Opportunities

op·por·tu·ni·ty

1.

an appropriate or favorable time or occasion.

2.

a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.

3.

a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.

Opportunities - first thing that comes to mind is a positive, enjoyable experience.  But a challenge can also be viewed as an opportunity.  It can be an "opportunity" to walk in good character and Godly fruit......love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  In our actions, in our words, in our heart, in our minds, and even in our facial expressions.  Wow!!  What a challenge - I mean opportunity - an opportunity "for advancement or success, for attainment of a goal".


We recently have had several challenges to turn into opportunities.  A week ago, our brand new toilet (from our bathroom renovation) broke.  Water was spraying everywhere in the back of the tank where a pipe had popped off.  Wow - it was a good thing we were home to attend to it right away!  After turning the water off immediately, Jim was able to access the problem and snap the pipe back into place.  We then got ready for congregation and left for the evening, most grateful to have fixed this before we left.


We arrived home that evening to find that our hot water tank was leaking.  Problem is, it is in the kitchen hanging from the ceiling!  Strange? Yes, we agree, we've never seen anything like it.  We asked the landlord to put it on the roof like everyone else in the building, but it wasn't "necessary" compared to the other renovations being done last winter, so it was on the bottom of the list.

It was dripping from the bottom where these wires are.  Jim was able to turn off the hot water valve (only) so we still had water in the apartment, just not hot water.  He called the landlord right away, and he told us to call a plumber.  

Well, this just happened to be the hottest week of the year, so who needs hot water??  Nonetheless the plumber showed up the next afternoon, accessed the issue then spoke to the landlord about what he thought should be done.  

But - before we continue on, the day that the toilet broke, and the hot water tank broke, we went to bed in hopes of falling asleep on one of the hottest nights we've experienced.  We have no air conditioning, and it had been in the high 90's all week - high 80's in the house, even at night.  Then, after drifting off to sleep with 2 fans blowing on us, we had a "rude awakening" at 2:30 am when all of a sudden the bed broke!!  Boom - wow - what was that???  Oh my - the bed just broke!  In delirium, we crawled into a different bed for the rest of the night.  The next morning, we determined we needed to pray over our home!  Jim was able to fix the bed the next day :)

So on this new morning, after all the previous day's opportunities, we went to work.  Jim was informed by staff members that they had witnessed some muslim men inside the gate of our building praying on carpets with beads, and then also walking about the outside the building.  

That could have been an opportunity for a lot of things, but as an organization, we chose to make it an opportunity to pray.  The next morning when we met for our staff devotion time first thing in the morning, we began with corporately praying, then set out 2 by 2 to pray in every room of the building, and around the outside as well.  It was an amazing time of unity among our staff and taking authority over anything spoken against us.  After lunch we again all went outside donned in sterile gloves, and cleaned up all the trash around our building being littered by the construction people around us.  Once again, we were "taking ground" and "cleaning up", symbolic of what we did that morning.

Back to the hot water tank....the plumber came right away to do the job (same day as the above praying).  And we had a pleasant surprise.....

Have you ever heard the Hebrew song Dayenu?  It means "enough", meaning it would have been enough for God to do one thing, but He chose to something even greater, and even that would have been enough, but He chose to do something even greater than that, etc.  Well, it would have been enough for the landlord to pay to fix the leak, but he chose to replace the tank.  It would have been enough for him to replace the tank, but he chose to have the plumber put it on the roof like everyone else.  It would have been enough to put it on the roof like everyone else, but he chose to make it SOLAR!!!!!!  

That means we no longer need to use the timer for the tank to heat each morning, and if we want a shower any other time in the day or night, we don't have to let it heat for a half an hour because it is continually being heated from the sun!  And we no longer have to boil water to wash dishes, because hot water comes immediate from the tap!  Oh happy day!!

hot water tank timer

Yeah!!!!!  When we arrived home that night (after an amazing time of turning what the enemy meant for harm into something very good), we were thrilled to receive the hot water - VERY hot water!  But, hmmmmmm, why is the power out in half of the apartment???  Jim called the plumber and he didn't have a clue, the power worked for the timer (above), and the kitchen where they were working.  

Well, guess it's time to call an electrician :)  We didn't want to involve the landlord just yet, he had just paid about $1,300 USD to fix the water tank!  By the time the electrician could come, it was Sunday.  So for the rest of the week, we dragged the fan around the house between the living room and bedroom with really long extension cords to keep cool (the 2nd hottest week....)  Thank God it was only half of the apartment!! The kitchen (refrigerator) and bathroom had electricity.  We had invited guests over for Shabbat dinner on Friday evening, but had to make other arrangements.

The electrician came, and it took almost 2 hours to find the problem!  After checking everywhere in the house, he found that when the plumber's guys drilled a hole through a wall for the wires for the timer to go to the roof (in case of cloudy days we can still use electricity to heat the water), they drilled though a pipe that contained main wires for half the apartment.

green wire from plumber, drilled through grey pipe containing blue wires for electricity

So, after almost 3-4 hours, the electrician had it all fixed and the power on.  Because it was the plumbers responsibility, he paid for the work.  We now had both hot water and electricity in the entire apartment - we almost feel spoiled!  In the midst of having both the electrician and plumber in our homes, we were able to SHOW them the character God was working in us.  Both of these are Jewish men that Jim has made relationships with through our organization, and therefore, they know we are Christians.  We truly believe they can see the difference....


In the midst of all this, ramadan has begun in the muslim world.  Ramadan is the "holiest" month of the year for muslims, marked by fasting (during day hours). 


Last year at this time, we were living on the other side of town, not near any arab villages, so this is our first experience living this close.  As we mentioned before, we can see the arab village that's close to our neighborhood from our apartment window.  Ramadan began this past Friday (for one month!), but the fireworks began a few days before.  Almost every evening there are fireworks (work nights for us), until about 10 or 11 pm.  Several of the buildings are also lit up with lights, some flashing.  We'll use this month to pray that the One True God will reveal Himself to the muslim people as they fast and pray.

The green lit minaret on the left is what has the loudspeakers for the calls to prayer.


This morning, the muslim call to prayer was extra loud, and woke me at 4:15 am.  We aren't usually woken by this, but for some reason I was today.  At first I plugged my ears and began to pray.  Then I decided to turn this challenge into an "opportunity", and got up to write this blog, trusting that God and 6 hours of sleep would be sufficient (I usually need 7 or 8).


I have to honestly say, we've had MANY opportunities in the past week, but there has been such a peace and calm throughout it all.  It has been amazing to experience and watch it all play out.  I believe this is how God wants us to handle all the challenges that come our way - as opportunities.  What's the choice?  To be anxious, angry, frustrated, worried?  None of these are productive, they don't feel good, and the outcome may not have been so positive.  It has been a learning lesson for us, and I pray we can continue to grow in having "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" to be our first response to every situation that comes our way.  


I've heard it said that if you have self control and walk in love, then the rest of the things (joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness) will come automatically.  So our prayer is that we will continue to learn to turn life's challenges into opportunities - "for advancement or success, for attainment of a goal".  I also pray that in getting up 2 hours early to write this blog, that I've used this as an opportunity to encourage even one person who may be dealing with life's challenges.

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

The Gift

Imagine.....

A candle-lit table with a white lace tablecloth and your best dishes.....

Your family and friends gathered together to share the joys of the week.....

Your favorite foods and delicasies.......

Imagine.....

A truly restful sleep with no alarm clock to wake you......

A day to read, study and reflect; to spend time with family or friends.....

Going for a leisurely walk uninhibited by time.....

Imagine.....

No thoughts of yesterdays mistakes or tomorrows worries......

No "I have to do this" or "I have to go there".......

No guilt of what "needs to be done or what you should by doing"......

Imagine.....

Only peace and tranquility, an oasis, a day when the world stands still.....

Imagine.....Shabbat - an island in time.

Shabbat - שבת

People ask us what is the most important thing we have learned in this journey we are on, and where they could start. Long before we came to Israel, in His Word, God revealed a gift to us.  So our answer would be to start where God did - in the beginning.... In Genesis 2: 2 & 3 He showed us by example the gift He made for us - Shabbat.  

"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.  Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."

The Hebrew word for rested in these verses is Shabbat, which is also where the word Sabbath comes from.  Exodus 20 lists the 10 commandments by which most Jews and Christians have their foundational belief system.  Verses 8-11 speak concerning Shabbat:


"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."


Here is a promise from God in Isaiah 58: 13 & 14:


¹³ "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD,  and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.  For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."


Even as Exodus 20:10 says, "the Sabbath of the LORD your God", Yeshua (Jesus) Who was in the beginning (John 1:1-3) confirms this in Mark 2:27 & 28:


"And He said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”


"The Sabbath was made for man" - what a gift!!!  Man is not meant to be ruled by Shabbat, but to receive it as the gift it was intended to be.  Like any earthly gift, we can choose to receive it or decline it.  We can unwrap the gift and enjoy it to its fullest extent, or we can set it aside and ignore it.  


