The Gaza War

I don't claim to subscribe to everything Joel Rosenberg says or stands for, honestly I don't know that much about him. However, I've been getting his updates for awhile and he's always been spot on. I thought I would share this. Please take not, in particular of the verses included.

New posts are coming soon! :-) It's part of my New Year's Resolution!

EARTH TO EUROPE, RUSSIA: HAMAS MUST BE CRUSHED, NOT CODDLED

By Joel C. Rosenberg

(Washington, D.C., December 31, 2008) -- The Gaza war rages on with no immediate end in sight. Indeed, Israeli sources tell me a ground operation into Gaza is not yet definite, but is likely.

Israel has rightfully rejected a French-proposed 48 hour cease-fire, saying the Gaza operation will continue until Israel's goal of shutting down the terrorist rocket threat is accomplished. The leaders of the European Union, Russia, and many governments around the world are putting enormous pressure on Israel to stop defending the Jewish people and stop attacking the terrorist strongholds in Gaza. This is crazy. Why do the Europeans and Russians have such a double-standard when it comes to Israeli national security?

More than 6,300 rockets and missiles have been fired at Israel by Hamas since Israeli withdrew its military forces from Gaza in 2005. Some 400 rockets have been fired at Israel just since December 19th. Would the French or Germans agree to a cease-fire if they were being hit by hundreds and thousands of rockets, missiles, and mortars by enemies sworn to annihilate them? Of course not. The Russians invaded Georgia for far, far less.

"We didn't initiate the Gaza operation in order to end it while Israeli towns are still under fire, as they were before the operation," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told reporters. "Israel has shown restraint for years; she gave the truce a chance; we told ourselves 'let's try it,' but Hamas violated the truce."

I don't often say this, but Olmert is right. Hamas must be crushed, not coddled. Yet the world is trying to coddle these Palestinian Radical Islamic jihadists. It's an outrage. The onus is on the Hamas terrorists to lay down their arms and stop firing rockets into Israel. Until that happens, the IDF should continue fighting.

It pains me to see the suffering on both sides, but this is entirely Hamas' responsibility. They were urged by Egypt, by Mahmoud Abbas, and by the Israelis not to let the previous cease-fire lapse, but they chose war instead. They have never been hit this hard. Indeed, Gaza has not seen this level of fighting since 1967.

Israelis living within rocket range are truly safe and secure. Yet, the Islamic Radicals in Gaza don't appear ready to surrender. To the contrary, Hamas is using longer-range rockets than ever before - some of them made in Iran - putting hundreds of thousands of more Israeli at risk than in previous clashes. Hamas has already fired more than 50 rockets, mortars and missiles at Israel as of 4pm local time (9am eastern). Two hit the Israeli city of Beersheva last night, some 28 miles from Gaza. This is the first time Beersheva has ever been in range of Gaza-fired rockets. Haaretz reports that no one was injured but 40 people were treated for shock. The city is rattled, and theaters, cinemas and other shops and businesses are shutting down. Rockets also continue to hit the town of Sderot, and the Israeli coastal cities Ashkelon and Ashdod. I'm told that most of the children in Sderot have been evacuated from the town. Many are now temporarily relocated to northern Israeli cities and towns, such as Haifa.

Iran, in addition to providing Hamas longer-range rockets, is also now apparently recruiting some 10,000 volunteer suicide bombers to attack Israel.

To visit Joel's new weblog site and get the latest developments in Israel, Russia and the epicenter -- including links to stories mentioned in this Flash Traffic report -- please click here

To visit Joel's website -- www.joelrosenberg.com -- please click here

GAZA WAR: Prayer Update

The people of the Holy Land are going through great pain and suffering right now. But we should not be discouraged. Rather, we must turn to the Scriptures for the Lord's perspective, embrace His promises, and obey His commands.

The Bible is clear: God loves the people of Israel, as well as their neighbors. He has a wonderful plan for their lives, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give them a future and a hope. Jesus offers those who choose to follow Him true peace that cannot be found anywhere else. He promises to protect His people. He promises them an abundant life here, and in the hereafter. He promises to answer their prayers when they pray for His will to be done and pray in His Name. What's more, He commands His followers to love their neighbors and their enemies. He commands them to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, and care for the suffering. Should we not draw near to Him and follow Him wholeheartedly at this critical time?

"I have loved you with an everlasting love," the Lord says in Jeremiah 31:3. "Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness."

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (I John 4:8)

"For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord in Jeremiah 29:11-13, "plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I came that they might have life and have it abundantly," said Jesus in John 10:10.

"Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper....The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever." (Psalm 121:4,5,7,8)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you," said Jesus in John 14:27. "I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Jesus said, "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also....I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me....Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:1-3,12-14)

"If you love me," Jesus said in John 14:15, "you will obey what I command."

* Please continue praying for real peace -- not just the absence of conflict but the presence of true justice and true security on both sides of the fence.

* Please also continue praying for the scores of children on both sides who are being traumatized by all the rockets and bombs -- pray for the Lord to comfort and care for them in a supernatural way.

* Please pray for the followers of Jesus in Israel and Gaza, that they will have courage and hope from the Lord, that they will hear from the Holy Spirit how best to love their neighbors and their enemies, and that by their words and actions they can communicate the good news of God's great love and plan for Israel and her neighbors.

Christian Personal Finance - Christmas Give-A-Ways!

I've been following the Christian Personal Finance blog for about a year. I think technically I'm considered a 'lurker' because I don't usually comment on anything...and that I think is what 'lurkers' must do.

However I decided to break with tradition and post a link to CPF here:
http://www.christianpf.com/christmas-giveaways-two-ipods-and-more/
because the give a way contest is pretty awesome...and I have benefited a lot from the site. I follow several *secular* finance blogs too...but I like to compare and contrast the views and opinions.

Hope you enjoy the blog as much as I have.

says it's going to be a long, cold night

What To Do With Christmas?

Someday I need to write a real post. You know, the kind that actually is informative....
I actually do have some pretty decent thoughts and paragraphs tumbling around....perhaps soon I can make the time to put them on paper...or at least post them here. It just feels like I'm constantly two steps behind everyone and everything else. I feel perpetually behind, and seeing as I detest being late....it's rather annoying.

Everyone has been pretty stressed out of late, a lot is going on even though lawn and landscaping is slowing down. Work slowing down outside only seems to stress everyone else out. Just because things are slacking in that department doesn't mean I'm not busy...I'm just as busy now, and a little more so than I was in the summer. I have a ton to get done in preparation for next season. Of course though that doesn't exactly pay the bills for the next three months.

For a few days I was really getting into the whole Christmas thing. Listening to Christmas music, thinking about decorating. A couple weeks and countless 'holiday' commitments later and I'm over it. I'm really over the "Mary Did You Know" song, it's always been source of irritation. It's a pretty tune, a nice melody but I find it to be flawed theologically (yes, folks Mary did know) ...hence my irritation that it's pretty much "the" song of every Christian holiday event. I think downhere's "How Many Kings" would be a much better choice....it actually has the potential to make people think. Anyway what's with this present thing? I love giving gifts, I do it all year round. I especially enjoy when I find a gift that's perfect for someone and it's something they aren't expecting. I love giving things to people, it's awesome. I guess I'm just being stubborn, in the fact that I don't want to give someone something that I haven't put my heart into. I mean really, why do people seem to think that inviting someone to a party that they've fought with all year long, will suddenly erase all that? The "oh, it's Christmas" mentality as if that should make everything all right....I find it shocking. I'm not fighting with anyone, I just used that as a rather poor example.
I should say much though, I don't really have a social life so it's not like I have the delimma of choosing which things to go to. I don't go to anything, so at least I don't have to worry about hurting someone's feelings by not showing up.

I am making some headway in terms of hammering out a plan. Nope, still haven't sent those year overdue letters to my former supporters yet. Shocked by my Procrastination? I'm not...I procrastinate when I'm afraid of something....in this sense primarily I'm afraid to write them. I feel like I failed them, it's hard to wrap my mind around how to say what I'd like to say. I'd like to share what God is doing, I'm just too chicken to do it. And this is what I talk about with my counselor. Lot of good it seems to do if I still haven't written, eh?

