Friday, August 5, 2016

Accurately Discerning Your Season Shifts - SARA HAGERTY CHARISMA MAGAZINE

The mystery of God requires us to hang in the balance, at times, if we're going to not only acknowledge it but receive it as beauty.
The mystery of God requires us to hang in the balance, at times, if we're going to not only acknowledge it but receive it as beauty. (Adam Porter)

Accurately Discerning Your Season Shifts

SARA HAGERTY  CHARISMA MAGAZINE
The SpiritLed Woman podcast is empowering women weekly to follow their purpose in Christ and boldly walk in faith. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.
Spirit-Led Woman

For years, our lives have been rhythmic.
We pick up speed late summer and sprint through the fall until Thanksgiving. We slow our pace in December and gradually trot toward a long rest from Jan. 1 until just around the end of March. Life gets full again in the spring, we play hard in the summer, our pulse already racing before we hit the fall sprint.
Repeat.
I know my seasons.
At least I thought I did.
I birth books and babies in the fall. (And even the children I didn't birth myself have birthdays in the fall.)
Then the embers in our fireplace never fully die in the winter. "Start the teapot again, please, Mommy" is just as frequent as "Babe, would you light another fire?" I read novels in the winter and we piece together puzzles. The flurry of activity quiets but the walls field the noise of seven lives, slowing to a halt and reacquainting themselves with the stillness of winter on the other side of our steamed windows.
Last year was the same as this year was the same as the year before that.
So when April hit, of course I knew my season. Right? Soccer and weeding out winter clothes and wintered flower beds and finishing writing my book. I planned to finally put into place some ideas I'd had for this blog and my writing and a project about which I've been dreaming for a year—all the things I'd been scratching into my moleskine when life was quiet.
And then there was that surprise Tuesday morning.
I don't consider myself "old," and yet when a slip on the sidewalk during a morning run landed me in a cast with a broken ankle, I wonder if I'm 8 again or pushing 80.  "Nope, we don't see many people in here your age, ma'am" said the 20-year-old-looking intern at the orthopedist's office. That one time I wasn't so thankful to be called ma'am.
In one day, my spring plans changed.
Though small in scale, this near-two-month stint off my ankle has been revelatory. As I grow in God, there is a subtle part of me that does not expect to have surprises. And I get used to relating to God without surprises so that when they come I might spend a good bit of the energy I need to move forward instead mining back through my calendar saying, "This wasn't the plan" on repeat, as if to convince myself (or God) that we're stuck.
After the wrestle—you know, that part of me that made a mental list of all the things I couldn't do without walking or driving and threw a little fit on my insides—I started to realize that somewhere pretty deep in there I wanted to be a little girl again, sequestered to her room for rest time, even though my body's inertia told me I could play all day without interruptions.
I wanted to be led by a strong Daddy. I wanted to "get" to be weak, and follow.
The mystery of God requires us to hang in the balance, at times, if we're going to not only acknowledge it but receive it as beauty. And sometimes I talk myself out of mystery, less because I've gotten a new handle on a side of God from His Word and more because I don't like the vulnerability of being led like that little girl.
In April I got told, "This isn't the season you thought it was going to be."
And I type through tears because I have felt profoundly loved by God in it all.
God made me a little girl again and told me that I needed rest time and, yes, even after pouring hours of prayer into the plan I thought we'd made together for this spring.
{If you will, an aside: This post isn't about whether this whole ankle debacle was initiated by Satan or God or just my uncoordinated flesh. There are some things that, once they happen and you ask for Him to bring miraculous healing—because, yes, I believe He does—and the healing doesn't yet come, that require you to say, "Well, God, what do You have for me here," if you're going to grow in the midst of it.}
I didn't know how badly I needed to be grossly unproductive and see—from that very place—the glint in God's eye that spoke to me more than words and said, "Just abide, here, in Me."
Friends, it's sweet to be my age and get sequestered. Grounded, if you will.
I'll end with this note, to the creative types out there—or, rather, the efficient producers. Or maybe all of us: We're in a unique time in history when creating in a closet or producing something or experiencing the beauty of God, alone and in private, feels antiquated. Why write in my journal when I can tell the world my latest insight into God? Why just live the private moment of God-kissed beauty that's happened in my family room when I can invite thousands of others to see it? Why create—if it's not for another person? Why live if it's not be productive unto someone else's benefit?
I say this as a writer, finishing my next book for which I can't wait to have people pour over the pages. I love to work for the benefit of others.
But this unique time in history, when we weigh and measure our lives against dozens (if not hundreds) of people that we "see" harvesting in a day, has allured us into ignoring the importance of individual seasons—particularly the ones when the ground needs to rest before we sow or harvest.
We've been allured into renouncing the leadership of God, who ordains for each one of us (and at separate times) a winter, a spring, a summer and a fall and each for its own purpose.
Could it be that you're sowing during a time when the ground needs to rest or clamoring to harvest what you haven't yet painstakingly sown? Or what if you're resting and it's harvest time?
We often live, pushing to harvest something during the wrong season that could be easily retrieved in the right one or expecting one kind of harvest when God has been sowing another seed or trying to sow into hard ground when, if we waited just a bit longer, it would take half the time and effort, all because the soil was tilled.
Sometimes all it takes is the question and the set-aside time to hear the answer: What season do you have me in, God? And how to I partner and align with You, where You have me?
Slide outside, go for a walk and start asking Him. I say start, because He's not a Pez machine. Let this be the beginning of a lifetime of having this dialogue with God.
It all is really this simple: He's a very good leader.
Yes, even for those of us pushing 40 who think we've figured out a few things about life. 
On that note, I'm leaning in to the season He has so obviously and surprisingly given me. I'm letting "the land rest" a bit on the blog. I'm going to live more than I write this summer (at least outside my private journal) and soak in what He has for me during this sequestered season of deep rest. Thus, this blog will breathe a bit until August. We'll still be posting our daily adorations and some other short ruminations over here throughout the summer. Come August, when I'm back to writing again, I'll send a notevia my newsletter along with some fun new news on my next book through Zondervan.
For Your Continued Pursuit (don't take my word for it, look it up): Genesis 8:22 | Matthew 9:37-38 | Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 | Proverbs 16:9 | Daniel 2:21 | John 15:9-17 | Leviticus 25:1-7 | Exodus 23:10-12 | Hebrews 12:3-12
Sara is a wife to Nate and a mother of five whose arms stretched wide across the expanse between the United States and Africa. After almost a decade of Christian life she was introduced to pain and perplexity and, ultimately, intimacy with Jesus. God met her and moved her when life stopped working for her. And out of the overflow of this perplexity, came her writing, both on her blog and in her book, Every Bitter Thing Is Sweetreleased October 2014 via Zondervan. Connect with Sara on Instagram.

A Conversation with Donald Trump - Dr. Dobson's

A Conversation with Donald Trump 

Dr. Dobson's August Newsletter
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I said, “Mr. Trump, I’m sure you know that the Pilgrims came to our shores in 1620, seeking freedom to worship as their consciences dictated. Their passion for Jesus Christ became ingrained in the American soul, and greatly influenced our Founding Fathers as they formed a new government in the 18th century. These men wrote and passed the historic U.S. Constitution, and added to it a Bill of Rights shortly thereafter. It consisted of 10 Amendments guaranteeing specific liberties for the American people. There has never been anything like it in the history of the world. The first of the 10 Amendments secured religious liberties for all citizens and provided the foundation for the other nine.”

I continued, “In recent years, however, there has been a growing assault on these rights, notably religious liberty. Our Supreme Court has struck down Bible reading in schools and even prohibited prayer to an unidentified God. Then, they banned the posting of the Ten Commandments on bulletin boards. From there, the limitation on religious liberties has become even more egregious.”

“Most recently, President Obama and Hillary Clinton have been referring to ‘freedom of worship,’ rather than ‘freedom of religion.’ Do you understand their motive? They are suggesting that Americans are free to worship in their churches and synagogues, but not in the public square.”

With that background, I asked Mr. Trump the following question, both in the smaller meeting and again in the larger assembly:

I said, “Sir, if you are elected president, how will you protect our religious liberties? Will we have to fight another revolutionary war to secure those rights to worship, think and speak?”

Donald Trump was very sympathetic to the concerns I expressed, although I can’t remember his precise words. I do recall he said it was an outrage that Christians have been deprived of their rights to speak openly on behalf of the values and principles in which they believe. He was especially exercised by a U.S. tax code revision in 1954 by then Senator Lyndon Johnson. Jerry Falwell, Jr., said Johnson had rammed this amendment through Congress without public scrutiny. It seriously limited freedom of religion, especially religious speech, by leaders of churches and non-profit organizations. The Johnson amendment contained language that prohibited the faith community from expressing their opinions about political parties and those seeking power. That law plagues us to this day. Trump rightly condemned the legislation, which muzzled those of us who would otherwise use our influence to support our beliefs. He called that provision “unfair,” and promised to overturn it if he is elected. That would have a great impact on Washington because it would unleash Christian activists to fight for their beliefs.

Other participants within the huge crowd were then handed microphones and allowed to ask Mr. Trump to clarify his perspectives on various topics. It was a fascinating day.