Why did God make Shabbat for man?  Did an all-knowing Father realize His creation would labor so strong during the week that the only way they could sustain living in a fallen world would be to have rest for their bodies, minds and spirits each and every week?  


Shabbat is one of many "appointed times" given to us by God to enjoy. See Leviticus 23 for a full listing of the feasts with the times He says to keep them.  We once read in a book that God's appointed times are like a string of islands - you only see the tops above the water, but they're all connected at the foundation. 


The Bible says that Shabbat (the Sabbath) is to be holy, set apart, a delight and to be honored.  Another book we read reiterated that the weekend will come around every week, without any effort on our part, but Shabbat will only be remembered and kept if we make the choice to do so.  Our God has made appointments with us, it's our choice if we keep that appointment with Him.

How would we encourage anyone who wants to grow closer to their Heavenly Father?  

Receive His gift of Shabbat, open it up, enjoy it to the fullest.  

It will change your life forever.

45th Jerusalem Day - May 20, 2012

Other than the Feast Holidays, the best day to be in Jerusalem is on Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day).  As wonderful as Israel Independence Day is, there is just something even more special about Jerusalem Day.  The sense of pride and comradery is something to behold.  

As most know, Israel took back Eastern Jerusalem (including the Old City) during the Six Day War in 1967.  Jerusalem Day is a celebration of the undivided capital of Israel - Jerusalem - God's covenant city.  

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke some excellent truths at Ammunition Hill:

“We will protect Jerusalem, because Israel without Jerusalem is like a body without a heart,” the prime minister said. “On this hill, 45 years ago, the united heart of our people began to beat again, with full power. Our heart will never be divided again.”

“Our generation had a great privilege – we saw the words of the prophets come true,” he declared. “We saw the rise of Zion, the return of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel, the in-gathering of exiles, and our return to Jerusalem.”

“We will make sure Jerusalem’s golden light will shine on our people, and spread the light of Jerusalem to the whole world.”

We took lots of photos and video to share, we hope you will enjoy, and feel like you are with us.  And maybe consider coming to visit some year for Jerusalem Day???

We took a bus into city center, and got off at the intersection of King George where the Prima Kings Hotel is.  The entire street of King George was blocked off for the "Flag Dance".  There were two stages set up with live bands in the road, one in front of the Great Synagogue for the men, and then farther down toward Ben Yehuda for the women.  For those in the flag dance, this joy and happiness is enjoyed without drinking and partying, same with at the Western Wall.  Just pure, modest fun.  

The band for the men's flag dance.

Crowd in the street in from of the Great Synagogue and Leonardo Plaza Hotel.

Heading down the street to where the women were dancing.

Near Ben Yehuda Street looking back up King George toward the Great Synagogue.

Same as video.

They used double buses to block the streets off from traffic.

In the intersection near the Old City (in background).  This was the dividing line before 1967.  We are all waiting for the flag dance to pass by on their way to the Western Wall Plaza.  The men will enter one gate, and the women will enter another, meeting at the Wall.

Really cool vehicles - police, emergency or military.

This man asked to borrow our flag (so did many others) to have his picture proudly taken with his son.  People come from all over the nation and world to celebrate Jerusalem Day.

Of course, security was everywhere.

We now head down to Jaffa Gate to make our way to the Western Wall through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.

And through the Armenian Quarter.

Truly watchmen on the Walls - these two women pray on the walls

 of the Old City facing the Western Wall.

Western Wall (HaKotel) Plaza.

There was a band set up ready for the dancing.

Many went to the Wall to pray.

And let the fun begin.

It was quite a crowd when it was time to leave.

And going back through the Jewish Quarter.

This is the first time we'd ever been in a crowd this tight....

It is an honor and a privilege to daily witness the "words of the prophets come true" as we watch with our own eyes as the song says -  "the Lord is building Jerusalem, gathering together the outcasts of Israel, healing broken hearts, binding up their wounds, the Lord is building up Jerusalem!"  How blessed are we, that we get to take part in fulfilling this???

Thank you to those who choose to partner with what we are doing here.  We are making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.  As those who were cast out of Israel return to their Land, we help with supplies for their homes, clothes and financially when needed.  All the time pointing them to the Word showing them they were fulfilling prophesy when they chose to come home to Israel.  For those who have been victims of the Holocaust or victims of terror (rockets and bombings within Israel) along with helping them practically, we are sharing the compassion and love of the Father to heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds.  Our goal is to be the Face, Hands and Arms of Compassion Himself to the Jewish people.

Even as John the Baptist prepared the hearts of the people for the arrival of Jesus, we also are compelled to do the same:  "prepare the way, take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.” - Isaiah 57:14  And even as Jesus ascended to Heaven from Jerusalem, He promises to return here as well.  Come Jesus come! Bo Yeshua Bo!

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!

⁶ 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.  

Psalm 137: 5-6

IDENTIFICATION

WOW! It's been quite a while since we've written a blog...with the spring feasts and holidays among us, there is much going on.  Not to mention Hebrew class that keeps us really busy.

Just a few short weeks ago we celebrated Pesach (Passover).  The first night began on a Friday evening.  Earlier that Friday morning we began to smell smoke, and this is what we saw when we looked out our window - the neighbors, along with a Rabbi burning the chametz (leaven) to symbolize removing sin from their dwellings as commanded in the Bible.  Most things surrounding the customs of Pesach are very symbolic of the teachings of the Bible many of us are familiar with.  If you ever have an opportunity to attend a Pesach Seder, we highly recommend it.

Last year we had the privilege of joining a Jewish family in a nearby city for the Pesach Seder.  It was our first introduction to a seder in Israel, and was amazing.  This year, we had a seder with the staff of our organization in Jerusalem.  It was also very special, because it was our first time to actually be "in Jerusalem" for the feast.  There are three feasts in which God told the Israelites to go to Jerusalem and celebrate - Pesach, Shavuot (coming up next month), and Succot in the fall.

Matzah ball soup, Yumm!!!

For a few of the volunteers it was their first seder, and it was special to spend it together.  

Pesach seder plate and matzah in cover

After Pesach, the next remembrance day is Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day.  At 10:00 am there is a 2 minute siren all over Israel when the nation remembers what occurred just 65 - 70 years ago.  Cars and pedestrians come to a complete stop in solidarity as a people.  "Never again" is a slogan many of us are familiar with, but to the Jewish people, it's a way of life.  Not only will they not allow this to happen to their people again, but also will they not rely on others to save them, they know they can depend on no one - that was proven the first time.

Jim and I were not together on this morning.  I had to go out to run errands, and was on Ben Yehuda Street (a walking street) when the siren began.  As everyone else, I stood still, taking in all that was around me.  It was my first time being in public with a siren (last year I was in our office building).  As I looked at the people standing around me, I really felt at one with them.  I travel this street daily, and see many of the same people day in and day out.  There are not many people in Israel who didn't lose a loved one in the Holocaust.  My first thought was, "Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this people."  As the siren went on, there were two Arab women walking up the street, weaving their way through the people, totally disregarding the siren or the people standing still.  It spoke a lot.  There are those who do not align themselves with this people.  There are people who do want another holocaust of the Jewish people, and make their voice loud and clear - they don't even try to hide it.

Jim was also out that morning - at a prayer breakfast with the director, and driving on their way back to the office when the siren began.  They pulled over to the side of the road, and got out of the car, as did the rest of the traffic.  Below is a video that is similar to what he experienced.

One week later was Yom Hazikaron - Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.  There are two sirens for this day.  One at 8:00 pm the night before, and again the day of at 11:00 am.  Again, everything comes to a stop - people, and traffic - even buses and trains.  This time I was at the office building, and went outside for the siren.  From the other tall buildings around us, I could see others come out and stand on their balconies in reverence for those who have given their lives.  Again, I was disturbed as the construction site next to us kept working through the siren, as the workers are arabs.  Another reminder that these are the people Israel fought to keep the Land that was given them.  The surrounding arab nations, and those in the land, immediately fought against this new found state in 1948.  Below is a video I found of the siren the night before at the Mechane Yehuda Shuk - open market.  

At sundown on Yom Hazikaron, the new day begins (there was evening and then morning - the first day...).  This begins the official celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence Day.  Mourning literally turns to dancing - not so easy for many.  The festivities were not set to begin until late, so we went home to take a nap to prepare for a late night out on the town.  

We arrived back to Zion Square at the bottom of Ben Yehuda at 10:00 pm to walk around for a while.  The Israeli folk dancing at Safra Square (the municipality) was not due to begin until 11:30 pm - and would go on until 3:30 am!  Below is a video as we began at Zion Square for the evening.

If you've been to Israel, but not during a large celebration, then you've not experienced Ben Yehuda like this picture - it was packed!!  

