FREE Map of Israel! ✡ "Go Up on this Mountain" - JERUSALEM365

God said to Moses, "Go up on this mountain of Abarim and see the Land that I have given to the Children of Israel." NUMBERS (27:12)   וַיֹּאמֶר יְ-הוָה אֶל מֹשֶׁה, עֲלֵה אֶל הַר הָעֲבָרִים הַזֶּה וּרְאֵה אֶת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמִדְבַּר כז:יב va-yo-MER a-do-NAI el mo-SHE a-LAY el har ha-a-va-REEM ha-ZE u-r'-AY et ha-a-RETZ a-SHER na-ta-TEE liv-NAY yis-ra-AYL

Jerusalem Inspiration Not only was Moses able to see the Land physically, but he also was given the ability to attain a deeper vision, one that would enable him to grasp its inner, spiritual essence. Now you can "see" the beautiful Land with this free gift from Christian Friends of Israeli Communities. A sturdy pocket-sized flip chart with 13 colorful maps that tell the real story of the Land of Israel!   Get this FREE map from CFOIC » Aerial Tour of Israel This beautiful video gives an aerial tour of Israel and shows the Land in all its glory. See the wonders of nature and agriculture along with some of Israel’s most famous landmarks.   Watch Here » Brave Palestinian Christian Woman Makes Waves A young Palestinian Christian woman originally from Bethlehem, made waves recently when a videotaped speech she delivered in Sweden’s Uppsala University was broadcast.   Read More » Silver "Chai" Necklace This pretty silver Chai necklace is embellished with blue crystals and silver beads. They surround the Hebrew word ‘Chai,’ which is a traditional symbol meaning "To Life!"   Get this Great Deal and Free Shipping » Jerusalem Daily Photo Throughout Scripture, worshippers are described as "ascending" to Jerusalem. Envision this physical (and spiritual) ascent in today's beautiful uplifting view of Jerusalem by Joe Aminoff.   See more photos by Joe Aminoff » Yesterday Photo Trivia Yesterday's photo showed the Golden Gate on the right. Jewish tradition holds that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate; therefore in 1541 the Muslims sealed it and built a cemetery in front of it to bar the Messiah. But we know that will never stop him! Thank You Today's Jerusalem Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Robin Sussman in memory of her parents, Sigmund and Barbara Beer.   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Left My Heart in Jerusalem” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!)." Stay in Touch »   I just returned from Israel and left my heart in Jerusalem.  Thank you again for your 365 emails, I too left Egypt and was (and still am) with the people of Israel. Shalom, Theresa B. Blessing from Jerusalem, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Can Single Guys and Girls Just Be Friends? - J. Lee Grady

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Can Single Guys and Girls Just Be Friends?

 6/11/2014 J. LEE GRADY

Contrary to popular opinion in American society, men and women can be just friends. (iStock photo)

Last week I was rejoicing with one of my single friends, Roman, because he believes he's found the girl he wants to marry. Naturally I'm excited for him and I hope I can attend his wedding. I want all my single friends to find mates.

But I'm also disturbed because I know many singles that would like to be married yet have very few close friends of the opposite sex. Something is built into our Christian culture that discourages normal guy/girl friendships. It's as if we're afraid they will hop in bed if they actually talk for an hour and share their hopes, dreams or struggles.

Meanwhile, we pressure guys and girls to marry if they become friends. ("Oooh, Gina, we saw you with Brad yesterday. Is something going on between you two?") Why can't Gina and Brad just encourage each other in their journey with God without turning their relationship into a big deal? Is it possible for Christian guys and girls to build healthy friendships without assuming they are headed to the church altar?

I believe it is absolutely possible. Here are six keys to developing these relationships:

1. View your friends as family. Paul told Timothy he should treat older women as mothers and younger women as sisters (see 1 Tim. 5:2). The same rule applies to girls: You should view your male Christian friends as brothers. Having this pure-hearted attitude makes real friendship possible. If a guy views his female friend as a sister he won't be lusting after her body; instead, his instinct will be to encourage her. If a girl views her male friend as a brother she will care about him and pray for him without expecting him to have sexual feelings for her.

2. Avoid "pair pressure." In many churches today there's a nagging pressure to find "the one" so you can take yourself off the market. If you are carrying this burden, every friendship with a person of the opposite sex can be a drain. "Is she the one?" "Does he like me?" "How should I dress?" These concerns morph into worries that suck all the fun out of life. Trust God with your desire for a mate. If you don't relax you will come across as desperate—and that's a big turn-off. Stop trying to make something happen and just enjoy getting to know a new friend. Remember Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

3. Say goodbye to awkward. Before we married, my wife and I both dreaded the dating scene. Calling someone you barely know and asking them to dinner or a movie is scary—and it's the reason a lot of Christian guys are still single at 35. Meanwhile Christian girls have been told to wait for the guy to make the first move, so they are conditioned to wait for "the call." You can say goodbye to all this awkwardness by organizing group gatherings: Meet several friends for coffee, invite them to a cookout or throw a party. Then just enjoy each other's company. And girls: Feel free to initiate the invitation!

4. Rediscover the art of conversation. In today's media-soaked culture we've forgotten how to talk to each other. Many guys feel socially clumsy, so they become immersed in video games and become emotional hermits. They need friends—including female friends—to help them crawl out of their shells. Meanwhile both guys and girls are so addicted to their phones that they don't know how to talk for an hour without checking for text messages. If you want to be a good friend, learn to focus on the person you're talking to!

5. Don't allow a hint of seduction. The message we get from media today is that it's all about sex. But as a Christian you don't have to bow to that idol. You can have a meaningful friendship with a person of the opposite sex without ending up in bed together. But if you plan to keep it pure, you will have to put up some obvious boundaries. Use common sense. Don't wear revealing clothes. Don't touch each other inappropriately. And don't spend the night at each other's apartments in the name of "friendship." If you are true friends you will respect each other enough to avoid a sexual mistake that you will regret later.

6. Keep your friendships Christ-focused. Hebrews 3:13a says: "But encourage one another day after day." This verse applies to single men and women, too. We need each others' encouragement, and God wants the single members of the church to be involved in each others' lives. Your phone calls, notes and honest counsel may be what propels your friend into their life purpose; your kindness and prayers may be what gets them through a difficult crisis. Keep Jesus at the center of your friendships and don't miss out on the blessing those friends can be to you.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. He is the author of 10 Lies Men Believe and other books. You can follow him on Twitter at @leegrady.

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

Paul, Barnabas and John Mark

Quitter’s Turnaround Produces Centuries of Non-Quitters

Jim Croft

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coptic church in Aswan, Egypt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim Croft 

jimcroft777@gmail.com

Trojan Horse: UK Fears Islamic Takeover of Schools CBN News by Dale Hurd, CBN News Sr. Reporter

Trojan Horse: UK Fears Islamic 

Takeover of Schools

By Dale Hurd

CBN News Sr. Reporter

LONDON -- The British government has announced that schools will be required to teach "British values."

The news comes after Islamists took over several schools in the United Kingdom. This alleged plot to turn British faith-based schools into Muslim training academies has been dubbed "Operation Trojan Horse."

"Individuals with a religious motivation have taken public money and basically created madrassas, basically created religiously motivated schools that promote intolerance, and this in some cases is a criminal enterprise," Islamic expert George Igler said.

The decision comes at a time when Britain was already in an uproar over the explosion of Muslim halal food in the nation's food supply and after revelations that several predominantly Muslim sex gangs around Britain were using English girls as sex slaves.

Whether it's food or schools, Islam is advancing in Britain. Islamists want to conquer the United Kingdom.

"Look, we have around 100 Sharia courts in this country," Anne Maries Waters, who runs Sharia Watch UK, said. "We're the only Western country with a functioning network of Sharia tribunals and councils."

"They're dealing with marriages, divorce, even with criminal matters. They're marrying children," she said.

In Birmingham, with its large Muslim population, authorities say Islamists were turning schools into centers of extremism.

For instance, in one school the Muslim call to prayer was broadcast across the school playground, and non-Muslim teachers were forced out.

"In the most serious cases, a culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip since the schools were last inspected," Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of schools for England, said.

Michael Gove, British secretary of state for education, told parliament this will not happen again.

"Schools that are proven to have failed will be taken over, put under new leadership, and taken in a fresh, new direction," Gove said. "And we will put the promotion of British values at the heart of what every school has to deliver for children."

The fact that Muslims are in a position to take over several schools shows the growing influence of Islamic radicals in Britain.

Watch: CBN News - video

Israeli Ministers Propose Annexing, Abandoning 'West Bank'

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY

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Peace Process

With the collapse of the latest round of US-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli ministers seem to be of one accord that the Jewish state needs to take the initiative and formulate its own outline for the future, though they disagree sharply on how to seize this opportunity.

The first to enter the fray was Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the nationalist Jewish Home faction.

Bennett proposed that Israel fully annex the portion of the so-called “West Bank” labeled as “Area C,” which is already today under full Israeli security control, and is where the bulk of the Israeli settlers live.

Under Bennett’s plan, the 70,000 Arabs who live in Area C would be granted Israeli citizenship. Areas A and B would be granted enhanced autonomy and the Palestinians living there would have their own state in all but name.

“We must recognize the truth - the Oslo era is over. After 21 years of trying one way which included unilateral withdrawals, concessions, releasing terrorists, disengagement and a unilateral separation - it’s time to admit that it does not work,” Bennett told an annual security confab in Herzliya.

“It’s time to think creatively how to build a better reality here for the citizens of Israel and for the Arabs residing in Judea and Samaria,” he added. “This plan gives the Palestinians an independent government and economic prosperity while giving us, the State of Israel, sovereignty, stability, security and a maintaining of our homeland.”

Bennett’s proposal was immediately attacked by Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who insisted that if Israel annexed one inch of the West Bank, his centrist Yesh Atid faction would not hesitate to topple the government.

While Bennett and Lapid have allied on many issues, the finance minister was adamant that the way forward is not laying further claim to Judea and Samaria, but rather further abandoning those biblical territories.

Speaking at the same conference in Herzliya, Lapid advocated a return to negotiations despite the recent entry into the Palestinian government of the Hamas terrorist organization, which still calls for Israel’s destruction.

In preparation for those talks, Lapid said Israel should draw the final borders that it would like to see between the Jewish state and a future Palestinian state. Israel would then unilaterally withdraw from those areas where no Jews are today living. As a confidence-building step, Israel would later evacuate isolated Jewish settlements, and in the plan’s final stage, Israel would conduct a land swap with the Palestinian state for areas where large Jewish settlement blocs are located.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called Lapid’s proposal a non-starter that had already been proved a failure in Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

“We saw in Gaza the results of unilateral withdrawal,” said officials in the Prime Minister’s Office. “Anyone with political experience knows that you don’t make concessions without [getting] anything in return, especially with a government partnered with a terror organization that wants to destroy Israel.”

Netanyahu’s aides also pointed out that were Israel to draw an official map of future proposed borders, that map would then forever be the starting point for future negotiations, even if Israel later determined the boundaries were unfavorable.

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A Season Of Wondering, "Have I Lost Jesus Somewhere?" - Bill Yount

Bill Yount A Season Of Wondering,  "Have I Lost Jesus Somewhere?" Posted: 09 Jun 2014  We all have those times when we wonder, "Have I lost Jesus somewhere?" Even Jesus' own parents, Mary and Joseph, lost Him for three whole days and couldn't find Him. "But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances but He wasn't there." Luke 2:44 What a shock especially for Mary to have birthed the treasure of the world and wonder where He was. "And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple." Luke 2:46 At twelve years of age He was about His Father's business to save you and me. It's easy to lose Jesus in a crowded world. If it seems you have lost Him, be encouraged. He is about to make His grand entrance into your life. But you may have to take a journey. Come Away  When God says, "Come away, My Beloved," a million "Likes" on Facebook won't satisfy. You crave to see His face. And it doesn't matter then if your favorite sports team wins or loses, for the things of this world grow strangely dim. People will say, "That was one of the best messages I've ever heard." but you felt nothing. And you were the speaker. When He bids you come, your fingers numb and your passion to write dies. You can do nothing without Him. We live by faith and not by sight or feelings, but sooner or later, if His presence doesn't return, you will check your pulse wondering, "Did I lose Jesus somewhere?" But He Keeps Calling. And You Keep Seeking. Your hunger grows. You eat off other people's plates during church now. Someone whispers after the service, "I didn't get a thing out of that pastor's message." You tell them, "It's because I got it all. I was so hungry I ate off your plate!" Unfamiliar scriptures come alive. "To the hungry soul every bitter thing tastes sweet." Proverbs 27:7 You get so hungry for God, you eat giants. They become your nourishment. They come for only one reason: to strengthen you. For you are on a quest to find God again. On the way the ravens feed you ---- people you thought God could never use are the ones keeping you alive now. With eyes straining, you start seeing God in everyone. He puts something you need in the person you don't like. Surprisingly, it's now your enemy telling you where your next meal is. And you love him for it. Your stomach growls. Like the four lepers in Samaria in the time of famine, you're starving. "And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate of Samaria: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die." 2 Kings 7:3,4 Rolling With The Gut Punches You are convinced too. You'd rather die moving, than die sitting. Up until now you've never regretted taking a risk. Your only regret were the ones you didn't take and what might have been. You know well the leprosy of rejection. Your Christian life is made up of mostly perseverance and rolling with the gut punches. But you keep going. Your gut keeps telling you, "If you can drag your weary bones past hell's gate of rejection, you can roll the rest of the way into the arms of the One who can heal all your wounds. And you will feast on the Bread of Life." Almost There The journey becomes lonely when you get close to finding Him. Even leprous friends leave you. You no longer follow the crowds. You push through them. To touch His clothes would be enough now. Like the woman with an issue of blood for twelve years. You are sick of being sick and wonder what it's like to be well again. But where is He? You heard His schedule is to raise Jairus' dead daughter today. You wonder if you can stop Him on His way to make history with you. One touch from Him and you can live through anything. The Lord is releasing His greatest hunger on earth this hour. "And I will shake all nations, and the 'desire' of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory," says the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:7 That word desire means: to crave, hunger, to have a strong longing for. The shaking is making the stomachs of nations to growl. And ours too. I heard He satisfies people with an unsatisfied satisfaction. I don't know about you. But, "Would you pass me your plate, please?" Blessings, Bill Yount www.billyount.com