Maybe if I made my own Christmas card and said "Please Don't Reject Me" on the outside and "I really do have a plan" on in the inside. That would help, right? I mean that's being totally honest. That's why I haven't written. It's like trying write a normal sounding letter, when all I really want to say is that. You try writing without saying what you really want to say....and let me know how it goes....I'll hire you to write my letter.

Why is this an issue? Oh, who knows. Why do people have "issues" anyway? Technically I think its all in my head, but that certainly doesn't make it seem any less real or valid.

So, in my broken little mind I'm viewing Christmas with a kind of perplexity.....ignore it or enjoy it?
In reality it isn't about all the stuff, the music, the socializing, commitments to fulfill etc. It's about Jesus. Thank God. Because that's a much more enjoyable prospect. Regardless of how much changes in my life or in the lives of those I love, He never changes.

When thinking about what to do with Christmas; I'm going to focus on spending time with Jesus. Celebrate His love and enjoy being loved unconditionally, because that is the rarest gift of all.

Holiday Season = Stress...?

So my day Monday pretty well sucked. It's about a year since I had a day that went as brutally wrong as yesterday did. Sad to say, today hasn't proved much better...however I found this song that I really like, so I'm posting it. Hopefully it will work.

So, I'm off for now. I have appointments to get to....

Urgent Prayer Request from India!

The following is an email I received from Malcom and Phyllis Blowes, English Missionaries to India.
They are a part of a ministry called Good News India. Please lift these people up in your prayers. For more information please contact me.

We have never seen anything like this. We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we faced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kind of carnage... And it seems to be totally under the radar of the Western Media ....

Let me explain.... A militant Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around the villages of Orissa and 'reconverting' people back to Hinduism, were gunned down by unknown assailants in Central Orissa last weekend. Immediately the Christians were blamed. The cry rose up...'Kill the Christians!' And the horror began.... In the past 4 days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches being blown up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been slaughtered. For no other reason than they bear the name of Christ.

Night and day I have been in touch with our Good News India Directors spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa... they are right in the middle of all this chaos.In Tihidi, just after the police came to offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill our staff and destroy the home. They were not allowed to get in, but they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center by throwing rocks and bricks and smashing our gate, etc. They have promised to come back and 'finish the job.' Our kids and staff are locked inside and have stayed that way with doors and windows shut for the past 3 days. It has been a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.

More police have come to offer protection. In Kalahandi, the police and some local sympathizers got to our dream center and gave our staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to even grab a change of clothes or any personal belonging. As they fled, the blood thirsty mob came to kill everyone in the building. We would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace. In Phulbani, the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there were no Christians in this area. So they left. We had favor. The same thing happened in Balasore.

All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside waiting for a chance to kill. Others were not so fortunate. In a nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave and locked up a Priest and a computer teacher in house and burned them to death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left on the road.... even women and children. At another orphanage run by another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving all the children and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to said: 'We stay with our kids.... we live together or die together, but we will never abandon what God has called us to do.' More than 5000 Christian families have had their homes burned or destroyed. They have fled into the jungles and are living in great fear waiting for the authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen. This will continue for another 10 days.... supposedly the 14 day mourning period for the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will die and their houses destroyed.. Many more churches will be smashed down. The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps things will calm down. We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm. None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and are unable to come and get them during these trying times.

Re Post - A Reminder

I’ve been thinking recently…well, not exactly “recently”…for a while, about what my motivation for being here is. Why do I do this? Sometimes I need to be reminded…. especially when things get rough…as they have been.

So I’m writing this out…not necessarily for you, though if it encourages you…great, but more so that I’ll remember why I’m here in the first place.

Paul speaking of Moses in Hebrews 11:27 said, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is unseen.” Paul goes on in the same chapter to state “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.

Who by faith
Conquered kingdoms,
Performed acts of righteousness,
Obtained promises,
Shut the mouths of lions,
Quenched the power of fire,
Escaped the edge of the sword,
From weakness were made strong,
Became mighty in war,
Put foreign armies to flight.

Paul further states that these were “Men of whom the world was not worthy.”

“Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily enables us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith….”
Hebrews 11 & 12

As a goal oriented perfectionist, it’s taken me a very long time to realize that this life we live is not necessarily about what we gain or accomplish or have but what we do with what we’ve been given. So “accomplishment” as the world would deem it, really amounts to very little.

In Mark 8:36 Jesus said “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

In 1st Corinthians we read that at the end of all things, after our physical bodies have failed: when all wisdom and knowledge and might cease to be, the only things that will remain is love. Love that is perfect, completely unselfish, love that is not resentful or fretful. This love keeps no record of wrongs done to it and does not seek revenge. This love does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness but rejoices when right and truth prevail. This love bears up under and endures unfailingly throughout any and all difficulties, trials and hardships. This love never fails or fades out or becomes obsolete.

Throughout the New Testament we are command as Christians to walk in this love. That is to say we are commanded to respond and react to each other and to those around us in this attitude. This is what Paul is referring to when you he says “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

When you strip all of the drive for success away, when all the nicely polished awards fade and your name is forgotten….you will be remembered for the person you were, not what you accomplished.

Jesus didn’t leave behind massive trust funds to aid Jerusalem’s widows and orphans. Traveling down Jerusalem’s dusty roads you won’t find schools, libraries or hospitals named in His honor. You’ll find a hill that marks his death and a grave that – for Christians- mark is life. I find it interesting that in reality the real symbols of Christianity speak of death and dying….yet we all acknowledge that though He died, He rose, victorious. How often do I consider dying to myself as a victorious act? More often than not…I tend to shy away from things that would require me to set my own will and desires aside. How contrary this is to the example we are given in Christ…..who endured the cross, the shame, the ridicule, the separation….he gave all he had and then commanded us to “go into all the world” and do the same.


His life impacted those around him, who in turn impacted their world. He wasn’t interested in merely making a physical contribution to “society” but in impacting the lives of those around Him with the Father’s love for all eternity. In this way, He perfectly carried out the will of his Father….by doing only what He saw His Father doing. He stayed in step with the character of His divine righteousness while serving admit a fallen world. This is why he prayed that his disciples would follow in his footsteps by abiding in Him…keeping in step with His established standard of service rooted in holy love. This is also why Paul encouraged believers to be found upright in the midst of crooked generation.

Certainly no small order. But one we are enabled to successfully carry out due to the empowering of the Holy Spirit…..it has nothing to do with how “great” we are. It’s totally dependant upon how surrendered we are.

The saying so popular….that it doesn’t matter what you have to offer, but it matters that you be available.

The question I found myself asking recently wasn’t “ how am I doing?” but “am I available?” Some would answer the question for me…. obviously being overseas should attest to that fact. However something I have noticed personally is that while I may be available in some areas…. I’m not always quite so willing to serve in others.

It’s not an easy thing to wash your brother’s feet…let alone the feet of those who treat you with nothing but contempt. To respond in love and compassion to one who has betrayed you.

So…am I really available? Available to do the hard things, the dirty things? Am I available to do the tasks no one else wants to do? Am I really available to do what I see my Father doing….feed the hungry, clothe the poor, help the orphan and the widow….lay down my rights, forgo my own comfort for that of another? Am I available to be counted among the least of this world so that it may be, one day, said of me that I was faithful to “do what I saw my Father doing”?

For that is required in order to be counted as one of whom the world was not worthy. Not because of anything I did or could do, but because I chose to love others in the same manner in which Christ loved me.


John the Baptist said it best, I must decrease and He must increase!

The Dark Side of the Moon

It's been said that when Astronauts cross behind the moon, they lose all communication until they "resurface" on the other side.
That's about how I feel! I pretty well dropped off the face of the earth there at the end of November. Thankfully I have resurfaced! Yes folks, I am still alive and quite happy to report...I'm doing pretty good!

Most of you knew how difficult the decision to resign from Teen Missions was and the last two months I have really struggled with that decision. However after many days of praying, thinking and talking....I have made peace with it, so to speak. I know God's plans don't always make sense. Somehow though, knowing that doesn't always help me accept them!

The upswing of course is that I'm more rested than I have been in a very, very long time. I don't think I realized how worn out I really was until I finally found the joy of a good nights sleep. It's interesting how not being chronically sleep deprived can improve mental function!

As much as I miss life and ministry in Africa, I am learning to enjoy and serve right where I'm at. The transition has been anything but easy and I am greatly indebted to those closest to me who patiently endured and kept talking me down out of the crazy tree.

So, now that I'm rested, on my way to being recharged and ready to roll....what's next?
Well....I don't exactly know...just yet. I am considering and praying about long term work overseas and there are several different agencies that I am looking at. Though my desire is of course to do what I know....work overseas....I feel a keen desire to ensure the next steps I take are the ones God leads me to. Not ones I take just for the sake of doing something....anything to have a plan!

In the mean time, while I'm waiting on God's clear leading....I am focused on a couple things.

My first priority is to "rebuild". Rebuild my personal life, rebuild relationships with friends, family and supporters and rebuild my health.

My second priority in keeping with the first is to "renew". Renew my walk with God, my service in my local community and renew my partnership in my local church.

My third priority is to "prepare". Prepare for future service through education and discipleship.

How am I working these three things out? Well, currently I am helping my parents with their business. The business has grown by leaps and bounds and they really needed some good administrative establishment...not to mention some IT help. Which is where I've come in. I have the opportunity to rebuild my relationship here at home by helping out in an area I certainly have a lot of skill in.

I have been working on phone calls, letters and emails to friends and supporters who were a bit neglected during my last couple months in South Africa. If you haven't heard from me yet....I'm getting there!!!

I am also serving in my church's missions board. This is a role I am loving! At the moment I am helping to plan and organize our missions conference. I am hoping this will lead to opportunities to help and encourage missionaries in various stages of their service....going to the field, on the field or coming home from the field.

I am also looking at the potential of helping my church administratively.

So that covers "rebuild and renew".

On to prepare....
At the moment I am re-certifying as an Emergency Medical Technician. It's a whole lot more work than I was initially prepared for but, eight weeks in I am really starting to enjoy it. It is really good to have my skills refreshed and my knowledge beefed up. Although they aren't covering some of the things I faced daily....the principals and techniques are in many cases the same. It's also giving me a chance to catch up on the new standards here in the US.

Come this spring I am going to be making some final decisions on graduate school. I have thought about this often and continue to seek guidance. I have an opportunity to earn a masters degree in pastoral counseling. Essentially the same as a counseling degree however pastoral counseling has an emphasis on counseling from a pastoral perspective. This would prove incredibly helpful as a missionary or in some other full time ministry. So I would appreciate your prayers concerning this.

I am also wanting to look into taking single classes that would address areas I feel I could use some professional development in. Classes I'm looking at would be business accounting and finance, grant writing, non-profit organizational leadership and a couple additional health related classes.

Also under all of that is a continued need and desire to rebuild, renew and prepare spiritually. Being able to sit in a pew and soak things up has certainly helped in this process!

Lessons Learned
Whew. Too many to count! God has brought around several different people and various other things that have given me some valuable insight. Not only correcting past mistakes but also teaching me what I can do differently, and what I should continue to do, in the future.

I have certainly learned a lot about myself and about how to deal with the demands of leadership and ministry as a single woman overseas. I think the biggest lesson I've learned is that it really is okay for me to say I need a break! So I'm learning how I can balance things better in the future to ensure I don't burn myself out.

Though I feel pretty secure in saying it will be a year before I begin to make plans to return to missions full time, should the Lord continue to lead in that direction. I have also learned enough by now to know that my plans and His often differ! As a result I have begun the preliminary process with a missions board. This initial process is actually the result of interest I had in a short term position (short term being under two years). All short term positions can lead to long term positions and specifically the one I'm interested in has huge amounts of potential for long term work. As I mentioned I am wanting to be careful and not rush things too quickly or assume too much. So at the moment, this is just a very early investigation. We'll see where God leads!

I have also had a couple teaching possibilities come up. In response I have sent in several resumes and will wait to see what develops there. My education and experience is very specific as a result it might not be broad enough to be a good fit, but it is a possibility nevertheless.

At the end of the day, regardless of what actually happens and what turns out to have been speculation on my parent, I am confident and excited about the future God has in store.

I am learning the importance of patience and trust as I actively wait on Him. I am also learning the joy of slowing down and taking time for things that really are important and learning to identify things that aren't worthwhile.

So, that's where I'm at! Sorry it's taken me awhile to update you all. Please note that I am working on a newsletter!!!

Until Next Time!
Andrea