What joy and hope this gave to those who heard the good news/glad tidings when the angels sang, and the Israeli Jewish shepherds in the field heard the joy of the Father in Heaven over the birth of His only-begotten Son, Yeshua, the King of Israel! And what comfort and expectation it gave to those who were waiting for the long-anticipated Messiah whom God first spoke of to our first father and mother in the Garden of Eden! In the sovereign wisdom of God, this expectation and hope were not fully fulfilled at the birth of the Lord, or even during His life and death and resurrection; no, that fullness of the Law and the Prophets waits for the return of this same Yeshua/Jesus to return in great power and glory, to be Lord of every man, and to whom all must confess that He is YHVH! What a glorious day that will be, and the new song to be sung by the saints and the angels! Continue reading “Messiah Has Come!”
Face of Jesus Uncovered at Shivta?
Archaeologists continue to find startling finds in Israel’s Negev Desert. The latest is one in which they believe the face of Jesus is depicted. The Shivta site is in the western Negev, not far from the Egyptian Sinai border. Shivta is a Byzantine Christian site dating back to the early centuries AD.
What is particularly interesting in this depiction is that Yeshua has short hair and more of a Jewish Middle-Eastern appearance. The later church renderings depict Him more as less Jewish looking, and more like a Nazarite, with long hair (and no drinking of wine).
Evidence of Jewish people’s history and presence in the land of Israel — and of Christian faith — is everywhere to be found throughout the State! Come and see.
Ship Drawings Found in Cistern on Beer Sheva Building Site
There might not have been seas in the Negev in modern times, but rock drawings have been found in Beer Sheva depicting knowledge of ships:
Rocket From Gaza Destroys Beer Sheva Home – 17 Oct 2018
While we were out of the country, a rocket from Gaza destroyed structurally a home in Beer Sheva, in our neighborhood. The Iron Dome missile defense system was not in place locally to be activated. Thankfully, the single mother heeded the siren warning in the middle of the night, and took her three young children into the bomb shelter just in time to find safety. The home is located just next to the tracks of the North Beer Sheva train station, and just across the street from Ben-Gurion University, which is across the street of Soroka Medical Center.
Here is a link from JNS, on how the incident was reported:
https://www.jns.org/rocket-from-gaza-destroys-beersheba-home-afp-rocket-caused-damage-to-garden/
Ministry Update – 2 Aug 2018
Shalom again!
Randi and I just returned two days ago from our three week ministry trip to Zambia and DRC, the last two weeks of which we had no wifi connection. A very little bit of Rip Van Winkle, and the world hasn’t changed very much. We did get home though to hear that just the day before, an incendiary balloon from Gaza landed on a street not far from Ben-Gurion University and Soroka Medical Center. As the wind blows…. Continue reading “Ministry Update – 2 Aug 2018”
Incendiary Balloons Reach Beer Sheva near Hospital and University
Incendiary balloons sent over from Gaza, which have destroyed thousands of agricultural acreage over the past months, and have required the constant costs of both anxiety and fire and safety teams, have now been blown as far east as Beer Sheva. Israel has still not found a suitable solution to this form of warfare and terrorism.
March of the Nations – 15 May 2018
Yesterday Randi and I were treated as special guests at the March of the Nations events in Jerusalem. This year’s event was the first time that it had been held in Israel, and it was done so in honor of Israel’s 70th year celebrations, and especially in honor of — as are all of the Marches of the Nations around the world each year — Holocaust survivors and their families. One of the victims spoke about surviving two death marches, but having participated in five Marches of Life. His life after the horrors of WW2 and the Nazi death camps is a story of death and restoration: 22 members of his family, including two great-grandchildren, live in Israel today. Continue reading “March of the Nations – 15 May 2018”
Giro D’Italia Race Thru Negev from Beer Sheva to Eilat – 07 May 2018
Yesterday marked an historic sporting event in the Negev: the prestigious European bicycling race, Giro D’Italia, competed for the first time outside of Europe, being attracted to Jerusalem and to Israel. This marks another accomplishment for Israel in her 70th year celebrations. In the third leg of the Israeli location, 176 cyclists took just over 5 hours to race from Beer Sheva to Eilat. (By comparison, a car ride would take close to 3 hours.)
The State of The State of Israel: The Gospel and The Body of Messiah
(Originally written for Spanish-language Christian newspaper in Guatemala)
What is God doing in Israel? What is the spiritual state of the State of Israel as she celebrates 70 years as a sovereign nation among the nations of the world? Her successes in many fields far surpass the normal expectation of other nations. By the long list of numerous innovations and developments that Israel is known for, God is drawing attention to Himself through His miracle nation! (Is 11:11-12) But how do we assess the whole of Israel by the Word of God? There are many perspectives on Israel and many opinions by believers concerning the current spiritual situation here in the land. One thing is for sure: Israel as a nation is still resistant to the good news of Jesus (Yeshua) being the Messiah. Continue reading “The State of The State of Israel: The Gospel and The Body of Messiah”
Whose Right of Determination? – 17 Apr 2018
Israel remembers tonight all her sons and daughters who have died in the numerous wars and terror attacks since her birth as a nation 70 years ago, according to the Hebrew calendar. (The Western calendar Independence date is May 14/15.) Every war and attack against Israel is an existential threat to her existence. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Through many tribulations we enter the Kingdom of God!” (Acts 14:22) There is much suffering, even death, before entering into glory.
YHVH God of Israel called and destined His people to be separate from the Gentile nations, a holy people to Himself, and a priestly nation to the nations. But in the days of Samuel the prophet, the Children of Israel asked for a king like the Gentiles have, to judge them and lead them in war. God gave them what they asked for: He gave them Saul to be their king. (Shaul in Hebrew, which means, “asked for”.) Continue reading “Whose Right of Determination? – 17 Apr 2018”