Good News from Israel

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 by Jerusalem Vistas~Israel Vision

Message from Jay

Shalom dear prayer warriors.

Love from Share Tzdek Hospital in Jerusalem. Thanks for your prayers.

One week ago I had open heart surgery to achieve mitral valve reconstruction, an ablation and tweaking the inside of the atrial fibrillation area. I did not need external bypass surgery in any of my coronary arteries thank God.

Hopefully, I will go home soon. I will return to the hospital 3 times a week for physio and am looking at from three to six months of rehabilitaion. I will have to learn to take things much slower.

Thanks again for answered prayer. Blessings and prayers for you all.

Love in The Holy One of Israel.

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 by Jerusalem Vistas~Israel Vision

Lest We Forget

This May in Israel is a time for look back and remembering our history, for pausing today to consider the price in blood paid over the land of Israel, and then to look forward and rejoice in the good promises of the Eternal Book concerning this Land of Israel and her peoples.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again  be two or be divided into two kingdoms.”  Ezekiel 37:21-22 Hebrew Bible.

This eternal word is for the Jewish people, represented by the olive tree to the left. 20 years ago we transplanted this olive tree in our garden, an ever present reminder of this verse. What promise in the Bible are you making your very own today? This spring, I found a sprouted olive seed  under the tree;  I tenderly transplanted and nurtured it. Photo right. Here it is, already with two branches, and full of life. This year, the olives, pomegranates and figs are loaded with fruit. Harvest time will be amazing. Jay and I gratefully acknowledge that our greatest contribution has been parenting our four sons, who now nurture many others.

Lest We Forget.…

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April 2017 update on the health status of Dr. Jay Rawlings

Dear Friends of the Rawlings Family:

Thank you for your inquiries, caring notes and of course your prayers for Jay’s well being.  Things are looking up now that it is daylight saving time, the evenings are lighter and spring is here in Israel. We are glad to be out of winter’s grip, although we didn’t get enough rain. Photo: Daniel, Jay and Josh Rawlings in Ancient Jaffa.

Since last writing, Jay has been fitted with a C-PAP machine to assist his breathing at night. This device is expensive and not covered by health care. Meridel’s brother and sisters in Canada paid for it entirely. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  After being deprived of oxygen for, how long, we are not sure, Jay began sleeping deeply and restfully. He has had to work  out the kinks learning to breathe wth it, but it has become a permanent fixture in his life now.

Since December Jay has been taking daily doses of several drugs to regulate his heart and thin his blood. But his heart is still stressed,  leaving him breathless upon little exertion. We saw his Professor of cardiology  and he has recommended an ‘ablation’.

It is a procedure that uses radio frequency energy (similar to microwave heat) to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing rapid and irregular beating.

Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners nor sits in the seat scornful.
But his delight will be in the law (teachings and statutes)
of the LORD.
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
That brings forth its fruit in its season.
Whose leaf also shall not wither:
and whatever he does shall prosper.
Hebrews 1:1 and Psalm 1:1-3.

Again we are asking you to keep Jay in your prayers at this time.

Thanks!

Jay and Meridel

The Rawlings Family and Jerusalem Vistas/Israel Vision Team.

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Made in Israel

Israel today, in spite of continual attacks, war, terror and prejudice is a miracle of survival.  Israel has not only survived for seven decades and overcome great obstacles, it is now one of the most fertile countries on earth. Israeli innovations, especially in medicine and agriculture have impacted the quality of life for a huge part of humanity.  “Made in Israel” traces how Israeli inventors have become world leaders in start up companies. Now Israel is becoming known as the “Scale Up” country as more an more innovations are birthed, nurtured and blossomed via Israeli companies.  PS, We are close friends with Chris Mitchell, CBN bureau chief here in Jerusalem and he has authorized us to run this movie. Over the years he has used excerpts of our productions for their 700 Club TV show that is broadcast world wide.

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Eternal Spring Song

Inspiration fills the air, as one breathes in the delicate perfume of the almond blossoms, while on  a nature walk. Seeing winter give way to warm sunshine and new life everywhere is down right exhilerating.

“Except a seed fall into the ground and die, it abides alone!” Truer words were never spoken. Spring is the glorious celebration of new life.Thankfully, bountiful winter rains have swept over our land, which we love to call Zion; cleansing it from months of dusty grit and grime blown in from the Sahara. The weary dry, sandy brown landscape has been painted over by the Artist who owns Eternity, including the seasons. Moment by moment before our very eyes, we witness and joy to the Life springing up out of what looked like the death of fruitfulness. This January on a bitter winter day, I found two sprouted almonds that had fallen from my indigenous tree. Joyfully, I planted each in its own pot. That was just two months ago and already they are 12 inch seedlings. Enclosed find photos of this inspirational and silent awakening going on all around us. Tourists love to visit Israel at this season to join the vibrant and colorful celebration of the ‘anemones’ or kalaniot in Hebrew.

This Eternal Song, is faithfully played throughout our natural world for all people to observe, experience and eventually come to the conclusion that indeed: Life does spring out of death. Life is determined in the seed, that invisible DNA that reproduces after its own kind. But there is no life without being planted and covered over, whether it is a pumpkin, almond, oak or man or woman. Truly, we can observe and say, “O Death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 Job’s sorrows and troubles brought him to this understandig… “I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.” Job 19:25,26. I am curious… do you suspose that Job finally came to this conclusion on a fresh spring day? Why not?

The unfolding of Spring in its glorious dept, breadth and height is perhaps the greatest wordless sermon ever presented to mankind. Birds return to us via the Great Africian Rift Valley to yet again fill the air with their mating songs. Hungerily along with the bees, they take their fill of nectar from the almond blooms. The young of many indigenous animals; ibex, conies and jackals are born at this season. Israel continues to harvest grapefruit, tangerenes, lemons and cumquots, all filled with anti-oxidents to supply the lack of vitmains we may have accrued during the cold winter. Yes, let’s agree, “He satisfies every living thing… ”

Israel’s Red South Festival celebrations

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Still Small Voice thanks you

  • My overview of Dr. Jay Rawlings health situation.
  • The rough neighborhood around Israel…
  • Short piece: “My Father holds the Rope”

Shalom Dear Friends: March 2017

For a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold, which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah. 1 Pet. 1:6,7.

Thank you for your inquiries about our ‘head’ Dr. Jay Rawlings, and my beloved husband, whom we all just call ‘Jay’. I want to send you a good report in spite of present difficulties. Just this week Lydia a German friend called to pray. She immediately discerned; “Plead the blood of Jesus over Jay’s breathing, pay attention to his breathing..” It was an amazing word.

A week ago Jay had an ‘incident’ and one of his medications had to be changed. This now requires that he have blood tests weekly. Having waited since my last letter for the results of a test for sleep apnea, we have now learned that Jay also has a serious breathing discrepancy which is acerbated during sleep and has put a strain on his heart. The hospital loaned us a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. Excitedly we hooked him up to it at bed time, hoping for a good night of rest. But, the constant flow of cold air, left him gasping for breath and seemed to cause him to develop a horrible sinusitis. A trip back to the doctor and a humidifier was added to the CPAP along with a different face mask. But he cannot use it until he has recovered from the sinusitis. That is where we are today.

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Update February 2017

Though you have not seen Him… you love Him. 1 Peter1:8

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Many of you are asking for an update on Jay’s physical condition. Today, I, Meridel am writing on Jay’s behalf because he is “not out of the woods yet.” Professor Ben Horin told us that Jay will need to take the drugs for the rest of his life because his heart continues in chronic fibrillation. He encouraged Jay to try and live as normally as possible for the next three months even though his physical strength has declined. Then he can choose to have something called an ‘ablation’. This procedure allows the doctor to put a catheter into the heart and cauterize specific nerves that are causing the heart to fibrillate. It is 80% successful.

In his own words Jay says: “In spite of what my eyes see, and what
I feel in my heart, I believe!
I am looking to the Great Physician to meet ALL of my needs. I of course am respectful of my doctors and Professor of Cardiology, but my eyes are fixed above! Thank you for your prayers for my well being. I am fighting the good fight of faith and trying to rest as much as possible at the same time. It is a great challenge for an old war horse like me.”

I love the story of a small boy trying very hard to lift a heavy load. Coming into the room and noting the son’s struggle, his father asked him, “Are you using all your strength?”
“Yes, of course I am,” the boy impatiently exclaimed.
“No… son, not yet, the father answered. Because you haven’t asked me to help you!”
What a comfort to know that when we have asked our heavenly Father for help, you have willingly and lovingly given it. Please do not stop but keep helping us to “lift the load.” This is a mystery, of the Kingdom of God.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. ” John 15:5

Every winter in Israel citrus fruit is harvested. We love the especially luscious tangerines and eat them every single day! The stem of this beautiful fruit is a nondescript, grey brown, tiny stub. Yet this little stem is the very key to the life of the orange. Through it, flows the life of the tree with all of its nourishment, to form perhaps one of the most delicious fruits ever. Thankfully it provides a rich supply of vitamin C exactly at flu and cold season. Just as long as we stay connected to the vine or the branch… we too will live and bear much fruit.

Twenty years ago our dear friend, the late Pastor Dave Duell, looked at our family and said; “You have been perfectly positioned, and positioned perfectly! I see orchards of fruit trees…” I share this as an example of how the LORD sees you and I in comparison to how we see ourselves. Let us not judge ourselves so harshly… nor think of ourselves too highly. Another secret of the Kingdom is to continue to be that little nondescript “connector” between the branch and the fruit. The Bible tells us “…a tree is known by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33 That is really the only sign we can rely on to discern if someone is a counterfeit. It is a safety rule for us in the Kingdom.

I paused and reflected upon this truth. Friends, we are learning yet again what it means to be weak so that He can be strong. It is another mystery of the Kingdom. We need Him more than anyone or anything else. Yes, He must increase and I must decrease.

Protected by the King of Love;
Jay and Meridel Rawlings and team.

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Update on Jay and Meridel Rawlings

Shalom to our dear friends:

“The LORD is good to those who [expect],
wait for Him. To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should both hope and [expect]
wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD”
Lamentations 3: 25, 26.

I, Meridel am sending you a very personal note today. Because of your loving support to us, I have courage to share this with you.

First of all, by way of an update: next week Jay has an appointment with his Professor of cardiology, who will set out the next course of action. Until then, very little has changed since he was hospitalized in December. His fibrillating heart remains unstable. The doctors are keeping a close watch.

Therefore, I wondered, “What can I write by way of an up date?” But, I gave up trying to think of something. There is no news. Then I poured out my heart to the ONE who always listens. I have discovered, as many of you have: That “to know and to be known by heaven” is the essence of deep comfort. Often I sense no distance in thought or intent when praying or thinking… (as my sons say). Without this super-natural friendship, my soul would have shriveled and died.

“A treasured gift; my special prize,
The loving ONE…caused me find!
A beating heart in tune with mine.
‘Tis simply this… a QUIET MIND!”

The most basic blessing said in a Jewish home is over the bread in the course of a meal. Of course there’s the weekly Shabbat celebration. Jesus used this most basic thankful prayer to teach the mystery of our Father in Heaven. ‘Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh’ is an eternal indestructible bond.

Midmorning today, when sitting at my computer near our little Norwegian wood stove; I became aware of that invisible loving Presence. Worry, stress, business… It all melts away along with all preoccupation with the affairs of life. Without any words being consciously formed, we experienced “the intimacy of love reaching down and embracing us both.”

At times most unexpectedly, these invisible moments of ‘loving- kindness leave me breathless… and quiet and peaceful. You could say Its a “letting down” a supernatural “rest”, which is what the Shabbath is all about.

Shabbat Shalom,

Meridel

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