~ Calendar ~

      All dates are based on the traditional Jewish calendar.

      All festivals begin the prior evening at sundown.

~ Oil Found in Israel ~

      The Jerusalem Post reports that the Givot Olam Oil Exploration has struck oil near Rosh Ha’ayin. It is said that the oil is of high quality and is from the Paleozoic oil basin. This means it is from the same oil basin which is the source of the oil pumped in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. The Paleozoic oil basin is one of the largest oil producing basins in the world. While the oil well is in Israeli territory (not in the West Bank, an area claimed by the PA), the oil is said to lie primarily on the other side of the ‘Green Line’ (the line separating PA claimed territory and land that Israel controlled prior to the Six Day War in 1967).
      Plans are underway for another well to be sunk just south of Kfar Sava. It is believed that location contains one billion barrels and four trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Tovia Luskin, the oil company’s senior scientist and director said; "If this proves to be the case, there will be enough oil for Israel to last your lifetime and mine."
      This discovery could prove to be of immense importance to Israel and the entire Middle East region. Many have long believed that the Scriptures actually pointed to this discovery, and that it will play a major role in endtime events. We can already hear what the Arab’s will say; "The Jews are stealing our oil."
      (Information obtained from: News Report From Jerusalem; 12-10-98.)

~ Footsteps of the Messiah ~
~ Conference ~

      We have just returned from the second annual Footsteps of the Messiah conference, held in Wagoner, Oklahoma. This four day conference, attended by well over 100 brothers and sisters, was sponsored by the East Texas Fellowship, a small home fellowship of Believers.
      This year the focus was on the life and times of the first century. It provided a vehicle for those present to become more intimately acquainted with the culture and customs, of the time and place in history, when Yeshua HaMashiach walked the earth.

      Speakers and topic titles were

~ A Radical Departure - Jim Rector.
~ The Development of Jewish Culture Prior to the First Century - Joseph Good.
~ Jewish Family life in the First Century - Dean Wheelock.
~ Messianic Re-expectations - Dell Griffin.
~ The Role of Women in the Early Church - Dean Wheelock.
~ Torah Idioms - Dell Griffin.
~ The Structure of the Synagogue -Joseph Good.
~ Yeshua’s Teachings Concerning the Torah - Norman Edwards.
~ Spiritual Gifts in the Torah -Dell Griffin.
~ The Temple (Parts I, II, & III,) -Joseph Good.
~ The Wedding of the Messiah -Dean Wheelock.
~ Sukkot & The New Covenant: Typology and Eschatology - John Merritt.
~ Torah Study "Vayigash" (And Came Near) - Dell Griffin.
~ Worship Service. Where Do We Go From Here? - Jim Rector.
~ Paul’s Teaching Concerning Torah - Norman Edwards.
~ Romans 11- Who’s Grafted Into Who? - Joseph Good.

      In addition there were two side sessions:

~ A Discussion of the Year 2000 Issue - Ron and Donna McKowan.
~ Biblical Instructions for Women - Susan Wheelock and Debbie Good.

      Other activities included children's and teen programs, Hebraic dance instruction, and a talent show.
      We want to thank all of those who worked so very hard to sponsor this event. It was both a blessing and a pleasure for us to be allowed to participate.

      Tapes of all the sessions are available by contacting:

Mitchell and Anita Smith
405 N. Main St.
Lindale,TX 75711
(903) 882-7446

The LORD bless you, and keep you,
The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Num. 6:24-26)

~ Shalom ~

(Aleph-Tav)

The Beginning and the End

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