10 Reasons You Should Listen to the Shofar this New Year

Wednesday, September 04, 2013 |  David Lazarus  Israel Today 

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Israel Today wishes all of our readers and supporters and the people of Israel a blessed Rosh Hashanah. We'd like to share with you the following thoughts and prayers as we celebrate this special season of renewal.

1) Trumpets are sounded at a coronation and God is hailed as King on this day. On Rosh Hashanah we give a special blast of the shofar (ram's horn) in recognition that the Almighty, the Sovereign One is Lord of Heaven and Earth.

May we acknowledge him in all our ways so that he will make our paths straight.

Let us remember that He is Lord over all the nations of the earth. He will have his way in Jerusalem, in Israel and among all the nations of the Middle East.

2) The shofar heralds the beginning of the season of renewal.

May this be a time for reflection and re-commitment to God.

Let us recommit ourselves and our families to all that is right and good in his sight.

3) The Torah was given on Sinai accompanied by blasts of the shofar.

Let us be bold to follow God's commandments even when it is not popular or comfortable.

Let us proclaim his truth courageously to the nations.

4) The Prophets compare their message to the sound of the shofar.

Let us not lose hope, but reopen our hearts to the possibilities of a better world for ourselves and for others.

5) Conquering armies gathered under the sound of the shofar blast.

May we be willing to take a bold stand against injustice, lies and corruption in society.

Let us remember the rights of the poor and oppressed in our midst.

6) The ram from whose horn the shofar is fashioned, was substituted for Isaac.

Let us offer up ourselves to love when it is costly or unpopular even as He who sacrificed himself for us an offering to cleanse and renew our spirits.

7) The prophet asks, "Shall the shofar be blown in a city and the people not tremble?" (Amos 3:6)

The Lord is shaking the nations. Only that which cannot be shaken will remain.

Let us serve God with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

8) The prophet Zephanaiah speaks of "the great day of the Lord" as a "day of the shofar and alarm." (Zeph. 1:14,16)

As we contemplate the judgments of God coming even now on the earth, let us lift up our voices so that truth and mercy may be heard once again in the gates.

May the staff of Israel Today and all those who follow you continue to walk in humility before God our king and before man as we “speak the truth in love” to Israel and the nations.

9) The prophet Isaiah speaks of the great shofar which will herald the Messianic age. (Isa. 27:13)

Let us be patient and not grow weary in well doing for it is written that “at the proper time we shall reap if we do not give up.”

Be anxious for nothing, our times are in God's hands.

10) The shofar will be sounded at the resurrection.

Maimonides writes: "It is a divine decree that we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. A hint of the following idea is contained in the command. It is as if to say: 'Awake from your slumber, you who have fallen asleep in life, and reflect on your deeds. Remember your creator. Be not of those who miss reality in the pursuit of shadows, and waste their lives in seeking after vain things which neither profit nor save. Look well to your souls and improve your character. Forsake each of you his evil ways and thoughts.'"

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Shana Tovah - Happy New Year 5774 - With the Good Lord's Blessings On Ye Heads!

With the love of our Lord, 

Yeshua HaMashiach 

(Jesus Christ),

we ask for His blessings 

on ye heads, O Israel!

Steve & Laurie Martin

Love For His People

Teshuvah 29 - Hebrew months of Elul and Tishri - Curtis Loftin

Curtis Loftin - Beit Yehsua in Lincolnton, NC

Teshuvah 29

Shalom Mishpocha,

Today (Tuesday) at sundown is the beginning of Elul 29 and the 29th day of Teshuvah - The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) begins tomorrow night (Wednesday) at sundown.

The month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar has 29 days.  The seventh month on the Hebrew Civil Calendar is the month of "Tishri" - with Yom Teruah occurring on Tishri 1, Yom Kippur on Tishri 10, and Sukkot on Tishri 15. 

Do you know how many days the month of February has?  Sure you do - that's an easy one - "28 days", except for leap year when it has 29.  Well, how many days does September have?  ...or July?  Those are always a little tougher, at least for me, so I rely on an old poem I learned as a child.  "Thirty days hath September, April, June and November, All the rest have thirty-one, Excepting February alone, And that has twenty-eight days clear, And twenty-nine in each leap year." 

The beginning of each Jewish lunar month is based on the appearance of the new moon. Carolyn & I actually wrote a little song years ago to memorize the Hebrew months - those of you who have participated in our Aleph-Bet classes through the years have heard it.  "Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet, Shevat, Adar, Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tamuz, Av and Elul". 

