Showing posts with label CFI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFI. Show all posts

Monday, November 6, 2017

Jerusalem & Friends - Steve Martin, Arms of Love video message with Love For His People


Jerusalem & Friends
Steve Martin, Arms of Love video message
Love For His People


"Bell of Bethlehem" - Oil painting by Otto Unzicker (Laurie Martin's father)


Steve and Avraham Saiden (May 2016) - Jerusalem, Israel


 Below two photos: Avraham, wife Pinia and daughter Dahlia
Shabbat meal in their home
2007 - Jerusalem



Avraham, Steve & Laurie - Jerusalem 2008


Uri (my hoodie shop supplier!) and I - Jerusalem 2013


Danny Boy, Peter Nissen (Netherlands) and I - on Ben Yehuda Street
Jerusalem, 2008


Read my message Now Think On ThisJerusalem

YouTube Published on Nov 6, 2017

Jerusalem & Friends - Steve Martin, Arms of Love message with Love For His People

Nov. 6, 2017 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Ben Yehuda shopowners, Avraham Saiden, Christian Friends of Israel, Jerusalem

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Friday, June 30, 2017

"Highway to Zion" Outreach Ministry at CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) in Jerusalem, Cathy Hargett June 2017


"Highway to Zion" Outreach Ministry - Cathy Hargett
- CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) 
Jerusalem, Israel

June 30, 2017
Shalom, Shalom, Friends!

This is a video of one of our service days at CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) in Jerusalem!  

On this day we were working with unloading a truck and stocking the distribution center at CFI - about 1500 boxes!  Check out that assembly line!  

A very blessed thing happened that day - an Orthodox Jewish couple with their baby came by as we were all taking a break outside the facility - they brought us freshly cut watermelon!  You will see them in the video.  

It was so very special as the reputation of CFI is now highly regarded in the neighborhood, even among the Orthodox, for CFI's care and comfort given to Israel.  

One staff member told us that it used to be that rocks were thrown at them and now this sweet expression of appreciation is being given as it has become well known that CFI is what their ministry name says "friends of Israel"!  We were honored to be part of CFI's ministry while we were there.

We did other things at CFI ,too, which we will report on later, such as visiting Holocaust survivors, comforting victims of terror, gardening and restoration at a playground at a local school, and visiting IDF army bases to encourage and support.

Thanks so much to team members, Janelle and Matteah, for providing this video!

Blessings and love in Messiah Yeshua!
Cathy

Cathy Hargett
Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.

highwaytozion@aol.com  www.highwaytozion.org



Cathy Hargett has shared a video with you on YouTube
Highway to Zion Outreach Ministry at CFI in Jerusalem June 2017


Highway to Zion Outreach Ministry at CFI June 2017 - unloading and stocking 1500 boxes into the DC at CFI! We performed other services at CFI, too! But this was hard work and a lot of fun, too! Check out that assembly line! Thank you to team members, Janelle and Matteah for making this video!! All for Yeshua and Zion's sake!



  



 


Good job Cathy and crew! Blessing Israel, as always!

Love you (ahava),

Steve & Laurie Martin
Love For His People, Inc.

Your friends in Charlotte, NC - see you at the next Assembly!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

“To The Jew First” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

                 
         “To The Jew First” 


“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (NASU)

Dear family of friends,

Since 2003 I have visited one of the Charlotte, NC largest synagogues (2000+ members) at least 12 times - as of this writing. I had earlier met a member of the shul there at a Charlotte Chamber of Commerce luncheon that first year, and subsequently befriended him. Buying printed logo pens, hats, shirts and mugs from him through his business certainly helped grow the relationship!

Over time I got to know a few other members at the synagogue, with them fully knowing that I was a Christian who loved and supported Israel and the Jews. They were really actually amazed at how much I stood for their people, primarily showing the reality of it by our humanitarian aid and because of my many trips to their rightful homeland of Eretz Yisrael. Many of these have never been to Israel.

When I worked for one Jerusalem based Jewish organization in Charlotte for five years from 2005-2010, I asked their rabbi to come to a Hanukkah Festival we put on. He was kind in his response, but insisted he did not drive on Shabbat. Nor would he accept a ride when I offered to pick him up. Another member did come though to that festival, and said our Gentile speaker taught the history of Hanukkah and the Maccabees better than the rabbi did early that same day. (I never told the rabbi that!)

Over time the Shabbat morning service helped improve my Hebrew, and the onegs (free luncheons afterward) improved my stomach size! It was a joy being among those whom I write so often about, and want to support even more.

This last time I attended, which was Shabbat Hanukkah (the Saturday during the week of this Festival of Lights), my business friend wasn’t there, but another friend was, a man in his late 70’s. So I sat with him in the usual very back row. I had already donned a kippa (men’s head covering, like a beanie) and tallit (prayer shawl) from the visitor’s bin as required, before entering the large meeting room, so I fit right in as I usually did.

