Sukkot: a very personal time – News from Jerusalem

by Tom Brennan, Many newcomers to following Messiah and His Torah look forward to the Feasts. Sukkot is a favorite because the can gather with other believers and “camp out”. The Feast was commanded to be remembered so the Israelites would retain the connection between their ancestors who left Egypt’s security, dependable food and water supply and follow an eighty year old prophet who himself followed the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Their ancestors had gone to Egypt to escape a famine and never returned. Things changed in Egypt and they fell from a people favored by Pharaoh to work levies and second class citizens. Even though each day held hard labor and oppression, at least they knew what to expect. But a long lost Prince, now a shepherd and prophet had returned and was moved by God to work signs and miracles that convinced the Pharaoh and terrified the people.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/sukkot-a-very-personal-time/

Yom Kippur for All – News from Jerusalem

by Tom Brennan, Yom Kippur will begin Tuesday at sunset and end Wednesday at sunset. This is the holiest day of the year. It is the day when Jews and Torah following Christians fast and consider where they have left God’s Presence. In these days of unrest, wars and rumors of wars, Blood Moons and many Scriptural warnings it is good to look inwards and then upwards. Our lives are filled with news, work, chores, rushed meals and endless cups of coffee. The world places a burden on us and we grudgingly accept it as a price of passage. But God has another way.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/yom-kippur-for-all/

A Lesson from “The Donald” for Israel Supporters and Defenders of Christians – News from Jerusalem

by Tom Brennan, The “Trump Phenomenon” has shaken politicos, pundits and a few media types into a state of disbelief. Predictions of self-destruction, gaffes and “electability” seem to be falling by the wayside as a public cheers on the business tycoon-reality show-real estate mogul. On the other side of the crevasse is an avowed Socialist, Bernie Sanders from the Ben & Jerry’s State of Vermont with more cows than voters. Will a Trump-themed flavor of the month be far behind?
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/a-lesson-from-the-donald-for-israel-supporters-and-defenders-of-christians/

The “Deal” A blessing in disguise – News from Jerusalem

by Tom Brennan, At face value the pending “Deal” with the Tehran Regime is a one way ticket to disaster. The Mahdist goals of the Ayatollahs are clearly stated and their maneuvers in the negotiations played the Western Powers like chess pieces in s losing game. The ultimate goal of Tehran is not merely the destruction of America and Israel but to ring about a worldwide submission to Islam under The Mahdi. All “deals”, treaties, support of proxy armies and terror attacks are merely tools.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/the-deal-a-blessing-in-disguise/

God is looking for a few good men (and women): torches and jars – News from Jerusalem

The Bible contains lots of numbers: three’s, sevens’ twelves and three hundreds. Recently a movie about the Three Hundred Spartans was popular. Done like a “graphic novel”, actually a comic book, it tells how three hundred brave warriors faced down a huge invader army and won historic fame even though they were overcome. Even the Alamo had almost three hundred defenders. But the three hundreds in the Bible have the deepest meaning because these warriors were chosen by their faith and bravery for mighty deeds.
http://www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com/israelnews/torches-and-jars/