Hi Everyone,

I will abandon the news today and share with you what struck me...

May seem silly - but it is something I experience daily here in the land of the Bible.

You see, man is part of a chain in history, and while it's true that in our day things have progressed hugely due to technology, how much has man changed?

Everyday I travel out of the stone encasement called Jerusalem, the holy city. When I pass out the gates, I am 'leaving history', and passing by countless folks who've traveled half the world's distance to come and experience this place - to take a step back in time...

There's no doubt about the impact it makes upon people.

The stories that have been read to us from our earliest days of Sunday School reach out to us and grab hold of us - as one sits upon a boat on the Galilee or walks up the Way of Sorrows.

It all becomes so very real.

I understand that for many, the words, promises, and events of the Bible take on a personal note when your a pilgrim here.

So much of that experience is started back home in the relationship with God in our normal cluttered, often rushed and tired lives.

But when here - the stones do seem to cry out...

Man still needs a Savior, God still loves His creation, and that Love came down right here in this land for us to experience wherever we are.

Friends, consider joining a LeSEA tour to this Land of the Bible and see for yourself where Heaven literally came down to earth in Bethlehem. Visit the way of life in Jesus day at Nazareth... And stand upon the Mount of Olives where Jesus spent so much of His time that we have recorded in the Gospels.

We' love to send you some information on what you'll see and do here in the Holy Land - contact us at: www.lesea.com

Brian Bush Middle East Corespondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Sent from my iPad

Hi friends,

I trust everybody is doing fine.

Let's talk about a couple of discovers made in the dirt of Israel this week!

Both tie right to my neighborhood here in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The first discovery was announced out in the Elah valley - a place traditionally associated with David's defeating of Goliath, and relates to the Temple here in Jerusalem.

For a while archeologists have been unearthing things they say tie the site to one of King David's fortified cities.

There is very little material to date that can be verified as coming from the Davidic Kingdom.

However now there are some clay and stone containers that have been uncovered that some academics are claiming are from the first Temple period and actually bear the symbolence of what King Solomon's temple looked like.

There is a logic there, that if this container was meant to hold something sacred, or was connected to Jewish worship at the Temple, that it depict that most important place.

The other impressive find was a stone column made from red rock lying in situ within the ground not all that far away from the Old City.

This was uncovered after the demolition of a building to make way for a new one.

What's exciting about this is that the column matches precisely to the description left by a historian who witnessed the construction of the Nea church during the days of the Emporer Justinian

This church was the largest ever built in Jerusalem. It was named after Jesus' mother Mary. It stood where the road now runs through the Jewish Quarter in the Old City. The church ran north from there and was largely built over during the reconstruction of the Jewish Quarter after the 1967 war.

All that remains visible today of this magnificent structure is the foundation to one of the naves of the church.

The historian of Justinian's day noted the red hard stone from which the church was built. From what I gather it was three stories tall with a mostly open wall to the south in order to look out to the Hinnon valley and Mt. Zion.

This newly discovered column is cut to the size that other columns were made to for the massive building.

Discoveries such as these encourage me in this Land of the Bible because it brings it's pages alive!

You too can see countless things from the scriptures if you come over here on a LeSEA tour! Why not go to: www.leseatours.com and have a look at what you can experience here in the Holy Land - the things I'm privileged to see and walk amongst daily!

Brian Bush Middle East Corespondent LeSEA Broadcasting

Such is Israeli politics...

Israel's Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has backtracked on his call for early elections – they have now in fact been cancelled.

This morning, after the Coalition Chairman at the Knesset had already approved the dissolution law with it's first reading, it was announced that Mr. Netanyahu has come to an arrangement with a unity Government by inviting the Kadima party.

This is the political party started by Aerial Sharon and with whom Ehud Olmert was Prime Minister. This is the entity that lead the opposition under Tzipi Livni who is now out of her party leadership and politics altogether.

The dramatic and unprecedented move came after a night of drama and effectively pushes the next Israeli elections to November 2013.

The Kadima Chairman, Shual Mofaz will be the only Kadima minister in the government. Israel's controversial Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman was apparently in on the move and has stayed silent throughout the media flury all day.

Mr. Mofaz, who was Chief of Staff - Israel's top military commander before entering politics, will be appointed Vice Premier and will be member of all security forums.

Certainly a unity government will find it easier to operate against Iran if necessary.

And thus with this change of direction Mr. Netanyahu has silenced the political opponents, thrown their parties into the meat grinder, and has proven that he may well be Israel's most divisive, and yet talented, politician.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting

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

Hi everyone!

I've missed writing - so it's nice to be back with you.

So Israel turned 64 yesterday!

What lay ahead for this place in the coming year?

Well, you don't have to look too far to see that many in the media have this fateful approach that war looms on the horizon...

Some media types say a third intifada of the Palestinians is on it's way (I personally don't think that's the case), ?I see talk like that serving the scare factory...

Then of course there is Iran - a completely different situation. ?But here too the international community has taken huge calculated steps against Iran and they will take full effect before Iran could manufacter a nuclear bomb.

What I find a little awkward is this emphasis on 'war' right around this period of Rememberance Day when Israel recalls it's fallen... Why would anyone ask for more?

How about the proclamation for a bright future? ?What if peace were toated as the new years' gift to the people?

And if one were to look at one of the hallmarks of this small State it ?is it's accomplishments in medicine and science that could lead the discussion.

Some have said that the study of the human brain is the last frontier of the human body... Here in Israel there is intense study taking place on the brain and how it works.

What about in the face of drought and continued concern for water the accomplishments Israel has made in agriculture?

For me, the future is favorable in one chooses. ?Many in media express the negative and fatalistic approach.... More headlines sell that way I guess.

I'd chose to put our hope in what we can build for a better year ahead. ?And when you think of it, such advances are exponential - they keep growing, and that's good news for all.

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

Hi Everyone,

For months now there has not been much (if any) action on the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Track.

However, today the media here is citing sources saying that the Palestinians want a secret meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

It makes sense that the negotiators would wait till after Land Day for the Palestinians. The day itself was last Friday, and both in Israel and most of the territories it passed quietly.

There were demonstrations and clashes here and there, and one Palestinian who was killed by Israeli fire.

Palestinian organizers had promised masses of people... they did not materialize.

This may be because of all the upheaval in the Arab world, which distracts from the drawn out conflict.

But this dispute can be solved through dialogue and diplomacy if the sides want to do it.

With all the talk about the uncertain futures of Iraq, Egypt, and Syria perhaps both sides would do well to approach things in a matter-of-fact way to forge an agreement and provide the future of stability for their children.

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

Hi All,

Israel's tension with the United Nations Human Rights Council continues.

At issue is an official investigation by the UN into Israel's policies on West Bank settlements.

Some in the American Jewish community view settlements as disruptive to Israel, and are expressing their view.

Even in Europe, two Ambassadors for Israel have voiced their support for taking a hard look at Israel's settlement policy.

Currently in Washington DC there is a conference of Jewish leadership meeting where voices of moderation have been heard.

This voice isn't new. Back in 1943, American Jewish leader Rabbi Stephen Weiss made a famous remark.

It was at the height of World War II, and he said that, 'American Jews are first and foremost Americans', and since then the identification of U.S. Jews with America has only strengthened.

Israel's settlement enterprise is the most controversial subject in the Jewish community at this time

And at a time when some Israelis, even from the political left, have become accustomed to the settlements, a growing amount of young American Jews are viewing the settlements as a distraction for Israel, and are raising their voices.

Brian Bush Middle East Correspondent LeSEA Broadcasting