Thankful Thursday - Peace / Shalom

Golden Cottage peace lilies

Did you know that the Hebrew word for peace is "shalom"? We say shalom to say hello and shalom to say goodbye - thus always extending the desire for peace.  It's a lovely word.

One thing I've said over and over in my life is this:  "I prize peace above everything."  Peace is a beautiful, wonderful, and amazing thing in one's life.  To be at rest, without anxiety, with a grateful heart and sweet serenity.  I prize peace so dearly, I think because I lived without it for much of my life.  Now, I have peace and I am most grateful to God.  Here is how I found it:  

"Those who love your Torah have great peace; 

nothing makes them stumble."

Psalm 119:165

Here are a few of the peace-full things around Golden Cottage lately:

The view from my office desk

One of the birdbaths at Golden Cottage

The shadowbox Jem made for my daddy's military service

The view from my living room toward Golden Cottage Garden

The beauty of flowers and plants - tenderly cared for by Mr. Green Jeans (aka as my sweet hubby)

We have 36 blooms so far this year.

Our sweet fur-baby, napping peacefully

Mr. Blue Jay who loves to steal cat food

Another fur-baby, still in ICU, but doing so much better now.  Thank you, Father

And here's a photo taken on my second trip to Israel.  It's in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.  The garden is a beautiful, peaceful place.  I'm longing to go there again . . . and it could be soon!  You can read about my visits at this link.

I found this meme about peace (Garden of Bright Images on Facebook).  I like it.  I found that rest in Adonai, through Yeshua and obedience to His Torah.  Shalom to you all, Gail-Friends. 

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Wisdom Wednesdays #30 - Pray for Peace

As the attacks by Hamas continue in Israel, I ask you dear Gail-Friends to continue to pray for peace.  Please see my previous post regarding the history of this conflict HERE.

This prayer request was sent via Jewish Jewels on Facebook:

IMPORTANT PRAYER POINTS: 

1. That terrorist all bases and infrastructures, arms factories and weapon’s tunnels will be pinpointed and destroyed.

2. That Hamas rocket attacks against Israel’s Negev communities and across the country will fall short of civilian areas, and for the infallible accuracy of Israel’s Iron Dome system.

3. Intercede for the safety and protection of Israel’s military men and women involved in anti-terrorist activities and for civilians in targeted cities.

4. For the comforting and emotional shielding of victims young and old in the midst of constant life-threatening explosions and disruption of their daily lives. 

5. Intercede for the peace and safety of Jerusalem. 

6. That all terrorists attempting to infiltrate Israel will be detected and dealt with.

7. For the wisdom and strategy of all of Israel’s government and military leaders as Israel deals with unrelenting antagonists and terrorist murderers piloted by Hamas.

8. Please pray for Vision for Israel volunteers now braving rocket fire attacks to deliver daily humanitarian aid.
info@jnnnews.com

I saw a video song called "Pray for Peace" by Reba McIntire today, and it tells me others are burdened for peace, too.  If you know your Bible, you know that peace will never come until Messiah Yeshua returns.  My prayer is for the Jewish people to accept Yeshua as their Messiah ben David.  This song is the cry of my heart.  I hope you will listen and pray:   Shalom, Shalom Jerusalem by Paul Wilbur

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 I'm linking up today with:
 Spiritual Sunday

The Gathering Spot Link-Up

All Things Bright and Beautiful Link-Up

Modest Mom Monday Link-up 

Growing Homemakers Link-Up

Titus 2 Tuesday 

Tuesdays with a Twist

A Hope in Every Season Homemaking Link-Up  
Wordless Wednesdays 

Winsome Wednesday

A Wise Woman Builds
Whole Hearted Wednesday 
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Whimsical Wednesday

Hearts for Home
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Fab Creative Friday
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Wisdom Wednesday - #28 - Pray for Peace

Today, I am continuing the teaching about the word shalom, which started HERE last week.  Shalom means "peace", and praying for peace is heavy on my heart today.  Psalm 122:6 says,

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."

