Last Friday night, the Fogel family in Israel was sleeping peacefully in their home when their house was broken into, and the family was brutally attacked. The father, mother, 11 year old child, 3 year old child, and infant were killed, brutally. Miraculously, the attackers didn't notice two of the children in the house, and one the oldest child, Tamar,  was out with friends at the time. I have seen the pictures of the crime scene...I would NEVER post them here because they are so gruesome!

  While this whole story breaks my heart, and I have wept over it many times, in the midst of it the family's faith has shined through! Rabbi Been-Yishai (the father of the mother that was killed) was asked this in an interview:

“Where do you have the strength and restraint that you can talk now and strengthen us, without anger and without calling for vengeance – that is not in your voice? Where is the strength from?”

Rabbi Ben-Yishai answered, “I have worked in education many years, and as an educator, I try to strengthen and teach people faith. I understand that I cannot be satisfied with words and that I also must implement the same principles on which I have educated others. This is a test of my faith, and therefore I agreed to be interviewed.”

  Today, a story came out about the little 11 year old that was killed, Yoav. Above his bed, there was a little prayer written in Hebrew that read:

May it be Your will, Lord God and God of our forefathers,

That I love every one of Israel as myself, and

To graciously perform the positive commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself.

And may it also be Your will, Lord God and God of my forefathers,

That you cause the hearts of my friends and neighbors to love me fervently, and

That I be accepted and desirable to everyone, and

That I be loving and pleasant, and

That I be gracious and merciful in the eyes of all who see me.

As water reflects face to face, so the heart of man is to man.

And all for the sake of Heaven, to do Your will,

Amen

  While it will take time for this family to heal, their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is holding them up. I only pray that their faith will grow to the fullest extent.

~Karen

Well, the crisis in Egypt is over for now. Well, kind of. President Mubarak after many false impressions has officially resigned as of this day, February 11, 2011. The United States has been trying to keep up with the quickly changing crisis over in Egypt and at times trying to juggle its backing of democracy and also its loyalty to longtime ally Mubarak. And don’t forget its fears of Muslim “fundamentalists” or Muslim Brotherhood gaining a control. If this were to happen, there would be automatic war with Israel. We know this because the Muslim Brotherhood has already stated that they would go straight to war with Israel. Israel has watched with rising discomfort, worrying that their peace treaty with Egypt could be in jeopardy. Today after Mubarak conceded his office to the Egyptian Military, Israel rapidly insisted that post-Mubarak Egypt continues to hold fast to the peace treaty that has been in place between them for over 30 years.

Vice President Suleiman who also lost his office in the military takeover delivered this short announcement today: “In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic. He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state. God (Allah) is our protector and succor.”

Another thing to think about is what if the Muslim Brotherhood was to take over Egypt and cut off the Suez Canal? How much would gas, food, and any other product transported skyrocket? Why is our President not letting us drill in the Gulf of Mexico?

It will be very interesting to see how the transition plays out over the next few months. Hopefully it will work well and peace can be restored without excess violence.

The video below is from Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) delivering his assessment of the current situation:

-Matt

Kristine Luken, an American, and I had a lot in common. We both love God's chosen people, and would give our lives for them. The thing is, Miss Luken already has given her life.

"An American tourist killed in a forest outside Jerusalem had deep spiritual ties to Israel through her involvement with an evangelical ministry that promotes Christianity among Jews.

Kristine Luken, who was in her mid-40s, was stabbed to death Saturday while hiking with a friend. Israeli police had originally identified her as Christine Logan.

Luken was involved with the “Church’s Ministry among Jewish people,” first in the U.S., then in England, where she became a ministry staffer. The church is active in Israel.

On the CMJ American web site, Luken quoted inspirational poet Minnie Louise Haskins’ words, “Go into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

A 2007 study tour in Israel, “Walking with Jesus in his Jewish world,” brought Luken to the church, she wrote on the site.

She and Kaye Susan Wilson, a naturalized Israeli from the U.K., became friends on a study tour to Poland earlier this year, the Rev. David Pileggi of CMJ’s Christ Church in Jerusalem said Monday. Luken, an avid hiker, and Wilson, a professional tour guide, decided to go hiking together in Israel during Luken’s Christmas holiday, he said.

On Saturday, the two headed for the wooded hills. Wilson told Israeli reporters from her hospital bed Sunday that she and Luken were attacked by two Arab men with what looked like a bread knife.

She said she escaped to a nearby road after pretending to be dead. Luken’s body, hands bound and bearing multiple stab wounds, was discovered Sunday in the forest.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said authorities were treating the attack as politically motivated, while not ruling out that it could have been criminal.

The forest is inside Israel but close to the border with the West Bank and the Palestinian villages of Husan and Wadi Fukin." View rest of Ariticle

My prayers are with her family.

~Karen

From the Jerusalem Post

"ROME – Bishops from the Middle East who were summoned to Rome by the pope demanded on Saturday that Israel accept UN resolutions calling for an end to its “occupation” of Arab lands.

In a final joint communique, the bishops also told Israel it shouldn’t use the Bible to justify “injustices” against the Palestinians...

The bishops issued the statement at the close of their two-week meeting, called by Pope Benedict XVI to discuss the plight of Christians in the Middle East amid a major exodus of the faithful from the region.

The Catholic Church has long been a minority in the largely Muslim region but its presence is shrinking further as a result of war, conflict, discrimination and economic problems.

“The Holy Scriptures cannot be used to justify the return of Jews to Israel and the displacement of the Palestinians, to justify the occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands,” Monsignor Cyril Salim Bustros, Greek Melkite archbishop of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Boston, Massachusetts, and president of the “Commission for the Message,” said at Saturday’s Vatican press conference.

“We Christians cannot speak of the ‘promised land’ as an exclusive right for a privileged Jewish people. This promise was nullified by Christ. There is no longer a chosen people – all men and women of all countries have become the chosen people..."

 Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV)

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram...And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

 Genesis 15:18 (KJV

"In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:"

 Matthew 15:24 (KJV)

"But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

 Romans 1:16 (KJV)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

 Romans 11:2 (KJV)

"God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew."

 Romans 11:26-27 (KJV)

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins"

  Need I go on? I must respectfully disagree with this man of faith, and ask him to take a serious look at what he has said. God clearly has stated that those that go against Israel will suffer consequences.

  But I'm just a 17 year old that looks at every group that has tried to go against Jewish people, and has seen what has happen to them. What do you think about what has been said in Rome?

~Karen

 This just came out from Politico:

June 07, 2010

Helen Thomas retires

A statement from Hearst Newspapers:

HELEN THOMAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2010 – Helen Thomas announced Monday that she is retiring, effective immediately.

Her decision came after her controversial comments about Israel and the Palestinians were captured on videotape and widely disseminated on the Internet.

Thomas later issued a statement: ``I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.’’

Her comments don't reflect her heartfelt beliefs for "peace"! You've got to be kidding me! She used an expletive to describe her feelings toward Israel, but all she really wants is "mutual respect and tolerance"?

  I have a respect for the Arab people, but I don't tolerate it when the Israels in Gaza were told this when they were going to board the flotilla.

 Miss Thomas made her point clear, and I think she is making a wise decision in retiring.

~Karen

Pray for Israel and this country. Our closet ally is under attack seemingly from the world, including our own nation's current leadership. While president Obama continues with his image building of America to make nice with all the world, he gives Israel a firm kick in the gut for all to see buy not supporting their right to protect themselves. Congratulations  Mr. President, you just threw America's best friend under the bus to gain the respect of terrorist, dictators, Iran, the UN ...  do I need go on. While the President again fails to show any leadership he continues to weaken this great nation. It is pathetic and nauseating to watch. Although President Obama's decisions should not surprise anyone. He seems to have a track record of supporting those who purposely commit crimes, and condemns those that stand up for the law and that which is right. For instance, the new Arizona law. To kind of top everything off and bring this all into perspective, here is a video containing the wise thoughts of Helen Thomas, one of America's finest journalist. 

  Yesterday -- May 23 -- Israel began a 5 day war drill to prepare for the possible threat of attack from; Iran, Syria, or Lebanon. Haaretz.com reported that, "During the first three days the drill will involve the Israel Defense Forces' various command centers, the police, emergency services, ministries and other government offices. The exercise, which is held annually in May, will be broadened on Wednesday to include civilians, with a siren sounded at 11 A.M. throughout the country. Civilians will have to seek cover in shelters or other secure areas."

  I find it sad that Israel has to prepare this way. They should be able to live freely without fear of a deadly attack. However, what is the US doing to help? Nothing! Our president and those in this administration have repeatedly snubbed Israel, and now I'm afraid that Israel may not see the United States as friends and trusted allies any more.

 As I have stated before, it is of vital importance that the US remain a friend of Israel's. Every country or group that has gone after Israel and the Hebrew people in the past have failed greatly! God's promise to Abraham still rings strong, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:"

 Yet still, Israel prepares for the expected attacks. Well we stand with Israel? I will! I will protect Israel with everything thing I have. However, if our leaders continue to turn from Israel, and turn to her enemies... be prepared for a curse. In the mean time, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  

~ ~Karen

The past few weeks a lot has been going on between Israel and the U.S. Some of you may have been wondering why I haven't said anything about it, seeing that Israel is very special to me. I haven't said anything, because I've been wanting to watch how this whole thing would play out. Let me tell you this, I don't like it.

  Just recently, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decided not to attend President Obama's Nuclear Conference. This is yet another event showing that Israel is not happy with how the U.S. has treated her the last few weeks.

  Does Israel even know that America is her friend anymore? I hope they know that the American people are her friends, but when our government snubs Israel what are we to expect? I don't mean to get all prophetical on everyone, but I believe that it could mean punishment for America!

  I entitled this article "The Blessings of Israel". God told Abraham that whoever bless him (eventually meaning the nation of Israel) would be blessed, and whoever cursed him would be cursed. When a nation turns against Israel, that nation can expect destruction! I fear for my country then!

  Even as young people, we understand that if you cross certain people at school, you will regret it! Going against God's beloved nation can be just as deadly! Israel is Divinely protected, as is the United States, but if the United States goes again Israel, God will remove that protection from us. I encourage you to study nations in history that have tried to go against the people and nation of Israel. What happened to those nations?