Has war been declared on God?

Shalom dear friends,

Sorry it's been so long since we've written.  Much is going on in the "City of Peace"!  And as you will see from this lengthy posting, we have a lot stirring within us.  We do realize it's time consuming to read something this long, however, this blog will explain some of the challenges we face in what we do here in Israel.  

An article in an Israeli paper recently has really sparked some interest. To explain the phrase used below - "hard-line nationalist rabbis" are men that believe both God and the Bible to be true in the promises given to the Jewish people concerning the Land of Israel - and we agree as well.

From a Jerusalem Post article, 05 February 2014:

A group of hard-line nationalist rabbis wrote in an open to letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry that through his current mediation efforts between Israel and Palestinian negotiators he had declared war against God.

The rabbis warned that the secretary must cease such activities, to avoid divine punishment.

“Your incessant efforts to expropriate integral parts of our Holy Land and hand them over to Abbas’s terrorist gang, amount to a declaration of war against the Creator and Ruler of the universe! For G-d awarded the entire Land of Israel to our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in order that they bequeath it, as an everlasting inheritance, to their descendants, the Jewish people, until the end of all time,” the letter reads.

The letter was sent by the Committee to Save the Land and People of Israel– an activist group opposed to any political accords with the Palestinians involving territorial concessions – founded by Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo, who also founded the far-right Our Land of Israel party.

The rabbis argue that Kerry’s plan endangers Israeli Jews by bringing them within close range of potential rocket and missile fire from the West Bank should it be ceded by Israel to the Palestinians.

“If you continue on this destructive path, you will ensure your everlasting disgrace in Jewish history for bringing calamity upon the Jewish people,” continued the rabbis, comparing Kerry to Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar II and Roman commander and future emperor Titus, the two enemies of the ancient Jewish kingdoms who destroyed the temples in Jerusalem and Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel along with them.

“By the power of our Holy Torah, we admonish you to cease immediately all efforts to achieve these disastrous agreements – in order to avoid severe heavenly punishment for everyone involved,” they threatened.

The letter was signed by Rabbi Wolpo, along with four other rabbis including Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, the founder and chairman of the Temple Institute; Rabbi Yigal Pizam, the dean of a yeshiva and a leader of the Chabad community in the Haifa neighborhood of Kiryat Shmuel; Rabbi Gedalya Axelrod, the emeritus head of the Haifa Rabbinic Court; and Rabbi Ben Tziyon Grossman from the town of Migdal Ha’emek.

http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Kerry-has-declared-war-on-God-say-hardline-rabbis-warn-of-divine-punishment-340419

We must say that as we read it, it seemed to be a prophetic Word from the Lord.  Time will tell... What needs to be realized is that this is not a political issue, meaning that it shouldn't matter if one is a democrat, republican, independent, etc., but rather it's a national and spiritual issue.  God gave this Land to the Jewish people thousands of years ago, and promised it to their descendants as an everlasting covenant.  If God were to break His promises to the Jewish people whom He made this covenant, how could we have any assurance that He'd keep His promises to us?

Genesis 17:7-8

And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 17:19

Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

Genesis 48:3-4

Then Jacob said to Joseph: “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’

Deuteronomy 32:48-49

Then the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying: “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho; view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession;

And this is what we are now experiencing each and every day - prophesy being fulfilled in our days......

Jeremiah 31:3-4

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.

Jeremiah 31:35-36

Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the Lord, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

Isaiah 44:21

“Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!"

 

Jeremiah 29:10-14

For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive."

Isaiah 11:11-12

It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.

Ezekiel 36:24-28

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.


Jeremiah 23:3

“But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase."


Isaiah 49:22

Thus says the Lord God: (to Israel) “Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, And set up My standard for the peoples; They shall bring your sons in their arms, And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders" (back to the Land)

Isaiah 14:1-2

For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the Lord; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.

Isaiah 60:10

“The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, And their kings shall minister to you; For in My wrath I struck you, But in My favor I have had mercy on you."

Jeremiah 31:16-17

Thus says the Lord:  “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, says the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country.

Acts 3:25

You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

Romans 9:4

They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;

Romans 11:1, 28-29

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  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.