About an hour into the service, one of the “ushers” came and asked if I was a visitor. I said, “Yes”, and then he asked if I would help be a “lifter.” I didn’t know what that meant, but said I would. I was sure I would find out soon enough.

I had never been on the platform where the “beamer” (podium) stood, nor where the “ark” was, the very large decorative wooden case where the Torah scrolls (Scriptures) are kept. But I thought I’d give it a try when prayer for sick ones needing healing was announced that morning. I felt at home pretty much, as I stood up there where others had gathered for prayer. (I have been to the Kotel, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, at least 24 times over my 11 trips to Israel. Praying in a holy place was the right thing to do.)

Soon followed the removal of two Torah scrolls from the ark. Then the Hebrew reading of them by several from among the 300 seated was done. This went on for about a half hour. The Scriptures were from Genesis, about Joseph. I recognized a few words, but basically just turned the pages as the others did. From right to left of course.

Once the readings were done, the “usher” who had asked me to be a “lifter” earlier, came and said to go up and stand by the beamer. So I did, still not quite sure what I was going to do. My friend had already been up there helping turn the scroll for each reader, not knowing I had been asked to lift. When the last reader was done, my friend turned, saw me (with a surprised expression on his face), and motioned for me to come forward. 

The cantor, next to him, said to me to take hold of the wooden handles, pull the large scroll towards me, “lift” up the Torah (so this is what I was asked to do!), unroll it a bit so all could see, turn around in a circle, and sit down on a chair so the beautiful velvet cloth cover could be placed on it. I did it all. After the decorated red cover was put over the large scroll, a silver breast plate, with the twelve tribes engraved on it and having a chain to hold it to the scroll, was added, then the pointer, after which the entire package was taken from me and put on a holder. I then retook my “pew” seat in the last row.


Lifting a Torah scroll in synagogue (shul)
- notice the ark (which holds several scrolls when not being used) 
against the wall. More images of arks below.

My friend stayed on the platform, for I saw he was to help put the large scroll back into the ark. When he did, he picked it up off the holder, but tripped over the large wooden hanukiyah (eight candle stick menorah) that was next to it. He fell, cut his nose on the chair I had just vacated, but did not drop it! If he had, tradition says all who saw him drop it (basically, everyone present in the synagogue), had to fast a certain length of time. So it is a big deal not to drop the sacred scroll!

The two hour service was almost over, and so I pulled out my Ahava Love Letter books (2) that I had earlier left the room to go and get out of my car. I hadn’t planned on giving any out here, but sensed the Holy Spirit direct me to. When I gave one to my friend, after he had returned from the bathroom to stop the bleeding of his nose, he thanked me. Then he asked me to step out of the room with him. This is when things really got interesting!

Once outside the “sanctuary” doors he began to tell me that his son had married a Christian, who was a Baptist, several years ago, and they went to a 1300 member church in Cary, NC. (I know a pastor in Cary who annually tours Israel with Christian Friends of Israel. Small world!) He said his son was still a Jew, but believed now in Jesus. (He didn’t use Yeshua’s Jewish name, which I found interesting. In my later responses to him, I did use Yeshua’s name.)

My friend said his son believed that the Messiah had already come, and supposed I did too. I said, “Yes I do. His name is Yeshua.” My friend then wanted to know where in the “Old Testament” it said the Messiah would come to suffer, and said I too must believe, as his son now did, that He was coming a second time. Right? I said, “Yes.” He confirmed that he wasn’t convinced in what his son had told him, and what he assumed I believed.

He had a few more comments and some questions for me. I shared as I knew how.

Then he surprised me again. He told me that earlier in the month he had made a trip to Hope of Israel, the Messianic Jewish synagogue which is just a few miles from my home here in Charlotte. He made one comment about his time there that really surprised me. “There wasn’t a crucifix in the building. In fact, the main room looked very similar to any Jewish synagogue.” (I didn’t say this to him, but I know it does. I have been there several times. Many of the attendants are still Jews, of course, while believing in Yeshua.) He also said he spent an hour just talking to the three ladies there, one whom was putting together Hanukkah cards to give to their members. He said the rabbi (Sam Nadler) wasn’t there while he was.

To finish this short “divine appointment” time for my friend and I, he said, “I am a good Jew. I have attended synagogue all my life. I am not perfect, but I am a good Jew. And I will die a Jew.”

I thought to myself, “Yes, you will certainly die a Jew. And I hope you will believe before then in your Messiah Yeshua (Yeshua HaMashiach) as I do.”

Please join me in continuing prayer for the Jews here in the USA, and in Israel. We will always share His love with them, and the good news as opportunity arises.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve & Laurie Martin
Founders
Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I hope he reads my Ahava Love Letters book I gave him! I am sure I will find out down the road.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. 

Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People

If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 
Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box 414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

Be sure to get my two books The Promise (CreateSpace/Amazon 2013) and Ahava Love Letters (Xulon Press, 2013). Both available through Amazon.com Xulon Press.com , plus other website book stores.

You can also order both books, The Promise (on Amazon.com for $7.19 plus $3.95 S/H) and Ahava Love Letters Xulon Press for $14.90, plus $3.80) or you can get both from our office for $29. Send check to the address above. I will autograph all copies ordered through our office. (Hey, and please include a contribution for Israel too!)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

Email addresses: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People  
  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

            Ahava Love Letters
           
  
Full website: Love For His People


Ahava Love Letter #91   “To The Jew First”  ©2013 Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (11/30/13 Saturday at 4:30 pm in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters


Torah arks inside the Western Wall prayer and library room
(Photos by Steve Martin)


Carrying a Torah scroll

Unrolling a Torah scroll



Torah scroll being lifted
(Painting by Alex Levin)



“Alone and Lonely” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

                   

          “Alone and Lonely” 


“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10 (NKJV)


Dear family of friends,

It was early on a Thursday morning as I walked the main street in uptown Charlotte. The sun hadn’t risen as yet. Hardly a car, or human, was up at this hour. Being I had a part to play in a Thanksgiving/Christmas festival event, I parked my car and walked the few blocks needed to get there. The cold night was biting my uncovered face. At least I had our warm bed for a few hours prior to getting out and coming here.

Sitting on a metal street bench, across the eerily quiet, dark street at this hour, was a figure slouched over, under a layer or two of ragged blankets. I didn’t know if it was a man or a woman. They had to be really uncomfortable. These benches were constructed in such a way as to prevent any prone position sleeping, at any hour of the day or night. Beside them was a bag stuffed with their entire worldly possessions.

Knowing that the 22 F temperature was only adding pain to what must be a terrible way to live, I said a quick prayer of mercy for them. But I didn’t know what else to do, and having little money in my pocket, I kept walking.

(The Charlotte Rescue Mission, where I have worked at, is not far from the grandiose Charlotte Panthers football stadium from which I now hurried in the opposite direction. They do a great job in helping those in need of “two hots and a cot.” They also provide recovery assistance from drug addiction, getting people back on their feet. But that person may not have been aware of that help. As for now, “Lord, help them,” was all I did, and kept moving on.)

During holiday seasons my heart especially goes out to those who are alone and lonely. Personally, I have always had family and friends, but I have also known the ache and discouragement that others feel at times, increasingly around these times. Depression, despair, and destitution can crush the human heart. Having the hurt from lack of love, expressed in a caring way, takes its toll on the spirit in man.

So what do we do? What can we do?


 Yeshua (Jesus) showed us the way. He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly. These are not just nice words that sound good in a Sunday sermon, shared by an over zealous speaker. This can be reality in each of our lives. Hope can always spring forth in our hearts, for He knows of the pain, the hurt, the rejection. He experienced it when He came the first time. That is why He came. He gives life and ongoing hope always.

During the festival and holiday seasons, we are made more aware of those needing our help, and many will ask you for help. Do as you can. Maybe even do more than you normally would.

But remember that salvation is of the Jews, and our first command in assistance is to the “household of faith,” as we are instructed again in Galatians 6:10, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” My understanding of this verse is that the household of faith, in Israel, are the Messianic Jews. They are the ones who have received Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, and are also part of the Church Body, the One New Man. We have been grafted in among them.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. But if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.” (Rom. 11:17 NASU)

We have a debt to the Jews. They gave us the Bible. They gave us the prophets. They gave us our Savior, the Messiah Yeshua. We have an opportunity to now give back, and bless the believers among them.

This isn’t an Ahava Love Letter appeal, but it is an opportunity reminder, to share with you that we do send monthly support to Messianic Jewish believing family of friends, in Israel in particular, and in the USA. They are of the household of faith.

The ones we regularly support include Heart of G-d Ministries, Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, Israel Media Ministries, and Christians for Messiah Ministries.

Please remember Love For His People, Inc. in your regular and year end giving.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve & Laurie Martin
Founders
Love For His People, Inc.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. 

Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People

If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 
Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box 414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

Be sure to get my two books The Promise (CreateSpace/Amazon 2013) and Ahava Love Letters (Xulon Press, 2013). Both available through Amazon.com Xulon Press.com , plus other website book stores.

You can also order both books, The Promise (on Amazon.com for $7.19 plus $3.95 S/H) and Ahava Love Letters Xulon Press for $14.90, plus $3.80) or you can get both from our office for $29. Send check to the address above. I will autograph all copies ordered through our office. (Hey, and please include a contribution for Israel too!)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

Email addresses: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People  
  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

            Ahava Love Letters
           
  
Full website: Love For His People


Ahava Love Letter #90   “Alone & Lonely”  ©2013 Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (11/30/13 Saturday at 5:30 am in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters