Deb's Blog

Large, Costly and Hewn

Debbie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:54:18 +0000

“And the king commanded them to quarry large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the temple.” 1 Kings 5:17

Our foundation was lain with the most costly Stone of all.

Thank You, Jesus, for being our precious Cornerstone. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Our Sure Foundation

Solomon planned so carefully
the temple he would build

David’s desire for the Lord’s house
his son would fulfill

just as God’s own Son
builds His temple now in us

the perfectly hewn and established
foundation of Christ Jesus.

Largeness Of Heart

Debbie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:53:20 +0000

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” 1 Kings 4:29

This sounds like a heart condition that I wouldn’t mind having.

Oh Lord, please grow my heart for You and others today. And here’s a simple poem . . .

A Heart That Grows

A heart that beats with mercy
and flows with His grace

that doesn’t shrink or pull back
from what it’s asked to face

one that grows in love
toward God and others each day

a heart that outweighs my fears
is what I ask and pray.

An Understanding Heart

Debbie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:22:17 +0000

“. . .I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” 1 Kings 3:7
“And your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.” 1 Kings 3:8
“Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart . . .” 1 Kings 3:9

What a blessing it is to be among His people.

Lord, please give me an understanding heart to know how to encourage others in You and to You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

We Ask

It’s a little overwhelming
this world in which we live
chock full of people
all with much to give
so as You call us to join in
and be a part
we ask for wisdom from Your word
and understanding hearts.

On The Throne

Debbie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:48:35 +0000

“If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,” He said, “you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.” 1 Kings 2:4

God gave David the secret to success, and David passed it on to Solomon . . .and to us.

Thank You, Lord, that the Son of Man is forever on the throne, ruling in perfect power, wisdom and love. And here’s a simple poem . . .

His Guarantee

We all want to be
in control of our lives

it makes sense and seems
dignified and right

but to invite Jesus
to sit upon our thrones

guarantees for us the best
kind of life ever known.

With Great Joy

Debbie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:50:24 +0000

“Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, ‘Long live King Solomon’.” 1 Kings 1:39
“And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound.” 1 Kings 1:40

Nothing like praising Jesus and rejoicing in Him to break up the weariness of our days!

Lord, may we shake the earth and the air and this world with our joy that comes from You! And here is a simple poem . . .

Bursting

There is a great joy
welling up within
bursting forth
splitting the earth for Him
sounding out
a rejoicing in the midst
in tune with
His Almighty Spirit.

Inside Israel – 15 Jan. 2012 from Jerusalem

Debbie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:51:51 +0000

Hi and welcome to our Sunday look inside Israel. Today J of Jerusalem shares about her “birthday”, transportation, and more! God bless you and thank you for your prayers for Israel and for our sister J! Now here’s J . . .

The 15^th of January is the date that I look forward to more then any other day of the year. Perhaps it is selfish…but it is my true Birthday…the day of my second birth…birth into Yeshua…birth from the flesh to The Spirit…birth from death into life. For me today is an alter to the event that began me on this path 37 years ago tonight when The Lord, Whom I didn’t believe in, (although I had NEVER heard His claims…nor the ‘story’, the offer of His Life) stepped into my life which I was about to end by my own hand, and laid claim to me…may I never cease to praise His Holy Name! THANK YOU LORD!!

So…I’m celebrating this day, most special to me, by writing to you…which is an answer to prayer. The prayer that I have been praying for the past 3-4 weeks as I was laying these letters out before Him and seeking to know if I were to continue writing them…if they were glorifying HIM Alone…if they were really His will for me to write. I put them on the alter as He seemed to me to be restraining my hand from writing and examining my motives for writing them. I believe that He is releasing me to continue writing and I am happy to begin again with this ‘birthday’ letter.

Although the specter of Iran and events in our region hang like a heavy cloud above us, this is NOT the main subject of conversation in Jerusalem right now. It is the weather…and the public transportation belegan! The weather is COLD and wet. The wet is wonderful (although we need it to continue manifold!) but the COLD… is a problem. Those of you who know where I come from might wonder why it would be any problem for me, or for my family. Well…where we come from we had warm houses, wonderful wood fires, suitable clothing of fur and skin and down. Here, the stone houses are quick to retain the cold. We are not alone in living in an older building with inadequate heat. We receive central heating from about 3pm until 9 or 10pm, but my morning it is FREEZING in the apartment. Brrrr! My boss told me that when he was in the army he asked a friend from Siberia, why in the world the cold bothered him of all people. He answered ‘Siberia is cold…but nothing like this!’ We agree! So…the ‘cold’ is the first topic of conversation! ‘Cold!’ comes the comment. ‘Cold!’ comes the answer. So we greet one another.

But it isn’t long before we launch into topic number 2…yep…transportation!

It is almost poetic justice that the ‘new system’ was officially cast upon us in total on Friday the 13^th. I will reprint an article below from an English speaking local web site. English tries to make things user friendly. If you think that THIS is ‘strange’, you should see the directions in HEBREW! Have a taste of this with me…pay attention and do try to follow along:

There are significant changes to bus service in Jerusalem effective Friday, January 13, 2012. Click here to see maps showing the new service pattern.

Jerusalem Bus Map Version 5.0 has been RERELEASED in light of changes to Routes 28 and 39 at Shaare Tzedek Hospital that were not included on the first release

Changed routes: 5, 9A, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21/21A, 23, 24A, 27/27A, 28/28A, 33, 39/39A, 50, 104, 150

Discontinued routes: 24 (see route 14 for replacement service), 26/26A (see routes 9A, 20, 21, new route 24, 24A, new route 26, 27, 27A, 33, new route 69, and the light rail for replacement service)

New routes: 13A, 24, 26, 69 (NOTE: The new 24 and 26 are entirely new routes and have no relation to the routes previously using those numbers)

In addition, the following routes have new numbers, but the routes themselves are not changing:
29 >>>> 54
40 >>>> 36

49A >>> 59

Ok…did you get that?? OFCOURSE…it turned out that these were only PARTIAL changes. (please note: I highlighted in yellow the most humorous changes: there were 5 lines –not just the 3 posted- that did NOT change route…but…just so that no one felt ‘left out’ of the belegan…their NUMBERS were changed, just to confuse you a bit more! This is really quite a sight! We all have little, cryptic booklets that were handed out for us to study the changes. Also…there are maps and signs at every bus stop. UNFORTUNATELY… none of us can really understand how in the world to apply it all to ‘real life’, so there are confused mobs of people gathered everywhere. When it gets really bad, we just find a kiosk, sit down and have a cup of coffee until we gather the strength to confront it all again. There are many creative activities springing up. On Friday morning I noted that a mentally retarded young woman whom I know from my bus stop, was collecting all of the booklets that people had thrown down. Today as I stood with her trying to answer the questions of another woman who was completely lost trying to find her way to work, this girl reached in her bag and said ‘Would you like a map booklet?’ She was so pleased to be helpful. It was really quite resourceful.

But has the lite rail ‘helped’ the situation, you might ask. Well…let’s see. One man at work told me that he used to take bus 27 to the hospital. He now needs to take a bus to the train and then the train to bus 27. That means instead of waiting for 1 bus he waits for 2 buses and 1 train. Hum…PLEASE PLEASE do NOT share any of this information with our enemies. All I can say is thank GOD we are not existing by our own wits, but by the strength and mercy of The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Perhaps this whole mess is to help drive us to Him!

Doubtless this is a small thing in the total picture, but in the daily life of Jerusalemites it has proven an exhausting turn of events…including mine. I have good stories to share, but for tonight I felt to share with you the overview.

Next week the yearly ifi (Intercessors for Israel) prayer conference begins. This is the one conference that I participate in yearly (as I also attend the Friday morning meetings). I am usually only able to attend a couple of the conference meetings but this is always so encouraging to me as it is truly a “prayer” conference where we spend much time in prayer and I am greatly encouraged praying with sisters and brothers from around the world.

It is very late now and I must go to bed, but I would like to ask for prayer for our son in law who has been waiting for 5 years for his citizenship. Tomorrow he has a meeting with the ministry of interior to begin the final stage of his application. I am asking for prayer that there be no hang-ups or delays and that he is given real and evident FAVOR and a speedy judgment with full citizenship. Thank you!

I know that this letter is a very awkward one, but it is written with exuberance and love…mostly love toward Him Who calls us, confirms us, equips us, walks with us, conforms us to His Image for His glory, may HE ALONE BE GLORIFED! And may we be His faithful witnesses. Lovingly, your sis

ani b’derek

Doing Good

Debbie — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:32:01 +0000

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

It’s fun to do good in general, but it brings me a special joy to be able to do something good for a fellow believer.

Lord, thank You for those opportunities to do good, and for placing the “good” in us that we do. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Extra Joy

So fun to surprise
with a good deed
to even do it
anonymously
and when it’s for someone
who also believes
His love spreads ever
more joyously.

Liberty

Debbie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:51:00 +0000

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

My youngest likes to dress up plastic horses. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’ll manage to get them undone again.

Lord, please come and undo me once again from what I’ve gotten tangled in. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Please Undo Me

I stand
like Lady Liberty
awash
in His mercy
arms raised
to the One who frees
who knows
how to undo me.

Received As Angels

Debbie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:46:56 +0000

“And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” Galatians 4:14

I am continuously amazed by those under going trials, yet bearing such an intense praise and worship for Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, for Your angels who despite trials in their flesh, minister to us in Your name so beautifully. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Suffering Saints

While bodies undergo
pain and distress
minds and hearts focus
on their beloved Jesus
ministering to us
in Your Holy name
suffering saints
bringing You glory and fame.

Sons Through Faith

Debbie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:45:29 +0000

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

Being sons and daughters of God denotes a valued and close relationship.

Lord, may we live out our lives as Your children, much loved and delighted in. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Living As Beloved

Lord let us live out
this wonderful truth

that we are beloved
and treasured by You

that Your heart has room for
more to be as we are

Your arms stretching out
both near to us and far.