding and demand my own way!
Part of my morning reading is in Nehemiah at the moment and I was reading chapters 8 and 9 which took place at the time of the fall feasts. My reading made me long long long to return to my ‘first Love’! I know that you all know ‘the story’ well. It just has become more and more real to me over the years and now, living among the people who stayed in Babylon or have been here with only a brief exile (Like Yael, who’s mothers’ family were taken captive into Byzantine [modern day Turkey] for only 40 years and other than that have been in the area of Jerusalem since Joshua’s days), it just seems even more alive. We know Jeremiah’s life…and how Daniel discerned that the 70 years prophesied by Jeremiah were fulfilled at the same time as Cyrus was raised up and Ezra, Nehemiah, and others turned back to Jerusalem…to return…to rebuild…the punishment of judgment having been fulfilled; the cup being drained. In my reading today, the people gathered together for Ezra the Priest (the ‘Co’hen’) to read the books of Moses to them…they stood and they were given understanding and they wept and cried out, fasting and praying! They repented and they were stilled from their grief by the oft quoted statement to them by Ezra “…for the joy of The Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Verses 13-18 of chapter 8 describe the WONDERFUL Sukkot that they were called to celebrate then…BEFORE they put feet to their repentance in chapter 9. I am in wonder every time I read of that Sukkot…as in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah we are treated again to descriptions of celebrations that seem to be after The Lord’s Own Heart, and I wonder if He Himself rejoiced with them because they ‘got it’!
But as usual, I’m ahead of myself. I do get carried away and it is a wonder to me how any of you keep reading these ‘offerings.
Although there are still some weeks left before Rosh h’shana, preparations are well under way. Traditions include special meals, gifts, apples and honey and cakes using those sweet ingredients. Blessings for a sweet new year…family gatherings. School begins and is continued for a week or 10 days before the 3 week break…that too is a tradition. It seems to work well after the ‘hofish h’gadol’ or the ‘big vacation’ of summer break. It gives the children a week to ‘sober and prepare’ and then the break for the fall feasts.
And this will be my first season…like…this. My work ends the evening that Sukkot begins, the end of September. It will be 25 years to the very day that I began working. Here I am Lord…I have no preconceived notions. I know nothing…I have never walked this way before, but my confidence is in You.
I am still finding some challenges getting around, as the buses remain a bit of a mystery inspite of the apps on my phone. But the good side is that my failure to find the appropriate bus routes has afforded me much more exercise as I walk and explore and make my way home. Today was the first time that I had to go into Jerusalem for errands on my day off with no other pressures. The Lord made my path smooth today and on my way home, I even got to my bus stop as the bus arrived, with out the posted waiting time. All of the people on the bus were locals (elderly people from Maoz Zion) and were chatting away. There weren’t many people on the bus as it was before midday. The driver waited for each of us to be seated and as we neared my stop, there was only one lady left. ‘I think that you are the best driver that we ever had here in Kastel’ she called out to him. ‘Why?’ He asked, pleasantly surprised. ‘Well, you are so kind to pull near the curb and then you waited for each of us to sit down before taking off and your manner is kind.’ I agreed with her and he explained how he takes his job seriously and is more concerned about the people he serves than the schedule that he is supposed to keep. She asked his name so that she could commend him to the bus company. It was another little kind corner of this new page that I’ve turned.
About 10 days ago, the health fund that my boss and his partner work for sent out a notice to all of our 5,000 patients that we are retiring. Well, THAT was a biggie! The office began filling with people…crying people…emotional people…upset people. They were losing their beloved doctor after 40 years. The phones wouldn’t stop ringing and the emails piled up. This work has always been intense…emotionally involved with people who are often facing life and death moments in their lives, but now? OY! And for me, they truly have been family. I have grown very close to these people. It reminds me of when we left Alaska to make Aliyah…we said goodbye to beloved friends and family whom we didn’t know if we would see again…it was heart wrenching.
Sometimes I feel as if I am watching my life as a movie. May He be working in me something of His kingdom…something of eternal value…and in you as well.
There is so much more to share as the shades of the seasons change, the cool wind begins to blow and there is again thick dew in the mornings…the pomegranates are ripening on the trees, the lemons and the nuts, the figs and the grapes…and here we are. May He deepen Himself in us! May we KNOW that He is Holy and that we can not take His dealings lightly. May we be changed into His likeness, but only for His glory.
I send my love and I thank you for your prayers for me and my family…and for this country that is going through so much that is painful and appears to be ripping us apart…but God…
Your sister here.
August 8, 2023
"Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name— after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.” EZEKIEL 39:25-29
EZRA 6:17
“…And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, …”
Greetings Brothers and sisters, in The Name of The God of ALL mercy…of ALL comfort…of ALL peace…of ALL Truth…The Creator…The Author and The Finisher…in His precious Name I greet you and pray that HE ALONE would be glorified and that He and you would be blessed…because this is all I really have to offer and I do offer it to Him with fear and trembling. ‘What you see, write…’
‘Who is this new ‘me’ whom I’ve barely met?’ I ask myself as I walk my new streets.
It was a very busy week for me and as I was walking back toward my apartment, I tested a fig on a big old rambling tree that was overhanging into the ‘public space’. To my joy, the fig seemed soft, and so I plucked it and ate it…really relishing its sweet freshness…I can’t explain what a joy it was to eat it. I wonder at this ‘new state of being’ that I am experiencing; I wonder how many others feel this way. There are many groups of people who have had their lives turned upside down and inside out… do they ALL feel this? What IS it really, Lord? Make me to be whom You want me to be. I walked a little further and there found another ripe overhanging fig on another tree. The trees are LOADED with figs but it is still a bit early. Finding two delightfully ripe figs brought me joy. I arrived home and took my little dog, Gila, out for a walk in the other direction. Overhanging another fence were big bunches of ripe grapes. The cluster that I picked was simply delicious. I wondered at the seeds in each of the fruit…producing their own kind.
My thoughts drifted back to another season, before I was saved. E and I had just met and we found a (yes) condemned house in the Sierra Nevada foothills in a place called Chili Bar. The very first day we were there, we went down to the river below the house and sat in an old huge fig tree and ate ourselves literally sick. The figs were delicious and we were overjoyed with such a find. We ate ourselves sick the following evening as well. We were all of 24 or 25 years old and I can feel the joy as I think back. That little wild condemned house may not have had electricity, running water or a stove, but the land around it was covered with wild fruit. We had grapevines hanging between our house and an outbuilding and I think that the combination of plucking freely both the figs and the grapes caused the sharply vivid and poignant memory to play like an old movie before my eyes.
Today as I was on the bus returning from work, the sharp memories continued. I had no idea when I moved here that the bus to and from Jerusalem passes directly below E's resting place. How strange is that? I can see where he lies from my bus, and yes…I greet him and wonder ‘is that kosher? Lord? Is that ok? He’s not here.’ But I sense that it is alright. I don’t know what I shared last year, but the burial place that E was given overlooks vineyards and red roofed houses. E had loved looking at the vineyards and red roofed houses and it was a wonder to me how the spot given to him by the government had such a view…and now…here I was living here! You know, only God could have orchestrated the intricacies of this walk that you and I have.
As these thoughts and memories poured around me, I was suddenly flooded with the magnitude of what has taken place: E DID IT! He read the scriptures and was convinced in his own heart that The Lord was telling him to ‘Bring his family HOME’. As if in a movie it flashed through my being…an orphan from the remote (and Levelock, where he was born, is remote!) Alaskan Tundra, brought his Jewish family back according to the scriptures. He fulfilled the scripture that he felt pressed to do. He DID it! He finished the work that was given him to do! On the bus today, the enormity of it all ‘took’ me.
I thought back to one of the verses that I had read this morning in Ezra (above) and I began to think of the utter grandness of all of His promises and His total ability to do exactly what He says He will.
He is God!
HE can do anything, and so…I have finally met the Russian family upstairs, and, as usual in my life, it was all dramatic.
The remainder of the letter has been deleted due to the personal nature of it.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for praying.
May we be found walking in His Presence, for His glory.
Lovingly, your sister.
"Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name— after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.” EZEKIEL 39:25-29
EZRA 6:17
“…And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, …”
Greetings Brothers and sisters, in The Name of The God of ALL mercy…of ALL comfort…of ALL peace…of ALL Truth…The Creator…The Author and The Finisher…in His precious Name I greet you and pray that HE ALONE would be glorified and that He and you would be blessed…because this is all I really have to offer and I do offer it to Him with fear and trembling. ‘What you see, write…’
‘Who is this new ‘me’ whom I’ve barely met?’ I ask myself as I walk my new streets.
It was a very busy week for me and as I was walking back toward my apartment, I tested a fig on a big old rambling tree that was overhanging into the ‘public space’. To my joy, the fig seemed soft, and so I plucked it and ate it…really relishing its sweet freshness…I can’t explain what a joy it was to eat it. I wonder at this ‘new state of being’ that I am experiencing; I wonder how many others feel this way. There are many groups of people who have had their lives turned upside down and inside out… do they ALL feel this? What IS it really, Lord? Make me to be whom You want me to be. I walked a little further and there found another ripe overhanging fig on another tree. The trees are LOADED with figs but it is still a bit early. Finding two delightfully ripe figs brought me joy. I arrived home and took my little dog, Gila, out for a walk in the other direction. Overhanging another fence were big bunches of ripe grapes. The cluster that I picked was simply delicious. I wondered at the seeds in each of the fruit…producing their own kind.
My thoughts drifted back to another season, before I was saved. E and I had just met and we found a (yes) condemned house in the Sierra Nevada foothills in a place called Chili Bar. The very first day we were there, we went down to the river below the house and sat in an old huge fig tree and ate ourselves literally sick. The figs were delicious and we were overjoyed with such a find. We ate ourselves sick the following evening as well. We were all of 24 or 25 years old and I can feel the joy as I think back. That little wild condemned house may not have had electricity, running water or a stove, but the land around it was covered with wild fruit. We had grapevines hanging between our house and an outbuilding and I think that the combination of plucking freely both the figs and the grapes caused the sharply vivid and poignant memory to play like an old movie before my eyes.
Today as I was on the bus returning from work, the sharp memories continued. I had no idea when I moved here that the bus to and from Jerusalem passes directly below E's resting place. How strange is that? I can see where he lies from my bus, and yes…I greet him and wonder ‘is that kosher? Lord? Is that ok? He’s not here.’ But I sense that it is alright. I don’t know what I shared last year, but the burial place that E was given overlooks vineyards and red roofed houses. E had loved looking at the vineyards and red roofed houses and it was a wonder to me how the spot given to him by the government had such a view…and now…here I was living here! You know, only God could have orchestrated the intricacies of this walk that you and I have.
As these thoughts and memories poured around me, I was suddenly flooded with the magnitude of what has taken place: E DID IT! He read the scriptures and was convinced in his own heart that The Lord was telling him to ‘Bring his family HOME’. As if in a movie it flashed through my being…an orphan from the remote (and Levelock, where he was born, is remote!) Alaskan Tundra, brought his Jewish family back according to the scriptures. He fulfilled the scripture that he felt pressed to do. He DID it! He finished the work that was given him to do! On the bus today, the enormity of it all ‘took’ me.
I thought back to one of the verses that I had read this morning in Ezra (above) and I began to think of the utter grandness of all of His promises and His total ability to do exactly what He says He will.
He is God!
HE can do anything, and so…I have finally met the Russian family upstairs, and, as usual in my life, it was all dramatic.
The remainder of the letter has been deleted due to the personal nature of it.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for praying.
May we be found walking in His Presence, for His glory.
Lovingly, your sister.
July 26, 2023
Assunto: mistake that was brought to my attention
"Sorry to tell you but Tisha B'Av starts Weds eve & all day Thursday. " (my calendar said Thurs night-Fri...internet says Wed. night through Thurs.)
Assunto: mistake that was brought to my attention
"Sorry to tell you but Tisha B'Av starts Weds eve & all day Thursday. " (my calendar said Thurs night-Fri...internet says Wed. night through Thurs.)
July 25, 2023
“Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”
“And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel 6:5,10-11, 20-22
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua, The King, The Prince of Peace, Eternal Life in the flesh, The Truth, The Living Word…may HE be glorified and blessed and known, and may you be encouraged and blessed.
One of the four places that I was reading this morning was Daniel 6, and although that has perhaps nothing to do with what I intend to write about…it just blessed me so immensely (again)…such an example! Every time I read this portion, I feel such ‘still peace’ in the midst of earthly turmoil and injustice. Daniel is always a good lesson to me. He was stolen from his family in war time and destruction and lived a life of forced service to the kingdom that took him captive, and yet He steadily looked to God and did all of his work as unto God. What an example of faithfulness.
I am writing today about rapidly approaching Tisha b’Av…the 9th of the month of Av; a day that I write about almost yearly and yet have not written about it in any depth for awhile. This year it seems to require a closer look again.
Tisha (or 9th) of Av is a day of fasting and prayer, grief and repentance as the book of Lamentations ('Eicah' in Hebrew) is read. People gather at the wall, in synagogues or homes, mourning not only the destruction of the first and second temples (which happened on the same date) but the so many other events …tragedies…judgment…that befell the Jewish nation on the 9thof Av. If you press on this link: 7 tragedies that befell the Jewish people on Tisha B’Av it will bring you to an easy reading article from The Jerusalem Post written several years ago. It lists 7 of the ‘destructions’ that hit the people. Other sites include other events. I recommend a quick look at this article. If you are more ambitious, you can google ‘tisha b’av or 9th of av and you will find many commentaries concerning this day.
The Rabbis attribute the judgments that befell us to ‘sinat chinam’ (the ch is not pronounced like ‘cheese’ but more of a throaty kh sound) (like clearing your throat). Sinat chinam means ‘baseless hatred’. The Prophets (all of them) attribute God’s judgments also to idolatry, worshipping the works of our own hands, pride, not loving God’s ways nor fearing Him nor keeping His commands etc. Nevertheless, baseless hatred is surely the way that many of these sins express themselves. The (possibly main) fruit of The Spirit of The Lord is love, and what is opposite, but baseless hatred.
Tisha b’av begins this year on Thursday night (the 27th) and will continue until Shabbat begins on Friday.
We have just witnessed here in Israel unprecedented fire in our midst…the fire of the threat of civil war…the fire of raging fury…the fire of accusations and it is heartbreaking. Are there any of you that have not seen the pictures? I do not have a heart to speak about it…I really don’t, and I know that many of you follow excellent resources concerning and explaining our news. I also know that there are many intelligent and well informed believers on all sides of the issues. I think about ‘words’ and how Yeshua IS THE LIVING WORD and words have been flying through the air as fiery arrows to the absolute delight of our enemies to the north as well as within.
There was one beautiful moment the night before last: There was a counter demonstration in Tel Aviv, while there was a demonstration here in Jerusalem. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis had marched from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to block the roads and the Knesset in opposition of the legislation. MEANWHILE, hundreds of thousands of Israelis went to Tel Aviv to demonstrate support for the legislation. The numbers were just about equal. There is a beautiful video circulating of the VERY LONG escalator in our train station. Demonstrators on one side were taking the train to Jerusalem and on the other side were taking the train to Tel Aviv. Both groups were carrying the blue and white Israeli flag and many of the people were reaching across the divide shaking each other’s hands, expressing love. I wish that I could find the video to share. These people KNOW the Psalms and they recite Psalm 133“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”
You see…Tisha b’av is coming…and people take it seriously. We have lost too much…too many times.
I was discussing Tisha b’av with Y…the young religious ‘bat sheroot’ …service girl... who comes to visit me once a week. We were talking about why these judgments have come on the people and we looked particularly at Jeremiah and Ezekiel. She studies in a religious girl’s ‘seminary’ and she really seems to love The Word and to know it.
That reminds me. I came to understand that I confused a number of you through my last letter. Several people wrote to me with questions concerning my statements about the difference between Jews who stayed in Babylon and those who were dispersed around the world.
MANY of the Old Testament prophets wrote about the judgment that would, and did come when Nebuchadnezzar came into Jerusalem and burned the temple. (2 Kings, 2 Chron.) Jeremiah was there prophesying to, and warning the people. Ezekiel was a prophet IN Babylon. Daniel was taken captive, as was Esther and Mordechai, Nehemiah and Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah. The book of Lamentations was likely written as Jeremiah sat on ashes in Jerusalem after the destruction of the temple. During the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian empire (Chaldeans) there was famine and the awful prophecy that people would eat their children was fulfilled.
A remnant came back to Jerusalem to rebuild the second temple in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, but many stayed in Babylon and settled there. (Like I and Y’s relatives). Others (like my relatives) began to wander from country to country. I just learned from Y (the neighbors across the street) that she was born here. Her mother’s family had been taken captive or driven north into Turkey during the Babylonian destruction of the temple. Her family stayed in Turkey for about 40 years and then returned to Jerusalem and have been here ever since…through the 2,000 years of dispersion. Her father is from Babylon. (Iraq). THIS is what I was referring to when I said how deeply it struck me that these new neighbors of mine had a history so different from mine…they had stayed when the judgment came. My family dispersed and took up the cultures and interpretations common to the areas that they settled in…Y and I’s family have entirely different perspectives, culture, and history. I hope that explains it a bit and doesn’t confuse you further. It is somehow exciting to me.
I will close now, asking that you pray for this nation and people. I am so aware that it is GOD’S Name that the world is gloating over and I look to Him to reveal Himself to the world and to this people for HIS NAME’S SAKE. That He wouldn’t allow the world to wring their hands with glee at our judgment and destruction again…but that He would intervene and exhibit His mercy and the tenacity of His covenant. Perhaps you would want to join in fasting and praying on Tisha b’av. With the advent of technology, I’m certain that there will be online readings both in Hebrew and English and discussions that you could find if you google ‘tisha ‘b’av.
May The God Who is faithful, watch over His Word to perform it.
Loving blessings from me.
“Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”
“And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel 6:5,10-11, 20-22
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua, The King, The Prince of Peace, Eternal Life in the flesh, The Truth, The Living Word…may HE be glorified and blessed and known, and may you be encouraged and blessed.
One of the four places that I was reading this morning was Daniel 6, and although that has perhaps nothing to do with what I intend to write about…it just blessed me so immensely (again)…such an example! Every time I read this portion, I feel such ‘still peace’ in the midst of earthly turmoil and injustice. Daniel is always a good lesson to me. He was stolen from his family in war time and destruction and lived a life of forced service to the kingdom that took him captive, and yet He steadily looked to God and did all of his work as unto God. What an example of faithfulness.
I am writing today about rapidly approaching Tisha b’Av…the 9th of the month of Av; a day that I write about almost yearly and yet have not written about it in any depth for awhile. This year it seems to require a closer look again.
Tisha (or 9th) of Av is a day of fasting and prayer, grief and repentance as the book of Lamentations ('Eicah' in Hebrew) is read. People gather at the wall, in synagogues or homes, mourning not only the destruction of the first and second temples (which happened on the same date) but the so many other events …tragedies…judgment…that befell the Jewish nation on the 9thof Av. If you press on this link: 7 tragedies that befell the Jewish people on Tisha B’Av it will bring you to an easy reading article from The Jerusalem Post written several years ago. It lists 7 of the ‘destructions’ that hit the people. Other sites include other events. I recommend a quick look at this article. If you are more ambitious, you can google ‘tisha b’av or 9th of av and you will find many commentaries concerning this day.
The Rabbis attribute the judgments that befell us to ‘sinat chinam’ (the ch is not pronounced like ‘cheese’ but more of a throaty kh sound) (like clearing your throat). Sinat chinam means ‘baseless hatred’. The Prophets (all of them) attribute God’s judgments also to idolatry, worshipping the works of our own hands, pride, not loving God’s ways nor fearing Him nor keeping His commands etc. Nevertheless, baseless hatred is surely the way that many of these sins express themselves. The (possibly main) fruit of The Spirit of The Lord is love, and what is opposite, but baseless hatred.
Tisha b’av begins this year on Thursday night (the 27th) and will continue until Shabbat begins on Friday.
We have just witnessed here in Israel unprecedented fire in our midst…the fire of the threat of civil war…the fire of raging fury…the fire of accusations and it is heartbreaking. Are there any of you that have not seen the pictures? I do not have a heart to speak about it…I really don’t, and I know that many of you follow excellent resources concerning and explaining our news. I also know that there are many intelligent and well informed believers on all sides of the issues. I think about ‘words’ and how Yeshua IS THE LIVING WORD and words have been flying through the air as fiery arrows to the absolute delight of our enemies to the north as well as within.
There was one beautiful moment the night before last: There was a counter demonstration in Tel Aviv, while there was a demonstration here in Jerusalem. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis had marched from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to block the roads and the Knesset in opposition of the legislation. MEANWHILE, hundreds of thousands of Israelis went to Tel Aviv to demonstrate support for the legislation. The numbers were just about equal. There is a beautiful video circulating of the VERY LONG escalator in our train station. Demonstrators on one side were taking the train to Jerusalem and on the other side were taking the train to Tel Aviv. Both groups were carrying the blue and white Israeli flag and many of the people were reaching across the divide shaking each other’s hands, expressing love. I wish that I could find the video to share. These people KNOW the Psalms and they recite Psalm 133“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”
You see…Tisha b’av is coming…and people take it seriously. We have lost too much…too many times.
I was discussing Tisha b’av with Y…the young religious ‘bat sheroot’ …service girl... who comes to visit me once a week. We were talking about why these judgments have come on the people and we looked particularly at Jeremiah and Ezekiel. She studies in a religious girl’s ‘seminary’ and she really seems to love The Word and to know it.
That reminds me. I came to understand that I confused a number of you through my last letter. Several people wrote to me with questions concerning my statements about the difference between Jews who stayed in Babylon and those who were dispersed around the world.
MANY of the Old Testament prophets wrote about the judgment that would, and did come when Nebuchadnezzar came into Jerusalem and burned the temple. (2 Kings, 2 Chron.) Jeremiah was there prophesying to, and warning the people. Ezekiel was a prophet IN Babylon. Daniel was taken captive, as was Esther and Mordechai, Nehemiah and Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah. The book of Lamentations was likely written as Jeremiah sat on ashes in Jerusalem after the destruction of the temple. During the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian empire (Chaldeans) there was famine and the awful prophecy that people would eat their children was fulfilled.
A remnant came back to Jerusalem to rebuild the second temple in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, but many stayed in Babylon and settled there. (Like I and Y’s relatives). Others (like my relatives) began to wander from country to country. I just learned from Y (the neighbors across the street) that she was born here. Her mother’s family had been taken captive or driven north into Turkey during the Babylonian destruction of the temple. Her family stayed in Turkey for about 40 years and then returned to Jerusalem and have been here ever since…through the 2,000 years of dispersion. Her father is from Babylon. (Iraq). THIS is what I was referring to when I said how deeply it struck me that these new neighbors of mine had a history so different from mine…they had stayed when the judgment came. My family dispersed and took up the cultures and interpretations common to the areas that they settled in…Y and I’s family have entirely different perspectives, culture, and history. I hope that explains it a bit and doesn’t confuse you further. It is somehow exciting to me.
I will close now, asking that you pray for this nation and people. I am so aware that it is GOD’S Name that the world is gloating over and I look to Him to reveal Himself to the world and to this people for HIS NAME’S SAKE. That He wouldn’t allow the world to wring their hands with glee at our judgment and destruction again…but that He would intervene and exhibit His mercy and the tenacity of His covenant. Perhaps you would want to join in fasting and praying on Tisha b’av. With the advent of technology, I’m certain that there will be online readings both in Hebrew and English and discussions that you could find if you google ‘tisha ‘b’av.
May The God Who is faithful, watch over His Word to perform it.
Loving blessings from me.
July 17, 2023
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…” 2 Peter 1:2
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-10
Loving greetings to each of you, personally. He has made you a ‘body’ to me and has illustrated how He knits us together in His unique way…His temple…His pattern…His way of doing things. May you be blessed and encouraged and may He be glorified.
I began this letter yesterday, but suddenly had a need to take care of the 3 of our Granddaughters. It was a long day,........ but what a wonderful gift family is. The 4 paragraphs below were written yesterday:
I automatically opened my ‘Earthquake Center’ site as my local Israeli Ynet news noted “7.4 earthquake hits Alaskan Peninsular – tsunami warning”. I have been here for 29 years this week, but Alaska will always be a foundational part of my life. My ‘Alaskan survival mode’ kicked in ‘They always hit on the south side of the Peninsular so the tsunami won’t come here’ (I was immediately back there)(meaning the north side of the Peninsular where we lived for some 15 years – my mind said to me). I was right. It was just south of Sand Point. I looked on the Naknek site and people were texting that their phones were buzzing with warnings to get to higher ground immediately…but everyone knew that the north side was safe.
Suddenly another notice popped up on my news; ‘shooting attack in Gush Etzion. Man in his 30s badly injured, 9 year old lightly’: My heart jumped and I opened the article. My daughter and her husband are on their way in to visit me ...... with their three children, one of them being 9 years old. With the same ‘automatic survival speed’ I read that it was in the area of Tekoa and I pulled up a map of Gush Etzion noting that Tekoa is not very near to them. By the time I looked back, the facts of the story were updated and I breathed a sigh of relief that it couldn’t be ‘my family’…aware that it is ’someone’s family’ changed forever.
‘Crisis’…’survival mode’…When my daughter was here, helping me to move, she explained to me why things are ‘speeding up’ as we get older. She explained them according to fractions of time and it was amazing to me although as I just tried to write it out, I can’t.
I am thankful that there are no crisis’ in the kingdom into which we were purchased by The Precious Blood of Yeshua h’Meshiach. Just think! The drama…the crisis…the fears that are able to grip these vulnerable minds and bodies that we walk in, simply don’t enter His kingdom…they have no part in it, because judgment will be past and the enemy fully under His feet, halleluyah! The Word says in John 16:33 “…in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”!
Moving on to today:
You know that I make it a point not to discuss ‘politics’ in these letters. Period. The Lord has been diligently working in my life for years to remind me that I am NO LONGER part of the kingdom of this world and He has impressed upon me deeply that He expects me to ACT as a part of His kingdom. That means that I am to demonstrate the characteristics of the kingdom to which I belong. Gal. 5:22 and Eph. 5:9 list many of the fruits of His Spirit, and I notice that anger, nor educated opinions are on the list. I often remind agitated believing friends that when Yeshua was on the earth, he walked in the midst of corrupt and wicked government, and unjust world situations, and yet He did not address them. James and John received a strong rebuke from Yeshua in Luke 9:54-55 when they wanted to react according to the spirit of this world concerning injustice; “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” Our country is currently being ripped apart (we are literally on the verge of civil war and are putting ourselves at great risk in regard to the enemies that we have outside of our country); the nation being totally polarized …as are most of your nations also are. The ‘issue’ is Judicial Reform (which is greatly needed) complicated by rhetoric (‘dictatorship’, ‘democracy’, ‘racism’, etc.). What is being used as the ‘BIGGEST’ issue right now is the ‘reasonableness clause’. It is a clause in the judiciary which gives the judges the ability to strike down legislation that they deem ‘unreasonable’. People’s opinions have solidified and crossed the boiling point. Massive demonstrations have shut down the country for 28 weeks.
Perhaps I shared this story with you even recently and I don’t remember? If so, please forgive me…it is an evan ezra (Ebenezer) in my life…a stone of help. You know that I was saved out of demon possession, witchcraft and great wickedness. The result of sin is death and I was on the way to kill myself when I met HIM Who saved me. I was saved less than a year when the movie ‘The Exorcist’ (a ‘light weight’ by today’s standards) was scheduled to come to our only local movie theater. (I lived in a very small mountain town at the time) I was horrified! The Lord had been moving mightily in our town and so many were getting saved that even bars were closing…this was obviously a work of the enemy to lure those who were yet in the valley of decision. A group of believers were planning demonstrations against the movie…HOWEVER… before I was saved, I was part of the massive demonstrations against the Viet-Nam war, and although I was a very young believer, I understood how rebellion (as witchcraft, which I HATED) rage and manipulation were at the root of the things that I had been part of: What to do! In great distress of spirit, I went to my wise and godly Pastor and poured out my heart to him. His answer to me was ‘They are wrong…and THEY are wrong. Let’s go into the sanctuary and pray for GOD to intervene.’: Which we did. The day that the film was scheduled to open and the demonstration were to take place, arrived. There was a MASSIVE STORM which hit the area, unpredicted! The streets were flooded…it was a serious deluge. The film itself (they were reels in those days) was water damaged beyond use, and there was no way that the demonstration could be held either. One new believer saw a demonstration of His kingdom power over the ploy of the enemy and the kingdom of this earth. He rules and reigns!
This morning as I was reading in 2 Peter, I was asking Him to gird me with the attributes listed in the scripture at the top of the letter, which HE actually told US to add ourselves; attributes of His kingdom. May He help the believers here (and where you are) to stand in His kingdom and to display His characteristics as our nations rage and…dare I say…burn. His promises are SURE…but sometimes our understanding and focus needs to be shifted. No matter how intelligent we are, no matter how much we reason, His vision is eternal and ours is limited. He IS The Potter and we really ARE clay; we do see through a glass darkly. For me, this is a battle…to walk in the midst of so much DRAMA… such strong opinions …such angry accusations…and to keep my eyes fixed on Him. What a powerful temptation to enter into the fray and to redirect my own (clearly ‘correct!’ – that is sarcastic) opinions into His kingdom. May we display the characteristics of our King at such a time as this.
