Jimmy Swaggart in Jerusalem

I saw Jimmy Swaggart in Jerusalem this morning . . . on television. As I was sitting in the coffee shop, I noticed that Jimmy Swaggart was being broadcast on the large, flat screen television.

He and other preachers were being beamed in from Cyprus via Middle East Television’s satelite broadcast. No one but me noticed since the sound was turned down and the subtitles were in Arabic.

They May Look Intimidating . . .

. . .  but they are here for your protection. In this photo there are both civilian policemen (blue) and military border guards (green). I took this photo during a particularly tense period, so they were dressed a little more heavily than they might be on calmer days.

I particularly like the shin guards the border policeman is wearing. I have a photo of a Jordanian motorcycle cop wearing a batting helmet. Perhaps I’ll dig it out and post it side by side with the Israeli border police with shin guards for a “police in baseball gear” photo exhibit.

Fresh Hot Pita

Shabbat Shalom

He’s An Evangelist for Islam

A very close member of this guy’s family recently started to witness the glories of Islam to me. He described to me the emotion of going on the pilgrimage to Mecca and standing before the Kaaba. “Here and here,” he said as he tapped his head and heart, looking heavenward. “There really is power in the soul when you stand before the holy place.”

After that, he began to tell me of all the Christians who are converting to Islam, “even Baptists,” he added as a final push. Well, I didn’t say the Shahada. Why would I, when I already know the glory of Christ and his cross (Galatians 6:14)? What a treasure!