[ americans hoping jerusalem ]

"The wind blows wherever it pleases.

You hear its sound, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)

      (OUR PRAYERS are with you, and we share your grief)

"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matthew 12:31-32.

    (To sin against the Holy Spirit is to sin against one's own soul...Such a hardening of the hearts is at the center of the "cynical bargain" you describe, that is, on the parts of both the Israeli and American Religious Rightists. Let's face it: That bargain is HARLOTRY at its core...both parties are claiming control over the Holy Spirit. I think it would also be correct to point out here that the Palestinians have also been used as cannon-fodder by the rest of the Arab world, too)

I know that it must have been difficult to leave Palestine, but do not despair: No nation, tribe, people, coalition, or group will ever own the throne of the Lord. Let's pray for the people still there.