Violence escalating in the mideast

[hupo]

The dry news is what you have probably been hearing lately:
A barrage of 50 mortar shells in the Gaza area and since then rockets fired at the towns around the area, including Beer-Sheva, Ashdod and Ashkelon.
Now in Jerusalem about 90 minutes ago, an explosion by a bus stop on the main road which resulted in 25 wounded 4 very seriously.

I know, "dry news" is only so for the world media that is so used to violence everywhere that it does not get too excited about a bit of shooting anywhere, especially in the mideast now, with all the upheaval in the Arab world.

So I will leave the dry details to the media and try to convey the feeling of what it means to live in a country constantly under attack of terrorism or full fledged armies.
It is quite amazing how all this gives a feeling of strength. It doesn't make sense but that is the feeling.
We are very aware of the situation and the potential situations of tomorrow.
We are hated by our neighbors. We are hated by many countries, some whom we considered "friends". We are even hated by  Palestinians living here as citizens. I know from personal contacts that the everyday Palestinian in the street does not feel this way. All they want is to live and let live. They cannot afford to say so for fear of terrible consequences to themselves or their families. Yet there is radical Islam that calls for a "Holy Jihad" against us, and It only takes one rotten apple to ruin a whole barrel.

I know one thing. When they blow something up, we will build. When they kill us, we will expand our families. Anyone who has anything to do with agriculture knows that when you cut branches the tree is pushed to grow. That is why we prune rose bushes. They can hurt us, sure. They can even frighten us and alarm us but one thing they will not manage. The more they attack us, the more we are determined to stay put, grow and get closer to the one who created us all.

The Jewish people have been melted into something that cannot be ignored or destroyed.
If for some reason, God would have us be kicked out of this land, He won't need terrorists to do it. I find it hard to believe He would want that after bringing us all this way through history.
Many have tried to destroy us. Many are still trying. They have vanished off into history while we are still around. Those who haven't will either vanish too or see the light.

OK, just felt like letting off some steam while the news of the Jerusalem explosion is still running

The battle belongs to the Lord, and His will, will be done

Something from "Tales of Narnia" comes to mind...... "Aslan is on the move"

David

[a2jgrammy]

Praying for all of you David.

Yes, the media plays like they want to play don't they.

I so pray that soon, and very soon, some of these news-hounds will really tell the truth and see that the whole world should be focused on Israel and God's chosen.

Not to destroy, but to embrace in love and concern.

[Ruth Ann]

Scripture comes to mind, David.

“For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:8 AMP)

“Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”
(Colossians 2:7 AMP)

You Jewish people are special in many ways. I've come to appreciate the fiber, resolve, kindnesses, inginuity and strength of those in your nation.

I am so pleased with the gift of meeting you and Miriam. But when I read about the blast and the many rockets being fired from Gaza, I thought of you right away. Even though I know you're not in that vicinity, in all probability.

Thanks so much for posting here, now. We know you're safe.

[hupo]

Hi RA,

Do you have any idea what one good word in a world of hatred means?
And there is more than one word in this forum

As for our safety, the best they can do is kill our physical being, they can't touch the spirit as long as we have HIM with us

Thank you RA,

David

[hupo]

Shalom brothers and sisters in Yeshua,

Situation has changed since the terror attack in Jerusalem where British tourist was killed and 35 wounded, some still in life danger.

Right now the IAF is targetting all kinds of targets in the Gaza strip, mainly in the North. Rumors have it that ground troops were deployed too, which is pretty drastic, knowing very well how they are prepared exactly for this kind of maneuver.
Rockets and mortar shells are flying in every which direction and getting closer to the Tel-Aviv area.
Some of the shelling included phosphorus which Israel was condemned for 2 years ago.
The whole country is under alert. Shelters are being prepared for any kind of attack.
My village is up North and some 15 km away from Hezbollah occupied Lebanon.
Everyone seems to be trying to calm things down in the media while it is anything but quiet in the real world.

This is nothing new and we've been through worse times, but it is  a change from the past relatively quiet past 2 years

Well, God knows what is happening and I trust Him more than I trust the UN, the nations of the world, our government or even the IDF

That is basically what my signature means to me

In Him

David

[Ruth Ann]

It is right that your name is David.

beloved one, stronghold of Zion.

(was it a tour bus?)

[olivet]

Hupo

Yes, God is strengthening the Israelis through it all, many are martyrs having suffered physical harm.

Last night I went to church, when I left there was hale and lightening and thunder, snow on the ground this morning yielded to a sunny day with jonquils breaking through the ground.

But I did not have to seek shelter from the bombs continually.

[hupo]

It is right that your name is David.

beloved one, stronghold of Zion.

(was it a tour bus?)

Oh... what I meant by "my signature" is the verse from Isaiah, not my name
Isa 40:31  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

No, it was a regular bus. The tourist who was killed was, apparently a Christian from the UK who has been translating the bible for years now into some remote African(?) language. She was studying in Jerusalem, something to do with her work.

David

[Ruth Ann]

Thanks. I was wondering. There are so many tourist buses all over Jerusalem it seemed to me.

I still believe that about your name.

You should put your verse in your sig here.

It's one of my favs and my brother in law wanted it on his grave marker which of course we did. A precious brother in law. I took care of him as he died from cancer. He died in my home. But his faith was great. I had prayed that the Lord would allow at least one of us to be with Mark when he died. I didn't want him to be alone. And as it happened, I had been sitting with mark for a while, had given him his regular medicine, IV and he thanked me for it. My husband had just come in the door and came in Mark's room. Mark opened his eyes, looked straight ahead, smiled and died. I was holding his hand.

God is a wondrous God to his saints. I believe Mark saw the Lord as Stephen did. It was a gift the Lord gave to Mark and to my husband and me. We were both there at the exact moment that Mark left us.

[hupo]

You should put your verse in your sig here

You mean you don't see it?!  It's right there!

Anyway I just enlarged the font

That was very touching, the way you described your brother-in-law's departure....
With a smile as you described, he must have seen something pretty wonderful in his last moments on Earth

David

[Ruth Ann]

There was NOTHING  in your sig before. I think you're trying to make me a little crazy. 

It looks good now!!

Know what we did after Mark left us? (I was so tired).

I poured us each a glass of wine and we toasted Mark. We just sat there and talked about him and what a great brother he was.

[hupo]

I promise you my sig was there. It was just very small

and why would I try making you crazy? Do I need the competition ? 

By the way, we went up the Golan today after my bike ride and stopped at the top of Bental hill. I'll see if I have pictures worth loading in the pic area

David

[Ruth Ann]

I remember!

Did you go to Coffee Anon?
I don't remember how to spell it. 

That was a miracle war.

And the view of the vineyards was beyond awesome.

Did you bicycle up that mount? 

[olivet]

Hupo

Have you ever thought of raising a few pigs outside, make sure they breed and use the meat for bacon with the eggs...this would contaminate the kibbutz according to moslem law and give tourists a great breakfast

[hupo]

RA,

I'm not sure how you spell coffee anan. But it's a great view. and apart from the view it brings back memories of the 6 months I spent here during and after the Yom Kippur war in 1973. So I have a personal connection to the place.

No, I didn't cycle up the mountain. I had already done 40.5 km elsewhere and I wouldn't have the time (or energy) for that.

Olivet,
Growing pigs and especially eating them contaminates Jewish law too, at least as far as the orthodox are concerned.
I eat kosher food.... amongst other stuff .... and bacon would be great except that comes an age and we have to look after our health
Bacon isn't exactly the healthiest thing going

(added later) and another thing.... we are hostages to orthodox Jewish law in various areas. Our B&B would be boycotted by the authorities (run by the orthodox) and we might as well close down the B&B. Sad state of being but so far this is what is going on.

David

[olivet]

Hupo

According to Moslem law, coming in contact with pork is enough to consign a person to hell...that is quite different than the Mosaic Law about eating pork. 

The Orthodox are substituting Rabbinic Law for Mosaic Law, the same issue that Jesus confronted and caused His ultimate crucifixion, miracles on the Sabbath and much more

[hupo]

Hupo

According to Moslem law, coming in contact with pork is enough to consign a person to hell...that is quite different than the Mosaic Law about eating pork. 

The Orthodox are substituting Rabbinic Law for Mosaic Law, the same issue that Jesus confronted and caused His ultimate crucifixion, miracles on the Sabbath and much more

Between pork and Muslim law I'll go for pork any day..... or night....
I love eating at night when no one is looking
Nothing like a date with my fridge at midnight   

David

[Ruth Ann]

David,

I'm surprised you even talk about eating pork (bacon too).
I volunteer with a Messianic Jewish man here, Abraham, who came for dinner several weeks ago. I checked before they came to see if there was anything they didn't like or didn't eat. He said pork and shellfish. It makes him sick.

Ant that's what I've found with most Jewish. It is something I just never talk about with because it makes them sick.

The thought doesn't make you ill?

[olivet]

That's not the case where I live.........the Jews are not following that injunction except for the sephardim and the conservative

Health wise, shell fish and pork should not be a daily in the diet any way, but can be eaten , especially when celebrating and the spirit is high

Should not eaten during times of violence

[hupo]

Sorry RA but I love bacon

But, I hardly ever touch it as health is getting to be an important ingredient in my life.
We hardly eat red meat at all. Mostly chicken and turkey meat which is lighter and doesn't make me feel I am walking around with a sack of wet sand in my stomach.
I know bacon is not too healthy. I love it, even the smell but may eat it just once a year, if there is a good party going.

Nothing religious about it

David