The amount of security was obvious every where you went.  With so many people out celebrating, the police & IDF were not taking any chances.  Below is one of the many police on motorcycles.  

Below is a picture of Jaffa Road.  It used to be a main driving road until they made it for the  light rail train only last year.  This was the first year there has been the issue of the train trying to run on Independence Day.  Each train had a police escort on motorcycles going before it to keep things safe and to move the people off the tracks for the train to make its way through.

Here's a video of the train making its way through the crowd...

At the top of Ben Yehuda there was a stage set up with entertainment all night.  At one point when we went by this young boys choir was singing.  The crowd loved them!

On another one of our rounds, we made it by the stage at the top of Ben Yehuda again, and this band was singing in English, "One Day..."  They were singing that one day there would be no more war - which is Biblical: 

Isaiah 2:4 "He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore."  

I also thought of Isaiah 66:8 "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children."

We eventually made our way to Safra Square for the folk dancing about midnight.  

Here's a few videos of the fun.

The next day is a huge barbecue day.  64 years old - let's celebrate!!  We went with some friends to Sacher Park to take part in the congregation picnic.  With salads in hand, we walked through the amazing smelling, large park and enjoyed the afternoon with all the other Israelis having fun and eating lots of grilled meat :)

Before Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence Day - we decided to hang a flag outside our apartment.  Many cars were waving their flags, and our neighbors were all decked out with flag decorations - so we wanted to be a part, too.  Jim found a great place to put our new flag - it even matches the sky!

This year with the remembrance days and the celebration of Independence Day has made us meditate on things a little deeper.  Yes, we're extremely honored to be in Israel, especially Jerusalem - the Holy city of our Great King Yeshua, but it's really a deeper commitment for us.  As I stood on Ben Yehuda listening to the siren in remembrance of the holocaust, I had a story come back to me that a friend had told.  She had first come to Israel during the intifadas, and was really ready to just go back to America and leave the terrorism and the people far behind.  But God spoke to her heart, and He asked her, "Will you choose to identify yourself with my people?"  

Wow, what a statement.  Identification means when others are against them, I will stick up for them.  It means I will lay down my life for them.  It means sticking around not only in times of peace, but when it is hard, and when others flee.  It means having a voice to tell the truth about them when others are telling lies.  It means saying, "if you're going to mess with them, then you're going to have to mess with me, too."  It means not being afraid to to say you identify with them.  It means taking a stand even before you're required to take a stand - then not changing your mind when others disagree with you.  It means being willing to say "never again" and mean it.

We don't live in a bubble.  We do consider the reality of the world we live in.  As I was putting on my star of David necklace on Independence Day,  I was reminded of Christian believer who was murdered in Jerusalem right after we arrived.  She was out for a hike with a friend, and she was wearing a star of David necklace - she chose to identify herself with this people.  The murderers were caught, and said they were just out to kill Jews.  I also think of one of our trips to the Temple Mount when the arab men tried to make another friend take off her star of David necklace.  

The God we serve - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) - has a specific role for the Jewish people, and this nation - especially this city.  The things written in the Bible are coming to pass right before our eyes, there is no denying it.  If you believe in the Bible and read it, then you understand that the days are arriving when sides are being chosen, the line drawn in the sand.  Some may not even consider Israel - it's so far away....it's only from the Bible stories....But what will we each choose about this tiny nation? It is scary to start seeing so many of the churches in the world choosing the wrong side, even large denominations.

History tends to repeat itself. For the Jews (Hebrews) as it has over and over again -  ever since their first bondage in Egypt and their deliverance as well, which we just celebrated a few weeks ago at Pesach (Passover).  God has continually delivered His people from their oppressors and those wanting their destruction.  Nothing has changed over time - just the players.  70 years ago it was Hitler, and many (including the Church) stood by and did nothing - they made a choice not to identify with this people.  Today it's Iran and the surrounding arab nations.  

So we ask you - will you choose to identify with God's chosen people - the Jews?  It's not an easy or simple question, and therefore, should not have a flippant answer. We believe that we will each be held accountable for what we decide.  We realize this is much more real for us because we are here.  America is so far away, and has many problems of her own, so why even bother to care about another nation or people when there's so much going on at home?  Well, let us be reminded what the God of Abraham said, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you."  And Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:6 "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." God never changes, and would only be helpful for the individual and the nation that would heed His Word.

So as I put on my star of David necklace, and Jim hangs the Israeli flag, we make a bold statement to say:

WE CHOOSE TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH THE GOD OF ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE.