Monday, November 25, 2013

Jerusalem, Holy to All Religions. Responsible Archivists Are Digitizing their Vintage Pictures

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



Beneath Robinson's arch on the western wall of the Temple Mt. complex  (Chatham University Archives, circa 1890)

The Chatham Library archives contains 110 photos of the Holy Land, but we have focused on the photos of Jerusalem.  We present today the third part of our series.  

Reconstruction model of the Arch
(Wikimedia Commons)

We express our admiration and gratitude to the archivists at Chatham University for digitizing these hand-colored slides dating back to about 1890. 

The picture of Robinson's Arch published above is the base of a massive arch built by King Herod.  Archaeologists believe it was the anchor for a large bridge or staircase from the top of the Temple Mount.




Map of Jerusalem (Chatham University Archives, circa 1895). Note the "Railroad
Station" on the bottom left (in the photo below). The Jerusalem Train Station was completed in 1892.
The Chatham collection also contains a map of Jerusalem. 

Note that few buildings were to be found outside of the Old City walls.

The Jerusalem Railroad station was completed in 1892, and can be located at the bottom left of the map.  The map, therefore, was printed after 1892.

The reference to the train station can also date the following picture's caption.  The photograph was taken near the location of the Mt Zion Hotel of today, itself the refurbished St. John's Eye Hospital established in 1882.

"Jerusalem - Road to the Station." The road starts at the Jaffa Gate and passes over the Hinom Valley
and Sultan's Pool  (Chatham University Archives, circa 1895)

The Mosque of Omar (Chatham University Archives, circa 1890).  The second mosque on the Temple Mount, 
the al-Aqsa Mosque, is holier to Muslims than the Mosque of Omar, but 19th and early 20th century photographers focused much more on "the Dome of the Rock" Mosque of Omar


Inside the Dome of the Rock, Mosque of Omar (Chatham University Archives, circa 1890). The photo
appears to be a colorization of a photo by Maison Bonfils. According to Jewish tradition, the rock is the
foundation stone of the Jewish Temples. See more here.

(Love For His People Editor's Note: I was inside the rock in 1989, when we were allowed. It is believed to be the rock on Mount Moriah where Abraham was to offer up his son Issac. Steve Martin)

Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Chatham University Archives, circa 1890)

(Love For His People Editor's Note: Notice the ladder on the 2nd floor above. It is still there! (as of Nov. 10, 2013 when we were last in Jerusalem.) It has now been there for 400 years we are told when we visit here.)

Amidst the ancient Jewish graves are the tombs of "Absalom (from left to right), Zacharias
 and James," in the Kidron Valley (Chatham University Archives, circa 1890)

My office desk. Reflects my heart.

A corner of my desk. You should see the rest of the cubicle! :)

Blessings on ye head,

Steve

P.S. I do leave a little space to do my actual accounting work...



And just so you aren't kept wondering, here are a few more...


As you walk in...

And turn to the left... 


The left corner of my desk...sharing some joy in the world!


                      In the back corner...



So come visit some time! Uptown Charlotte has some great places for lunch...

Steve


And just added this morning...postcards from Chicago, that my "adopted son" at the office, Chris, just brought me after his trip. Love getting postcards from around the world! 

In case you have one to send: 
Love For His People, Inc. 
P.O. Box 414 
Pineville, NC 28134

Love Shared From Sweden

Sweden's Flag

Editor's note: Occasionally I'll get an e-mail which I like to share with you reading this blog and on our other social media connections. This is one I received Nov. 24, 2013 from a friend in Sweden. (I do not share her name.)
I have shared her poems before. This letter really shows a love for the Jews and people in the Church. She also has a pastor's heart, which I admire. May you be blessed as you too read her words, and the poem which follows.

If you would like to share your heart with us too, please write me at loveforhispeople@gmail.com
If permission to share with others is granted too, I will certainly consider posting it! (Please advise.) 

In this letter, whatever is italicized, except for the poem, I added for clarity. I also added the artwork.

Blessings on ye heads!

Steve Martin
Love For His People,
Charlotte, NC USA


Shalom Steve!

Thank you for your letter! Often when you write to a ministry it is my experience you do not get any answer at all. But you answer and that is a comfort.

 I was crying because I was longing to Israel not because of the Jewish people that evening. But I am also crying for the Jews. I pray regularly for Israel and Jews and I believe as you said as Jesus did when He wept over Jerusalem that we need tears in prayers for the Jews and Israel. Also for other people. We need tears in prayers for our relatives. 

I do not have a congregation and pastor/pastors couple just now. Thank you for your comfort. I have many friends but they live in different places but I and a friend also pray that there will come Christians and live close to each other. There will maybe be a new congregation. 

Church for me is not meeting just in a church- building even if we need church meetings but the church is not meant to be the building but Body of Christ and Jesus as the head. We can read in 1 Cor.12 about that we Christians need each other much in friendship -not just meet in any church building but as friends . 

As a usual body has differents parts we need each other with different gifts. It is not meant that a man will be the church as you sometimes see but the Body of Christ standing together like one man. Today there is much unpersonality in Body of Christ as least as I have seen here. 

There can be club when God wants it to be family. It can take time but God do not want club for years, You cannot know all well but if club is all a congregation have then there need to be a change, The relation - friendship with Jesus is however first. He is not impersonal. 

We need to forgive people, not being bitter to anyone and prayer needs for Body of Christ but Jesus say that love we get from God is a testimony to the world. John.17:21. When they see love among Christians they can get saved you understand from this Bible Scripture. We can read in Acts. 2:46 that Christians were breaking bread from house to house. They ate together and had fellowship. We need take that back to the Body of Christ because it has been stolen much from us in the Body of Christ. 

Several pastors do not know the father's heart with practical care and compassion because they do not understand just to take a cup of coffee/tea and talk - have fellowship with people and they do not understand the importance of hospitality. A cup of coffee can sometimes save a life for anybody crushed inside and without any friends I think. People can make many mistakes but it is not good when Christian leadership does not understand the importance of this in their thinking. 


You must not be bitter or disappointed to this kind of leadership. We are all saved by grace but the sheep are suffering when a pastor/pastor couple have a "money car maybe for a million but the sheep nearly have no food or clothes for their children. Our heavenly Daddy has a lot of love and Christian leaders who have not learned to know God's heart so they understand fellowship and importance of practical care need to get their blind eyes open. I think a real revival is when people who has received Jesus live as they did in Acts as in Acts.2:46. 

No one has greater love then anybody giving his life for his FRIENDS, as Jesus says in John.15:13. Jesus showed practical care and had fellowship at the sea in John.21.He likes when we have fellowship -talk with Him and be in his presence -in prayer life. Fellowship with God and fellowship with each other goes hand in hand. 

He gave all He had for us - everything for the sheep. He told us in Body of Christ to wash each others feet as I think not just about to be humble but showing care to each other . 

Many Christians are wounded today and need love. Also the world is full of people who need love. Sometimes a smile can save a life I think. My favorite chapter is Isaiah.53 because I think about how much Jesus suffered because of love.

You told me about the elderly man who got an visa. I do not have Facebook and I do not know if I will have or not. I did not know that you had at YouTube anything. Will look later. (Love For His People YouTube)

Steve & John Ebenezer from Hyderabad, India

Nice an elderly man got an visa (from India, for our Ahava Adventures trip to Israel in Nov. 2013.

I send you my latest poem as I made for a friend some time ago. It's for anybody having pain inside soul, who need inner healing or so.

Thank you for your webpage and showing care to people! Thank you for blessing Israel and the Jews!

Blessings.


JESUS- YOUR HEART WAS CRUSHED FOR ME


The thorns were many on my way.
Suddenly I fell when I thought it could not be worser... 
I thought I were alone and You were in a distant place far away.
Then I realised you had not left me...
You were closer than ever...
You carried me like a precios lamb in your arms...
You saw me - as you counted 
my hairs you saw every tear-every drop on my cheeks...
Your drops of blood you had in Gethsemane you had for me - 
every drop was in deep pain because you knew 
what pain you had to suffer- but you 
did it for me.
You did not open your mouth.
Your heart was crushed for me...


Isaias.53:7, Isaias.40:11, Ps.23.






Sunday, November 24, 2013

HE IS


Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish Friends! (The Feast of Dedication, Festival of Lights starts Nov. 26 Wed. PM for 8 Days)


Blessings on ye heads!

Steve & Laurie Martin
Love For His People



Hanukkah  (Jewish Festival)
Image Courtesy: wikiPedia

Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication celebrated by the Jewish community all over the world. This festival takes place in December every year right around the same time that Christmas is celebrated for non-Jewish Christians. The festival lasts for eight nights where a candle is lit every night on a menorah hence being given the name the festival of lights. The literal meaning of Hanukkah is to dedicate. The Jews regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple on that day.

There is series of rituals performed by the Jews during these eight days of the Hanukkah festival. Some of them are family based and some are collective. There are significant addends to the daily prayer and an additional prayer is added on to the blessing after a meal. It is different from other rituals because there is no special celebration where Jewish people are able to get off of work. Jewish people go to their work as usual but typically leave work early to light the candles before nightfall. Because of the fact that this is not considered as one of the primarily religious holidays schools typically don’t close. In Israel school remains closed from day two of the festival through to the last day of Hanukkah.

Over the course of this eight day festival many families give each family member and even friends one gift per night. Additionally, people eat an abundance of friend food during this time to celebrate the important role oil plays during Hanukkah celebration. There are three kinds of blessings which are recited throughout this eight day festival. There is a particular procedure of their recitation. On the first day all of three blessings are recited. On the next night they recite only two and so on.

There are other ways that Hanukkah is celebrated depending on what part of the world you live in. For some families, they may sing Hanukkah songs instead of lighting candles on the menorah. Other activities that families often do together for Hanukkah, are making baked goods such as pastries, cookies and other traditional Jewish food and playing games with a dreidle, which is a wooden octagon shaped “top” that has certain Jewish related symbols. Depending on the symbol that shows up when you spin it and it stops you have a specific action to do. This is a favourite amongst children in the Jewish faith.

Thanksgivukkah

Hanukkah and Thanksgiving overlap this week. The result: 'Thanksgivukkah'





Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Nov. 23, 2013

The two are not expected to occur simultaneously again until 2070, then 2165, then in another 70,000 years. Both holidays pay tribute to national resilience and are celebrated around the family table with rich food, games and fellowship. They just usually don't take place at the same time.

No wonder people are finding Hanukkah and Thanksgiving to be a comfortable match, even if a rare one.

The first day of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins on Thanksgiving this year (actually starting the evening before), and for many Jewish families locally and beyond, that provides a fitting opportunity to mash up traditions along with potatoes.

"This year really serves as a reminder to me of the idea of giving thanks and being grateful," said Katie Whitlatch of Highland Park. "There's no reason that can't be a focus for every Hanukkah. It's a good opportunity to reinvigorate the holiday."

Her family will be combining some food traditions as well. Normally she makes a sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving, but this year will be making sweet potato latkes (potato pancakes, traditionally served during Hanukkah). Some people are also planning to use cranberry filling in the jelly doughnuts that are a Hanukkah staple.

"We actually for the last couple of years have been deep-frying turkey anyway" for Thanksgiving, Ms. Whitlatch added. "That has a dual meaning now because of the oil and the Hanukkah."

Hanukkah is rooted in an ancient war for Jewish independence from Greek-Syrian occupiers who had desecrated their temple in Jerusalem.

Tradition says that after Jews retook the temple, they only had enough oil to keep a ritual lamp lit for a single day, but miraculously the supply lasted eight days. In a nod to that tradition, Jews often serve foods in which oil is a featured part of the recipe.

Hanukkah is a minor religious holiday in Judaism, but has gained larger cultural significance in the United States as an alternative winter holiday for Jews during the Christmas season. Also, the ancient struggle for religious freedom resonates with the American narrative -- such as that of the English religious dissidents known as Pilgrims, who settled in New England to pursue their own religious liberty and survived against desperate odds.

Other traditions include lighting a menorah, or candelabra, each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, and playing games with a dreidel, or a square top with Hebrew lettering.

It's been at least a century since the start of Hanukkah -- which is determined by lunar calculations -- coincided with Thanksgiving, always the fourth Thursday of November. The JTA news service said the two are not expected to occur simultaneously again until 2070, then 2165, then in another 70,000 years.

So when Pittsburgh native Dana Reichman Gitell thought about the rare confluence last year, she coined and trademarked the term "Thanksgivukkah." A marketing specialist who lives in suburban Boston, Ms. Gitell pushed all the right buttons and the concept went viral, both on social media and elsewhere. The mayor of Boston recently proclaimed Nov. 28 to be "Thanksgivukkah."

"I was driving to work and came up with the word, and I thought 'this should be a Facebook page,' " Ms. Gitell said.

"Both are festivals of gratitude, so there are a lot of layers and a lot of things in common," she said. "This is an opportunity to celebrate the Jewish American experience and celebrate this country."

Ms. Gitell credits her childhood in Squirrel Hill with establishing her firm footing in Jewish religion and culture.

"I had an incredible childhood in one of the most vibrant Jewish communities in the country," she said.

Some have taken up the Thanksgivukkah theme with other word blends, such as planning to use a "menurky" -- a turkey-shaped menorah.

While Hanukkah is a family celebration, it is "usually not the excuse to travel and get together" with extended family, Ms. Whitlatch said. So as she, her husband and son travel to see relatives in New Jersey for Thanksgiving, "this year we have the opportunity to celebrate it and make more of a foodfest."

Lauren Bartholomae, director of the Family Life Department at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, will be traveling to visit her husband's uncle's farm in Ohio, a Thanksgiving tradition they have begun in recent years. Since he and his family are not Jewish, it's a chance to bring "Hanukkah to people who don't know about Hanukkah and have never celebrated it before."

She plans to introduce the menorah lighting, a dreidel game and other activities. "Hanukkah is all about miracles," she said. "You can think about Thanksgiving in the same way."

Ms. Gitell said the overall response to the Thanksgivukkah celebration has been positive. "I think that's because there is some depth to it, and some legitimate religious ties between the two holidays."

She plans to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime event, but will put it to rest after this year. "I felt in my heart like this was a love letter to America, and an opportunity for American Jews to celebrate both holidays and enjoy them together."

Peter Smith: petersmith@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1416, Twitter @PG_PeterSmith. Kim Lyons: klyons@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1241.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/life/holidays/2013/11/24/These-holidays-go-well-together/stories/201311240159#ixzz2lbdJitYl

Prime Minister Netanyahu: Iran Agreement a 'Historic Mistake'

Breaking News - 590x148
F131027FFMS17-635x357




Click here to watch: Prime Minister Netanyahu: Iran Agreement

an 'Historic Mistake'

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opened
Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting by mounting a 

sharp attack on the agreement reached
Saturday night between Iran and Western powers over the
nuclear issue. Netanyahu stated, "For the first time, the world's
 leading powers have agreed to uranium enrichment in Iran
while ignoring the UN Security Council decisions that they
themselves led. Sanctions that required many years to put
in place contain the best chance for a peaceful solution.

These sanctions have been given up in exchange for cosmetic
Iranian concessions that can be cancelled in weeks."

"Implications of this agreement threaten many countries -
including, of course, Israel. Israel is not bound by this agreement,"
Netanyahu affirmed. "What we achieved last night in Geneva is
not a historic agreement; it is a historic mistake." He continued,
"Today the world has become a more dangerous place, because
the most dangerous regime in the world took another step towards
achieving the most dangerous weapon in the world."

More European Jews Consider Escaping to Israel

More European Jews Consider Escaping to Israel

Sunday, November 24, 2013 |  Miriam Kuhlmann  
Many European Jews no longer feel safe in their home countries. This is evident from a recent survey conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
On average, 76 percent of Jews surveyed across the continent reported a rise in anti-Semitism in recent years, and 29 percent said they are considering emigrating to Israel as a result.
Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they had encountered people who did not consider Jews to be their fellow countrymen. The problem appeared to be most acute in Hungary, France and Belgium, where the number of Jews who had thought about emigration was much higher.
One in five respondents said that they purposely avoid wearing anything in public that would identify them as a Jew. That particular problem was more acute in Sweden, where 34 percent don't want others to know they are Jewish.
Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, emphasized the importance of this study. The fact that "Jews are no longer able to express their faith because they are afraid should be a turning point for Europe," he said, calling on European governments to take seriously the results of the survey.
Israel Today will cover the problematic rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, as well as a bold new Christian response in our January issue.
Don't miss it - **SUBSCRIBE NOW >>

Amy Grant - Saved By Love [live]



    ALBUM FACTS:
    • Over 30 million albums sold worldwide, including 1 Quintuple Platinum album, 1 Triple Platinum, and 1 Double Platinum album, as well as additional 4 Platinum and 6 Gold albums.
      • (2013) How Mercy Looks From Here
      • (2010) Somewhere Down The Road
      • (2008) The Christmas Collection
      • (2008) Lead Me On 20th Anniversary Edition
      • (2007) Greatest Hits
      • (2006) Time Again…Amy Grant Live
      • (2005) Rock of Ages…Hymns & Faith
      • (2004) Greatest Hits 1986 — 2004
      • (2003) Simple Things
      • (2002) (GOLD) Legacy…Hymns & Faith
      • (1999) (GOLD) A Christmas To Remember
      • (1997) (GOLD) Behind the Eyes
      • (1994) (2xs PLATINUM) House of Love
      • (1992) (3xs PLATINUM) Home For Christmas
      • (1991) (5xs PLATINUM) Heart In Motion
      • (1988) (GOLD) Lead Me On
      • (1986) (PLATINUM) The Collection
      • (1985) (PLATINUM) Unguarded
      • (1984) (GOLD) Straight Ahead
      • (1983) (PLATINUM) A Christmas Album
      • (1982) (PLATINUM) Age To Age
      • (1981) Amy Grant “In Concert. Vol. II”
      • (1981) Amy Grant “In Concert”
      • (198O) Never Alone
      • (1979) (GOLD)  Father’s Eyes
      • (1977) (GOLD) Amy Grant

    VIDEOS:
    • “Simple Things” (2003)
    • “Takes a Little Time” (1997)
    • “Things We Do For Love” (1996)
    • “Say You’ll Be Mine” (1994)
    • “House of Love” (1994)
    • “House of Love” (With footage from the motion picture, Speechless) (1994)
    • “Big Yellow Taxi” (1994)
    • “Lucky One” (1994)
    • “Grown-Up Christmas List” (1992)
    • “I Will Remember You” (1992)
    • “Good For Me” (1992)
    • “That’s What Love Is For” (1991)
    • “Every Heartbeat” (1991)
    • “Baby Baby” (1991)
    • “Lead Me On” (1989)
    • “Stay For Awhile” (1989)
    • “Next Time I Fall” (1988)
    • “Wise Up” (1986)
    • “Find A Way” (1986)
    • “It’s Not A Song” (1985)
    • “Angels” (1985)

    TELEVISION APPEARANCES: (partial list only)
    • Three Wishes on NBC (Host)
    • Oprah
    • Good Morning America
    • The Today Show
    • CBS This Morning
    • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
    • Late Night with David Letterman
    • Late Night with Bob Costas
    • Larry King Live
    • Live With Regis and Kathie Lee
    • The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
    • The Phil Donahue Show
    • Arsenio Hall
    • The Grammy Awards
    • The American Music Awards
    • Entertainment Tonight
    • Christmas In Washington
    • The Patti LaBelle Special
    • The Prince’s Trust Concert
    • Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Amy Grant: Headin’ Home for the Holidays
    • CBS: A Christmas To Remember
    • ABC: Christmas with the Stars
    • Lifetime Television Special
    • “Women Rock!: Girls & Guitars”

    FULL LENGTH VIDEOS & DVDs:
    • Time Again…Amy Grant Live DVD (2006)
    • Building the House of Love (1994)
    • Amy Grant’s Old Fashioned Christmas (1992) (GOLD)
    • Heart In Motion (1992) (GOLD)
    • Find A Way Video (1986)
    • “In Concert” The Age to Age Tour (1983)
    MOVIES
    • A Song From the Heart (1999) CBS “Movie of the Week” (Starring Amy Grant, Keith Carradine, and D.W. Moffett)

    GRAMMY AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
    • 1994 — Nomination — Children Spoken Word — Lion & the Lamb
    • 1992 — Nomination — Album of the Year — Heart in Motion
    • 1992 — Nomination — Song of the Year — Baby Baby
    • 1992 — Nomination — Record of the Year — Baby Baby
    • 1992 — Nomination — Pop Performance Female — Baby Baby
    • 2006 — Award — Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album — Rock of Ages…Hymns & Faith
    • 1988 — Award — Best Contemporary Album — Lead Me On
    • 1986 — Award — Best Gospel Performance – Unguarded
    • 1985 — Award — Best Gospel Performance – Angels
    • 1984 — Award — Best Gospel Performance — Ageless Medley
    • 1983 — Award — Best Contemporary Album — Age to Age

    OTHER SPECIAL AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
    • 26 Dove Awards — Including 4 Time Artist of the Year
    • 2007    Authored and published the book Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far (Random House)
    • 2006    Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame — Hollywood, CA
    • 2003    Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
    • 2003    Seminar in the Rockies Summit Award
    • 2001    ”Nashvillian of the Year”
    • 1999    The Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Symphony and Tennessee Performing Arts Center: “An Evening with the Arts” Honoring Grant’s Contributions to the Nashville Performing Arts Community
    • 1999    The Target House — The Amy Grant Rose
    • 1996    TNN Awards — Sarah Cannon Humanitarian Award
    • 1996    Columbia Hospital — Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award
    • 1996 ASCAP Award — Voice of America
    • 1996    Academy of Achievement — Golden Plate Award
    • 1994    St. John University — Pax Christi Award
    • 1994    Nashville Symphony — Harmony Award
    • 1992    Junior Chamber of Commerce — Outstanding Tennessean
    • 1992    Nomination — American Music Awards — Best Rock/Pop Performance by a Female
    • 1992    Nomination — MTV Awards — “Baby Baby” Video

    RADIO HISTORY
    • # 1 “Baby Baby”
    • # 1 “Every Heartbeat”
    • # 1 “That’s What Love Is For”
    • # 1 “I Will Remember You”
    • # 1 “Lucky One”
    • # 1 “Next Time I Fall”

    TOP 5
    • “Good For Me”
    • Top 5 “House of Love”
    • Top 5 “Takes A Little Time”
    • Top 5 “Like I Love You”
    • Top 10 “Big Yellow Taxi”
    • Top 10 “I Will Be Your Friend” On the
    • 1991 Year End