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.

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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.

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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)

TBN Founder Paul Crouch Dies at Age 79

TBN Founder Paul Crouch Dies at Age 79 After Chronic Heart Problems

November 30, 2013|1:40 pm

(PHOTO: FACEBOOK/TBN TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)

Jan Crouch is shown with Paul Crouch, other Crouch family members and TBN guests.

Paul Franklin Crouch, co-founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), is dead at age 79, reported his grandson Brandon Crouch on Saturday.

TBN's official Facebook page later released the announcement about Crouch's death: "Dr Paul F Crouch passed into the presence of the Lord on November 30, 2013. We are grateful for the life of this amazing servant of God. Please pray for the Crouch family during this time. #paulcrouch #tbn""Today, my grandfather, #PaulCrouchSr went home to be with Jesus in heaven. Thank you for your prayers…" Brandon Crouch tweeted.

Crouch was born March 30, 1934 in St. Joseph, Mo., and is the son of Assemblies of God missionaries. His father died when he was seven-years-old, and he was raised by his mother and grandparents. He has a degree in theology from Central Bible Institute and Seminary in Springfield, Mo., and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., among other honorary doctorates.

He met his wife, Janice Bethany Crouch, in 1957 and they married in Missouri. They have two sons: Paul Crouch Jr. and Matthew Crouch.

Crouch Sr., co-founder along with his wife, Jan, of the world's largest Christian-owned cable station, had been treated for chronic heart problems for over a decade and had received a pacemaker in 2012, TBN revealed earlier this year.

Crouch was hospitalized on Oct. 22 in Dallas, Texas, and returned home to California in early November. On Nov. 5, TBN released a statement by TBN attorney and spokesman Colby May that said doctors had taken Crouch off the ventilator and he was breathing on his own.

Two years earlier in September 2011, Crouch was also hospitalized for congestive heart failure. It was during this time that Crouch allegedly wrote a letter identifying that he wanted his son Matthew Crouch to take over the position of president of TBN. Then Paul Crouch Jr., who was presumed the heir of TBN, suddenly announced in October 2011 that he would leave TBN to pursue other ministry opportunities.

In recent years, the Crouch and TBN have been embroiled in family lawsuits, with their granddaughter Brittany Koper, former director of finance and human resources, filing a lawsuit saying that the family was distributing more than $50 million for luxury goods, such as jets, estates, and vehicles, to company directors. When Koper refused to keep quiet about the illegal money use, she was fired and allegedly threatened with physical and lethal violence. Her uncle, Joseph McVeigh, who never worked for TBN, filed another lawsuit against TBN at the Orange County Superior Court in early 2012, saying that TBN was maliciously targeting him as part of a "campaign of retaliation" against Koper.

With TBN officially announcing Crouch Sr.'s death on its Facebook page, within less than 20 minutes of the posting there were more than 450 comments, pledging to pray for the Crouch family and offering condolences.

"My prayers are with Jan and everyone in the family. So sad b/c I thought he was doing better. Now he is doing MUCH better. He opened his eyes to see Jesus! WOW!" posted someone identified as Kathy Boulter.

While someone identified as Apostle Doreen Thornton wrote, "Dr. Paul Crouch is loved and will be missed, he was an amazing obedient servant that gave God all that he had, and I am sure great is his reward. God bless the Crouch family you are in my prayers."

And a Jefferson Elicerio Viloria posted, "I really admired this guy..he had his critics, though, although not perfect, and who is, i regard him as a true man of God. I will miss him because i always enjoyed his enthusiasm on TV....God bless the Crouch family."

Shabbat Candle Lighting & Prayers - during Hanukkah

Beit Yeshua's (Lincolnton, NC) celebrated Hanukkah's third night, with the lighting of the Shabbat candles and prayers. Paul and Susan Miles shared with the gathering, after all first lit their Hanukkah menorah (hanukiyah) that they had brought.

Video and photos by Steve Martin, Love For His People.

Paul & Susan Miles with Beit Yeshua in Lincolnton, NC

Curtis Loftin, Co-Founder of Beit Yeshua

“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.