I went across the street to visit Y and I. I have had Shabbat dinner with them and also just sat and visited over a cup of tea. What a gift they are. Y would like me to come far more frequently, but my stamina is not up to it; she doesn’t understand that so I must make the effort. At Shabbat dinner (NOBODY speaks any English so all of our conversations are in Hebrew.) Y asked me if I read Song of Solomon. I said that I had JUST read it. She asked me if I read it every Friday night before Shabbat dinner. I was perplexed; I didn’t know that this was a tradition among the Kurdish Jews. She pulled out a book and said ‘Here…we will read it together’. I explained that my Hebrew was not good enough to join in on public reading so she graciously read the – entire – book to me and pointed to each word as she did. It was beautiful to hear her. ‘You know, this book is about God’s love for… JERUSALEM.’ I nodded thinking ‘Wait! It’s about His love for His people’. It interested me to see their point of view. The next day I thought about Psalm 137 which begins: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.” It goes on to say “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth--If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.” By the rivers of BABYLON…this is where my neighbors came from…where they had stayed through the 2,000 year exile until they arrived here…, in 1951…the writings that speak of the Babylonian captivity relate directly and personally to them (for example Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah and so many more). They did not leave to disperse to the four corners of the earth (as my ancestors did). ‘If I forget you oh Jerusalem’. These wonderful, warm, open people whom I am getting to know more personally have a different history than mine. Mine went through the dispersion…theirs remained in Babylon. They are deeply entrenched in traditions rooted in Babylon. The Talmud…the book studied more than the Torah and the Tenach by religious Jewish men, is generally the BABYLONIAN Talmud. It is 2,000 years’ worth of wisdom and teaching by the sages AFTER being sent out of Israel into captivity by The One True God whom my ancestors had disobeyed and rebelled against time and time again. Dare I say, it is opinions and interpretations (though often sage and wise)? Is there a way that we, as believers, fall into this today? Following this Preacher or that youtube study or this teacher…when we have The Book and The Holy Spirit as ourTeacher. (OFCOURSE I am including myself in this request to search our hearts…mine first Lord!)........... Once again, may The Lord be loved and glorified and blessed.
…And I… my loving blessings to you! Thank you so much for your prayers!
Your sister
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…” 2 Peter 1:2
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-10
Loving greetings to each of you, personally. He has made you a ‘body’ to me and has illustrated how He knits us together in His unique way…His temple…His pattern…His way of doing things. May you be blessed and encouraged and may He be glorified.
I began this letter yesterday, but suddenly had a need to take care of the 3 of our Granddaughters. It was a long day,........ but what a wonderful gift family is. The 4 paragraphs below were written yesterday:
I automatically opened my ‘Earthquake Center’ site as my local Israeli Ynet news noted “7.4 earthquake hits Alaskan Peninsular – tsunami warning”. I have been here for 29 years this week, but Alaska will always be a foundational part of my life. My ‘Alaskan survival mode’ kicked in ‘They always hit on the south side of the Peninsular so the tsunami won’t come here’ (I was immediately back there)(meaning the north side of the Peninsular where we lived for some 15 years – my mind said to me). I was right. It was just south of Sand Point. I looked on the Naknek site and people were texting that their phones were buzzing with warnings to get to higher ground immediately…but everyone knew that the north side was safe.
Suddenly another notice popped up on my news; ‘shooting attack in Gush Etzion. Man in his 30s badly injured, 9 year old lightly’: My heart jumped and I opened the article. My daughter and her husband are on their way in to visit me ...... with their three children, one of them being 9 years old. With the same ‘automatic survival speed’ I read that it was in the area of Tekoa and I pulled up a map of Gush Etzion noting that Tekoa is not very near to them. By the time I looked back, the facts of the story were updated and I breathed a sigh of relief that it couldn’t be ‘my family’…aware that it is ’someone’s family’ changed forever.
‘Crisis’…’survival mode’…When my daughter was here, helping me to move, she explained to me why things are ‘speeding up’ as we get older. She explained them according to fractions of time and it was amazing to me although as I just tried to write it out, I can’t.
I am thankful that there are no crisis’ in the kingdom into which we were purchased by The Precious Blood of Yeshua h’Meshiach. Just think! The drama…the crisis…the fears that are able to grip these vulnerable minds and bodies that we walk in, simply don’t enter His kingdom…they have no part in it, because judgment will be past and the enemy fully under His feet, halleluyah! The Word says in John 16:33 “…in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”!
Moving on to today:
You know that I make it a point not to discuss ‘politics’ in these letters. Period. The Lord has been diligently working in my life for years to remind me that I am NO LONGER part of the kingdom of this world and He has impressed upon me deeply that He expects me to ACT as a part of His kingdom. That means that I am to demonstrate the characteristics of the kingdom to which I belong. Gal. 5:22 and Eph. 5:9 list many of the fruits of His Spirit, and I notice that anger, nor educated opinions are on the list. I often remind agitated believing friends that when Yeshua was on the earth, he walked in the midst of corrupt and wicked government, and unjust world situations, and yet He did not address them. James and John received a strong rebuke from Yeshua in Luke 9:54-55 when they wanted to react according to the spirit of this world concerning injustice; “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” Our country is currently being ripped apart (we are literally on the verge of civil war and are putting ourselves at great risk in regard to the enemies that we have outside of our country); the nation being totally polarized …as are most of your nations also are. The ‘issue’ is Judicial Reform (which is greatly needed) complicated by rhetoric (‘dictatorship’, ‘democracy’, ‘racism’, etc.). What is being used as the ‘BIGGEST’ issue right now is the ‘reasonableness clause’. It is a clause in the judiciary which gives the judges the ability to strike down legislation that they deem ‘unreasonable’. People’s opinions have solidified and crossed the boiling point. Massive demonstrations have shut down the country for 28 weeks.
Perhaps I shared this story with you even recently and I don’t remember? If so, please forgive me…it is an evan ezra (Ebenezer) in my life…a stone of help. You know that I was saved out of demon possession, witchcraft and great wickedness. The result of sin is death and I was on the way to kill myself when I met HIM Who saved me. I was saved less than a year when the movie ‘The Exorcist’ (a ‘light weight’ by today’s standards) was scheduled to come to our only local movie theater. (I lived in a very small mountain town at the time) I was horrified! The Lord had been moving mightily in our town and so many were getting saved that even bars were closing…this was obviously a work of the enemy to lure those who were yet in the valley of decision. A group of believers were planning demonstrations against the movie…HOWEVER… before I was saved, I was part of the massive demonstrations against the Viet-Nam war, and although I was a very young believer, I understood how rebellion (as witchcraft, which I HATED) rage and manipulation were at the root of the things that I had been part of: What to do! In great distress of spirit, I went to my wise and godly Pastor and poured out my heart to him. His answer to me was ‘They are wrong…and THEY are wrong. Let’s go into the sanctuary and pray for GOD to intervene.’: Which we did. The day that the film was scheduled to open and the demonstration were to take place, arrived. There was a MASSIVE STORM which hit the area, unpredicted! The streets were flooded…it was a serious deluge. The film itself (they were reels in those days) was water damaged beyond use, and there was no way that the demonstration could be held either. One new believer saw a demonstration of His kingdom power over the ploy of the enemy and the kingdom of this earth. He rules and reigns!
This morning as I was reading in 2 Peter, I was asking Him to gird me with the attributes listed in the scripture at the top of the letter, which HE actually told US to add ourselves; attributes of His kingdom. May He help the believers here (and where you are) to stand in His kingdom and to display His characteristics as our nations rage and…dare I say…burn. His promises are SURE…but sometimes our understanding and focus needs to be shifted. No matter how intelligent we are, no matter how much we reason, His vision is eternal and ours is limited. He IS The Potter and we really ARE clay; we do see through a glass darkly. For me, this is a battle…to walk in the midst of so much DRAMA… such strong opinions …such angry accusations…and to keep my eyes fixed on Him. What a powerful temptation to enter into the fray and to redirect my own (clearly ‘correct!’ – that is sarcastic) opinions into His kingdom. May we display the characteristics of our King at such a time as this.
I went across the street to visit Y and I. I have had Shabbat dinner with them and also just sat and visited over a cup of tea. What a gift they are. Y would like me to come far more frequently, but my stamina is not up to it; she doesn’t understand that so I must make the effort. At Shabbat dinner (NOBODY speaks any English so all of our conversations are in Hebrew.) Y asked me if I read Song of Solomon. I said that I had JUST read it. She asked me if I read it every Friday night before Shabbat dinner. I was perplexed; I didn’t know that this was a tradition among the Kurdish Jews. She pulled out a book and said ‘Here…we will read it together’. I explained that my Hebrew was not good enough to join in on public reading so she graciously read the – entire – book to me and pointed to each word as she did. It was beautiful to hear her. ‘You know, this book is about God’s love for… JERUSALEM.’ I nodded thinking ‘Wait! It’s about His love for His people’. It interested me to see their point of view. The next day I thought about Psalm 137 which begins: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.” It goes on to say “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth--If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.” By the rivers of BABYLON…this is where my neighbors came from…where they had stayed through the 2,000 year exile until they arrived here…, in 1951…the writings that speak of the Babylonian captivity relate directly and personally to them (for example Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah and so many more). They did not leave to disperse to the four corners of the earth (as my ancestors did). ‘If I forget you oh Jerusalem’. These wonderful, warm, open people whom I am getting to know more personally have a different history than mine. Mine went through the dispersion…theirs remained in Babylon. They are deeply entrenched in traditions rooted in Babylon. The Talmud…the book studied more than the Torah and the Tenach by religious Jewish men, is generally the BABYLONIAN Talmud. It is 2,000 years’ worth of wisdom and teaching by the sages AFTER being sent out of Israel into captivity by The One True God whom my ancestors had disobeyed and rebelled against time and time again. Dare I say, it is opinions and interpretations (though often sage and wise)? Is there a way that we, as believers, fall into this today? Following this Preacher or that youtube study or this teacher…when we have The Book and The Holy Spirit as ourTeacher. (OFCOURSE I am including myself in this request to search our hearts…mine first Lord!)........... Once again, may The Lord be loved and glorified and blessed.
…And I… my loving blessings to you! Thank you so much for your prayers!
Your sister
July 2, 2023
“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord – The Messiah! - Who is worthy to be praised and glorified and served in spirit and in truth. May we be found in Him. May you be blessed and edified and may He alone be glorified!
How strange to be starting my second month outside of Jerusalem…in Maoz Zion -The Stronghold of Zion! Here I am Lord…what would You have me to do? It is a strange new world and I am, in fact, ‘alone’ and that, in itself, is strange after 50 years of serving family, friends, neighbors. Hineni Adonai! (Here am I Lord) There is no one to notice if I get up at all in the morning, or eat or go out…but I know that He does, and there is my little dog who needs to go for her walks and so…Hinneni Adonai. I present myself to You…search me and know me, try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. He does! We just keep walking.
I have a special and funny two part story.
A week ago Friday, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to take me food shopping when a man got into the car that I stood beside and asked me ‘Where are you going?’ I told him that I was going food shopping with a friend and that she was picking me up. He said ‘Call her and tell her that you have a ride and I will take you.’ I told him that I was looking forward to seeing my friend who would arrive any minute but thank you anyway. He persisted and began asking me who I was and where I was from and how long I would be living here and how much rent I was paying and if I was happy with the apartment. This might shoot up a red flag for most of you from western countries, but it’s really quite normal here, particularly in a Mizrachi neighborhood. I answered all of his questions to his satisfaction and he said ‘That’s my house across the street. Ring the bell. My wife is called Yael. You will like her; she is a good woman. Come and visit.’ I recognized this (culturally) as more of a ‘command’ than a ‘polite invite’, so on Wednesday I baked a cake and rang the bell…twice…no answer. Both relieved and disappointed at the same time, I came back home and put the cake in the freezer.
This Friday morning, I felt ‘that familiar nudge’ in my spirit. It was time to meet Yael. I got the cake out of the freezer and again crossed our narrow, one way street. This time there was an immediate response and I was met by a lively, lovely looking lady, not much younger than I. ‘Yael?’ I asked ‘I live across the street and your husband said that I should come and meet you.’ Arms wide open and a smile that lit up the sky, she welcomed me ‘Come in! Come in! I am happy that you came! You are welcome!’ I entered a beautiful and immaculate home with a huge table at its center and a kitchen that appeared to be overflowing with dishes being prepared, aromas that made eyes pop open! The view of the valley between us and Jerusalem lay before me and the warmth that flooded that home nearly knocked me over. Blessing upon blessing was heaped on to me along with a large bowl of kubbeh soup…not just ANY kubbeh soup mind you. What is kubbeh soup, some of you might ask? Well…you really have to taste the real thing. It’s a Kurdish Iraqi piece of art that can make or break a marriage…it is ‘the signature work’ of a fine woman. This was THE BEST kubbeh I have ever eaten! Kubbeh are spicy meat filled ‘dumplings’ in a sourish vegetable soup (either green or red). AT ANY RATE…I ‘understood’ (middle east style) that I had entered a ‘very special house’!
We began talking.
Although in 5 days I will mark 29 years since we made Aliyah, my Hebrew is far from eloquent and I often feel the lack of language skills. That was magnified when their oldest son (who popped by for kubbeh and talk) said to me ‘You don’t speak very good Hebrew you know.’ Yes…I know. But let me back up. I still am not sure of the husband’s name (I will call him ‘Abba’ because he is the Abba of the family) but I learned that they came to Israel from Iraq in 1951 and settled in Maoz Zion and never left. ‘Abba’ met Yael in high school when they were 15 and it was a match. They had 9 children (a daughter died 5 years ago) and have 26 (approximately) Grandchildren… and she cooks for them all. As we spoke, different adult children wandered in, gave hugs and kisses and grabbed bags of kubbeh and other delicacies for their Shabbat table. This was going on around us the entire time. Yael would say to them ‘This is our new neighbor. She lives across the street.’ She assessed the situation: ‘You are alone here at 77 starting over and don’t know the area. You are starting life all over…you are a widow of just over a year and your job is about to end…your children don’t live near…ok. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY! Come for Shabbat tonight…and every shabbat! And every day…and we have a wedding in August, you are coming with me…and here is my phone number if you don’t feel well in the night…God brought you to us so we are your family. We bless you.’ They meant it. Every word. This is the Jewish Kurdish culture HUGELY WARM!
I looked at the husband (‘Abba’) and he said ‘Did you know that there is an old folks home a few kilometers away? Sometimes people get confused and lost…you know how it is. I thought maybe that was your problem because I hadn’t seen you before. I thought maybe you were lost and I needed to bring you home.’ Well…if you EVER have any temptation toward pride, a word like THAT will humble you instantly! But you know what? It didn’t matter. One of the important lessons that I learned this year is that it’s ‘NOT ABOUT ME’ and if that is what it took to open this door…so be it.
I asked them if all of their children had stayed ‘in the country’ (meaning Israel) and ‘Abba’ looked sadly at me and said ‘No. One is in Haifa…another in Hadera…’ I love it!
I stayed for about an hour. It was amazing. It was not long enough for them (they couldn’t figure out why I left so soon) but keeping up a lively conversation in Hebrew tired me out. I do hope that I can maintain this relationship and that it will grow. I am finding that this year has been perhaps more stressful than I understood, and now is a new and different season and I must walk carefully…quietly…listen much.
Our younger daughter and her family have moved to a home that our son in law built on the Yishuv (the news media would call it a ‘settlement’) of Bat Ayin, which is near Hevron. It is a small rural village and they moved on Friday. It is not on the road system…not near buses, and our daughter, who is legally blind, doesn’t drive. They have 3 young daughters. Hinneni Adonai…another huge change. I do appreciate prayer for them…and for me, as they have been an important part of my daily life.
So, what does He have in store for me? I have found the road to the fortress (the Kastel) and am hoping to investigate it tomorrow. The Lord wastes NOTHING…this I know! Just as He had the disciples take up the left overs from the broken bread and fishes that He distributed, so NOTHING goes to waste in His kingdom and I wait to see what path lies ahead.
To my great surprise, I do find that I am thankful to be out of the city, EVEN THOUGH IT IS JERUSALEM. I have NEVER liked ‘cities’…but JERUSALEM? What a privilege! Not ‘a city’ but…JERUSALEM. However, the increased building reminds me (forgive me but it does!) of rape, and noise and anger and movement…and now here I am. The streets here are very narrow. People have told me that it reminds them of Greece. There are garbage barrels along side of recycling containers…and there is a ‘dog’ stand where plastic bags are given free to pick up after your dog. I mean…wow! How kind is that?!? Perhaps they do that in your neighborhood, but I haven’t seen it here before and I smile every time that I use one.
I am thankful to not have to listen to the constant demonstrations that are taking place against the Judicial reform. The anger and hatred and opinions grieve my heart. I think about the time that Yeshua walked in His flesh and the political corruption and injustice and sin that permeated the land at that time…the land was full of wickedness and wrong and was under the oppression of Roman rule…but that was NOT what Yeshua addressed. As I listen to believers arguing ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’ I remember the words of Leonard Ravenhill describing who was truly crucified in Him: “He has no rights, therefore he can not be wronged.” …there in lies true freedom. Oh how my people need HIM…need to see HIM…need to know HIM! How thankful I am that scripture PROMISES us in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” and yes, I BELIEVE Romans 9, 10 and the GREAT promises in 11…that it will be just as He has said and that HE WILL be glorified in this people (how the enemy will HATE that!) despite our rejection and blasphemy…if HE could save me, I have no doubt that He can save our entire people. There are seeds planted in this land for two thousand years that will suddenly smell the water and feel the heat of the sun (Son) and will begin to come to life beneath the soil where they have so long waited…seeds that were planted…seeds that will bring forth a full harvest…I am convinced that His Word will not go forth void!
Maybe some of you remember my description a number of years ago, of the Jericho Rose. It looks like a dead handful of brush and can lie dormant for years…but at the smell of water? LIFE!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” …for HIS glory!
Lovingly, your sister along the way
“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord – The Messiah! - Who is worthy to be praised and glorified and served in spirit and in truth. May we be found in Him. May you be blessed and edified and may He alone be glorified!
How strange to be starting my second month outside of Jerusalem…in Maoz Zion -The Stronghold of Zion! Here I am Lord…what would You have me to do? It is a strange new world and I am, in fact, ‘alone’ and that, in itself, is strange after 50 years of serving family, friends, neighbors. Hineni Adonai! (Here am I Lord) There is no one to notice if I get up at all in the morning, or eat or go out…but I know that He does, and there is my little dog who needs to go for her walks and so…Hinneni Adonai. I present myself to You…search me and know me, try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. He does! We just keep walking.
I have a special and funny two part story.
A week ago Friday, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to take me food shopping when a man got into the car that I stood beside and asked me ‘Where are you going?’ I told him that I was going food shopping with a friend and that she was picking me up. He said ‘Call her and tell her that you have a ride and I will take you.’ I told him that I was looking forward to seeing my friend who would arrive any minute but thank you anyway. He persisted and began asking me who I was and where I was from and how long I would be living here and how much rent I was paying and if I was happy with the apartment. This might shoot up a red flag for most of you from western countries, but it’s really quite normal here, particularly in a Mizrachi neighborhood. I answered all of his questions to his satisfaction and he said ‘That’s my house across the street. Ring the bell. My wife is called Yael. You will like her; she is a good woman. Come and visit.’ I recognized this (culturally) as more of a ‘command’ than a ‘polite invite’, so on Wednesday I baked a cake and rang the bell…twice…no answer. Both relieved and disappointed at the same time, I came back home and put the cake in the freezer.
This Friday morning, I felt ‘that familiar nudge’ in my spirit. It was time to meet Yael. I got the cake out of the freezer and again crossed our narrow, one way street. This time there was an immediate response and I was met by a lively, lovely looking lady, not much younger than I. ‘Yael?’ I asked ‘I live across the street and your husband said that I should come and meet you.’ Arms wide open and a smile that lit up the sky, she welcomed me ‘Come in! Come in! I am happy that you came! You are welcome!’ I entered a beautiful and immaculate home with a huge table at its center and a kitchen that appeared to be overflowing with dishes being prepared, aromas that made eyes pop open! The view of the valley between us and Jerusalem lay before me and the warmth that flooded that home nearly knocked me over. Blessing upon blessing was heaped on to me along with a large bowl of kubbeh soup…not just ANY kubbeh soup mind you. What is kubbeh soup, some of you might ask? Well…you really have to taste the real thing. It’s a Kurdish Iraqi piece of art that can make or break a marriage…it is ‘the signature work’ of a fine woman. This was THE BEST kubbeh I have ever eaten! Kubbeh are spicy meat filled ‘dumplings’ in a sourish vegetable soup (either green or red). AT ANY RATE…I ‘understood’ (middle east style) that I had entered a ‘very special house’!
We began talking.
Although in 5 days I will mark 29 years since we made Aliyah, my Hebrew is far from eloquent and I often feel the lack of language skills. That was magnified when their oldest son (who popped by for kubbeh and talk) said to me ‘You don’t speak very good Hebrew you know.’ Yes…I know. But let me back up. I still am not sure of the husband’s name (I will call him ‘Abba’ because he is the Abba of the family) but I learned that they came to Israel from Iraq in 1951 and settled in Maoz Zion and never left. ‘Abba’ met Yael in high school when they were 15 and it was a match. They had 9 children (a daughter died 5 years ago) and have 26 (approximately) Grandchildren… and she cooks for them all. As we spoke, different adult children wandered in, gave hugs and kisses and grabbed bags of kubbeh and other delicacies for their Shabbat table. This was going on around us the entire time. Yael would say to them ‘This is our new neighbor. She lives across the street.’ She assessed the situation: ‘You are alone here at 77 starting over and don’t know the area. You are starting life all over…you are a widow of just over a year and your job is about to end…your children don’t live near…ok. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY! Come for Shabbat tonight…and every shabbat! And every day…and we have a wedding in August, you are coming with me…and here is my phone number if you don’t feel well in the night…God brought you to us so we are your family. We bless you.’ They meant it. Every word. This is the Jewish Kurdish culture HUGELY WARM!
I looked at the husband (‘Abba’) and he said ‘Did you know that there is an old folks home a few kilometers away? Sometimes people get confused and lost…you know how it is. I thought maybe that was your problem because I hadn’t seen you before. I thought maybe you were lost and I needed to bring you home.’ Well…if you EVER have any temptation toward pride, a word like THAT will humble you instantly! But you know what? It didn’t matter. One of the important lessons that I learned this year is that it’s ‘NOT ABOUT ME’ and if that is what it took to open this door…so be it.
I asked them if all of their children had stayed ‘in the country’ (meaning Israel) and ‘Abba’ looked sadly at me and said ‘No. One is in Haifa…another in Hadera…’ I love it!
I stayed for about an hour. It was amazing. It was not long enough for them (they couldn’t figure out why I left so soon) but keeping up a lively conversation in Hebrew tired me out. I do hope that I can maintain this relationship and that it will grow. I am finding that this year has been perhaps more stressful than I understood, and now is a new and different season and I must walk carefully…quietly…listen much.
Our younger daughter and her family have moved to a home that our son in law built on the Yishuv (the news media would call it a ‘settlement’) of Bat Ayin, which is near Hevron. It is a small rural village and they moved on Friday. It is not on the road system…not near buses, and our daughter, who is legally blind, doesn’t drive. They have 3 young daughters. Hinneni Adonai…another huge change. I do appreciate prayer for them…and for me, as they have been an important part of my daily life.
So, what does He have in store for me? I have found the road to the fortress (the Kastel) and am hoping to investigate it tomorrow. The Lord wastes NOTHING…this I know! Just as He had the disciples take up the left overs from the broken bread and fishes that He distributed, so NOTHING goes to waste in His kingdom and I wait to see what path lies ahead.
To my great surprise, I do find that I am thankful to be out of the city, EVEN THOUGH IT IS JERUSALEM. I have NEVER liked ‘cities’…but JERUSALEM? What a privilege! Not ‘a city’ but…JERUSALEM. However, the increased building reminds me (forgive me but it does!) of rape, and noise and anger and movement…and now here I am. The streets here are very narrow. People have told me that it reminds them of Greece. There are garbage barrels along side of recycling containers…and there is a ‘dog’ stand where plastic bags are given free to pick up after your dog. I mean…wow! How kind is that?!? Perhaps they do that in your neighborhood, but I haven’t seen it here before and I smile every time that I use one.
I am thankful to not have to listen to the constant demonstrations that are taking place against the Judicial reform. The anger and hatred and opinions grieve my heart. I think about the time that Yeshua walked in His flesh and the political corruption and injustice and sin that permeated the land at that time…the land was full of wickedness and wrong and was under the oppression of Roman rule…but that was NOT what Yeshua addressed. As I listen to believers arguing ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’ I remember the words of Leonard Ravenhill describing who was truly crucified in Him: “He has no rights, therefore he can not be wronged.” …there in lies true freedom. Oh how my people need HIM…need to see HIM…need to know HIM! How thankful I am that scripture PROMISES us in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” and yes, I BELIEVE Romans 9, 10 and the GREAT promises in 11…that it will be just as He has said and that HE WILL be glorified in this people (how the enemy will HATE that!) despite our rejection and blasphemy…if HE could save me, I have no doubt that He can save our entire people. There are seeds planted in this land for two thousand years that will suddenly smell the water and feel the heat of the sun (Son) and will begin to come to life beneath the soil where they have so long waited…seeds that were planted…seeds that will bring forth a full harvest…I am convinced that His Word will not go forth void!
Maybe some of you remember my description a number of years ago, of the Jericho Rose. It looks like a dead handful of brush and can lie dormant for years…but at the smell of water? LIFE!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” …for HIS glory!
Lovingly, your sister along the way
- “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord – The Messiah! - Who is worthy to be praised and glorified and served in spirit and in truth. May we be found in Him. May you be blessed and edified and may He alone be glorified!
How strange to be starting my second month outside of Jerusalem…in Maoz Zion -The Stronghold of Zion! Here I am Lord…what would You have me to do? It is a strange new world and I am, in fact, ‘alone’ and that, in itself, is strange after 50 years of serving family, friends, neighbors. Hineni Adonai! (Here am I Lord) There is no one to notice if I get up at all in the morning, or eat or go out…but I know that He does, and there is my little dog who needs to go for her walks and so…Hinneni Adonai. I present myself to You…search me and know me, try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. He does! We just keep walking.
I have a special and funny two part story.
A week ago Friday, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to take me food shopping when a man got into the car that I stood beside and asked me ‘Where are you going?’ I told him that I was going food shopping with a friend and that she was picking me up. He said ‘Call her and tell her that you have a ride and I will take you.’ I told him that I was looking forward to seeing my friend who would arrive any minute but thank you anyway. He persisted and began asking me who I was and where I was from and how long I would be living here and how much rent I was paying and if I was happy with the apartment. This might shoot up a red flag for most of you from western countries, but it’s really quite normal here, particularly in a Mizrachi neighborhood. I answered all of his questions to his satisfaction and he said ‘That’s my house across the street. Ring the bell. My wife is called Yael. You will like her; she is a good woman. Come and visit.’ I recognized this (culturally) as more of a ‘command’ than a ‘polite invite’, so on Wednesday I baked a cake and rang the bell…twice…no answer. Both relieved and disappointed at the same time, I came back home and put the cake in the freezer.
This Friday morning, I felt ‘that familiar nudge’ in my spirit. It was time to meet Yael. I got the cake out of the freezer and again crossed our narrow, one way street. This time there was an immediate response and I was met by a lively, lovely looking lady, not much younger than I. ‘Yael?’ I asked ‘I live across the street and your husband said that I should come and meet you.’ Arms wide open and a smile that lit up the sky, she welcomed me ‘Come in! Come in! I am happy that you came! You are welcome!’ I entered a beautiful and immaculate home with a huge table at its center and a kitchen that appeared to be overflowing with dishes being prepared, aromas that made eyes pop open! The view of the valley between us and Jerusalem lay before me and the warmth that flooded that home nearly knocked me over. Blessing upon blessing was heaped on to me along with a large bowl of kubbeh soup…not just ANY kubbeh soup mind you. What is kubbeh soup, some of you might ask? Well…you really have to taste the real thing. It’s a Kurdish Iraqi piece of art that can make or break a marriage…it is ‘the signature work’ of a fine woman. This was THE BEST kubbeh I have ever eaten! Kubbeh are spicy meat filled ‘dumplings’ in a sourish vegetable soup (either green or red). AT ANY RATE…I ‘understood’ (middle east style) that I had entered a ‘very special house’!
We began talking.
Although in 5 days I will mark 29 years since we made Aliyah, my Hebrew is far from eloquent and I often feel the lack of language skills. That was magnified when their oldest son (who popped by for kubbeh and talk) said to me ‘You don’t speak very good Hebrew you know.’ Yes…I know. But let me back up. I still am not sure of the husband’s name (I will call him ‘Abba’ because he is the Abba of the family) but I learned that they came to Israel from Iraq in 1951 and settled in Maoz Zion and never left. ‘Abba’ met Yael in high school when they were 15 and it was a match. They had 9 children (a daughter died 5 years ago) and have 26 (approximately) Grandchildren… and she cooks for them all. As we spoke, different adult children wandered in, gave hugs and kisses and grabbed bags of kubbeh and other delicacies for their Shabbat table. This was going on around us the entire time. Yael would say to them ‘This is our new neighbor. She lives across the street.’ She assessed the situation: ‘You are alone here at 77 starting over and don’t know the area. You are starting life all over…you are a widow of just over a year and your job is about to end…your children don’t live near…ok. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY! Come for Shabbat tonight…and every shabbat! And every day…and we have a wedding in August, you are coming with me…and here is my phone number if you don’t feel well in the night…God brought you to us so we are your family. We bless you.’ They meant it. Every word. This is the Jewish Kurdish culture HUGELY WARM!
I looked at the husband (‘Abba’) and he said ‘Did you know that there is an old folks home a few kilometers away? Sometimes people get confused and lost…you know how it is. I thought maybe that was your problem because I hadn’t seen you before. I thought maybe you were lost and I needed to bring you home.’ Well…if you EVER have any temptation toward pride, a word like THAT will humble you instantly! But you know what? It didn’t matter. One of the important lessons that I learned this year is that it’s ‘NOT ABOUT ME’ and if that is what it took to open this door…so be it.
I asked them if all of their children had stayed ‘in the country’ (meaning Israel) and ‘Abba’ looked sadly at me and said ‘No. One is in Haifa…another in Hadera…’ I love it!
I stayed for about an hour. It was amazing. It was not long enough for them (they couldn’t figure out why I left so soon) but keeping up a lively conversation in Hebrew tired me out. I do hope that I can maintain this relationship and that it will grow. I am finding that this year has been perhaps more stressful than I understood, and now is a new and different season and I must walk carefully…quietly…listen much.
Our younger daughter and her family have moved to a home that our son in law built on the Yishuv (the news media would call it a ‘settlement’) of Bat Ayin, which is near Hevron. It is a small rural village and they moved on Friday. It is not on the road system…not near buses, and our daughter, who is legally blind, doesn’t drive. They have 3 young daughters, Maya 9, Nuriah 6, and Odiya 1. Hinneni Adonai…another huge change. I do appreciate prayer for them…and for me, as they have been an important part of my daily life.
So, what does He have in store for me? I have found the road to the fortress (the Kastel) and am hoping to investigate it tomorrow. The Lord wastes NOTHING…this I know! Just as He had the disciples take up the left overs from the broken bread and fishes that He distributed, so NOTHING goes to waste in His kingdom and I wait to see what path lies ahead.
To my great surprise, I do find that I am thankful to be out of the city, EVEN THOUGH IT IS JERUSALEM. I have NEVER liked ‘cities’…but JERUSALEM? What a privilege! Not ‘a city’ but…JERUSALEM. However, the increased building reminds me (forgive me but it does!) of rape, and noise and anger and movement…and now here I am. The streets here are very narrow. People have told me that it reminds them of Greece. There are garbage barrels along side of recycling containers…and there is a ‘dog’ stand where plastic bags are given free to pick up after your dog. I mean…wow! How kind is that?!? Perhaps they do that in your neighborhood, but I haven’t seen it here before and I smile every time that I use one.
I am thankful to not have to listen to the constant demonstrations that are taking place against the Judicial reform. The anger and hatred and opinions grieve my heart. I think about the time that Yeshua walked in His flesh and the political corruption and injustice and sin that permeated the land at that time…the land was full of wickedness and wrong and was under the oppression of Roman rule…but that was NOT what Yeshua addressed. As I listen to believers arguing ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’ I remember the words of Leonard Ravenhill describing who was truly crucified in Him: “He has no rights, therefore he can not be wronged.” …there in lies true freedom. Oh how my people need HIM…need to see HIM…need to know HIM! How thankful I am that scripture PROMISES us in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” and yes, I BELIEVE Romans 9, 10 and the GREAT promises in 11…that it will be just as He has said and that HE WILL be glorified in this people (how the enemy will HATE that!) despite our rejection and blasphemy…if HE could save me, I have no doubt that He can save our entire people. There are seeds planted in this land for two thousand years that will suddenly smell the water and feel the heat of the sun (Son) and will begin to come to life beneath the soil where they have so long waited…seeds that were planted…seeds that will bring forth a full harvest…I am convinced that His Word will not go forth void!
Maybe some of you remember my description a number of years ago, of the Jericho Rose. It looks like a dead handful of brush and can lie dormant for years…but at the smell of water? LIFE!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” …for HIS glory!
Lovingly, your sister along the way.
PS – PLEASE…IF YOU ARE IN TOUCH WITH ME VIA WHATSAPP…PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE CORRECT PHONE NUMBER! When I changed to my Husband’s phone the number changed. MY ONLY PHONE NUMBER AND WHATSAPP NUMBER IS +972547477423
--
ani b'derek אני בדרך
“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord – The Messiah! - Who is worthy to be praised and glorified and served in spirit and in truth. May we be found in Him. May you be blessed and edified and may He alone be glorified!
How strange to be starting my second month outside of Jerusalem…in Maoz Zion -The Stronghold of Zion! Here I am Lord…what would You have me to do? It is a strange new world and I am, in fact, ‘alone’ and that, in itself, is strange after 50 years of serving family, friends, neighbors. Hineni Adonai! (Here am I Lord) There is no one to notice if I get up at all in the morning, or eat or go out…but I know that He does, and there is my little dog who needs to go for her walks and so…Hinneni Adonai. I present myself to You…search me and know me, try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. He does! We just keep walking.
I have a special and funny two part story.
A week ago Friday, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to take me food shopping when a man got into the car that I stood beside and asked me ‘Where are you going?’ I told him that I was going food shopping with a friend and that she was picking me up. He said ‘Call her and tell her that you have a ride and I will take you.’ I told him that I was looking forward to seeing my friend who would arrive any minute but thank you anyway. He persisted and began asking me who I was and where I was from and how long I would be living here and how much rent I was paying and if I was happy with the apartment. This might shoot up a red flag for most of you from western countries, but it’s really quite normal here, particularly in a Mizrachi neighborhood. I answered all of his questions to his satisfaction and he said ‘That’s my house across the street. Ring the bell. My wife is called Yael. You will like her; she is a good woman. Come and visit.’ I recognized this (culturally) as more of a ‘command’ than a ‘polite invite’, so on Wednesday I baked a cake and rang the bell…twice…no answer. Both relieved and disappointed at the same time, I came back home and put the cake in the freezer.
This Friday morning, I felt ‘that familiar nudge’ in my spirit. It was time to meet Yael. I got the cake out of the freezer and again crossed our narrow, one way street. This time there was an immediate response and I was met by a lively, lovely looking lady, not much younger than I. ‘Yael?’ I asked ‘I live across the street and your husband said that I should come and meet you.’ Arms wide open and a smile that lit up the sky, she welcomed me ‘Come in! Come in! I am happy that you came! You are welcome!’ I entered a beautiful and immaculate home with a huge table at its center and a kitchen that appeared to be overflowing with dishes being prepared, aromas that made eyes pop open! The view of the valley between us and Jerusalem lay before me and the warmth that flooded that home nearly knocked me over. Blessing upon blessing was heaped on to me along with a large bowl of kubbeh soup…not just ANY kubbeh soup mind you. What is kubbeh soup, some of you might ask? Well…you really have to taste the real thing. It’s a Kurdish Iraqi piece of art that can make or break a marriage…it is ‘the signature work’ of a fine woman. This was THE BEST kubbeh I have ever eaten! Kubbeh are spicy meat filled ‘dumplings’ in a sourish vegetable soup (either green or red). AT ANY RATE…I ‘understood’ (middle east style) that I had entered a ‘very special house’!
We began talking.
Although in 5 days I will mark 29 years since we made Aliyah, my Hebrew is far from eloquent and I often feel the lack of language skills. That was magnified when their oldest son (who popped by for kubbeh and talk) said to me ‘You don’t speak very good Hebrew you know.’ Yes…I know. But let me back up. I still am not sure of the husband’s name (I will call him ‘Abba’ because he is the Abba of the family) but I learned that they came to Israel from Iraq in 1951 and settled in Maoz Zion and never left. ‘Abba’ met Yael in high school when they were 15 and it was a match. They had 9 children (a daughter died 5 years ago) and have 26 (approximately) Grandchildren… and she cooks for them all. As we spoke, different adult children wandered in, gave hugs and kisses and grabbed bags of kubbeh and other delicacies for their Shabbat table. This was going on around us the entire time. Yael would say to them ‘This is our new neighbor. She lives across the street.’ She assessed the situation: ‘You are alone here at 77 starting over and don’t know the area. You are starting life all over…you are a widow of just over a year and your job is about to end…your children don’t live near…ok. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY! Come for Shabbat tonight…and every shabbat! And every day…and we have a wedding in August, you are coming with me…and here is my phone number if you don’t feel well in the night…God brought you to us so we are your family. We bless you.’ They meant it. Every word. This is the Jewish Kurdish culture HUGELY WARM!
I looked at the husband (‘Abba’) and he said ‘Did you know that there is an old folks home a few kilometers away? Sometimes people get confused and lost…you know how it is. I thought maybe that was your problem because I hadn’t seen you before. I thought maybe you were lost and I needed to bring you home.’ Well…if you EVER have any temptation toward pride, a word like THAT will humble you instantly! But you know what? It didn’t matter. One of the important lessons that I learned this year is that it’s ‘NOT ABOUT ME’ and if that is what it took to open this door…so be it.
I asked them if all of their children had stayed ‘in the country’ (meaning Israel) and ‘Abba’ looked sadly at me and said ‘No. One is in Haifa…another in Hadera…’ I love it!
I stayed for about an hour. It was amazing. It was not long enough for them (they couldn’t figure out why I left so soon) but keeping up a lively conversation in Hebrew tired me out. I do hope that I can maintain this relationship and that it will grow. I am finding that this year has been perhaps more stressful than I understood, and now is a new and different season and I must walk carefully…quietly…listen much.
Our younger daughter and her family have moved to a home that our son in law built on the Yishuv (the news media would call it a ‘settlement’) of Bat Ayin, which is near Hevron. It is a small rural village and they moved on Friday. It is not on the road system…not near buses, and our daughter, who is legally blind, doesn’t drive. They have 3 young daughters, Maya 9, Nuriah 6, and Odiya 1. Hinneni Adonai…another huge change. I do appreciate prayer for them…and for me, as they have been an important part of my daily life.
So, what does He have in store for me? I have found the road to the fortress (the Kastel) and am hoping to investigate it tomorrow. The Lord wastes NOTHING…this I know! Just as He had the disciples take up the left overs from the broken bread and fishes that He distributed, so NOTHING goes to waste in His kingdom and I wait to see what path lies ahead.
To my great surprise, I do find that I am thankful to be out of the city, EVEN THOUGH IT IS JERUSALEM. I have NEVER liked ‘cities’…but JERUSALEM? What a privilege! Not ‘a city’ but…JERUSALEM. However, the increased building reminds me (forgive me but it does!) of rape, and noise and anger and movement…and now here I am. The streets here are very narrow. People have told me that it reminds them of Greece. There are garbage barrels along side of recycling containers…and there is a ‘dog’ stand where plastic bags are given free to pick up after your dog. I mean…wow! How kind is that?!? Perhaps they do that in your neighborhood, but I haven’t seen it here before and I smile every time that I use one.
I am thankful to not have to listen to the constant demonstrations that are taking place against the Judicial reform. The anger and hatred and opinions grieve my heart. I think about the time that Yeshua walked in His flesh and the political corruption and injustice and sin that permeated the land at that time…the land was full of wickedness and wrong and was under the oppression of Roman rule…but that was NOT what Yeshua addressed. As I listen to believers arguing ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’ I remember the words of Leonard Ravenhill describing who was truly crucified in Him: “He has no rights, therefore he can not be wronged.” …there in lies true freedom. Oh how my people need HIM…need to see HIM…need to know HIM! How thankful I am that scripture PROMISES us in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” and yes, I BELIEVE Romans 9, 10 and the GREAT promises in 11…that it will be just as He has said and that HE WILL be glorified in this people (how the enemy will HATE that!) despite our rejection and blasphemy…if HE could save me, I have no doubt that He can save our entire people. There are seeds planted in this land for two thousand years that will suddenly smell the water and feel the heat of the sun (Son) and will begin to come to life beneath the soil where they have so long waited…seeds that were planted…seeds that will bring forth a full harvest…I am convinced that His Word will not go forth void!
Maybe some of you remember my description a number of years ago, of the Jericho Rose. It looks like a dead handful of brush and can lie dormant for years…but at the smell of water? LIFE!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” …for HIS glory!
Lovingly, your sister along the way.
PS – PLEASE…IF YOU ARE IN TOUCH WITH ME VIA WHATSAPP…PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE CORRECT PHONE NUMBER! When I changed to my Husband’s phone the number changed. MY ONLY PHONE NUMBER AND WHATSAPP NUMBER IS +972547477423
--
ani b'derek אני בדרך
- “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord – The Messiah! - Who is worthy to be praised and glorified and served in spirit and in truth. May we be found in Him. May you be blessed and edified and may He alone be glorified!
How strange to be starting my second month outside of Jerusalem…in Maoz Zion -The Stronghold of Zion! Here I am Lord…what would You have me to do? It is a strange new world and I am, in fact, ‘alone’ and that, in itself, is strange after 50 years of serving family, friends, neighbors. Hineni Adonai! (Here am I Lord) There is no one to notice if I get up at all in the morning, or eat or go out…but I know that He does, and there is my little dog who needs to go for her walks and so…Hinneni Adonai. I present myself to You…search me and know me, try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. He does! We just keep walking.
I have a special and funny two part story.
A week ago Friday, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to take me food shopping when a man got into the car that I stood beside and asked me ‘Where are you going?’ I told him that I was going food shopping with a friend and that she was picking me up. He said ‘Call her and tell her that you have a ride and I will take you.’ I told him that I was looking forward to seeing my friend who would arrive any minute but thank you anyway. He persisted and began asking me who I was and where I was from and how long I would be living here and how much rent I was paying and if I was happy with the apartment. This might shoot up a red flag for most of you from western countries, but it’s really quite normal here, particularly in a Mizrachi neighborhood. I answered all of his questions to his satisfaction and he said ‘That’s my house across the street. Ring the bell. My wife is called Yael. You will like her; she is a good woman. Come and visit.’ I recognized this (culturally) as more of a ‘command’ than a ‘polite invite’, so on Wednesday I baked a cake and rang the bell…twice…no answer. Both relieved and disappointed at the same time, I came back home and put the cake in the freezer.
This Friday morning, I felt ‘that familiar nudge’ in my spirit. It was time to meet Yael. I got the cake out of the freezer and again crossed our narrow, one way street. This time there was an immediate response and I was met by a lively, lovely looking lady, not much younger than I. ‘Yael?’ I asked ‘I live across the street and your husband said that I should come and meet you.’ Arms wide open and a smile that lit up the sky, she welcomed me ‘Come in! Come in! I am happy that you came! You are welcome!’ I entered a beautiful and immaculate home with a huge table at its center and a kitchen that appeared to be overflowing with dishes being prepared, aromas that made eyes pop open! The view of the valley between us and Jerusalem lay before me and the warmth that flooded that home nearly knocked me over. Blessing upon blessing was heaped on to me along with a large bowl of kubbeh soup…not just ANY kubbeh soup mind you. What is kubbeh soup, some of you might ask? Well…you really have to taste the real thing. It’s a Kurdish Iraqi piece of art that can make or break a marriage…it is ‘the signature work’ of a fine woman. This was THE BEST kubbeh I have ever eaten! Kubbeh are spicy meat filled ‘dumplings’ in a sourish vegetable soup (either green or red). AT ANY RATE…I ‘understood’ (middle east style) that I had entered a ‘very special house’!
We began talking.
Although in 5 days I will mark 29 years since we made Aliyah, my Hebrew is far from eloquent and I often feel the lack of language skills. That was magnified when their oldest son (who popped by for kubbeh and talk) said to me ‘You don’t speak very good Hebrew you know.’ Yes…I know. But let me back up. I still am not sure of the husband’s name (I will call him ‘Abba’ because he is the Abba of the family) but I learned that they came to Israel from Iraq in 1951 and settled in Maoz Zion and never left. ‘Abba’ met Yael in high school when they were 15 and it was a match. They had 9 children (a daughter died 5 years ago) and have 26 (approximately) Grandchildren… and she cooks for them all. As we spoke, different adult children wandered in, gave hugs and kisses and grabbed bags of kubbeh and other delicacies for their Shabbat table. This was going on around us the entire time. Yael would say to them ‘This is our new neighbor. She lives across the street.’ She assessed the situation: ‘You are alone here at 77 starting over and don’t know the area. You are starting life all over…you are a widow of just over a year and your job is about to end…your children don’t live near…ok. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY! Come for Shabbat tonight…and every shabbat! And every day…and we have a wedding in August, you are coming with me…and here is my phone number if you don’t feel well in the night…God brought you to us so we are your family. We bless you.’ They meant it. Every word. This is the Jewish Kurdish culture HUGELY WARM!
I looked at the husband (‘Abba’) and he said ‘Did you know that there is an old folks home a few kilometers away? Sometimes people get confused and lost…you know how it is. I thought maybe that was your problem because I hadn’t seen you before. I thought maybe you were lost and I needed to bring you home.’ Well…if you EVER have any temptation toward pride, a word like THAT will humble you instantly! But you know what? It didn’t matter. One of the important lessons that I learned this year is that it’s ‘NOT ABOUT ME’ and if that is what it took to open this door…so be it.
I asked them if all of their children had stayed ‘in the country’ (meaning Israel) and ‘Abba’ looked sadly at me and said ‘No. One is in Haifa…another in Hadera…’ I love it!
I stayed for about an hour. It was amazing. It was not long enough for them (they couldn’t figure out why I left so soon) but keeping up a lively conversation in Hebrew tired me out. I do hope that I can maintain this relationship and that it will grow. I am finding that this year has been perhaps more stressful than I understood, and now is a new and different season and I must walk carefully…quietly…listen much.
Our younger daughter and her family have moved to a home that our son in law built on the Yishuv (the news media would call it a ‘settlement’) of Bat Ayin, which is near Hevron. It is a small rural village and they moved on Friday. It is not on the road system…not near buses, and our daughter, who is legally blind, doesn’t drive. They have 3 young daughters, Maya 9, Nuriah 6, and Odiya 1. Hinneni Adonai…another huge change. I do appreciate prayer for them…and for me, as they have been an important part of my daily life.
So, what does He have in store for me? I have found the road to the fortress (the Kastel) and am hoping to investigate it tomorrow. The Lord wastes NOTHING…this I know! Just as He had the disciples take up the left overs from the broken bread and fishes that He distributed, so NOTHING goes to waste in His kingdom and I wait to see what path lies ahead.
To my great surprise, I do find that I am thankful to be out of the city, EVEN THOUGH IT IS JERUSALEM. I have NEVER liked ‘cities’…but JERUSALEM? What a privilege! Not ‘a city’ but…JERUSALEM. However, the increased building reminds me (forgive me but it does!) of rape, and noise and anger and movement…and now here I am. The streets here are very narrow. People have told me that it reminds them of Greece. There are garbage barrels along side of recycling containers…and there is a ‘dog’ stand where plastic bags are given free to pick up after your dog. I mean…wow! How kind is that?!? Perhaps they do that in your neighborhood, but I haven’t seen it here before and I smile every time that I use one.
I am thankful to not have to listen to the constant demonstrations that are taking place against the Judicial reform. The anger and hatred and opinions grieve my heart. I think about the time that Yeshua walked in His flesh and the political corruption and injustice and sin that permeated the land at that time…the land was full of wickedness and wrong and was under the oppression of Roman rule…but that was NOT what Yeshua addressed. As I listen to believers arguing ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’ I remember the words of Leonard Ravenhill describing who was truly crucified in Him: “He has no rights, therefore he can not be wronged.” …there in lies true freedom. Oh how my people need HIM…need to see HIM…need to know HIM! How thankful I am that scripture PROMISES us in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” and yes, I BELIEVE Romans 9, 10 and the GREAT promises in 11…that it will be just as He has said and that HE WILL be glorified in this people (how the enemy will HATE that!) despite our rejection and blasphemy…if HE could save me, I have no doubt that He can save our entire people. There are seeds planted in this land for two thousand years that will suddenly smell the water and feel the heat of the sun (Son) and will begin to come to life beneath the soil where they have so long waited…seeds that were planted…seeds that will bring forth a full harvest…I am convinced that His Word will not go forth void!
Maybe some of you remember my description a number of years ago, of the Jericho Rose. It looks like a dead handful of brush and can lie dormant for years…but at the smell of water? LIFE!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” …for HIS glory!
Lovingly, your sister along the way.
PS – PLEASE…IF YOU ARE IN TOUCH WITH ME VIA WHATSAPP…PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE CORRECT PHONE NUMBER! When I changed to my Husband’s phone the number changed. MY ONLY PHONE NUMBER AND WHATSAPP NUMBER IS +972547477423
--
ani b'derek אני בדרך
“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Yeshua, Jesus, our Lord – The Messiah! - Who is worthy to be praised and glorified and served in spirit and in truth. May we be found in Him. May you be blessed and edified and may He alone be glorified!
How strange to be starting my second month outside of Jerusalem…in Maoz Zion -The Stronghold of Zion! Here I am Lord…what would You have me to do? It is a strange new world and I am, in fact, ‘alone’ and that, in itself, is strange after 50 years of serving family, friends, neighbors. Hineni Adonai! (Here am I Lord) There is no one to notice if I get up at all in the morning, or eat or go out…but I know that He does, and there is my little dog who needs to go for her walks and so…Hinneni Adonai. I present myself to You…search me and know me, try my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. He does! We just keep walking.
I have a special and funny two part story.
A week ago Friday, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to take me food shopping when a man got into the car that I stood beside and asked me ‘Where are you going?’ I told him that I was going food shopping with a friend and that she was picking me up. He said ‘Call her and tell her that you have a ride and I will take you.’ I told him that I was looking forward to seeing my friend who would arrive any minute but thank you anyway. He persisted and began asking me who I was and where I was from and how long I would be living here and how much rent I was paying and if I was happy with the apartment. This might shoot up a red flag for most of you from western countries, but it’s really quite normal here, particularly in a Mizrachi neighborhood. I answered all of his questions to his satisfaction and he said ‘That’s my house across the street. Ring the bell. My wife is called Yael. You will like her; she is a good woman. Come and visit.’ I recognized this (culturally) as more of a ‘command’ than a ‘polite invite’, so on Wednesday I baked a cake and rang the bell…twice…no answer. Both relieved and disappointed at the same time, I came back home and put the cake in the freezer.
This Friday morning, I felt ‘that familiar nudge’ in my spirit. It was time to meet Yael. I got the cake out of the freezer and again crossed our narrow, one way street. This time there was an immediate response and I was met by a lively, lovely looking lady, not much younger than I. ‘Yael?’ I asked ‘I live across the street and your husband said that I should come and meet you.’ Arms wide open and a smile that lit up the sky, she welcomed me ‘Come in! Come in! I am happy that you came! You are welcome!’ I entered a beautiful and immaculate home with a huge table at its center and a kitchen that appeared to be overflowing with dishes being prepared, aromas that made eyes pop open! The view of the valley between us and Jerusalem lay before me and the warmth that flooded that home nearly knocked me over. Blessing upon blessing was heaped on to me along with a large bowl of kubbeh soup…not just ANY kubbeh soup mind you. What is kubbeh soup, some of you might ask? Well…you really have to taste the real thing. It’s a Kurdish Iraqi piece of art that can make or break a marriage…it is ‘the signature work’ of a fine woman. This was THE BEST kubbeh I have ever eaten! Kubbeh are spicy meat filled ‘dumplings’ in a sourish vegetable soup (either green or red). AT ANY RATE…I ‘understood’ (middle east style) that I had entered a ‘very special house’!
We began talking.
Although in 5 days I will mark 29 years since we made Aliyah, my Hebrew is far from eloquent and I often feel the lack of language skills. That was magnified when their oldest son (who popped by for kubbeh and talk) said to me ‘You don’t speak very good Hebrew you know.’ Yes…I know. But let me back up. I still am not sure of the husband’s name (I will call him ‘Abba’ because he is the Abba of the family) but I learned that they came to Israel from Iraq in 1951 and settled in Maoz Zion and never left. ‘Abba’ met Yael in high school when they were 15 and it was a match. They had 9 children (a daughter died 5 years ago) and have 26 (approximately) Grandchildren… and she cooks for them all. As we spoke, different adult children wandered in, gave hugs and kisses and grabbed bags of kubbeh and other delicacies for their Shabbat table. This was going on around us the entire time. Yael would say to them ‘This is our new neighbor. She lives across the street.’ She assessed the situation: ‘You are alone here at 77 starting over and don’t know the area. You are starting life all over…you are a widow of just over a year and your job is about to end…your children don’t live near…ok. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY! Come for Shabbat tonight…and every shabbat! And every day…and we have a wedding in August, you are coming with me…and here is my phone number if you don’t feel well in the night…God brought you to us so we are your family. We bless you.’ They meant it. Every word. This is the Jewish Kurdish culture HUGELY WARM!
I looked at the husband (‘Abba’) and he said ‘Did you know that there is an old folks home a few kilometers away? Sometimes people get confused and lost…you know how it is. I thought maybe that was your problem because I hadn’t seen you before. I thought maybe you were lost and I needed to bring you home.’ Well…if you EVER have any temptation toward pride, a word like THAT will humble you instantly! But you know what? It didn’t matter. One of the important lessons that I learned this year is that it’s ‘NOT ABOUT ME’ and if that is what it took to open this door…so be it.
I asked them if all of their children had stayed ‘in the country’ (meaning Israel) and ‘Abba’ looked sadly at me and said ‘No. One is in Haifa…another in Hadera…’ I love it!
I stayed for about an hour. It was amazing. It was not long enough for them (they couldn’t figure out why I left so soon) but keeping up a lively conversation in Hebrew tired me out. I do hope that I can maintain this relationship and that it will grow. I am finding that this year has been perhaps more stressful than I understood, and now is a new and different season and I must walk carefully…quietly…listen much.
Our younger daughter and her family have moved to a home that our son in law built on the Yishuv (the news media would call it a ‘settlement’) of Bat Ayin, which is near Hevron. It is a small rural village and they moved on Friday. It is not on the road system…not near buses, and our daughter, who is legally blind, doesn’t drive. They have 3 young daughters, Maya 9, Nuriah 6, and Odiya 1. Hinneni Adonai…another huge change. I do appreciate prayer for them…and for me, as they have been an important part of my daily life.
So, what does He have in store for me? I have found the road to the fortress (the Kastel) and am hoping to investigate it tomorrow. The Lord wastes NOTHING…this I know! Just as He had the disciples take up the left overs from the broken bread and fishes that He distributed, so NOTHING goes to waste in His kingdom and I wait to see what path lies ahead.
To my great surprise, I do find that I am thankful to be out of the city, EVEN THOUGH IT IS JERUSALEM. I have NEVER liked ‘cities’…but JERUSALEM? What a privilege! Not ‘a city’ but…JERUSALEM. However, the increased building reminds me (forgive me but it does!) of rape, and noise and anger and movement…and now here I am. The streets here are very narrow. People have told me that it reminds them of Greece. There are garbage barrels along side of recycling containers…and there is a ‘dog’ stand where plastic bags are given free to pick up after your dog. I mean…wow! How kind is that?!? Perhaps they do that in your neighborhood, but I haven’t seen it here before and I smile every time that I use one.
I am thankful to not have to listen to the constant demonstrations that are taking place against the Judicial reform. The anger and hatred and opinions grieve my heart. I think about the time that Yeshua walked in His flesh and the political corruption and injustice and sin that permeated the land at that time…the land was full of wickedness and wrong and was under the oppression of Roman rule…but that was NOT what Yeshua addressed. As I listen to believers arguing ‘rights’ and ‘freedoms’ I remember the words of Leonard Ravenhill describing who was truly crucified in Him: “He has no rights, therefore he can not be wronged.” …there in lies true freedom. Oh how my people need HIM…need to see HIM…need to know HIM! How thankful I am that scripture PROMISES us in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” and yes, I BELIEVE Romans 9, 10 and the GREAT promises in 11…that it will be just as He has said and that HE WILL be glorified in this people (how the enemy will HATE that!) despite our rejection and blasphemy…if HE could save me, I have no doubt that He can save our entire people. There are seeds planted in this land for two thousand years that will suddenly smell the water and feel the heat of the sun (Son) and will begin to come to life beneath the soil where they have so long waited…seeds that were planted…seeds that will bring forth a full harvest…I am convinced that His Word will not go forth void!
Maybe some of you remember my description a number of years ago, of the Jericho Rose. It looks like a dead handful of brush and can lie dormant for years…but at the smell of water? LIFE!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” …for HIS glory!
Lovingly, your sister along the way.
PS – PLEASE…IF YOU ARE IN TOUCH WITH ME VIA WHATSAPP…PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE CORRECT PHONE NUMBER! When I changed to my Husband’s phone the number changed. MY ONLY PHONE NUMBER AND WHATSAPP NUMBER IS +972547477423
--
ani b'derek אני בדרך- “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:6-7
June 19, 2023
“And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself. Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.” Leviticus 16:11-13
Greetings in The Name of Yeshua, that Precious and Holy Name. May He be blessed. May He be glorified, and may He be seen and obeyed. May you be blessed and drawn to Him; strengthened and warmed in His Presence as you draw near to Him in His Word and way. May this letter somehow encourage you.
It is my third Shabbat in my new home, and the first one that I spent on my own. Here I am Lord…hinneni…הינני in Hebrew. I didn’t expect to write another letter so soon, but they write themselves…they are not something that I plan. It is so wonderfully quiet here, even silent on Shabbat. It is quite hot today but the wind is blowing, and even though it is such a dry wind, it feels good. How wonderful the way that The Lord created things…the wind that we take for granted or are even annoyed and chilled by…look at how it pollinates, and blows the dust around, how it moves the air and shakes the leaves. How oppressive it can be when there is no wind. I say that even as a person who spent so many years in frozen Bristol Bay Alaska where they say ‘the winds are born’, often driving icy blasts of far above 80 mph freezing inside walls in the house…and yet…the wind! Another expression of His gifts to us and of Who He IS.
I am learning daily about my unfamiliar area, learning things that I didn’t know…meeting people and situations brand new to me. I’ve often mentioned over the years the names of the streets in Jerusalem. It was fun to be reading in my morning devotions and walk down the streets named for the Kings and the Prophets that I had just read about. It was good fodder for prayer. When riding the bus, the names would ring out: Jeremiah, Asa, I walked down King Hezekiah Street, Joshua benNun, Jehosaphat...even King Amatzia Street.
I smile at the differences that I find now. I was not prepared for the dramatic difference that I feel coming up to Jerusalem from just 15 minutes away. What am I here for Lord? Every time the bus enters Jerusalem, the amount of stress that I feel surprises me, and the peace that I feel coming back home is such a gift.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect by any means. That will be heaven…this is earth and the challenges will remain for us to choose how we will respond.
More and more I see events of great import swirling around me and feel as if I am less and less a part of them but I sense a deeper call to focus on His kingdom…every whisper echoes ‘How do YOU see this?’ I read a small line in the news the other day about a budding alliance being formed between Cuba and Iran. A ‘red alert’ went off in my head ‘significant’…but…immediately I felt ‘Look to Me and I will show you where to ‘file’ this one.’ So, I did…and I have such peace in trusting that He Who has created the world and all that is in it and time itself and this people for His glory knows what He is doing and I am just so certain of that…and even more than that I seem to have an urgent sense of His Holiness and the fact that we had BETTER get this right!
I suddenly though back this morning to a time when I was first saved. I was wondering before Him about my journey and how I got here and where I was and He began to remind me of the earliest obediences that He required of me. He had to conquer me…He is Able…and in His mercy He is willing, praise God!
I was saved as a hippie; we owned nothing. It was part of our identity. We were NOT ‘materialistic’! The first week that I was saved I was at a meeting for new believers where tithing was taught. That was easy! He could have EVERYTHING that I had…albeit, I had NOTHING…but a welfare check for disability of 80USD monthly (yes, monthly) plus food stamps. I laughed outloud and told Him (really I did… What chutzpa!) ‘Oh, that must be for materialistic people. I am not. You can just have it all.’ I can hear His answer to this day: ‘I am not commanding ‘it all’…I AM commanding 10% of what you receive.’ It was so strong…so my answer was ‘Yes Sir!’ I obeyed (even though I was snickering), however the lesson continued when my welfare check (thankfully one of the last ones that I ever got!) came in and I promptly cashed it and lost the entire thing. ‘Ooops! Ok Lord. Here I am! He supplied in the ways that only God can…He got my attention and I learned a lesson; ‘Yes Lord. I will do it Your way.’
It wasn’t long after that I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to cut off my long, thick hair…another strong part of my ‘identity’…my ‘pride’…’Get rid of it…it draws attention to you…I want you to cut it all off…’ I promptly ‘rebuked the devil’ and self righteously showed Him the scriptures in His Book that spoke to the right place of long hair on women… Well, THAT didn’t go over well and I was severely chastened in my spirit until 3 days later I went and got my hair cut off. When I did, The Lord reminded me that my very first act of outward rebellion toward my Mother was to refuse to go for a haircut that she had scheduled for me when I was about 12. I ended up hitting her. He does not forget…and He does all things well…requiring at our hands, full repentance. I am deeply thankful for that! And I am thankful that He also provides the grace to obey, for without that obedience there is no ultimate victory…may He constantly so work in my heart. HIS HOLINESS...How He is impressing it upon my heart.
So, yes…here in Israel, many big things are happening. Around us pieces move into place for big battles and the final solutions of man…BUT GOD WILL WRAP UP HIS WORK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS! HE IS ABLE.
I got a call from the old friend who’s home we were at for our first Shabbat here. ‘There is a family of believers a few doors away from you who have 5 daughters. The 3 older ones are 15, 14 and 13 and I’m sure that they would love to run errands for you.’ Look how He is providing!
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I wrote the above on Shabbat before leaving for Kehila (Fellowship), but rather than continue from that point, I could barely wait to share with you about today. Well…that means skipping over the forest fire yesterday that sealed off all of the roads to Mevaseret (thankfully it was put out) and only mentioning a big red flag…the heaviest fighting in Jenin in 2o years…Jenin…the scorpion den of terror in our land…the hot bed…Perhaps some of you read a book that I sent out 20 years ago to those who asked called ‘A Psalm For Jenin’…Jenin. This is a red flag for sure. I'm skipping these...
But…today I went for a long walk!
The Lord has truly answered prayer, none the less I am flesh and blood as well as spirit…like each of you…striving to rise above the circumstances and to live in His kingdom…to drink His cup and to take His path… but I am very weak in my own self. It has been a hard year…traumatic…and I find myself alone in an unfamiliar place … all new… and yes, He IS (really!) enough, but I have to guard myself against the sudden onslaught of ‘alone and vulnerable.’ Particularly if my body is not feeling well.
This morning I took HIS way and I ignored my ‘feelings’ and went out to explore. It was a BEAUTIFUL day; one of those rare cool cloudy days with a lovely wind. Last time I walked, I went to the right, so this time I went to the left. I was instantly bedazzled…surrounded by deep greens and infant fruit, both in the bud and miniature examples of what would come: I tried to remember but there is no way that I can name them all! Grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, lemon, lime, dates, almonds, shesek, peaches, plums, apricots, all manner of herbs and flowers…I could barely contain myself.
I decided to make a left on ‘the wide street’ called ‘ha hotzvim’ or the quarry road. It took me into a different part of town where the construction is going on…just like in Jerusalem…tall modern edifices…not inviting to my way of thinking. I kept walking, exploring, passing restaurants and shops that I would need to know about perhaps. Before I came to the main construction area, I passed through a valley that took my breath away. Before me lay a vast, open view of …I’m not sure what. I THINK I saw Ein Kerem (where John Baptist was born) because I could see the huge gold domes of the Russian Orthodox church shining in the sun…but perhaps it was another church? I could see the towers growing in Jerusalem, the full vista of the Jerusalem Forest all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea…I stood letting the expanse wash over me. All of God’s promises concerning this land and this people…’How do You want me to pray? To walk? To live?’ Here, where so many battles were fought for Jerusalem…a pivotal spot; may I have a hearing heart.
A new path.
His strength crept in.
I walked for 3 hours, enjoying each step, feeling the fears and doubts leach out and being replaced by things I know not.
I still have not solved the problem of how to shop, since I can’t carry anything nor even use a backpack or purse around my neck, so I stopped in to the two local ‘not so supers’ on the way home. They, by nature, would be more expensive, but the larger, less expensive markets here will now only do delivery if you order ‘online’ and I don’t. I asked the owner if they deliver and he said yes, but only if I bought more than 300 shekels worth. I told him that I lived alone and wouldn’t be able to do that and the woman who was packing up her groceries turned to me and said ‘Come! I’m happy to take you shopping once or twice a month! Here’s my phone number. Just call me when you want to shop!’ The owner smiled and said ‘She’s really nice. Go for it!’
I did the right thing today. Slowly we learn to follow His leading, eh? Three wonderful hours I breathed in the new. I have no idea what lies ahead or how it will look, but then I remember the old Muckleshoot Indian man in who’s house I lived during the 1960s laughing and saying to me; ‘Men make plans and lay them out like cheese for the mice to come and eat.’ None of us knows what lies ahead, but how wonderful to be secure in trusting The One Who does.
May His Peace prevail in your hearts today and may His Spirit lead you, and me, into all the Truth that He has for us. May He fill us with His Holy Spirit and His Spirit of discernment and keep us from deception in these days that we live in.
May The Lord be glorified and may you be blessed.
Lovingly,
Your sister
EDITOR'S NOTE: All personal information was removed.
“And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself. Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.” Leviticus 16:11-13
Greetings in The Name of Yeshua, that Precious and Holy Name. May He be blessed. May He be glorified, and may He be seen and obeyed. May you be blessed and drawn to Him; strengthened and warmed in His Presence as you draw near to Him in His Word and way. May this letter somehow encourage you.
It is my third Shabbat in my new home, and the first one that I spent on my own. Here I am Lord…hinneni…הינני in Hebrew. I didn’t expect to write another letter so soon, but they write themselves…they are not something that I plan. It is so wonderfully quiet here, even silent on Shabbat. It is quite hot today but the wind is blowing, and even though it is such a dry wind, it feels good. How wonderful the way that The Lord created things…the wind that we take for granted or are even annoyed and chilled by…look at how it pollinates, and blows the dust around, how it moves the air and shakes the leaves. How oppressive it can be when there is no wind. I say that even as a person who spent so many years in frozen Bristol Bay Alaska where they say ‘the winds are born’, often driving icy blasts of far above 80 mph freezing inside walls in the house…and yet…the wind! Another expression of His gifts to us and of Who He IS.
I am learning daily about my unfamiliar area, learning things that I didn’t know…meeting people and situations brand new to me. I’ve often mentioned over the years the names of the streets in Jerusalem. It was fun to be reading in my morning devotions and walk down the streets named for the Kings and the Prophets that I had just read about. It was good fodder for prayer. When riding the bus, the names would ring out: Jeremiah, Asa, I walked down King Hezekiah Street, Joshua benNun, Jehosaphat...even King Amatzia Street.
I smile at the differences that I find now. I was not prepared for the dramatic difference that I feel coming up to Jerusalem from just 15 minutes away. What am I here for Lord? Every time the bus enters Jerusalem, the amount of stress that I feel surprises me, and the peace that I feel coming back home is such a gift.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect by any means. That will be heaven…this is earth and the challenges will remain for us to choose how we will respond.
More and more I see events of great import swirling around me and feel as if I am less and less a part of them but I sense a deeper call to focus on His kingdom…every whisper echoes ‘How do YOU see this?’ I read a small line in the news the other day about a budding alliance being formed between Cuba and Iran. A ‘red alert’ went off in my head ‘significant’…but…immediately I felt ‘Look to Me and I will show you where to ‘file’ this one.’ So, I did…and I have such peace in trusting that He Who has created the world and all that is in it and time itself and this people for His glory knows what He is doing and I am just so certain of that…and even more than that I seem to have an urgent sense of His Holiness and the fact that we had BETTER get this right!
I suddenly though back this morning to a time when I was first saved. I was wondering before Him about my journey and how I got here and where I was and He began to remind me of the earliest obediences that He required of me. He had to conquer me…He is Able…and in His mercy He is willing, praise God!
I was saved as a hippie; we owned nothing. It was part of our identity. We were NOT ‘materialistic’! The first week that I was saved I was at a meeting for new believers where tithing was taught. That was easy! He could have EVERYTHING that I had…albeit, I had NOTHING…but a welfare check for disability of 80USD monthly (yes, monthly) plus food stamps. I laughed outloud and told Him (really I did… What chutzpa!) ‘Oh, that must be for materialistic people. I am not. You can just have it all.’ I can hear His answer to this day: ‘I am not commanding ‘it all’…I AM commanding 10% of what you receive.’ It was so strong…so my answer was ‘Yes Sir!’ I obeyed (even though I was snickering), however the lesson continued when my welfare check (thankfully one of the last ones that I ever got!) came in and I promptly cashed it and lost the entire thing. ‘Ooops! Ok Lord. Here I am! He supplied in the ways that only God can…He got my attention and I learned a lesson; ‘Yes Lord. I will do it Your way.’
It wasn’t long after that I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to cut off my long, thick hair…another strong part of my ‘identity’…my ‘pride’…’Get rid of it…it draws attention to you…I want you to cut it all off…’ I promptly ‘rebuked the devil’ and self righteously showed Him the scriptures in His Book that spoke to the right place of long hair on women… Well, THAT didn’t go over well and I was severely chastened in my spirit until 3 days later I went and got my hair cut off. When I did, The Lord reminded me that my very first act of outward rebellion toward my Mother was to refuse to go for a haircut that she had scheduled for me when I was about 12. I ended up hitting her. He does not forget…and He does all things well…requiring at our hands, full repentance. I am deeply thankful for that! And I am thankful that He also provides the grace to obey, for without that obedience there is no ultimate victory…may He constantly so work in my heart. HIS HOLINESS...How He is impressing it upon my heart.
So, yes…here in Israel, many big things are happening. Around us pieces move into place for big battles and the final solutions of man…BUT GOD WILL WRAP UP HIS WORK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS! HE IS ABLE.
I got a call from the old friend who’s home we were at for our first Shabbat here. ‘There is a family of believers a few doors away from you who have 5 daughters. The 3 older ones are 15, 14 and 13 and I’m sure that they would love to run errands for you.’ Look how He is providing!
----------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote the above on Shabbat before leaving for Kehila (Fellowship), but rather than continue from that point, I could barely wait to share with you about today. Well…that means skipping over the forest fire yesterday that sealed off all of the roads to Mevaseret (thankfully it was put out) and only mentioning a big red flag…the heaviest fighting in Jenin in 2o years…Jenin…the scorpion den of terror in our land…the hot bed…Perhaps some of you read a book that I sent out 20 years ago to those who asked called ‘A Psalm For Jenin’…Jenin. This is a red flag for sure. I'm skipping these...
But…today I went for a long walk!
The Lord has truly answered prayer, none the less I am flesh and blood as well as spirit…like each of you…striving to rise above the circumstances and to live in His kingdom…to drink His cup and to take His path… but I am very weak in my own self. It has been a hard year…traumatic…and I find myself alone in an unfamiliar place … all new… and yes, He IS (really!) enough, but I have to guard myself against the sudden onslaught of ‘alone and vulnerable.’ Particularly if my body is not feeling well.
This morning I took HIS way and I ignored my ‘feelings’ and went out to explore. It was a BEAUTIFUL day; one of those rare cool cloudy days with a lovely wind. Last time I walked, I went to the right, so this time I went to the left. I was instantly bedazzled…surrounded by deep greens and infant fruit, both in the bud and miniature examples of what would come: I tried to remember but there is no way that I can name them all! Grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, lemon, lime, dates, almonds, shesek, peaches, plums, apricots, all manner of herbs and flowers…I could barely contain myself.
I decided to make a left on ‘the wide street’ called ‘ha hotzvim’ or the quarry road. It took me into a different part of town where the construction is going on…just like in Jerusalem…tall modern edifices…not inviting to my way of thinking. I kept walking, exploring, passing restaurants and shops that I would need to know about perhaps. Before I came to the main construction area, I passed through a valley that took my breath away. Before me lay a vast, open view of …I’m not sure what. I THINK I saw Ein Kerem (where John Baptist was born) because I could see the huge gold domes of the Russian Orthodox church shining in the sun…but perhaps it was another church? I could see the towers growing in Jerusalem, the full vista of the Jerusalem Forest all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea…I stood letting the expanse wash over me. All of God’s promises concerning this land and this people…’How do You want me to pray? To walk? To live?’ Here, where so many battles were fought for Jerusalem…a pivotal spot; may I have a hearing heart.
A new path.
His strength crept in.
I walked for 3 hours, enjoying each step, feeling the fears and doubts leach out and being replaced by things I know not.
I still have not solved the problem of how to shop, since I can’t carry anything nor even use a backpack or purse around my neck, so I stopped in to the two local ‘not so supers’ on the way home. They, by nature, would be more expensive, but the larger, less expensive markets here will now only do delivery if you order ‘online’ and I don’t. I asked the owner if they deliver and he said yes, but only if I bought more than 300 shekels worth. I told him that I lived alone and wouldn’t be able to do that and the woman who was packing up her groceries turned to me and said ‘Come! I’m happy to take you shopping once or twice a month! Here’s my phone number. Just call me when you want to shop!’ The owner smiled and said ‘She’s really nice. Go for it!’
I did the right thing today. Slowly we learn to follow His leading, eh? Three wonderful hours I breathed in the new. I have no idea what lies ahead or how it will look, but then I remember the old Muckleshoot Indian man in who’s house I lived during the 1960s laughing and saying to me; ‘Men make plans and lay them out like cheese for the mice to come and eat.’ None of us knows what lies ahead, but how wonderful to be secure in trusting The One Who does.
May His Peace prevail in your hearts today and may His Spirit lead you, and me, into all the Truth that He has for us. May He fill us with His Holy Spirit and His Spirit of discernment and keep us from deception in these days that we live in.
May The Lord be glorified and may you be blessed.
Lovingly,
Your sister
EDITOR'S NOTE: All personal information was removed.
June 10, 2023
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen trousers he shall put on his body, and take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.”
Leviticus 6:8-13, Leviticus 9:5-24, Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 16:13, Hebrews 9:11-15
“THIS CUP TOO IS FROM MY HAND! WILL YOU TAKE IT AND DRINK IT AND WILL YOU GIVE ME PRAISE?”
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters…greetings with love and blessing, in The Name above all names, Yeshua, our Messiah, our Lord and our King. May you be strengthened and encouraged to run the course all the way for His glory Alone. May the knowledge of His Word be enough to sustain you when the sky seems to be steel and His Presence is not sensed…may the knowledge of His absolute faithfulness be enough to light your way through the darkest of nights and sustain you with hope in Him where there appears no hope at all. MAY HE ALONE BE GLORIFIED AND BLESSED. May we be before Him a sweet smelling aroma, even if it be from the fire. LOVING GREETINGS TO YOU ALL.
This is the first letter that I’m writing from my new home. I THANK YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEART FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND ENCOURAGEMENT. I felt so surrounded by the loving care of the body!
It has been a year…and I have learned…I pray that I have learned and do not grow slack as I become distanced from the intensity of the year. First…Eric went. Then, a broken arm…then bad covid…then being told that I had to find a new place to live…and my job will be ending at the end of September.
As the date came closer for me to be out of our apartment, I KNEW that The Lord had a place for me, none the less I would wake up in a panic. I would pray and worship and sing and pray more. I would quote His wonderful promises which I believe, and the panic would continue. I would stand in the night knowing that this time would pass. I believe that it was standing in those nights that was important. I don’t understand it…but I somehow ‘KNOW’ it. The battles are fought in the utter blackness of the night when we cling to Him and will not let Him go and beg Him not to let go of us. I know that you all have been there…for we walk the same path…the path of the cross. I have learned that I need to let go of the rudder in the storm. I have learned that it is NOT about me, but about Him. I have learned that it is not my will but His that MUST be done. I have learned that to ‘wait’ is hard when I ‘NEED’ to act, but if He says ‘wait’, it is the ONLY way to obey. And most recently I have learned that the cup that comes to me IS from His Hand and yes, I will take it and drink it and give Him praise and glory.
I have lived in Jerusalem for 28 years and 11 months. I now live in a different world!
Jerusalem is unique in the entire earth, and it has been only a privilege to live there…to stand there… to be His Light; salt in the midst, if even in a small way I have walked in the midst of His people…Jerusalem. To say that it has not been intense and exhausting would be a lie, but I thoroughly expected that I would end my days there…in the midst of Jerusalem.
Our God has brought me into a wide place…a peaceful place…He has led me out, to lead me in.
My new place is like living on a Moshav although I am (thanks to our new, state of the art tunnels) only a harrowing 15 minute bus ride from the central bus station, where I catch my bus to work. I feel as if I am living in an old Israeli movie. It is a wonderful and humorous learning curve. It is laughter and peace. I have been here for a week…so I know that I won’t be on this mountain top forever, but for now I can only be overwhelmed by wordless praise.
Let’s see: Yesterday it rained. It doesn’t rain on the 9th of June in Israel. (Israel= Summer no rain…winter monsoons) Thunder and lightning displayed His power over the forest that I see from in front of my home. What joy!
My daughter and several friends from Kehila came and cleaned the new apartment and received the boxes, setting up the apartment and making it home when I arrived from wrapping up the apartment in Beit h’Kerem. Beit h’Kerem means house of the vineyard. I now live on Kramim…which means; MANY VINEYARDS! I am excited to see what this increase means.
Last night I was alone for the first time and the landlords invited me up to a shabbat dinner with guests from Finland and Russia and we gathered around the piano and sang with guitars…praises to The Lord and I stood in wonder at that The Lord has done!
‘This cup too is from My Hand…will you drink it and give Me praise?’ That was what I heard in my heart when I got sick and was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago, and still had NO IDEA where I would be living…the day before this place came up. I though ‘How can I be sick and, in the hospital, NOW? I simply can NOT!’…and I felt His Presence asking me if I would drink even THIS cup if it was from His Hand…because it was. I was finishing up reading Job and though about all of the ‘cups’ that don’t seem to reconcile themselves with the ‘beautiful’ promises that we like to (often?) pull out of context perhaps (?) and wrap ourselves in – but here I was ‘naked’- wrapped in the old hymn ‘He Leadeth Me’ playing constantly in my head. He was saying that He Leadeth Me…even to THIS CUP. Would I drink it and praise Him? I thought of the verse where Yeshua said in John 13:7 “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
YES, LORD. For what other answer will we give The Creator…The God of all the universe?
In all honesty…I feel as if I have been in a dream for this past year and this is all part of it. I am being carried through and I have no words to praise Him Who has been so faithful through it all. I pray to retain what I have been learning. I know how everyday little things can rob me of His gold…and I don’t want that.
It is almost midnight here and this letter is such a mishmash and I am too tired to read it and see if it even makes sense, but I’m more concerned about thanking you all for standing with me through this that having some sort of well crafted writing. I want you to see where I live and to know that He has been faithful…but ofcourse…you knew that because what else can He be but Himself…FAITHFUL!
Thank you! ALL glory to God. May we bring Him glory and finish the work that He gave us to do.
Loving blessings!
Your sister
EDITORS NOTE: Personal references have been deleted from this letter.
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen trousers he shall put on his body, and take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.”
Leviticus 6:8-13, Leviticus 9:5-24, Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 16:13, Hebrews 9:11-15
“THIS CUP TOO IS FROM MY HAND! WILL YOU TAKE IT AND DRINK IT AND WILL YOU GIVE ME PRAISE?”
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters…greetings with love and blessing, in The Name above all names, Yeshua, our Messiah, our Lord and our King. May you be strengthened and encouraged to run the course all the way for His glory Alone. May the knowledge of His Word be enough to sustain you when the sky seems to be steel and His Presence is not sensed…may the knowledge of His absolute faithfulness be enough to light your way through the darkest of nights and sustain you with hope in Him where there appears no hope at all. MAY HE ALONE BE GLORIFIED AND BLESSED. May we be before Him a sweet smelling aroma, even if it be from the fire. LOVING GREETINGS TO YOU ALL.
This is the first letter that I’m writing from my new home. I THANK YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEART FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND ENCOURAGEMENT. I felt so surrounded by the loving care of the body!
It has been a year…and I have learned…I pray that I have learned and do not grow slack as I become distanced from the intensity of the year. First…Eric went. Then, a broken arm…then bad covid…then being told that I had to find a new place to live…and my job will be ending at the end of September.
As the date came closer for me to be out of our apartment, I KNEW that The Lord had a place for me, none the less I would wake up in a panic. I would pray and worship and sing and pray more. I would quote His wonderful promises which I believe, and the panic would continue. I would stand in the night knowing that this time would pass. I believe that it was standing in those nights that was important. I don’t understand it…but I somehow ‘KNOW’ it. The battles are fought in the utter blackness of the night when we cling to Him and will not let Him go and beg Him not to let go of us. I know that you all have been there…for we walk the same path…the path of the cross. I have learned that I need to let go of the rudder in the storm. I have learned that it is NOT about me, but about Him. I have learned that it is not my will but His that MUST be done. I have learned that to ‘wait’ is hard when I ‘NEED’ to act, but if He says ‘wait’, it is the ONLY way to obey. And most recently I have learned that the cup that comes to me IS from His Hand and yes, I will take it and drink it and give Him praise and glory.
I have lived in Jerusalem for 28 years and 11 months. I now live in a different world!
Jerusalem is unique in the entire earth, and it has been only a privilege to live there…to stand there… to be His Light; salt in the midst, if even in a small way I have walked in the midst of His people…Jerusalem. To say that it has not been intense and exhausting would be a lie, but I thoroughly expected that I would end my days there…in the midst of Jerusalem.
Our God has brought me into a wide place…a peaceful place…He has led me out, to lead me in.
My new place is like living on a Moshav although I am (thanks to our new, state of the art tunnels) only a harrowing 15 minute bus ride from the central bus station, where I catch my bus to work. I feel as if I am living in an old Israeli movie. It is a wonderful and humorous learning curve. It is laughter and peace. I have been here for a week…so I know that I won’t be on this mountain top forever, but for now I can only be overwhelmed by wordless praise.
Let’s see: Yesterday it rained. It doesn’t rain on the 9th of June in Israel. (Israel= Summer no rain…winter monsoons) Thunder and lightning displayed His power over the forest that I see from in front of my home. What joy!
My daughter and several friends from Kehila came and cleaned the new apartment and received the boxes, setting up the apartment and making it home when I arrived from wrapping up the apartment in Beit h’Kerem. Beit h’Kerem means house of the vineyard. I now live on Kramim…which means; MANY VINEYARDS! I am excited to see what this increase means.
Last night I was alone for the first time and the landlords invited me up to a shabbat dinner with guests from Finland and Russia and we gathered around the piano and sang with guitars…praises to The Lord and I stood in wonder at that The Lord has done!
‘This cup too is from My Hand…will you drink it and give Me praise?’ That was what I heard in my heart when I got sick and was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago, and still had NO IDEA where I would be living…the day before this place came up. I though ‘How can I be sick and, in the hospital, NOW? I simply can NOT!’…and I felt His Presence asking me if I would drink even THIS cup if it was from His Hand…because it was. I was finishing up reading Job and though about all of the ‘cups’ that don’t seem to reconcile themselves with the ‘beautiful’ promises that we like to (often?) pull out of context perhaps (?) and wrap ourselves in – but here I was ‘naked’- wrapped in the old hymn ‘He Leadeth Me’ playing constantly in my head. He was saying that He Leadeth Me…even to THIS CUP. Would I drink it and praise Him? I thought of the verse where Yeshua said in John 13:7 “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
YES, LORD. For what other answer will we give The Creator…The God of all the universe?
In all honesty…I feel as if I have been in a dream for this past year and this is all part of it. I am being carried through and I have no words to praise Him Who has been so faithful through it all. I pray to retain what I have been learning. I know how everyday little things can rob me of His gold…and I don’t want that.
It is almost midnight here and this letter is such a mishmash and I am too tired to read it and see if it even makes sense, but I’m more concerned about thanking you all for standing with me through this that having some sort of well crafted writing. I want you to see where I live and to know that He has been faithful…but ofcourse…you knew that because what else can He be but Himself…FAITHFUL!
Thank you! ALL glory to God. May we bring Him glory and finish the work that He gave us to do.
Loving blessings!
Your sister
EDITORS NOTE: Personal references have been deleted from this letter.
May 18, 2023
PSALM 14712-13
Sisters and brothers in Yeshua, Messiah, Lord, King...may HE be glorified here in Jerusalem today. It is His due. He Alone is worthy!
Today is Jerusalem Day. It is now 3:45 in the afternoon our time and the flag marchers have been gathering as well as their opposers.
LIBERATION OF JERUSALEM 1967
What is the IMPORTANCE of Jerusalem in God's economy? It is mentioned AT LEAST 815 times in The written Bible!
"Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ 2 Chron 6:6
"(but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel)" 1 Kings 11:32 (even in judgment),
Oh sisters and brothers, I have just looked at hundreds of verses and my eyes grow weary and I can not write more...but YOU know them...this city has been chosen both for His glory and His praise, it is here is where the manifest hatred of God is played out...it is a battlefield between The Lord and His enemies.
I believe that that is why it is important to be free to march through our own city...our capital city which God gave back to us through a miracle after 2,000 years. It is not politically correct, but it is NOT for the purpose of incitement (from most people) nor to subdue a people...but to STAND in the place that He has given us without fear and intimidation. The world hates this day and the media is screaming, but I for one will rejoice and I send these two videos that you might share in the rejoicing and PRAY FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PURPOSES HERE...MAY HE BE SEEN AND GLORIFIED. May we be found obedient, knowing HIM!
Additional Information: Our sister in Israel has found a place to live.
PSALM 14712-13
Sisters and brothers in Yeshua, Messiah, Lord, King...may HE be glorified here in Jerusalem today. It is His due. He Alone is worthy!
Today is Jerusalem Day. It is now 3:45 in the afternoon our time and the flag marchers have been gathering as well as their opposers.
LIBERATION OF JERUSALEM 1967
What is the IMPORTANCE of Jerusalem in God's economy? It is mentioned AT LEAST 815 times in The written Bible!
"Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ 2 Chron 6:6
"(but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel)" 1 Kings 11:32 (even in judgment),
Oh sisters and brothers, I have just looked at hundreds of verses and my eyes grow weary and I can not write more...but YOU know them...this city has been chosen both for His glory and His praise, it is here is where the manifest hatred of God is played out...it is a battlefield between The Lord and His enemies.
I believe that that is why it is important to be free to march through our own city...our capital city which God gave back to us through a miracle after 2,000 years. It is not politically correct, but it is NOT for the purpose of incitement (from most people) nor to subdue a people...but to STAND in the place that He has given us without fear and intimidation. The world hates this day and the media is screaming, but I for one will rejoice and I send these two videos that you might share in the rejoicing and PRAY FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PURPOSES HERE...MAY HE BE SEEN AND GLORIFIED. May we be found obedient, knowing HIM!
Additional Information: Our sister in Israel has found a place to live.
May 13, 2023
Exodus 28:9, 12, 15, 21, 29, 30 “Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel…And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial…. You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it. …And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes…. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually. And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.”
Dear brothers and sisters in The Lord…THE LORD! The King, The Savior, The Way, The Truth, The Light, Life itself, The Lord Yeshua The Messiah, Who was and is and is coming again. May HE be glorified and blessed and worshipped, and may you be encouraged and blessed. May He Alone be SEEN.
