Hi dear friends!
For those of you who know and love Sis Caddo, I got a short email from her that she is sick. Could you please pray for her tonight? Thank you so much!
God bless you all Big .. as Caddo would say!
What Ails You?
“What ails you, O sea, that you fled?
O Jordan, that you turned back?” Psalm 114:5
Nothing will stop God from His plans and promises.
Oh Lord, let me not get bogged down by what I see. And here’s a simple poem . . .
The Whole Earth Trembles
bible.ca
The Red Sea didn’t
block My people
nor did the Jordan keep them
from where they were to be
so do not think
what’s in front of you
is too big
for even Me.
Remembering To Do
“But the mercy of the LORD is from
everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s
children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His
commandments to do them.” Psalm 103:17-18
The part that jumped out at me was “remember His commandments to do them.“
Lord, please help me this day to put Your words into actions. And here’s a simple poem . . .
Action Words
businessandlifecoach.net
The mercy of the Lord
goes on and on
for those who follow
and worship the Son
who keep His covenant
abide in His grace
who remember His Word
and do as He says.
A Multitude of Anxieties
“”In the multitude of my anxieties
within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19
There will always be a multitude of anxieties.
Lord, I chose to be comforted by You today. And here is a simple poem . . .
Comfort Delights
web.njit.edu
There is a river
called Anxiety
that churns and tosses
you about
here are paddles
and a life jacket
take My hand now
climb on out.
Inside Israel – 8th Day of Chanuka
Hi and welcome to a look inside Israel today. I didn’t receive a letter from our Sis in Jerusalem this week, but had an older one that hadn’t been shared yet, from back in December. Thank you and God bless you for reading and praying. Now, here she is . . .
“The entrance of Your Words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130
We have just lit the final candles on our Chanukiah…all eight lights are gleaming, lighting up the room so brightly. It is beautiful and peaceful and ushers in the final day of Chanuka. We went to a wonderful Chanuka shabat meal last night at my pastor’s home with most of our congregation and we sang about The Light of The world. When we came home we heard about the tragic shooting in Connecticut USA where so many little ones were killed. How distinct Light is from darkness, and how grievously evident its fruits!
I want to share with you that I got to share about HIM and His Light and peace this Chanuka, and I would like to tell you a bit about the young woman with whom I shared, hoping that you will pray for her. Her name is Molly and she is a new secretary who works along side of me several days a week. When I met her it was a little bit of a shock. She is big and tough looking, (not what you generally expect a dr. secretary to look like) and in her early twenties. She was a police woman and I found out that she is now studying criminology. Wow! That is quite a subject. As I thought about it, I wondered what it is like to stare at criminal minds and study them. I spend my life studying the mind of Yeshua… staring at Him, knowing that as I fix my eyes on Him I am changed more and more into His likeness. I remember having a good friend in California years ago who was a police man. He had told us that he and his wife went on required ‘psychiatric retreats’ periodically through his work to ‘debrief’ them. He said that after awhile you see so much evil that it affects you and you must be brought back into balance and reminded that all people are not like that. I found myself thinking quite a bit about Molly’s line of study, so I brought it up again several days later. ‘Molly, I was thinking about your studies in criminology and thought how you must have to guard your heart as you study.’ (The word that I used was not ‘heart’ but ‘nefesh’… a Hebrew word that is more like a combination of your heart, soul and spirit) She was interested; ‘Well, I know and I try to. I actually study it because most criminals are depressed and I have been very depressed and there is much depression in my family. As a matter of fact, we have learned that depression is a severe problem in Israel.’ This had really opened a door! ‘I have noticed that Jewish depression seems to be an ancient problem’ I said. I wondered if this would lead to speaking about how turning from God to sin and darkness brings such depression. I told her that I get up every morning at 4:30 to ‘Study God’…to read His Word and to stare at Him. She was interested and it opened a door. ‘My father died very suddenly 5 months ago and I could not get out of bed I was so sad. I quit my job and would have killed myself but I couldn’t do that to my family. I am the oldest of 4 sisters and our father had a heart attack and went into a deep coma. For one week we all sat by his bed and our Mother cried. It was awful. We were so sad. I prayed and said ‘God…if you are real…please either heal my father or take him home but don’t let him live this way. Then, right away, he died.’ Suddenly I knew with a deep ‘knowing’ that I had to tell her about The Lord. Thankfully, the office was miraculously quiet. ‘Molly…I want to tell you something about myself that I don’t usually share here at work. I am a messianic Jew.’ She said ‘What is that?’ I was hoping that she would know. ‘I believe that Yeshua is our Messiah.’ I said. ‘Oh! yeshu!’ This is a bad word for HIS Holy Name. ‘No.’ I said…’His Name is YESHUA.’ Thankfully she did not seem shocked or upset. She asked ‘Are you still Jewish then or are you now a Christian (Notzrei) and not Jewish?’ I told her that I am still Jewish and am a disciple of Yeshua. All of my parents and Grandparents all the way back were Jewish and so I a, as well…but I follow Yeshua.’ I began to share my full testimony with her…including how I was hospitalized having been (among other things) suicidally depressed and how He came to me Face to face when I had never heard about Him and how He changed my life and flooded me with joy and peace. She looked at me deeply. ‘The way you believe in Yeshua is how I believe in God.’ She said. ‘When my father died and I prayed, when God answered my prayer, He did that to me. I suddenly was flooded with peace that I knew was Him.’
At this point the office suddenly got busy again, effectively ending our conversation, but – again – I was flooded with peace and His Light seemed to fill the room. Later that day Molly said to me ‘I am so happy to be working with you. I have never been this happy to work with anyone.’ I do not know how this will continue, but I pray for her salvation. Although my words were awkward, His ways are perfect and I know that His Word will accomplish what it is sent to do. Should The Lord press Molly into your heart, please lift her in prayer, that she would be set free to turn her studies to The One Who is Light?
Having much to share and knowing that you are all so busy during this season of LIGHT, I pray for each of you to be blessed by His Presence. How precious is His Light in this darkening world. May His priorities be yours daily. I miss you. Lovingly, your sis
Coming Forth As Gold
“But He knows the way that I take’
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
Once I sent in some gold jewelry for cash, but the recompense was so small, I asked for it back.
Lord, we trust You and believe that we shall come forth from each of our tests, rich in testimonies for Your glory. And here’s a simple poem . . .
Truly Treasured
credit – Bob Thomason
Stone / Getty images
Today’s refiners gather
paying us a small price
for what once had value
as memorable gifts in life
while God takes true treasure
our hearts, minds and souls
refining them by His Spirit
until we come forth as gold.
I Will Miss You . . .
Hi dear blog friends!
I will be house and animal sitting for the next 10 days and just won’t have much computer time when I stop home for a bit each day. I think this time, I’m not going to try to keep posting. I will miss all of you so much, and all your blogs, but promise to get back in action when this is done!
God bless you and have a beautiful Easter celebrating Jesus!
love and prayers,
deb
P.S. here is one of the cats, waiting for me to get there . . . 
None Like Him
“He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any who were before him.” 2 Kings 18:5
“For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.” 2 Kings 18:6
“The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went . . .” 2 Kings 18:7
I want to trust and hold fast like that.
Lord, we thank You for being trustworthy like no other! And here’s a simple poem . . .
None Like Jesus
We can trust You
with everything
hold fast
to You our King
knowing You
are ever with us
and there is none
like our Jesus.
Inside Israel – Surprise!
Hello and welcome to our look inside Israel today through the eyes and heart of J of Jerusalem. Today J shares with us about the Intercessors For Israel prayer conference that was held, as well as some personal updates. God bless you and thank you for your prayers! Now, here’s J . . .
I do not understand computers nor do I understand electronics, but the scripture says in Jer. 9:23, 24
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says The Lord.”
So although I will not dare say that I ‘understand’ The Lord, I am THRILLED to ‘Know Him’ and I would like to glory in The Lord that in spite of the fact that we are still not hooked up to a internet, SOMEHOW, I AM ABLE TO WRITE RIGHT NOW! PRAISE THE LORD! Probably it is perfectly explainable, but I would simply like to give Him all the glory…which just so happens to also be the word that was presented, front and center, the first night of the ifi prayer conference. “ALL GLORY TO GOD!” I know that we can all agree, and I was thrilled that this was set as the ‘focus’, the ‘bulls-eye’ of the praying that is going on this week in Jerusalem. I feel that this is perhaps the most important believing conference that takes place here yearly, and perhaps you would like to join along in prayer.
On Sunday, before the conference, as has been our habit for many years now, I met with two women at the hotel (where the conference is held) to pray onsite for the week of meetings scheduled to begin the following night. Since the hotel is on Mount Scopus (Har h’tsofim – or the ‘mount of lookout’) I had a choice of how to go: either TRY to de-code the new bus schedule, figure out which bus to take and PRAY that it would take me under 2 hours to get there…or…venture to take the new ‘lite rail’ train over to the east side of Jerusalem. When the hotel was unable to advise me, being clueless themselves, the conference leaders suggested that I take the train and then walk. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive in about half an hour, HOWEVER…although I could SEE the hotel from the station it was a good 20 minute uphill walk to get there. No problem, I like walking. I found my way and was blessed with my sisters in prayer. During our prayer time, the blessed rain began to fall; again no problem. I had my umbrella. I mentioned in my last letter that it has been cold. Well…it has been COLDER! (to underline that I can tell you that I sitting here typing in fingerless gloves, hat, 4 layers of shirts, tights and pants, leg warmers and two pairs of sox! [the hot water bottle is difficult to write with so will be added later]. This is in our house. I am NOT exaggerating! ) The wind was roaring and there were snow flakes mixed in with the buckets of water falling from the sky by the time that I left for home again. That 20 minute walk was an exercise in ‘praising God in ALL things’! I arrived at the station, my inside out umbrella useless by that point, to join in with other icy wet travelers jumping up and down to try to keep from freezing. The train was full of puddles (from all of the dripping passengers) and the windows were steamed over, but if it was any warmer we really couldn’t tell. We were all soaked to the skin. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR WATER! So I can now report to you, that, finally, after nearly 12 years since it was started, I have ridden the train successfully from west to east and from east to west! People are beginning to talk to one another, again, as they do on busses, and to argue and enter discussions…however… the verdict is still out as far as I, and most other regular travelers are concerned; but I will write more concerning travel in perhaps the next letter.
I do know that a number of you have been participants in this important yearly prayer conference and others would love to be. Also I know that a number of you pray along with the updates and points sent out daily on the ifi website: http://www.ifi.org.il/videos/video/ipcj-2012-day-1-update/ during the conference which takes place each Jan. for, I believe, the last 27 years. You know that I attend the Friday morning regular meeting and that the focus is prayer for this country. You may not know, and I find it important, that this is the one group that I know of that began with leadership from ‘outside’…from the nations, and now all of the leadership is Israeli. I find this very significant as it seems to be indicative of what The Lord has been doing in this nation. When we arrived in ’94 really most of the fellowships were still neither Hebrew speaking, nor were they by any means full of Israelis. They were most often lead by (wonderful and faithful!) leaders from other nations and the congregations were largely volunteers, diplomats, UN workers, and tourists. We arrived as the change was accelerating and the country now has so MANY Hebrew speaking fellowships with Israeli leaders where the members are also Israeli. I have noted this as The Hand of The Lord for years now, and I see ifi as a unique prayer ministry this way…MAY THERE BE MORE! While I served for a short while as the ‘leader’ of Lydia for our nation, that was indeed the main prayer focus; to support the indigenous leaders here in prayer…and there is fruit, for HIS GLORY!
As I said, this conference is unique in many ways, one of which is that people actually pay to come here and yet MOST of the time is spent IN PRAYING rather then listening. Since the purpose has been ‘praying concerning the issues’, the fact that the main target this year is THE GLORY OF GOD ABOVE ALL…excites me! For I have no doubt that prayers prayed for His glory Alone will be Spirit directed and answered! Halleluyah! Having said this, I get to attend VERY few sessions. The morning sessions between 9-1 are only prayer. The evening meetings from 7:30-9:30 have a speaker, but due to our family situation and work (although I am waiting for my miracle) I can only attend the morning meetings on Tues and Sunday. Tuesday was wonderful and I am looking forward to Sunday. I was blessed to bring two friends from England home with me as well on Tuesday as I am able to have so little fellowship, I feel abundantly blessed!
BUT ALSO GRIEVED…and this is only ONE of the reasons WHY this conference is so important. As I just took time out to watch the news, my heart was overwhelmed with grief to see a report concerning homosexuality here. For those of you who may not know, to our great shame, Tel Aviv has just been named the ‘gay capital of the world’. The report showed pictures that made me weep for mercy and these are being celebrated as a great expression of freedom and democracy. God help us! The report was NOT filmed today…but TODAY the prayer conference took a day of prayer in Tel Aviv (there are more then 170 people participating) and I know that they prayed concerning this. Will you join them?
Ok, you can see that I am excited about this prayer conference…but I know that many of you prayed about two personal requests of ours and I do want to report and to thank you. First, our son in law had an EXCELLENT meeting with the ministry of Interior and the final stage of his citizenship application has been filed. We are praying and hoping for a speedy, positive response after 5 years! I will let you know when it is official J Secondly, I asked for prayer concerning the new program our younger daughter entered into. It is a ‘day care’ program designed for women who are not functioning because of depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress syndrome. She must be there (it is in a house across town) each morning (already a challenge). They have an array of counselors, social workers, groups, work and classes. Her first week went VERY well, but it has been downhill since and her attitude is very negative right now. This program lasts for 3 months to a year depending upon how the individual is responding. There is job placement at the end as well. Please pray for her to submit into the program and for it to work a successful path into her life…for the glory of God. Thank you!
I am afraid that this has been a disjointed letter but I have missed writing and pray that my next one is more coherent. We live in perilous times but our God is Faithful, True, Sure, Holy and WILL BE GLORIFIED! I send you much love, your sis here
ani b’derek
Hello!
Hi everyone! Just a short note to let you know I’ll be gone for a few days. I’ll be back to respond to your awesome comments and read your wonderful blogs soon. Blessings for your weekend!
In His love,
Deb
