Hi Everybody!

Just a quickie to wish you all a Blessed and wonderful New Year ahead.

We had rain on Christmas here, and it looks like there may be some in store for this weekend too – perhaps even snow on Mount Hermon in the north!

So may God have mercy on us all and may we be convicted, comforted, and become more Christ-like through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Happy New Year!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Everybody!

Well – it's another eve to a holiday here in Israel, so lets blog about Sukkot.

This is another Biblical holiday running a total of seven-days. You can read about it in Leviticus 23:34-35 and 23:39-43.

The first day is a full holiday – like a Shabbat. Each of the seven days are marked by special prayers and scriptural readings including the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Sukkot is a joyful, family oriented holiday. This is opposite to the holiday we just celebrated a few days ago; Yom Kippur – which is somber and introspective. Sukkot is characterized by two main things. First, Jewish folks are enjoined to build a sukkah. This is the temporary wooden structure to parallel the structures the biblical Jews slept in during the exodus out of Egypt during the 40 year sojourn in the desert.

They are to ideally eat all of their meals within it, and (when it is possible) sleep in it too.

These temporary huts are topped with thatch or palm fronds. They are usually built on patios, rooftops, or courtyards to the home.

The second main Sukkot observance is the special bouquet. It consists of a closed palm frond, a citron, a myrtle branch and a willow branch – that is held during morning prayers on each of the seven days - except on the Sabbath).

Its origins can be traced to Leviticus 23:40, but there are many traditional explanations of its symbolism that do not come from the Bible.

We'll talk more about it on tomorrows Harvest Show – so be sure to tune in as I bring you all the news from here in Jerusalem.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everyone!

It's another holiday in Israel – but this is the 'biggie'...

Yom Kippur is Hebrew for "The Day of Atonement", the day when, in Old Testament times, the Jewish High Priest would go in before God in His Tabernacle, and then the Temple - and make atonement for the sins of the Jewish nation.

It began at sunset today here in Israel. All is quite outside, as essentially 75% of the State's population observes this Jewish holiday.

The observance of this day is spoken about in the Bible; Leviticus 16:29-31 and 23:27-32.

For Jews, it is the holiest day of the year. Even secular non-observant Jews heed this day's hollowed call.

Indeed right now, the streets are largely deserted and everything is closed. Quite a contrast to last night where there where tons of people heading to the Western Wall and practicing ritual to have their sins forgiven.

Yom Kippur is also the day on which, according to Jewish tradition, peoples fates for the coming year are sealed.

There are Synagogue services where the main focus is on penitential prayer. This goes on for most of the day.

Also included in the afternoon are special scriptural readings – most notably, the Book of Jonah.

Memorial prayers are also included for the deceased. These are generally said four times a year, and are recited again on Yom Kippur.

Since the day is a day of introspection, and one completely separate from the normal course of daily life, the physical aspects of life are put aside while one is supposed to concentrate on their spiritual concerns.

To underscore this, the day is marked by a full fast. Jews will not wear anything made of leather, the ladies will not use cosmetics, there is no bathing or smoking allowed either.

It will all come to a close with nightfall on Saturday when the shofar (or ram's horn) will be sounded once to mark the end of the observance of Yom Kippur.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everybody,

As today is still the Jewish New Year – what better thing to blog about! So lets learn a little more about Rosh Hashanah.

Here in Israel it is a two-day celebration. You can find the Biblical connection in Leviticus 23:23-25, and both days are marked by special prayers and scriptural readings. The main public or iconic event of the Rosh Hashanah service is the blowing of the shofar – or ram's horn) during the morning prayers.

Both days are full public holidays and, as on the Sabbath, there will be no public transportation or newspapers. In addition, many businesses, museums and other institutions, which are normally open on the Sabbath, will be closed over the holiday. Rosh Hashanah is also characterized by two special customs.

The first one, which is the most popular, is the eating of apple slices dipped in honey, symbolizing the hope that the coming year will be "sweet."

The second involves going to a natural source of flowing water (such as an ocean, river, or spring) where one then reads a selection of scriptural verses.

