ISRAEL UPDATESeptember 14, 2003 - On Saturday, September 6, 2003, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigned his leadership position of the Palestinian people.
The harsh reality of his actions will weigh heavily on this fiasco of a peace plan called the Road Map.
If anybody should be angry, it should be the new “Fab-Four”, otherwise known as the Quartet… comprised of the United Nations, America, the European Union, and the CIS (Russia).
They are the ones who pushed Israel to implement this plan, while supposedly having the understanding that Arafat would resign, thus allowing the new leadership to bring peace.
Arafat has slapped the nation of Israel in the face - first implementing terrorism in the name of terrorism, hijacking planes and attacking innocent civilians.
Then in the name of nationalism, Arafat has hidden behind the persona of a diplomat - blowing up buses and attacking civilian targets, plus all the while demanding more concessions from Israel.
When he could not get what he wanted on the battlefield, or at the negotiating table, he promised the Quartet all is well. . . Yet it has been a disaster.
The resignation of Abbas has proven Arafat is nothing more than a liar and self-serving egomaniac, with no regard for his oral or written agreements, or any peace and safety for his people.
The Quartet needs to back Israel and put Arafat "out to pasture", demanding his resignation – just as in the case of Liberian President Charles Taylor.
September 14, 2003 - The sixth type of Pharisee is referred to as the Pharisee from the love of G-d – a person that does not act righteous, but is realistic.
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea were probably these types of a positive Pharisee.
They loved like Abraham, whose claim to fame was that he loved G-d. John chapter 3 verifies this of Nicodemus, while John 19:38-42 tells the story of how both Nicodemus and Joseph of the Arimathaea took care of the body of Jesus.
We know these two men loved G-d because they risked all to be involved with Jesus. These short articles are unable to properly explain the price they paid after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Why is it so important to define these Pharisees that love G-d? Simply because these are examples we need to follow.
Today, as in Jesus' day, many depart the faith, many are weary in well doing, many love pleasure more than G-d, and many men’s hearts fail them because of fear.
As the Christian movement grew and persecution increased, how easy it would have been to say… Jesus was a fake – then go back to a life free of persecution.
But the love of G-d manifesting itself through Jesus caused these men to understand that G-d loved us and did all for us. How can we not do the same?
The church today cries out for this type of person - those that have counted the cost, yet still pursue the G-d they love. These are people that benefit a church and change the world they lived in.
To be continued . . .