The link below takes you to an article on ‘One News Now’ concerning a longstanding charitable organization, World Vision. They have been feeding children physically and spiritually around the world for decades. Some years back they pulled back on their evangelism push and became eligible for federal funding. Now they are making what they describe as a ‘very narrow policy change’ . . to accept same sex couples as bona fide married couples and also as employees. Before we proffer our opinion on this issue, we want to hear your thoughts. Keep one thing in mind. These issues and crossroads are coming soon to your church or congregation and community. Decide now where you will stand when the time comes.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Re-visiting the ‘Blood Moons’ . . .
Significance of Blood Moons
Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. ( Acts 2:20, Revelation 6:12 )
That is a pretty telling statement. It is the foundation for Yeshua’s ( Jesus’) similar statements in Matthew 24 and other passages. The Word also states that Abba declares the end ‘out of the beginning’ and not the other way around. There are several examples of what have come to be called ‘Tetrads’ ( a series of four full lunar eclipses on specific Biblical high holy days ) in the history of the world and the history of Israel, God’s people.
Prior to 1492, we don’t have a lot of historical information about events that might have coincided with these series of blood moons. The ones in 1949-50 are after the fact of the reconstitution of Israel which took place in 1948, although events could have happened and that were not connected to the heavenly markers . The blood moon series that took place in 1967-68 is another matter. The first blood moon fell on Passover in April of 1967 preceding the beginning of the 6-day war in May-June of that year. Signs in the heavens preceding an event would seem to be more in line with how our Heavenly Father works – declaring with a sign before an event occurs.
So what does that have to do with the upcoming Blood Moons on Passover and Day 1 of Sukkot ( Feast of Tabernacles ) in both 2014 and 2015 ? IF . . . if in fact they take place on those days, they will be extremely significant prophetically. It is common knowledge, and very intriguing that Secretary of State John Kerry and the current administration are pushing for a rough draft of some form of a peace agreement ( a division of the Land ) on paper on the table between the PA and Israel by April. Passover 2014 and the first Blood Moon of this current series are in April, April 15th to be exact.
We are NOT making a prophetic declaration. But as God’s people we ARE to watch the signs in the heavens. The Prophet Joel actually tells us one of the many reasons Father God will judge the nations in the last days is because they have divided His Land. IF . . . if the two series of Blood Moons ( a tetrad ) come to pass on the projected dates, the series of ‘two’ would be very telling. Joseph told Pharaoh the two dreams of Pharaoh were one and the same. The reason for the two ? To confirm that which was declared was established in the heavens. Not ‘if’, but ‘when’. So what if ‘nothing happens’ with regards to the ‘peace agreement’ and the blood moons ? You can be sure the signs are there to mark something of significance. It is up to us to figure out what. Proverbs 25:2 ‘It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to seek it out.’
Here’s another interesting fact. If you log onto the NASA website you will find a global map depicting the projected areas of visibility of these ‘blood moons’. It is extremely interesting that of the upcoming four ‘blood moons’ ( total lunar eclipses ) the first three are visible by virtually the entire world but only the forth is visible in Israel, not the first three. Ancient Jewish sages teach ‘the signs of the sun are for the nations and the signs of the moon are for Israel’. Don’t forget, Israel has been ‘scattered among the nations’. Could that be why the ‘nations’ see the first three ‘blood moons’ ? Good question.
So where are we on the prophetic timeline ? Another good question. Here’s what we CAN tell you. We can tell you we are in the ‘birthpangs’. Of that there should be no doubt for anyone. What are birthpangs indicative of ? That’s right, something is about to be born. What is it ? Could it be the millennial kingdom ? That would make sense, according to the Word ? How long will these contractions last ? No one knows. One thing we do know, according to pattern, they will increase in frequency and intensity until the event takes place. What are the birth pangs ? Read Matthew 24, 25 and Luke 21. They are NOT a slap on the wrist. And regardless of your eschatology and theories concerning the ‘rapture of the church’, everybody gets to participate in these ‘birthpang’ events which lead up to the time of the ‘Tribulation’.