Afterwards, one throws pieces of bread into the water – to symbolize the "casting off" of the previous year's sins.

This practice derives from Micah 7:19; "...and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea".

This verse in Micah is lovely to connect to the new year because from a Christian perspective, we of course see Jesus Christ as the One who has cast off our sins through His death and Resurrection.

And because of that, by faith in Him, we shall live with God through all eternity when our redemption comes – Halleluiah!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hi Everybody,

It's holiday time again over here in Israel!

In the Bible, one of the three pilgrimage festivals (along with Passover and Sukkot) is Shavuot – and it starts tonight. Shavuot marks the giving of the first five books to Moses in the Bible – known here as the Torah.

That happened on Mt. Sinai, seven weeks after the exodus of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. The word "Shavuot" literally means "weeks" and is celebrated exactly seven weeks after the first day of Passover, which marks the exodus itself. You can find it outlined in Exodus 34:22 and Deuteronomy 16:10.

So what happens in a typical Jewish home for this celebration?

On Tuesday night, June 7, after festive evening prayers and a festive meal, many people will follow the custom of staying awake all night and studying religious texts, followed by some morning prayers. This represents the 'enthusiasm' of the Jewish people to receive the Torah – or the Law.

Here in Jerusalem, there is a widespread custom of going to the Western Wall – which will be packed – for prayers, often accompanied by dancing and singing. In ancient times, Shavuot marked the end of the barley harvest, and the beginning of the wheat harvest. Jewish farmers brought their first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 26:1-11), where special offerings were brought (Numbers 28:26-31).

Shavuot is also referred to as the "Day of First Fruits" and the "Harvest Festival" (Numbers 28:26 and Exodus 23:16). And when we consider all the symbolism and meaning it is a solid reminder of God's faithfulness to give us grace when He comes to redeem us.

You see, if you followed the Church calendar – we just celebrated Ascension Day – where Christ left us the promise that He will come again – and until then we are to labor in the fields of salvation.

Friends – it will happen... God keeps His Word – and I'm glad He does, because this pilgrim needs to be set free from my slavery to sin, I need grace to save me from the Law – and all that will culminate at His second coming... and what a celebration that will be!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Everyone,

It was picture perfect weather for Israel's 63rd celebration of Independence.

Many Israeli's head for the parks and forests to hold bar-b-q's and cookouts – and my family and I were among them. All this of course meant the roads were packed with heavy traffic.

Last year there were 1.3 million people visiting nature sites across the land, and this year looked to supersede that. On the official side of things, President Shimon Peres presented 120 soldiers with awards for excellence in service at his residence in Jerusalem.

Israel's Air Force marked the day with aerial demonstrations in various parts of the country. Here in Jerusalem there were three fly-overs in formation.

One of the lighter – but very serious occurrences every Independence day, is the International Bible Contest. Israel's Prime Minister is usually in attendance and this year Bibi Netanyahu was there to help present the winner with a scholarship to study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

U.S. President Barak Obama sent greetings and "best wishes" to the State.

In his statement, President Obama again affirmed the United States' commitment to the security of Israel. America was the first country in the world to recognize Israel's Declaration of Independence read out in Tel Aviv by David Ben Gurion in 1948.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Hello Friends,

On this stormy Good Friday in Jerusalem, I am going to share with you an old Hymn, Wounded for Me, written by William G. Ovens after World War I.

I think it is a wonderful expression – in a complete way – of the Gospel story on this most important three days of our Christian calendar.

I hope it is of inspiration to you all!

From where it all happened,

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Wounded for me, wounded for me,? There on the cross He was wounded for me;? Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,? All because Jesus was wounded for me.

Dying for me, dying for me,? There on the cross He was dying for me;? Now in His death my redemption I see,? All because Jesus was dying for me.

Risen for me, risen for me,? Up from the grave He has risen for me;? Now evermore from death's sting I am free,? All because Jesus has risen for me.

Living for me, living for me,? Up in the skies He is living for me;? Daily He's pleading and praying for me,? All because Jesus is living for me.

Coming for me, coming for me,? One day to earth He is coming for me;? Then with what joy His dear face I shall see,? O how I praise Him--He's coming for me!

