2007-09-25

Dear friends,

Firstly, please accept my sincere apologies for not communicating with you over the summer. For reasons that will become apparent, our lives have been somewhat unsettled and we are only now beginning to settle into a new location for at least the next few months.

Personal
This year has been an unusual one in many regards. After an extended period of prayer and fasting the Lord made it very clear to me that he desired for us to move back to Michigan for a season. After all, we have been ministering and pioneering in Jerusalem for over seven years. The Lord also made it clear to me that this is not a withdrawal from ministry but rather a move forward into a new season of ministry. Once it became clear that we were to make this move, plans were set in place to sell some of our appliances and furnishings in Israel and ship the remainder to Michigan. We are looking at this as a sabbatical year - out from the pressures and intensity of Jerusalem.

Our summer ministry took place as usual and we enjoyed reconnecting with folks here in Michigan. I also spent a considerable amount of time looking for accommodation. In the end, the Lord lead us to settle in Traverse City and we have found a nice house to live in for the year. In addition to this being a nice place to live it is also the home of Sandy's mom and sister.

Living in Michigan has facilitated getting more specialized help for Sandy who continues to suffer under the weight of constant, high level anxiety. We have found a doctor here in the city who is confident that he can effectively treat her condition. Please pray for Sandy to be healed and restored.

As you might imagine, our CD project is currently on hold. Perhaps we will be able to move forward on this next year.

Ministry Opportunities
While we are located in Michigan, I will be available to minister here. In fact, I met with a pastor last week to plan a two-day seminar on the significance of the biblical feasts. If you would like me to speak or minister in music in your church please feel free to contact me.
at: lidiardn@charter.net
or: lidiardn@netvision.net.il

I have taught much on the following topics: Worship, the Knowledge of God, the Tabernacle of David, Israel and the Church, The modern history of Israel, the biblical feasts, Western Christianity and Plato and biblical teaching in the light of Jewish/Israeli culture.

From the Scriptures
Last Saturday was Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement and tomorrow marks the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles. This is almost certainly the time of year that Jesus was born and God "tabernacled" among us - not at Christmas time as much of the church believes. As you may know, December 25th was chosen by Emperor Constantine as a day to celebrate the birth of Christ. Part of this choice was that December 25th was already a Roman holiday dedicated to the Persian savior-deity Mithras. It is interesting to me that the modern Christian calendar bears so little relation to the biblical calendar of feasts and observances.

In Matthew 5 Jesus explains that He did not come to destroy the law but rather to fulfill it. The law, with all of it's feasts and observances was given by God for a specific purpose - a purpose that Jesus Himself explained in John 5:39-47. Just look at the last two verses of that passage as Jesus addresses the Pharisees.

"For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" (John 5:46-47)
Have you ever considered that the Law of Moses was really all about Jesus? In addition, Jesus came to fulfill what was written. In fact, Jesus warns us in Matthew 5 that not even the smallest jot or tittle shall be removed from the law UNTIL all is fulfilled. It is clear that Jesus fulfilled much of the law in His birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection. It is my opinion that there is still more of the law to be fulfilled by Jesus and that we should look forward with anticipation to what Jesus will do in the days ahead. However, it is also my opinion that the Lord has provided us with a biblical map to help us recognize the ground that has already been covered and the signposts of what is yet to come.

I have observed that both in the scriptures and up to the present day, there is a connection between the move of God and the observation of specific days and seasons in the biblical calendar. The more I have come to know the Lord, the more amazed I am at how God conducts Himself with such order and precision in all that He does. I believe that the Lord would have us be more aware of His purposes and plans so that we would be much more effective in accomplishing His will and extending His Kingdom on the earth. One way that the church can begin to do this is to be aware of the biblical calendar of feasts and observances. I'm not suggesting that we be under the law but that we be knowledgeable of it. Just as Jesus said - it's all written about Him! If you have ever read through the book of Leviticus you will know that at times it can seem to be a tedious list of rules and regulations. However, if you consider that God Himself inspired the text to teach us about Jesus and that Jesus would fulfill every single word recorded - it becomes clear to me that God was establishing through the writing of Moses the very contract that Jesus would sign with His own life and blood.

Succat Hallel - Tabernacle of Praise
The One Thing Jerusalem conference was a wonderful success. We are so grateful to the Lord for all that He did among the youth and adults that attended the conference. Our goal had been to sponsor 300 Israeli youth to stay onsite at the hotel for the three days. Over 500 Israeli youth came!! In addition, about 700 delegates came from many countries including from within Israel.

The ministry in Jerusalem continues to grow with a number of new folks joining the staff this month in addition to the commencement of the fall internship program.


Prayer Requests
1. For the peace of Jerusalem "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; 'may those who love you prosper.'" (Psa. 122:6)
2. For Sandy - complete and total restoration and healing.
3. For the Lord's covering to be over us as we adjust to new surroundings.
4. For the protection of Israel in this season of increased threats against this country and people.

Thanks for praying and standing with us.

Many blessings,

Nigel, Sandy, Elizabeth and Sarah

email: lidiardn@netvision.net.il or lidiardn@charter.net
Personal website: (For personal information and contributions) www.worshipinjerusalem.com
Ministry website: www.jerusalempraise.com