"MISGUIDED TONGUES" - Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) - Morris Ruddick

Morris Ruddick

MISGUIDED TONGUES (c) Morris Ruddick Dedicated to the Memory of Trisha Ruddick Stemple (June 14, 1966-Oct 24, 1996) Memorial Day is a time of reflection. October 24, 1996 is a date our family will never forget. It is the day our 30 year old daughter Trisha Stemple was brutally murdered. Trish, a beautiful young mother of two, was the administrator for an overseas disaster response ministry. She loved the Lord with all her heart. This post was originally written days after her funeral. With some tweaks, it is being reposted, as its timely truth represents one of the more revealing since the start of SIGN. During the time of shock and pain at her death, we had many questions. Yet, the Lord made it very clear that there are some issues, in terms of our need for answers that you simply don't touch. The only recourse is in turning to the Lord and in trusting Him. Some answers in this life will only be understood when we meet the Lord face to face. In a tragedy like this, those include the 'whys' and the 'if onlys.' However, as a prophetic intercessor, the morning before Trish's funeral I asked the Lord for the context of what had been taking place in the spiritual realm. The answers I received have become even more applicable today than at the time we originally faced this tragedy. They reflect a truth foundational not only for those called as intercessors, but for those in leadership and those called to pave new ground for the Kingdom. The Intensity of the Battle My first impression after asking the Lord for an understanding of the broad context of what was taking place in the heavenlies was of an incredible increase in spiritual activity: turbulent spiritual warfare. It reflected a context of warfare that Scripture describes as when "the very elect might be deceived." At the time, I had a distinct sense that this warfare had been building to new heights and levels; and it has definitely continued escalating since that time. Then, shortly after the funeral with my heart aching but on the alert for answers, a vision was shared that a friend with a prophetic gifting had just had. The vision was of a heavenly being's hand pointing and saying: "YOU TALK TOO MUCH." Not long after that, I was told of related dreams that two intercessors had had. In each dream, there was a fire raging; a fire set in motion due to loose, misguided tongues. My prayerful discernment was that this vision and the dreams were directed to a broad spectrum of anointed members of the Body; those anointed for service as leaders. The Firestorm Released Then, the morning after these things were shared with me, as I was praying, additional revelation began coming forth. First, I realized that these clues pointed to the broader context by which loose tongues create open doors of vulnerability within the Body to attacks from the enemy. Indeed, they create a catalyst that sets in motion what can become raging firestorms. I also recognized a critical need for the saints to bond together in intercession to put out these fires. This carries the requirement for reckless tongues; and the less-than-mature and misguided soulish dispositions that guide them to become yielded to the Lord, together with the unrestrained 'thoughts' referred to in 2 Corinthians 10:5. This scripture refers to casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; bringing into captivity 'every thought' to the obedience of Christ. The Enemy's Target: Believers Anointed for Service From the foundation of this revelation came more. Again, it was clear that the misguided tongues of primary concern were from among those 'called' to and anointed for ministry service; and zealous, well-meaning believers close to those with these mantles. At the root of these fleshly-driven tongues is the lack adequate spiritual understanding of specific situations and circumstances: with responses that backbite, accuse, criticize, gossip, jump to conclusions and pass judgment on persons and matters for which at best they don't understand. In short, far too many are serving as dupes of the devil through their reckless words. The scripture comments on the prophet Samuel that: "The Lord let none of his words fall to the ground." The words of those anointed for service have potency. It is a potency the enemy wants to harness. The Enemy's Goal: Harnessing the Anointing Tragically, loose, misguided tongues from within the Body are being used by the enemy to harness the potency of the anointing to come against initiatives, pathways and even movements the Lord has been setting in motion. James 3:6 addresses believers, which in the Amplified version reads: "And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is a world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole Body and setting on fire the wheel of birth --- the cycle of man's nature --- being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna)." Similarly, the truth outlined at the end of Proverbs 4 and beginning of Proverbs 5 presents the sequence by which the unsuspecting are seduced. Proverbs 4:23 begins the admonition to "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." But then without even getting to the doorway of seduction, the 24th verse deals with the role of the tongue: "Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you." Likewise, in Proverbs 5:3 it is clear that the pathway to seduction involves "words" that are smooth, attractive --- and beguiling: "For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil..." This passage of Proverbs clearly outlines the dynamics in sexual seduction. However, the truth it reflects is equally applicable to the seduction of our misguided words to benefit the devil; specifically, the seduction by which the enemy deceives us into agreeing with his role as accuser of the brethren. It is the enemy's means to appropriate power he doesn't otherwise have, by harnessing the anointing of those called to serve the Lord. The result is the same as seen in verses 9 and 10: "Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner." We live in critical, pivotal and perilous times. The margin for error among those anointed for service is far less today than what it may have been a decade ago. The intensity of the battle is increasing, while the margin for error decreasing. The Lord is setting in motion critical pathways, strategic alliances and moves of His Spirit --- that do not need to be diverted from their course --- or to have inroads of attacks opened by misguided, reckless tongues from the camp of those anointed for service. Countering the Enemy's Strategy Addressing and guarding against this issue begins with an awareness of this subtle deception. It is the enemy's strategy designed to deceive and gain 'agreement power' according to the principle in Matthew 18:19. As a major strategy of the devil, it is designed to seduce saints into redirecting and exploiting the power of the anointing into agreement with his intentions as the accuser of the brethren. In most instances, it begins with the simplicity of yielding to the enemy, our 'most unruly members, our tongues.' It builds on the misguided words of well intentioned saints who simply lack a realistic grasp of a given situation; or of the potentially negative impact that idle, foolish words can have spiritually on others and the Body corporate. Driven by overzealous, religious spirits, its unrestrained practice digresses from simple misuses of the power of the anointing, into opening the door to abuses, abuses coming from leadership circles, reflecting a progressive impact of witchcraft. Left unchecked, the process merges into overt collaboration with occult, Jezebelean influences. Such a blindness, with its lack of self-control and Body unity, opens the gates to "firestorms" against members of the Body with God-initiated agendas in its sites. While we each need to more fully bring our thoughts and tongues captive to the Lord, and to be increasing the time spent in prayer that is yielded to His presence; there also needs to be an escalation of and increase in the potency of the intercession required to close this gap in Body maturity, while supporting those serving the Lord as pioneers. Hearing God's voice with clarity is a process. That clarity increases as we and what we refer to as our fleshly desires decrease. Distortion comes from unaffordable luxuries grasped by those called by God: typically either the flesh or the ego. For that reason, the guidance and leadings we receive in prayer must be double-, triple- and quadruple-checked before acting on them. Likewise, when revelation is received, we need to avoid haste and impulse, and continue waiting before the Lord for the specifics on its illumination, instruction and timing. As this diabolical strategy is countered, so his intentions will be thwarted as we progressively avoid the diversions and divisions, and come together in unity, are strengthened and gain a greater grasp on the broader picture being orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Gap-Standers versus the Accuser Ezekiel 22:30 calls us to stand in the gap against the accuser of the brethren. Yet, far too many --- even within intercessory circles; sometimes because of impulsive responses to preliminary revelations; sometimes in a perverted sense of self-righteousness; sometimes simply due to frustrations --- wind up functioning in alignment with Satan as gap-finders, rather than in their God-given role of standing in the gap. It is a tragic and short-sighted blindness resulting from misguided tongues. Proverbs 10:18,19 provides the wisdom we need to face and embrace: "Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Meekness and humility are requisites to being entrusted with His power. They are also gateways into Body maturity and unity as spoken of in Ephesians 4 and John 17. They mark the pathway toward the fullness outlined in Isaiah 58:9,10 (Amplified): "If you take away from your midst the yokes of oppression, the finger pointed in scorn (toward the oppressed or the godly); and every form of false, harsh, unjust and wicked speaking; then shall your light rise in darkness and your obscurity and gloom become as the noonday." Moving Onto the Offensive Wielding the anointing responsibly requires dedication and obedience. It entails an ongoing intimacy with the Lord; that overcomes evil with good rather than being overwhelmed or allowing the misguided, but too often natural responses of the soul to be triggered. It necessitates a brokenness before the Lord; a humility that refuses to take ourselves or the exploits of our callings too seriously; and a genuine servants heart, always ready to forgive and always ready to repent. This last point is pivotal: always ready to forgive and always ready to repent. The calling requires nothing less than that described by Paul, as being a living sacrifice. That means a maturity and wisdom in our response to pursuing the opportunities the Lord entrusts to us. It means being diligent to avoiding the traps set up by the evil one to divert and ensnare us. The words of John the Baptist underscore the wisdom needed to avoid such encounters when, in referring to the rise in Jesus' ministry, he stated that"He (Jesus) must increase, and I must decrease." We need an accurate understanding of the times we have entered in order to know what to do, within the spheres of our callings. We likewise need to understand the boundaries of our authority. The spiritual battle underway is very real. Yet, so are the Lord's manifold means to equip and employ us as participators in His unfolding plans and purposes. Loose, misguided tongues: the insights I sought during that time of personal grief in late 1996 point to a pathway to which we each need to be reaching. In counting the costs, as anointed servants of the Lord, we cannot underestimate the responsibility of the control of our tongues and of the corollary of bringing EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Jesus. It marks the dividing asunder between the many who are called and the few who are chosen. "So for every idle word that men may speak, they will give an account in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 The Prayer Lord God Almighty, in the Name that is above all Names, in the Name of Jesus, we approach your throne boldly on these matters. As we enter your Presence, we bow our hearts before You in repentance. Lord, we've failed in this area and we need Your help. Enable us each to take the moats and the beams out of our own eyes, before we consider noting the splinters in the eyes of others. Lord anoint us afresh as gap-standers for our brethren and deliver us from the trap of becoming gap-finders. Lord, we ask that You give us a right spirit in these matters. Lord God, we purpose to forgive and to bless those who may have inadvertently, or even intentionally, cursed us by their words. We ask you to forgive them Lord. We purpose to trust You with these matters Lord, and not to align ourselves with the accuser. Help us Lord; help us to walk through these pathways in faith; and help us to overcome our unbelief. Help us to recognize and avoid what your Word speaks of as idle words and to bring every thought captive into alignment with Your will. Deliver us O God, from impulsive and soulish responses, from selfish ambitions and misguided words and actions. Lord, we are nothing without You anyway, so we re-consecrate our callings, our ministries; and those things we have come to protect and consider precious before You. We put them into your very capable hands. In so doing, we die to our own selfish ideas and ambitions, and simply make ourselves available to you anew and say in deepest humility, "here I am Lord." Holy Father, keep us in Your name, the name which You have given to the Lord Jesus, that we may be one, even as You are one. We do not ask that You take us out of the world, but that You make us instruments of Your presence and a deterrent to the evil one's schemes. Sanctify us in Your truth. Your Word is truth. Make us one, even as You are one, that the world may know that Jesus the Messiah was indeed sent by You as Savior and Lord. The glory You have given to the Lord Jesus, we receive, as He gives it to us, for the purpose of being one, just as You are one. Thank you Lord, that we will be perfected in unity, so that the world will see that we are Yours and are the objects of Your love. Lord, we ask for the Holy Spirit's anointing and infilling to go out into the world, to where you are sending us, to minister, to give our lives as a ransom for many, to seek and to save that which is lost and to do Your Holy will. Lord, let trust and love flow within the Body. We need your supernatural intervention in this area Lord. We cry out to you to cleanse us Lord. Cleanse us individually and as a Body. Help us and enable us to be able to truly stand in the gap for and love our brethren across the Body. Bring us as a Body into that place in You, O Lord, that the Scripture refers to as the full knowledge of the Lord. Open the eyes of our understanding and give us the balance we need to operate in Spirit and in truth; in Spirit and in truth, O Lord. And Lord as you bring us together, mobilize the intercessors to stand in the gap for those called to pioneer new pathways and agendas. Lord, put a guard over our tongues and give us a deeper revelation of Your heart on these matters, as well as the tasks before us. And contain us Lord, to operate within the sphere that You have called us to operate in. Lord, we pray that by Your power; that an army of intercessors would be mobilized; that there would be significant changes of heart within each of us called to serve you; and that an axe might be laid to the root of this insidious strategy of the enemy: of releasing this firestorm of misguided tongues. Lord, You are awesome and worthy of our praise. Nothing is too hard for You. Mature us as a Body and bring us to the place that when we, Your people, come on the scene, that the enemy will scatter. Reveal Your heart to us Lord and open the eyes of our understanding; that we may know what is the hope of Your calling; that we may align ourselves with your priorities and initiatives for the times we have entered. May Your peace and presence be upon Your people Israel as You bring fulfillment to Your promises for Your chosen people. These are indeed incredible times to be about Your work, Lord. Release revival, we pray. Renew us and let revival reign in OUR hearts. We thank You Lord, for choosing us, for anointing us, and entrusting us to be used as instruments of Your purpose in the strategic times before us! Amen. ___________________________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.  Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or email us atsign@strategicintercession.org for access information on our secure web-site. Likewise, email us to schedule a briefing for your congregation on the current state of the persecuted church and the strategies gleaned to counteract the challenge to and erosion of religious freedom manifesting across the globe. 2014 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check: http://www.strategicintercession.org

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org

Jo Ellen Stevens: A Resurgence Of The Baptism Of Holy Spirit - The Elijah List

Jo Ellen Stevens:

A Resurgence Of The Baptism Of Holy Spirit

The Elijah List

The Lord has been speaking to me that there is about to be a resurgence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in this season!

He said that people are going to rise up and desire the power that they see in the early Church but that they no longer see in their denominational churches. And He said that they will have a desire for this because they are seeing that on their own they cannot be set free of the depth of darkness that their generation has taken them into.

I see this stirring in people again like never before! They are seeing their need of the power of God again in their lives. 

I am also hearing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are once again going to become something that people desire and not look at as some backwoods thing that their parents and grandparents did that caused them embarrassment in the past, but they are going to remember the things that happened when Grandma prayed in tongues and God moved on her behalf! God is going to bring these things to their remembrance in this hour, and a new, deep desire for the deep things of God is about to begin stirring in their souls until they will have nothing less than all that God has for them!

The Lord has looked on these young souls and seen the poverty of their spirits and souls, and His heart is hurting to come near them so that He can heal them. 

So, He is beginning to place a desire in their hearts to come after that which they saw in their parents and grandparents that caused them to long to be clean. It caused them to know peace and to know that there was something in this world that was holy. So, He is putting the desire in their hearts again for the Holy Spirit! Be ready to bring them into this!

I am beginning to realize that many who have been raised up in church in the last 20 years have missed out on something that many of us had the privilege of receiving! 

In order to become acceptable to society, we began to first have "seeker-friendly" services. Then, finally, "seeker-friendly" churches. We did not want to offend anyone or leave them out. So we stopped talking about the precious Holy Spirit! 

We stopped allowing Him to move among the Believers, and instead have replaced Him moving with entertainment and all kinds of programs, and it has become more like a social club than a place where we allow God to move in His power.

A while back I had a dream of being in a local church, and my mother, who in the past was always used in the gift of tongues and sometimes interpretation, was about to stand up and speak in tongues. Suddenly a woman who actually looked Pentecostal came up behind her and whispered in her ear and said, "We no longer do that here." This whisper stopped my mother in her tracks! 

The woman in the dream was a woman that was a well-known Pentecostal preacher in our area. I realized that most of the Pentecostal denominations around here were as dead as some of the denominational churches had become! They no longer encouraged their people to pray in the Spirit. And they no longer encouraged their people to move out in their gifts, but had allowed it to slip away because they wanted to become accepted in the world.

God is once again wanting to have free reign in His Church! He is wanting to move among His people, and He is coming because of a cry of a people who long to see the Holy Spirit come into His Church again and do the miracles of the early Church! 

He is coming, I tell you, in answer to the hunger of a generation who are desperate for the raw power of God! They are desperate enough to look foolish to the world! They are desperate enough to not care what anyone thinks or says. They just know that they have a deep, spiritual need, and only the power of the Holy Spirit can deliver them!

The young people today have been raised up knowing all about the spirit realm, even from childhood movies that taught them how to do witchcraft and all manner of incantations. You cannot turn on television without either seeing witchcraft or sexual perversion being broadcast. They have learned about the power of the dark side, but not knowing the power of God; so much so that when they see the power of God they become afraid of it and think that witchcraft is okay!

We who know of this power need to rise up in this hour and begin to teach and preach again about the precious Holy Spirit! We should begin to have altar calls for the baptism of the Holy Spirit once again in our churches. 

We need to tell them how He will change their life and how He gives them overcoming power. We need to begin to allow "our people" to move in their gifts. In order to have power in the Lord we have to be willing to look foolish to the world. He is waiting on a people who will not care what anyone thinks as long as we have Him!

What if we begin to allow the worship to go on until it comes up before God and He comes and consumes us!? What if? What if we were to preach on the Holy Spirit until people desired to have Him more than the doughnuts in the back of the church? 

What if? What if we allowed people to move in their gifts and they would get a taste of what God can do when they are allowed to obey? What if?

I am telling you that we are beginning to see that all of our best efforts do not satisfy our souls, and an awakening is happening in the Church! There is a call to those of us that have known who Holy Spirit is in our life to begin to equip those with what we have learned and seen and know of Him!

As Wade Urban always says, "This Kingdom life is all about life in Holy Spirit." It was why Jesus had to go away! He said because if He did not go away the Comforter would not come. The Word also says that had the princes of this world known what would happen that they would have never crucified the Lord of glory (see 1 Corinthians 2:8). 

They didn't know that He wanted to multiply Himself in His followers and that now the same power that Jesus had operated in would be present in those who were simple enough to receive it! Ha! They just didn't know!

John 16:7 (AMP) "However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

Arise, shine,

Jo Ellen Stevens
TCIC Ministries

Email: dstevens7@frontier.com
Website: dstevens7.wix.com/tcic

Jo Ellen Stevens is a prophetic speaker, author, worship leader, and intercessor from Connersville, Indiana. She has ministered with her husband for 23 years pastoring, teaching, and leading prophetic worship. She operates in a prophetic anointing, with words of knowledge and words of wisdom. She believes that every Believer should be hearing the Lord's voice and resounding His heart out of their intimate relationship with Him. 

She also believes God called her many years ago to encourage the Body of Christ to arise and shine with the glory of the Lord for such a time as this, no matter what their age, background, or social status! She believes that God has given us each a platform to use the gifts and talents that He has given us to bring those who do not know the Lord out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God, and that social media will play a great part in covering the earth with His glory!

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

What the Pope Said and Didn't Say - ISRAEL TODAY

What the Pope Said and Didn't Say

Monday, May 26, 2014 |  Tsvi Sadan  ISRAEL TDOAY

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In accordance with diplomatic protocol, upon arrival to Israel on Sunday, Pope Francis gave a short speech, as did his hosts, President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

There was genuine warmth and friendship, but their concise speeches also revealed the ongoing profound differences between Israel and the Vatican.

Netanyahu opened up with the words: "Welcome to our land, the Land of Israel, the Holy Land."

Pope Francis opened up with: "Thank you most heartily for your welcome to the State of Israel." 

Netanyahu's speech continued: "I welcome the good relations between the Holy See and the Jewish people and Jewish state."

The Pope's next line went: "I greet all the people of Israel with prayerful good wishes."

The Pope announced that "in the footsteps of my predecessors, I have come as a pilgrim to the Holy Land, rich in history and home to the principal events in the origin and growth of the three great monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam."

Netanyahu said of the land in question: "We regained our independence in our ancestral homeland, to be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem."

