More Rejection For Israel

The seeds of anti-semitism continue to produce a new harvest of hatred for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Read the following from an Israeli watchdog publication called the Debkafile.

British University-College lecturers urged to boycott Israel
May 28, 2008, 10:25 PM (GMT+02:00)

"The UCU meeting in Manchester, northern England, passed a motion to boycott Israeli academic institutions - without admitting it as such.

Members were urged to “reflect on whether it is appropriate to maintain their links with Israeli institutions” in the light of “the humanitarian catastrophe imposed on Gaza by Israel.”

The eminent Jewish physicist and Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg cancelled plans to visit England in protest of the measure. The Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor denounced the move as counter to academic principles.

Around 30 delegates of the 250 attending the union’s annual congress opposed the motion, which passes to the national executive committee for approval." (End)

Today's headlines also include a revelation by the CIA and Israeli intelligence that Syria was constructing three, interconnected nuclear sites instead of a single production facility. It is now public knowledge that the 2007 raid by Israeli fighter jets into Syria destroyed a Korean built reactor that was already beginning to produce plutonium and that Syria was within months of having the ability to form it first crude nuclear device. Yet Israel took the heat for its self-preserving excursion into Syrian sovereign territory.

I believe what is happening in the Gaza strip is a travesty, but what is Israel to do? The jihadist Hamas organization that rules the Palestinian Territories is bent on the total annihilation of every Jew and they have openly stated that goal. Must Israel tolerate the continued launching of rockets toward innocent civilians, standing by and doing nothing? It seems there are only three options available: One, re-occupy the territories in a full-scale war against terrorists. Two, do what they are doing by blocking all shipments in and out of the Gaza Strip, or Three, cede the territories completely to the Palestinians and let them have their own country. It is a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

We see the march toward an eventual division of the land, but it continues to be frustrating to see acedemics, politicians, and eventually entire nations turn against Israel. Sadly, the United States will soon hook its own caboose onto that train and it will spell the final demise of a once great nation blessed by God. In the mean time, keep praying for Jerusalem, and don't forget to pray for the leadership of our own nation. Remember 2 Chronicles 7:14; "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Pray pray pray!
Pastor Jim

The Old Is Gone

Our Jack Russell Terrier, Harley, is gone! It's been two days now and I have the shakes, though I'm not sure if it comes from a latent release of seven years of stress, or whether I miss the stinker. No, he didn't meet his demise or run away. His true owner, our daughter Natalie, packed a suitcase full of his favorite things and took him home to Springfield.

It's strangely quite around the Root home. I can finally hug my sweet wife without the threat of being bitten on the leg by said "pooch." You see, he was a tyrant. He thoroughly believed it was his right to control the Root home with a iron paw. Harley even held to the idea that it was his job to protect anything and everything within the confines of the property. No bunny, no squirrel, no mouse or opossum, was safe when encroaching into his territory. The only exception was the cat, and that exemption was limited.

Let me explain then draw a spiritual conclusion. Chubby the Cat was in bondage. He was limited to 'hanging out' in only three different locations, even though he outdated the dog as a member of the family. In the morning, he was permitted one token nuzzle with King Harley, but was then relegated to either one particular chair or a single rug in the kitchen. Leaving any of those chosen spots would bring the wrath of the King down upon him. At precisely 9:00 every evening, if the cat was still in the house, the King would seek him out and ruthlessly direct him toward the door. Once outside, the cat could never go to the back yard as he would be diminished to the status of a mouse, squirrel, or rabbit and be promptly chased from the vicinity. You see, the King ruled all things well!

But suddenly, at 11:00 a.m. on Memorial Day, 2008, the earth moved. The bondage and slavery inflicted on the poor feline ended. The King, though not dead, was evicted, gone, poof; in a Malibu headed south. Salvation! Deliverance! Freedom! Peace! Security! A Future! It took a day, but the cat figured it out. His freedom was purchased by someone greater than he who has probably, by now, shed her own blood in bringing about the deliverance.

That is similar to what happens for anyone who turns to the real King, the real Deliverer, the True Redeemer: Freedom, deliverance, peace, a future, and a genuine witness that the old fallen nature has been subdued and a new life is waiting to be lived. Oh, that doesn't mean the old fear, or even the old temporary death-producing pleasures aren't missed; but they are beaten! I noticed that phenomenon with the cat this morning when I let him in the back door. He paused, waiting for his once-a-day nuzzle with the King. Nothing! He looked around, and I swear, it seemed like he shrugged his shoulders and headed straight for the living room. Freedom!

Are you free? Did you know that the old tyrant king called sin can be defeated? Did you know that the Son of God paid for it to be shipped as far as the east is from the west away from you? If not, do what is required: Admit you are beaten down by the tyrant of sin and death. Claim Jesus as your King. Pledge allegiance to Him. Follow him as your true leader, and kiss the old tyrant good bye!
Pastor Jim

The Unfolding Continues

Iran is closer than ever to developing nuclear weapons and the world continues to snooze through it. Read the following from the a Jewish watchdog organization that obtained files revealing the nuclear progress being made.

DEBKAfile reports that the documents came from materials contained in a laptop stolen from one of the heads of Iran’s nuclear program in Tehran in late 2006 by Iranian dissidents. It was passed to the CIA. Despite this evidence of an ongoing nuclear weapons program, sixteen US intelligence agencies, including the CIA, combined last year to announce this program was suspended in 2003.
Even the nuclear watchdog’s director Mohammed ElBaradei, who often meets the Iranians halfway, has concluded that Iran’s nuclear activities are of “serious concern” and require “substantial explanations.” which Tehran has refused to offer.
His latest report describes Iran’s installation of new IR-2 and IR-3 centrifuges for enriching uranium at the Natanz site as “significant” yet not communicated to his agency. IAEA inspectors on a visit in April were denied access to the sites where the centrifuges are manufactured and the scientists involved. Some, the report states, were produced by Iran’s “military” (a reference to the Revolutionary Guards corps which is in charge of Iran’s nuclear weapons industry).
An official connected to the watchdog disclosed that since December, the Iranians have processed close to 150 kilograms, double the amount produced in the same period 18 months ago.

Image what would happen should Iran break through to having its own nuclear arsenal.
We are not looking at a nation desiring to project itself onto the world stage simply to be a partner in power. Rather, Iran is led by men who are bent on nothing less than destroying Israel and its one remaining ally. Then, if that is not enough, it desires to take the lead in forcibly spreading Islam around the globe. If Iran is unable to accomplish that mission by threat, it will do so by catastrophic means. Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinijad is rabid in his intent to fulfill his destiny: to bring back the hidden 12th Imam--the infamous Mahdi. He will do it by evangelism (and I use that word lightly) or by chaos.

Further, it was widely reported today that the Sudan (ancient Cush in the Book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39) has signed a military cooperative agreement with Iran in order to upgrade its equipment and train the 120,000 man standing army. Iran's intent is to bypass the oil-drunk Saudis and create another threat to Israel from the region of the Red Sea. How interesting that the alignments of nations mentioned in Ezekiel is happening before our sleepy eyes. Even Egypt is alarmed at this particular development. What does it say to the alert believer in Jesus? I believe the warnings are being clearly sounded by events, if not by watchmen shouting from the walls.

Should we wring our hands in fear? Absolutely not! This is the hour when we must increase our understanding of the times and see that the greatest opportunities for sharing the Prince of Peace with the world is at hand. Good Christian, awake, arise, and shine. Time is short!
Happy Day! (For real!!!)
Pastor Jim

Another Carter Bumble

Only one month has passed since former President Jimmy Carter clumsily showed his ineptitude in Middle-East diplomacy. On that trip, Israel, the only democratic partner the United States has in the region, was shunned and betrayed as Carter openly sided with Hamas. The resulting chiding on the part of the State Department forced Carter to at least meet with Israeli politicians, but the damage was done.

Now, Carter has done it again. As reported by the London Times, Carter revealed that the world has no serious means of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear arsenal because Israel maintains over 150 such weapons. Although his intent was to convince the pundits that there must be another avenue of bringing pressure to bear other than embargoes and military solutions, the statement will prove to do more damage than good in the attempt to halt nuclear proliferation. Until this weekend, no proof has ever been given, nor has there been any confirmation that Israel possesses such weapons. Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinijad has been given a gift. He can point his finger at his mortal enemy and cry 'foul,' and the rest of the world has no opposing leg on which to stand.

It gets even worse as reported by the Debka Files today, May 27th; “Meanwhile, in an interview with The Guardian, Carter called on members of the European Union to break the embargo of the Gaza Strip, which he called "one of the greatest human rights crimes on Earth. Most families in Gaza are eating only one meal per day. To see Europeans going along with this is embarrassing," he said. Carter called the ban on talking to Hamas "unrealistic" and cited Israeli cease-fire negotiations with Hamas - via Egyptian mediator Omar Suleiman - as reason enough for the Europeans to reexamine their stance.”

Carter ignores that fact that dozens of small, deadly rockets are flying from the the Palestinian territories into Israel every day. Israel has the absolute right to defend its people and property from outside aggression. It is obvious that giving up land to insure peace has never worked, yet overly-zealous and self-important elitists like Jimmy Carter continue to call for even more concessions. Sadly, Israel will eventually comply, even to the dividing of Jerusalem. I for one, will continue to call for that day to be held at a distance as long as I possibly can. Why? Again, Joel chapter three gives clear indication that, when the world pressures Israel to divide its land, God will step in and it will not be pretty.

In the mean time, keep your eyes open to events in the Middle East and do your best to bless Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pastor Jim