In light of the sad events occurring in Israel this week, I want to devote this post to Israel.  Over the past weeks, two very sad and troubling events happened.  The first was the kidnapping and murder of three teenage Jewish boys by Palestinians.  A second tragedy occurred when a Palestinian boy was murdered.  All of these deaths are heartbreaking.  

This senseless killing has led to rioting, bombings of Israeli cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and now retaliation by Israel.  Benjamin Netanyahu issued this statement today:

"In recent days, Hamas terrorists have fired hundreds of rockets at Israel's civilians. No other country lives under such a threat, and no country would accept such a threat.

Israel will not tolerate the firing of rockets on our cities and towns.

We have therefore significantly expanded our operations against Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in Gaza.
 

This comes after our repeated efforts to restore calm were met with increased Hamas rocket fire.

Israel is not eager for war, but the security of our citizens is our primary consideration.

Israel targets Hamas terrorists and not innocent civilians. By contrast, Hamas targets Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians. Hamas, therefore, bears full responsibility for any harm that comes to Israeli and Palestinian civilians alike.

We are determined to give our citizens the safety and security they deserve."

We stand on the side of Israel, and pray for those in the military, as well as the leaders and the citizens.  We also pray for the Palestinians to have peace.  

My dear Gail-Friends, I pray for you to stay on the right side of this conflict.  The right side is the side of Israel.  Why?  Because Hashem has said,  

"I will bless them that bless thee (Israel), and curse him that curses thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3)  

He has His hand on this country and has never turned His back on them.  They are a part of His plan for eternity.  That is the reason so many desire the destruction of Israel.

In light of my knowing there are some who think Israel should give up land for peace, I give you this history lesson:

The history of how G-d gave Israel the land is recorded in the Bible in Genesis 12. Muslims, of course, do not accept this, because they do not accept the Bible.

After the death and resurrection of Yeshua, the Messiah, and the destruction of the second temple, many Jews were taken into slavery to other lands, but some stayed in the land.  Jews have occupied it ever since G-d gave it.  They’ve been fought against and enslaved, but have always been favored by G-d in the end.

After World War 1, the League of Nations, through the Balfour Declaration, gave the British control of the land of Israel (aka Palestine) and Jordan; the French were given control of Syria and Lebanon.  The Arabs were all fighting among themselves, as they are now.  

Then Hitler and World War 2 came along, and at the end of it, the United Nations, which replaced the League of Nations declared Israel a Jewish state in 1948.   That was when many refugees began to return to their homeland, Israel.  There were Jews in Israel who helped them return and find homes, jobs, etc.

The Arab nations then vowed to destroy Israel and wipe it off the face of the earth.  The Arab religious and political leaders at the time told the Palestinians to leave Israel and go to neighboring countries.  They did this so that they could wipe out Israel without killing their own people.  Hundreds of thousands of Arabs left Israel at that time.  Israel had told them they could live there as one nation.  But, they chose to leave their homes, businesses and land, believing they would be victorious and be able to return.  They weren't victorious and their religious leaders told them to stay out of Israel.  This led to displaced persons camps in Syria, Jordan, etc., where terror groups were bred.  Now the Palestinians want to come back and claim the land they abandoned.  

In 1956, 1967, and 1973, multiple Arab nations attacked Israel.  Israel won each war, against all odds,  and acquired more land. ** 

In the name of peace and at the urging of the United Nations, Israel gave land back.  Gaza is the land the Palestinians were given in 1948, but they are free to live and work anywhere in Israel.  Now the Palestinians want all of the land and they want the Jews to leave.  They do nothing for peace....nothing...except repeatedly attack Israel.  You don't see Israel attacking the Palestinians.  But you do see them retaliate when attacked. 

Islam, teaches that it is alright to lie, steal, cheat and murder if it advances the cause of Islam.   I recommend you get the Facebook page ACT for America for some good information on Islam.  They also have local chapters that can help you understand all of this. 