Hello Everyone,

As today is the first day of Passover, let's address the blog to this Biblical holy day.

Passover marks the exodus of the Biblical Hebrews from the ancient land of Egypt, in essence - from slavery to freedom.

God in the Bible (Exodus 12) said that they are commanded to tell the story year after year as a memorial, and so, as the Bible says, generation after generation have learned of God's miraculous power of deliverance.

The period before Passover is marked by a lot of preparations. Perhaps the most known is the burning of the leven – that is what Chuck Freeby and I spoke on yesterday on the Harvest Show. In the absence of leaven, Jews eat specially prepared unleavened bread, or matzah, on Passover.

Matzah dates back to the Exodus itself. The Hebrews, not having had time to wait for dough to rise before leaving Egypt, journeyed into the desert with unleavened bread.

The other main identifier is the Seder Meal held last night. Following some festive prayers, families will eat a special ceremonial meal, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.

The guide for this meal is detailed in a book known as the Haggadah, which literally means "narration," and relates to the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

There is a plate placed on the table containing several special foods. Their representation goes beyond the period of the Exodus but nonetheless have strong ties to the core of Jewish life in the time of the Bible.

These foods are: a roasted egg, symbolizing the special sacrifices which were brought in the Temple; a roasted shank bone, recalling the special Passover lamb offered and eaten in Temple times; a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon, symbolizing the mortar that was used to make bricks; sprigs of parsley and lettuce, symbolizing spring; a bitter herb symbolizing the bitterness of slavery; and salt water, recalling the tears shed by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.

Additionally, there are three sheets of matzah – marking the division of the Jewish people into priests, Levites and the general population – are also placed on the table.

During the course of the meal the Ten Plagues that were set upon Egypt are recalled.

When each of the Plagues is mentioned, each participant dips a finger into his/her cup of wine and removes a drop; even though the Hebrews were oppressed in Egypt, the Jewish people are reminded that they must not rejoice over the Egyptians' suffering – thus the cups of wine cannot thus be full. But the overwhelming theme of the Biblical observance that can be seen so readily is that of deliverance.

And through our Faith in Christ, and what He has done for us through His Death as our Sacrifice, we understand that God's Angle of Death will pass over us.

We too, will be freed from slavery – slavery to sin and death. We will enter as free people into the promised land of Heaven.

How good God is in His faithfulness to the generations – and to leave us the Bible to guide us there – where a banqueting table has been set!

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Happy Palm Sunday Friends!

I thought I would forgo my Friday blog in favor of bringing you an entry on this special day!

Palm Sunday is the day in which Jesus embarked from Bethany, and rode over the Mount of Olives being proclaimed as King by the crowds who had gathered before Passover.

Today, it is marked by a procession of both the local faithful and pilgrims from all over the world – and it's going on right now!

It is especially festive as both the Eastern and Western calendars match this year – meaning the Christian holidays for the Latin and Orthodox believers coincide.

The crowds make their way down the path on the Mount waving palm branches and singing Hosanna and other hymns related to Christ's entry into the city of Jerusalem.

It takes about 3 hours the estimated 10,000 participants to complete the walk. Once inside the Old City, and the bottom of the Via Dolorosa, the worshipers collect at the Pool of Bethesda – where Jesus healed the paralytic, and share songs and a message of exhortation.

I hope today – you take the opportunity to praise Jesus as your King – that no matter what kind of mountainous problems you have, you would say to Him "Hosanna" – the root of which in Hebrew is "Save us O Lord".

God appreciates our acknowledgement of Who He is and what He has done for us.

And don't forget – you can come over here in June and see the Mount of Olives – see the Pool of Bethesda, and see so much more of where Jesus was by joining us on a LeSEA tour of the Land of the Bible. Go to www.leseatours.com to find out what's waiting for you to see!

So, as we have thus officially kicked of Holy Week in Jerusalem, with all it's pageantry and penitence, lets all devote a part of each of these days to come to God with awe, with humility, and yes – praise for His Salvation found in the Sacrifice and Resurrection of His Son.

Happy Palm Sunday from the Holy Land,

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting