It is a well-known fact Iran and Syria generously provides weapons of the killing kind for Hamas and Hizbullah. On the other side, the United States is building the arsenal of Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction.
Now a courageous Bethlehem-based journalist has asked whether these weapons “will be used to kill and slaughter Palestinians by Palestinians?”
It is a great question. No Jew in sight and yet a prediction of blood and mayhem, nevertheless.
Bethlehem, Where Christians Suffer, Today
December 2006
Many Christians around the world are preparing to rejoice and carol the Babe of Bethlehem. Unfortunately the Arab Christians in the birthplace of Jesus are cringing for fear.
Persecution of the Arab Christians in Bethlehem and the surrounds, is on the increase and international human rights lawyer Justus Weiner cannot understand why their Christian family is so quiet over it all.
Cleansing the Temple
December 2006
Mark 11:15-18 "And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple.
Baptism in the Jordan -
A Rash Decision!
October 2006
Naaman the leper was told by Elisha to dip seven times in the Jordan River and be healed. Today Gidon Bromberg, the Israel Director of Friends of the Earth - Middle East says the Jordan River is a health hazard and people being baptised in it risk getting a rash. The problem comes from sewage being dumped into the Jordan.
Jews and Christians Corrupted the Bible:
Islamic Claim
October 2006
Dr Mark Gabriel, PH.D, was born into a Muslim family in Egypt. He was able to quote the entire Quran by the age of twelve. He earned a doctorate degree in Islamic history and culture from Al-Azhar University, the school said to provide the source of spiritual authority to the Islamic world. He became a teaching professor at the same university.
"I did not just do research about Islam; I lived it for thirty-four years," he said. That was before he converted to Christianity.
SIMCHAT TORAH, A TIME FOR JOY & ASSURANCE
October 2006
During Simchat Torah, the Jews will end their yearly cycle of reading through their Scriptures, and then they will begin that cycle all over again for another year.
In the joyous and emotional celebration they will dance and sing in the streets with their beloved Torah scrolls. By this exuberance they demonstrate to themselves and to the world how valued is the Bible to them for life, purpose and even their overcoming existence despite the enemy's plan to `wipe Israel off the map.'
Rice Dish Confuses
October 2006
Politically-correct speech has a tendency to weave a spell of confusion. Take for example the message delivered by US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice when she addressed an American-Palestinian crowd recently. This was the first time she had been welcomed before the group and while she may have considerably encouraged them, her words caused Israel to wonder about the future of relations with this US administration.
“I believe that there could be no greater legacy for America than to help to bring into being a Palestinian state for a people who have suffered too long, who have been humiliated too long, who have not reached their potential for too long, and who have much to give to the international community and to all of us,”
Israel is Demoralised, Traumatised ..
Ready for Love and Mercy
October 2006
75 per cent believe Israel is struggling for survival right now. 78 per cent of Israeli Jews feel the Israeli Arabs are not loyal to the state. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has nosedived in public support. 70 per cent oppose his leadership and the disengagement plan which was the platform that brought him and the Kadima Party into office is also unpopular. 55 per cent oppose any further withdrawal from Gaza.
The Bible:
Road Map to Israel's Oil
October 2006
Oil spurted from a drilling site north of the Dead Sea recently.
Drilling partners, Ginko Oil Exploration and Lapidot (20 percent) estimate they have about 6.5 million barrels of crude oil, worth about USD 300 million.
The oil was struck at 1,800 metres depth. It is a small quantity by world standards providing 100 to 150 barrels per day. Number one producer Saudi Arabia produces 9 million barrels a day but Eli Tannenbaum, geologist for the Ginko oil exploration company said there are signs that larger amounts of crude are nearby.
DEATH TO ISRAEL" DEMONSTRATION! YOU'RE KIDDING
September 2006
Salt Lake City (USA) has okayed a demonstration to be called "Death to Israel." The organiser is a 52 year-old defence attorney who says all Jews should be moved to the state of Virginia (USA) and that region declared a concentration camp.
If the approval comes under the "freedom of speech" banner, someone should move quickly to bring wisdom and common sense into the interpretation of that privilege.
Middle East: More than a Headline!
September 2006
I live in Jerusalem. My work is to write and present a regular news service for an international audience. There is no more relevant place for world news than in this ancient, historical city.
Whether the people of the world understand it or not, Jerusalem remains significant to their daily lives. It has an imposing role to play today and in the future..
When Christians declare "He will reign forever and ever" what are they singing? What's the context of these words?
Believing Lies Will Lead to Tragedy
August 2006
The spokesman for Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was Dr Rannan Gissen. When Ehud Olmert came into the Prime Minister's Office Gissen quietly disappeared. He retired, we were told.
Many of us wanted to hear his comments on the recent war with the terrorist group Hezbollah and this week he broke his silence.
He described the brilliant, even masterful technique applied by the terrorists and the media to change the very context and meaning for the intensive fighting that disrupted Israel and Lebanon.
"Instead of the war being about Israel's right of self-defence, Hezbollah was able to turn it around so the issue on the international agenda became Israel's destruction of Lebanon. Israel should have been seen as the victim. We were being attacked. We were the ones who fulfilled all of the requirements of the game. We were true to the international border, we restrained ourselves, we held back. Why should it be that once we started attacking, we immediately lose in the diplomatic arena?
Jesus Inscription Unearthed in Megiddo Prison
August 2006
In the excavations which began in 2003 the remains of a large settlement were uncovered revealing buildings, courtyards and alleys. Numerous miqveot (ritual baths) were found which revealed a Jewish community. Idols were found in another area. These traced to pagan or Samaritan presence.
On one afternoon a prisoner working on the `dig' discovered a section of a mosaic floor.
When Tepper and his crew gently investigated the area, they found a beautiful mosaic floor of a Christian prayer hall.
Elul:
The Divine Plan for the Middle East
August 2006
Every bride knows how focussed they are on wedding preparations when there is just thirty days to go to the much anticipated ceremony.
In Jewish terms and expectations we can see the month of Elul in that mode. Elul begins around August. This year it starts August 24. It is a time of preparation for the "30 Days of Awe" the most joyful and holy time on the Jewish calendar.
War! What's the Bible Say?
August 2006
Jesus taught, "There will be wars and rumours of wars." The Bible depicts bloody battles that raged between Israel and her enemies almost from the beginning. The Bible speaks about horrid wars against outside enemies. It also does not hide wars and bloodshed fought within the land itself.
We often criticise Hollywood for its graphic portrayal of wars and yet the Bible carries very vivid descriptions that might offend "political correctness" for some folks. God gave "heavy" directions to His people.
The Bible and Bombs
August 2006
Beth Shean is quiet, not functioning with its usual vitality. Its history is profound. In bible times, Beth Shean controlled the pass between the Jordan Valley and the valley of Jezreel
We know from Joshua 17: 11 Beth-shan was allotted to the tribe of Manasseh but he was unable to take it.
The Philistines eventually took it and on its walls they hung Saul's body in triumphant display. A sobering reminder, violence is not a modern twist to the history here.
War Build Up Creates Alert
July 2006
Activity in Syria once again spotlights the uncertainty of international relationships in the Middle East. WorldNetDaily (WND) reports that a new Syrian "resistance" group has been formed calling itself "The Front for the Liberation of the Golan." The agenda of the FLG is the return of the Golan Heights to Syrian control. The FLG will be trained by Hezbollah leaders.
The idea was motivated by the success of Hezbollah in their clash with Israel in the Second Lebanon War.
TISHA B'AV
August 3rd, 2006
Tisha B'Av is the Fast of the Ninth of Av. It is the deepest day of mourning on the Jewish calendar. This year it falls on 3rd August.
Tisha B'Av primarily recalls the destruction of the first and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av. The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.. The second fell to the Romans in 70 C.E..
What are They Fighting For?
August 3rd, 2006
The capture and killing of Israeli soldiers by the terrorist organization Hizbollah sparked the immediate conflict with Israel. But this was a spark, not the beginning of the war.
In 2005 word spread of a new organization "Al Qaeda Mesopatamia." Instead of 'jihad' (war with Israel) the parties declared "global jihad " which eyed much wider targets.
Analysts linked Iran, Syria, Hizbollah, Hamas, The Moslem Brotherhood, Islamic Jihad into a loosely connected united force.
A chapter of Al Qaeda opened in the Palestinian territories.
GOD SPEAKS FROM AN IRISH BOG
July 2006
The joy of faith in God is that He speaks. If we have `ears to hear' it is overwhelming how encouraging and uplifting the voice of God is.
You may have to seek Him in ways that go beyond religious rituals. You may just have to be observant and awake to events that take place around you.
For instance a medieval book of psalms has been discovered. Found in Irish mud the manuscript was open to Psalm 83.
Reports of the discovery describe a 20-page book found by a construction worker. He was digging in a bog. Investigation revealed the manuscript dated back to AD 800 to 1000.
Ron Ross resigned as Senior Pastor of Noosa Baptist Church to become National
Director of Bridges for Peace Australia.
Three
years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international
radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com
Ron
was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions.
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