Then, something happened that would get reported, mostly inaccurately, in perhaps 1,000 newspapers, blogs and media outlets. Because I was recognized by a large number of participants, I began greeting people who approached me. I talked that day to what seemed like 500 people in a 15-hour period ending at 11:30 p.m. One of those well-wishers was carrying a recording device, and he suddenly appeared before me and held a microphone in my face. He asked for my impressions from the day.

I spoke candidly for about 20 seconds, as I recall. Then he disappeared. By the next morning, millions of people were talking about my saying I had heard during the day that a minister had led Donald Trump to a relationship with Christ. I didn’t elaborate because I said all I knew. Reporters and op ed writers began criticizing me for that one sentence remark. The Christian media was especially vicious!

One particularly harsh blogger wrote this about me. His headline read, “Dobson changes his mind about Donald Trump’s conversion.” Then he wrote:

“Is this the way we as believers should be discussed by the world? Should we be wavering like this, supporting candidates at all costs, even when it destroys our witness and credibility? Aren’t we supposed to be upstanding and able to reach the lost instead of confusing the lost? There are thieves in the temple, people!”

From my 20-second comment, I have become a “thief in the temple.” Let me explain just how off-the-wall this man’s criticism was. I responded to a Christian blogger and minister, David Jeffers, who wrote me a couple days after my comments became public. He asked me to tell him more about the event. This is my reply: 
Dear David,
Only the Lord knows the condition of a person’s heart. I can only tell you what I’ve heard. First, Trump appears to be tender to things of the Spirit. I also hear that Paula White has known him for years and that she personally led him to Christ. Do I know that for sure? No. Do I know the details of that alleged conversion? I can’t say that I do. But there are many Christian leaders who are serving on a faith advisory committee for Trump now and in the future. I am among them. How will that play out if Trump becomes President? I don’t know. It is a good start, I would think.
If anything, he appears to be a baby Christian who doesn’t have a clue about how believers think, talk and act. All I can tell you is that we have only two choices, Hillary or Donald. This much is self-evident: we can’t afford to sit out this election, and we must be in prayer for our nation at this time of crisis.
Hope this helps.
Well, that is the backstory behind my mid-summer excursion. The beat goes on. A Christian man walked up to me yesterday and said with a grin on his face, “I see that you had to backtrack on your assertion about Donald Trump.” He said it with some glee, as though he had caught me in a lie. 
I said, “Not really. I didn’t waffle on anything.” 
I still don’t think he understood. Life is filled with inconsequential little challenges, isn’t it? 
While this campaign year has been one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, Family Talk remains committed to speak on behalf of families that need help and hope and to equip them to stand firm in the midst of a culture that is growing ever hostile to biblical family values.

I’ll end by sharing with my listeners and friends that Family Talk is still experiencing a pretty serious summer slump. Any help you can offer would certainly be appreciated. 
God’s blessings to you,

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2. Trump Evangelical Executive Advisory Board members who attended the June meeting include:
• Michele Bachmann -
 Former Congresswoman 
• A.R. Bernard - Senior Pastor and CEO, Christian Cultural Center
• Mark Burns - Pastor, Harvest Praise and Worship Center
• Tim Clinton - President, American Association of Christian Counselors
• James Dobson - Author, Psychologist and Host, My Family Talk
• Jerry Falwell, Jr. - President, Liberty University
• Ronnie Floyd - Senior Pastor, Cross Church
• Jentezen Franklin - Senior Pastor, Free Chapel
• Jack Graham - Senior Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church
• Harry Jackson - Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church
• Robert Jeffress - Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Dallas
• David Jeremiah - Senior Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church
• James MacDonald – Founder and Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel
• Johnnie Moore - Author, President of The KAIROS Company
• Robert Morris - Senior Pastor, Gateway Church
• Tom Mullins – Senior Pastor, Christ Fellowship­
• Ralph Reed - Founder, Faith and Freedom Coalition
• James Robison - Founder, Life OUTREACH International
• Tony Suarez - Executive Vice President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
• Jay Strack - President, Student Leadership University
• Paula White - Senior Pastor, New Destiny Christian Center
• Tom Winters - Attorney, Winters and King, Inc.
• Sealy Yates – Attorney, Yates and Yates
This letter may be reproduced without change and in its entirety for non-commercial and non-political purposes without prior permission from Family Talk. Copyright, 2016 Family Talk. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Printed in the U.S.A.

Living the Dream in Israel ✡ "Behold, I Have Given You" - ISRAEL365

And God said, "Behold, I have given you
every seed bearing herb, which is upon the surface of the entire earth, and every tree that has seed bearing fruit;
it will be yours for food.”

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת כָּל עֵשֶׂב  זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי כָל הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת כָּל הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ פְרִי עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה

בראשית א:כט

va-yo-mer e-lo-heem hi-nay na-ta-tee la-khem et kol ay-sev zo-ray-a ze-ra a-sher al p'-nay kol ha-a-retz v'-et kol ha-aytz a-sher bo p'-ree aytz zo-ray-a za-ra la-khem yi-h'-ye l'-akh-la

Shabbat Inspiration

The story of Creation gives over incredible lessons on God's love for mankind. The Almighty provides for Adam and Eve, giving them food and clothing (Genesis 3:21).
For those of us Bible believers who seek to emulate God as much as possible, we are charged with caring for those less fortunate. Colel Chabad takes this charge to heart, providing meals to the poor and aged throughout the Land of Israel. Be blessed as you join with Colel Chabad, Israel's oldest continuous charity, following God’s generous ways since 1788.
 

Living the Dream of Israel

A new immigrant to Israel takes us to Jerusalem's famous marketplace, and at the 4:25 mark, you'll learn the secret to picking the best watermelon!

Miraculous Population Explosion Raises New Concerns in Holy Land

Though Israel’s population explosion is a miracle and a blessing, daycare centers in the Holy Land are filled to capacity. A new solution may have just been found.
 

Israel's Topography Dictates the Definition
of Sustainable Borders

 
A tiny country surrounded by enemies, Israel must maintain defensible borders. Understand the importance of Israel's topography in this short informative video. And then check out our contoured map of Israel.
 
Buy Contoured Maps Today »
 

Today's Israel Photo

A field of watermelons by Boruch Len. In Hebrew, this favorite summer fruit is called “a-va-TEE-akh.”
 

Thank You

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

“Thank You for the Information on 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!
 
Just want to say thank you for the information on Israel. It is good to see God's country.

I love Israel365! God bless Israel! Thank you Rabbi Tuly- Lusia Del
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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Watching Turkey (Day 2) - Joel Richardson on the Jim Bakker Show


Watch here: Watching Turkey (Day 2) - Joel Richardson on the Jim Bakker Show







Joel Richardson
Jim Bakker Show 2016 | Show# 3049 | Aired on August 4, 2016


Jim Bakker Show © 2016 • Morningside Studios

Israeli Start-Up Hacks ISIS Chats and Finds Newest Target Kill Lists By Michael Zeff - BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Israeli Start-Up Hacks ISIS Chats and Finds Newest Target Kill Lists


“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.” Proverbs 21:6 (The Israel Bible™)
An emerging Israeli startup firm in the cyber-security sector managed to infiltrate an encrypted Islamic State group and to retrieve the terror organization’s latest list of international attack targets.
IntSights is a cyber-intelligence startup company, founded by three Israeli entrepreneurs in their 20s. The founders are veterans of top IDF intelligence and cyber-warfare units and their clients already include large international establishments such as banks, industry giants, and telecommunications companies.
“IntSights is a small company which provides intelligence and incident mitigation in real time by gathering and analyzing data from the darknet, an encrypted and secretive section of the Internet often used by criminal elements,” Alon Arvatz, VP Intelligence and Co-Founder, told Tazpit Press Service (TPS) in an interview. “Using the technology we developed, we intercepted the most recent target-list sent by the Islamic State to its operatives around the world.”
IntSights analysts used their expertise to infiltrate a Telegram Messenger chat used by the Islamic State terror group to communicate internationally. The Telegram application has been used by the top 500 Islamic State operatives to share plans and locations for potential terrorist attacks mandated by the IS leadership.

Gal Ben David, CTO, Guy Nizan, CEO and Alon Arvatz VP Intelligence. (Photo: Ofir Abe/IntSights)
Gal Ben David, CTO, Guy Nizan, CEO and Alon Arvatz VP Intelligence. (Photo: Ofir Abe/IntSights)

“The Telegram app is completely encrypted, which means no fear of someone monitoring your correspondence and understanding what it means,” Arvatz explained. “That’s why IS moved from traditional social media to Telegram over the last year.”
According to IntSights, the application is used by the Islamic State cyber-warfare wing, the so-called United Cyber Caliphate, to publish targets in the form of a call to action with the knowledge that someone around the world would answer the call and carry out an attack.
“The church in France that was recently the location of a deadly attack appeared on a target list published several months ago and someone recently decided to answer the call and attacked that very church,” said Arvatz. “This proves beyond any doubt that there is a direct link between cyber activity and actual terror attacks.”
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The newest target list was published on the Telegram group on Monday and was intercepted by IntSights.
“The long list includes exact coordinates for each and every target, all of which are airports and air bases that are used or could be used by the United States Air Force all over the world,” Arvatz told TPS.
The list was followed by a file with a world map on which all the airports and bases were marked with pinpoint precision, as well as aerial footage of the higher priority targets. Entries in the list that were marked as “preferred targets,” include the Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait and two Bahraini airports. The full list includes targets in Latin America, Europe, and even Israel.