Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Church Is Facing a Dietrich Bonhoeffer Moment - Larry Tomczak

Church Is Facing a Dietrich Bonhoeffer Moment



Dietrich Bonhoeffer believed he must stand up to evil in whatever ways necessary.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer believed he must stand up to evil in whatever ways necessary. (YouTube)
To those trying to convince us that these are America's greatest days and revival is breaking out, I humbly challenge this perspective. Granted, there are "pockets" of some encouraging spiritual activity, but by and large the church is successful numerically but unsuccessful influentially.
How we need to take seriously the 2 Chronicles 7:14 promise:
            "(If) My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from heir wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
In the meantime, opposition to Christianity is becoming more aggressive and hostile. Nowhere is this more evident than in the areas of natural marriage and sexual purity.
Who could have fathomed just a decade ago the ABC family network would feature a primetime show, "The Fosters," with two lesbian "parents," a transgender teen and two 13-year-old boys kissing?
How about rampant perversion and pornography a "click" away on kids' and youths' smartphones?  Should it surprise me when our state newspaper, The Tennessean, features a front-page article that our college rape reports are up 77 percent?
How about laws being passed allowing men to share public restrooms and showers with our 10-year-old daughters because they identify themselves as a "transgender"?
One more ...
After 5,000 years of Western civilization defining marriage as the union of a man and woman, we are on the precipice (barring miraculous intervention) of the Supreme Court imposing homosexual "marriage" on all 50 states. Marriage referendums passed by the overwhelming majority of citizens in state after state are probably going to be obliterated in this watershed moment and the floodgates opened for homosexual "marriage," polygamy, polyamory and whatever.
Recently the largest Protestant denomination, the Presbyterian Church USA, changed the wording of its constitution to fully embrace sodomy-based "marriage." Influential and heretical author Rob Bell stated on Oprah Winfrey's TV program that the Christian church in America is "moments away from embracing gay marriage."
I'm praying and fasting this not becomes reality but I'm also aware of how far the nation and church have fallen away from God. Judgment comes in diverse ways.
All of this means we must be prepared for greater risk-taking and courageous action in these "perilous" times foretold in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Are you ready?
 Taking Risks—A New Non-Negotiable
Ron Wayne was one of Apple's three co-founders. He was present at the birth of Apple along with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. He designed the company's original logo, wrote the manual for the Apple One computer and put together the new partnership agreement that gave him a 10 percent stake in Apple.
In his autobiography "iWOZ," Wozniak recalls meeting Wayne and thinking, wow this guy is amazing, he seems to know all the things we did not. He played a major role in those days. However Wayne was risk averse due to a business failure five years earlier. Twelve days after he signed the agreement for 10 percent of Apple stock, he decided that the wild spending of young Steve Jobs wasn't worth the risk. He sold his shares back to Apple for $800. Today those shares would be worth $22 billion dollars!
To be successful we must be risk-takers. And with what's happening in America, we must get ready to take risks in standing for truth, especially as it relates to marriage.
 We are facing a "Dietrich Bonhoeffer Moment." You recall that he chose civil disobedience and disobeyed Nazi law that stated that protecting Jewish people was against the law. He was hung for his stand. He also said prior to his death, "Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."
Biblical Christianity shows us times when man-made laws contrary to divine laws are disobeyed. Moses was hidden for three months; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn't bow to the idol; Daniel continued praying when it was illegal; Esther was willing to risk her life to approach the king; Peter and John would not refrain from preaching the gospel.
The Bible tells us, "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber" (Rom. 13:11). A jolt in the night is right around the corner! Brace yourself and prepare to face new challenges requiring risk-taking as the new normal in an increasingly secular society.
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with more than 41 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview (see "Is Gay OK? 10 Things Everyone Needs to Know" now on YouTube). He loves awakening people to today's cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visit larrytomczak.com.
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"From the Narrow Confines" ✡ Western Wall Tunnels

From the narrow confines I called out to God, the Lord answered me with abounding relief.

