New Angels in Israel by Kathie Walters

New Angels in Israel 

by Kathie Walters

Identity Network

 

The very first time I went to Israel years ago, I really went, not so much to see Israel but because I wanted to go to the Kathryn Khulman meetings in Jerusalem. I lived near London then so Israel was much easier for me to get to than America.

 

When we went sightseeing during the daytime an Angel tapped me on the shoulder and spoke to me at every place we went and made me laugh.

 

The second time I was with a group but my friend, Doreen, and I went to a lot of places on our own.

 

One day we were at Sarah and Abraham's tomb. There was some kind of festival happening because we saw people walking around carrying bread and fruit. There was a Rabbi near the tomb and Doreen wanted to ask him a question about the festival. There was a crowd around him and we couldn't get to speak to the Rabbi. Doreen was a bit disappointed and we walked away down the steps. Suddenly out of nowhere an Israeli army officer was standing right in front of us.

 

He answered Doreen's questions (that she hadn't asked him) and then he disappeared right in front of our eyes. There was nowhere to go to disappear to, it was steps and a big empty space. We realized that it was an angel that came and spoke to her - he spoke in perfect English too.  The anointing was all over us.

 

Then Doreen said to me, "Oh, I forgot to ask something." As soon as she said that the angel, dressed like as army officer, was suddenly standing in front of us again. He answered the question she wanted to ask (but hadn't actually asked him). Then he disappeared again

 

The anointing was so strong we sat down on a wall at the bottom of the steps. After a few minutes a man went by and stopped to ask us a question. He had fled from some war torn place and had gotten to Israel, but the government was going to send him for relocation to Australia. He asked us if we knew anything about Australia. This man was possessed by spirits of fear. He would not sit down so that we could talk to him. He was looking all around all the time. This was the first time I saw someone actually possessed by fear. As we spoke to him the anointing was still so strong on us that even as I told him about Australia (I lived there for a while) the spirits of fear just left.  It was remarkable because we didn't actually get to say anything about the Christian Gospel. But he got totally delivered from those spirits of fear because of the presence of God flowing in that anointing.

 

This is How it Will be in Israel

 

Then another angel came and said, "This is how it will be here in Israel. Strong anointing on people will set the captives free; through the anointing and gifts of the Spirit." He said, "There are people here who mean well but they are under a religious sprit and not called of God to be here ministering and there are others that should be here that aren't here yet, but God will send them; the anointed ministers who operate under the power of the Holy Spirit." Then he disappeared too.

 

When I was with Sid Roth's group a couple of years ago I saw many watcher angels who were just watching over our group. But they didn't say much to me at that time. I thought it was great though that God appoints angels to watch over the groups that come to Israel.  But now, a week ago (it's Feb 14th today) I saw first of all four angels with hats and gold on their robes. They were going to Jerusalem and they had been called by some Christians from one of the Coptic churches. I don't know which one. Then I saw another group of I think 14 who were less "stately" but laughing and lively. They had blue and white robes. I asked the Lord about them and He said "These have not been in the earth before and they are bringing life to the Gospel in Israel." I asked what He meant and He said, "They would work with the ministers in the streets and houses and meetings to bring forth the gifts of the Spirit, words of wisdom and words of knowledge and prophesies and healings and miracles."

 

I believe that there will be a kind of shuffling because I believe this is what the angel at Abraham's tomb spoke to me about - anointed people living in the anointing and affecting people through the power of God. The gifts of the Spirit, the manifestations of His power will bring to life the Good News. It's a changing of the guard. Some soldiers going home - some new ones coming from different parts of the world. The ones going home - your angels in Israel will be going home with you.  Take a break - while you're being re-assigned for this coming revival.  

Sometimes when God changes the guard people think they have failed in some way but that's not true.  God is in charge of His mighty army of men and of Angels. He knows about the next battles. He knows His strategies - we need to keep in tune so we will always be in the right place. "The Anointing is pointing," it's telling you something, but also the lack of anointing is also pointing, telling you something. Sometimes when a season is over or it's time to move on, the anointing begins to lift. Then you know it's time for a change.

 

Kathie Walters

www.kathiewaltersministry.com

kathiewalters@mindspring.com

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Ben Gurion's Negev Vision: Women Making It Reality?

Ben Gurion's Negev Vision: Women Making It Reality?