We have a question for you to ponder. Do you understand the Feasts of the Lord as laid out in the Bible and Father God’s Sabbath ? These are the legend on the map of the Last Days. They are the pattern for the Gospel, that same Gospel given to them in the wilderness ( Hebrews 4:2 ) and the same Gospel given to us ‘on whom the end of ages falls’. ( 1 Corinthians 10:11 )
The Bible admonishes us to pray, among others, these three prayers . . .
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Pray your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath, and Pray that you will be found worthy to stand before the Son of Man at His coming. If you keep up with the news, this sounds like really timely advice . . . Shalom
Whatever it takes . . .
Double-Speak . . . whatever it takes . . .
October 22, 1945: Senators Robert Wagner of New York and Robert Taft of Ohio introduce a resolution expressing support for a Jewish state in Palestine.
May 8, 1946: President Truman writes to Prime Minister Attlee, citing the report of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry, and expressing the hope that Britain would begin lifting the barriers to Jewish immigration to Palestine.
October 4, 1946: On the eve of Yom Kippur, President Truman issues a statement indicating United States support for the creation of a “viable Jewish state.”
October 28, 1946: President Truman writes to King Saud of Saudi Arabia, informing the king that he believes “that a national home for the Jewish people should be established in Palestine.”
March 18, 1948: President Truman meets with Chaim Weizmann, the president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the World Zionist Organization. Truman says he wishes to see justice done in Palestine without bloodshed, and that if the Jewish state were declared and the United Nations remained stalled in its attempt to establish a temporary trusteeship over Palestine, the United States would recognize the new state immediately.
May 14, 1948, 6 p.m. eastern standard time (12:00 midnight in Palestine): The British mandate for Palestine expires, and the state of Israel comes into being.
The above are snippets from times past concerning our stance in regards to the nation of Israel. An implication in all of this is the recognition that Israel is in fact a nation and state of the global community. The very fact that Israel exists today as a nation, and the support of that existence by various nations and leaders down through the past six decades is undeniable, and yet there are some that do not want to recognize the obvious – the nation of Israel exists.
As early as 2007 the recognition of Israel as a state and nation has been required by Israeli leaders of those that would negotiate with them for ‘peace’.
The acceptance of the requirement by the US leadership has been accepted, at times passively if not actively. But in the past few months we have seen a departure from that stance, a departure that should cause grave concern for all Bible believers.
The following three articles show an unbelievable change in the US position that has existed for years concerning the ‘acceptance of Israel’s right to exist’ and how that change has come about in a startling 2-3 month period.
1. Kerry Frustrated by PA Refusal to Recognize Israel as Jewish State
January 9, 2014 10:45
Author:
Secretary of State John Kerry with Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat (left) and Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni (right) on July 30 in Washington, DC. Credit: State Department.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is getting frustrated by Palestinian Authority leaders who are refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, creating the most significant philosophical hurdle in the peace talks, according to The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, citing an unnamed PA official.
“The Americans have made it very clear that [recognition of Israel as a Jewish state] is their position . . .”
2. Phillip Pasmanick | February 21, 2014
US Framework is Demanding of Abbas a PA Recognition of Israel as Jewish State
US Ambassador Dan Shapiro has reported that despite their open opposition, the PA must recognize Israel as the Jewish State under the American framework agreement.
By Tova Dvorin
3. U.S.: No Need for PA to Recognize Israel
by Elad Benari 
The United States believes there is no need for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to recognize Israel as a Jewish state as part of a peace agreement, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Saturday.
Psaki, who spoke to the PA-based Arabic-language Al-Quds newspaper, said, “The American position is clear, Israel is a Jewish state. However, we do not see a need that both sides recognize this position as part of the final agreement.”
US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro declared Friday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will be obligated to recognize Israel as a Jewish state under the US framework agreement – despite the PA’s ongoing defiance over the issue.
In a short 2 ½ month period we have seen our position as nation towards Israel change in ways that most of us never thought we would see. That tells us that everything is subject to change in these areas. Whatever it takes to achieve the final goal is what will be acceptable. The end WILL justify the means in the minds of those in charge. The Land WILL be divided, and El Elyon – God Most High – WILL deal with those responsible for the divide. I believe this Passover marks the beginning of a time of transition, a stepping-up and speeding up of that which has been declared from of old.
These are the days when God’s people must stand up and be counted. In these days we cannot be timid. We must seek Abba for what He would have us be about in these days, for time is short to work the work. Pray for strength, for resolve, for legs to stand and ears to hear, for eyes to see and the words to speak. And remember always – God is faithful.
Shalom to you and yours in these days – J & R
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” . . . and the watchman will cry . . . “
YHWH has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.
You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; The planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food.
For there shall be a day When the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, To YHWH our God.’ ”
For thus says YHWH: “Sing with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!’
Jeremiah 31
Shabbat Shalom to you and yours . . .
The Last Straw
The Final Straw
Lev. 18:21 “And you shall not give of your seed to serve a ruler; you shall not profane my holy name; I am YHWH your God.” 22 “And a man shall not lie with a man as with a woman, for it is a detestable thing before the LORD.”
Gen. 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors or disesteems you I will curse . . .”
Romans 1:25-28 “ . . . because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”
Eze 24:13 Your filth is infamous. Since I have tried to purge you and you would not let yourself be purged of your filth, so now you will never be purged of your filth until I have sated my anger on you. 14 I, Yahweh, have spoken; this will happen; I shall act and not relent; I shall show no pity, no compassion. You will be judged as your conduct and actions deserve — declares the Lord Yahweh.” ‘
Gen. 15:16 “ . . . for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete. “
As Rhonda and I were talking about things in the news, these are some passages that came to mind in light of all that is in the news concerning the homosexual movement.
There are at least these three things that GOD will not tolerate for long – shedding of innocent blood, a leadership stance against Israel, and sanctioned support of homosexuality. There is a connection here we need to explore for the sake of our understanding of what is to come.
When the leadership of a group speaks to or over that group, it invokes a sort of covering over that group – and that covering can be positive or negative depending on what was spoken.
President Barak Obama, by his very name, literally carries the ‘blessing of the high place’, the ‘bama’, and that is not a good thing ( explanation below ) . When he and his administration exercises and invokes that dark blessing by his statements, actions and orders – most of which are contrary to the very nature of GOD – it has the potential to literally produce a covering, if you will, over the population of the nation, the ‘subjects’ of this leader, and can lead that population into a state of sin unless they actively stand against that ‘covering’.
A word of explanation . . . There are two words in the Hebrew ( and Arabic ) that are homonyms . . . they sound alike, spelled similarly,with differing definitions . The Hebrew (and Arabic) word for ‘blessing’ would be transliterated into the English with the spelling ‘k’- barak. The Hebrew word (and Arabic) for ‘lightning’ sounds the same but would be spelled with a ‘q’ – Baraq. Perhaps some of you have heard of the ‘Bema seat of Christ’ – the exalted throne of Messiah Yeshua. The counterfeit of ‘Bema’ is ‘bama’ – the idolatrous high places ( cultic platforms, either structural or ideological ) mentioned over 100 times with much disdain in the Scriptures. Barak O’Bama’s name – as he spells it (with a k instead of the q) – literally translates ‘blessing of the high place’. Do you remember the news reports of the current President carrying tiny carved images of hindu and buddhist idols, ‘blessed’ by the priests of those religions prior to his election that he might win that election? Barak stated he was a Christian. But by his open acceptance and statement of thanks and open acceptance of the blessings of and upon these idols (and of the priests that gave and blessed them) he was stating otherwise. It was done in daylight, in plain view (shown on TV), not under the cover of darkness, for all to see. Sadly, few saw what was openly being played out and shown.
So we currently have a leader that is regularly placing the people of this nation under a false blessing or ‘dark covering’ contrary to the very nature and Word of YHWH, as evidenced by his stance and open acceptance of homosexuality (among other assorted dark coverings). By his ( the highest office in the land ) open declaration and acceptance on behalf of this nation’s peoples, the door and acceptance for this practice has been flung completely wide open, evidenced by the ramping up of the move in that direction by our leadership, courts and now every aspect of our society, even the churches. It is no longer being flirted with around the edges of our society but is now going full bore to being fully integrated and fully accepted as part of our society. Translated?…. a false blessing. I fear we are so near to “the fullness of the sin of the Amorite”…… it truly is ‘a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living GOD’.
The opening passages of this article show the connection in the thoughts of God between ‘the shedding of innocent blood’ and homosexuality. Both are detestable in His sight. There is also an overriding theme in Scripture concerning God’s reaction to those that would stand against the ‘place where He has put His Name forever’ and the people of that Place. We see in Paul’s writing to the congregation in Rome that due to the rebellion of the people, God ‘turned them over’ to their homosexual propensities. The increase in open support of homosexuality is a strong indication, based on Scripture, of where we are as a nation and what we can expect. Not only is it a detestable practice in God’s eyes, but it is also what HE gives a people over to when they refuse to accept His Truth and His ways, when they dishonor Him by esteeming Him lightly.
It is no coincidence that as we continue to take a posture – as a nation and as denominations – against Israel and her people, as we continue to give our seed over to the god of convenience and expedience through abortion, as we condone, sanction, and even enforce the homosexual lifestyle, we see a rise in homosexuality in this nation. It becomes a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. God will not tolerate this any longer. The ‘Sin of the Amorite’ has reached it’s fullness and God will not relent. His judgement is established for this nation. If not, God must apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.
What must we do as His people, sojourning in this place ? Pray for mercy for the ‘ten righteous in the town’. Stand for the truth of His Word. Speak the truth of His Word, compromised and undiluted. And when we have done all to stand, then stand. Be like Nehemiah, for when he had finished speaking and doing all that God had instructed him, he lifted his hands to the heavens and cried aloud – ‘ God, remember me, for I have done as you commanded. Remember me in the time of Your judgement and recompense.’
May Abba bless, keep and extend Mercy to His own in the days to come –
Shalom – Jerry & Rhonda
The Blue Cord of the High Priest – a morning tidbit . . .
Isn’t it neat how you can read passages over and again and suddenly see a connection that you haven’t seen before. Of course, it’s because the WORD is living, breathing and constantly moving to point us where we need to go, showing us what we need to see and speaking what we need to hear.
This morning we were reading in Exodus 39 and ran across the verses describing the turban for the High Priest, a one of a kind article for a one of a kind office. We noticed something that’s always been there . . . just hadn’t seen the connection before.
In Exodus 39:28 and following it speaks of the headdress of the High Priest. They were to fashion a gold plate, engrave it ‘HOLY TO YHWH’ and attach the gold plate to the turban with a ‘blue cord’ ( pathil tekeleth ) . Where else do we see a ‘blue cord’ ?
Numbers 15: 38 describes a ‘blue cord’ ( pathil tekeleth ) in the tzit tzitot ( the tassels ) that are there to remind us to walk according to HIS ways and not our own, to be ‘HOLY TO YHWH’ .
We are not Levites or ‘sons of Aaron’, but we ARE priests after the order of Melchizedek – Yeshua – High Priest forever. We ARE a ‘kingdom of priests’, a holy nation ( Exo. 19:6, 1 Peter 2:5, Rev. 1:6 ) And we are to be in His image, the One Who is the perfect image of our Father ( 2 Cor 4:4 ) . HE is our example ( 1 Peter 2:21 ), literally a document to be copied exactly ( Gr – hupogrammos ) . And what document would that be ? The Word, for HE is the Living Word.
Yeshua kept the Sabbath, kept the feasts, walked according to the ways of His Father, and yes, wore the tzit tziot with the ‘blue cord’. Why ? Because He was Jewish ? No. Because He was and is an obedient Son of the Father, the living, breathing Torah ( the Word became flesh . . . John 1:1 ).
Matt 5:17 “ Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
If we are born again, then we are His children. We can either walk in Yeshua’s example of obedience or walk contrary to His example, which is disobedience.
The ‘blue cord’ . . . a picture of who we are in Messiah Yeshua . . . holy, set-apart . . . ‘a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, high priests after the order of Melchizedek, anointed and appointed by the Blood of the Lamb . . . the whole House of Israel.
Eph 2 11” . . . Therefore remember you were formerly Gentiles by birth . . . 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah.
The wearing of the tzit tziot reminds me I am a child of the covenant . . . and if a child, then an heir . . . and a joint heir with Messiah . . . HOLY TO YHWH.
Blessings & Shalom – Rhonda & Jerry
Isarel is NOT an occupier . . .
Arutz-Sheva News out of Israel recently ran an article exhibiting an open letter from various leaders within the government and population requesting PM Netanyahu to make sure the world knows Israel is NOT an occupier.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/178061#.UxUwW4Uf5Yk
Well, what’s the Word say ?
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors or ignores you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be gathered.” 4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. (As a side note, the area described above is located in what today is referred to as the ‘west bank’.)
This is the beginning of the ‘Promise of the Land’ to the descendants of Abram – whom YHWH GOD would rename Abraham. But not just any descendants . . .
Genesis 21:1 “The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw (Ishmael) the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.”
11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named.
Heb 11:17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.”
So the Promised Land is to be handed down through Isaac – not Ishmael – to Jacob and to his descendants as an everlasting covenant. Why not through Esau ? Because Esau despised the GOD-given honor of being the first born (Gen. 25:34) showing himself to be a Godless man . . . and GOD hated him for it. (Malachi 1:1-5)
Therefore the Promise of the Land is passed to the descendants of Jacob – the man whom YHWH GOD renamed Israel.
We say this word to the Church. If you claim to be a ‘born-again believer’ covered by the ‘Blood of the Lamb’ and you claim the Word of God as the final authority on all matters prophetic and eternal, there should be NO room for discussion . . . The Land we know as Israel – the boundaries which are outlined in the Word of God – belongs to the descendants of Jacob.
Neither the descendants of Ishmael, Esau nor Keturah have any legitimate claim to this Land.
What about the Palestinians ? Don’t they have a claim to the land ? No, they do not, according to the Word of God. Did you know the English word ‘palestinian’ is transliterated from an Arabic word which is pronounced ‘philistine’. Is it any coincidence that the land disputed by those calling themselves ‘palestinians’ are the same areas referred to in Word as the ‘land of the philistines’.
So who are these ‘philistines’ ? Let’s see if we can trace their journey through the Word. According to the tenth chapter of Genesis, Mitzrayim (Egypt) is a son of Nimrod and the progenitor of the Phylistiim or the philistines. The word ‘philistine’ means ‘immigrant’ and comes from a word meaning ‘to sojourn’ and to ‘roll’. History implies that these ‘sojourners’ traveled from the coasts of Egypt to Caphtor ( Crete ? ) and then to the Mediterranean coasts of what we know as Israel.
Do they have a claim to the land ? Not according to YHWH GOD and His word. And remember, HE has the right . . . – “A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1
So, is Israel an occupier ? YES, but only of the Land given them by our Father. Shalom
“ I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors or ignores you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ( blessed – Heb. – mingled or gathered in )
Discrimination or Personal Liberty . . . You decide . . .
The recent events in Arizona mirror on a larger scale what is happening in many places around the country, including small town life in central Ky. Well, here are some thoughts to ponder.
I grew up with the understanding, if so inclined, I can stand and swing my arm in a circle, as long as I do not come into contact with someone else’s circle. My circle is my personal space and I have the right to determine what takes place within my circle. I do NOT have the right to impose my circle on someone else nor can they impose their circle on me. I also have the right to deny or refuse invitation into their circle. That is not discrimination but my personal liberty.
So let’s say I am a baker and I own and operate a bakery. People from differing backgrounds and practices come into my private place of business and buy my goods. Perhaps some of these folks involve in practices that violate my personal core beliefs, but I have invited them into my private business and they have accepted that invitation.
One day, a couple that involves themselves in a lifestyle that violates my core personal belief accept my ‘invitation’ and come into my private business and invite me into their ‘circle’ by asking me to cater their event that involves a lifestyle practice which is contrary to my core beliefs. I exercise my inherent right to respectfully deny their invitation. They in turn begin the process to forcefully impose their ‘circle’ on me and the courts and system assist and insist on that imposition.
At what point were they discriminated against and at what point were my personal liberty rights violated ?
You decide . . . ?
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Shabbat Shalom
” Know this, Yahweh is God, He made us, we belong to Him, his people, the flock of His sheepfold. Come within His gates giving thanks, to His courts singing praise, give thanks to Him and bless his name! For Yahweh is good, His faithful love is everlasting, His constancy from age to age.” ” For HE is our God, and we, the people of HIS sheepfold, the flock of HIS Hand . . . ” Psalm 95:7, 100:3-5
Aside
Reprinted with permission
Shoreshim Updates
Jerusalem, Israel
Palestine, Bigfoot and other fairy tales
by Michael Freund The Jerusalem Post February 25, 2014 What a welcome breath of fresh air: for the first time in recent memory, a Muslim scholar in Jordan has had the courage to speak out, demolishing the mythology and deceit that lie at the heart of the Palestinian narrative. In a post on his Facebook page, Sheikh Ahmad Adwan unabashedly declared that Palestine is a fabrication, and that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. “I say to those who distort the Koran: from where did you bring the name Palestine, you liars, you accursed, when Allah has already named it ‘the Holy Land’ and bequeathed it to the Children of Israel until the Day of Judgment?” he wrote. “There is no such thing as ‘Palestine’ in the Koran. Your demand for the Land of Israel is a falsehood and it constitutes an attack on the Koran, on the Jews and their land,” he said. Citing verses in the Koran (such as Sura 26, verse 59), Adwan argues that according to the Muslim holy book, Israel was given as an inheritance to the Jewish people and not to anyone else. While it would be naïve to think that Adwan’s pronouncements will bring about any significant change in how the Muslim world relates to Israel, it does offer a timely reminder of an important historical truth. To put it simply: Palestine and the Palestinians are a modern invention, a fiction created with the aim of dismantling Israel and undermining its claim to its ancient patrimony. The myth of Palestine is the diplomatic equivalent of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Abominable Snowman. Although plenty of people may persist in believing in these fairy tales, that doesn’t make them true. Indeed, prior to the 1947 UN partition plan, even Palestinian Arab leaders openly affirmed this to be the case. Take, for example, Auni Bey Abdul-Hadi, who testified in 1937 before the Peel Commission, which was established by the British government to investigate the outbreak of Arab violence in British-ruled Palestine. Abdul-Hadi told the commission that “there is no such country as Palestine! ‘Palestine’ is a term the Zionists invented! There is no Palestine in the Bible. Our country was for centuries part of Syria.” A decade later, in May 1947, the representative of the Arab Higher Committee told the UN General Assembly much the same. Palestinian nationalism only gained steam in subsequent decades, as the Arab states found it to be a useful proxy tool in their ongoing war against the Jewish state. They cultivated a Palestinian national consciousness and identity in order to create a narrative of Arab victimhood and Israeli aggression which suited their political agenda. Thanks to the Left and the media, the Palestinians’ claims to the Land of Israel became amplified and even accepted by a large number of people around the world, many if not most of whom do not know the first thing about the Middle East. Sadly, even many Jews are no longer familiar with the historical record and have come to accept Palestinian assertions as true, even though there has never been a Palestinian state in all of history. And yet, not that long ago, this was a widely recognized and accepted fact. Consider remarks made by the late Golda Meir. In an interview with The Sunday Times on June 15, 1969, Meir said, “There were no such thing as Palestinians. When was there an independent Palestinian people with a Palestinian state?” Furthermore, she noted, “It was not as though there was a Palestinian people in Palestine considering itself as a Palestinian people and we came and threw them out and took their country away from them. They did not exist.” To our ears, such assertions may sound jarring because they are so at odds with what has come to be accepted as the conventional wisdom. But that is merely because we have succumbed to decades of pro-Palestinian propaganda and indoctrination which have virtually drowned out dissenting voices. Indeed, the mainstream media uniformly ignored Sheikh Adwan’s comments, failing to report them despite their newsworthiness. This should have been front-page news, if only because of its extraordinary nature. After all, how often does a Muslim religious scholar come out with such pronouncements? Nonetheless, Adwan’s brave remarks provide an important opportunity for pro-Israel activists to right the historical record and begin to undercut decades of successful Palestinian propagandizing. We must seize on this opening to remind people of what many have The only place it does appear is in the imagination of those who wish Israel ill. Our task must be to ensure that it remains that way. |
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