Forgive

This morning, I felt the Lord leading us back to forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15; Psalm 32:1-5; Romans 12:17-21 When Jesus died on the cross, He paid for all our sin — from the tiniest infraction to that monstrous mistake we still regret. So, if our mile-high debt has been forgiven entirely, why are we so botheredContinue reading “Forgive”

Three and Three Hostages Returned to Israel

Yesterday, during combat in Shejaiya, Gaza, Israeli Defense Forces mistakenly killed three hostages who had managed to escape from Hamas: Yotam Haim (m, 28, abducted from Kfar Azza); Samer Talalka (m, 22, abducted from Nir Am kibbutz); and Alon Shamriz (m, 26, abducted from Kfar Azza). Just before that tragic event, the bodies of threeContinue reading “Three and Three Hostages Returned to Israel”

Warmth for the Lonely

Winters are cold in the dark area of the world where the Lord called our family to share the gospel for almost 30 years. Lots of snow and ice. Not many people outside. It can feel quite lonely, especially when you’re the only Christian around and an oppressive government forbids Christmas. No, I’m not talking about the Grinch,Continue reading “Warmth for the Lonely”

A Hostage Dead, A Rescue Foiled

Hostage Sahar Baruch, 25, whose brother was killed in the October 7 massacre in Be’eri, has been murdered. His and possibly another 18 bodies of hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza. Numerous terrorists died and two Israeli soldiers were seriously wounded in a failed attempt this past week to free some of theContinue reading “A Hostage Dead, A Rescue Foiled”

Better Not Pout

Sometimes, even when God has given us so much, we get upset because there’s something else we want that we don’t yet have. It may be a valid desire, even one placed there by the Lord because He plans to fulfill it one day. But the pouting is not God’s plan, neither is self-pity, angerContinue reading “Better Not Pout”

Twists in Myanmar’s Battle

While news has focused on the Israel-Gaza conflict, Myanmar’s horrific civil war has taken a turn. Various ethnic and other resistance forces have banded together and are actually gaining ground in their fight against the nation’s brutal military regime which has attacked, burned and murdered thousands of civilians since overthrowing the elected government in 2021.Continue reading “Twists in Myanmar’s Battle”

Eight Hostages Released, Including Two Muslims

Hamas released two hostages on Thursday, and then another six several hours later. Among the eight were two Bedouin siblings, Aisha and Bilal Ziyadne, abducted from Kibbutz Holit near the Gaza border. They are the first Arab Israelis freed since October 7. Five more Muslims, including Aisha and Bilal’s older brother Hamza and father Youssef,Continue reading “Eight Hostages Released, Including Two Muslims”

16 Hostages Released, and a Jerusalem Attack

Despite a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, two Hamas gunmen opened fire at a bus stop at the entrance of Jerusalem on Wednesday, critically wounding several people and murdering three (rabbinical judge Elimelech Wasserman, 73; Liviya Dickman, 24; and Hannah Ifergan, 60+). The same day, Hamas released two Israeli hostages with Russian citizenship; and thenContinue reading “16 Hostages Released, and a Jerusalem Attack”

Daughter of Holocaust Survivors and a Dog Among 12 Hostages Released

Hours after gunfire and explosives briefly violated the ceasefire with Israel, Hamas released 12 more hostages Tuesday. Among them was Ada Sagi, born in Tel Aviv in 1948 as the daughter of Holocaust survivors from Poland. Ada learned Arabic and taught it to others as a way to make friends with Palestinian neighbors. She wasContinue reading “Daughter of Holocaust Survivors and a Dog Among 12 Hostages Released”

A Miraculous Escape, and Monday’s 11 Hostages Released

Hostage Eitan Yahalomi, 12, one of nine children and two mothers released by Hamas on Monday, was abducted from his home in Nir Oz together with his family on October 7. As the attack on their kibbutz began, Eitan hid with his mother and two sisters in a sealed room. But because the door didn’tContinue reading “A Miraculous Escape, and Monday’s 11 Hostages Released”