Prison weekly July16th 2005

Balak For the week of July 16, 2005 / 9 Tammuz 5765 Torah: Bemidbar / Numbers 22:2 - 25:9 Haftarah: Micah 5:6 - 6:8 (English: 5:7 - 6:8) God's Covert Operation "The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD" (Micah 5:6; English 5:7). "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797) Recently there was a report in our news here in Canada about the number of spies living among us from a particular country. News like this is unsettling, especially given the rise of the threat of terrorism. Those of us who are surprised by such revelations have been slow to accept the ongoing conflict that exists in our world. I don't know what it is like where you live, but it seems to me that Canadians tend to have a very naive view of the world. The reality is that everywhere everyday the forces of good and evil are battling it out. Sometimes the nature of the battle is obvious as it was last week in London. At other times, it's not that obvious. Yet the battle wages on. So much of the battle is actually a spiritual and moral one as those with questionable motives seek to drag the hearts and minds of people deeper and deeper into depravity and destruction. The most dangerous evil is the covert evil. It's the evil we can't see. That is one of the most frightening things about modern terrorism. We know the terrorists are among us, but we don't know who they are, or when they will strike, or how. Obviously the terrorists utilize secrecy because it is effective. Its effectiveness is not limited to the end result of their activities, but it has an ongoing unsettling effect upon our societies. At the same time there is another covert operation that is at work among us that you even now may not be aware of. This covert operation does not have an evil motive � far from it! For it is God's covert operation. There are people living among us, who are part of a world-wide strategy to affect and influence the world for good. They live in all types of neighborhoods. They work in almost every type of business. They go to our schools. They are in our prisons. You see them in the hospital and on the bus. Some of them may even live in your house. But you don't know they are there. The forces of evil know they are there and who they are. The forces of evil understand the battle we are in. And they do anything and everything in their power to neutralize our influence, to discredit us, to distract us, to keep us hidden. If we only understood God's strategy. Like scattered seed in a garden, he has scattered his people throughout the world. He has done this knowing that we are needed everywhere, and that we have a purpose in the cosmic battle that is waging all around us. Perhaps now is the time to take action. Now is the time to come out of hiding. What a difference we could make if only we would take this battle seriously. TorahBytes

Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9) Family Parsha Balak 5765 Real greatness doesn't have anything to do with someone's fame or talents, but rather is all about his values and decency. In this week's portion, we encounter Bilaam. He was world-famous in his time, with great power and abilities. He could even communicate directly with God! But Bilaam was far from great, because he misused his talents to boost his own ego, and harm others. Once we realize what greatness is, we might be surprised to discover who is and isn't truly great, and can work on bringing out the greatness in ourselves. In our story, a kid gets a surprising lesson in greatness.

"GREAT EXPECTATIONS"

"Barry, could you please bring out another tray of desserts?" asked Wally, the headwaiter, in his typical patient way. But Barry Solomon didn't hear a thing. His mind was still spinning from the poster he had just seen in the dining room. 'The Great One', Jay-Jay Stone, his hero and favorite singer in the whole world, was not only going to be performing at the hotel where Barry was working as a waiter for the summer, but was going to be staying there for two whole weeks as guest entertainer! "Barry, the ice-cream parfaits are going to melt," pleaded Wally. The boy finally woke up from his fog. "Sorry, boss," he said, grabbing the dessert tray and speeding them out to the waiting guests. When he got back to the kitchen, Barry had only one thing on his mind. "Please, Wally. I'll do whatever you want - work double time, triple time. Just let me be 'The Great One's' private waiter!" At first his boss tried to put him off, explaining how it might be a lot of extra work etc. But Barry didn't care. Anything was worth being able to spend two weeks so close to someone so great, and seeing his famous billion-dollar smile up-close every day. Finally, after much begging, cajoling and just plain nudging, Barry succeeded and it looked like his dream was coming true. That evening, Barry made sure to put on his cleanest and shiniest waiter's uniform. He had even ironed it himself (boy, would his mom ever faint if she knew he had done that!). He grabbed three menus for Jay-Jay and his two guests sitting in the dining area of the V.I.P. suite, and with his brightest smile - not as bright as Jay-Jay's world-famous one, but pretty bright nonetheless - he excitedly entered the luxurious room, certain he was about to begin what would be the greatest summer of his life. It ended up being one of the worst. Not only didn't Jay-Jay bother looking up at him even once that evening, but he seemed to be doing whatever he could to make Barry's life miserable. He kept snapping his fingers at him, and had him running back and forth to the kitchen so many times to fulfill his special requests that the boy thought he was going to collapse from exhaustion. One time he even angrily made Barry run all the way back with his fruit cup because it had seven cherries and not the eight he had demanded. Barry just didn't get it. Jay-Jay was always smiling on the covers of his disks and acted so sweet during his performances, but in private, he just acted like a big, spoiled grouch, without a smile in sight. In the main hotel dining room, the guests were usually very nice to Barry and thanked him for his work, but Jay-Jay never said a single word of thanks to him, but boy did he explode if he didn't get it exactly right. He figured maybe things would get better over time, but they only got worse, and before long, Barry was dreading every meal. Wally felt sorry for Barry, and tried his best to help him out, even taking time out from his own busy schedule to help him bring things up to Jay-Jay. But the singer just never seemed to be satisfied, and whatever they did was never good enough for him. One evening Wally greeted Barry with a big smile. "Well, I guess you'll be wanting the night off, tonight," he said. Barry, looked up at him from the salad bar he was arranging. "Why?" he asked. "Come on, you mean you forgot what night it is? It's Jay-Jay's big grand-finale concert in the main ballroom. I'll take over your extra work tonight. Take this and go have a good time." Wally smiled and handed Barry a special free concert pass. "I got this for you, in appreciation for all your hard work this summer." Barry looked at the ticket, but instead of taking it and running off, he put it down and strapped on his waiter's apron. "Hey, what're you doing?" asked Wally. "Don't you want to see 'The Great One' tonight?" The boy smiled and said. "Yes, that's why I'm staying here, to be with someone great - you." Wally laughed. "Me, great? I'm not famous like Jay-Jay, I'm a nobody." "No way," said Barry. "Jay-Jay may be famous and sing great, but he's not truly great. One big lesson I learned this summer, is that if a person cares about others and treats them right - like you do, Wally - then he's really great, whether he's famous or not. From now on, I'm sticking with you." Aish.com

Mission Updates: Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, Firday was a good day depending on how you look at it. There was much work to be done as we were packed! Prayers were needed. One man a veteran or 18 years in the military came and asked me. " Pastor Dan, can you save me?" I looked at him funny and he then said can the Lord....He was so upset. He knew he was full of sin and had a booze problem. He had many probelms which when we prayed together he gave them over to the Father in The Son's name. I was no my knees and hugged him while we prayed and he cired. After he felt much better but it is so hard sending them right back out to the street after they want to turn their life over to the Lord...Another needed prayers as His daughter 28 years old wanted him to come to California to live. He does have a car and a apratment here but His worldly friends are trying to stop him from going...they spong off him. We prayed and he says he is going to California. We have another man who has no legs etc from the knees down. He was wrong jailed but now is out on parole. He has no where to go and as the one place he could stay his parole officer says saty there at that Mission around criminals he would violate his parole so the street, well he says if he stays in the street the same thing parol violation and goes back to jail. He waas wrongly jailed or sent to prision anyway. An attorney is going to sue them but untill the attorney gets that done this guy is in lots of trouble. We have two pregnant women come in. One is a cute Jewsih woman in her 30's but looks like she is in her 20's...she is carrying twins. Hold them all up in prayer. We need more large print KJV BIbles these cost $10 for each one! Socks so many need socks! Underwear, blankets, tolitry items....Gas of course. We did a get a $20 donation today by Pay Pal it comes most every week! The LORD bless thee and keep thee;The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee shalom. (peace)Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26 In Yeshua's Name, Bro. Dan, Pastor of Messiah's Branch

Psalms 10:2 - The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined

Shalom In Yeshua Our Messiah,Friday was a nice day Kathy was sick so she didn't come Sarina started the sandwhiches. Bootsie went right to making them when we arrived and then I took over we made nine dozen egg-n- cheese sandwhiches. We served out dozens of donuts and I served some canalope and watermelon.For dinner I made tuna salad for sandwhiches, macaroni salad,and peaches, we had a half bucket of macaroni salad and a small container of tuna salad along with about three dozen donuts that I sent with a family who has three small children. For our Sabbath Dinner Grandma made us a pan and a half of chicken pot pie and I heated up some broccoli to serve with it. The children had BBQ chips and chicken sandwhiches. Then for break we had watermelon and grandma made us an apple pie.The bills are paid for now but will begin coming in again in the next few weeks. We need just about everything at the Mission clothes, underware, socks, personals, the everyday things we all use are needed so Please Pray about weather your to help in these works. Thank you all who have supported may you be richly blessed.I am not working now I have been diganosed with extreme anxiety causing impairment of funtion due to work place stress and discrimination and my doctor advised a 90 day medical leave while under treatment for this condition. I am feeling a little better but still have symptoms of depression. Thank you all who have prayed for me please continue to hold me up as I deal with all this.Pray about supporting these works we love you all More on the Mission next update:

Last Weeks Answer: Acts 9:32-43 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Find This Passage:^{19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.}

The TRUTH will SET YOU FREE
      Shalom sisterlinda, family & Messiah's Branch Mark9:23, 10:27