Shalom Dear Friends,
Bob Morris
Two of our core values at HaDavar are to produce conservative, consistent, biblical, discipleship material from a Jewish perspective; and to distribute that material as far and wide as possible.
With those values in mind we are grateful to report that we have two more books in production and nearing completion: Biblical Perspectives on the Middle East and Comfort During Difficult Times.
Biblical Perspective on the Middle East explains essential and foundational ideas from the Bible that the average Christian, unfortunately, is rarely exposed to. Lack of familiarity with this core material leads to wild, unfounded, destructive, and downright wrong ideas regarding the nature of the State of Israel, the future of the Jewish People and God’s plan for mankind. Consequently, Christians can be confused and fearful of the future. This little and simply written book will go far to alleviate those fears, clear up the confusion and provide a clear understanding that the State of Israel and the Jewish people play in the world today. Does this sound like arrogant, overblown hype? Actually, our claims are all too true because of the shallow depth of biblical knowledge many Christians possess. This book is simply Bible teaching from a literal, Jewish perspective. When the reader grasps that this information is present in the Bible, it revolutionizes their world view.
Please pray with us that we will be able to finish writing Biblical Perspectives on the Middle East and have the funds to get it into print. Once we have the book in print, we need to be able to get the word out to the world. Please pray that the product page of our website will be up and running again so that we can get the word out. Finally, please pray that this book will have its desired effect and that it will radically change the world view of Christians that are confused and frightened about the future of the world, the State of Israel, and the Middle East.
Comfort During Difficult Times is the result of sermons preached when I was the Teaching Elder at Kehilat HaMashiach Messianic Congregation (Congregation of the Messiah) in Portland OR. I was teaching through the life of David (1 and 2 Samuel). When I came to a Psalm written by David, I would insert that Psalm into the study. The result was an understanding of the background and circumstances that led David to compose the psalm as well as a new appreciation for the application of the psalm to the lives 21st Century believers.
The same holds true for this book. We are going through difficult times these days, just like David did. We need to be a people “after God’s own heart,” like David was. An understanding of these psalms contributes to that end. David was a man just like you and me. If he can be a man after God’s own heart, then we can too.
Please pray that we will be able to get the finishing touches completed so that these books and their biblical encouragement can be available to hurting Christians.
Team Member Talk
Recently, God has sent HaDavar a new set of office staff. As a result we thought it would be good to introduce you to the new team members in greater detail. Last month’s newsletter featured Bob’s new Administrative Assistant, Cynthia Esmond. This month we would like you to get to know Paul Stevens a lot better. Paul is our Part-time Administrative Assistant II. He primarily assists us through classroom setup and processing the incoming donations that keep HaDavar operating. He has a great attitude and is eager and willing to tackle any other assignment given to him. Glad to have you aboard Paul!
As a child, I attended a small Southern Baptist church in Lemon Grove (near San Diego), CA, where the Word of God was clearly taught. When I was six years old my parents divorced, and a year later, in response to a gospel message, I went forward and prayed with the pastor to receive Christ’s forgiveness. I was baptized several weeks later.
When I was fourteen, my mom married a man who had recently graduated from seminary, and a year later, as I was entering high school, our family moved to a small town in Utah to establish a community church. The area was about 95 percent Mormon and, needless to say, I didn’t fit in. I was ostracized, not because I was a Christian, but simply because I wasn’t a Mormon. I had grown very little in my walk with the Lord, and there was little in my life that testified of Christ.
After my junior year in high school, I rebelled against my parents and my beliefs, purposely living in an ungodly manner for the next three years. Then, in the summer after my sophomore year in college, a team of college youth from California came to my church to participate in our Vacation Bible School. For the next two weeks, while I was still getting drunk every night, I observed how these Christian young people lived, and had ample opportunity to interact with them. I saw in their lives and behavior what had been missing in my life. Having turned my back on God, my life had become empty. Nothing that the world had to offer (and it offered abundantly) was fulfilling. A few weeks after this group left I recommitted my life to God, basically saying, “Lord, whatever you want.”
Two weeks later, in late August of 1964, I left Utah, with a battered car and $50, to spend a week with the family of one of the young men from California. I clearly sensed God saying, “go,” though I had no idea why. To make a long story short, within a month I had become a student at BIOLA College (though registration had closed four months earlier), and my new friend’s family had taken me in, refusing to take any payment for room and board.
God has similarly provided for my every need from that point on. I am married to a beautiful Christian woman, and God has given us four great kids and seven wonderful grandchildren. After a satisfying 33-year career with the federal government, I was able to retire at a relatively young age in order to seek a position of vocational service to God in Christian ministry. He has graciously provided the opportunities I sought, and I am delighted to be currently serving HaDavar, on a part time basis, as an Administrative Assistant.
Thanks for being part of our ministry team.