The months have either 29 or 30 days ... alternating.
     30-Tishrei

     29-Cheshvah

     30-Kislev (but sometimes 29)

     29-Tevet
     30-Shevat

          (Leap Year month of Adar I is added here 7 times in the 19-year cycle)
     29-Adar
     30-Nisan
     29-Iyar

     30-Sivan

     29-Tamuz

     30-Av

     29-Elul

We have a Leap Year every 4 years on our calendar and an extra day is added to the month of February (February 29th).  The Jewish Calendar has an extra monthduring its Leap Year.  An extra month, Adar I, is added after the month of Shevat and before the month of Adar in a Leap year. A Jewish leap year occurs 7 times in a 19-year cycle. The 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th, and 19th years are leap years in this cycle.

Israel has a Religious Calendar and a Civil Calendar.  The Religious Calendar begins with Nisan and runs through Adar.  The Civil Calendar begins with Tishrei and runs through Elul.

God's Calendar is actually the Jewish Religious Calendar.  

Exodus 12

² This month (Nisan/Abib) shall be unto you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.

The Feast of Trumpets is called Rosh Hashanah in Israel (and many places around the world) - because Tishrei 1 is the beginning of the Civil Calendar (not the Religious Calendar).  Rosh Hashanah actually means "Head (or Beginning) of the Year".  Since Tishrei 1 is not the "Head of the Year" on God's Calendar, we usually call the Feast of Trumpets by what we believe is its more appropriate name - Yom Teruah (Day of Shofar Sounding - Day of the Awakening Blast - Day of Trumpets).

So, why the Jewish calendar lesson?  It's impossible to fully understand scripture without understanding the Jewish calendar. I love the Hebrew calendar and I know you will, too, as you become more familiar with it.  It is important to Him!  The Festivals are His appointments.  There are no random dates on God's Calendar.

Now, let's take a closer look at Yom Teruah ...

One reference in Scripture for Yom Teruah is found in Numbers 29. The weekly Sabbath (as you know) is from sundown Friday night till sundown Saturday night, but this scripture in Numbers 29 tells us that Tishri 1 (Yom Teruah) is also a Sabbath - "you shall do no servile work" (no public form of work providing wages).  This means that there will also be a Festival Sabbath this week from sundown Wednesday night till sundown Friday night (two days of Yom Teruah that count as one long day) - then the weekly Sabbath from Sundown Friday night till sundown Saturday night.  (That means that this week, the Sabbath days are from sundown Wednesday till sundown Satruday.)

Numbers 29

¹And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

Psalm 144

¹⁵ …happy is that people whose God is the Lord

As we continue to seek the Lord during the final days of the month Elul and "Teshuvah", Return to Him with all our hearts, 1 Corinthians 10, Psalm 145, and Psalm 51 offer some encouraging words to us.

1Corinthians 10

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Psalm 145

⁸ The LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy

¹⁴ The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

¹⁹ He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry and will save them.

²⁰ The LORD preserveth all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy

Psalm 51:7

Purify me with hyssop and I will be clean; Wash me and I will be white as snow.

White garments represent being in a state of spiritual preparedness.

Ecclesiastes 9:8

Let your garments be always white...

Thank You Abba for the cleansing power of the blood of Your Son, Yeshua, in our lives.  Continue to work in our hearts - drawing us ever closer to You.  B’Shem Yeshua (In the Name of Yeshua) - Amen!

Ahava V'Brachot,

(Love & Blessings)

Curtis

curtisloftin@gmail.com

Worship Opportunity For the Day:

YouTube Video: MARANATHA SINGERS "White As Snow"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPFCosKw1YE

White As Snow

Maranatha Music
“America Worships”

White as snow, White as snow,

Though my sins were as scarlet,

Lord I know, Lord I know,

That I’m clean and forgiven.

Through the power of Your blood,

Through the wonder of Your love,

Through the faith in You I know that I can be,

White as snow.

Blowing the shofars - Feast of Trumpets (Tabernacles)!

“Why Is A Gentile Like You Celebrating the Feasts of the Jews?” - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

“Why Is A Gentile Like You Celebrating the Feasts of the Jews?”    “These are the appointed feasts of the LORD,  the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim  at the time appointed for them.  (Leviticus 23:4 English Standard Version) “After these things I looked, and behold, a great  multitude which no one could count, from every  nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues,  standing before the throne and before the Lamb,   clothed in white robes, and palm branches were  in their hands…” (Rev. 7:9 NAS) Love For His People Editor's Note: As Purim, a celebration from the book of Esther, comes March 16, 2014, I am again sharing this article I originally published in Sept. 2013 as one of my Ahava Love Letters. It is also a chapter in my 2nd book of the same name, AHAVA LOVE LTTERS (Xulon Press, 2013) With the Feasts of the Lord coming quickly upon us, a believers in Jesus (His Jewish name is Yeshua) we can  participate in His feasts. This message will give you reason to think on this. Steve Martin, Author

Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I don’t recall reading much of the Old Testament, or even the New Testament for that matter. I can’t even remember if I had a Bible myself. There was that big, fat white one that sat on our living room table, that we must have bought from the door-to-door salesman one summer. It was filled with family genealogy and had a few photos in it. Mostly it was for looks I think.

We left it up to the parish priests to read a few passages during the Sunday Mass, or the daily Mass for those rare people who attended. We saw it as his job – to read the Bible.

Our priest at St. Patrick’s in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Father Thomas Purtell, did speak to us in the eighth grade of Catholic traditions and rituals every week, but that really didn’t interest me much. Though I was even then considered a “religious” boy, by some standards, it was history, football and baseball, and that cute, petite Lisa which were my main interests. (You should read the story I share further about Father Purtell in my book, The Promise. We had some moments with him! Lisa was another story.)

For the most part, what the Catholics did in and out of church, or the Orthodox Greeks in the domed building across the street, the Protestants which seemed to be on every other corner, and the Jews, who I didn’t really know at all - well, it was pretty much known in town as each group “doing their thing” - whatever that thing was. Probably because of their culture, upbringing, and country’s history, as I thought.

It wasn’t until my only year in college did I begin to seek more, by getting out of my box. The box I had been in for those years in grade school and high school. A nice box, but a box. I discovered that there was more truth to be known, and now I was given the opportunity to seek it further.

Over the years, as I became involved with first a college campus Christian group, then the charismatic church meetings, moving on further to the Messianic Jewish gatherings many years later, I understood that all of the Bible is for all of us who know Jesus (Yeshua) as our Lord and Savior. It is not just the Old Testament for Jews and the New Testament for Christians. Knowing this helped me see that the Jewish feasts/holidays are NOT only historic and prophetic, but they are the Lord’s Feasts, which definitely point to Israel’s and our Messiah. 

Learning from Bible teachers and ministers like Derek Prince, Zola Levitt, James Goll, Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, Barry Segal and others from the 1970’s onward, I grew tremendously in my appreciation of how the Lord revealed Himself throughout history, primarily through the Jewish people. I learned that even Gentiles, as I am, now get to be included in the Lord’s love for family, fellowship and feasts. I learned how He has taught through living examples in the Scriptures, the Torah and the Tanakh, the Old and New Testaments, all primarily to reveal Yeshua, Jesus, as the Christ (or in Hebrew, HaMashiach, the Messiah) for all nations and people groups. Being grafted in, as believers, and knowing of our Jewish roots, is thus life changing.

My good wife Laurie and I enjoy getting with others who celebrate the Lord’s feasts – Passover (Pesach), Shavuot (Pentecost), Purim (remember Esther and Haman?), and especially the fall feasts of Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets/New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and the biggest of all, Succot, or Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths, which is a seven day celebration time!

I encourage you to “discover” your Jewish roots as a Christian. The entire Bible was primarily written by Jews, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), for all of us who believe. Jesus, who was, and is, and is to come again, is a Jew. He celebrates His Feasts. I guess that is good enough for me, and so I will too!

Now think on this.

Steve Martin

Founder/President

     

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 Israel with our humanitarian ministry. 

Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: www.loveforhispeople.org/support

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People  

  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

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Ahava Love Letter #73   “What Is A Gentile Like You Celebrating the Feasts of The Jews?”  ©2013 Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (09/03/13 Monday at 7:35 am in Charlotte, NC)

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog:

 http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com  

Here are the last few:

They Are Loved Too (#72)

Oskars Needed Again? (#71)

Little Orphan Chuckie (#70)

Demons & Fire Trucks (#69)

I Like Mike (#68)

Disappointed with Small Beginnings? (#67)

Rise Again (#66)

The Cities (#65)

How can You Mend A Broken Heart (#64)

Anxious (#63)

Hidden (#62)

Get Back in the Boat (#61)

Need Money? (#60)

Happy New Year! Jews Will Blow the Shofar (Ram's Horn) in Synagogues

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

---

Happy New Year! Jews Will Blow the Shofar (Ram's Horn) in Synagogues on Thursday and Friday (Re-posting) Posted: 02 Sep 2013 03:41 AM PDT Yemenite Jew blowing the shofar (circa 1935) "Blow the Shofar at the New Moon...Because It Is a Decree for Israel, a Judgment Day for the God of Jacob"  - Psalms 81 Jews around the world prepare for Rosh Hashanna this week, the festive New Year holiday when the shofar -- ram's horn -- is blown in synagogues.  The American Colony photographers recorded a dozen pictures of Jewish elders blowing the shofar in Jerusalem some 80 years ago.  The horn was also blown in Jerusalem to announce the commencement of the Sabbath.  During the month prior to Rosh Hashana, the shofar was blown at daily morning prayers to encourage piety before the High Holidays.    Ashkenazi Jew in Jerusalem blowing the shofar to announce the Sabbath Yemenite Rabbi Avram, donning tfillin for his daily prayers, blowing the shofar View the American Colony Photographers' collection of shofar blowers in Jerusalem here. Click on the pictures to enlarge. Click on captions to view the original picture. Receive Israel Daily Picture on your computer or iPhone by subscribing.  Just enter your email in the box in the right sidebar of the Internet site www.israeldailypicture.com

Our Beautiful Daughter Hannah's Upcoming Wedding website

Hannah and Jonathan with Payton

Soon we will have another son-in-law and grand son!

Oct. 12, 2013

Click here: 

Hannah's Wedding Website - follow along

How we met

    Jonathan and I met in the spring of 2011. We took things slow, because we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do with a child involved. I quickly fell in love with Payton (first!) ha :) And before we knew it, we could both see our futures together. Our love for The Lord really ties us together! He is and will be the core of our relationship.

 I know God saved us for one another for many reasons. We are both kind and compassionate about life in general! I am looking forward to the Journey we are about to take together. We thank you all for being there and supporting us too!!! 

Hannah

We are thanking the Lord for His choice of Jonathan Avalos as Hannah's husband. And we love his son Payton also!

Steve & Laurie Martin

Bill Yount: "I Am the Trackless, Unstoppable Locomotive"

Bill Yount:

"I Am the Trackless, Unstoppable Locomotive"

September 2, 2013

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

This is quite an encounter that Bill Yount recently had with the Lord... powerful!

I won't give much away and let you read it for yourself... be excited about your region/location as Bill shares here:

"I saw the fire of God falling on every denomination wherever there was a smell of smoke from a flickering flame of love gone out long ago. People in all denominations will be visited by a rekindling, as well as so-called Spirit-filled churches."

Blessings,

Steve

Note from Steve Shultz: People ask me, "How can I support The Elijah List?"

My answer: The Elijah List articles are emailed for FREE to you and your friends – or published on our website – 365-Days-a-Year – to readers all over the world. Your support helps to pay for this effort by simply purchasing your prophetic resources directly fromelijahshopper.com.

We appreciate our dear readers and we thank you for supporting your Elijah List staff!

Blessings,

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News 
http://www.elijahlist.com

Prophetic Stones of Remembrance: A Legacy for the End Times by Bill Yount E-Book $8.99

I Heard Heaven Proclaim by Bill Yount Hard Copy or E-Book $9.99 $7.99

Bill Yount:

"I Am the Trackless, Unstoppable Locomotive"

Transported

I woke up shaken. I could not believe I was at home. How did I get back here? I had just been transported physically from a place far away. I had heard about people being transported, but I would laugh it off. My laughter has been silenced by what I experienced. It was the real thing.

I stood in the valley of a highway. 

Suddenly, what appeared to be a huge locomotive train barreled down the highway straight toward me. The wheels shaved the concrete and its power shook the earth in proclamation, "I don't need tracks!" I was paralyzed by the terror of it as highways and overpasses crumbled in its wake. Mountains were shaken and surrendered their strength and majesty. All the earth was vulnerable to this all-inclusive power. I was astounded: My whole world was shaking and yet I was still standing.

I was then transported inside a house on a high hill where a fire had suddenly broken out. I quickly turned the thermostat and gas controls off. The fire seemed to be contained, but I was mistaken. In the distance, which I believe to be the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the tops of tall buildings crumbled and contagious fires raged relentlessly throughout the streets. Then multitudes of cities throughout the earth followed suit. I was then awakened by the terror.

