Entering the Journey With Jesus by Pastor Russ Fochler

This coming Sunday is the time that most Christians mark as "Palm Sunday".  When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that day almost two thousand years ago, it marked a "point of no return" for him.  The coming week was the appointed time of Pesech - "Passover" and for Jesus to reveal Himself as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."

I encourage you to walk with Jesus this week. We often touch upon and analyze passages from the last week of Jesus' life when He was visable to all.   But how often do we just immerse ourselves in this part of His story? We know that Y'shua yearned for the hearts of His disciples to stay present with Him when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. What if we could give Him that gift now?  I believe that we can. Let me explain:

Time and our human spirit We know that God lives outside of time.  He dwells in eternity.  We are aware of living in the construct of time - and it helps keep things understandable for us.  However, when we're united with the "God of the spirits of all flesh" (Num 27:16); He can take us places beyond the time and space limitations of our physical bodies.

A Story in Jerusalem A few years ago, a group of folks from Blazing Fire went to Jerusalem to help one the houses of prayer (Succat Hallel).  During our breaks, we explored the "Old City" and the country side.  On day, we visited the house (palace) of Caiphas the high priest at the time of Jesus' trial.  At the lowest level there is a dungeon pit hewn out of rock. As we entered this pit, we were given time there by ourselves. And a spirit of intercession gripped us.  Kelly Rashe, Susan, and Karena in particular - sensed strongly the presence of Jesus as he waited in this dungeon pit.  We all felt a supernatural grace to express our love, gratitude, and compassion to Jesus - believing that He was receiving our expressions as He waited there almost 2,000 years ago.  I would say that this was the most significant experience of that trip for me.

Jesus' Last Week (plus a bit) A surprising percent of the Gospel texts focus on these days:  The Gospel of Matthew: ~34%  (Starts Chap 21:1) The Gospel of Mark: ~ 39%  (Starts Chap 11:1) The Gospel of Luke: ~ 23%  (Starts Chap 19:28) The Gospel of John: ~ 47%  (Starts Chap 12:1)

I encourage you to "Journey with Jesus" though His last week by inviting the Holy Spirit to read with you - and empower you to "enter into" His journey.  I suggest that you read one of the first three (synoptic) Gospels and then the Gospel of John.  My wife Susan describes this - as entering the "holodeck" of the Holy Spirit.  It is my prayer; that as you do this, that your heart will connect even more deeply with your Savior, King, and Betrothed Bridegroom. Russ Fochler

JUSTICE FOR PAKISTAN: CRISIS = OPPORTUNITY RADICAL ISLAM or RADICAL LOVE Due to the radical events that took place this last weekend in Pakistan, Approximately 200 Christian homes were burned and destroyed by radical Muslims. I was up during the night on the phone with our GMA Director in Pakistan, as well as one of the top Muslim leaders of Pakistan.  They are both directly in the midst of the tragedy that has taken place in their community.  I can hear the urgency in their voices as they express the need for me to go there. When Israel was in a crisis, David stepped up to the challenge of Goliath.  When Esther's family was facing annihilation, she put her life on the line and stood in the gap to save them.  Our family in Pakistan is in the midst of a crisis.  I MUST go!  We will have no authority in our message if we do not do something!  I WILL NOT let this Goliath or Haman intimidate me.  I have spent 17 years building trust and relationships amongst the top Muslim leaders in Pakistan.  This is our opportunity to be His Glorious Light in the midst of great darkness.  This is our opportunity to bring Justice to the Christians in Pakistan. I will return to Pakistan April 6 even if I go without a team.  I'm committed to this precious nation Father God has entrusted to us.  Within this battlefield I will still conduct a mass Evangelistic Healing Meeting anticipating 80,000 names being added to the Lamb's Book of Life.  But I will also go back and walk those same streets I've walked before which are filled with smoldering ruins. I will encourage and strengthen the persecuted church (mine and your family).  But this time I will bring together a mixture of Christians and Muslims.  I will take up the first shovel in helping to clear out the ruins. I will work side-by-side with Muslims and Christians erecting new houses.  If my daughter's, Laila, home were burned to the ground, I would be there to assist in the rebuilding.  I feel the same way about our family in Pakistan. I am sending you this letter with an urgent plea from my heart.  I would like to bring a minimum of $200,000 with me to help rebuild homes for our families in Pakistan. Would you go with me by sacrificially giving to our brothers and sisters in Pakistan?  I will take photos and videos of my time there and make those available to you upon my return. Thank you for hearing my heart.  Thank you for taking part in demonstrating RADICAL LOVE amongst radical Muslims! Lief Hetland If you feel led to help Leif please make checks out to Blazing Fire Church and put Pakistan in the memo. We will send all monies to his ministry as it is collected. Blazing Fire will be receiving monies for this cause until April 6th. Lief Hetland