The Pope also informed his hosts that "during my pilgrimage to the Holy Land I will visit some of the most significant places in Jerusalem, a city of universal importance."

Regarding Jerusalem, Netanyahu told his guest that "you are leaving here for Jerusalem, our eternal capital, the heart of our faith. In Jerusalem and around our country, the prophets' vision of our people's renaissance is being fulfilled."

Sometimes nuances make little difference, but not in this case.

Those who listened carefully to the Pope couldn't miss the point that his holiness didn't once refer to Israel as a Jewish state; and by continuously calling Israel "the Holy Land" he reinforced the Vatican's traditional position that refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

This is even more disturbing in light of the Pope's speech in Bethlehem earlier in the day, in which he framed his presence not as a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but as an official visit to "the State of Palestine."

To highlight this difference once again, Netanyahu put the "Land of Israel" first, and then "the Holy Land." The Pope chose to emphasize that the Holy Land is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In doing so he erred on two accounts: As of yet there is not a Palestinian state, and Islam did not originate in the Holy Land.

Though the Vatican would like to claim the Holy Land for itself, the truth is that the only place in the Bible where the Land of Israel is referred to as the "holy land" is found in Zechariah 2, where God fulfills His promise to the people of Israel, through which all those faithful to God will be blessed as well.

In other words, if there is to be peace, Israel as a Jewish state must exist. Though no one should doubt the Pope's genuine desire for peace, it looks as if he to fails to realize that it will not come by insistently labeling this country as "the Holy Land." Peace will come when the people of the world, including the Jewish people, will submit themselves to the God of Israel, who is never once biblically referred to as the God of the Holy Land.

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Memorial Day - We Honor Those Who Served & Are Serving Now

MEMORIAL DAY

We honor our US Armed Services

Military Servicemen and Women 

- those serving now and those who have.

       Chris Baker - US Army (Nephew)              Jacob Smith - US Coast Guard (Nephew)

For those who gave their lives - we also give thanks.

Pope Under Political Pressure on 'Religious' Holy Land Visit - ISRAEL TODAY

Pope Under Political Pressure on 'Religious' Holy Land Visit

Sunday, May 25, 2014 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY

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Prior to his arrival in the Holy Land on Sunday, Pope Francis cautioned that his visit would be “strictly religious” in nature. But that didn’t stop both Israel and the Palestinians from trying to corral the pontiff into the conflict on their respective sides.

By the time he stepped off the helicopter in Bethlehem, it seemed Francis had acquiesced to the inevitable, telling his audience that it was high time to bring an end to the “increasingly unacceptable” Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to do so on the basis of a two-state solution.

The pope then went so far as to christen the land he was standing upon as the “State of Palestine.”

“Our recent meeting in the Vatican and my presence today in Palestine attest to the good relations existing between the Holy See and the State of Palestine,” he said standing next to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The gesture won Francis enthusiastic applause from the audience in Bethlehem, where the pope then conducted a much-anticipated Mass. Unsurprisingly, the Mass was interrupted by exaggeratedly-loud calls to prayer from the adjacent mosque.

Despite what most Israelis would see as a political slight in Francis’ recognition of “Palestine,” the Jewish state was also eagerly awaiting the pope’s crossing into Israel-proper when he traveled the few miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem later in the day.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it went to great trouble to make Francis’ visit a welcome and memorable one, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it an opportunity to show off a “modern, tolerant Israel,” the only state in the region with true freedom of religion.

Though he was constantly tugged at by the advocates of state politics, the pope’s primary purpose for visiting Jerusalem was purportedly to put to rest a bit of church politics.

During his brief stay in the Holy City, the pope was scheduled to meet no less than four times with Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, honorary head of the Eastern Orthodox churches. Francis and Bartholomew have both taken steps to end the 1,000-year-old schism that split Rome from most of the eastern churches.

The fourth and climactic meeting between the two spiritual leaders was to be a joint prayer session at the Holy Sepulcher with the various rivalrous Christian factions that inhabit Christianity’s holiest site.

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