By Chris Mitchell

CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

NEGEV DESERT, Israel -- Israel’s founder, David Ben Gurion, hoped one day the Negev Desert would be a vibrant part of the Jewish state. With help from an American friend, many women are taking part in this vision.

From pottery to bicycles to a bed and breakfast, businesswomen of the Israeli Negev are starting to make a difference.

The Negev Desert makes up more than half the land mass of Israel. Some people call it a wasteland, but others see it as a land of opportunity.

Ben Gurion, for example, saw the Negev as a place where Israelis would be tested to populate the wilderness and make it flourish.

“The possibilities are endless in the Negev,” American Christian Beth Isern told CBN News.

Isern exudes optimism about the women and the region. The Colorado businesswoman heard about the need there and answered the call.

“I think that the State of Israel needs to really get it -- that there are some many Americans, true Americans that are Christians, that would give up almost anything to help them, that they’re on their side, that they’re not alone,” Isern said.

Einat Doron has lobbied on behalf of women entrepreneurs for years and found an ally in Isern.

“I was alone in this thing. Everything was on my back, and I feel that with her I can share ideas and stuff,” Doron told CBN News. “And I think she brings us things from abroad.”

“They asked me would you please come and talk to the women of this -- of the Negev region -- and help them, you know, find their niche,” Isern explained.

Isern now works with many of the businesswomen there. Shmuel Rifman, mayor of the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, one of the Negev’s areas, appreciates her investment.

“Time is something taken for granted,” Rifman told CBN News. “Money comes and goes, but the way Beth Isern is investing her time and the efforts that she’s putting in is hard to believe.”

Many of the women say Isern is making a difference. One way is promoting their products on the Internet.

“She’s actually connecting us. She’s actually helping us support this forum of women and connecting us out to overseas,” one woman told CBN News. “As we know, Israel is small. The Negev is a small part of Israel so she’s sort of connecting us more to the outside world, and I think this is very important for us as we all have very small companies.”

For Shahar and Ruthy, both potters, it meant a boost in confidence.

“It meant a lot to me, I think. It gives you, gives you, like, you feel like there’s somebody that is there for you, you know,” Shahar said.

“She gave me courage,” Ruthy added. “She gave us inspiration.”

The Negev is rich in biblical history. It’s where men such as Abraham once walked.

Isern sees a bright future for this land, and for this businesswoman, the bottom line is love.

“For my ultimate goal, I think, is to show the Jewish community down there that the Christian side is very much on their side and we love them very much,” she said.

This is the Center of the World - video

This is the Center of the World

BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS By Video Manager December 16, 2013

You’ll be so amazed by this in-depth and underground exploration of the City of David in Jerusalem.

Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/8065/center-world/#PaI78KVDWMizZlvX.99

Finding Redemption in the Josh Duggar Story - Michael Brown

Finding Redemption in the Josh Duggar Story

5/26/2015 MICHAEL BROWN   charisma news

Duggar Family (Facebook)

I have no desire to pile on with more comments about Josh Duggar, who appears to be a very serious and committed Christian and who has made no excuses for the sins of his youth and who deeply desires to make a positive impact for the Lord in the years ahead. I simply want to share some redemptive thoughts, supplementing some of the excellent statements made by others, including former governor Mike Huckabee and Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore.

1. Jesus really does change people. While critics of the Duggar family want to indict them (along with other evangelical Christians, especially those with large families) for Josh's actions, and while many seem ready to throw Josh under the bus, the fact is that while he did sin grievously, through repentance, faith and counseling, he became a new man. Jesus really does transform sinners.

How many of us did wicked things as teenagers? I was shooting heroin at the age of 15 and broke into some houses and even stole money from my own father before being radically converted at the age of 16. I was profane, filled with pride, anger and lust, yet the Lord had mercy on me and totally turned my life around.

Some of us continued to live like this into our adult years, only to find mercy and new life then, meaning that the transformation was even more dramatic.

For me, the first lesson from this story is this: Whoever you are, whatever you've done, there is hope in the Lord. As Mike Huckabee said, "'inexcusable' ...  doesn't mean 'unforgivable.'"

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

2. There's no excuse for sin, so own up to it. In today's culture, almost no one is guilty of anything. It's someone else's fault, someone else's responsibility, not our own. We're all victims, and the reason we do bad things is because someone else wronged us. Isn't that how we think today?

I've even heard athletes apologize for some really heinous actions by saying, "I'm not happy with the way things happened," rather than saying, "What I did was wrong and I have no excuses. Please forgive me. I'm seeking to get to the root of my problems and address them."

