Palestinian Embraces Israeli Soldiers

Pastor Ari Sorko-Ram who heads up the Tiferet Yeshua Messianic congregation in Tel Aviv and the website istandwithisrael.com, invited Palestinian Saed Awwad to share his testimony at Tiferet Yeshua.

Awwad recounted how he grew up in an Arab Christian home but hated the Jews of Israel every bit as much as his Muslim neighbours.
He told how he actively took part in the First Intifada, hurling stones and anything else he could get his hands on at Israeli soldiers on a daily basis. He was the victim of regular mistreatment by anxious and angry Israeli soldiers. The pressure of the situation began to get to Awwad, and he decided to use the American passport he had thanks to his mother’s American citizenship and spend some time in the USA.
While living in the US, Awwad was invited to attend an Arab church, where he was astonished to hear the pastor preach that, though the Jews may be their enemies, the Arabs must practice forgiveness and love toward them, as Jesus had taught. Awwad was even more determined to stay away from Evangelical Christianity, convinced that it was nothing but a Zionist ploy. But God had other plans, and touched Awwad’s heart, forcing him to make a decision between the things he had grown up believing were right, and the truth he could find only in Jesus.
“I gave my life to Jesus then and there,” said Awwad. “For three days I could not eat or drink. I just read the Bible, and in everything I saw Jesus Christ.” But he still didn’t like Israel very much, so when six months following his transformation the Lord asked Awwad to forgive the Jews, he considered turning his back on God. “If you’ll ask me this even one more time I will never speak to you again!” Awwad said, recalling his reaction to the Lord. “From my perspective [the Jews] had come from many nations and taken the land that I believed belonged to the Arabs. I was angry.” Eventually his heart was softened, and Awwad knew he had to surrender to God’s nature of unconditional love and forgiveness.
To demonstrate the fullness of his transformation, Awwad invited every active and reserve soldier in the Tiferet Yeshua congregation to join him on stage, where he embraced and professed his love for them, the very people he had fought hardest to defeat. “I am a Palestinian – you are Jewish. The world calls us enemies – but we are brothers – brothers and sisters in Yeshua! Nothing can separate us. The world will not separate us, politics will not separate us, walls will not separate us. We have a place in Heaven. You and I will bow our knees and worship the
Messiah Yeshua, our King together!”
Awwad concluded by asking the Israeli soldiers to also forgive him, and was greeted by a great outpouring of love.

Source: Israel Today

BIBLE STUDY: Ephesians 2:13-18

Day 3 – PRAISE: God for this example of the love that can ONLY
be found in Christ Jesus.
Day 4 – PRAY: That Awwad’s example will show many that the
only hope of peace is in Christ Jesus.

Kenya: Leadership Training a Priority | 5

Horrendous violence followed the Kenyan elections in December 2007, tearing communities apart. Tim Wamumba, Director of AICMAR (African Institute of Contemporary Mission and Research), says that the lack of resources for Bible training means that church leaders have been unable to wrestle with vital issues such as poverty, corruption and tribalism. He highlights the need for church leaders to be trained to understand their Biblical role in their communities, and for the Church to speak boldly, sensitively and across the tribal and political divide to see real reconciliation established.

Source: AICMAR;Revival Media

Bible Study: Titus 2:1-15

PRAY: For those affected by violence and those who have been violent and for Kenyan Christians to learn to preach reconciliation in Christ’s name.

McGuinness reads his poem at Ian Paisley farewell, Big Brother returns, again and Prince Charles welcomes Hope '08 volunteers

8th June 2008

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.

Patrick Woodward talks with Editor of the Inspire Magazine Russ Bravo about the latest news from a Christian’s perspective. Today, McGuinness reads his poem at Ian Paisley farewell, Big Brother returns, again and Prince Charles welcomes Hope ’08 volunteers.

Story Links:

McGuinness reads his poem at Ian Paisley farewell
timesonline.co.uk- Martin McGuinness makes parting gift of poetry to Ian Paisley
independent.ie – Chuckle brother signs off with a poem for his pal

google all news on this subject

Big Brother returns, again!
independent.co.uk – Big Brother begins – but does anybody still care?
blogs.guardian.co.uk – The return of Big Brother, the show that just won’t die

google all news on this subject

Prince Charles welcomes Hope ’08 volunteers
inspiremagazine.org.uk – Prince Charles to meet Hope08 delegates
princeofwales.gov.uk – Diary Entry – Thursday 12th June 2008
hope08.com – A Royal Reception
hope08.com – Hours of Kindness

Please feel free to add your comments: