The levitical Feast of Weeks (“Shavuot”) celebrates and honors God’s covenants of love. (Lev. 23:15-44) An early harvest feast, Shavuot falls 50 days after Passover, on the 7th day of third biblical month. This year the date corresponds to May 30-31, 2017. According to tradition, It was on Shavuot that…...
Why the most pro-Israel president in American history is not so pro-Israel as you may think – and how to pray
Like every American president in recent history, Donald Trump seems confident he can broker the ultimate deal between Israel and the Palestinian people. Problem is, unlike his predecessors, he might actually succeed. The other problem is, he might not. In either case Mr. Trump will be walking a political, military,…...
Celebrating Passover as a Prophetic Intercessory Act
The biblical feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are just days away, falling this year on April 10-17. Here in Jerusalem, holiday excitement is in the air. Meticulous pre-Passover housecleaning is dwindling to its final sweep of leaven from homes and businesses. Shoppers scurry through streets in last minute preparation…...
Who Owns Jerusalem? (Probably not who you’d think.)
To the surprise of many, Christians own most of the wealthiest parts of Jerusalem. Despite global focus on the Arab-Jewish controversy, traditional churches hold title deed to large swaths of real estate here. The Prime Minister’s and President’s Residences, Knesset, Israel Museum, King David Hotel, Great Synagogue, Mamila Mall and…...
On Israeli Memorial and Independence Days (May 1 and 2, 2017): Does the Day of Jacob’s Trouble Lie Ahead?
This week we celebrate with thanksgiving the 69th anniversary of the re-gathered Jewish state. Israeli Independence Day always comes the day after Memorial Day, which honors fallen soldiers and terror victims. The unusual timing was intentionally set so that 24 hours of sorrow and mourning would be followed by joy…...