What a vast difference between the two attitudes.

As Proverbs states, "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (28:13).

According to the accounts we've all heard, Josh confessed his sin to his parents as well as to the proper authorities, and as a family, they worked through the issues. Now, half a lifetime later (he's 27 and is married with four children), when confronted with a police report about his past, he did not minimize his sin nor did he excuse it. He also resigned from the fine Christian organization for whom he worked, not wanting to bring any negative attention to their work.

When I see someone respond like this, I am filled with hope. In fact, over the years, I've seen that people who committed uglier sins but took full responsibility and repented did far better than those who committed less serious sins and tried to sweep them under the rug.

3. Even godly families have kids who mess up badly. Nancy and I only had two kids, and we sought to be godly parents and set godly examples. Yet our older daughter went through a real period of rebellion in her teen years.

As parents, we felt miserable, and I would wonder what I was doing wrong.

Of course, we dealt with her rebellion head on and prayed like crazy for her to really encounter the Lord, but while it was happening, it was terribly deflating spiritually. What kind of father am I? How can I be so ineffective?

Today, we all laugh about those years, and our daughter, who is now 37 and is a devoted wife and mother, is so grateful for the way she was raised. (She and Nancy are the best of friends and are in constant contact.)

The fact that the Duggars, who successfully raised 19 children in the Lord (who can imagine that?), had to deal with one of their kids committing serious sexual sin at 14 should actually encourage other parents rather than discourage them. And perhaps, they can teach us today how this tragic incident helped them come together as a family and draw closer to the Lord.

4. Josh can be an ambassador on behalf of the abused, even helping the abusers, as well. While it can feel like your life is over when your past, largely private sins become public (how many of us would like for that to happen?), the fact is that Josh's future can be bright in the Lord.

He can call on others who are sinning to come clean and get help, using his own example redemptively. And he can encourage those who have been abused to realize that they are not guilty and should not feel shame, also encouraging churches to embrace those who come for help rather than making them feel as if there is something wrong with them.

Why should those who have suffered abuse be stigmatized? They should be our priority for healing and restoration.

5. We need to be careful how we judge. There are many fans of the Duggars who are upset with what they feel is a witch hunt against a godly family, representing one more attempt to remove them from reality TV. (Let me say without qualification that there is life after reality TV, and if the Duggars never do another broadcast, their lives can still be overwhelmingly blessed.)

But would we have had this same attitude of judgment if this was the child of a gay couple? Would we have said, "This proves that gay parents are no good!"?

I certainly believe that kids deserve a mom and a dad and that, optimally, they will do best with a mom and dad, but I don't indict all gay couples because of the failings of one of their kids

So, if you want to show mercy, be consistent. We can all fall into the trap of selective compassion.

6. There are consequences to our actions, but with God, our worst mistakes can become stepping stones to spiritual growth.

Most of us have done things we wish we could take back, and in some cases, the consequences of our bad choices and sinful actions last for decades. Yet with the Lord, no matter how great the stigma of our sin, if we will humble ourselves before Him, He can take those stumbling blocks and turn them into stepping stones, to the point that the worst things that ever happened to us become the best things that ever happened to us.

To the core of His being, God is a redeemer, and I'm personally praying and believing that for Josh Duggar and his entire family, God will turn this painful situation around for greater good.

Let's watch and see.

Michael Brown is the author of 25 books, including Can You Be Gay and Christian? and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show "The Line of Fire." He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience. 

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The Pope, Palestine, and the Prince of Peace - by Jonathan Feldstein

The Pope, Palestine, and the Prince of Peace

May 21, 2015 /  Jerusalem Channel  by Jonathan Feldstein

Image: Internet Screenshot via CatholicLink

By Jonathan Feldstein

Throughout my growing and deepening relationships with,
and as a bridge between Jews and Christians,
while meaningful and important to me, I am often asked by Christians why Jews are not more receptive to fellowship and dialogue with them as I am, and why so many American Jews tend to vote for and support candidates who seem to be less in concert with God, and whose support of Israel is questionable.

I am also often asked by Jews, what it is that Christians who say they love Israel really want. What’s the ulterior motive? Jews also push back because of centuries of hatred, crimes, and murder carried out and directed toward us in the name of “the church.”


Recently, one event had the unique ability to provide even greater pushback and widen a rift that, gratefully, has been narrowing in recent years. That event was the Vatican reaffirming its unhesitant recognition of “the State of Palestine” and establishing a diplomatic treaty with this state.


Jewish PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] is long lasting. When one sees the Catholic Church recognizing a supposed state that doesn’t recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, much less live in peace with us, we have flashbacks to times when Jews were burned, slaughtered, shot and gassed to death, all in the name of “the church.” Even among the most liberal who want a two state solution, there’s an awareness that peace is not a one way street.


As an entity that has a population less than 1000, with rights and appearances of a state, because it is the center of Catholicism the world looks to the Vatican and the Pope to be an outpost of morality and decency. It’s worse than fingernails on a blackboard to see that state cozy up to another entity that’s bigger but no more a state de facto, whose President is serving the ninth year of a four year term, in which anti-Semitism is public policy and celebrated, which denies the right of Israel to exist, fosters attacks, threats and murder of Israelis, while blaming us for all their problems rather than taking responsibility and building the infrastructure for the state they supposedly desire.


Were Jesus alive today, this state of Palestine would call him a settler, would intimidate and threaten him should he go to the Temple Mount, and might stone, fire bomb or shoot at his car traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem. Is this the state the Vatican is proud to recognize?


Other states have recognized “Palestine,” but they are not supposedly rooted in biblical values. Rather than being a follower down a diplomatic dead end paved with moral potholes, we look to the Vatican to be a beacon of light. On this, they have failed.


Even more glaring is that while the Vatican has now recognized a state that doesn’t really exist, it took the Vatican 45 years to recognize Israel as a state. This is still a bone in the throat of many, calling into question a theology that may still be rooted in replacement theology. Overlaying that with liberation theology, and turning a blind eye to the terrorism still perpetrated by the Palestinian Authority and its quasi-governmental partners, is it any wonder that Jews don’t trust Christians.


I am all for human decency and values, and pray for the well-being of all the Palestinian Arabs. I pray that their leaders’ evil ways will be transformed. I pray for peace. But one cannot whitewash the reality of a “Palestinian state” rooted in terrorism, from the birth of the PLO and continuing with Hamas. Juxtapose that to the rebirth of Israel, while maybe not perfect in every way, as a fulfilling of God’s promise to Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, and not mutually exclusive to the presence or existence of others. A full 20% of Israel’s citizens are Arab and many hold senior political, diplomatic and civic responsibilities throughout Israel.


It stretches the imagination to wonder how and why the Vatican took this approach. I suspect that they are not held hostage regarding the supply of oil, so pandering to the Arab world for that is unlikely. Do they somehow believe that by recognizing “Palestine” miraculously millions of Christians in the Middle East will be safe and not fear the sort of crimes that have befallen Christians in the name of Islam recently? Did someone sneak in overnight and erase the scripture about Israel and God’s covenant with the Jewish people from all their bibles? Or is it plain old Catholic anti-Semitism that we know too well?


Either way this diplomatic hocus pocus will not only not do anything to bring peace in the Middle East closer, but it will make the Palestinian Authority more intransigent and less likely to make peace if they think they can get recognized as a state albeit without the standards or responsibilities of statehood. I have images of Godfather 3 where mafia corruption is shown to run so deep it goes straight back to the Vatican. Did someone in Ramallah pay off someone in Vatican City for such protection?


Israel was reborn 67 years ago after centuries of dispersion, and both Israel’s independence and all that we have built are truly miraculous. The hand of God is seen throughout this historic century of the Jewish people’s return to the Land that God promised us.


I am not a theologian and no expert on Catholicism, but I understand that in order to qualify for sainthood, one has to have performed some sort of miracle. Maybe that’s the issue. Maybe Pope Francis is setting himself up for sainthood, by recognizing a state that doesn’t exist which is perverse, but perhaps could be seen as a miracle. Would making a state out of dust, as God created man, count as a miracle?


But it’s absurd to think that this announcement has any merit or value toward bringing peace closer with or without a Palestinian state, and that’s terribly sad because there’s a lot that can be done and the Vatican could play a useful role. But to make up a state where none exists, to call Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas an “angel of peace” is beyond ludicrous.


Why not just pretend that Jesus were not a Jew, that the Arabs are somehow the successor to God’s promise to and covenant with the Jewish people, and call Abbas the Prince of Peace?

Israel Photo Trivia ✡ "Peace Within Your Wall"

May there be peace within your wall, serenity within your palaces. PSALMS (122:7)   יְהִי שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ שַׁלְוָה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָיִךְ תהילים קכ’’ב:ז y'-hee sha-lom b'-khay-laykh shal-va b'ar-m'-no-tai-ikh

Today's Israel Inspiration Did you know that the windows of the holy Temple were constructed in an unusual way? The window frames became narrower on the inside (I Kings 6:4), which as builders could tell you, hinders sunlight from entering. It teaches that the House of God did not need any light from the outside. The light of the Temple flowed outwardly to benefit the world. Today an inspiring light flows forth from the incredible volunteer work of Karmey Chesed ("Vineyards of Kindness"), caring for the poor and needy of Israel.   Join Karmey Chesed in caring for the poor of Israel »  This is the Center of the World Here's archaeological proof of the biblical connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish people!   Watch here » This Land is Ours Israel's new Deputy Foreign Minister marked her first day in office by quoting the Bible and stating that the Jewish people need not apologize to the world for its presence on every inch of the Holy Land. Read more » Jerusalem Temple Magnets These magnets are as majestic as they are functional.  Sold as a set of ten, each magnet features a golden model of the Jerusalem Temple. Get this Great Deal » Israel Photo Trivia Today's photo by Grace & Rick Knelsenfeatures a gorgeous and unique synagogue in Israel. Can you guess its location? Send me an email or post on Facebook!   Guess on Facebook » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Marc Lance in honor of Vivian Lance. Toda Raba!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Awesome to receive Israel information via Israel365” 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!   Stay in Touch » Good day, thank you very much for all the Israel updates. Once a month on aWednesday evening our congregation in Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa, prays for your country and the people of Israel. It is awesome to receive Israel information via Israel365. I have visited Israel before and it is a dream of mine to go back to visit Israel again.  Thank you for the daily Scripture as well as the beautiful pictures. May God bless and protect His holy land and His children. S. Theron Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Emotional photo of Marine and bride praying goes viral

USA TODAY NETWORKWCNC-TV May 25, 2015

(Photo: Dwayne Schmidt photography)

A North Carolina photographer captured a special moment between a bride and groom at their wedding near Canton, N.C. on Saturday.

Dwayne Schmidt's picture shows U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Caleb Earwood and Maggie Earwood praying and holding hands from around a corner, in an effort to avoid seeing each other before the ceremony.

"We were about to take our first steps in life together, and we didn't want to take a step without it being in God's will," Caleb Earwood, 21, told TODAY.com.

"I have photographed a lot of weddings. This has to be one of the best things I have ever got to see much less photograph. Before the ceremony and before they saw each other Caleb said a prayer for their marriage and lives. AWESOME!!!" Schmidt wrote on the Facebook post on May 23, which has more than 6,078 shares and over 38,000 likes.

Facebook | @Dwayne Schmidt Photography

one beautiful wedding ..

The couple grew up in Asheville and were high school friends, they told TODAY.com. They started dating two years ago.

Caleb is stationed at Camp Lejeune and has been in the Marines for three years but they both plan to live in Jacksonville, N.C.

DID IT COUNT? - Morris E. Ruddick

Morris Ruddick

Note from Morris: Today is a day of remembrance in America: to give honor and memory to those who served, to those who have sacrificed for the cause of freedom. SIGN is a part of Global Initiatives, a non-profit with its main thrust of equipping and mobilizing the brethren in lands where religious freedom is most challenged.   God used my service as a US Marine in a Vietnamese unit during the Vietnam conflict to give me a special love for and rapport with the Vietnamese people, who are now the prime focus of our efforts with Global Initiatives.   What the Lord is doing among these remarkable brethren today is extraordinary. Yet, there has been a cost, a high cost, not unlike the cost paid by those this day serves to honor and remember, who risked their all for the cause of freedom.   For those who who either didn't understand or those who simply were never exposed to the realities of the Vietnam conflict, the question remains: did it count?  I pray that this testimony will stir you to pray regularly for our brethren in Vietnam and any other members of the household of faith where religious freedom is at risk. Morris         DID IT COUNT?  (c) Morris E. Ruddick Growing up in the sixties in South Vietnam was a struggle. Phuc (name changed) shares that he was almost always hungry. His first remembrance of not being hungry was after a meal served at his primary school by a group of Marines from the Danang air base. It was Christmas. The children were exposed to some very different, but tasty food they had never before experienced and there was plenty. Members from the Marine band played festive Christmas songs. The program for local kids was sponsored by Toys for Tots. Each left not only with their belly full and toys from the Marines, but the memory of the kindness of the Americans. Not many years later, Phuc's village, known to be friendly to the Americans, came under attack from the VC. Five members of Phuc's family were killed in one night, including his mother and grandparents. With little to hope for, Phuc now a teen and his father, heard a radio message about the God of hope and His son Jesus. Phuc remembered the Christmas meal provided by the Marines years before. Despite their Buddhist background, Phuc and his dad began praying and believing the message of Jesus. With 1975 and the change of governments, things became much worse. People were afraid. Many told things to the authorities in order to gain favor. Phuc was a young man now and began looking for others who believed as he did, to pray with them. Then his father disappeared. Like many others in those days, no one knew what happened to him. He never saw his father again. Phuc read his Bible and prayed. It was his source of hope for the future. Even within the church, people would inform on one another, so finding people you could trust became a necessity of life. Phuc began meeting and praying regularly with trusted friends. Since he was a natural leader and was growing in his faith, soon other believers began looking to Phuc for spiritual answers. As time progressed into the eighties, these were very hard times for the Vietnamese, as many lived according to the law of the jungle in order to survive. Many risked everything to escape, in their quest for freedom. For believers, prayer made a difference. However, those meeting together for prayer had to be planned carefully, as authorities accused them of conspiring against the government. By now, Phuc was recognized as a pastor. As time progressed, these gatherings were happening all over and became the basis of what became known as the "house-church" movement. It spread across the entire land, not just in the newly occupied south, but across the north as well. Authorities began questioning Phuc and accusing him of being CIA. With the inception of the 90s, Phuc's spiritual leadership was deemed a threat and he was arrested and put in a hard-labor prison. Conditions were terrible. His day began before daybreak with the only provided meal, a watered-down bowl of rice gruel. Daylight hours were spent toiling in sweltering fields. Hunger, starvation and sickness were the mode. Prisoners, ravished by hunger, ate the bark off trees. Families slipped scraps of foods through chain-link fences in the middle of the night. Men died fighting over a piece of food. Something happened to Phuc during those 31 months in the prison-work camp. His faith took him beyond himself. Despite the degrading humiliations and physical hardships, there came a wisdom, and with that, a fearlessness of what man could do to him. At one point, certain camp authorities tried to break him. He was put in a cramped solitary confinement cell without food or light. His physical condition went from bad to critical. He was told he was dying, but that by signing the paper before him, he would be released that day. It was a statement renouncing his faith. His stubborn faith prevailed. He straightened up and looked his captors in the eye and told them: "I'll die before signing that paper." When the camp commander learned of his plight he gave the command to take him out of solitary, saying "he is not a criminal." What Phuc also had no way of knowing was a humanitarian group was also working on his full release. It happened one week later. When released, he was given the option of going to the US. He chose to stay and help his people. Since that time, he has become the founder of a network of house-churches that are located from the far north of Vietnam to deep into the Mekong Delta. Through his efforts, the poor are fed and orphanages are supported. He lives humbly, yet tirelessly in helping the poor and disadvantaged. When I first met this man and he learned I had served twenty-five months in Vietnam as a US Marine in the sixties, he stood at attention, sharply saluted me and thanked me for my service to his nation. In mid-1966, as an I-Corps grunt, I frequently heard the admonishment to give heed to "the hearts and minds of the people." Rules of engagement determined whether we could shoot back or not -- a tough standard when you're under fire. Yet, almost 50 years later that standard, along with the not-forgotten kindnesses from efforts like Toys for Tots is precisely what we're seeing transcend the years in the response of the Vietnamese to America. In 1998, it took courage and it took leadership for Vietnam's Prime Minister Kiet to go before the people of Vietnam and tell them it was time to put the past behind them and invite the Americans back. From the north to the south of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people will tell you that everything began changing for the better, from the horrible conditions of that day, as word that the Americans were coming back spread across the land. In the business world, it's what is referred to as value-added. It's the meal eaten by the hungry kid who years later became a pastor. It's the Toys for Tots Christmas program that will always be remembered by thousands. It is the integrity and discipline and honor that make the Marines what they are known for in combat that endures to establish who they are in the hearts and minds of the people, a generation later. To answer the question "did it count?" Yeah! Without a doubt, you bet it did.

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org P.O. Box 370291 Denver, CO 80237 USA SIGN is a part of Global Initiatives, a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 ministry