I greet you from the city of The Great King, the city set upon a hill, chosen for His purposes to bring Him glory. The city that is hated and adored and yet exists because of His will and for HIS PURPOSES. I had to turn my red alert ‘app’ back on my phone. The rockets are flying again in Operation Shield and Arrow (in Hebrew ‘magen’ is shield and ‘khetz’ is arrow). So far, 1 Israeli citizen has been killed in a direct hit on an apartment building in the town of Rahovot. Israel has been using precision rockets to assassinate the leadership of Islamic Jihad, an extremely militant terror group headquartered in the Gaza Strip along side but not working with Hamas, supplied and backed by Iran. Israel has (or SHOULD have) zero tolerance of rocket fire into our country…as I’m SURE…your countries do or would? As usual, rockets had started up again, one here and one there. This time they were not coming from Hamas, but Islamic Jihad. Part of the fuel for this particular eruption is the fact that our enemies viewed our infighting over judicial reform as weakness. Most timely, however, is that in 3 more days it will be Jerusalem Day, marking 56 years since the Old City of Jerusalem was miraculously returned to our hands after 2,000 years of occupation. The wonder of it all…and to us as believers who know His Word and see His plan…unfolding before our eyes…we can only be full of wonder and thanksgiving! But to the enemies of our God, it is a catastrophe…that wonderous day is approaching and as it says in Revelation 12:12 “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” The enemy MAY shake everything but he can not rob that which is clinging to God and he can not destroy God’s plan in the life of those who choose Him Who chose us. It may LOOK ruined (don’t forget…Israel lay dead in the ashes for 2,000 years!! For those born before 1948 the only LOGICAL solution was that OBVIOUSLY God had judged the Jews …’the Christ killers’…as apostate and substituted the Church as His only representative on the earth. Two thousand years! sisters and brothers! No wonder replacement theology was the accepted norm. It made logical sense. Obviously, God’s plan had not worked…we Jews were too stubborn …too bad and evil and finally completely reprobate! God could not accomplish what He had planned…or could He … and can He yet?) Replacement theology was satan’s use of our shallow faith and lack of rightly dividing the Word of Truth: it was the humanly logical explanation of God’s failure to fulfill what was written!
I was reading Exodus 28 and 29 this morning as part of my regular daily reading. As I have said many times, I read in the order that it is written…Genesis-Revelation…with 4 different daily portions: Through the ‘Old Testament’ (Tenach)…through the prophets…through Psalms, Proverbs, and ‘the poetic books’…and through the ‘New Testament’…but I read in order. I don’t skip around. So today I am reading in Exodus, Jeremiah, Job and 2 Timothy. It has been His choice for me to read this way and I plan to continue until He changes it. ANYWAY…in Exodus 28, I was struck a fresh by the beautiful symbolism described in the words printed above…which seem so appropriate today as many of you have noted to me that you are participating, in one way or other, with a call to prayer and fasting for Israel. According the scripture at the top of the letter, the priest was to bear the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders, (facing up to the heavens) and on the breastplate, over his heart, facing toward them…seeing them and suffering their obstinacy and their sins…over his heart! And INSIDE the breast plate (oh, how compassionate our God!) were the mysterious ‘Urim and Thummim’. In Hebrew those words mean ‘Light’ and ‘purity – implying simplicity’. What a merciful picture of those who pray…who stand in the gap praying with Habakkuk 3:2 “In wrath remember mercy”!
So to those who watch and pray (may we all…for we all are commanded to ie: Mat. 26:41, Luke 21:36, Eph. 6:18, 1 Peter 4:7 among many others) I encourage you to watch over Jerusalem with Jerusalem Day set for 18-19 May and Shavuot (Pentecost) set for 25-26 May…May the watchmen be quiet and listening…and then NOT quiet and praying as we hear from HIM His will.
And, on a personal note, speaking of Jerusalem: When we made Aliyah (it will be 29 years ago in July), we did NOT intend to live in Jerusalem. We looked to settle in the North…the Golan…or the south…the Negev. I left my birthplace when I was 21 with ‘set in stone’ purpose to NEVER AGAIN live in a city. God was gracious to me and planted me for so many years in the wild. However, it was Derek Prince who said to us, laughing, “You can’t choose to live in Jerusalem…Jerusalem chooses whom she wants to live in her!” and thus she had apparently chosen us. That is why as I have been painfully searching for my next place to live, I didn’t dare look outside of Jerusalem.
So here’s the story:
I was weeping before The Lord about my apartment during my morning devotions and as I came to Jeremiah 6:1 I was struck by the words “You children of Benyamin, gather yourselves to flee from the midst of Jerusalem. Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and set up a signal fie in Beit H’Kerem…” (as far as I know, this is the only place that Beit h’Kerem…the neighborhood that I live in…is mentioned in the Bible)
Well, no. I did NOT take that as a ‘thus saith The Lord’ to me because it isn’t, and I wanted no presumption, but I laid it on the altar and asked Him to direct me. He had called us to Jerusalem…I ONLY want His will. I think that it was the next day, 2 Wed. ago, I think, I landed in the hospital with a bad infection. While I was there, a dear sister who is also an anesthesiologist, said ‘By the way, you know that I moved to Mevaseret Zion? I LOVE it there! And buses are great and you are in the center of Jerusalem in 20 minutes.’ Graciously, I was sent home from hospital on Thursday. J, who has been ‘WITH’ us (both staying in our home and woven into our hearts and spirits) for the past two years, was scheduled to leave on Saturday night following the Kehila meeting. I longed to spend that Shabbat dinner and Shabbat with her so God was wonderfully gracious to me again. When I got home TWO sisters sent me an advertisement from a list that advertises through believers weekly, but it is geared mainly toward non Israelis here. It was for an apartment in MZ. I said ‘no way’…but couldn’t get it out of my mind. On Sunday I sent an email to the owners. Please God, it looks as if it will be my next home! It is in Castel (Kastel) where we were on that amazing tour on Independence Day…several blocks away! It is a two room apartment underneath the owners who are wonderful believers and the bus stops across from the house! Kastel is like a moshav and is one of the Mevaseret neighborhoods. I will send a photo of the outside. I HAVE SUCH PEACE ABOUT THIS! INSPITE of the fact that it is furnished (something I VERY much did NOT want) which means that I will have to get rid of even so much more of things that are part of my entire life. This is painful. Also, we have not yet signed because they promised it to a man who was coming part time for the summer as a tourist and he doesn’t not want to back down. He has not put any downpayment up as yet…but please pray (as I did with the owners and the sisters who brought me) that only THE WILL OF THE LORD will be done. It is not yet set in stone. I must be out of here in two and a half weeks…I know that He will have me where He wants me in time.
Oh, the work that He does on us to bring Him to Himself! Just another thought before I close: As I was reading in Exodus 29 this morning and verses 42-43 brought me to my knees: “This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.” It is clear through out the Brit ha Hadisha (new covenant) that it is not through a building of stone that He will again reign…but that it is His intent that through His body He purposes to display HIS GLORY.
“…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”. Ephesians 2:20-22
1 Peter 2:4
Hebrews 8:2 and 9:7
1 Corinthians 3:16 among so many others.
May we be found of Him in HIS Peace…taking ALL things from His Hand with thanksgiving and praise! May we display His glory in the midst of our own fires, no matter what, and may we allow those fires to sanctify us and make us fit for His use. May we die to self and not be deceived but be filled with His Holy Spirit and His Spirit of discernment and prayer and a love for His Word. May we love His ways and know His Presence. We are all so weak and in need of His grace and mercy!
Thank you so much for your prayers and loving support for me personally through this past fiery year, and mostly for His purposes in Israel and our people, so greatly needed! May our people have the revelation of Yeshua (my young upstairs neighbors are really responding!) and be able to cross the bridge to open the doors of their hearts to Him.
May you be blessed and may The Lord be glorified!
Exodus 28:9, 12, 15, 21, 29, 30 “Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel…And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial…. You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it. …And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes…. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually. And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.”
Dear brothers and sisters in The Lord…THE LORD! The King, The Savior, The Way, The Truth, The Light, Life itself, The Lord Yeshua The Messiah, Who was and is and is coming again. May HE be glorified and blessed and worshipped, and may you be encouraged and blessed. May He Alone be SEEN.
I greet you from the city of The Great King, the city set upon a hill, chosen for His purposes to bring Him glory. The city that is hated and adored and yet exists because of His will and for HIS PURPOSES. I had to turn my red alert ‘app’ back on my phone. The rockets are flying again in Operation Shield and Arrow (in Hebrew ‘magen’ is shield and ‘khetz’ is arrow). So far, 1 Israeli citizen has been killed in a direct hit on an apartment building in the town of Rahovot. Israel has been using precision rockets to assassinate the leadership of Islamic Jihad, an extremely militant terror group headquartered in the Gaza Strip along side but not working with Hamas, supplied and backed by Iran. Israel has (or SHOULD have) zero tolerance of rocket fire into our country…as I’m SURE…your countries do or would? As usual, rockets had started up again, one here and one there. This time they were not coming from Hamas, but Islamic Jihad. Part of the fuel for this particular eruption is the fact that our enemies viewed our infighting over judicial reform as weakness. Most timely, however, is that in 3 more days it will be Jerusalem Day, marking 56 years since the Old City of Jerusalem was miraculously returned to our hands after 2,000 years of occupation. The wonder of it all…and to us as believers who know His Word and see His plan…unfolding before our eyes…we can only be full of wonder and thanksgiving! But to the enemies of our God, it is a catastrophe…that wonderous day is approaching and as it says in Revelation 12:12 “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” The enemy MAY shake everything but he can not rob that which is clinging to God and he can not destroy God’s plan in the life of those who choose Him Who chose us. It may LOOK ruined (don’t forget…Israel lay dead in the ashes for 2,000 years!! For those born before 1948 the only LOGICAL solution was that OBVIOUSLY God had judged the Jews …’the Christ killers’…as apostate and substituted the Church as His only representative on the earth. Two thousand years! sisters and brothers! No wonder replacement theology was the accepted norm. It made logical sense. Obviously, God’s plan had not worked…we Jews were too stubborn …too bad and evil and finally completely reprobate! God could not accomplish what He had planned…or could He … and can He yet?) Replacement theology was satan’s use of our shallow faith and lack of rightly dividing the Word of Truth: it was the humanly logical explanation of God’s failure to fulfill what was written!
I was reading Exodus 28 and 29 this morning as part of my regular daily reading. As I have said many times, I read in the order that it is written…Genesis-Revelation…with 4 different daily portions: Through the ‘Old Testament’ (Tenach)…through the prophets…through Psalms, Proverbs, and ‘the poetic books’…and through the ‘New Testament’…but I read in order. I don’t skip around. So today I am reading in Exodus, Jeremiah, Job and 2 Timothy. It has been His choice for me to read this way and I plan to continue until He changes it. ANYWAY…in Exodus 28, I was struck a fresh by the beautiful symbolism described in the words printed above…which seem so appropriate today as many of you have noted to me that you are participating, in one way or other, with a call to prayer and fasting for Israel. According the scripture at the top of the letter, the priest was to bear the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders, (facing up to the heavens) and on the breastplate, over his heart, facing toward them…seeing them and suffering their obstinacy and their sins…over his heart! And INSIDE the breast plate (oh, how compassionate our God!) were the mysterious ‘Urim and Thummim’. In Hebrew those words mean ‘Light’ and ‘purity – implying simplicity’. What a merciful picture of those who pray…who stand in the gap praying with Habakkuk 3:2 “In wrath remember mercy”!
So to those who watch and pray (may we all…for we all are commanded to ie: Mat. 26:41, Luke 21:36, Eph. 6:18, 1 Peter 4:7 among many others) I encourage you to watch over Jerusalem with Jerusalem Day set for 18-19 May and Shavuot (Pentecost) set for 25-26 May…May the watchmen be quiet and listening…and then NOT quiet and praying as we hear from HIM His will.
And, on a personal note, speaking of Jerusalem: When we made Aliyah (it will be 29 years ago in July), we did NOT intend to live in Jerusalem. We looked to settle in the North…the Golan…or the south…the Negev. I left my birthplace when I was 21 with ‘set in stone’ purpose to NEVER AGAIN live in a city. God was gracious to me and planted me for so many years in the wild. However, it was Derek Prince who said to us, laughing, “You can’t choose to live in Jerusalem…Jerusalem chooses whom she wants to live in her!” and thus she had apparently chosen us. That is why as I have been painfully searching for my next place to live, I didn’t dare look outside of Jerusalem.
So here’s the story:
I was weeping before The Lord about my apartment during my morning devotions and as I came to Jeremiah 6:1 I was struck by the words “You children of Benyamin, gather yourselves to flee from the midst of Jerusalem. Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and set up a signal fie in Beit H’Kerem…” (as far as I know, this is the only place that Beit h’Kerem…the neighborhood that I live in…is mentioned in the Bible)
Well, no. I did NOT take that as a ‘thus saith The Lord’ to me because it isn’t, and I wanted no presumption, but I laid it on the altar and asked Him to direct me. He had called us to Jerusalem…I ONLY want His will. I think that it was the next day, 2 Wed. ago, I think, I landed in the hospital with a bad infection. While I was there, a dear sister who is also an anesthesiologist, said ‘By the way, you know that I moved to Mevaseret Zion? I LOVE it there! And buses are great and you are in the center of Jerusalem in 20 minutes.’ Graciously, I was sent home from hospital on Thursday. J, who has been ‘WITH’ us (both staying in our home and woven into our hearts and spirits) for the past two years, was scheduled to leave on Saturday night following the Kehila meeting. I longed to spend that Shabbat dinner and Shabbat with her so God was wonderfully gracious to me again. When I got home TWO sisters sent me an advertisement from a list that advertises through believers weekly, but it is geared mainly toward non Israelis here. It was for an apartment in MZ. I said ‘no way’…but couldn’t get it out of my mind. On Sunday I sent an email to the owners. Please God, it looks as if it will be my next home! It is in Castel (Kastel) where we were on that amazing tour on Independence Day…several blocks away! It is a two room apartment underneath the owners who are wonderful believers and the bus stops across from the house! Kastel is like a moshav and is one of the Mevaseret neighborhoods. I will send a photo of the outside. I HAVE SUCH PEACE ABOUT THIS! INSPITE of the fact that it is furnished (something I VERY much did NOT want) which means that I will have to get rid of even so much more of things that are part of my entire life. This is painful. Also, we have not yet signed because they promised it to a man who was coming part time for the summer as a tourist and he doesn’t not want to back down. He has not put any downpayment up as yet…but please pray (as I did with the owners and the sisters who brought me) that only THE WILL OF THE LORD will be done. It is not yet set in stone. I must be out of here in two and a half weeks…I know that He will have me where He wants me in time.
Oh, the work that He does on us to bring Him to Himself! Just another thought before I close: As I was reading in Exodus 29 this morning and verses 42-43 brought me to my knees: “This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.” It is clear through out the Brit ha Hadisha (new covenant) that it is not through a building of stone that He will again reign…but that it is His intent that through His body He purposes to display HIS GLORY.
“…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”. Ephesians 2:20-22
1 Peter 2:4
Hebrews 8:2 and 9:7
1 Corinthians 3:16 among so many others.
May we be found of Him in HIS Peace…taking ALL things from His Hand with thanksgiving and praise! May we display His glory in the midst of our own fires, no matter what, and may we allow those fires to sanctify us and make us fit for His use. May we die to self and not be deceived but be filled with His Holy Spirit and His Spirit of discernment and prayer and a love for His Word. May we love His ways and know His Presence. We are all so weak and in need of His grace and mercy!
Thank you so much for your prayers and loving support for me personally through this past fiery year, and mostly for His purposes in Israel and our people, so greatly needed! May our people have the revelation of Yeshua (my young upstairs neighbors are really responding!) and be able to cross the bridge to open the doors of their hearts to Him.
May you be blessed and may The Lord be glorified!
April 27, 2023
PSALM 133 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”
Brothers and sisters in Yeshua, loving greetings! May THE LORD of all be glorified and blessed. May He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is within it, The Author and Finisher of our faith be pleased and may you each be encouraged and blessed.
*(This letter was begun several times and is now a very late letter indeed. Nonetheless, I pray that I CAN finish it tonight and that it will be edifying. Please forgive both the tardiness and the exhausted writing)*
I was just at the store across the street to pick up a few items. It’s noon, usually a quiet time at the store, but it was jammed with somber looking people, and a ‘different’ sort of ‘energy’…the old memory of this feeling was recognized and stirred.
Tonight, at sundown, will begin Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. It really began last week when families started visiting the graves of their loved ones. There are very few families in Israel that are not lighting a memorial candle for at least one beloved one, and how many are lighting literally dozens for relatives and friends. Whole families have been lost to terror…brothers, husbands, fathers, sons, mothers, sisters, daughters, wives killed in the line of service to the country as well (for we still have a ‘people’s army’) …almost every family in Israel has been touched. Our Memorial Day is both personal and communal. The country opens it’s hearts and floods the land with shared pain of grief, sorrow, lost hopes, and also comfort, courage, and, yes, renewed hope. I can not explain it. One needs to experience it…but I try to explain anyway.
We have, I believe, the unique ‘tradition’ written into our basic law, that Independence Day immediately follows Memorial Day. I have made feeble attempts over the years to describe this indescribable transition…from grieving to joy that takes place after sundown tomorrow night, when the flags that will be lowered to half mast tonight, will rise to full mast tomorrow night and we will again witness “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment for praise for the spirit of heaviness” …I HOPE! At the moment, Psalm 133 sounds like an impossible dream.
This year, the Israeli flag has been used as a symbol by the opposition in their demonstrations against the government policy of judicial overhaul claiming that they (the opposition) are the ‘real Israelis’. In the midst, those who believe in settling the land often join the demonstrations from the opposing side, also waving flags and soon it becomes the battle of the flags. One way or other, at this moment Israel is literally COVERED with blue and white! The crowds in the store were buying ahead of Wednesday’s Independence Day celebrations when most big food stores will be closed, and tomorrow will not be a day for shopping. Those of us who pray are praying that it will not be marred by violence, hatred and even the beginning of a civil war.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote the above 2 days ago. Both Memorial Day and Independence Day have passed (without violence, praise God!) and now I am facing the first anniversary of Eric’s going home, according to the western calendar. Tomorrow, after work, I plan to go to har h’menucha (the mountain of rest) …and then continue to look for a new place to live, since I have not yet been able to find one. It has been a very intense time.
Last night, our daughter and Granddaughters gathered in front of my computer screen to watch the amazing transition ceremony bringing us from grieving to joy. They did it again! The 12 flames were lit by torches …one of each of the tribes of Israel…by people who have impacted for good some area of society: This is always an emotional and uplifting experience. ‘The story’ (beginning with Passover) is remembered and replayed in a spectacular display of song, dance, speeches…it IS dramatic as the joy and emotions rise. Soldiers and children dance, and silent fireworks begin. As the fireworks begin, our daughter and the children went outside, since we currently still live only a couple of blocks from where the ceremony takes place, we have a front row seat! They blended in with the crowd and moved along to the local street party where there were fun activities set up for the many children (although it was already 10pm at night) and goodies from roasted corn on the cob to cotton candy and just a gathering of people reminding one another of the miracle of the country and what we have already lived through.
Today was a wonderful day! Our Kehila (fellowship) gathered to celebrate together. We began by taking a tour of Castel. The story of Castel had my heart pounding. We are blessed to have several wonderful tour guides in our Kehila, so we understand what happened not only from an historical point of view but also from a spiritual one and it is heart pounding! During the war of Independence in 1948, Jerusalem was being choked off, starved, without food or water being able to get to the residents (many of the patients from the doctor’s office where I work were children or teens during the war, and told me about the famine and how they waited for the convoys to bring food and water from Tel Aviv. Snipers along the only route were attacking the convoys and preventing them from reaching Jerusalem with supplies.) Castel was the high point that needed to be taken by the tiny Israeli defenders, or Jerusalem would starve. What happened was a miracle. The tactics which we learned today, became the pattern for the training of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), our army today. What an exciting tour! How thankful I am for this encouragement in the midst of the year that I have been walking through. After the tour, we gathered at the home of one of our families who have a beautiful home on Yad h’Shmonah (I know that some of you have stayed at this believing moshav) for BBQ (called ‘mangel’ in Hebrew), fellowship, encouragement and worship.
This is a ‘nothing letter’. I needed to let you know that, yes I am still alive and no, I still have not found a place to live. (I must move before 1 June). I have been blessed in a ten thousand ways and I NEED to share. J, who has been with us for two years, plans to move out of country in about 10 more days. That will be yet another huge change. I have met with two young men at different times who came on their first tours…one, the son of a friend from the days when I met Him nearly 48 years ago. The son wasn’t yet born! Then L, whom I last saw when he was a young teenager was just here…what a wonder and joy…what IS THE LORD DOING IN MY LIFE? I have been running around like a chicken without a head…and I should have been asleep 2 hours ago now. It is a journey…it is a saga…may I glorify HIM Who is so lovely to behold!
Below, I copied a little ‘blurb’ in our local news which surely looks prophetic to me! I must sleep and be up to work tomorrow…tomorrow…Oh Lord, be glorified!
Blessing and honor and glory and praise to Him Who is All in all…and loving blessings to you.
A ‘HEADS UP’ PERHAPS?
Moscow to host Turkey, Syria, Russia, Iran meeting on Tuesday
Turkey's defense minister said he planned to meet his Syrian, Russian and Iranian counterparts in Moscow on Tuesday, state-owned Anadolu news agency said, amid efforts to rebuild Ankara-Damascus ties after years of animosity during the Syrian war. Anadolu cited Defense Minister Hulusi Akar as saying the countries' intelligence chiefs will also attend the meeting in Moscow. (Reuters)
PSALM 133 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”
Brothers and sisters in Yeshua, loving greetings! May THE LORD of all be glorified and blessed. May He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is within it, The Author and Finisher of our faith be pleased and may you each be encouraged and blessed.
*(This letter was begun several times and is now a very late letter indeed. Nonetheless, I pray that I CAN finish it tonight and that it will be edifying. Please forgive both the tardiness and the exhausted writing)*
I was just at the store across the street to pick up a few items. It’s noon, usually a quiet time at the store, but it was jammed with somber looking people, and a ‘different’ sort of ‘energy’…the old memory of this feeling was recognized and stirred.
Tonight, at sundown, will begin Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. It really began last week when families started visiting the graves of their loved ones. There are very few families in Israel that are not lighting a memorial candle for at least one beloved one, and how many are lighting literally dozens for relatives and friends. Whole families have been lost to terror…brothers, husbands, fathers, sons, mothers, sisters, daughters, wives killed in the line of service to the country as well (for we still have a ‘people’s army’) …almost every family in Israel has been touched. Our Memorial Day is both personal and communal. The country opens it’s hearts and floods the land with shared pain of grief, sorrow, lost hopes, and also comfort, courage, and, yes, renewed hope. I can not explain it. One needs to experience it…but I try to explain anyway.
We have, I believe, the unique ‘tradition’ written into our basic law, that Independence Day immediately follows Memorial Day. I have made feeble attempts over the years to describe this indescribable transition…from grieving to joy that takes place after sundown tomorrow night, when the flags that will be lowered to half mast tonight, will rise to full mast tomorrow night and we will again witness “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment for praise for the spirit of heaviness” …I HOPE! At the moment, Psalm 133 sounds like an impossible dream.
This year, the Israeli flag has been used as a symbol by the opposition in their demonstrations against the government policy of judicial overhaul claiming that they (the opposition) are the ‘real Israelis’. In the midst, those who believe in settling the land often join the demonstrations from the opposing side, also waving flags and soon it becomes the battle of the flags. One way or other, at this moment Israel is literally COVERED with blue and white! The crowds in the store were buying ahead of Wednesday’s Independence Day celebrations when most big food stores will be closed, and tomorrow will not be a day for shopping. Those of us who pray are praying that it will not be marred by violence, hatred and even the beginning of a civil war.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote the above 2 days ago. Both Memorial Day and Independence Day have passed (without violence, praise God!) and now I am facing the first anniversary of Eric’s going home, according to the western calendar. Tomorrow, after work, I plan to go to har h’menucha (the mountain of rest) …and then continue to look for a new place to live, since I have not yet been able to find one. It has been a very intense time.
Last night, our daughter and Granddaughters gathered in front of my computer screen to watch the amazing transition ceremony bringing us from grieving to joy. They did it again! The 12 flames were lit by torches …one of each of the tribes of Israel…by people who have impacted for good some area of society: This is always an emotional and uplifting experience. ‘The story’ (beginning with Passover) is remembered and replayed in a spectacular display of song, dance, speeches…it IS dramatic as the joy and emotions rise. Soldiers and children dance, and silent fireworks begin. As the fireworks begin, our daughter and the children went outside, since we currently still live only a couple of blocks from where the ceremony takes place, we have a front row seat! They blended in with the crowd and moved along to the local street party where there were fun activities set up for the many children (although it was already 10pm at night) and goodies from roasted corn on the cob to cotton candy and just a gathering of people reminding one another of the miracle of the country and what we have already lived through.
Today was a wonderful day! Our Kehila (fellowship) gathered to celebrate together. We began by taking a tour of Castel. The story of Castel had my heart pounding. We are blessed to have several wonderful tour guides in our Kehila, so we understand what happened not only from an historical point of view but also from a spiritual one and it is heart pounding! During the war of Independence in 1948, Jerusalem was being choked off, starved, without food or water being able to get to the residents (many of the patients from the doctor’s office where I work were children or teens during the war, and told me about the famine and how they waited for the convoys to bring food and water from Tel Aviv. Snipers along the only route were attacking the convoys and preventing them from reaching Jerusalem with supplies.) Castel was the high point that needed to be taken by the tiny Israeli defenders, or Jerusalem would starve. What happened was a miracle. The tactics which we learned today, became the pattern for the training of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), our army today. What an exciting tour! How thankful I am for this encouragement in the midst of the year that I have been walking through. After the tour, we gathered at the home of one of our families who have a beautiful home on Yad h’Shmonah (I know that some of you have stayed at this believing moshav) for BBQ (called ‘mangel’ in Hebrew), fellowship, encouragement and worship.
This is a ‘nothing letter’. I needed to let you know that, yes I am still alive and no, I still have not found a place to live. (I must move before 1 June). I have been blessed in a ten thousand ways and I NEED to share. J, who has been with us for two years, plans to move out of country in about 10 more days. That will be yet another huge change. I have met with two young men at different times who came on their first tours…one, the son of a friend from the days when I met Him nearly 48 years ago. The son wasn’t yet born! Then L, whom I last saw when he was a young teenager was just here…what a wonder and joy…what IS THE LORD DOING IN MY LIFE? I have been running around like a chicken without a head…and I should have been asleep 2 hours ago now. It is a journey…it is a saga…may I glorify HIM Who is so lovely to behold!
Below, I copied a little ‘blurb’ in our local news which surely looks prophetic to me! I must sleep and be up to work tomorrow…tomorrow…Oh Lord, be glorified!
Blessing and honor and glory and praise to Him Who is All in all…and loving blessings to you.
A ‘HEADS UP’ PERHAPS?
Moscow to host Turkey, Syria, Russia, Iran meeting on Tuesday
Turkey's defense minister said he planned to meet his Syrian, Russian and Iranian counterparts in Moscow on Tuesday, state-owned Anadolu news agency said, amid efforts to rebuild Ankara-Damascus ties after years of animosity during the Syrian war. Anadolu cited Defense Minister Hulusi Akar as saying the countries' intelligence chiefs will also attend the meeting in Moscow. (Reuters)
April 6, 2023
Exodus 12:19 “For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land.”
Deuteronomy 16:3-4 “You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the meat which you sacrifice the first day at twilight remain overnight until morning.”
Luke 12:1 “He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
Luke 13:21 “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
Resurrection and Passover greetings to each one of you,
May you be blessed and encouraged and may the fullness of Who He IS be enlarged in each of us this year. May He Alone be glorified and may He be blessed in each of us…may our understanding be enlightened and may we grasp again the fullness of what He has done for us…with thankful hearts.
Today is the first day of Passover and we (Janet, my friend from Alaska, who is still with me until 7 May) hosted a different sort of seder last night for a local pastor and his wife. At my (pushy) prompting, we decided to read the first 12 chapters of the book of Exodus (Shmot -שמת in Hebrew) instead of reading through the Haggadah. I think that it is reasonable to say that we were blessed.
God stated that the PURPOSE of the 7 day feast of Passover, and of the seder itself, is TO REMEMBER…and to TEACH THE CHILDREN. What are we supposed to remember exactly and what are we supposed to teach and be taught?
Afterall…we are under grace and not the law…right?...
As I was reviewing these questions for my own self, I thought a great deal about the ‘leaven’. Here in Jerusalem, there is much emphasis put on leaven. Well…frankly…in the Bible there is too. God has a lot to say about leaven. I know that leaven is something added in (like yeast in bread) that causes the bread to rise. Rising up in the scriptures usually refers to pride or rebellion. For any of us who bake, the example is clear: a good leaven ‘puffs up’ the product…the taller the better usually…it is the purpose of leaven.
Doing without leaven for 7 days seems to be an extremely hard command to keep when you consider the amount of grumbling and complaining and even hoarding of leavened products in ‘preparation’ to ‘the great denial’…the ‘ordeal’ of doing without leavened products! Arab and non-kosher restaurants will do a THRIVING business during the week long holiday.
What is it exactly that makes this SUCH a bone of contention?
I was remembering back to when I met Him in 1975. Right after He came into my life, I recall someone asking me when I was going to get baptized. Now, I had just experienced a dramatic salvation…a true Damascus Road experience, yet my reaction was something like ‘Whoa! Isn’t that a little extreme? I mean...I AM Jewish and I don’t know about this ‘baptism’…WHY would He require this? It doesn’t make sense to me…it’s a tradition, probably a gentile one at that… what’s the point?’ I was really quite on my high horse about it. So…I took it to The Source…I prayed about it. I still remember His gentle, loving response to me (although not word for word) the basics of what He said:
‘Does THIS offend you? Is it such a big thing to submit your pride, rebellion and understanding to Me and simply DO what I SAY because of love? Do you NEED to understand? You are entering the door of obedience by faith…’
How humbling it is to obey Him by faith because of love. I don’t think that I will ever grasp the theology of it, but to simply obey because of love? I wanted that to become a foundation stone in my life.
I thought of that as I cleaned the leaven from my house.
I am NOT SAVED BY SCRUBBING MY HOUSE FROM LEAVEN. But that my HEART would become leaven free, for this I strive toward Him in love. For me, whom He chose as one FILLED with rebellion and her own ways, I’m thankful that He makes ‘small obedience’s’ to check my heart.
Here in Jerusalem, the stores removed the leaven and whatever leavened products are left are literally SEALED (shrink wrapped) in plastic…entire aisles and shelves…which are clearly marked ‘hamtez…against the law to tamper with this seal until Passover is over.’ Then the burning of the leaven (khametz – ‘kh’ indicates the guttural sound that is more than a ‘h’) takes place during the day before the seder meal at sundown. The city places centrally located metal bins for that purpose, and I was able to take a photo for you from my merepesset (balcony) of the one across the street. I plan to attach it on the bottom of the page. It is usually done by families…children with a father or mother or both parents…as a teaching experience and I do enjoy listening to the parents answering their children’s questions. However it is not only the families, but throughout the day, the elderly and the singles come and dump bags into the fire as well…it is an individual thing. Traditionally, the previous night is the ‘search for the leaven’. It is often still done with a bird's feather ‘broom’ and a flashlight and it teaches the children to look for the leaven in the ‘secret places’. We pray ‘Search me Oh Lord’ reciting Psalm 139. Is it only me or do you also have ‘lazy places’ in your heart…where your heart grows kind of weary…and hard…and wants to coast and not be so vigilant. How the enemy loves to sow leaven into my lazy heart!
So for me in particular, Passover IS a time to search out the leaven in my heart…to serve others and to clean out the old and make room for the new. It is a time to REMEMBER what HE has done and to renew my commitment to obey Him…whether I understand or not. And it was my first Passover without family.
I have been deeply blessed by your emails and they have encouraged me greatly. I have not answered them because I am spending all of my time packing…throwing away (SO hard!) and searching for an apartment. No, I have not yet found one. I need to be out by the end of May. I have been seeking The Lord much (way too often all night instead of sleeping – NOT good!) and He surprised me by moving me to extend the range of the monthly rent that I would consider paying, beyond what seems to me prudent. I did open up a range of apartments not as seedy, yet I don’t yet find ‘mine’, so I greatly appreciate continued prayer. I have not walked this way before and I continue to let go of the rudder in the ongoing storm. My work in the Doctor’s office is to end on the last day of September and, as I said before, at my age, I am likely ending my working career. It will be exciting to see the path that He has planned ahead.
Last week, I went to the shuk to prepare for the seder. The seder plate which holds the symbols of the service, includes a ‘shank bone’, representing the lamb sacrifice. Every year I search for one too late and come back with either a beef bone or a chicken bone. This year I asked the butcher ‘Do you have a nice bone for my seder plate?’ He grinned broadly and produced a beautiful bone. ‘It’s Lamb’ he said. I was thrilled! He wrapped it…’That will be 92 shekels’ he said, still grinning. OOPS! ‘Oh no! I’m sorry…I can’t possibly do that!’ I told him. His face dropped. ‘It’s a mitzvah!’ he said (a good deed – commandment). ‘To eat the meal is also a mitzvah and I can’t do both.’ He got the point and reluctantly gave me a smaller bone.
Israel continues to be in the pressure cooker. I have permission to forward to you part of Gina Dittmer’s report that she sent out following her participation with the Intercessors for Israel prayer tour. I thought that it was particularly excellent…sensitive…and I do share this view. If you pray for Israel’s current situation, please take notice. There is more going on…but…I am leaving that to another time. I will include Gina’s link here and the photos below.
“During my time in Israel, an Israeli believer told me that I don't understand much of the turmoil surrounding the judicial reform that has been and still is happening in Israel.
Well.....THAT was the understatement of the year (and the year is still young)!
The protests and rioting have been going on for weeks now, and it has been getting more and more "hot" and dangerous in ways that it was not before.
The truth is that it is SO COMPLICATED and divided. Some believers in Israel support the demonstrations and are against the judicial reform. Some believers in Israel are completely for the judicial reform and totally against the protesters and any push-back. Then there is the big muddled mess in the middle...not wanting government overreach, but not wanting protesters to interrupt daily life and especially not in the dangerous turns the protests have taken recently...wanting to see a resolution but confused about how it all got to this point.
Most people (in Israel and outside Israel) would accurately be labeled as "confused" about this situation and the dramatic uptick in violence, strikes, protests.
So, please know that I will NOT attempt to explain the situation and how to pray in this email update!
The story changes, depending on who you ask or what article you read!
A very vague and shallow and brief introduction is that some sort of reform/change is needed in that the Supreme Court has begun to overreach. Netanyahu/Likud campaigned partly on judicial reform. Likud won the election and was successful in forming a coalition government with several other parties, officially beginning as the 37th government of Israel at the end of December 2022.
Now, we are in the current very concerning situation with both sides (the current coalition and the opposition) accusing the other side and not trusting the other side. Sound familiar in anyone else's governments?
As I said, this is a very vague introduction. This issue of judicial reform seemed to be the spark that set everything off, but there are so many other issues and complications.
I will include some of the articles (those that seem less inflammatory) so you can educate yourselves if you choose to. (see below)
But mostly what I want to address is how to pray!
When we spoke of this situation during our trip (and we had a tour of the Knesset at the beginning of our official prayer journey - no photos from our time there as we left cameras/phones on the bus), we prayed regarding the nations that are sticking their noses into this situation and trying to manipulate outcomes.
We prayed from Psalm 33
(8) Let all the earth fear יהוה; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (9) For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood fast.
(10) יהוה brings the counsel of the nations to naught; He thwarts the plans of the peoples. (11) The counsel of יהוה stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
This goes for all the nations trying to manipulate the internal affairs of Israel, as well as for Israel's government itself.
We recognized that this is the most divided time in Israel's modern history. We prayed for unity in this nation. Hineh ma tov u ma na'im shevet achim gam yachad. (Psalm 133:1) See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity –
We prayed that the current Israeli government will be godly and righteous according to YHVH's ways and Word...no fear of man (or nations), to have wisdom and godly counsel, to know what to do and not to do. We also prayed for the salvation of the MKs (the members of Knesset). We prayed for them by name.
The next day we drove north and had some important prayer stops along the way. Our last stop before arriving at our hotel in the Upper Galilee/on the edge of the Golan Heights) was a late afternoon boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret). It was a beautiful and still afternoon/evening - perfect for a boat ride. Hanna, our sister and guide (and wife of Eliyahu who was the Chairman of IFI for so long until he passed away in 2019), had hand-picked the boat and crew. I don't know if she also hand-picked the music the crew played during our boat ride....but.....
We prayed regarding topics while floating on the Kinneret.
Many of us were dealing with grief and mourning (3 of us lost close family members all within a few days of each other at the start of the trip, and we also received word that Steve Lightle had also passed away suddenly...Steve was highly involved with IFI and Operation Exodus and known and loved by many on the prayer journey).
The beauty of the evening, the prayers we prayed while floating on such a special body of water, the emotions we were all feeling, the turmoil happening in Israel....all culminated in a very special, highly spiritual, holy moment as we were making our way back to shore. The crew put on the song "The Blessing" (Aaronic Blessing from Numbers) in English as we chugged back to shore with a beautiful evening sunset unfolding in the still majestic sky. We all sang and BLESSED Israel as the song played. (Here is a link to one version of the song in both English and Hebrew... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFhuNyQWqec )
This is how I want to leave you with this first prayer update and journey report. We blessed Israel. We prayed for Israel. ONLY GOD has the understanding of what is happening and the answers of how to pray. We must follow His guidance in how to pray and not our own understanding (I am so grateful, because I have no understanding!).
Remember the update I sent when I first arrived in Israel? I talked about "emet" - TRUTH. There is only one truth, and it is God's truth. Let us pray that He will reveal His Truth and provide guidance for all Who seek Him into His Truth.”
May The Lamb of God…Who has taken away our sins with His Own precious Blood, be glorified and seen as we remember what He has done! HIS BLOOD PREVAILS!
I send my love.
Your sis
Exodus 12:19 “For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land.”
Deuteronomy 16:3-4 “You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the meat which you sacrifice the first day at twilight remain overnight until morning.”
Luke 12:1 “He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
Luke 13:21 “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
Resurrection and Passover greetings to each one of you,
May you be blessed and encouraged and may the fullness of Who He IS be enlarged in each of us this year. May He Alone be glorified and may He be blessed in each of us…may our understanding be enlightened and may we grasp again the fullness of what He has done for us…with thankful hearts.
Today is the first day of Passover and we (Janet, my friend from Alaska, who is still with me until 7 May) hosted a different sort of seder last night for a local pastor and his wife. At my (pushy) prompting, we decided to read the first 12 chapters of the book of Exodus (Shmot -שמת in Hebrew) instead of reading through the Haggadah. I think that it is reasonable to say that we were blessed.
God stated that the PURPOSE of the 7 day feast of Passover, and of the seder itself, is TO REMEMBER…and to TEACH THE CHILDREN. What are we supposed to remember exactly and what are we supposed to teach and be taught?
Afterall…we are under grace and not the law…right?...
As I was reviewing these questions for my own self, I thought a great deal about the ‘leaven’. Here in Jerusalem, there is much emphasis put on leaven. Well…frankly…in the Bible there is too. God has a lot to say about leaven. I know that leaven is something added in (like yeast in bread) that causes the bread to rise. Rising up in the scriptures usually refers to pride or rebellion. For any of us who bake, the example is clear: a good leaven ‘puffs up’ the product…the taller the better usually…it is the purpose of leaven.
Doing without leaven for 7 days seems to be an extremely hard command to keep when you consider the amount of grumbling and complaining and even hoarding of leavened products in ‘preparation’ to ‘the great denial’…the ‘ordeal’ of doing without leavened products! Arab and non-kosher restaurants will do a THRIVING business during the week long holiday.
What is it exactly that makes this SUCH a bone of contention?
I was remembering back to when I met Him in 1975. Right after He came into my life, I recall someone asking me when I was going to get baptized. Now, I had just experienced a dramatic salvation…a true Damascus Road experience, yet my reaction was something like ‘Whoa! Isn’t that a little extreme? I mean...I AM Jewish and I don’t know about this ‘baptism’…WHY would He require this? It doesn’t make sense to me…it’s a tradition, probably a gentile one at that… what’s the point?’ I was really quite on my high horse about it. So…I took it to The Source…I prayed about it. I still remember His gentle, loving response to me (although not word for word) the basics of what He said:
‘Does THIS offend you? Is it such a big thing to submit your pride, rebellion and understanding to Me and simply DO what I SAY because of love? Do you NEED to understand? You are entering the door of obedience by faith…’
How humbling it is to obey Him by faith because of love. I don’t think that I will ever grasp the theology of it, but to simply obey because of love? I wanted that to become a foundation stone in my life.
I thought of that as I cleaned the leaven from my house.
I am NOT SAVED BY SCRUBBING MY HOUSE FROM LEAVEN. But that my HEART would become leaven free, for this I strive toward Him in love. For me, whom He chose as one FILLED with rebellion and her own ways, I’m thankful that He makes ‘small obedience’s’ to check my heart.
Here in Jerusalem, the stores removed the leaven and whatever leavened products are left are literally SEALED (shrink wrapped) in plastic…entire aisles and shelves…which are clearly marked ‘hamtez…against the law to tamper with this seal until Passover is over.’ Then the burning of the leaven (khametz – ‘kh’ indicates the guttural sound that is more than a ‘h’) takes place during the day before the seder meal at sundown. The city places centrally located metal bins for that purpose, and I was able to take a photo for you from my merepesset (balcony) of the one across the street. I plan to attach it on the bottom of the page. It is usually done by families…children with a father or mother or both parents…as a teaching experience and I do enjoy listening to the parents answering their children’s questions. However it is not only the families, but throughout the day, the elderly and the singles come and dump bags into the fire as well…it is an individual thing. Traditionally, the previous night is the ‘search for the leaven’. It is often still done with a bird's feather ‘broom’ and a flashlight and it teaches the children to look for the leaven in the ‘secret places’. We pray ‘Search me Oh Lord’ reciting Psalm 139. Is it only me or do you also have ‘lazy places’ in your heart…where your heart grows kind of weary…and hard…and wants to coast and not be so vigilant. How the enemy loves to sow leaven into my lazy heart!
So for me in particular, Passover IS a time to search out the leaven in my heart…to serve others and to clean out the old and make room for the new. It is a time to REMEMBER what HE has done and to renew my commitment to obey Him…whether I understand or not. And it was my first Passover without family.
I have been deeply blessed by your emails and they have encouraged me greatly. I have not answered them because I am spending all of my time packing…throwing away (SO hard!) and searching for an apartment. No, I have not yet found one. I need to be out by the end of May. I have been seeking The Lord much (way too often all night instead of sleeping – NOT good!) and He surprised me by moving me to extend the range of the monthly rent that I would consider paying, beyond what seems to me prudent. I did open up a range of apartments not as seedy, yet I don’t yet find ‘mine’, so I greatly appreciate continued prayer. I have not walked this way before and I continue to let go of the rudder in the ongoing storm. My work in the Doctor’s office is to end on the last day of September and, as I said before, at my age, I am likely ending my working career. It will be exciting to see the path that He has planned ahead.
Last week, I went to the shuk to prepare for the seder. The seder plate which holds the symbols of the service, includes a ‘shank bone’, representing the lamb sacrifice. Every year I search for one too late and come back with either a beef bone or a chicken bone. This year I asked the butcher ‘Do you have a nice bone for my seder plate?’ He grinned broadly and produced a beautiful bone. ‘It’s Lamb’ he said. I was thrilled! He wrapped it…’That will be 92 shekels’ he said, still grinning. OOPS! ‘Oh no! I’m sorry…I can’t possibly do that!’ I told him. His face dropped. ‘It’s a mitzvah!’ he said (a good deed – commandment). ‘To eat the meal is also a mitzvah and I can’t do both.’ He got the point and reluctantly gave me a smaller bone.
Israel continues to be in the pressure cooker. I have permission to forward to you part of Gina Dittmer’s report that she sent out following her participation with the Intercessors for Israel prayer tour. I thought that it was particularly excellent…sensitive…and I do share this view. If you pray for Israel’s current situation, please take notice. There is more going on…but…I am leaving that to another time. I will include Gina’s link here and the photos below.
“During my time in Israel, an Israeli believer told me that I don't understand much of the turmoil surrounding the judicial reform that has been and still is happening in Israel.
Well.....THAT was the understatement of the year (and the year is still young)!
The protests and rioting have been going on for weeks now, and it has been getting more and more "hot" and dangerous in ways that it was not before.
The truth is that it is SO COMPLICATED and divided. Some believers in Israel support the demonstrations and are against the judicial reform. Some believers in Israel are completely for the judicial reform and totally against the protesters and any push-back. Then there is the big muddled mess in the middle...not wanting government overreach, but not wanting protesters to interrupt daily life and especially not in the dangerous turns the protests have taken recently...wanting to see a resolution but confused about how it all got to this point.
Most people (in Israel and outside Israel) would accurately be labeled as "confused" about this situation and the dramatic uptick in violence, strikes, protests.
So, please know that I will NOT attempt to explain the situation and how to pray in this email update!
The story changes, depending on who you ask or what article you read!
A very vague and shallow and brief introduction is that some sort of reform/change is needed in that the Supreme Court has begun to overreach. Netanyahu/Likud campaigned partly on judicial reform. Likud won the election and was successful in forming a coalition government with several other parties, officially beginning as the 37th government of Israel at the end of December 2022.
Now, we are in the current very concerning situation with both sides (the current coalition and the opposition) accusing the other side and not trusting the other side. Sound familiar in anyone else's governments?
As I said, this is a very vague introduction. This issue of judicial reform seemed to be the spark that set everything off, but there are so many other issues and complications.
I will include some of the articles (those that seem less inflammatory) so you can educate yourselves if you choose to. (see below)
But mostly what I want to address is how to pray!
When we spoke of this situation during our trip (and we had a tour of the Knesset at the beginning of our official prayer journey - no photos from our time there as we left cameras/phones on the bus), we prayed regarding the nations that are sticking their noses into this situation and trying to manipulate outcomes.
We prayed from Psalm 33
(8) Let all the earth fear יהוה; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (9) For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood fast.
(10) יהוה brings the counsel of the nations to naught; He thwarts the plans of the peoples. (11) The counsel of יהוה stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
This goes for all the nations trying to manipulate the internal affairs of Israel, as well as for Israel's government itself.
We recognized that this is the most divided time in Israel's modern history. We prayed for unity in this nation. Hineh ma tov u ma na'im shevet achim gam yachad. (Psalm 133:1) See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity –
We prayed that the current Israeli government will be godly and righteous according to YHVH's ways and Word...no fear of man (or nations), to have wisdom and godly counsel, to know what to do and not to do. We also prayed for the salvation of the MKs (the members of Knesset). We prayed for them by name.
The next day we drove north and had some important prayer stops along the way. Our last stop before arriving at our hotel in the Upper Galilee/on the edge of the Golan Heights) was a late afternoon boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret). It was a beautiful and still afternoon/evening - perfect for a boat ride. Hanna, our sister and guide (and wife of Eliyahu who was the Chairman of IFI for so long until he passed away in 2019), had hand-picked the boat and crew. I don't know if she also hand-picked the music the crew played during our boat ride....but.....
We prayed regarding topics while floating on the Kinneret.
Many of us were dealing with grief and mourning (3 of us lost close family members all within a few days of each other at the start of the trip, and we also received word that Steve Lightle had also passed away suddenly...Steve was highly involved with IFI and Operation Exodus and known and loved by many on the prayer journey).
The beauty of the evening, the prayers we prayed while floating on such a special body of water, the emotions we were all feeling, the turmoil happening in Israel....all culminated in a very special, highly spiritual, holy moment as we were making our way back to shore. The crew put on the song "The Blessing" (Aaronic Blessing from Numbers) in English as we chugged back to shore with a beautiful evening sunset unfolding in the still majestic sky. We all sang and BLESSED Israel as the song played. (Here is a link to one version of the song in both English and Hebrew... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFhuNyQWqec )
This is how I want to leave you with this first prayer update and journey report. We blessed Israel. We prayed for Israel. ONLY GOD has the understanding of what is happening and the answers of how to pray. We must follow His guidance in how to pray and not our own understanding (I am so grateful, because I have no understanding!).
Remember the update I sent when I first arrived in Israel? I talked about "emet" - TRUTH. There is only one truth, and it is God's truth. Let us pray that He will reveal His Truth and provide guidance for all Who seek Him into His Truth.”
May The Lamb of God…Who has taken away our sins with His Own precious Blood, be glorified and seen as we remember what He has done! HIS BLOOD PREVAILS!
I send my love.
Your sis
March 17, 2023
“And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.” Genesis 22:8
Dearest friends, mostly far away but near in my heart…Greetings in Yeshua the Messiah Who has brought us near to God and made us one family. May HE be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed and encouraged!
I was able to buy some fresh spring garlic this morning, and even though I only bought two (you buy them with the greens and they can be braided into wonderful wreaths or strings to dry out) yet the strength of their pungent aroma has filled the apartment. They are one of our ‘sure signs’ of Spring and the approach of Pesach (Passover)!
The streets are being cleaned as well as each apartment and most significantly hearts…preparing to throw out the leaven both physically and that which has settled in the soul. Even in this year as I am packing without yet a place to move to (more below), time must be taken to prepare for Pesach. In many ways it is like birth or death… they usually don’t come at ‘convenient’ times…but they COME and there is no stopping them.
The Islamic feast of Ramadan began on Thursday and I needed to take a taxi home from work. The taxi driver, who was Arab, seemed guarded to me. When I asked him how he was he answered as a Jew would; “Baruch h’Shem” (bless The Name) often used ‘lightly’ by religious Jews which sort of says ‘It’s really tough but we will bless The Name of The Lord anyway.’ When I left the cab I said ‘Chag Sameach h’yom’ or ‘Happy holiday today’ wishing him a happy (and PEACEFUL) Ramadan. He turned quickly around for the first time and smiled with surprise: ‘Toda! Toda!’ ‘Ofcourse!’ I told him…’I wish you and your family ALL the best!’ There is so little that we can do sometimes and this was the little that I was able to do and I was thankful that I did. His eyes were filled with gratitude.
Yesterday was Shabbat and the streets were so much emptier than usual. I walk our little dog and as I pass families or singles going to or from prayers at the Western Wall I get to ring out ‘Shabbat Shalom!’ and they answer back with smiles ‘Shabbat Shalom!’ Such a small thing…meaningless? I don’t know. I think of the parable of the talents and the man with one talent who went and hid his. May my ‘one’ somehow speak for Him…in any way possible.
My times have been intense…my Scripture reading means more to me than ever…and the three verses that I share today are all from my reading yesterday. “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” What faith! That verse overwhelms me every time that I read it…everytime that I walk with Avraham to the mount with a pounding heart…can you imagine such FAITH? ‘YES LORD. EVEN THIS I WILL DO FOR YOU HAVE REQUIRED IT OF ME’…The faith of our father Avraham: may we, who have been given so much more revelation than he had, somehow know Him enough to understand and walk even as he walked! God will provide for Himself the lamb…The Lamb that cleanses for sin…The Lamb Whose Blood avails…The Lamb Who will lay on the altar…or the cross…THIS IS PASSOVER. But WE are so privileged to know that God HAS provided THE LAMB!
I do hope that you will take this time to read the book of Exodus, atleast the first 12 or so chapters. May you read it with wonder…and with faith…and think about the blood of the pure lamb being applied to the doorposts and lintel: The simple obedience called for to walk out by faith in the midst of grave danger and the unknown…our God calls us to this.
In Israel it is taken seriously. As a child, I was taught to take it seriously. ‘No leaven shall be seen in any of your houses for 8 days, or you will be cut off…for the Jew and the non-Jew (translated into English as stranger) in your midst. YOU WILL REMEMBER…YOU WILL REJOICE…YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE LAMB! Passover!
Jonah 4:7-8 “But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
And then my reading took me to Jonah where I read these verses and I thought; ‘This TOO is my God’. I was speaking to a younger friend here recently who has been wearing herself out ‘battling the enemy’ and as I pray…I see that GOD does indeed prepare worms and to give the enemy the credit stops the growth opportunity laid before us. NOT all worms are from God…nor all plagues…but we must have His discernment. God sends plagues…wars…famines…and yes, even suffering for His correction and His purposes and then all we seem to have is the choice of how we will respond (not react, but respond) …even in the midst of His Own chosen children he allows for the ‘wearing down of the saints’, of the killing of James with the edge of the sword, for one to be sick nigh unto death and for another to be shipwrecked…but oh how shall we respond? 1 Peter 4:12 exhorts us: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”
“It is well with my soul” well…here. I copied this from Wikipedia:
“This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first two were the death of his four-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody's upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, Spafford sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife, Anna, survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
(it’s well worth looking up the entire hymn and singing it at the top of your lungs for He hath done great things for us…even triumphing over the grave whose sting can not touch us, praise God!) Am I there? Are you? I hope that you are…I am not yet…but I aim for the mark of HIM Alone.
Philippians 3:6-9 and 11-13 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you…. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
So…no. I have not yet found an apartment.
This final scripture, which I also read again yesterday, following Avraham’s sacrifice and Jonah’s worm, has become my food and song.
I was incredibly blessed to have our daughter sacrificially come here to help for 3 full days! We (she) packed many boxes and we threw out innumerable huge garbage bags of ‘precious things’ and put the most useful or special into boxes to give away. There is so much more to do…so many years’ worth of collecting the signatures of our lives…
The rents have gone up since the last time that we had to move, 9 years ago, and my job is scheduled to end the last day of this September. At my age, I do not expect to be able to go on to another paying job. That means that any apartment that I find will be smaller than the 2 bedrooms that we currently have.
We looked at ads for apartments and went to see one. I have seen two now. The first one was in a neighborhood that is accessible by bus and I did not find a shopping area, but there must have been one somewhere. It had two rooms and a small garden. In the garden there were 3 olive trees and a shesek tree…but… there were 4 steep and rugged steps and a bit of a treacherous hill to get to the apartment. There was no room for a washing machine inside the house and the current tenants had one outside sitting in the mud. Sarah said ‘We will find better.’ Right after she left, I found one on a beautiful street very near where I am now…but…it was just one room with a small window above the door. It felt like a motel and I realized that I would become depressed in one room. I deeply appreciate your prayers for His choice of a place to live. I also have a little old dog and she must come with me. I have never walked this way before…but this IS for His glory and it’s NOT about me…it’s for His sake. I want to grow in Him. The battle with anxiety shows me how weak my faith is.
The situation here in Israel? Depressing…explosive on so many levels both internal and external. One encouraging article I will share Bnei Brak locals wait with flowers and sweets, protesters moved to tears | Watch
The first night of Passover…the Passover Seder, is Wed. 5 April. I do wish you a blessed Pesach. May what He cares about be what we care about…may we see all that comes our way from HIS perspective…and for His glory.
I thank you for your love, your prayers, as we strive together to know Him and glorify Him. May The God of all glory…The Creator…be known deep in your hearts and mine.
I send loving blessings, Your sister in Jerusalem
“And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.” Genesis 22:8
Dearest friends, mostly far away but near in my heart…Greetings in Yeshua the Messiah Who has brought us near to God and made us one family. May HE be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed and encouraged!
I was able to buy some fresh spring garlic this morning, and even though I only bought two (you buy them with the greens and they can be braided into wonderful wreaths or strings to dry out) yet the strength of their pungent aroma has filled the apartment. They are one of our ‘sure signs’ of Spring and the approach of Pesach (Passover)!
The streets are being cleaned as well as each apartment and most significantly hearts…preparing to throw out the leaven both physically and that which has settled in the soul. Even in this year as I am packing without yet a place to move to (more below), time must be taken to prepare for Pesach. In many ways it is like birth or death… they usually don’t come at ‘convenient’ times…but they COME and there is no stopping them.
The Islamic feast of Ramadan began on Thursday and I needed to take a taxi home from work. The taxi driver, who was Arab, seemed guarded to me. When I asked him how he was he answered as a Jew would; “Baruch h’Shem” (bless The Name) often used ‘lightly’ by religious Jews which sort of says ‘It’s really tough but we will bless The Name of The Lord anyway.’ When I left the cab I said ‘Chag Sameach h’yom’ or ‘Happy holiday today’ wishing him a happy (and PEACEFUL) Ramadan. He turned quickly around for the first time and smiled with surprise: ‘Toda! Toda!’ ‘Ofcourse!’ I told him…’I wish you and your family ALL the best!’ There is so little that we can do sometimes and this was the little that I was able to do and I was thankful that I did. His eyes were filled with gratitude.
Yesterday was Shabbat and the streets were so much emptier than usual. I walk our little dog and as I pass families or singles going to or from prayers at the Western Wall I get to ring out ‘Shabbat Shalom!’ and they answer back with smiles ‘Shabbat Shalom!’ Such a small thing…meaningless? I don’t know. I think of the parable of the talents and the man with one talent who went and hid his. May my ‘one’ somehow speak for Him…in any way possible.
My times have been intense…my Scripture reading means more to me than ever…and the three verses that I share today are all from my reading yesterday. “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” What faith! That verse overwhelms me every time that I read it…everytime that I walk with Avraham to the mount with a pounding heart…can you imagine such FAITH? ‘YES LORD. EVEN THIS I WILL DO FOR YOU HAVE REQUIRED IT OF ME’…The faith of our father Avraham: may we, who have been given so much more revelation than he had, somehow know Him enough to understand and walk even as he walked! God will provide for Himself the lamb…The Lamb that cleanses for sin…The Lamb Whose Blood avails…The Lamb Who will lay on the altar…or the cross…THIS IS PASSOVER. But WE are so privileged to know that God HAS provided THE LAMB!
I do hope that you will take this time to read the book of Exodus, atleast the first 12 or so chapters. May you read it with wonder…and with faith…and think about the blood of the pure lamb being applied to the doorposts and lintel: The simple obedience called for to walk out by faith in the midst of grave danger and the unknown…our God calls us to this.
In Israel it is taken seriously. As a child, I was taught to take it seriously. ‘No leaven shall be seen in any of your houses for 8 days, or you will be cut off…for the Jew and the non-Jew (translated into English as stranger) in your midst. YOU WILL REMEMBER…YOU WILL REJOICE…YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE LAMB! Passover!
Jonah 4:7-8 “But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
And then my reading took me to Jonah where I read these verses and I thought; ‘This TOO is my God’. I was speaking to a younger friend here recently who has been wearing herself out ‘battling the enemy’ and as I pray…I see that GOD does indeed prepare worms and to give the enemy the credit stops the growth opportunity laid before us. NOT all worms are from God…nor all plagues…but we must have His discernment. God sends plagues…wars…famines…and yes, even suffering for His correction and His purposes and then all we seem to have is the choice of how we will respond (not react, but respond) …even in the midst of His Own chosen children he allows for the ‘wearing down of the saints’, of the killing of James with the edge of the sword, for one to be sick nigh unto death and for another to be shipwrecked…but oh how shall we respond? 1 Peter 4:12 exhorts us: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”
“It is well with my soul” well…here. I copied this from Wikipedia:
“This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first two were the death of his four-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody's upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, Spafford sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife, Anna, survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
(it’s well worth looking up the entire hymn and singing it at the top of your lungs for He hath done great things for us…even triumphing over the grave whose sting can not touch us, praise God!) Am I there? Are you? I hope that you are…I am not yet…but I aim for the mark of HIM Alone.
Philippians 3:6-9 and 11-13 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you…. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
So…no. I have not yet found an apartment.
This final scripture, which I also read again yesterday, following Avraham’s sacrifice and Jonah’s worm, has become my food and song.
I was incredibly blessed to have our daughter sacrificially come here to help for 3 full days! We (she) packed many boxes and we threw out innumerable huge garbage bags of ‘precious things’ and put the most useful or special into boxes to give away. There is so much more to do…so many years’ worth of collecting the signatures of our lives…
The rents have gone up since the last time that we had to move, 9 years ago, and my job is scheduled to end the last day of this September. At my age, I do not expect to be able to go on to another paying job. That means that any apartment that I find will be smaller than the 2 bedrooms that we currently have.
We looked at ads for apartments and went to see one. I have seen two now. The first one was in a neighborhood that is accessible by bus and I did not find a shopping area, but there must have been one somewhere. It had two rooms and a small garden. In the garden there were 3 olive trees and a shesek tree…but… there were 4 steep and rugged steps and a bit of a treacherous hill to get to the apartment. There was no room for a washing machine inside the house and the current tenants had one outside sitting in the mud. Sarah said ‘We will find better.’ Right after she left, I found one on a beautiful street very near where I am now…but…it was just one room with a small window above the door. It felt like a motel and I realized that I would become depressed in one room. I deeply appreciate your prayers for His choice of a place to live. I also have a little old dog and she must come with me. I have never walked this way before…but this IS for His glory and it’s NOT about me…it’s for His sake. I want to grow in Him. The battle with anxiety shows me how weak my faith is.
The situation here in Israel? Depressing…explosive on so many levels both internal and external. One encouraging article I will share Bnei Brak locals wait with flowers and sweets, protesters moved to tears | Watch
The first night of Passover…the Passover Seder, is Wed. 5 April. I do wish you a blessed Pesach. May what He cares about be what we care about…may we see all that comes our way from HIS perspective…and for His glory.
I thank you for your love, your prayers, as we strive together to know Him and glorify Him. May The God of all glory…The Creator…be known deep in your hearts and mine.
I send loving blessings, Your sister in Jerusalem
March 1, 2023
“The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.”
Proverbs 15:25
Greetings in The mighty Name of Yeshua,
Faithful! Merciful! All Sufficient! Pure and Holy He is! THIS is our LORD! He knows the way when we can not see it and He is our Peace in the storm over which we have no power; when we are weak He is strong. May HE be glorified and blessed and may you be encouraged.
What can I share with you about the events going on here in Israel? Many of you know more than I do concerning events taking place in front of my eyes, nevertheless I know that there are others who have no idea what has been going on. In a nutshell (a very tiny one), there has been a strong resurgence of terror and we have had some horrifying, seemingly random deadly attacks, mostly in Jerusalem but also around the country. On top of that, the political upheaval has led Israel to the brink of civil war, something many countries around the world are experiencing. Ideological differences have reached a boiling point and each side is convinced that the other side is stupid, wicked and going to destroy the country. We are having a battle mainly over judicial reform that has brought hundreds of thousands into the streets, resulting in violence that is being fueled by the media. I know: It IS a common story that is being replayed everywhere. Here is a link to an excellent article that can explain the battle over Judicial reform in Israel.
both sides right and wrong The body seems just as divided over the issues as the rest of the country and The Lord keeps reminding me that my kingdom is NOT of ‘this world’.
Neither is your kingdom of this world.
Ten months ago , the Lord CLEARLY told me that I had not passed this way before and that it was VITAL that I keep my eyes on Him. It's funny because I THOUGHT that I was indeed keeping my eyes on Him and yet I now see how much I lean on my own understanding…the things that I ‘know’ and the things that ‘I can do myself’ or that ‘I like’ or ‘agree with’. In these cases, my eyes are NOT on Him…they are on my own personal preferences and opinions. You know, the Rabbis were (and often are) wise. They knew and studied the scriptures…but they MISSED THE MESSIAH! Jn. 7:50-51: “Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” You know…? We too can miss The Lord. I can miss Him…and like you, I really do not want to…I am AFRAID to miss Him.
The world is changing in front of our eyes. The HUGE disastrous earthquake in Turkey and Syria, was heartbreaking and happened on our doorstep. Many here felt it and there have been lots of strong tremors since. Israel is nervous. The building that I live in would crumble in a quake unless God’s mercy intervened. Is it my age or are the changes truly speeding up? I’m sorry for repeating myself, but the changes just seem so incredibly dramatic since we arrived in July of 1994. The 3 story tall building law has given way to gigantic high rise luxury apartments. My funny stories about getting used to our post offices and banks will soon be totally obsolete as the post offices and banks are disappearing and we rapidly move toward becoming a cashless society. When we made Aliyah, it was so hard to learn to navigate a system totally alien to us, but that system is disappearing and the new one bears no resemblance to anything that I have known or navigated before.
I am not of this kingdom and I must keep my eyes on Him and keep myself from becoming bogged down in my opinions and personal preferences; they won’t matter in His kingdom.
My 77th birthday passed and The Lord gave me a wonderful gift when a sister from my fellowship told me that she has a car and wondered if I would like to get out of town! This past Sunday we went to the beach. I have not been to the beach in 7 years. My husband had developed a sensitivity to the sun, and then we had to give up the car so time went on and I never got to the beach, and rarely went out of the city. I have always loved the ocean…(I’m sure that many of you can say the same)…there is something about its vastness…the mystery of the sound of the waves mixed with the wind…I was beside myself with joy. The peace of His Presence filled me and I was refreshed and invigorated. After the beach, we went to my favorite place in Israel…The Scroll of Fire. It is a quiet memorial on a hill top surrounded by 6 million trees that were planted for those who were killed in the Holocaust. The symbolism in this monument is beyond words. The shape of the monument is of both a scroll and of two chimneys … like the ones in the concentration camps. Inside the scroll, in Hebrew and English, is Ezekiel 37:12, 14 “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’” After that, we drove on and stopped at the moshav that our oldest daughter and family lived on…how wonderful the memories.
I came home full.
There was a knock on the door so soon after we came home…and there was my landlady. ‘I have something hard to tell you. It’s not nice but I have to tell you.’ she said. ‘My daughter’s marriage just broke up and she wants to live here…you have to leave. I know that it’s not nice, but she is my daughter.’ I couldn’t answer her. I had no words. Legally I believe that I have 2 months. The daughter is coming tomorrow to see if the apartment is right for her and her child. I do not know where I will go or what to do with all of my late husband's things that remain unsorted…a life’s worth of collected items that suddenly need to be gone so that I can fit into a yet smaller place…and where? And how?
Into all of this comes Purim...the holiday that celebrates the book of Esther. On the 6th will be the fast of Esther. Less and less people here seem to partake in the fast, perhaps the most important part. From sunset on the 6th through the 7th will be the celebration of Purim throughout the country except in the 'walled cities' (Jerusalem being the main one). From sundown on the 7th through sundown on the 8th is 'Shushan Purim' and the celebrations will be here. The celebrations of Purim have also changed since we got here...it is NOT my favorite holiday. BUT GOD IS STEADFAST AND STAYS THE SAME...HE CHANGES NOT.
Please, I do covet your prayers. I know that He has a place for me and that He has established my boundaries. I’m sorry that this letter is being closed hurriedly but it is time for prayer meeting and I must end. God bless and encourage you all. His kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Lovingly, your sister here.
ani b'derek אני בדרך
“The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.”
Proverbs 15:25
Greetings in The mighty Name of Yeshua,
Faithful! Merciful! All Sufficient! Pure and Holy He is! THIS is our LORD! He knows the way when we can not see it and He is our Peace in the storm over which we have no power; when we are weak He is strong. May HE be glorified and blessed and may you be encouraged.
What can I share with you about the events going on here in Israel? Many of you know more than I do concerning events taking place in front of my eyes, nevertheless I know that there are others who have no idea what has been going on. In a nutshell (a very tiny one), there has been a strong resurgence of terror and we have had some horrifying, seemingly random deadly attacks, mostly in Jerusalem but also around the country. On top of that, the political upheaval has led Israel to the brink of civil war, something many countries around the world are experiencing. Ideological differences have reached a boiling point and each side is convinced that the other side is stupid, wicked and going to destroy the country. We are having a battle mainly over judicial reform that has brought hundreds of thousands into the streets, resulting in violence that is being fueled by the media. I know: It IS a common story that is being replayed everywhere. Here is a link to an excellent article that can explain the battle over Judicial reform in Israel.
both sides right and wrong The body seems just as divided over the issues as the rest of the country and The Lord keeps reminding me that my kingdom is NOT of ‘this world’.
Neither is your kingdom of this world.
Ten months ago , the Lord CLEARLY told me that I had not passed this way before and that it was VITAL that I keep my eyes on Him. It's funny because I THOUGHT that I was indeed keeping my eyes on Him and yet I now see how much I lean on my own understanding…the things that I ‘know’ and the things that ‘I can do myself’ or that ‘I like’ or ‘agree with’. In these cases, my eyes are NOT on Him…they are on my own personal preferences and opinions. You know, the Rabbis were (and often are) wise. They knew and studied the scriptures…but they MISSED THE MESSIAH! Jn. 7:50-51: “Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” You know…? We too can miss The Lord. I can miss Him…and like you, I really do not want to…I am AFRAID to miss Him.
The world is changing in front of our eyes. The HUGE disastrous earthquake in Turkey and Syria, was heartbreaking and happened on our doorstep. Many here felt it and there have been lots of strong tremors since. Israel is nervous. The building that I live in would crumble in a quake unless God’s mercy intervened. Is it my age or are the changes truly speeding up? I’m sorry for repeating myself, but the changes just seem so incredibly dramatic since we arrived in July of 1994. The 3 story tall building law has given way to gigantic high rise luxury apartments. My funny stories about getting used to our post offices and banks will soon be totally obsolete as the post offices and banks are disappearing and we rapidly move toward becoming a cashless society. When we made Aliyah, it was so hard to learn to navigate a system totally alien to us, but that system is disappearing and the new one bears no resemblance to anything that I have known or navigated before.
I am not of this kingdom and I must keep my eyes on Him and keep myself from becoming bogged down in my opinions and personal preferences; they won’t matter in His kingdom.
My 77th birthday passed and The Lord gave me a wonderful gift when a sister from my fellowship told me that she has a car and wondered if I would like to get out of town! This past Sunday we went to the beach. I have not been to the beach in 7 years. My husband had developed a sensitivity to the sun, and then we had to give up the car so time went on and I never got to the beach, and rarely went out of the city. I have always loved the ocean…(I’m sure that many of you can say the same)…there is something about its vastness…the mystery of the sound of the waves mixed with the wind…I was beside myself with joy. The peace of His Presence filled me and I was refreshed and invigorated. After the beach, we went to my favorite place in Israel…The Scroll of Fire. It is a quiet memorial on a hill top surrounded by 6 million trees that were planted for those who were killed in the Holocaust. The symbolism in this monument is beyond words. The shape of the monument is of both a scroll and of two chimneys … like the ones in the concentration camps. Inside the scroll, in Hebrew and English, is Ezekiel 37:12, 14 “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’” After that, we drove on and stopped at the moshav that our oldest daughter and family lived on…how wonderful the memories.
I came home full.
There was a knock on the door so soon after we came home…and there was my landlady. ‘I have something hard to tell you. It’s not nice but I have to tell you.’ she said. ‘My daughter’s marriage just broke up and she wants to live here…you have to leave. I know that it’s not nice, but she is my daughter.’ I couldn’t answer her. I had no words. Legally I believe that I have 2 months. The daughter is coming tomorrow to see if the apartment is right for her and her child. I do not know where I will go or what to do with all of my late husband's things that remain unsorted…a life’s worth of collected items that suddenly need to be gone so that I can fit into a yet smaller place…and where? And how?
Into all of this comes Purim...the holiday that celebrates the book of Esther. On the 6th will be the fast of Esther. Less and less people here seem to partake in the fast, perhaps the most important part. From sunset on the 6th through the 7th will be the celebration of Purim throughout the country except in the 'walled cities' (Jerusalem being the main one). From sundown on the 7th through sundown on the 8th is 'Shushan Purim' and the celebrations will be here. The celebrations of Purim have also changed since we got here...it is NOT my favorite holiday. BUT GOD IS STEADFAST AND STAYS THE SAME...HE CHANGES NOT.
Please, I do covet your prayers. I know that He has a place for me and that He has established my boundaries. I’m sorry that this letter is being closed hurriedly but it is time for prayer meeting and I must end. God bless and encourage you all. His kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Lovingly, your sister here.
ani b'derek אני בדרך
January 30, 2023
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever: Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” PSALM 138:8
יהוה יגמור בעדי"” – Adonai will finish for me…
“…but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10
Greetings dear sisters and brothers, created in His image and for His glory.
May HE be glorified and blessed, and may you and I be edified, exhorted and encouraged to walk together, all the way through, by His Spirt.
I have often wondered how…or if it is indeed possible…that any two people can communicate verbally. Add to experience, personality, generation, culture…DIFFERENT LANGUAGE?!? It is indeed impossible…BUT GOD! The God Who looked upon the tower of Babel and confounded their tongues…The same God Who poured out His Spirit on Pentecost (Shavuot) and everyone heard the interpretation of those speaking in tongues according to their own mother tongue…GOD DOES IT BY HIS SPIRIT and we are called to walk in the unity of The faith by His Spirit! May His GRACE be added to my words, that you might hear whatever He deems worthy of being heard.
Even in this time and in this world.
He doesn’t take division lightly. His ‘way’ is ‘One’.
I remember so vividly something that happened to me the first week that I was saved…48 years ago. I was lying on the floor in my army surplus mummy sleeping bag (my bed at the time) and I was reading my new Treasure (His Word) and praying and thinking about all that had happed. Suddenly I remembered ‘The Shma’!…the foundational prayer of Judaism: “Hear oh Yisrael, The Lord, The Lord IS ONE.” I closed my Bible and looked up and said ‘Oh Lord HELP! Tell me! They say that You are three but we say that You are One…HELP!’ (something to that effect…a desperate cry as my foundation was being laid).
This is what I saw: I ‘saw’ HIM…and He ‘squeezed out’ His Heart and said to me ‘This is Jesus…My Heart, given to all mankind’, and He put it back. Then He ‘squeezed out’ His ‘mind’ and said to me ‘This is The Holy Spirit, given to My children’, and He put it back. Then He spread His arms and looked at me with great pity and depth and said “BUT I ALONE AM!” and I totally understood ‘the trinity’ from that moment unto this. I can add nothing to it nor take anything away.
But that IS how it IS when He actually speaks to each of us.
Not so with our many noisy words; and ours can be ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ or ‘partial’ or mean different things to different people. AAHHH!
I would be surprised if there are any of you that have not heard about the events in Jerusalem this week…the two successful terror attacks and everyone’s interpretation. I don’t know how much any of you might or might not know about our security forces nearly nightly raids into Jenin named ‘Operation Break the Wave’. It has been ongoing here in Jenin for the past year. Jenin, a large Palestinian city and center of operations, includes an area indistinguishable from the rest of the city, called the Jenin refugee camp. I know that western eyes picture a refugee camp as an area crowded with pathetic tents housing hopeless displaced humans, but Jenin’s ‘camp’ is not distinguishable from the rest of the city. (see photo below) It has historically been a hotbed for terror. Jenin is not a city of Israeli Arabs. These are people who did not accept the offer of citizenship when the modern state of Israel was formed, therefore they are not Israeli citizens. Most of them hold Jordanian citizenship.
About a year ago it was found that most of the ‘lone wolf terrorists’ who were attacking Israelis with increasing intensity, were either coming from Jenin, being trained there or being sent out from there, so nightly arrest waves began under the name of ‘Operation Break the Wave’. Many have been arrested over this past year but where violent resistance has been met, there have been deaths and injuries. Several days ago there was intelligence received that a major attack against Israel was being planned in Jenin and that night, as the plot was uncovered and our forces went in to arrest the group, strong resistance was met and 9 Palestinians were killed during a 3 hour battle.
Please remember that these were men ‘caught in the act’ of preparing a major terror attack.
Friday night 7 Israelis were shot dead and 3 more wounded outside a Jerusalem synagogue as prayer services were coming to an end. Joyful celebrations took place in many Palestinian areas. On Saturday (Shabbat) a father and grown son were seriously stabbed by… A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD BOY (!) incited by the glory given to the ‘great martyr’ the night before. This thirteen year old boy left his mother a note that read ‘I am sorry but I know that tonight you will be proud of me!’ Today I watched interviews with his classmates who are determined to follow his ‘brave example’. Children!
Is the situation tense? Yes. I have now been here 28 years and my experience teaches me to say: ‘Wait quietly before The Lord.’ I have no idea what will happen…May we ALL TOGETHER petition The Lord for His Will, His Way, His mercy. The situation will NOT ‘stand still’ but we must.
I walked into my vet’s office today to get Gila’s (our old dogs) yearly rabies shot and I said to my favorite vet ‘Aryeh! How are you doing?’ He wasn’t looking so great. We’ve been friends for the past 28 years and I have found him to be a colorful man who has done so much in and for Israel during his nearly 80 years. He is still the veterinarian for Jerusalem’s impressive Biblical Zoo. ‘I’ll be ok as soon as BB goes!’ was his answer. Oops…change the subject. Division, division and more division. I didn’t pursue it. Right after Gila’s vaccine, a cat was being neutered and the friend who went with me asked me if she could help with the surgery. Now, that might seem strange to you but I have gotten used to it. The first time we went to Ariyeh, there was a goat being fixed up and there was no door between the receiving room and the treatment area…we got to watch everything. When one of our cats was neutered, we lent a helping hand, and when one of our dogs needed an emergency surgery we got to ‘hold this skin back here’ and ‘put your finger here to stop the bleeding.’ I don’t think that there is another vet like this in Jerusalem anymore (although I may be wrong).
On my way home, I found myself thinking about what a wonder it has been to be a ‘bridge’ between ‘times and seasons’. I grew up in the ‘Old New York City’ and remember slate sidewalks and cobblestone streets and the horse drawn wagons of the rag collectors, the call of the Gypsy monkey grinders and the wooden barrels of pickles. My sister, born only 3 years later, does not remember these…but there I stayed until the first ever major NYC power outage that proved to me that I wanted to leave this endless city and learn how to survive without depending upon water pipes, supermarkets and electricity. After walking and hitchhiking across America and Canada, I lived on an Indian Reservation in the Northwest for a year or two and was there when the Bureau of Indian Affairs built the first electric supplied houses. I met Eric in the hippie days of drug ridden San Francisco and we lived in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains when there was only one traffic light and we had neither running water, electricity nor any heat other than the wood that we cut and chopped for cooking as well. Then we moved to Naknek, Alaska living there before the one road was paved or telephones arrived and again we heated, cooked with wood and had kerosene lamps and outhouses. We watched that all change and in a short time, again, there were phones, a paved road, electricity…modern life seemed to chase us.
When we moved to Jerusalem 28 years ago, it was also another world. Has this happened to each of you as well? Perhaps it is a normal phenomenon of aging…living this long. I have aged and Jerusalem has aged. Tall buildings and more lite rail are being built everywhere that I look. English is now a language heard all over the city and foods that I remember from years back are appearing in our stores.
HOWEVER…Although I have run the race thus far, watching ‘modern life’ overtake me, I see also the pages of The Eternal Word running too. Those Words are established and steadfast…but they are PROGRESSING. The Words that we depended upon yesterday are still true, but I find that I must ALSO ‘turn the page’. HE is ‘yesterday, today and forever the same’ but His calendar pages turn and I find that in more ways than personal ones, I have not passed this way before and I must listen more closely. There seems to me, again, to be a shifting and a shaking and it feels much more violent…much deeper.
The ONLY thing that I can offer in such a season is my response. I search The Word for the response that He seeks for in me in such a time as this.
It is time to close this email and I found that I have said nothing new and I pray that I did not waste your time. Many have asked ‘how I am’ and I thank you so very much for your concern. I am back working, but my boss, who is planning to retire at the end of September, has me working only Tuesday and Thursday now at half time. It is probably better for my health. My arm is healing slowly and the doctor said that I can still lift not more than 1 kg with it and that it will likely be yet another 6 months before it heals firmly. I’m set to turn 77 in a couple of weeks and my body feels it …and I’m learning to walk a new path that I didn’t choose, however ‘The Headship’ that I am now under is unchanging and secure! I’m learning afresh how to sit quietly, listen and obey: Old lessons to apply more deeply…examine honestly. I’m seeing more clearly the importance of the body according to His pattern and plan and the horrors of arrogance, pride, worldliness, rebellion. May His mercy lead us deeper into His heart!
I greatly appreciate each email and I’m thankful for your friendship and mostly your prayers for this nation and our people…and my family. May The Lord BLESS you and KEEP you and cause His Face to shine upon you and give you HIS PEACE.
Loving blessings, your sister in Jerusalem.
(I am not re-reading this, so please do excuse mistakes and poor writing.)
--
ani b'derek אני בדרך
יהוה יגמור בעדי"” – Adonai will finish for me…
“…but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10
Greetings dear sisters and brothers, created in His image and for His glory.
May HE be glorified and blessed, and may you and I be edified, exhorted and encouraged to walk together, all the way through, by His Spirt.
I have often wondered how…or if it is indeed possible…that any two people can communicate verbally. Add to experience, personality, generation, culture…DIFFERENT LANGUAGE?!? It is indeed impossible…BUT GOD! The God Who looked upon the tower of Babel and confounded their tongues…The same God Who poured out His Spirit on Pentecost (Shavuot) and everyone heard the interpretation of those speaking in tongues according to their own mother tongue…GOD DOES IT BY HIS SPIRIT and we are called to walk in the unity of The faith by His Spirit! May His GRACE be added to my words, that you might hear whatever He deems worthy of being heard.
Even in this time and in this world.
He doesn’t take division lightly. His ‘way’ is ‘One’.
I remember so vividly something that happened to me the first week that I was saved…48 years ago. I was lying on the floor in my army surplus mummy sleeping bag (my bed at the time) and I was reading my new Treasure (His Word) and praying and thinking about all that had happed. Suddenly I remembered ‘The Shma’!…the foundational prayer of Judaism: “Hear oh Yisrael, The Lord, The Lord IS ONE.” I closed my Bible and looked up and said ‘Oh Lord HELP! Tell me! They say that You are three but we say that You are One…HELP!’ (something to that effect…a desperate cry as my foundation was being laid).
This is what I saw: I ‘saw’ HIM…and He ‘squeezed out’ His Heart and said to me ‘This is Jesus…My Heart, given to all mankind’, and He put it back. Then He ‘squeezed out’ His ‘mind’ and said to me ‘This is The Holy Spirit, given to My children’, and He put it back. Then He spread His arms and looked at me with great pity and depth and said “BUT I ALONE AM!” and I totally understood ‘the trinity’ from that moment unto this. I can add nothing to it nor take anything away.
But that IS how it IS when He actually speaks to each of us.
Not so with our many noisy words; and ours can be ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ or ‘partial’ or mean different things to different people. AAHHH!
I would be surprised if there are any of you that have not heard about the events in Jerusalem this week…the two successful terror attacks and everyone’s interpretation. I don’t know how much any of you might or might not know about our security forces nearly nightly raids into Jenin named ‘Operation Break the Wave’. It has been ongoing here in Jenin for the past year. Jenin, a large Palestinian city and center of operations, includes an area indistinguishable from the rest of the city, called the Jenin refugee camp. I know that western eyes picture a refugee camp as an area crowded with pathetic tents housing hopeless displaced humans, but Jenin’s ‘camp’ is not distinguishable from the rest of the city. (see photo below) It has historically been a hotbed for terror. Jenin is not a city of Israeli Arabs. These are people who did not accept the offer of citizenship when the modern state of Israel was formed, therefore they are not Israeli citizens. Most of them hold Jordanian citizenship.
About a year ago it was found that most of the ‘lone wolf terrorists’ who were attacking Israelis with increasing intensity, were either coming from Jenin, being trained there or being sent out from there, so nightly arrest waves began under the name of ‘Operation Break the Wave’. Many have been arrested over this past year but where violent resistance has been met, there have been deaths and injuries. Several days ago there was intelligence received that a major attack against Israel was being planned in Jenin and that night, as the plot was uncovered and our forces went in to arrest the group, strong resistance was met and 9 Palestinians were killed during a 3 hour battle.
Please remember that these were men ‘caught in the act’ of preparing a major terror attack.
Friday night 7 Israelis were shot dead and 3 more wounded outside a Jerusalem synagogue as prayer services were coming to an end. Joyful celebrations took place in many Palestinian areas. On Saturday (Shabbat) a father and grown son were seriously stabbed by… A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD BOY (!) incited by the glory given to the ‘great martyr’ the night before. This thirteen year old boy left his mother a note that read ‘I am sorry but I know that tonight you will be proud of me!’ Today I watched interviews with his classmates who are determined to follow his ‘brave example’. Children!
Is the situation tense? Yes. I have now been here 28 years and my experience teaches me to say: ‘Wait quietly before The Lord.’ I have no idea what will happen…May we ALL TOGETHER petition The Lord for His Will, His Way, His mercy. The situation will NOT ‘stand still’ but we must.
I walked into my vet’s office today to get Gila’s (our old dogs) yearly rabies shot and I said to my favorite vet ‘Aryeh! How are you doing?’ He wasn’t looking so great. We’ve been friends for the past 28 years and I have found him to be a colorful man who has done so much in and for Israel during his nearly 80 years. He is still the veterinarian for Jerusalem’s impressive Biblical Zoo. ‘I’ll be ok as soon as BB goes!’ was his answer. Oops…change the subject. Division, division and more division. I didn’t pursue it. Right after Gila’s vaccine, a cat was being neutered and the friend who went with me asked me if she could help with the surgery. Now, that might seem strange to you but I have gotten used to it. The first time we went to Ariyeh, there was a goat being fixed up and there was no door between the receiving room and the treatment area…we got to watch everything. When one of our cats was neutered, we lent a helping hand, and when one of our dogs needed an emergency surgery we got to ‘hold this skin back here’ and ‘put your finger here to stop the bleeding.’ I don’t think that there is another vet like this in Jerusalem anymore (although I may be wrong).
On my way home, I found myself thinking about what a wonder it has been to be a ‘bridge’ between ‘times and seasons’. I grew up in the ‘Old New York City’ and remember slate sidewalks and cobblestone streets and the horse drawn wagons of the rag collectors, the call of the Gypsy monkey grinders and the wooden barrels of pickles. My sister, born only 3 years later, does not remember these…but there I stayed until the first ever major NYC power outage that proved to me that I wanted to leave this endless city and learn how to survive without depending upon water pipes, supermarkets and electricity. After walking and hitchhiking across America and Canada, I lived on an Indian Reservation in the Northwest for a year or two and was there when the Bureau of Indian Affairs built the first electric supplied houses. I met Eric in the hippie days of drug ridden San Francisco and we lived in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains when there was only one traffic light and we had neither running water, electricity nor any heat other than the wood that we cut and chopped for cooking as well. Then we moved to Naknek, Alaska living there before the one road was paved or telephones arrived and again we heated, cooked with wood and had kerosene lamps and outhouses. We watched that all change and in a short time, again, there were phones, a paved road, electricity…modern life seemed to chase us.
When we moved to Jerusalem 28 years ago, it was also another world. Has this happened to each of you as well? Perhaps it is a normal phenomenon of aging…living this long. I have aged and Jerusalem has aged. Tall buildings and more lite rail are being built everywhere that I look. English is now a language heard all over the city and foods that I remember from years back are appearing in our stores.
HOWEVER…Although I have run the race thus far, watching ‘modern life’ overtake me, I see also the pages of The Eternal Word running too. Those Words are established and steadfast…but they are PROGRESSING. The Words that we depended upon yesterday are still true, but I find that I must ALSO ‘turn the page’. HE is ‘yesterday, today and forever the same’ but His calendar pages turn and I find that in more ways than personal ones, I have not passed this way before and I must listen more closely. There seems to me, again, to be a shifting and a shaking and it feels much more violent…much deeper.
The ONLY thing that I can offer in such a season is my response. I search The Word for the response that He seeks for in me in such a time as this.
It is time to close this email and I found that I have said nothing new and I pray that I did not waste your time. Many have asked ‘how I am’ and I thank you so very much for your concern. I am back working, but my boss, who is planning to retire at the end of September, has me working only Tuesday and Thursday now at half time. It is probably better for my health. My arm is healing slowly and the doctor said that I can still lift not more than 1 kg with it and that it will likely be yet another 6 months before it heals firmly. I’m set to turn 77 in a couple of weeks and my body feels it …and I’m learning to walk a new path that I didn’t choose, however ‘The Headship’ that I am now under is unchanging and secure! I’m learning afresh how to sit quietly, listen and obey: Old lessons to apply more deeply…examine honestly. I’m seeing more clearly the importance of the body according to His pattern and plan and the horrors of arrogance, pride, worldliness, rebellion. May His mercy lead us deeper into His heart!
I greatly appreciate each email and I’m thankful for your friendship and mostly your prayers for this nation and our people…and my family. May The Lord BLESS you and KEEP you and cause His Face to shine upon you and give you HIS PEACE.
Loving blessings, your sister in Jerusalem.
(I am not re-reading this, so please do excuse mistakes and poor writing.)
--
ani b'derek אני בדרך
January 20, 2023
Prayer Points for Israel
Prayer Points for Israel
- Praise:
The Torah portion continues the story of God setting His people free from Egyptian bondage. A number of this Shabbat's verses declare that our God reigns in the earth, not Satan and not man. In these very chaotic and dangerous days, this is really good news.- I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there in order that you may know that I am YHWH in the midst of the earth.Ex. 8:22
- Moses said to Pharaoh, '…I will lift up my hands to YHWH, and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail, so that you may know that the earth is YHWH's'. (Ex. 9:29; 15:18)
- Hallelujah! Lord Yeshua, You do reign over the earth today (Matt. 28:18; Acts 10:36).
- We rejoice that Your reign includes the small details as well as the large (Est. 6:1; Matt. 10:29-31).
- We praise You for being in complete control as Your kingdom rules over all (Psa. 103:19).
- Thank You Lord Yeshua for sharing with us this incredible truth that You have already overcome the world so that we can boldly follow You regardless of the tribulation we will face (John 16:33).
- In today's very confusing world, we thank You that as we consistently pray from Your word, You gradually give us insight as to Your specific will in most situations (Psa. 119:18; 1 John 5:14-15).
- We rejoice that You Lord, are a God of peace and rest, and not a God of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).
- We bless You for being able to rest in You because while we are often blindsided by today's events, You who know the end from the beginning are never taken by surprise (Isa. 42:9; 46:9-10).
- Government:
The opposition parties that lost the election, along with most of Israel's media, despise PM Bibi Netanyahu and the parties in his right-wing coalition. They are inciting against Israel's new leaders through twisted, untruthful reports and headlines, warning that what the coalition wants to legislate, especially about judicial reform, could lead to a civil war, which of course, their incitement makes more likely. Also, the Supreme Court this week ruled that Aryeh Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, cannot be a minister because of past financial criminal activities. This has deepened the current division in the nation over the unelected court's overreach against the elected leaders. So our prayer burden has increased since the elections although our intercession was basically answered for a coalition that will lead Israel more in line with His will.- We plead with You to teach us to pray into these very convoluted issues (Luke 11:1).
- Lord, let at least some of the current government ministers and many of Israel's judges see that You are Israel's King (Isa. 33:22) whom they are supposed to serve (Psa. 2:10-11).
- God, You hate what the opposition is trying to do (Prov. 6:16-19), so we ask You to frustrate their efforts to stir up strife (Dan. 6:22).
- Use this most likely last term in office for Bibi to bring glory to Your holy name (Psa. 115:1-3).
- Turn his heart towards Your will in both what he should do and what he should not do (Prov. 21:1).
- Again we ask for godly counselors to surround all of Israel's current ministers (Prov. 11:14; 15:22).
- Make Your priorities the priorities of Israel's current government (Matt. 6:10).
- We have asked You to clear out the dross (Isa. 1:25) and if the Supreme Court's decision with Deri is part of Your answer, we thank You.
- Show Bibi what to do with Deri and how to prevent the coalition from falling (Psa. 51:6; 111:10).
- We continue to ask You to restore righteous judges and advisors as per Isaiah 1:26, and pray that Justice Minister Yariv Levin's proposal to reform Israel's judiciary system will contribute to that.
- May all changes in any of Israel's laws be in line with Your Word, and not with anti-God liberalism or rabbinic traditions when those traditions stray from the Scriptures (Psa. 119:97-104; Mark 7:13).
- Enable Finance Minister Bezaleel Smotrich to work closely with Netanyahu and to surprise many Israelis with how well they together war against Israel's very high cost of living (Deut. 15:11; 24:14).
- Download to the whole government Your prophetic declaration that Israel is supposed to be a nation set apart – and then give them grace to start acting like it (Ex. 33:15-16; Num. 23:9b).
- Give Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer unity and wisdom to stand against the increased anti-biblical international pressure against Israel (Neh. 2:20).
- Let them use Your Word boldly when defending Israel internationally (Psa. 119: 41-43; Mic. 4:2b).
- Lord, as these three try to shield Israel, shield them from manipulation and deception (Psa. 91:4b).
- IDF:
The new Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi took his post this week. He is an "observant" Jew, the first to hold this position, and he also lives in a "settlement" east of Jerusalem. His responsibilities are enormous as he must make sure the IDF can defend Israel from external and internal enemies.- Lord, as the IDF is a fulfillment of Your prophetic promise in Ezekiel 37:10, we ask You to ensure that it remains an exceedingly great army, and we give You all the glory for it (Isa. 41:10-16).
- Surround Halevi with godly counselors and give him ears to hear them (Prov. 20:18; 24:6).
- Speak to him as he reads Your Word and give him a heart to obey (Psa. 119:18, 98, 130).
- Give Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant a godly working relationship (Psa. 133:1).
- Guide all negotiations between Israeli politicians and security personnel, and let Your will be that which prevails in every decision they make (2 Chr. 14:11).
- Let Halevi continue in everything that the former Chief of Staff Kochavi did that was of You, yet help him modify anything that is not of You for the IDF from this time onwards (Prov. 16:9; 21:31).
- Reduce the accidents that have taken soldiers' lives and guard them as they guard Israel (Psa. 140:7).
- We give You the glory for Israel's breakthroughs in innovative weaponry (Prov. 8:12).
- May these weapons be brought quickly to the point of active use (Psa. 144:1; Jer. 51:20).
- Direct Israel's when it comes to with whom they are to share any new technology (Isa. 39:1-7).
- Internal security:
Again in the Torah and prophetic portions we hear God emphasizing that He has sworn to give all of the land of Canaan to Israel's forefathers, and that He will provide security in it for His people (Ezek. 28:25-26). The new coalition needs to move ahead and possess more of that land (Obad. 1:17), as only in this way will there be a chance of security since the Islamic-Arab mindset is to fear the strong and to lord it over all those who are weak and appeasers.- I will bring you in unto the land, about which I swore to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am YHWH. (Ex. 6:8) Amen and thank You God!
- Whether it is all at once (Obad. 1:17), or little by little (Deut. 7:20-22), lead the coalition to extend Israel's sovereignty over more of the land west of the Jordan River.
- Guide Israel to extend its sovereignty over Judea and Samaria in Your way and timing (Psa. 31:15).
- Thank You for the 1,000 Israeli youth – along with many others – who are petitioning the coalition to extend its sovereignty over the Jordan Valley now (Deut. 2:29b; 11:31).
- Encourage the coalition to support the expansion of all Israeli communities in these areas, enabling more people to live there by increasing infrastructure and housing (Isa. 65:21; Jer. 31:3-5).
- We pray that Area C – located in Judea and Samaria, and which according to the Oslo Accords, is still under Israeli control – would be guarded over by Israeli law more effectively (Jer. 33:12-14).
- Let Israel publicly shame the EU for illegally financing the Palestinians to build towns and houses in Area C behind Israel's back – and somehow use this to fulfill Isaiah 60:10.
- Deafen them to the criticism and condemnations from the UN and their "friends" (Psa. 38:11-13).
- Protect Israelis from every enemy encroachment and terrorist attack (Psa. 3:1-8).
- Continue to give the IDF supernatural success in their war on terrorism and terrorists (Psa. 44:4-6).
- Lord, tear apart the terrorists' infrastructure and cause great division among them (Psa. 17:13; 55:9).
- External security:
Iran's internal situation continues to give its evil leaders major headaches. This is a sign that God is hearing our prayers concerning their anti-Israel plots and it should encourage us to press on until this threat is removed and the Iranians are set free to be allies with God's nation.- From the Torah portion: I have raised you [ Pharaoh ] up for this, in order to show My power in you, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Ex. 9:16; cp. Rom. 9:14-18) Lord, may this be the same spiritual principle that You use in relation to Iran's wicked leaders today.
- Destroy the ayatollahs as You have said and receive all of the glory (Isa. 40:21-24; Jer. 49:38a).
- Send a perverse spirit into the minds of all of Israel's enemies among Iran's leaders (Isa. 19:14).
- Let them see Israeli activity everywhere, using that paranoia to totally confuse them (Psa. 129:5).
- Dry up all of the finances of Iran's leaders and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp that keeps them in power (1 Tim. 6:9; Jam. 5:1-6).
- Continue to build up the Iranian believers, using them as a blessing in their nation (Jer. 49:38b).
- Let Halevi and the IDF Iran Command leaders come quickly into one accord concerning how to deal with Iran – both offensively and defensively.
- We praise and thank You for the success You have given Israel in stopping Iran from establishing itself in Syria, and ask that these attacks would not stop until Iran flees (Psa. 68:35).
- Prepare Israel to make a devastating pre-emptive strike against Hizbullah in Lebanon if and when needed and directed by You (Psa. 144:1; Prov. 21:31).
- Let it be so overwhelmingly successfully that the fear of Israel and of You, the God of Israel, causes all of Israel's neighborhood enemies to tremble and fear and ask Israel for peace (2 Chr. 17:10).
- Show Israel that it must depend on You, and not on any other nation (Psa. 146:3-5; Isa. 31:1).
- Let the warning in the prophetic portion against Israel's allies who are not trustworthy be heard in the capitals of the Western nations today – especially America (Ezek. 29:6-7).
- Aliyah:
Despite an increase in anti-Semitic attacks, most Jews in the West – where most of the Jews in exile reside – remain there. A war drove out many Jews from Russia and Ukraine, so what will it take for Western Jews to wake up? We are praying that they respond to God's merciful drawing (Jer. 31:3) before He needs to chase them home (Jer. 16:16).- Lord, the aliyah brings You glory, so we ask for it to greatly increase this year (Isa. 43:5-7).
- Show Jews in the West that Israel is the safest place for them in these days, especially those who go outside with baseball caps covering their kippot [ Jewish skull caps ] (Jer. 31:10).
- Tear apart their false comfort zones and then send angels to drag them out of exile (Gen. 19:16).
- Give Jewish leaders in exile courage to lead their flocks to safety in Israel (Josh. 1:9).
- Release all Jews who want to return but are being hindered – whether by governments, finances, family or community members or deceptive theology (Ex. 9:1).
- Open the gates in Israel to all Jews who want to return but who might be hindered by skin color or religious preferences or lack of "sufficient" finances (Isa. 62:10).
- Lord, increase the number of new immigrants that You bring to Israel in 2023 way above the almost 75,000 who came in 2022 (Ezek. 39:27-29).
- Guide Ofir Sofer, Israel's new minister of aliyah and absorption, filling him with a passion to serve and succeed in this capacity (Josh 1:8), and let him consult with Pnina Tamano-Shata who did such a great job in this ministry in the last government.
- Streamline Israel's bureaucracy that too often makes the process of aliyah and absorption much more of a pain than it ought to be (2 Kin. 7:17; Isa. 62:10).
- Impart to new olim [ immigrants ] divine persistence in dealing with their new life (Luke 18:2-5).
- Encourage Netanyahu's government to settle new olim everywhere in Your land (Jer. 32:43-44).
- Reveal to many more gentile believers that You want them to help carry and pay for, as well as pray for, the Jews in their nations to make aliyah (Isa.49:22; 60:4-10; 62:6-7).
- Show the Church that the clearest example today of God answering the prayer of may Your name be sanctified (Matt. 6:9b) is the restoration of the land to the Jews and the Jews to the land, which will sooner or later (Sooner, Lord!), lead to the salvation of all Israel (Psa. 106:47; Ezek. 36:1-36).
- Salvation:
The most effective evangelists and revivalists in history usually had intercessors behind the scenes storming heaven for souls. After all, no one comes to Yeshua unless the Father draws them so why not talk to the One who has the power to save – and then when talking to those who need saving, most of the heavy work is already done (John 6:37, 39, 44-45, 65)!- Lord, many of Your people are back in the land and we remind You that as You said they would be saved after they returned, please pour out Your Spirit today (Jer. 32:37-40; Ezek. 36:24-29).
- Reveal Messiah Yeshua to Your people in visions and dreams (Joel 2:28).
- Yeshua Lord, remove all false images that the Jews have of You when You walked in Israel in the flesh – as well as all false expectations of Messiah that they have received (Gen. 45:1-5; Isa. 53:1).
- Let more Jews see the beauty of their precious Lord and King Messiah (Psa. 90:17).
- Lord, turn Your people to You; cause Your face to shine and save them (Psa. 80:3, 7, 18-19).
- Exalt Your Word – and not man's – in Your people's hearts and minds (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12).
- Reveal Yourself by removing the veil over Jewish eyes when they read Moses (2 Cor. 3:14-16).
- Let signs and wonders be evident as believers present Yeshua to the Jews (1 Cor. 1:22).
- Anoint Israeli believers to be salt and light throughout Israeli society (Matt. 5:13).
- Let every Jew who has ever been provoked to jealousy by a gentile believer be drawn today to that which they sensed in the heart of those precious provokers (Rom. 11:11; 1 Cor. 3:6-7).
- Water:
We continue to ask God to open the heavens over His land.- Thank You that Israel is not facing a water crisis this year (Psa. 135:7; 147:7-8).
- Yet we do ask You, based on Your mercy (Matt. 5:45), to pour out the latter rains (Zech. 10:1)
- IFI:
As you can tell from reading this alert, the need is great and often the situation changes quite suddenly. We treasure you prayers for us to be able to handle frustrations and doubts and fears and confusion and to hear our Shepherd's voice leading us in His paths so that our prayers ultimately bring Him glory. Thank you for that as well as all the other ways in which you support us.
January 7, 2023
…” And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle ax in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar.” …And The Lord said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” …” They each went straight forward.” Ezekiel 9:2, 4, 10:2
Oh Blessings…love beyond words I am sending in The Precious Name of The Lord, Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ, The awaited Messiah. In this new year according to the western calendar, may HE be blessed and glorified and my all things be made new in Him. May we each drink deeply from His Word daily and may we also drink the cup prepared for us and fulfill His purposes, some great and some small…but all that is in and of Him is for His glory…and worthy to be done. Blessing and honor and glory to Him and may you be encouraged and blessed.
I do wish you each a blessed new year. Thank you for your love and prayers and patience with me through this last one, which for me, and many of you as well, bore stripes and wounds hard to bear…may we grow thereby and may we run the year ahead in His strength, by His mercy.
This morning I found myself remembering some of the early lessons that I learned in Ulpan (Intensive immersion Hebrew language class) 28 years ago. In a class of between 40 – 50 other students, most of whom were from the former Soviet Union, others from France, Argentina and some Arabs who were planning to go to university, we sat together in the (physical) cold, with anticipation and fears concerning a new life and a new language…I wish that I could adequately describe the atmosphere.
As I set my foot to the path this morning, I remembered a saying that we were taught in ulpan (in Hebrew) “All new beginnings are difficult”. The other one was “All work is noble”. Tomorrow morning, I return to work for the first time since 17th July when I fell on the bus and broke my arm. Here it is…2 January on the western calendar…a new beginning…the end of 2022 when my life partner, Eric, after 50 years together… left, graduated…left me here to continue without him. Then the broken arm…then covid; Thankfully, He shook me into the DEEP KNOWING that I have never walked this way before (and neither have you) …All new beginnings are hard. This year I learned that I really don’t know ANYTHING…and that it is NOT ‘about me’. I say that I am THANKFUL that He shook me int the knowing, because without Him making it so plain, I would have likely AGAIN taken off in my own strength; things that I ‘know’. In this new life before me, I honestly know NOTHING.
So, if I know nothing and it isn’t about me…then what?
Here am I Lord (Abba). In Hebrew that is ‘Hi’nay’ni Abba’ הינני אבא…the words spoken by Samuel as a child…the words spoken by Avraham…the words spoken by countless, nameless, others through out the ages who chose to follow Him…and HE HEARS, and HE answers. He leads…and He knows the way!
Two days have passed since I began this letter (by the time that you read it, it is more like 5 days) and yesterday I returned to work. It felt strange and I felt very vulnerable. I found that I had forgotten how to use parts of the medical program that I work with and suddenly I felt completely incapable. “ABBA, help!” He quieted my heart and helped me to continue. Thank you for your prayers. I am scheduled to work only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have never walked this way before. I am still reticent to get on a bus, particularly with my arm only partially healed, so I opted to take the train to the center of town and walk from there for an hour on to work. It was really a blessed time of prayer and worship and I trust that He will open the doors daily. How much of my life I have wasted fretting about situations that He solved and things that have come to pass.
You know by now that I don’t often comment on political things. The Lord has dealt with me in such a way that I have a fear of Him, knowing that I have ‘my opinions’ and ‘my reasonings’ but that my vision is limited…and my reasonings are filtered through my experiences and my own personal preferences. Part of my morning devotions are currently in Ezekiel. It is now more than 9 years since The Lord arrested me in my steps and said: ‘I want you to learn My ways in judgment!’ It was a command and I felt the gravity of not obeying. As I read in my regular readings, I began to write down HIS WAYS in Judgment, and at the same time, asking Him for His discernment to understand His commands to us…how we are to walk and RESPOND during His judgments. It has humbled me beyond words! His promises for blessing and love and forgiveness which we cling to and take comfort in, stand alongside His promises of judgment…’IF’! His GRACE is not an ‘easy fix’ or ‘easy antidote’ against His promised judgements if we persist in our own ways, but it IS a great and holy gift if we deliberately run into it!
And so, as people debate and stand behind governments and men, I sometimes (never enough) tremble and pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done for it seems to me that the kingdoms around us…ALL of them…NOT just yours or ours…the kingdoms and governments of THE WHOLE WORLD are infected with confusion and stumbling in the dark. I hear the opinions and the prophets…but my eyes see, and my knees tremble at what my eyes see.
HOWEVER…I HAVE AN OPINION THAT I WANT TO SHARE…because of what my eyes are seeing. I will try to truly make this short and concise…it is concerning our new minister Itamar BenGvir’s quick visit to Temple Mount. You may see videos of it throughout the media.
“Christians and Jews may only visit the site (TEMPLE MOUNT) as tourists and only for four hours per day five days per week. Israel also restricts the number of religious Jews that can visit at a time.”
“The site, along with the whole of East Jerusalem (which includes the Old City), was controlled by Jordan from 1948 until 1967, and has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967.”
ISRAEL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - the-temple-mount-background (I encourage you to read this concise article)
The Temple Mount is probably THE most complex issue…the very core of the spiritually wrestling match in the Middle East…and dare I say the whole world. Two have laid their claim: God and His enemy. 1 Kings 9:1-3 is only one of many places that confirms: “And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished building the house of the Lord and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he wanted to do, that the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. And the Lord said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
You might remember Ariel Sharon’s visit to Temple Mount in Sept. 2000. Etched in my memory are the events of September 1996. It was Yom Kippur…the most solemn day in the Hebrew calendar…when our daughter Sarah and I decided to visit the nearby synagogue and pray amongst those seeking God…for them to find HIM… To our GREAT surprise we found ourselves sitting in the women’s section sitting directly above Binyamin Netanyahu who was obviously truly seeking God. We found out a few hours later why he appeared in such an agony and why The Lord had set us there to pray: He opened the Hasmonaean Tunnels that night…beginning construction of what is now known as “the tunnels” which many of you who have been here have gone through. I remember so clearly the terrorizing threats; ‘Al-Aqsa Mosque is being desecrated! They are unleashing hell! They are throwing the Middle East into war! Rise up with stones and guns and defend Al-Aqsa with your blood!’ It was scary and they were accused of irresponsible, provocative behavior. SEE THIS WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE FOR A VIEW BACKWARD
Over the 28 and a half years that I have lived in Jerusalem, I have seen that YES God gave us this land and as Joshua was told “I have given…go and possess” …the giants were many and the accusers were all about, BUT GOD HAD GIVEN THE LAND!
I was reading this morning in Acts and two situations struck me (although I wasn’t reading in that spot). One was in Acts 19: see particularly 32-34 “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” and Acts 21 particularly see 27-31 and 34 “Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar” 34And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another.
So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.”
The news tonight bemoaned the visit of one of our new lawmakers as “angering the Palestinians and drawing a slew of condemnation.” JEWS ‘VISIT’ TEMPLE MOUNT DAILY, and yet the world is screaming that we are ‘changing the status quo’ by allowing his visit. I appeal to you to do some research into WHAT IS THE STATUS QUO ON TEMPLE MOUNT SINCE 1967.
I have written in depth in the past about the history (both ancient and current) and spiritual significance of Temple Mount. I will only add now that YES, Israel ‘owns’ Temple Mount since the 1967 war although the world does not accept the fact that The Lord fulfilled His promise and after 2,000 years Jerusalem was restored to the ones (unworthy as we are) whom HE promised it to and gave it to. Yes, Israel gave control of Temple Mount (although under Israeli sovereignty and law) to the moslem wakf and Jordan.
AND IT WILL LEAVE THIS SUBJECT THERE FOR YOU TO PRAY INTO SHOULD THE LORD PUT IT ON YOUR HEART.
I walk a new path. I have never been here before. I have no need to run home and fix warm nutritious meals … I have never been ‘alone’ before…ever. And ofcourse I am not ‘ALONE’. Our friend J is with me until atleast May and Elena and the children live nearby. THE LORD IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRESENCE. But what has been required of me for a lifetime has changed. And it is a new day. May my eyes and heart be open to all that He chooses for me.
And you. May the year ahead of you become a trophy of His faithfulness…and yours! May He be glorified and may we be refined and sanctified…fit for The Master’s use…and may His Love and discernment be displayed in and through us. Loving blessings, your sister in Jerusalem. (7 Jan 2023)
…” And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle ax in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar.” …And The Lord said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” …” They each went straight forward.” Ezekiel 9:2, 4, 10:2
Oh Blessings…love beyond words I am sending in The Precious Name of The Lord, Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ, The awaited Messiah. In this new year according to the western calendar, may HE be blessed and glorified and my all things be made new in Him. May we each drink deeply from His Word daily and may we also drink the cup prepared for us and fulfill His purposes, some great and some small…but all that is in and of Him is for His glory…and worthy to be done. Blessing and honor and glory to Him and may you be encouraged and blessed.
I do wish you each a blessed new year. Thank you for your love and prayers and patience with me through this last one, which for me, and many of you as well, bore stripes and wounds hard to bear…may we grow thereby and may we run the year ahead in His strength, by His mercy.
This morning I found myself remembering some of the early lessons that I learned in Ulpan (Intensive immersion Hebrew language class) 28 years ago. In a class of between 40 – 50 other students, most of whom were from the former Soviet Union, others from France, Argentina and some Arabs who were planning to go to university, we sat together in the (physical) cold, with anticipation and fears concerning a new life and a new language…I wish that I could adequately describe the atmosphere.
As I set my foot to the path this morning, I remembered a saying that we were taught in ulpan (in Hebrew) “All new beginnings are difficult”. The other one was “All work is noble”. Tomorrow morning, I return to work for the first time since 17th July when I fell on the bus and broke my arm. Here it is…2 January on the western calendar…a new beginning…the end of 2022 when my life partner, Eric, after 50 years together… left, graduated…left me here to continue without him. Then the broken arm…then covid; Thankfully, He shook me into the DEEP KNOWING that I have never walked this way before (and neither have you) …All new beginnings are hard. This year I learned that I really don’t know ANYTHING…and that it is NOT ‘about me’. I say that I am THANKFUL that He shook me int the knowing, because without Him making it so plain, I would have likely AGAIN taken off in my own strength; things that I ‘know’. In this new life before me, I honestly know NOTHING.
So, if I know nothing and it isn’t about me…then what?
Here am I Lord (Abba). In Hebrew that is ‘Hi’nay’ni Abba’ הינני אבא…the words spoken by Samuel as a child…the words spoken by Avraham…the words spoken by countless, nameless, others through out the ages who chose to follow Him…and HE HEARS, and HE answers. He leads…and He knows the way!
Two days have passed since I began this letter (by the time that you read it, it is more like 5 days) and yesterday I returned to work. It felt strange and I felt very vulnerable. I found that I had forgotten how to use parts of the medical program that I work with and suddenly I felt completely incapable. “ABBA, help!” He quieted my heart and helped me to continue. Thank you for your prayers. I am scheduled to work only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have never walked this way before. I am still reticent to get on a bus, particularly with my arm only partially healed, so I opted to take the train to the center of town and walk from there for an hour on to work. It was really a blessed time of prayer and worship and I trust that He will open the doors daily. How much of my life I have wasted fretting about situations that He solved and things that have come to pass.
You know by now that I don’t often comment on political things. The Lord has dealt with me in such a way that I have a fear of Him, knowing that I have ‘my opinions’ and ‘my reasonings’ but that my vision is limited…and my reasonings are filtered through my experiences and my own personal preferences. Part of my morning devotions are currently in Ezekiel. It is now more than 9 years since The Lord arrested me in my steps and said: ‘I want you to learn My ways in judgment!’ It was a command and I felt the gravity of not obeying. As I read in my regular readings, I began to write down HIS WAYS in Judgment, and at the same time, asking Him for His discernment to understand His commands to us…how we are to walk and RESPOND during His judgments. It has humbled me beyond words! His promises for blessing and love and forgiveness which we cling to and take comfort in, stand alongside His promises of judgment…’IF’! His GRACE is not an ‘easy fix’ or ‘easy antidote’ against His promised judgements if we persist in our own ways, but it IS a great and holy gift if we deliberately run into it!
And so, as people debate and stand behind governments and men, I sometimes (never enough) tremble and pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done for it seems to me that the kingdoms around us…ALL of them…NOT just yours or ours…the kingdoms and governments of THE WHOLE WORLD are infected with confusion and stumbling in the dark. I hear the opinions and the prophets…but my eyes see, and my knees tremble at what my eyes see.
HOWEVER…I HAVE AN OPINION THAT I WANT TO SHARE…because of what my eyes are seeing. I will try to truly make this short and concise…it is concerning our new minister Itamar BenGvir’s quick visit to Temple Mount. You may see videos of it throughout the media.
“Christians and Jews may only visit the site (TEMPLE MOUNT) as tourists and only for four hours per day five days per week. Israel also restricts the number of religious Jews that can visit at a time.”
“The site, along with the whole of East Jerusalem (which includes the Old City), was controlled by Jordan from 1948 until 1967, and has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967.”
ISRAEL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - the-temple-mount-background (I encourage you to read this concise article)
The Temple Mount is probably THE most complex issue…the very core of the spiritually wrestling match in the Middle East…and dare I say the whole world. Two have laid their claim: God and His enemy. 1 Kings 9:1-3 is only one of many places that confirms: “And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished building the house of the Lord and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he wanted to do, that the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. And the Lord said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
You might remember Ariel Sharon’s visit to Temple Mount in Sept. 2000. Etched in my memory are the events of September 1996. It was Yom Kippur…the most solemn day in the Hebrew calendar…when our daughter Sarah and I decided to visit the nearby synagogue and pray amongst those seeking God…for them to find HIM… To our GREAT surprise we found ourselves sitting in the women’s section sitting directly above Binyamin Netanyahu who was obviously truly seeking God. We found out a few hours later why he appeared in such an agony and why The Lord had set us there to pray: He opened the Hasmonaean Tunnels that night…beginning construction of what is now known as “the tunnels” which many of you who have been here have gone through. I remember so clearly the terrorizing threats; ‘Al-Aqsa Mosque is being desecrated! They are unleashing hell! They are throwing the Middle East into war! Rise up with stones and guns and defend Al-Aqsa with your blood!’ It was scary and they were accused of irresponsible, provocative behavior. SEE THIS WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE FOR A VIEW BACKWARD
Over the 28 and a half years that I have lived in Jerusalem, I have seen that YES God gave us this land and as Joshua was told “I have given…go and possess” …the giants were many and the accusers were all about, BUT GOD HAD GIVEN THE LAND!
I was reading this morning in Acts and two situations struck me (although I wasn’t reading in that spot). One was in Acts 19: see particularly 32-34 “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” and Acts 21 particularly see 27-31 and 34 “Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar” 34And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another.
So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.”
The news tonight bemoaned the visit of one of our new lawmakers as “angering the Palestinians and drawing a slew of condemnation.” JEWS ‘VISIT’ TEMPLE MOUNT DAILY, and yet the world is screaming that we are ‘changing the status quo’ by allowing his visit. I appeal to you to do some research into WHAT IS THE STATUS QUO ON TEMPLE MOUNT SINCE 1967.
I have written in depth in the past about the history (both ancient and current) and spiritual significance of Temple Mount. I will only add now that YES, Israel ‘owns’ Temple Mount since the 1967 war although the world does not accept the fact that The Lord fulfilled His promise and after 2,000 years Jerusalem was restored to the ones (unworthy as we are) whom HE promised it to and gave it to. Yes, Israel gave control of Temple Mount (although under Israeli sovereignty and law) to the moslem wakf and Jordan.
AND IT WILL LEAVE THIS SUBJECT THERE FOR YOU TO PRAY INTO SHOULD THE LORD PUT IT ON YOUR HEART.
I walk a new path. I have never been here before. I have no need to run home and fix warm nutritious meals … I have never been ‘alone’ before…ever. And ofcourse I am not ‘ALONE’. Our friend J is with me until atleast May and Elena and the children live nearby. THE LORD IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRESENCE. But what has been required of me for a lifetime has changed. And it is a new day. May my eyes and heart be open to all that He chooses for me.
And you. May the year ahead of you become a trophy of His faithfulness…and yours! May He be glorified and may we be refined and sanctified…fit for The Master’s use…and may His Love and discernment be displayed in and through us. Loving blessings, your sister in Jerusalem. (7 Jan 2023)