This Day’s Thought For Monday – With a Special Invitation From Eric Elder

Special Note…Eric and Lana Elder, of The Ranch Ministry, who graciously share their Sunday sermons with This Day’s Thought, offer this update on Lana’s health, and invite all to this day of prayer, at this following link:  www.theranch.org Sincerely, Greg for This Day’s Thought

Prayer Requests

The cross of Christ is the sweetest burden that I ever bore; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or sails to a ship, to carry me forward to my harbor.   Samuel Rutherford

Put on then, as God‘s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 The English Standard Version

Many of the world’s finest Oriental rugs come from little villages in the Middle East, China, or India.  These rugs are hand-produced by crews of men and boys under direction of a master weaver.  They work from the underside of the rug-to-be.  It frequently happens that a weaver absentmindedly makes a mistake and introduces a color that is not according to the pattern.  When this occurs, the master weaver, instead of having the work pulled out in the order to correct the color sequence, will find some way to incorporate the mistake harmoniously into the overall pattern.  In weaving our lives, we can lean to take unexpected difficulties and mistakes and weave them advantageously in the greater overall patterns of our lives.  There is an inherent good in most difficulties. Norman Vincent Peale

British Television Interview With Netanyahu (during the retaliation against Hamas’ shelling of Israel) – From Colorado

Shalom,

         Even those who aren’t particularly sympathetic to Israel ‘s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could get a good measure of satisfaction from this interview with British Television during the retaliation against Hamas’ shelling of Israel.

        The interviewer asked him: “How come so many more Palestinians have been killed in this conflict than Israelis?” (A nasty question if there ever was one!)
        
        Netanyahu: “Are you sure that you want to start asking in that direction?”

        Interviewer: (Falling into the trap) Why not?
        
        Netanyahu: “Because in World War II more Germans were killed than British and Americans combined, but there is no doubt in anyones mind that the war was caused by Germany ‘s aggression. And in response to the German blitz on London , the British wiped out the entire city of Dresden , burning to death more German civilians than the number of people killed in Hiroshima.

        Moreover, I could remind you that in 1944, when the RAF tried to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen, some of the bombs missed their target and fell on a Danish children’s hospital, killing 83 little children. Perhaps you have another question?”

        Apparently, Benjamin Netanyahu gave an interview and was asked about Israel ‘s occupation of Arab lands.

        His response was, “It’s our land”. The reporter (CNN or the like) was stunned. 

Read below “It’s our land…”  It’s important information since we don’t get fair and accurate reporting from the media and facts tend to get lost in the jumble of daily events.
        
        “Crash Course on the Arab Israeli Conflict.”
        
        Here are overlooked facts in the current & past Middle East situation.

        These were compiled by a Christian university professor:
     

  BRIEF FACTS ON THE ISRAELI CONFLICT TODAY…(It takes just 1.5 minutes to read!)
        
        It makes sense and it’s not slanted. Jewand non-Jew — it doesn’t matter.        1. Nationhood and Jerusalem –  Israel became a nation in 1312 BCE, Two thousand years before the rise of Islam.
        
        2. Arab refugees in Israel began identifying themselves as part of a Palestinian people in 1967, two decades after the establishment of the modern State of Israel.        3. Since the Jewish conquest in 1272 BCE, the Jews have had dominion over the land for one thousand years with a continuous presence in the land for the past 3,300 years.
        
        4. The only Arab dominion since the conquest in 635 CE lasted no more than 22 years.        5. For over 3,300 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital.   Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Even when the Jordanians occupied Jerusalem , they never sought to make it their capital, and Arab leaders did not come to visit.

        6. Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, the Jewish Holy Scriptures. Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran.

        7. King David founded the city of Jerusalem . Mohammed never came to Jerusalem .
        
        8. Jews pray facing Jerusalem .  Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem .
        
        9. Arab and Jewish Refugees: in 1948 the Arab refugees were encouraged to leave Israel by Arab leaders promising to purge the land of Jews .  Sixty-eight percent left without ever seeing an Israeli soldier.

        10. The Jewish refugees were forced to flee from Arab lands due to Arab brutality, persecution and pogroms.

        11. The number of Arab refugees who left Israel in 1948 is estimated to be around 630,000. The number of Jewish refugees from Arab lands is estimated to be the same.

        12. Arab refugees were INTENTIONALLY not absorbed or integrated into the Arab lands to which they fled, despite the vast Arab territory. Out of the 100,000,000 refugees since World War II, theirs is the only refugee group in the world that has never been absorbed or integrated into their own people’s lands. Jewish refugees were completely absorbed into Israel , a country no larger than the state of New Jersey ..

        13. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: the Arabs are represented by eight separate nations, not including the Palestinians.  There is only one Jewish nation. The Arab nations initiated all five wars and lost.   Israel defended itself each time and won.

        14. The PLO’s Charter still calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel has given the Palestinians most of the West Bank land, autonomy under the Palestinian Authority, and has supplied them.

        15. Under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were desecrated and the Jews were denied access to places of worship. Under Israeli rule, all Muslim and Christian sites have been preserved and made accessible to people of all faiths.

        16. The UN Record on Israel and the Arabs: of the 175 Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel .

        17. Of the 690 General Assembly resolutions voted on before 1990, 429 were directed against Israel .

        18. The UN was silent while 58 Jerusalem Synagogues were destroyed by the Jordanians.

        19. The UN was silent while the Jordanians systematically desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives .
        
        20. The UN was silent while the Jordanians enforced an apartheid-like a policy of preventing Jews from visiting the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.
        
        Israel is the center of Bible Prophecy, and God Blesses those who Bless Israel – Genesis 12:3

This message was sent from:Bibles For Israel | P.O. Box 8900 | Pueblo, CO 81008

Attacks Escalate – A Message From IFCJ

Donate Now | Tell a Friend

When the Code Red alarm signals an incoming terrorist rocket, Israeli schoolchildren have just 12 seconds to reach safety.As unrest and instability continue to spread across the Middle East and more terrorist rockets rain down on Israeli cities, Israel’s Ministry of Defense has turned to IFCJ for help providing emergency bomb shelters.While IFCJ has already funded the renovation or construction of thousands of bomb shelters over the past five years, there are still many areas that don’t have the protection needed. We are calling on faithful friends like you to help us meet this security need by supporting The Fellowship’s Emergency Bomb Shelter Project today. Due to the urgent need for additional shelters, we are funding a highly effective but low cost design that will allow us to protect more people in the most vulnerable areas.

IFCJ’s immediate focus is on protecting schools in southern Israel that are at immediate risk of rocket and mortar attacks.  With your gift today, we can ensure that innocent children will have a bomb shelter to run to for safety!With so much turmoil in the Holy Land, Israel clearly needs us more than ever.   I hope you will join us by responding in a meaningful way through IFCJ’s Emergency Bomb Shelter Project.With prayers for shalom, peace,Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President

	PS	In her moment of crisis, Israel needs your donations as well as your prayers — especially for the grieving friends and family members of those killed in these continuous rocket attacks.

Privacy Policy © 2011 International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

The Ninth Day of Av

Shalom Teresa, In the Hebrew calendar this month is called Av, and on the ninth day of Av, Orthodox Jews will fast while mourning the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. According to the rabbis, both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on the exact same day – the 9th of Av which corresponds this year to July. The central point of Christianity is in its name: Christ or Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). However, Christians have little understanding of The Temple as they are not taught about its significance in relation to God, the Jewish people, or the Coming Messiah. On the other hand, every day millions of Orthodox Jewish men read from their prayer books, petitioning God for the re-establishment of the Temple and that the Messiah will come speedily in our days. And today there are 12 Orthodox organizations in Jerusalem that have everything ready for the rebuilding of the Third Temple.Jewish priests have been identified through DNA testing, priestly garments have been woven, and a Yeshiva has been set up for their training. The vessels and furnishings for the Temple have been recreated, and the Sanhedrin has been reinstituted. Now, it’s only a matter of time…Just over 1900 years ago, the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and one million Jews were murdered by the Romans and scattered to the four corners of the earth. Today we are living in exciting times. Here in our lifetime we have witnessed Israel reborn in a single day when the United Nations approved the creation of the Jewish State on May 14, 1948. Unfortunately 6 million Jews perished in Hitler’s Holocaust before they fled to their ancient Homeland. This national event was a fulfillment of prophecies made 2500 years ago in Isaiah 11:11-12 and 66:8, Ezekiel 36:24-28, and Jeremiah 16:14-15, as it says that Israel would be created in a day, and the Jewish people would be re-gathered back to the Holy Land. Is this not proof that we are living in the End of Times? No other ancient nation in the world has ever re-emerged! God keeps His covenants. Currently the United States, the European Union, China, Russia, and the other G20 countries are trying to negotiate a two-state solution so that the “Palestinians” can have their own country within Israel. A major contention in these negotiations is Jerusalem and the place where the Holy Temple once stood.Today this place is occupied by the Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock Mosques.Though some countries want to see Israel and a new Palestinian State divide Jerusalem, some UN member nations adhere to the UN proposal that Jerusalem should have “international status” and be controlled by an IGO (International Governmental Organization) which is made up of these UN member countries. In other words a “one world government body” that oversees Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Area.Is this another sign that we are living in the end of times?Make an everlasting difference for Eternity Teresa, please click here now The “Temple” was first created by Moses as God told him the exact details of how the Jewish people were to create the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the wilderness. Exodus 25:Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering.” It details the types of offerings such as gold, silver, bronze, yarns, fine linens, ram skins, acacia wood, oils, spices, incense, and precious stones.These would be used to make the Ark of the Covenant (which was where the Ten Commandments were kept), the Table of Showbread, the Golden Menorah, and all the other furnishings.Then God goes into great detail of how Moses is to consecrate the Priests who will perform all of the daily rituals and services before the Lord in His sanctuary. It is a whole chapter about different type of offerings including the sacrificing of lambs and bulls for sin offerings, and how to cover the alter with the blood.Exodus 29: 34 ends with: “So I will consecrate the TENT OF MEETING (TABERNACLE) and the altar, and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.” Over the next 400 years, the priests continued their duties, but the people worshipped other gods, and the Ark of Covenant did not remain with the Tabernacle. At one point it was stolen by the Philistines, though it was later returned after the Lord sent a plague on them. When David became King his desire was to build a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant. He wanted a Temple which would fill the skyline of Jerusalem and be a place of worship to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 28: King David said “I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it.’ But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’… The Lord said to me: ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts.’ King Solomon built the Temple in all its glory. Every morning before dawn, the Priests dressed in their fine white linens would line up, and blow their silver trumpets, other priests would sing Praises to the Lord, while the morning sacrifices (various offerings along with sin offerings) would begin. Imagine, thousands of Jewish people worshipping Adonai (the Lord) on the Temple Mount. This lasted 371 years until 586 BCE, when King Nebuchadnezzar took the Jews captive to Babylon and destroyed the Temple on Tish B’Av (9th day of Av). For seventy years the Jews were in exile in Babylon. The Temple’s destruction was actually prophesied by both Isaiah and Micah, about 150 years before it happened. Isaiah was very specific, even stating WHEN the Temple would be rebuilt (70 years after its destruction). And it happened! He also prophesied WHO would help rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, even though the person (King Cyrus of Persia) was not even born! The Lord says to Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure, even saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,” and to the Temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” Isaiah 44:28 Ezekiel and Jeremiah also prophesiedabout 100 years later that the Temple would be destroyed and the Jews scattered, only for God to re-gather them again to His holy city Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple.These prophecies have historically been proven. We need to show them to the Jewish people today!If the Jewish people are made aware of these prophecies, then they will also be open to what the prophets said about Who and Whenthe Messiah comes, and you can help us do this Teresa.Now, let’s skip forward some 500 years to a climatic event in history… the Messiah is born! Yeshua was the firstborn male child in his family, therefore after he was born, he was taken to the Temple to be dedicatedby Miriam and Yosef. Luke 2:22Every year Yeshua went with his family to the Templefor the festival of Passover. One year his parents thought he was lost and after three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:41At age 30 Yeshua proclaims that he is the Messiah and the Son of God and he chases the money changers out of the Temple as he calls it, “My Father’s House.” Yeshua went to the Temple, to celebrate Chanukah (the festival of dedication). John 10:22-23 While celebrating Sukkot at the Temple in Jerusalem, Yeshua declared during the Water Pouring Ceremony, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” John 4:13-14 Yeshua said, “I am the Temple, destroy me, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2:19. Yeshua was crucified, there was an earthquake and the veil in the Temple was torn in two. Then 37 years after Yeshua ascends to heaven from the Mount of Olives, the “Second” Temple was destroyed, again on Tish (the 9th day) of Av, by the Romans. A million Jews were killed, and the majority who survived were taken captive into the Roman Empire. And that is why on the 9th of Av, the rabbis proclaimed it is as a holy (fast) day. Jews will mourn the destruction of the Temple, as the Islamic Dome of the Rock stands in its place. As Believers in Yeshua, we don’t mourn, we celebratethat Yeshua fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Temple (Daniel 9) and that He will soon return, as King Messiah to reign in Jerusalem.

Related articles

• Tisha B’Av and Jewish Ties To Jerusalem (backspin.typepad.com)
• Tisha B’Av Fast Starting (israelnationalnews.com)
• Tisha b’Av (bokertov.typepad.com)

Liberty Counsel – Stand With Israel

Israel is once again being severely threatened by her
enemies while the Obama administration seeks to marginalize
the relationship between our countries. 

Right now, I am in Israel and will soon have the
opportunity to personally discuss your “Stand with
Israel!” statement – along with tens of thousands of
other “pro-Israel” American citizens – with key Israeli
officials!

But our work is far from done. We must change America’s
unacceptable policy and posturing toward Israel!

Please take a moment to read my message below and alert
all of your pro-Israel friends to sign our powerful
“Stand with Israel!” statement of support, which will
be delivered along with yours to key elected officials
in America.

Simply forward the message below to your friends.

Thanks, and God bless you (as He promises He will!) for your
bold stand with His people.

Mat Staver

+ + + + + + + +
Forward this message to your friends:
+ + + + + + + +

Mathew Staver
Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel

      Israel is once again facing heightened threats by
      foreign enemies while the Obama Administration’s
      policy toward our ally has taken a marked turn for
      the worse, severely threatening our nations’ vital
      relationship.  I am in Israel for an important
      visit that will include meetings with several
      high-ranking Israeli officials.  I will be telling
      these leaders that President Obama’s policies DO
      NOT represent the view of the majority of Americans!
      Please read my vital message below – Mat.

I have just landed in Israel. One of the first things we
noticed upon arrival is that tension seems to be extremely
high here based on renewed pressure from the UN and other
international organizations to enter into a “land for peace”
deal with the Palestinian Authority.

       It is obvious that the people of Israel are genuinely
       confused by the dramatic change in United States
       foreign policy under the Obama Administration.  And
       the pressure from long-standing enemies in the
       region is sharply rising.

Today, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad assailed Israel
, calling “Jewish Zionism” one of history’s worst ills. He
told the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a security
group regarded as a NATO rival, that 60 plus years of
Zionism has brought only humiliation and destruction to
the Palestinians and the region at large.

      His virulent words are made more ominous by Iran’s
      growing nuclear threat and the fact that Israel could
      be provoked into launching a pre-emptive strike against
      Iran if the threat rises much further.

++Has Barack Obama become a Palestinian spokesperson?

We’ve only been here a few hours, but we are already aware
that a large number of Israeli leaders feel that America’s
attitude toward Israel, which has dramatically changed under
President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton, is seriously
undermining the relationship between our nations.

      Some have embraced the idea that President Obama has
      actually become an unofficial “spokesperson” for the
      Palestinian point of view and has moved the American
      government into a nearly adversarial relationship with
      the nation of Israel. 

Meanwhile, according to the Jerusalem Post, “Ambassador Yossi
Ben Aharon, who served as the chief of staff and close
confident of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, is warning of
what he calls an impending ‘explosion’ for Israel in September,
when the United Nations General Assembly is expected to
recognize a Palestinian state within Israel’s 1967 borders,”
which is the proposed starting point for peace under Obama’s
plan.   

      What really disturbs me is that President Obama should
      know without a doubt that previous “land for peace”
      deals between Israel and Palestine, in which Israel
      transferred land to the Palestinians in exchange for
      peace, have been abysmal failures and increased – not
      decreased – violence in the region. 

++I am here delivering a message from tens of thousands of
Americans who “Stand with Israel”!

Since our President seems to be doing everything he can to
undermine our nation’s bond with Israel, it is vitally
important that American citizens let our friends in Israel
know that we are still committed to our friendship!

      Can you imagine a better opportunity than now?

I will be expressing our solidarity directly with several key
Israeli officials with whom we will be meeting this week with
a message from over 50,000 United States citizens saying,
“We Stand with Israel!” 

But these signed Statements of Support represent just the
early response to this opportunity to encourage and strengthen
our friends in Israel – by the time our mission here is
complete next week, we expect that well over 100,000 Americans
will have taken this bold stand with us!

Teresa, I am thrilled to be delivering this message
to these Israeli leaders!  But our work is far from complete.

I am calling upon all of Liberty Counsel’s friends and
supporters to boldly rise up in support of Israel!  We need
to be as plain and direct as we can to reject policies that
force Israel into accepting any “land for peace” proposals. 

      That’s why we are also sending a special, pointed
      letter to President Obama, Secretary of State Hilary
      Clinton, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Senate
      Majority Leader Harry Reid. 

We must forthrightly tell our elected officials that Americans
stand in support of Israel – and pray the Lord will intervene
before the Obama Administration does any more damage to our
relationship with Israel!

Click here to read and sign our letter: 

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=43296&PID=31497184

++Our gift to you for standing with Israel.

When you join many tens of thousands of concerned Americans
in signing this powerful letter, we will send you our custom-
designed “Stand with Israel!” vinyl sticker that you can
proudly display.

This colorful 4 x 6 inch oval delivers an unmistakable
message and will not fade or come off, even after many car
washes and prolonged exposure to the elements.  It’s our gift
to you – a small token of our appreciation for the important
stand you are taking.

You can see your sticker and sign the letter of support for
Israel by going here: 
 
http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=43296&PID=31497184

When the United Nations votes to accept Palestinian statehood
in September, we unfortunately expect President Obama will
do what is politically expedient for him, his public
perception, and his relations with Muslim groups and
nations – and not what is in the best interest of Israel,
or even, sadly, the United States of America. 

      We soundly reject the Obama Administration’s policy
      shift!

      I very much want to include your name in these letters
      to key American leaders letting them know that
      President Obama DOES NOT represent the views of the
      majority of Americans!  The fact is, a vast number
      of us don’t agree with his call for Israel to retreat.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to
make YOUR voice heard on this crucial issue! I believe we
will achieve our goal of securing well over 100,000
Statements of Support from concerned Americans, hopefully
including you!

Please be heard by signing our “Stand with Israel!” letter.
Go here to sign:

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=43296&PID=31497184

I also ask for your fervent prayers for the Lord’s covering
over our meetings with the Israeli leadership over the next
several days. I will continue to update you on our progress.

God bless you for personally standing with His people in Israel!

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel

P.S. While I am delivering the powerful message to key Israeli
leaders from so many Americans that we “Stand With Israel,”
please help us strengthen our campaign by signing the “Stand
With Israel” letters being delivered to high-level American
leaders.  Click here to sign and be sure to watch for my updates:

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=43296&PID=31497184

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Note: Please do not “reply” directly to this e-mail message.
This e-mail address is not designed to receive your personal
messages. To contact Liberty Counsel with comments, questions
or to  change your status, see the link at the end of this e-mail.)
+   +  +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +  +  +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +

+ + Comments? Questions?

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?U=43295&CID=333&RID=31497184

Liberty Counsel, with offices in Florida, Virginia and
Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit litigation, education and
policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom,
the sanctity of human life and family. 
Liberty Counsel . PO Box 540774 . Orlando, FL 32854 .800-671-1776

Related articles

• Obama’s Standing up to Israel? Who Would Have Ever Imagined It (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
• Netanyahu Says He Won’t Back Down After Meeting Obama Envoy (businessweek.com)
• The Folly of Forsaking Our Friends in Israel (dakotavoice.com)

Worse Trouble For Israel, Fatah and Hamas United

This is an article from the Jerusalem Post; please pray for the people of Israel this weekend.  I fear that there may be big trouble brewing.  Also, pray for President Obama’s eyes to be opened to how important our alliance with them is.

Top Fatah official: ‘PA won’t be able to stop 3rd intifada’

By D. E. MILLER,  ARIEH O’SULLIVAN/ THE MEDIA 
05/12/2011 13:36

Abbas Zaki says the Palestinians, inspired by Middle East unrest, may launch new intifada on ‘Nakba Day‘ if they have lost hope in peace talks.

Talkbacks (6)

 

The Palestinian leadership won’t be able to contain the street protests planned for this weekend marking the 63rd anniversary of the creation of Israel, said a senior member of Central Committee of the Fatahmovement.Abbas Zaki, whose tasks include monitoring the Arab Spring revolts, told The Media Line that Palestinians have been encouraged by how Arabs across the Middle East have toppled two leaders and threaten others with mass protests. With no peace talks with Israel on the horizon, Zaki warned, the Palestinian leadership will be hard pressed to contain the rage of demonstrators.RELATED:
IDF reinforcing W. Bank troops ahead of ‘Nakba Day’
Abbas: No third intifada; PA seeks int’l recognition“The Palestinian leadership has faced a dead end and has been unable to advance the many Palestinian issues even a bit. This leadership won’t be able to quiet the street, which has witnessed the success and achievements of the Egyptians and Tunisians. The Palestinian people will react according to its level of hope in a peaceful solution,” Zaki said.

 

On Sunday, Palestinians will mark the so-called “Nakba,”or “catastrophe” as they refer to the creation of Israel. Israel is looking at the demonstrations planned for the weekend as a test case for the Palestinian security forces.

While “Nakba Day” has been marked for many years, this year’s commemoration and the security forces handling of it will be the first since Fatah has joined the rival Hamas movement in a national unity government. Although the government has yet to be formally constituted, the prospects of Hamas having a say in Palestinian security in the West Bank has raised the hackles of Israeli security officials.

Until now, Fatah, which has been in on-again-off-again peace talks with Israel, has exclusive control of the West Bank while Hamas, an Islamic group sworn to Israel’s destruction, has ruled in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Defense Forces have been put on high alert in the West Bank for the possibility that Palestinian demonstrators could clash with residents of Jewish communities, security sources said. 

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz visited troops on Wednesday and briefed commanders on possible scenarios, including extreme violence, despite word from Palestinian security forces that they will be aiming at keeping tensions low, the IDF spokesman said in a statement.

“The IDF estimates that events on the ground could lead to violence, even if no side is interested in such a scenario,” the statement said.

Col. Avi Gil, commander of the Ephraim Brigade, instructed his troops to be on high alert and increase their vigilance. “We are preparing for the possibility of a Third Intifada or any other extreme scenario on ‘Nakba Day’,” he told Army Radio. “We are conducting situational assessments and preparing.”

Israeli security sources told The Media Line that the recent reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas could lead to outlawed Hamas members participating in Palestinian security forces. This could lead to a rupture in the cooperation currently underway between the IDF and the Palestinians in the West Bank.

Zaki, who played a key role in the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, insisted that the interim Palestinian government to be formed would not jeopardize agreements already reached with Israel.

“The new government will be totally committed to previous agreements signed with Israel. It is the government of Mahmoud Abbas who has expressed more than once his commitment to the [Israeli] partner, if he still exists,” Zaki said.

“The Palestinian people should unite to face Israeli occupation which is the most threatening to Palestinians, and put aside marginal quarrels,” he said.

Israel, which has worked hard to see the world recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization for carrying out suicide bombings and rocket attacks, is adamant that the inclusion of Hamas renders the new Palestinian government ineligible for international support. Israel Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said he was freezing the transfer of some $88 million in tax money to the PA.

On Wednesday, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad adopted a belligerent tone when he called on the public to “mobilize” against Israel for the step. 

Always remember that Jesus, a Jew, died for us because He loves us!

 

May God protect them,
Teresa Marie

My Tuesday Thoughts – The Greatness of America

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in fields and boundless forests; it was not there. I sought for it in her free schools and her institutions of learning; it was not there. I sought for it in her matchless Constitution and democratic congress; it was not there. Not until I went to the churches and temples of America and found them aflame with righteousness did I understand the greatness and genius of America. America is great because America is good. When America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

Alexis de Tocqueville

 

Okay, I’m playing beat the clock here, or beat the medication is more like it, but I had to put this out to you this morning.  The above quote was on my daily thoughts e-mail for Tuesday.  I thought that it was appropriate for this day for a number of reasons.  Here are my thoughts on this:

Yesterday there was great celebration and back slapping going on over the final elimination of Osama Bin Laden.  Congratulations over a long and arduous hunt finally coming to an end.  Many say that justice had now been served for the victims of 9/11 with the execution of this man.  The comedians had a heyday with it last night, as you knew that they would.

There was a lot of controversy on Twitter over the whole fact that people were celebrating this.  Bible verses were thrown back and forth to justify both sides of the argument.  One tweet that I read had said something like “Jesus does not celebrate over a soul going to hell”. 

As I read through them all, my elation over our “victory” became less so and mixed emotions began to replace it.  On one hand, I am so happy that America has vindicated herself for the 9/11 attack.  We proved to the world that, no matter how long it takes, we will not rest until we see justice.  I wanted to pat George W. Bush on the back too and say, “Well, it didn’t happen during your term but hold your head up a little higher now ’cause the search you started is over!”  I am relieved that he is dead but also a little fearful of what his followers are going to do.  We need to be vigilant at our borders now more than ever!  I am happy that our soldiers received such a great victory and can feel that all of their sacrifice has been rewarded.

On the other hand, those Bible verses keep running through my mind.  Such as “vengeance is mine saith the Lord” and “the Lord will make me victorious over mine enemies.”  Totally conflicting messages when put into this context.  What do you think about it?  Who is right and who is wrong?

We pay a high price to enjoy our liberty and freedom here in America.  It is done with the blood, sweat and tears of our soldiers and our citizens tax dollars.  The cost of liberty is high without a doubt and all that we have done and are doing in the Middle East seems a bit more justified after yesterday.  My only concern is this, let us maintain our liberty and freedom but not at the expense of our soul.  The soul of this country, the greatness of this country, has always been in its conscience.  We are a country built on faith, let us fight to maintain it as such just as vigorously as we have fought to find Bin Laden.  Until tomorrow…

Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

God bless America,
Teresa Marie