After several weeks of earnest prayer, the Holy Spirit helped me to understand this experience of being transported and provided the interpretation.

"Son, I Am the Trackless, Unstoppable Locomotive"

The Lord was saying, "Son, I have allowed you to experience this vision in person so you would know the full impact and certainty of it. I am the trackless, unstoppable locomotive. I am coming in a way that many of My people will not recognize as Me. Some will be offended.

"The terror you experienced as I came near was the fear of the Lord being released in the earth. The fear of the Lord brings a great shaking. Some people will turn from Me and many more will become deeply committed. This shaking alone will bring in an unprecedented harvest of souls. The crumbling highways and overpasses were man-made structures built in order to reach Me. With great force I will shake those man-made spiritual structures and religious spirits that have prevented Me from coming to them."

He said, "You have been faithful in disliking religious spirits, but you have fallen short in loving religious people. I love them. I want to deliver them. Not loving them invites a religious spirit into your life."

I saw the fire of God falling on every denomination wherever there was a smell of smoke from a flickering flame of love gone out long ago. People in all denominations will be visited by a rekindling, as well as so-called Spirit-filled churches.

A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, til He has brought justice through to victory. Matthew 12:20

"My Fire Is Beginning To Invade These Mountains And Bring Them Into My Kingdom"

God continued saying, "The mountains you saw caving in represent the seven mountains of the kingdoms of this world. The Church, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business and finances.

My fire is beginning to invade these mountains to redeem and bring them into My Kingdom. The reason you couldn't stop the fire in the house is because the fire is of Me. I am coming this hour through the fires of adversity and affliction to bring whole families back together again into My Kingdom. Their troubles have come to bless them.

"The pride of man in what he has made are the fallen, far-off city structures. Pride is crumbling. The contagious fires of God raging in the streets of cities are the certainty of the vision in its influence."

Sidewalks and gutters in the streets were now burning with unquenchable fire falling upon the homeless and red light districts. Grave clothes were being burned off those bound in prisons and spiritual cemeteries.

There's a whole lot riding on this train.

Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries

Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com
Website: billyount.com

Bill Yount has been a member of Bridge of Life in Hagerstown, Maryland, for the past 33 years where he is now an elder and a home missionary. He is currently an advisor at large for Aglow International. Bill faithfully served in prison ministry at Mount Hope for 23 years and now travels full-time, both in the U.S. and internationally, ministering in churches and Aglow circles. 

"Humility and humor" characterize his ministry as he brings forth a fresh word that is "in season," proclaiming the word of the Lord! The shofar (or ram's horn) is often used in his meetings, breaking the powers of darkness over regions, churches, and households. The shofar represents God's breath blowing into the nostrils of His people, reviving them and awakening the lost. Many of God's messages, which Bill ministers prophetically, come out of his everyday life with his family and friends.

Bill Yount's Itinerary:

Note: Events are subject to change at the ministry's discretion. We suggest you always check first with the event contact listed here and/or directly visit their website for latest updates on each event.

September 8, 2013 (7pm)

Bill Yount will be speaking
Cumberland Valley Church (The Barn)
1704 Fisher Road, Mechanicsburg, PA
Contact: 717-790-9377

September 10, 2013 (6:30pm)
Bill Yount will be speaking
Lebanon Aglow Lighthouse
515 Cumberland St, Lebanon, PA
Contact: 717-865-8037

October 13, 2013 (10:30am)
Bill Yount will be speaking
Believer's Fellowship Family Church
551 Cambria Ave, Revloc, PA
Contact: 814-471-1897

On the front lines in Israel...

This was shared yesterday in an e-mail from Jerusalem. I have kept the names private, for protection and security, and edited it as such. 

I absolutely agree with his following statements also included about the USA President's recent action (or lack thereof). May the Lord give us USA leaders with a backbone to lead!!! (I hold my tongue and heart back, to pray, as the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Himself commanded us to, while at the same time letting it be known that we will FULLY stand with our friends, the Israelies!)

We will join our friends in November in Israel, as already planned months ago. 

Steve Martin
Editor

P.S. Artwork and photos added by me.

Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013

Shalom from Jerusalem - the City of Peace!

We wanted to send out an update as the world waits to see what actions will or will not be taken against the Syrian government for using chemical weapons on its own people, including children.  

Because the United States in such a large country, it is good to keep in mind the size of Israel couched in the middle of its Arab enemy nations.  Israel is in effect only the size of New Jersey, with Syria being place about where NY City would be.  Damascus, Syria's capital, and where the chemical weapons were used, is only 134 miles from Jerusalem, Israel's capital, about 2 hours.  However, Damascus is only 67 miles from the Sea of Galilee and only half that distance from the Israeli border.

Due to the fighting in Lebanon as well - two Muslim terror group fighting each other like in Syria, the Sunnis and Shiites - Israel has been on high alert on that northern border as well.  Rockets were even fired at Israel from Lebanon last week.  Egypt continues to be a mess with internal fighting as well - the military government fighting against both the Muslim brotherhood and the terror groups in the Sinai.

Last Sunday, we met with a soldier from a unit to hand off dry-fit ball caps that were requested by the commander.  We were supposed to deliver the caps to the base near the northern border, but due to the rockets fired into Israel a few days prior, they were not allowing any civilians on base, so we met at a neutral site in Tel Aviv.  While we were with the soldier, the commander called to share his appreciation with our organization, saying he'd like to schedule a base visit sometime in the future, but it was much too dangerous right now.  

IDF - Bibles and weapons of protection

When we asked the soldier how they were doing, he shook his head and said they have had to cancel all leaves, nobody was going home for the weekends, and they were on high alert.  Please pray for these watchmen on the borders, that they get the rest they need for their bodies and minds.  We made sure to tell him that there are people all over the world that support what they are doing, praying for them, and sending money to help meet their needs, like these caps.  

He said for us to please tell these people all over the world a big thanks. 

To know they have love and support means more than you know, and we always make sure they know it's from Christians around the world. 

"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?"  Psalm 2:1 is occurring all around us - the news is like reading the Bible and watching it come to pass.  And at the same time, Syria and Iran promise that if the United States attacks Syria, that they will attack Israel.  Israel has been reiterating all week that we are not involved in this conflict, BUT - we will respond fiercely if attacked.  We truly believe that they will not be stupid enough to attack Israel if they are attacked by the US, it would mean their downfall and they know it.  Therefore, it's most likely propaganda to scare other countries from acting.  The news has been showing Israelis en mass getting gas masks this week in light of a possible US attack.  Media has made it appear as a panic, but it's more truthfully frustration...long lines of people who waited too long to get what they should already have in their possession.

And now, as the entire Middle East region has been holding their breath all week waiting for a response from the US, instead a retreat is announced.  Whether you believe the US should strike Syria or not, this doesn't bode well for many reasons.  First, Syria and Iran are almost giddy - they view this as weakness.  Second, they can now gauge the response the US may have with a nuclear Iran.  Third, Syria now has until at least September 9th to not only continue killing, but to move & hide chemical weapons.  And lastly, Israel now sees the kind of response the US (Obama) could potentially have concerning Iran, and we know we cannot trust him to "have our backs" in an emergency situation. 

Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hevron (Hebron)

We were also scheduled to visit a base in Hevron today.  After dropping off the dry-fit shirts the commander requested, we were going to be given a tour/escort of the Tomb of the Patriarchs where Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca, and Jacob & Leah are buried.  It's not easily visited, because Hevron is a Palestinian city, and both Jews and Arabs share Abraham as their father.  I was on the phone last night with the commander of the base making plans for where we were to meet and everything was scheduled.  Then we heard Obama's speech.  It wasn't long before the commander called back and said we need to reschedule the visit....

So, as we trust in the the God of Israel - Adonai Tzva'ot, Lord of Heaven's armies - we do as a Torah scribe spoke to our organization staff this week --- "We pray, and then we do."  And as our Prime Minster has encouraged us - we trust our government (Israeli) and the Israel Defense Force to protect us, we continue on with our daily lives, and prepare for a month of the High Holy Days, beginning this coming Wednesday evening.

We pray and we do - in the meantime, we have also made preparations personally.  The new apartment we have just move to has one bedroom that is a bomb shelter.  We have made sure it is stocked with food, water and necessary supplies.  We have a plan on who gets what (phones, computer, internet, etc) to get to the bomb shelter in the 90 seconds allotted for Jerusalem. We've had our gas masks since we got here, they are issued to all long term staff upon arrival. Be assured - we are not afraid or concerned - just using wisdom to "pray and do".  Now we watch and see.  But mostly...we will enjoy God's appointed times - Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and the joyous Feast of Tabernacles!!

Jerusalem volunteer worker