One other thing, Muslims do not serve the G-d of Judaism or Christianity.  Don't ever buy that lie. We are being taught by our government to "tolerate" and embrace them as fellow believers.  That lie goes against the Bible and is not from Hashem.

**I recommend the video series, Against All Odds, which shows the history I've reported here.  G-d protects Israel, and this series shows the miracles He has performed to protect her. The formation of the country by the UN was a prophecy fulfilled, and there are more prophecies to be fulfilled, perhaps in the very near future.

Another book I recommend related to Judaism and Christianity is Our Father Abraham by Marvin Wilson.  He explains how Christianity stripped everything Jewish from Yeshua (Jesus) and came up with a Hellenized (Greek) religion.  I mention this book because I believe G-d wants us to obey His laws, yet the Christian church has taught people to reject them.  Investigate this for yourself, as I did.  My research led me to embrace Judaism and Hashem's laws, just as Yeshua did.

I believe we all were born for such a time as this.  We are seeing prophecy fulfilled, and I pray for Yeshua the Messiah to return very, very soon.  Things are lining up dramatically and I believe He could return within my lifetime.  

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel, and be ready, Gail-Friends.  He could come at any moment. Be ready as outlined in Matthew 25. I pray for Hashem to open your eyes to these truths.

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  I'm linking up today with:
 Spiritual Sunday

The Gathering Spot Link-Up

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Modest Mom Monday Link-up 

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Titus 2 Tuesday 

Tuesdays with a Twist

A Hope in Every Season Homemaking Link-Up  
Wordless Wednesdays 

Winsome Wednesday

A Wise Woman Builds
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Wisdom Wednesday #27 - Shalom In The Home

שלום

Shalom (  שלום )  is a Hebrew word that has several meanings.  It can mean hello or goodbye, and it also means peace.  

My husband and I pursue peace in our home by keeping an atmosphere of kindness, patience, tolerance and love.  Yes, there are times we get on each other's nerves, especially since we are both retired now, but we work at keeping peace a priority. 

I was talking with a young married woman recently who asked how I cope with my husband not following through on projects or not picking up after himself.  I told her this:  I pray about it first, sometimes for days.  Then I pick a time where I know we can totally focus on each other without distractions.  I tell him what is bothering me, and he always responds with love and care.  He apologizes and takes action to correct the problem.  I do the same for him.  

Now, does he ever forget that conversation and do the same thing again?  If it is a major issue, no, he does not.  If it's a minor issue such as piling up papers on his desk or leaving his shoes in the living room, yes, he sometimes does. That's when I say to myself, "How important is it?"  When I compare this thing to all the other things he does for me, is it really that important?  Most times, it's not and I just let it go.  It's just not worth harping or nagging about it.  It destroys my heart peace and my home peace.   I just pick up his shoes and remind myself that he always opens the door for me, or that he makes coffee for me every morning, or he washes the dishes for me.  His good qualities far outweigh the little things he forgets sometimes. 

I make the choice daily to be thankful for my husband's many virtues.  He does the same for me. We also speak of our love and admiration for each other daily.  This goes a long way to create peace in our home.  

When I focus on those things, the other irritations become trivial, and peace reigns in my heart and in our home.  I also like to remind myself of this verse to remind myself not to nag:

 A continual dropping in a very rainy day 

and a contentious woman are alike. (Proverbs 27:15)

Next week, I'll share more about shalom. I'd love to hear how you pursue peace in your home and marriage.


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 I'm linking up today with:
 Spiritual Sunday

The Gathering Spot Link-Up

All Things Bright and Beautiful Link-Up

Modest Mom Monday Link-up 

Growing Homemakers Link-Up

Titus 2 Tuesday 

Tuesdays with a Twist

A Hope in Every Season Homemaking Link-Up  
Wordless Wednesdays 

Winsome Wednesday

A Wise Woman Builds
Whole Hearted Wednesday 
Wake Up Wednesday
Whimsical Wednesday

Hearts for Home
Favorite Things 

Fab Creative Friday
Friendship Friday 
Freedom Friday