Hi Everybody,

It's another weekend addition of Brian's Blog!

What a great week we had together learning about the different ways LESEA is impacting our world.

None of these ministries would have been possible without two things;

1. The Holy Spirit

2. God's people pulling together.

On Thursday's segment from Israel I showed you a view of the Temple Mount.

It was somewhere there that the original Temple stood. As you all know it was the Dwelling place of God and a place of near constant worship.

We are all part of God's house – He Dwells within us today. And when you tune into LeSEA you may see myself or one of the other hosts on air.

Do you realize how many people there are behind the scenes for you to see that one face?

A lot. And they quietly and efficiently carry out their tasks so that folks all over the globe can hear the Gospel.

We have people who translate into various languages, people who pack up materials to inspire those who need hope, and of course the good men and women who station themselves at the prayer line.

Thank you for your partnership – in faith – to keep our global works up and expanding!

We trust that this past week you've learned a little something new about what you can do in growing God's Kingdom here on earth.

If there's anything you'd like more information on – do please drop us a line!

We appreciate you!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Good Day Everyone,

This is the most solemn of days in our Christian calendar – Good Friday, the day the Lord Jesus Christ was condemned and set upon a cross to die.

Christ's sacrificial death in many ways is so clear in purpose – and in others it is mysterious.

His suffering began last night in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the procession led Him ultimately to Caiaphas' house.

The Via Dolorosa was full today. There were many groups from Asia, and an extremely large group from India with their colorful clothing and heart-felt singing.

The way of sorrows provides a precious walk from the Judgment Hall and Ecce Homo Arch where Pilate washed his hands of the matter – up to the Holy Sepulcher and Calvary.

The lines where long, the people patient, as one by one people came to the cross to thank God for His sacrificial death for them.

It is moving to watch.

And God too saw these very people when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He lifted onto His back their shame when He carried His cross. Jesus shed His sinless blood and breathed His last to give them – you – and me eternal life with Him in heaven.

This is why it is called 'Good' Friday. The just, for the unjust – the righteous, for the unrighteous – the great love of the Creator for His created.

Friends, take a moment today to thank God for His plan of salvation for us - that He saw you!

It came at an incredible price of misunderstanding, shame, and personal pain - our salvation.

But the story doesn't end there...

As the Bible describes a new mother forgetting her birthing pains upon the delivery of her new borne child – so too all sin and pain will be forgotten because my friends – Christ is Risen!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Everyone!

It's a weekend version of Brian's Blog – and that's because tomorrow is Palm Sunday!

Palm Sunday is crowned by a procession every year, leading from the small site on the backside (Eastern side) of the Mount of Olives called Bethphage.

This is the small place that Jesus is said to have often retired to (amongst other places on the Mount) with His Disciples.

Bethphage means 'House of Figs' and is associated particularly with Jesus' mounting of the donkey to begin His triumphal journey into Jerusalem.

The procession winds it's way along the ancient road that leeds from Jericho to Jerusalem and goes over the summit for the classic view of Jerusalem and then down through the valley to it's entrance into the Old City via the Lions Gate.

Celebrations finish with a brief service and singing at the grounds of the magnificent Church of St. Anne's at Bethesda.

It is a real coming together of the various expressions within the Western Christian community. This year the Eastern Churches Celebrate their Easter commemorations the following week.

The procession usually averages 10,000 participants, with many organized groups singing in their respective languages and waiving the traditional palm branches.

The one word that is said most this day is 'Hosanna'.

This Hebrew word has two primary meanings: 'praise' and 'save us Lord'.

That of course speaks to the crowds crying out to Jesus to be their Savior – perhaps on that day in the physical sense from the Romans more than from the release of spiritual bondage.

Obviously their were those who wanted Jesus to be the Lord of their lives, and understood that life is bigger than what we know of it.

This is one reason I enjoy so much sharing in the witness of Palm Sunday. It foreshadows that Day when Jesus will return, ushering with Him the New Jerusalem, the recreation of the heavens and earth, and the sin-less eternity.

...and on that day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess, along with all creation, that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Until then, join me in a triumphant HOSANNA tomorrow!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello All!

I've been out and about all day and in some parts of Jerusalem's Old City there's a lovely spirit of anticipation for Christmas.

It seems there are many Europeans are here this year as one walks the streets and hears the multitude of language.

Perhaps this is as close as we can get today to the feelings of the shepherd's that first Christmas eve... they knew the King had come – their Deliverer, and they went to worship the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.

As you prepare to worship the Christ-child, I send you all the most joyous of Christmas blessings from here in the Holy Land!

Merry Christmas,

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Friends!

As you know we have an opportunity for you to come to the Holy Land this June.

Who else is coming to the Land of the Bible? Over one million visitors in the first three months of this year alone!

Now some naturally are concerned about the events taking place in the Middle East – but the numbers show that there is only 2% less folks coming to Israel than the same period last year. Over the Easter holiday period there actually was an increase by 4% in the number of tourists with 300,000 visitors arriving – that's 18% more than April 2009!

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 226,000 of the tourists arrived by air (6% more than in 2010) to Ben Gurion Airport outside of Tel Aviv. This has a lot of people excited about tourism – particularly the Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov who said;

"The Tourism Ministry must contend with the geopolitical situation in the region that is influencing incoming tourism into Israel as well. In recent weeks, the ministry initiated several marketing activities to increase demand for tourism to Israel and will continue with these activities over the coming months. Marketing activities have succeeded in increasing the number of incoming tourists who stay more than one night in Israel and, as a result, tourism's percentage of the GDP has grown – revenue from tourism in the period January through April has grown to $940 million, 3% more than the same period last year."

With numbers like these, particularly over these last few months, I think it's fair to say that the question of whether it's safe to visit Israel has been answered squarely.

You can find out more by receiving LeSEA Tour's free information pack – yours for the asking! It will show you what you can expect to see and do this June in the Holy Land.

Go to www.leseatours.com to get yours today!

Brian Bush Middle East Coorespondant LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everyone!

Lets focus today on Mr. Simcha Jacobovici who claims that the nails used to crucify Jesus Christ have been found. He has created a television broadcast described as a 'documentary' to promote his claim.

To set the record straight, Mr. Jacobovici is neither a biblical scholar, nor an archaeologist, nor a journalist. He is a filmmaker. He has created a niche market in delivering theories about biblical subjects.

His critics point clearly to the what they say is Mr. Jacobovici's motive for producing such material - desire for money.

Sadly, media often needs sensation to generate it's revenue, and Jacobovici provides this. The folks at various cable channels like the credit and enjoy the ratings (hence why this all comes out right before Easter).

But who allows for such programs making claims like this to actually get into the main stream? Where is the Church in rebuffing this man?

Why would editorial chiefs and program managers allow Mr. Jacobovici – who also produced miss-informative and unorthodox presentations on Jesus' 'brothers', His tomb, His shroud, and purported dalliances with Mary Magdalene to rule their airtime?

Ultimately I suppose it is the viewing audience, some wishing to know more than what God has left for us to know in the Bible, some not able to discern between academic thought and archeological stability and the whimsical lust for attacking another's foundations in faith... and least we forget, those who buy the DVDs and CDs of these types of materials are also at fault.

They make it all possible for the next con to fund the next project and launch more of this kind of material that tears down rather than builds up.

And if some may disagree, it may be good to point out that the New York Times ignored the story of Mr. Jocobovici and his claim knowing of his track record, and the key universities in Hartford, Connecticut and North Carolina in Charlotte have not given credence to the holiday hoax either.

Christ is Risen!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Everyone!

The Holy Land has, shall we say, an expanded calendar when it comes to holiday celebrations. Today is Armenian Christmas – the last in the three Christmas celebrations, and yesterday was The Feast of the Epiphany.

Epiphany, or Theophany, means "Manifestation of God," and it celebrates Christ's baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist (Matthew 3: 13-17). Thousands of faithful, mainly from the Greek and Russian Orthodox Church, made the pilgrimage to the holy site of Qasr el Yahud on the Jordan river to celebrate.

But do you realize that this holiday not only focuses on John's baptism of Jesus, but also, according to our Christian belief, marked the beginning of Christ's ministry and also revealed Jesus as God in the form of the Holy Trinity to the world! And this all happened on the banks of the slow turning Jordan river.

In our day, every year, thousands of faithful - mainly tourists but with a few local pilgrims - visit both sides of the river, with there being a parallel site in the Kingdom of Jordan. It is a colorful and festive celebration – but also reflects some of the challenges faced by the church today divided by about 15 feet of running water.

Having said that - you may be surprised to learn that Qasr el Yahud is the third most important site for Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land (after the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of the Nativity). One can visit it daily if you are on the Jordanian side, and generally it can be accessed three times a year on the Israeli side – when the Latin (Catholic), Greek, or Armenian Churches hold their celebrations. Through coordination with the army, there are thousands of foreign pilgrims who, through their organized groups, who visit this special place. Later this year I am told, there will be a general opening to the site for all to enjoy!

But the last surprise I have to share with you is the little nugget that, according to tradition, this is the place where the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan when they entered Canaan – or the Promised Land.

To me that's thrilling – because the symbolism shows that when we commit ourselves to God through the act of public baptism, we enter in to the promise God has made to us – to bring us to His inheritance that he has prepared for us. It is his promise!

Thanks for checking in – see you Thursday!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Well friends – its Christmas day for the Christian Orthodox community.

The affirmation of "Christ is Born!" is made joyfully among the faithful as they gather in the various Churches here.

Sadly, in other parts of the Middle East that joy is not present. Last night in Egypt there was a shooting attack that has left seven people dead. It happened perhaps as a revenge attack for a crime perpetrated allegedly by a Christian a couple of months ago against a Muslim.

But to have it happen after the evening Mass – which was celebrated an hour earlier in anticipation of some type of reprisal, is so incredibly disheartening to me.

In the forum of 'Peace on Earth - good will towards men, we have this happen.

And in Iraq, Christians there have suffered violence and intimidation since the fall of Sadam Hussien. The situation in Egypt last night reminds me of a car bombing that took place outside Bagdad's main Catholic cathedral a while ago. And what do we have today? Police standing guard during the service of worship and the Christian population moving away.

What strikes me most is that people do not understand the influence of Arab Christians in their lands for this region called the Middle East. Having lived here for 17 years now I can say that the futures of these peoples and of their countries are tied to the Christian presence.

On this day – a day where so many of the Christians living here are celebrating the fact that the Word became flesh, the witness to the Gospel is dwindling. Flesh is losing it's life. Yet, these Christians are the soul-savers here on the ground in very very discouraging and despairing circumstances.

Historically, when the Church has had it's darkest hours – it has shown itself strong. When there is no diversity there is polarization. Polarization does not lend itself to communication.

Please join me in my prayers for the Christian communities here in the middle east, for their witness, protection, and daily joy. It is hard to be here – but for many it is simply the core of their being – and they need our prayerful support and encouragement to do so – for the good of their communities, countries, and the Glory of Christ.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everyone from a cold, windy, and dusty Jerusalem!

Lets talk further about the question raised yesterday concerning the shrouded body dating from the first Century.

First a little background; the area where the tomb was discovered is known as Akeldama – the field of blood, where Judas killed himself after betraying Christ. It is near to where I live.

The tomb is typical from that time era, except that the entrance was plastered over and thus never discovered till our day. Because of the sealing of the entrance, and the fact that the rock from which the tomb was made is not humid like most Jerusalem stone, the body inside was extremely well preserved.

The first fascinating fact is that the body was only (ceremonially) buried once. This means that the body was wrapped in a clothe – a shroud, with spices, as the body would decompose.

What would normally happen is that after time the body would be brought outside, bleached by the sunlight, and then the bones collected and placed in their final resting place – an ossuary (stone box).

This body is an exception, and the reason is that when scientists did DNA samples on the body they found that the man died of tuberculosis and also had lepercy.

Now the issue I contest, is that the Israeli authorities, perhaps to garner media attention, are saying that the Shroud of Turin cannot possibly be from the time of Christ because now we have a pristine example of such a cloth. You may recall that the Shroud of Turin is thought by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

The argument boils down to the weave in the shroud. The newly discovered shroud is a made of a weave of two – as opposed to the much more complex and demanding weave of four that the Shroud of Turin is made up of.

The authorities here have published that this find is conclusive evidence that the Shroud is a hoax. However, there are several things being overlooked – Chief of which is the eyewitness account of the Holy Scriptures.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus where both religious leaders of their day – men of prominence and standing. IT was them who took Jesus' body down from the cross, preparing it for burial and placing the body in Joseph's own tomb.

Nicomdemus was the man who had the classic discussion with Jesus asking "How can a man be born again?" Both men considered the trail and death of Jesus to be a mocery – and thought that Jesus was an exceptional man of God, killed by the jealous leaders of a flawed social system.

They had at their disposal the finest of what Jerusalem offered, and in their last act of endearment for this unjustly treated Rabbi – they did exceptional things – such as the (approximate hundred pounds) of spices – that would have cost dearly... and so perhaps the shroud to wrapped Jesus' torn body in.

So why is it so hard to believe, that the finest available clothe would have been used, as the evidence in the scriptures suggest circumstantially?

I am not necessarily arguing the point of authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. It is more that I just find it hard when there are some who seek to make a name for themselves by tearing down the faith of others – particularly when it centers around our Lord.

Hope this explains things clearly without going into too much detail... lets remember, that in whatever cloth it was – Peter and John found it lying there in the tomb – empty! And the angel said to the women, "Why do you seek the living amongst the dead – He is not here, He is risen!"

Halleluiah!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting