ISRAEL UPDATEJune 2, 2002 - A local Phoenix newspaper carried the story this past Sunday about the threat of war between India and Pakistan.
Both President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are concerned with this possibility. They are acutely aware of the nuclear capability of India, as well as Pakistan.
The article went on to elaborate that since 1947 these two nations have fought three major wars, staying on the ragged edge as hatred for each other continues along their respective borders.
If history and memory serves correctly, Pakistan was formed after India gained her independence from Great Britain - in order for Muslims and Hindus to have separate nations and live a peaceful coexistence.
What an ironic thought - to see Israel and the Palestinians in the news daily - as people continually strive to find a peaceful resolution.
Yet India and Pakistan only make the news at certain intervals - when it is deemed necessary to remind the world there are other territorial wars unresolved. Surely, our world is fraught with extreme danger.
However, it doesn't seem likely that the European Economic Union, United Nations, the Vatican, or those other "concerned" entities are going to give the India / Pakistan issue nearly as much attention.
1947 brought partition and war to Israel. After the British occupation the Pakistanis were given a nation. But peace doesn't come until the other party accepts your right to exist as a sovereign nation.
June 2, 2002 - There are two ways to approach the Word of G-d. One will bring fruit and success in your life, while the other will only bring frustration.
If we take the wrong concept, we will “grapple with content” of the Bible - straining at gnats as swallowing camels - struggling all the while trying to make sense of things – if only by bits and pieces.
On the other hand, we can "grasp the concept" and take G-d's Word for what it is - believing it and allowing G-d to move in our lives.
Can you imagine Noah grappling with content and not getting the Ark built in time? Or Moses looking at the burning bush and grappling with the content of how the bush shouldn't have burned, then missing out on the concept?
If we truly understand G-d, then we know He is a G-d of concepts. The Bible is a book of concepts - not poetry and allegory along with a bunch of dos and don’ts.
This is why the Scripture warns us: “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” II Cor 3:6
I can't help but think of the 12 individuals that Jesus chose as his disciples - how He spent over three years teaching them the concepts to grasp - as they grappled with content.
After Jesus left and the Holy Spirit came, they now grasped the concepts rather than grappled with content. This is how the early Church grew. . . G-d, may we learn to grasp the concepts and live for You.
To be continued. . .