Showing posts with label Cyprus. Show all posts

Friday, August 29, 2025

Operation Tarshish weekly report ending Aug. 29, 2025

OT Weekly Update

for Week Ending Friday, August 29th, 2025

Index
1. Waves of hope - without setting foot in Israel, I'm more connected than ever
2. Cyprus president keeps getting called out, lately for ties to Israel
3. Come and see, go and tell - The power of a trip to Israel
4. Buried beneath Jerusalem - a massive First Temple dam
5. Too busy studying Talmud to think about God
6. $1 billion Oron spy plane provides vital strategic advantage
7. Beauty for Ashes

1. Waves of hope - Even without setting foot in Israel, I feel more connected to it than ever
HaGal Sheli isn’t just about surfing. It’s a nonprofit that uses the ocean as a space for healing and growth. With Jewish teens from across San Diego, we meet weekly to surf, to talk, to process. Out there in the water, I’ve faced more than waves – I’ve faced fear, frustration, and the heavy feeling of not belonging. In a time when antisemitism is rising, those feelings are sharper than ever.

Eyal Amsalem, Jerusalem Post, August 25, 2025

For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-865122

He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 9:8 - 10

2. Cyprus president keeps getting called out, lately for ties to Israel
President Nikos Christodoulides faces attacks from rivals who have been unable to move on from their electoral defeat in 2023.

Harry Theocharous, JNS, August 25, 2025

For more further reading click > https://www.jns.org/cyprus-president-keeps-getting-called-out-lately-for-ties-to-israel/

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. John 15:18

3. Come and see, go and tell - The power of a trip to Israel
Today, almost 700 days later, I continue to grieve. Fifty hostages remain in Hamas’s terror tunnels. Twelve Druze children from Majdal Shams were murdered by Hezbollah.

By Grace Keathly, Jerusalem Post, August 26, 2025

For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-865252

When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. 2 Chronicles 9:3 - 6

4. Buried beneath Jerusalem - a massive First Temple dam and the ancient climate crisis that sparked it
A mystery of ancient engineering revealed - was this the answer to Judah’s worst drought?
“This is one of the most impressive and significant remains in Jerusalem from the First Temple period, which has been preserved at an exceptional level,” said IAA director Eli Escusido.

Jerusalem Post Staff, August 26, 2025

For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-865326

If He withholds the waters, they dry up; If He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth. Job 12:15

5. Too busy studying Talmud to think about God
Prompting Jewish students to think about God was the thought of one Jewish educational organization which set out to question Jewish middle and high school students as to how much time they devoted each day to thinking and talking about God.

Cookie Schwaeber-Issan | All Israel News, August 22, 2025

For more further reading click > https://allisraelnews.com/blog/too-busy-studying-talmud-to-think-about-god

But if I say, "I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9

6. $1 billion Oron spy plane provides vital strategic advantage
Oron is Israel's newest surveillance aircraft, an extraordinary product of cooperation between the MAFAT, the Israel Aerospace Industries, and the IDF.

By Dean Shmuel Elmas/Globes/TNS, August 25, 2025

For more further reading click > https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-865208

God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 53:2

7. Beauty for Ashes
The untold story of faith, unity, and resilience in the aftermath of October 7th

To view click > https://youtu.be/sgjT4FqZ1sM

To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

In this OT Weekly Update we attempt to tell you good news about what is happening in Israel. (There is far too much bad news, lies, or biased reporting about Israel that we want to show you the good side) We want to share good news about Jews worldwide, and especially where it concerns their return to Israel - ie. the Aliyah; Archeological discoveries - especially Biblical; Technological advances; Medical discoveries/advances; Anything prophetic or showing the Bible is true and relevant to events in our time; Good news about Holocaust Survivors; and any good news about the war – from Israel’s vantage point. If you have been blessed by this news bulletin please consider clicking on this link to donate to the Operation Tarshish ministry so we can continue these Updates. Thank you.

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Isaiah 60:9
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Monday, April 3, 2017

'Voice of Hope' to Broadcast from Israel - CBN News Tzippe Barrow

Rev. John D. Tayloe, founder and president of Strategic Communications Group

'Voice of Hope' to Broadcast from Israel

04-03-2017

CBN News Tzippe Barrow

JERUSALEM, Israel – The State of Israel took another step in its prophetic calling to be a light to the nations by licensing the Voice of Hope radio network to broadcast from Israel to Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.

By providing a radio broadcast frequency to the evangelical Christian network, Israel is helping Voice of Hope reach out to Arab Christians suffering intense persecution in many Middle Eastern countries.

Israeli Communication Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said the programming will be "an uplifting tool and a benefit to our neighbors."

"This radio station exemplifies the deep connection and unique bond that Israel has with the American people and between Jews and Christians. We are certain that the message of hope that will be brought by the station will be an uplifting tool and a benefit to our neighbors," Hanegbi said. "The State of Israel supports any message of peace to the people in neighboring countries and this is why we decided to support the reestablishment of the Voice of Hope."

CBN News has a special connection to the outreach.

In 1979, the late George Otis founded the Voice of Hope, which broadcast from southern Lebanon for nearly 20 years. Otis also founded Middle East Television (METV), which he later passed on to CBN.

When the Israeli military left southern Lebanon in 2000, METV relocated to Cyprus.

Today, Voice of Hope is owned and operated by Strategic Communications Group, a global evangelical radio network reaching Latin America and Africa.

Founder and President John Tayloe said the programming will feature Christian Arab presenters, Arabic Christian music, news, education, drama and inspirational messages.

"I am excited that this powerful Christian radio station was licensed by the State of Israel to deliver a message of hope and encouragement to the people of the Middle East," Tayloe said in a press release. "The Voice of Hope is established in support of Christians of the Middle East and is a gift of love from Christians in the United States and Canada."

Friday, March 3, 2017

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog: Fruits of peace? Israel has started exporting natural gas to Jordan.

New post on Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

Fruits of peace? Israel has started exporting natural gas to Jordan. Also developing export deals with Egypt, Greece, Cyprus & Turkey. Here’s the latest.

by joelcrosenberg

(Central Israel) -- It's not just talk. If you look closely, there are actually tangible signs of peace and economic cooperation between Israel and her neighbors.

Taken Jordan, for example. The Hashemite Kingdom signed a peace treaty with the Jewish State in 1994. While there remain many political sensitivities in the relationship, the two countries continue to develop ever closer security and economic ties. This week, we're learning how the quiet cooperation between the two countries has taken another important step.

"An Israeli company said Thursday it has started exporting gas from an offshore field to Jordan, marking the country’s first ever exports of natural gas," reported the Times of Israel. "The exports to Jordan began in January, Delek Drilling — part of a consortium leading the development of Israel’s offshore gas reserves."

With almost no oil or gas resources of its own, Jordan currently imports 97% of its energy needs. I'm encouraged that the Israeli government and the Israeli and American companies drilling for natural gas off the Mediterranean coast were willing to make their first export deal with Jordan, a good neighbor and partner for peace.

I'm also encouraged by the fact that the leaders of Jordan want to cooperate with Israel on such an important energy project, despite some political opposition.

But Jordan isn't the only story.

For many years since the 1979 Camp David accords, Egypt has been selling natural gas from the Sinai to Israel. Recent reports indicate Israel and Egypt are looking for new ways to explore for more gas and cooperate in exporting natural gas.
Israel and Turkey are also working on a natural gas deal that could be finalized in 2017.
Israel, Greece and Cyprus are reportedly developing plans for a natural gas pipeline.

Let's keep praying for peace -- but let's also be grateful for the tangible progress that has been made already.

Excerpts from the Times of Israel article:

There was no formal announcement at the time but it is the first time Israel has ever exported natural gas, a company spokeswoman said.
Jordanian firms Arab Potash and Jordan Bromine signed a deal in 2014 to import 2 billion cubic metres (around 70 billion cubic feet) of gas from Israel’s Tamar field over 15 years....
Jordan is one of only two Arab countries to have a peace deal with Israel but the 1994 agreement is unpopular among Jordanians — almost half of whom are of Palestinian origin.
Detractors of the gas deal, including Jordan’s main opposition Islamist party, reject any cooperation with a country they regard as an enemy....
In September 2016, a larger deal worth an estimated $10 billion was signed to export gas from the Leviathan offshore field to Jordan.
In the face of protests, Jordanian Information Minister Mohamed Momani defended the deal, telling state television it would cut $600 million a year from the state’s energy bill. Deliveries from Leviathan are expected to begin in 2019.

More coverage:

Israel's natural gas already flowing to Jordan (Israel Hayom)
Israel Quietly Begins Exporting Natural Gas to Jordan Amid Political Sensitivities (Haaretz)

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joelcrosenberg | March 3, 2017 at 8:22 am | Categories: Epicenter | URL: http://wp.me/piWZ7-74T

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Quitter’s Turnaround Produces Centuries of Non-Quitters - Jim Croft

Paul, Barnabas and John Mark

Quitter’s Turnaround Produces Centuries of Non-Quitters

Jim Croft

Rejection, misunderstanding, and hurtful experiences can be turned around by commitment to forgiveness and to God’s purposes. There is a beautiful story of this truth hidden in the pages of the New Testament and in Church History. It’s pertains to John Mark who authored the Gospel of Mark and to the Coptic Orthodox Church that evolved from the church that he founded in Alexandria, Egypt.

John Mark was the son of a notable family of the Jerusalem church. He was the young cousin of Barnabas who was a friend and supporter of Paul’s for the first 12 years after his conversion from persecutor of Christians to a champion of the faith. Mark and the 2 men traveled from Jerusalem 300 miles north to Antioch, Syria. Mark’s role with the team’s first missionary journey might be described as a servant deacon. (Acts 12:12, 25, 13:1-13)

The first stop was Paphos, Cyprus and from there the threesome sailed to Perga which was a port city on the mid-southern coast of Turkey. It was there that John Mark angered Paul and disappointed his cousin Barnabas by abruptly choosing to quit the journey and return to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas continued to evangelize new regions by preaching and performing miraculous wonders in the midst of persecution riots, beatings and stoning. About 2 years later they made their way back to Jerusalem after staying for a while with the Antioch fellowship that had sent them forth.

We do not know why Mark abandoned the journey. For sure he felt awkward as the two churchmen reported all that God had done through them after his departure. It would not be unreasonable to suspect that the young man wanted to avoid direct eye contact with Paul. In spite of his previous blunder, Barnabas insisted that Mark accompany the team on their second missionary journey.

Paul was adamant that the quitter who left the work in Perga would not be permitted the honor of serving in another outreach with him. The contention was so strong that Paul and Barnabas parted company after years of effective ministry and loving friendship. Paul chose Silas and set out to go deeper into Syria. Barnabas and Mark headed for Cyprus. (Acts 15:36-41)

All rejection is painful, but spiritual rejection has to be among the hardest to rationalize. This is because there are inherent expectations that Christians are obligated to exercise a brand of forgiveness that lets bygones be bygones without proof of change. We do not know whether or not Mark was present during Paul and Barnabas’ heated discussion. For sure, he became painfully aware that the apostolic powerhouse Paul did not think that he possessed the saltiness expected of believers who would stay the course no matter what. Unquestionably, Satan haunted the young man with guilt for the responsibility of breaking up the dynamic Paul and Barnabas duo.

At this juncture, John Mark had to make choices: Would he grovel in sniveling hurt and return to mommy in Jerusalem? Or, would he man-up, forgive Paul’s attitude as justifiable, and determine to trust God to rectify his reputation? He chose the latter and God endeared him not only as a favorite of Paul’s, but also of the apostle of great stature, Peter.

Here are phrases that the apostles later used in relation to previously rejected John Mark. Paul said: If Mark comes to you, welcome him as I instructed (Col. 4:10); Mark is useful in ministry for me, bring him with you (2 Tim. 4:11); and Mark, my fellow apostle (Philemon 1:24).

Peter referred to Mark as his son in the faith (1 Pet 5:13). John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark. There are credible manuscript researchers who believe that Peter entrusted the writing of his remembrance of his years with Jesus to John Mark.

All of this represents quite a promotion from the rejection that he experienced early on in his ministry. In addition, Mark’s determination to prove himself a non-quitter lives on in his spiritual descendants to this very day. Mark established the first church in Alexandria, Egypt comprised of original Egyptians 600 years prior to the Arab Islamic Jihad invasion. That church has evolved into what is known as the Coptic (Egyptian) Eastern Orthodox Church. It has branches all over the world with heavy concentration in the Middle East stretching from Kuwait westward past Libya.

Coptic church in Aswan, Egypt

The Coptic Church has a style of liturgical service and clergy apparel similar to that of the Russian and Greek Orthodox. At this point some readers might be tempted to yawn thinking that the chants, smoke, smells, and bells of traditional orthodox Christianity has little value in effective evangelism. There you would be badly mistaken.

The free independent Charismatic fellowships and Evangelical churches of the West are not necessarily more effective in outreach without overt persecution than the Copts have been in the face of 14 Centuries of bloody Islamic persecution. I am speaking of the rape of daughters; burned churches and businesses; imprisonment, beatings, and martyrdom of Egyptian Christians for their faith.

Mark’s spiritual posterity, the Copts are not quitters and have a proven evangelistic methodology. In spite of the persecution, the Copts produce more doctors, engineers and business professionals per capita than the Muslim community. Interestingly, the Copts have earned the reputation of being far more honest than Muslims in their dealings with employers and their customers. For this reason Arabic speaking Copts are choice employees with many business firms throughout the Middle East.

Young Copts who want to spread the Gospel volunteer to move to other Muslim lands. They do not press for one on one evangelistic encounters to make instant converts. The objective is to let the differences between the quality of their home lives and vocational accomplishments and that of Muslims speak to encourage those who observe them to initiate inquiries. This lowers chances of torture for attempts at proselytizing Muslims.

Simultaneous to this, the Coptic services are broadcast on radio and are televised from stations in free countries. At certain times the liturgies for divine healing and deliverance are emphasized by priests over the airwaves. Whatever the case, many Muslims listen and watch what we think are dead and dry traditional liturgies and thousands become secret believers yearly.

Contrary to what we might think, the worldview of everyone does not match that of Westerns. We tend to imagine that if a method is not innovative that it cannot possibly be of God. Middle Easterners are different in that they prefer traditions that have proven stability that has withstood the tests of time. In this regard many Muslims have secret admiration for the spiritual descendants of John Mark who have stayed the course and have not quit in the face of generations of severe challenges to their faith.

When I meditate on John Mark and the Copts, it makes me want to gird up my faith to have greater stick-to-it-tiv-ness. What say you?

Jim Croft

jimcroft777@gmail.com

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