Want to know why our work here is so difficult?  Because not only do we have to deal with the past history of how Christian Europe treated the Jewish people over the past 2,000 years, but also how current denominational Christianity is speaking against and persecuting the Jewish people even in our days.  The wording has changed; from persecuting the Jews to now persecuting Israel as a nation: with boycotts, divestments, forcing "peace" negotiations and calling them occupiers. What we must realize is that when the Jewish citizens of Israel are again told to leave or give up their God given Land, it's simply a modern day scene from 'Fiddler on the Roof' - except it's playing out in their homeland. We cannot politicize this issue, there is no "separation of church and state" here.  God gave this Land to the Jewish people and it is called Israel. 

If only we'd saved all the articles we've read in the past 3 years concerning this around the world...below are links to just some in the past few months. They not only bring frustration, but make it difficult to convince the Jewish people that we, as Christians, truly are their friends.  

http://www.timesofisrael.com/presbyterian-church-group-zionism-is-the-problem/

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/an-open-letter-st-jamess-church-at-christmas/

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-pans-outrageous-rewriting-of-christian-history-by-abbas/

http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Canadian-church-boycotts-3-Israeli-companies-314833

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/The-duplicity-of-the-British-Methodist-Church-328905

Even just this past Friday, when Jim was walking home, he saw a demonstration of the "World Council of Churches"  calling for an end to the "occupation."

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/what-we-do/churches-in-the-middle-east

If after all the scriptures above, there are thoughts that Israel may possibly be occupying "Palestinian land", we would refer you to a previous blog we posted concerning what the Bible says about the "Mountains of Israel" - which is in fact the same land some call the "West Bank."

http://adventures-in-israel.blogspot.co.il/2013/05/is-gods-word-true-relevant-for-today.html

What many Christians also don't realize is that when a Jewish person looks at us, we are lumped together with all of "Christianity" - all that they have known, learned, or heard about - whether it's the Catholic Church (many think the Pope is our leader...) or from Jewish history of the inquisitions, pogroms and holocaust.  And now most recently, large denominational churches' anti-Israel comments and positions.  

We actually had to put great thought into how to "label" ourselves in order to help them realize both what we believe and where we stand concerning them - Israel.  The best way we can describe ourselves is: Christian Zionist.  This lets them know that we are a believer in Jesus, but also that we believe that they have a right to be in this land and defend it.  Labels are difficult and sometimes dangerouus.

The main crux of our ministry (other than showing care and compassion to the Jewish people) is to remove the stones of stumbling that have been put in their way over the many years. Isaiah 57:14 "And one shall say, “Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.”  We believe that not only was this what John the Baptist was accomplishing in his time, but what many of us are doing in our time - preparing the way of the Lord - removing what would cause His people to stumble and not receive Him.  We truly have our work cut out for us.  

God - our God - has an eternal covenant with Israel and the Jewish people.  It's important that we understand His Word and His promises to them, and be in agreement with Him - not oppose Him.  We are saddened each time a Jewish person tells us that they thought Christians believe the following: "God has given up on Israel and now, instead of Israel, the Church is now the chosen people with all the promises God made to Israel."  Sadly, many Christians do believe this.  By choosing to be a part of the family, we can partake of the promises, but the Church has not replaced Israel.  Gentile Christian believers who have received the Jewish Messiah (Jesus/Yeshua) as their savior need to always humbly keep in mind the words of Ephesians 2:11-12, 19 ~

"Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth — called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised — at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra’el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God’s promise. You were in this world without hope and without God.  Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household."

We truly, with all our hearts, believe this is such an important subject that affects us all in these latter days.  God is looking to see how we will treat His Chosen people.

~ with love, grace and shalom from Jerusalem ~

  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 

May they prosper who love you.  

Because of the house of the Lord our God

 I will seek your good.

Psalm 122:6,9

O Come Emmanuel!

This is a most beautiful song by Selah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU61qkCmEg0

Oh come, Oh come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!
Oh come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Thy people with Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!

Oh come, Thou rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'ver the grave

Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel!
Rejoice, Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, Oh Israel! 

Bethlehem from a distance

Walking to Manger Square

Manger Square - Church of the Nativity

Fields similar to where shepherds may have been

Cave similar to what Yeshua (Jesus) may have been born in

Inside

Inside

Chag Emmanuel Sameach!

Happy "God with us" holiday!!

BIG snow already here and more coming - please pray!!

Jerusalem braces for storm ‘three times worse’ than what has been seen so far

Municipality urging everyone to stay indoors as weather conditions worsen; electric corp. declares national state of emergency; tens of thousands left without power

http://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-braces-for-storm-three-times-worse-than-what-has-been-seen-so-far/

Wow!! Nobody saw this coming - even though it's been raining for 1 1/2 weeks in Israel (about a month worth of rain!).  We thought at first we'd have a little snow on Friday because the temperatures dropped dramatically.  Then it began falling hard on Thursday morning...then again Thursday night...then we woke up Friday morning to LOTS of snow....now they're calling for even MORE!!!  The article above (which also has pictures) says it snowed in Cairo for the first time in 112 years!  Jerusalem's mayor said he's never seen it snow like this before.

This weekend will officially be 3 years since we arrived in Israel, and even though snow in Jerusalem is rare, we have now had our 3rd winter with snow!  The other two times it only lasted a few hours, though....this time it's days.  What starts out as beautiful and fun, however, has become quite dangerous for many, many people.

There aren't too many roads that lead to Jerusalem, and during this storm, they have been closed off several times - which, although it has stranded drivers, has undoubtedly saved lives.  Those who have been here are familiar with the mountainous terrain.  Thousands have been rescued by the IDF and police, and shelters have been set up including at the Convention Center in Jerusalem.

Thousands of people are without power, and if you know the buildings here (all stone, NO insulation) then you know the need to pray!  Especially for the elderly, very young, and sick.    There are trees down everywhere causing many challenges.  Please also pray for the workers out in this - the Israel Defense Forces, the police, the electric company, Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David - the ambulance and emergency units), the firemen and other emergency personnel.  

We've had our own adventures amongst all of this - and no, we don't mean playing in all this white stuff....

First, Jim was supposed to take a short term volunteer to the airport Thursday for an evening flight.  When we woke to the conditions that morning, it was decided that he should try to take a sherut (van taxi that can carry 10 people) that are constantly doing airport runs to and from Jerusalem.  When called, however, we found that they were not taking any more reservations due to the weather.  We then tried to drive to the office to get the company car which would hopefully get us to the airport.  We were driving in the big cargo van we had at our house - we had just delivered 300 sweatshirts to the IDF K9 unit the afternoon before, so it was now empty and very light.  We didn't get too far however, when heading up the first hill on Keren Hayesod. Linda had to jump out and direct traffic around (in a 4-lane main road) while Jim went backwards (and slid) down the road until he could turn around.

When we got home, Jim was going to walk to the office (about an hour in the snow) to get the car - when another coworker called and said he was at the office!  He was our angel!  He was on his way home and lives near us, so he brought us the car.  We then picked up the volunteer and headed to the airport.  God miraculously provided a window of opportunity where the roads leading in and out of Jerusalem were opened back up - our one goal was to get home before dark, when things would certainly freeze back up again!  Praise to His Name - we got home before things got bad again.

After we were home and just had dinner, a staff member called.  She was at the office, having miraculously gotten back to Jerusalem from the airport (She was had been out of the country. We tried to call her to give her a ride since we were there, but her phone was off.). She said the ceiling in the ground floor women's bathroom had caved in, a circuit was blown (which also caused the computer servers to go out), and she was "stranded"!  The sherut she convinced to bring her, would only take her to Ammunition Hill, and she then took the light-rail train to the office, and hadn't seen any taxis. 

Well, we went in - with our "angel friend" as well - he's in charge of the techie stuff and computers. Jim really needed to check out the ceiling, and also two other staff members were in the office in the morning and a window was open!!!! Rain and snow everywhere! Big mess. They cleaned up, and checked the rest of the windows, but Jim also checked it out when we got there. There are TWO windows  (side by side) even though we usually only open the one on the right.  Well, the one on the left wasn't locked down, so the strong winds blew it open. We went through the whole building and found several more like that and locked them. 

We cleaned the mess in the bathroom, it really did cave in a hole about 1/2 meter big. Our friend fixed the server, and we all headed home.  :) 

Then today (Friday)...Sharon (the co-founder of CFI) was returning home from being gone to the Far East for 1 1/2 months.  When she arrive early this morning, she was informed the only way to Jerusalem was the train.  She took this, with a friend she was traveling with, and set out.  Next thing we heard, the train was stopped a ways out before the climb to Jerusalem because they needed to clear the tracks!!  When she arrived at the Jerusalem train station, there were hundreds of stranded people, with no public transportation. Jim went to pick Sharon (and her friend) up at the train station.  In the mean time, while Sharon was trying to get home, Ray (her husband, and co-founder of CFI) said the power was out at their house! 

BUT - Praise The Lord, He provided another window of time for Jim to drive.  Linda didn't go on this trip, because there would be a lot of luggage and no room. The sun came out and melted the roads to make them passable when he needed to go! And their power was back on by the time Jim dropped Sharon off!

With everything yesterday and today, we are happy now that everyone is settled and where they're supposed to be. And I am VERY proud of my husband. He had the best attitude through the whole thing. He arrived home safe, and then fell sleep while watching an American football game.   I have made him hot chili for dinner and brownies with mint frosting. :)

But wait!  Less than two hours ago.....we received another phone call!  The security company called and said the alarm had been engaged at the office, and did we know if someone had been in the building....so Jim ventured out again....

While he was gone, the newest storm warning came out, telling everyone to be off the roads by 4 pm - it was going to get even worse!!!  Jim did arrive home (a little after 4...) and we are looking forward to a Shabbat of what will hopefully be quite, peace, rest, and cuddling up  to keep warm with the snow falling VERY hard outside once again.  It's always an adventure.....

PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PRAYERS

 WE MENTIONED ABOVE.

THANKS!

No better way to say thank you....

...this is what we were told by the mother of one of the soldiers we have met, spent time with, and helped practically through CFI.

But before sharing about God's amazing gift to us during this Thanksgiving and Chanukah season, a bit more about our last blog post concerning the young soldier Eden.  First we'd like to thank you for all of the heart-felt thoughts and prayers for his family and for Israel - who did mourn for this young man as a nation.

The Sunday after his death we were privileged to deliver t-shirts to an elite special forces division of the Israel Defense Forces - Duvdevan.  Duvdevan literally means "cherry" on top - the best of the best.  While there, we spent time and ate lunch with the unit commander.  During our time together, we expressed our condolences and sadness about Eden.  You could see the same on the countenance of this leader's face.

Jim told him that we realize the difference between Israel and her enemies in what took place - that the murderer was apprehended by the IDF immediately, and not shot.  The commander explained that they don't kill every terrorist they catch, only if there is an immediate danger and threat to life.  We understand this, and as we told him that we are doing everything we can to share the truths of what is really happening here, Linda began to cry once more in the sorrow and injustice of it all.  It was then that this commander of 600 of Israel's elite warriors reached over and put his arm around her to try and comfort her, and said, "This is Israel...."

When we left he gave Jim an open invitation to come to the base anytime - and to bring his wife :) - even just to have a cup of coffee.  We will definitely take him up on that....

Checking out the logo of the t-shirts we were dropping off.

The relationships that are being formed here go beyond what we ever expected when we first came.  Some are people we've only meet once, and others are mere acquaintances, but there are so very many people that we forge real friendships with.  Israelis are known as "sabras" which is a cactus also known as a prickly pear.  These cactuses were also used as "barbed wire" fences in the past as protection.  But the truth about this prickly pear is that on the inside is a sweet fruit....and the same is true about the Jewish people.

So back to giving thanks.....sometime in October, Jim met a soldier at a base in the North at Mount Hermon.  He was the English translator for Jim's visit to the base - along with Frank, who was visiting from Colorado.  They spent quite some time with the translator, and must have made an impression, because a week later he called Jim and invited us to have dinner with his family for Thanksgiving!

We originally had plans for that evening (guests coming to our home to celebrate Thanksgiving...) but knew we must change our gathering to Sunday because we couldn't miss this important opportunity.  Linda was given the name and phone number of his mother to call and find out the details of the evening.  Her one hope was that the family knew that their son had invited "strangers" for their special dinner!

This first conversation over the phone was enough to set the evening apart as a Thanksgiving gift from our Heavenly Father.  When Linda explained who she was, the excitement from the mom was palpable.  After confirming the details of when, where, what to bring, etc. Linda expressed how honored we were to be invited to their home for such a special evening - not only Thanksgiving dinner, but erev Shabbat dinner - and the only one during Chanukah!  The response was that she and her husband had heard so much about us from their son, and what we do, that they could think of no better way to say thank you than to invite us for thanksgiving dinner with their family - that it was such a blessing for them to meet people who care so much for their children.  This was a first for us - we normally hear that we care for the soldiers, but to hear a parent say to us that we care for their children - that is so much more personal.  We couldn't wait for the evening to arrive....

BUT - God is a God Who does things beyond what we can think or imagine!!!  It "just so happened" that Jim needed to deliver fleece jackets to the base where this soldier's unit was stationed.  So, the day before, the two of us headed out for a full day adventure of leaving Jerusalem to drive to Tel Aviv to pick up the jackets, then on to the base - now stationed in the Golan Heights.  It was a race against time, since it was a Thursday and some of the soldiers would be going away for weekend leave and they were also moving to a new location.  We managed to arrive just in time for lunch :) - it's also a treat to eat with the fighting men and women of Israel, and to certainly enjoy true Israeli food.  We then headed out to hand deliver the jackets to the soldiers.


When we arrived it was very evident that they were packing up to move to their next assignment.

Serious and heart-felt greetings.

Sincerity of why we have come
and the gratitude in which we were received.

Happy to have us their to celebrate their last day at this base.

Ready to distribute the fleece jackets.

Commander explaining who we are and why we are here.

They're really listening.

Let the gifts begin!

Checking it out.

Warriors

Checking sizes.

We then drove a short distance on the same base to another division of this unit to distribute their jackets to them as well.  

Unloading

Meeting the troops.

It's this personal distribution that we love, and it is so important for them to actually see who is providing for their needs - to explain that these come from the Christians in the Nations who love and pray for them, and for us to share our hearts.  Here Jim is explaining that although we know they need these jackets to keep them warm (the weather was just getting ready to get cold and they would be much needed), what we really wanted to give to them was our love and support.  To this, throughout the crowd, could be heard sporadically "we love you too!"

Very happy to pose for a picture in their new warm coats.

Checking out their logo that we had put on their jackets.
This gives them a great sense of belonging and moral.

Notice how they immediately put their beret
on the shoulder of the jacket.

Jim & the commander - real friends.

When we were passing out the jackets to each of the units, we greeted the soldiers with Chag Sameach! Happy Holiday!  - because it was the beginning of Chanukah.  When Linda said this to two young ladies, one looked confused and asked the other girl what Linda meant.  She then replied that they had been so busy on their special exercises that week that she forgot that it was Chanukah!  So a big smile came as Linda asked what she was doing for the weekend.  She said she would be going home to her family in Samaria (known to some as the west bank).

Our Thanksgiving dinner host.

One last good bye.

A thank you from the base commander and the unit commander.

Exchanging contact info.

Another soldier ready to go home for the weekend.

So if visiting this base the day before going to dinner with our young friend and his family wasn't enough.....we were also blessed beyond measure to have come at just the right time to be able to drive this young soldier straight to the door of his home!  He had planned to take the bus that was coming to pick up the soldiers, but it was postponed until 6 pm.  That bus would take him to Tel Aviv, where he would then transfer to take a bus to the Jerusalem central bus station, and then transfer again to take a bus to his home, getting him home close to midnight.  Instead, he arrived in time to eat dinner with his family.  God is good!

You should have seen the wide eyes and dropped jaws of his fellow soldiers as we drove through the gate.  He said it was the look of those who see one who is being favored - he said that not only did he get to leave before the others, but he had a ride.  Not only did he have a ride, but all the way home!  Not always wanting to wait for public transportation - which can be a long wait in rural areas -  many soldiers catch what rides they can, get as far as they can, just to catch another ride.

All packed up to go home - including his new fleece jacket!

When we left the base we were all very excited!  We just had a great visit, and our friend was "going home for the holidays."  You could hear through the cell phone how thrilled his mom was that we were giving her son a ride all the way home.  She told Jim that he was her hero, and this earned us "seconds" at dinner the next evening.  

For the next 3 1/2 hours, the three of us talked non-stop about what we do at CFI, what we believe about the Bible, Jim's experience in the US Air Force, and some about his family.  It was so friendly and so comfortable - the drive went really quick.  And the best part was we would meet his family the very next night.

Sunset over the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) on our drive home.

Friday evening we set out to walk...just down the street!  In all of Jerusalem our new friend's family only lives a ten minute walk from our apartment.  When we arrived, most of the family and friends were already there.  There ended up being 18 of us!  They had a beautiful home, very warm and friendly.  Everyone was quick to introduce themselves and make us feel welcome.  Being an orthodox Jewish family, we weren't sure how religious or traditional they were, so Linda waited to see if the men would shake her hand - which they did, very warmly.

After taking our coats and meeting everyone, we sat down to dinner - with "assigned" seating.  There was even a "kids table" - full of current and former soldiers!  We sat at the main table with the mom and dad, and soldiers as well - including our friend.  Why so many soldiers you say?  Was this a special meal that soldiers were invited to?  Not exactly.  This group comprised of the host family who moved to Israel 8 years ago from the United States, and other close friends and families whom they've known since being here.  It just happens that they all have kids the same age - the age of the Israeli soldiers, both girls and boys.  So given that fact, about half of the guests were soldiers!  How blessed were we!!

We were given the honor of sitting next to our host and hostess for the evening.  After saying the blessings and singing many prayers as well (they provided a book for us), we had a turkey dinner - not quite as traditional as we were used to, but delicious nonetheless.

All of the rest of the people knew each other, so we carried much of the conversation since they wanted to know all about us.  The mom (around Jim's age...) said that from the moment her son told them about us, they just knew that had to meet us.  We explained how CFI helps the soldiers and their units, and were then asked if we help anyone else.  We explained about our distribution center that assists those making aliyah (Jews moving to Israel), and our department that visits and assists holocaust survivors bringing them blankets and financial gifts, the department that cares for the needs of victims of terrorism and also for communities that are generally under attack in Israel.  We told them of our project especially for Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia, because they have special needs coming from a third world country.

All at the table were quite amazed to meet people from other countries who, they said, did more for their people than most Israelis.  But we tried to express to them the honor that we feel in doing this.  We also spoke of our faith, that we believe in and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - just as they do.  And that we know that the Bible says those who choose to bless Israel will be blessed, and those that curse Her will be cursed (Genesis 12:3).  We said we realize that Christians in the past were not always kind to the Jews, and we want them to know that there are those who love and care for them - those that will support and pray for them.  We were a little surprised when the mom asked us if we come across many Jews who are afraid of us.  We asked, "Do you mean they don't like us as Christians?" And she said, "Well, I think that comes from being afraid of Christians from past history."

Provoking to jealousy should have never included persecution.  Yet, this is the mindset of most Jewish People.  We have work to do - to help change the mindset, and through relationships.  We know we cannot change history, but we can change the future.

This, dear friends, is why we are in Israel.

We then explained that we feel part of our job here is also to tell the world the truth about what is happening in Israel - that we have a website, e-newsletters, a magazine and a TV broadcast.  Most media does not paint Israel in a favorable light, but we are doing our best to get the truth out.

Give thanks with a grateful heart.....

After the main meal, we were told were we to all switch seats and get to talk to someone new during dessert.  It was then that we all shared what we were thankful about.  Each took a turn to share what they were thankful about during the past year.  It was very special for us to be a part of this family tradition - and included in it.  Everyone truly shared from their heart, with some tears being shed - first from Grandpa (he flew in from America for this dinner) who lost his wife that year.  

Jim shared that we were thankful to the Jewish people for maintaining the Bible for thousands of years and that it could be brought to the world - and to us personally, and how thankful we were that this family opened their home to us that night - with a response from them that not only have they opened their home, but their hearts to us as well.....Linda shared that we are thankful that although we had to leave behind our families, friends, home, etc. -  God gave us the desire of our hearts in coming to Israel to help and serve - and blessed us with this family to spend Thanksgiving with.  

One of the last to share was a young man in the army who belongs to the unit that had soldiers injured last month when trying to blow up the tunnel found coming into Israel from Gaza.  One of the soldier's eyesight was damaged, and these were his friends.  He shared his thoughts and feelings about how this affected him, his plans for the future, and then surprised us by "giving thanks for us."  He said that he knew that everyone that night who learned of what we were doing in Israel for their people would leave this dinner inspired - that the acts that we were doing had echos that would go farther than we could imagine.  This touched our hearts in a way that he would never imagine.... Then the father said that this was one of the best Thanksgiving dinners they'd ever had, and that each and every person sitting there had a personal invitation to come for next year's Thanksgiving meal.

By the end of the night we knew each person, how they were related to each other, and a little about them - in a personal way that only God could put together.  We were exchanging
contact information with our soldier friend's mom & dad, and talking about getting together soon - just the 4 of us. :)  As we left for the evening, and made our way back to our apartment - strolling down Bethlehem Road arm in arm - we felt the warmth stay with us as we talked about our very special evening and how truly blessed we are.

So much to be thankful for......

Our hearts are hurting ~ please pray

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." 

Romans 12:15

It is with a heavy heart that we write this blog.  This past Wednesday morning, an innocent soldier was killed while sleeping on a public bus in the North.  

Eden Atias was 18 years old and only in the army for 3 weeks.  He was still in basic training, without a weapon, and asleep (in uniform) on a public bus on his way to his base Wednesday morning.  When the bus stopped in Afula (just south of his home in Nazareth Illit), a 16 year old Palestinian boy (illegally in Israel) sitting next to him stabbed him to death.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/soldier-in-critical-condition-after-palestinian-stabs-him/

Why?  Why???  Every time I (Linda) think of this young man in the past two days, I weep.  We've prayed for his family, his friends, his fellow soldiers....and yet there is still such sorrow.  These soldiers work so hard, and give so much to protect the people and this Land....So very many times we see weary young men and woman asleep on the buses.  First they need to be on the alert of kidnapping, and now falling asleep on the bus??  

"Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?" Psalm 2:1

There have been several such attacks in the past few months.  In September an Air Force sergeant was deceived and lured away (then killed) by a Palestinian wanting to ransom him for his brother in prison.  

http://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-soldier-kidnapped-killed-near-qalqilya/

Then the soldier in Hevron mentioned in the last blog was killed.  

In October, former senior IDF officer, Colonel Sraya Ofer was ambushed and killed outside his home as his wife escaped.  The two Palestinian men admitted to the crime and said they did it "as a gift to the Palestinian people."

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Suspects-admit-to-killing-IDF-colonel-as-a-gift-to-the-Palestinian-people-331749

There has been several other attacks on soldiers, as well.  You probably don't hear about any of this in the news.  Or the rocket attacks that periodically are fired into Israel still (even yesterday) - though there is a "cease fire."  What does the Jewish heart yearn for?  To live in the Land God has given them, and to live in peace.  The Israeli National Anthem says it all:

Hatikvah 

(The Hope)

As long as in the heart within, The Jewish soul yearns, And toward the eastern edges, onward, An eye gazes toward Zion. Our hope is not yet lost,
The hope that is two-thousand years old,
To be a free nation in our land,
The Land of Zion, Jerusalem.

This is a heavy post, we know - and that is how our hearts feel - heavy.  As we carry this to the Lord, we ask you to please join us in prayer.  As you listen to the song below (performed by Jewish believers in Jesus), we ask that you close your eyes, and pray for this Nation, the Israeli people, and specifically the Israeli soldiers who put their lives in harms way for their Nation, their People and their God.

http://shemensasson.bandcamp.com/track/shir-hamaalot-a-song-of-ascent

Shir Hama'alot - A Song of Ascent 

Psalm 126:1-6

Shir hama’alot, shir hama’a lot 
Beshuv Adonai et shivat Tsion 
Hayinu kecholmim 
Az imale schok pinu ulshonenu rina 

A song of ascents
When the Lord returned the captivity of Zion
We were like dreaming
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
Then our tongue was filled with singing 


Az yomru bagoyim higdil Adonai la’asot im ele
Higdil Adonai la’asot emanu hayinu smechim
Nai, nai, nai, nai, nai…..
3X 

Then they said among the nations,
The Lord has done great things with them
The Lord has done great things with us
And we were glad 

Hazorim bedim’a berina yiktsoru berina yiktsoru
Bo yavo berina nose alumotav 

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy
He shall doubtless come again with rejoicing
Bringing his sheaves with him 

Am Yisrael Chai

  עם ישראל חי 

 The People of Israel Live