PSALMS (118:5)

מִן הַמֵּצַר קָרָאתִי יָּהּ עָנָּנִי בַמֶרְחַב יָ-הּ

תהילים קי''ח:ה

min ha-may-tzar ka-ra-tee ya a-na-nee ba-mer-khav ya

Jerusalem Inspiration

Psalm 118 is said towards the end of the Seder and uses a key Passover word, ‘confines.’ The Hebrew word for ‘confines’ מ-צ-ר is closely related to the word for Egypt מצרים - mitz-ra-yeem. On an emotional level, Egypt symbolizes the agonizing straits that constrict us. Each of us occasionally finds ourselves trapped, sometimes for physical reasons, such as poverty or illness and sometimes for psychological reasons, such as depression or despair. Passover is the festival of hope and faith, teaching us that the Almighty saves us from all of life’s narrow confines.

Passover Musical Parody

In this fun music video, a talented group of Israeli students, the Fountainheads, film their original take on the holiday in the desert of Israel.

Israel: Freedom of Religion for All

UK Christian groups are expressing thanks to Israel for being the only safe haven for Christians living in the Middle East.

Hebrew Music CD Set

Enjoy some of Israel’s most popular songs in this special collector’s set of 2 Hebrew Music CD’s. With a focus on inspiring songs with biblical passages, its song booklet contains English translation and transliteration, to give you a wonderful opportunity to learn Hebrew.

Jerusalem Daily Photo

The Western Wall tunnels by Noam Chen. This virtual time tunnel gives a glimpse into a magnificent Jerusalem from over 2,000 years ago.

Thank You

Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of Jerusalem!

“Amazing Services

It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).

Shalom Rabbi Tuly, Thank you for Israel365 and Jerusalem365 -- amazing services! I really love it and always look forward to your mails, Bible verses and photos! It is amazing to get daily updates directly from Jerusalem, Israel. And I noticed that I often recognize the places in the Tuesday photo trivia, even though I have only been to Israel once. Blessings, Shalom, Anna Neuberg Germany
Blessing from Jerusalem,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

Some Great Answers to the Mystery Jerusalem Pictures taken on Passover Eve in 1917

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


Posted: 30 Mar 2015
German soldiers, World War I, 
Within minutes we started receiving answers from readers as far away as New Zealand suggesting the locations of these pictures of German soldiers marching down Jerusalem's streets during World War I.  Below are some of the answers, but we await pictures of how the streets look today today.


Marching on Good Friday/Passover Eve 1917
Marching on Good Friday/Passover Eve 1917


















A reader named Simon sent this answer: 

The first picture is lower down Jaffa Road nearly at the Jaffa Gate: the building at the top left is the old Hotel Fast where the Jerusalem Pearl is today (with "Fast" just visible at the edge of the photo). Many of the same buildings are visible at http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/matpc/20400/20457v.jpg  

The second picture is outside Jaffa 17 (note the number ١٧ in Arabic numerals near the top left), along what is now the light-rail line outside the Municipality complex at Kikar Safra. The same shop fronts, arched doorways and balconies are still visible in Google Street View, not much changed.  -- Simon 

Compare the features on these buildings in this picture from February 1941. (Library of Congress)
We actually planned to present this 1941 picture, similar to the one Simon mentioned, to show the buildings 24 years later.  It shows Australian soldiers greeting the Australian Prime Robert Menzies and the commander of the Australian troops in Australia, Lt. Gen. Thomas Blamey.

The "Matson Photo Service," shown in this picture, was a breakoff from the American Colony Photo Department, the creator of hundreds of pictures featured in this site. Some 20,000 of Eric Matson's photographs were donated to the Library of Congress where we discovered them.

From Jane: Greetings from NZ, The first picture looks like Jaffa Road and the building on the horizon looks like it is on the intersection with King George V Street. So the children in the foreground would be passing where Ben Yehuda street starts. But as I don't have any photos in front of me, I couldn't be sure. I have forwarded these pictures to my Israeli friends to see if they can assist. Kind regards,  Jane, Manakau

From Gil: The bottom photo is shot on the south side of Jaffa Road in front of the Armenian Block opposite the British-built city hall.  Chag sameach  -- Gil, Nachalat Shiva, Jerusalem 

* From Gideon:  I still have to figure out the location of the German procession, but you may notice at the bottom right of the second photo two boys in uniform, one of whom is dressed very similarly if not identically to the "British soldiers" that you pointed out in the recent "mystery photo." This reinforces my opinion that the uniform in question is not a military one at all, but one of many that were used in schools and colleges. The other boy is wearing another variety. Thanks again for the pictures which are an unending source of interest and pleasure. Hag Sameah, 

Financed, Fueled and Fired Up for Action by Cindy McGill

Financed, Fueled and Fired Up for Action 

by Cindy McGill

Identity Network
I saw a huge transference of properties and houses and cars and all kinds of supplies, being given to ministries all over the place who are committed to doing the kingdom work.  God has entrusted some with great wealth for such a time as this.  For these who have been stewards of kingdom funds, God has given you the ability to make wealth, like the "Midas touch."  Everything you have touched has turned to gold.  


It has been His purpose for you and there is now a "fine tuning" happening in you to know where to channel the funds you have been stewards over.   You will have great confirmation for where to give and how much.  There are places that God is highlighting right now for these schools and centers to be birthed.  It will be like the colt that Jesus rode on into Jerusalem.  The Lord has need of it. 

In a dream, several months ago, I saw the bank vault of heaven.  I was standing at the door and Jesus was in the vault with a yellow hard hat on and a clipboard in His hand.  Inside, there was an unending supply of gold and silver in piles on the floor and all the way up the wall.  A bulldozer was actively scooping up gold and silver and Jesus would instruct a window to open and the bulldozer would pour out the gold and silver as Jesus commanded. I was in awe as I observed this operation.  It was done with such precision and supply.  At that moment, Jesus turned and looked at me and winked.  He said, "I own it."

When I woke up from the dream, I realized that we are never in need of anything He does not have the authority and resources to supply.  Kingdom resources have been stored up for many of us for this end harvest that is beginning.  At the time I had the dream, we were going through a very hard time in our church and many people were moving away or transitioning out for one reason or another.  

It could have been a very unsettling time for us, but God showed me His not only ability, but desire to "unload" His benefits to us.  We never missed one bill or payment or salary check during that church transition.  He supplied from the most unlikely places.  Someone would leave a check in the mailbox who didn't even attend the church, we would receive an overpayment from a year ago on a bill, people who visited our city would come to church and leave a check for just the amount we needed for that month.

When we are doing Kingdom business, God provides where He guides.  It's the Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom and finances are very much a part of the kingdom.  I believe we are going to have abundance and over abundance of finances to not only operate on for the days ahead, but also to get out of debt, purchase properties, get prepared for days we have not seen yet. 

Prepare for Takeoff

My husband recently had a dream where we were on a type of spacecraft that looked like a pontoon boat.  The sides were open and it only had a roof.  This craft was full of people and without warning it took off, straight up in the air with rocket speed.  The impact of this rapid acceleration was so intense that one pilot had to stand on the other ones shoulders to maneuver the aircraft upwards avoiding obstacles in the atmosphere.

The new structure has open sides and the craft represents a ministry without walls that is infinite for expansion.  It is a horizontal invitation to reach out and take hold of people all around us. The top is God's covering. 

We are in a rapid acceleration now.  This waiting is over and this is a fulfillment of time.  Things we have been pondering in our hearts are getting ready to be realized.  I know we have all heard this before but it really is happening.  The stage has been set behind the curtain and we are now waiting for things to be revealed.

Keeping Foresight in the Midst of the Storm

We can't lose our vision and stray from our purpose when a storm approaches. We have a destination to reach and a job to do when we get there.  Just because we might experience a few turbulent moments doesn't mean we are not going to arrive at the prepared place for us.  I know there have been many messages about some terrifying things ahead.  I'm not denying for a second that things could get seemingly out of control and bumpy, but GOD IS IN CONTROL and that doesn't discount the assignment we have been given and the job we are equipped to do.  We are entering the days of the greatest harvest of souls we have ever seen.  People are starving to have the Truth.  We have an assignment and orders from Headquarters.  That is our focus and that is our destiny.

Cindy McGill



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Israel Photo Trivia ✡ "Look Heavenward and Count" - ISRAEL365

And He took him outside, and He said, "Please look heavenward and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So will be your seed."

GENESIS (15:5)
 

וַיּוֹצֵא אֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה וַיֹּאמֶר הַבֶּט נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים אִם תּוּכַל לִסְפֹּר אֹתָם וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ

בראשית טו:ה

va-yo-tzay o-to ha-khu-tza va-yo-me ha-bet na ha-sha-mai-y'-ma u-s'-por ha-ko-kha-veem im tu-khal lis-por o-tam va-yo-mer lo ko yi-h'-ye zar-e-kha

Today's Israel Inspiration

Since the Torah is concise and no word is extraneous, our Sages asked what is added by the words "and He took him outside" as it is obvious when looking at the stars that one is outside! Our Sages explain that God meant, “Go out of your astrology,” for you have seen in the stars that you are not destined to have a son. Indeed, Abram will have no son, but Abraham will have a son. Similarly, Sarai will not give birth, but Sarah will give birth. I will give you another name, and your destiny will change" (Rashi on the Midrash). Learn your name in Hebrew and discover your essence.
 

Israel is a Blessed Nation!

What other small country or nation is accomplishing so much for humanity? Promote. Support. Invest. Israel!

Future Redemption Greater than the Exodus?

Blood, Frogs, the Splitting of the Sea … that’s nothing compared to what the Almighty has planned for the future redemption of Israel and the world.
 

The Book of Esther Scroll: Netanyahu's Gift to Congress

This gorgeous, handwritten Megillah scroll is complete with colorful illustrations and the full text of the Book of Esther which we read on Purim. It comes with a gift bag and is a limited edition of 900 numbered copies. Israel’s Prime Minister gave this scroll to US House Speaker John Boehner in his March 2015 visit to the U.S.

Israel Photo Trivia

Paragliding is becoming one of the most popular extreme sports in Israel and gives one an incredible new perspective on the beautiful Land and seas of Israel. Can you guess which body of water is below this paraglider? Send me an email or post on Facebook!
 

Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Robin Sussman in memory of her parents Sigmund and Barbara Beer. Toda Raba!
 

“A Blessing to Get the Daily News from Israel”

It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!
 
Blessings to all, Jerusalem & Israel & the Jewish people have been in my heart for quite some time. Often I have said that it is a desire of mine to visit Israel.  Thanks be to God for Bibi Netanyahu's re-election. We live on the small main Island of Shetland with many miles of sea between us & the mainland of Scotland (more or less on the same latitude as Bergen in Norway) but we are always aware of what is taking place in the world.  It's really a blessing to get the daily news from Israel. There is a prayer group here at our home every Thursday evening & always we pray for Israel, the people & the peace of Jerusalem. About 5 years ago my husband named our home, "Shalom". It's a beautiful name which sometimes gives us an opportunity to speak with people when they show interest. Thank you all again. SHALOM, Margaret Sinclair
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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The Awesome Power In A Mother's Mantle - Bill Yount

The Awesome Power In A Mother's Mantle - Bill Yount


Posted: 30 Mar 2015 
I'm not sure how this works. But I believe a mother's mantle casts a long shadow. I saw my mother's fall during the going away celebration at her church. It then unfurled like a tailor-made garment of love and continued to spread. I believe her mantle is imparting spiritual inheritance to many, even those who never knew her.

 My mother, Gertrude Yount, went to be with Jesus on March 2nd. 2015. Multitudes have been touched and encouraged by her many healings and miracles that God gave her in this lifetime. But what I will remember the most about mom is her persevering faith in spite of her many hardships. She found God in the storms of life. She touched so many people with God's love. She was 90 yrs. old. She is now totally healed forever.

 MOM'S SHOELESS ENTRY INTO HEAVEN

 Mom had an unusual request when she left this world. She said, "When they lay me in the casket, I don't want them to put any shoes or socks on me. I want to dance on the streets of gold in my bare feet." I called the funeral director and told him mom's unusual request and why. He agreed. Someone came up to me right before mom's funeral and said, "It's going to be hard to fill your mother's shoes." I said, "She doesn't have any."

 HER GIFT WAS LOVE

 Just hours before mom met Jesus, my sister visited her and said her face was glowing and she couldn't find one wrinkle on it. She was even walking on her own. One of my brothers stopped by also to see her minutes later. I called her around 7:30pm that evening and she said, "I was going to call you" Her voice was strong and clear. She told me that she had called my other brother Jim and talked to him also. Then within three hours of talking to us children, she left. The last words my brother heard my mother say was: "Tell everyone I love them."

When it came to loving people mom broke the rules. I remember growing up when she took us five kids to church she always squeezed other people into the car like sardines. On Sundays she would pick up a woman and her three kids ( which made ten of us in the car ). Many times mom would holler at us kids in the back seat, "There's a policeman, get down!" She seemed to get away with some things when she was helping people.

 INFLUENCED BY KATHRYN KUHLMAN

At eleven yrs. of age my mother often attended Kathryn Kuhlman meetings in Pittsburgh, PA. She saw unusual happenings that forever changed her life. A huge goiter on her mother's neck instantly disappeared before her eyes. The next second a five year old boy began jumping up and down shouting, "Mommy, where are you? Where are you mommy?" The mother on the other side of the boy said, "Honey, I'm right here." Mom said. "I saw that little boy jump up into his mother's arms and began shouting, "Oh mommy, I can see you! I can see you mommy!" The mother cried, "He was born blind!" My mother got the mindset at an early age: This is the way my life is going to be. And it continued the rest of her life.

She was 4' 11" tall. She found the key to long life. Twice cancer couldn't kill her. The first cancer spreading through her body, the doctors gave her five years to live. That was forty-five years ago. At eighty-seven the second cancer died through surgery. They got it all with no chemo needed. Years ago doctors witnessed a tumor disappear on her thyroid before taking a biopsy. Ten years ago doctors wanted to amputate her one foot. She told them, "Whenever I go to heaven, I'm taking my foot with me!" Later they changed their mind. She kept her foot and walked fine. Most doctors who told her she wouldn't live long are gone. She kept outliving them. Her famous prayer when she got attacked was: "Lord, if I get weak and sick, how am I going to help anybody and reach the lost?" That's it! Then healing would start attacking her.

After receiving that five year death sentence with cancer mom felt led to visit a different church in town. She went with Aunt Sophie. Aunt Sophie has been healed so many times, people thought she was crazy. They arrived early and sat near the front of the church before others got there. As soon as Mom sat down, she felt a hand touch her shoulder, shooting a bolt of electricity down through her body that burnt the hairs off her arms and legs. "I just knew God healed me of that cancer!" she said. They found out later that church didn't believe in healing. I think that's why God healed her before the service started. Mom loved to tell people of her healings and miracles. Then she would stop and say, "But you gotta repent!" as conviction fell on them.

NEW BLOOD IS FLOWING INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST

Late in life my mother had an ulcer on her leg that wasn't healing because of sugar diabetes. Doctors discovered the main artery in her leg was one hundred percent blocked with plaque that prevented the healing. Two doctors wouldn't touch it because she was 90 years old. A third doctor said, "I'm going to try it." ( Sometimes we need to try some things that look impossible.) He told my sister, "I chiseled it. I kept chiseling it. Two days later he called my sister and said, "The blood is flowing!"

When I heard those words, I sensed the Lord saying to the Body of Christ. "The blood is flowing! The blood is flowing! I've been chiseling away at the blockages in your life. The blood is beginning to flow into the legs of my Body." The life is in the blood. Strength in our legs is coming from that blood. We are going to walk in newness of life. Walk in places we have never been. Do things we have never done. Try some things that look impossible.

 AN UNSTOPPABLE PERSEVERING FAITH

 "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12

Mom was a fighter. 'A contender of the faith that was once delivered to the saints.' ( Jude 1:3 ) She fought for what she got. Her strong faith was like a runaway freight train that could not be stopped. In the Spirit mom could take out Muhammad Ali. She seemed to have the gift of faith. But there were times and seasons when God seemed distant, when the healings and miracles weren't arriving on time. But her faith kept going. Mom's answer to heaven's silence was: "I'll be ok. Let's see what God will do." It was these bumps in the road of mom's life that caused her to know the Lord like she did. Her life taught me: There's a whole lot of living between healings and miracles. And a whole lot of living after them. She knew how to run this race of life with patience. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 She ran with patience. Patience was her friend.

Near the end of mom's life she would always tell us. "When I get better, I'm getting my license back." She still blamed the state for taking her license. She told everyone, "They made a mistake about me." I have a gut feeling mom got her license back. I feel like she's driving something up there. Maybe a chariot. "Look out for those speed limit signs mom!"

A faith so strong, yet childlike. I remember when the doctor wanted to amputate mom's foot. She told me her childlike prayer: "Lord, you don't need my foot, and I do."

This story seems to sum up the fabric of my mother's prophetic mantle.

 A mother had a little daughter playing down the neighborhood. A storm was brewing and the mother called the neighbor and said, "Send my little girl home quick." The little girl started walking home two blocks away as the storm broke loose. A torrential downpour of rain beat the earth as thunder and lightning came crashing down. As the mother watched anxiously out her kitchen window she noticed every time lightning flashed her little girl would stop and start to smile. Several times as lightning flashed her little girl again would stop and a smile would break out on her face. The mother terrified ran out of the house and down the sidewalk and picked up her little girl in her arms and ran inside the house. As they got into the house, the mother said to the daughter. "Honey, how come every time it lightninged, you just stopped and started to smile?" The little girl responded. "Mommy, all the way home God's been taking my picture!"

 Oh, to have a childlike faith. To know in our worst storm, God is taking our picture.

Raise your hands and receive the power in my mother's mantle right now: The gift of faith that only believes and doesn't know how to doubt. The patience that outlasts every storm. And God's love that breaks the rules.

 And don't forget to smile. Cause all the way home God is taking your picture.

Blessings,

Bill Yount
www.billyount.com 

From the Exodus to Israel 2015

From the Exodus to Israel 2015

JERUSALEM, Israel -- In just a few days, Jews in Israel and around the world will gather with family and friends to retell the story of their deliverance from slavery. As they observe Pesach (Passover) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, many will turn their hearts toward God.

While everyone celebrates, Israelis soldiers will guard the northern and southern borders. In the north, Lebanon and Syria transfer weaponry across their borders, as Hezbollah fights alongside Bashar Assad's troops. In the south, the Hamas terror group openly speaks of Israel's destruction.

Meanwhile in Switzerland, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the P5+1, are about to give Iran the green light toward nuclear weapons and regional dominance, though they're not explicitly saying it. Iran reportedly has not backed down from any of its "red lines," including all the components of uranium enrichment.

And in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian Authority-controlled cities in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), leaders of the P.A.'s "unity" government praise acts of "resistance" against the Israeli "occupiers."

Instead of sitting down with Israel to come up with a workable solution, P.A. leaders travel around the world convincing others Israelis are the problem. And they've been pretty effective in Europe and other parts of the world. The P.A. wants the international community to force Israel back to the 1948 armistice lines, once called "Auschwitz borders." It also involves uprooting more than 350,000 Israelis from their homes and communities.

In 2005, under then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the government bulldozed 21 thriving communities in the Gush Katif Settlement Bloc and four in northern Samaria, uprooting some 10,000 people. Instead of moving the peace process forward, Israelis were bombarded with thousands of rockets.

The story of how God brought the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land is one of miracles, obedience and blessing. At the center of everything is God's desire that people know who He is.

Not long after the multitude walked out of Egypt, they heard the rumble of Egyptian chariots. They felt the ground shaking. After a long trek on very little sleep, they came to a seemingly insurmountable barrier: the sea. They despaired, some crying out they would have been better off serving the Egyptians alive.

But God had a different plan and Moses knew He hadn't brought them this far to abandon them.

That message is as relevant today as ever. As the world spins rapidly out of control, God hasn't changed one whit.

That's why Moses instructs the people to teach their children what took place then and to observe Pesach from generation to generation.

"And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.' It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year." (Ex. 13:8-10)

With today's challenges no less daunting, the recounting of the exodus can help people remember that God has not and will not abandon them either.