Refreshing Faith
Maybe, like me, you’ve heard the rapture of the church or the raising of the dead in Christ as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 can happen at any moment. Pastor Mark Biltz, of El Shaddai Ministries, says that’s not exactly true. By looking at how God fulfilled the other prophesies concerning Christ and the church we discover a definite pattern relating to the fulfillment of these biblical prophesies.Continue Reading
I met Craig von Buseck at an ice cream party at a writer’s conference and then attended a class he taught. His story telling of history captivated me. Having been in Jerusalem on the 50th anniversary of its reunification I was delighted to hear about his new book, I Am Cyrus: Harry S. Truman and the Rebirth of Israel. Thank you, Craig for sharing this excerpt with us.
I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now.” – President Harry S. Truman, May 14, 1948
“Next year in Jerusalem …”
Five Arab armies stood poised on the borders as a wiry, white-haired man rose in the Tel Aviv Museum and proclaimed a new nation for the Jewish people in Eretz Israel after nearly 2,000 years of exile. The date was 5 Iyar 5708, or May 14, 1948. The grizzled leader of the World Zionist Organization, David Ben-Gurion, declared that this nation would be known as the State of Israel.Continue Reading
Larry and I recently returned from a 10-day tour of Israel with one of our favorite Bible teachers Ken Boa. Larry described our first trip to Israel as drinking out of a fire hydrant. In other words, we sped through the paths Jesus strolled!
The day we walked the Via Dolorosa (“Way of Grief” in Latin) an unexpected sorrow touched me not directly related to this being the path our Lord walked carrying His cross.
We started in the Muslim quarter. Muslim women returning from prayer crowded the narrow paths. I saw plenty of wary, dark eyes but no smiles. Their long, heavy garments looked uncomfortable and confining under the intense Mediterranean sun and symbolic of their religion.
The Via Dolorosa leads through various stations marking significant occurrences on Jesus’ walk to Calvary. It ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where many historians believe Jesus was crucified and buried.Continue Reading
From presidents to propositions, campaign ads and debates can confuse us. When there are many opinions on how to govern, how do we know how to vote? My philosophy has been to pray for wisdom, learn what I can, and go with what I know. One thing I know is God’s Word contains timeless principles. That means His wisdom is relevant to our time.
Consider the following:
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” Genesis 9:6
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalms 139:13Continue Reading
