This issue:  See Art Katz’s ‘Though I Am a Great Believer…'

 

Thousands were blessed; now awaiting a ‘new era’

The new owners, who recently placed the entire property up for sale, had renovated the entire lake-front property as a family residential complex that consists of a large main house and several summer bungalows. They also made other improvements, including a large shop and garage as well as landscaping overall. Many, ourselves included, have prayed its legacy will continue as a blessing for future generations.                                         

New life pulses throughout…

After months of silent wintry solitude and a wetter than usual Spring – new life suddenly pulses through the community and at the Lodge! We were barely able to prepare for Kids’ Camp with almost 50 youngsters, teen counselors and adults – including a blessing of numerous Native Americans.

So, we are happily and humbly surprised that the Lord is honoring our prayers to be used in the acceleration of his great harvest in spite of our diminished resources.

No sooner had the Kids’ Camp ended than we rushed to prepare the kitchen and dormitories for over 30 young people and adults from a Russian/American congregation in Minneapolis/St. Paul – accomplishing the “turnaround” in under six hours! Here we were, having completed only the day before the numerous plumbing repairs caused by ruptured pipes from the particularly severe winter that had crippled the Lodge – readying for back-to-back arrivals of these two large events!

We are replacing the aged copper pipes before next winter, relying on the gracious offer from dear friends who share our vision and are willing to provide their donated labor – once the new “flex” pipes and other equipment are made available.

Earlier plans had to be cancelled to host about a hundred Korean missionaries and workers who had wanted to use the Lodge during their ministry to the many unsaved Native Americans in our region. We were unable to accommodate the large number, but they stopped by to see the Lodge and appear interested in coming next year.

Eric and Christy Beebe (and their children Michael, Jessica and Ashley), who have newly joined us, brought newer and much-needed institutional kitchen equipment with them. The new dish-washing unit will replace our obsolete equipment and can handle a much larger capacity. A professional electrician is donating all his labor to “re-wire” the unit for the Lodge.

Plans also were shelved to host a larger “camp” for sons and fathers, totaling 150 individuals, as we could provide only two working showers. Maybe the Lord will provide opportunity with them next year. And, we are trusting the Lord for more season-ending use of the Lodge as he did last year; perhaps “Women’s Conference” in October.

Please look for updated information on the Ben Israel Fellowship blog at: http://benisraelblog.blogspot.com/, and newsletter “updates” at benisrael.org.

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NEVER SAY ‘NEVER’!

‘Put on your seatbelts and hang on’

Greetings from the Pennel Family – now living at BI!

Never say ‘never’! I would have never thought that the day would come, but the Pennel Family is living at Ben Israel! To the “naysayers” who thought Ben Israel was done with and that we should have closed down years ago, guess what? It’s not over yet and it won’t be!

There is so much more to come. God has a plan and His will shall be done! Put on your seatbelts and hang on for the ride.

We have spent the last four years stewarding this work and now He is on the move. Are you going to jump on board with us?

Many of you may know that after three years on the market, our house finally sold. I do not look at the timing as being coincidental, but as part of God’s divine plan for us. We had been praying about what we should do if and when it did sell, and felt in our hearts that we should return to the farm. One of our goals was to be of more help to Mom, another was to make ourselves more available to help with ministry needs. Keith still pastors in Bemidji at the church the Lord had us plant two years ago called Destiny Fellowship. The work is going strong and we really enjoy being active in our community, looking forward to what God has in store for us. Keith and I remain on the BI Board and continue to see our role as supportive with what oversight we can offer. We are living in my grandmother’s little cabin…from 4000 square feet to maybe 400 square feet? I KNOW God had a sense of humor!

'My cup runneth over’

With Fall just around the corner, so much has already happened in such a short time. Keith reflected the other day on what a blessing it is to be this close to Mom now, if she needs us. It was funny to hear him call Peter on the phone and say, "Hey, neighbor!" Fishing has become a definite hit with those two… Peter has yet to enjoy the “catch and release” the same way Keith does! And JoAnn is a rare jewel in the treasure box found at “the Outpost”…What a saint! I love her dearly. Art and Mary remain our rocks of constant support, wisdom and prayer… I love when Uncle Art asks me, “So when are you going to learn?” in his very kind and gentle manner when I make foolish mistakes. Trust me, I am learning. Sometimes the hard way, but I am learning! Where would we be without the Art and Mary Beebe’s that love the Lord so much and have dedicated their lives to serving Him?

I love being able to pop over to see Mom and when I can, to check in on Mama Rose...though with my new work schedule, it has become less frequent. She is our constant prayer warrior and loves to keep friends of BI posted on happenings. The Lord blessed me with an amazing position at the hospital in Bemidji and I am adjusting to being back on night shift. So between church, work, Mom, needs at Ben Israel, having a teenager and volunteering in the Bemidji community where I can – my cup runneth over!

Our soon to be sophomore, Sarah (now also driving!) had her 15th birthday party here and we took some of our friends down to the Lodge. Memory lane – WOW! For those of you on Facebook, there is a "Camp Dominion" friend. Check it out! There are some amazing photos from years past and what a great way to stay connected.

‘The vision being cast and new life coming forth’

Also, we are so blessed with the newest addition to the “Outpost” family. Yeah! Eric and Christy Beebe arrived along with their children (Michael, Jessica and Ashley). What a joy they are to us and with such a heart and vision for the future. More GREAT news to follow, I am sure.  Destiny Fellowship is also blessed as they are part of our church family and Christy is going to oversee the Worship Team! 

Dad would have loved to be around for all this, to see life again, to see children running around laughing and playing, to see the vision being cast and new life coming forth. It still is hard to believe that he is gone; four year has slipped by so quickly! In reflecting on Dad, I do also want to take a moment and give you an update on Mom. If you recall, an email was sent out in February about Mom. She had developed pain that would not go away in her chest and she had a P.E.T scan done. The test showed that her cancer had come back and they have told us she is terminal. There are no treatment options available. The cancer has spread throughout her chest, into the bones of her chest and into her neck and shoulder. Her diagnosis was three years ago. 

I have never met anyone who has as much fight in her as she does! Her health is stable currently and she remains very active, but I consider her health to be guarded. I have seen many physical changes but she will not give up! She is at a point of getting somewhat adequate pain control with trying different medications. She has been to Florida to see Ariel, Natalie and the boys, she recently returned from Denmark to see her family and will soon be leaving for her “final” trip to Israel, per her own words. Traveling makes her weary and takes a toll physically. I personally am not happy with her being away from home, but she wants to do what she can, while she is still able. Your continued prayer for her health is appreciated. We feel that it will be especially important for us to be here with her over the Winter.

So, from “the Outpost”, we send our love, blessings and thanks for your continued support and prayers.

Sissie (Keith and Sarah)

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‘Though I am a great believer in the promptings of the Holy Spirit…’

Ben Israel Ministries News/Prayer Letter (Summer 1975)

(NOTE: Over the years, the founder of Ben Israel Ministries, Art Katz, would present the necessities faced by the ‘ministry.’  Since he died four years ago, the handful of souls who remain and who have returned—despite the virtual disappearance of outside support—share the vision for continuing the calling of Ben Israel. All here are mostly retired, self-supporting, not taking “salaries” or support, choosing not to burden the “ministry.” But many demands continue as do the blessings extended to others, locally and abroad.

To put it plainly, the property repairs, restoration, maintenance and other costs of sustaining the practicalities of the vision and his dream vastly exceed the negligible income.

All here could resume careers and other pursuits without the rigors of the remote location and its difficult climate. But, younger generations are discovering the one-of-a-kind Ben Israel “message” as tested and durable—maybe now more than ever—for Jews and the Body of Christ worldwide at the conclusion of this age!

Therefore, as we all experienced the many life-changing events due to his original vision and faithfulness, we would prayerfully share appropriate excerpts of Art’s words from thirty-six years ago when the fellowship/community was birthed in northern Minnesota—which express our plight over immediate needs today.)

 

‘The Realities of Sustaining a Ministry’

 ‘…How many are there, I wonder, who have received life and blessing through our labors have ever thought to help us in them? Just recently, I was called by a friend of the ministry to say goodbye to us upon our move. She had been brought into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at one of my meetings; her husband had been saved at another, and I had given much precious time to counseling and prayer for the family over the phone, and yet I was told that it had never occurred to her to make any contribution to our work. Though I am a great believer in the promptings of the Holy Spirit, yet I am persuaded also that the Lord will not take from us individual responsibility for things needful and evident by ‘zapping’ us into remembrance. So many of God’s people have become passive and inert wanting the Lord to take the responsibility for decisions that are theirs. Others have told me they are afraid of erring by giving to Jewish ministries of which they are not sure.

My answer is, err rather on the side of giving rather than withholding and let those who receive have the responsibility before the Lord for the stewardship of it while you have not denied yourself the blessing! The House of God must be built through the people of God. (See I Chron. 29:2-9) I am sorry to be so forthright and those who have long known us will acknowledge how reticent we have been in the past to mention finances.  Truthfully, I have been stung at the report of how few have actually been contributing to our support and know that the development of the properties which the Lord has given us will require real commitment from those who uphold us…

“May we hear from you who have especially been silent toward us so long? Will you commit yourself to the ministry of prayer and upholding the ministries of God as we seek wholly to be faithful in ours? …(F)or the enhancing of the Body of Christ and the challenging of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. We have never needed you more.

“In simple candor, your brother in His precious service – ART”

Our immediate needs...

A farm tractor: Approximately 80 acres of once-productive farm land and a large garden are now out of cultivation. The few pieces of remaining equipment are mostly unserviceable and beyond repair.

Paint (exterior and interior) for the Lodge and main farm house. The latter is badly weathered and also requires new rain gutters.

Acoustic ceiling tiles (2 ft. x 2 ft.): For replacement at the Lodge due to water damage from broken pipes due to heavy winter freezes.

Carpet squares for the Lodge

Windows for the Lodge

Roofing supplies for a metal roof on the Ben Israel office.

Sheet-rock (and tape): For replacement due to water-damage or installation in unfinished rooms at the Lodge.

Bunk-beds

Twin & double box springs and mattresses for the Lodge.

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Video ‘fellowship’ with Russian believers

Thanks to members of a Russian/American congregation in the Twin Cities, we have been blessed this summer to share “video” fellowship with a small group of believers in Kaliningrad. Our first conversations were tentative but quickly deepened into candid exhortations, including candid Q&A about critical aspects of community relationships.

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‘Take your eyes off your present death sentence’

Could it be that we as a nation suffer such an onslaught of Cancer, and other “stinging” diseases, is because we have become an ungrateful and complaining nation?

We had heard of many people afflicted by this modern-day scourge – affecting souls dear to us – and spent a “season” recently during our daily prayer-times, seeking revelation from God’s word and the compelling episode of the “serpent” raised in the wilderness in Numbers Chapter 21. Ingratitude and complaint was the attitude of Israel in the wilderness that had unleashed the judgment of the “fiery serpents” among them. God had heard their murmuring and complaining about the blessings he had freely given to them.

When they realized that the serpents’ deadly “sting” brought them under the death sentence, they cried out to Moses and repented of their sin. Only then did God relent and give Moses the antidote – the brazen serpent lifted up on a pole. Those lifting their eyes off the ground (and their circumstances) and fixing their gaze to stare intently and expectantly upon the “antidote” were cured from the sting and lived.

Jesus made a direct reference to this incident with an obvious connection to himself and his coming crucifixion, as recorded for us in John Chapter 3.

What must he have been saying? Take your eyes off your present “death sentence” and fix your attention wholly and completely, and “I will be your antidote, the source of your healing.”

If one is under a death sentence by the medical community and they have no answer, the obvious end is death. Jesus said, “But whoever does not so believe in, cling to, and rely on the Son "will never see ... life.” (Amplified Bible)

But, let us not forget the progression of the story of Israel’s experience. First identified was the cause (sin of murmuring), then the judgment (sting of death), awareness and repentance to man and God, the provision for the cure (the stake or pole), obedience to gaze intently (take your mind off yourself) then move on to the next destination (don’t linger in the place of death)!

Along with the associated comments in the Amplified Bible, there are other helpful study references in Douay-Rheims commentary, Young’s Literal Translation, Clarke’s Commentary, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, and other sources.

– Art Beebe

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‘Inner-city’ message inspires new commitment

Joel Schneider, a longtime friend of the Beebe family, visited Ben Israel along with friends, John Gross, Nick and Emily Swope, and met with young people during their regular Sunday evening fellowship led by Cindy Reed, who tirelessly serves them.

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My Aching Heart...

My heart hurts and my soul is filled with sadness. I am praying for a young man – and also another just like him, to whom I was very close during my college days. They are “Christ believers,” but only know God in a limited way – not as they should or could. And they are missing so much. They have both preached many sermons but were led away from God through the egotism of knowledge, and thought. They became “modernists.”

I feel the need to be a ‘troubler.’ So, with a loving heart, and a caring heart for eternal things – I say the following:

You add to your ‘image.’ Your ‘image’ of SELF with every thought coming from the intellect. You stand tall. You are your own idol! You climb higher and higher towards the summit of success. You are almost there but someone is praying for you. They do not want you to be destroyed by this illusion.

So suddenly, Elohim arrives on the scene and on your turf. And He blows it away with one breath; or He melts it quickly by the fire in His eyes.

You need to understand that your ‘identity,’ your value, comes from God alone. It does not come from your spouse, nor from fame, fortune, an ‘excellent’ paper, nor from colleagues, nor even from mother and father. God, through His Word, Jesus, causes you to be ‘complete.’ He causes you to feel worthwhile, and you dwell in the shelter of peace and rest.

‘Intellectualism’ is the processing of ideas through ‘dead cells’ trying to reach God, but never making it. They never bring one to that person, place or relationship. We must realize that God only requires a ‘child-like’ faith to enter into His Kingdom. Not super-intelligence. It is a Father/Son, or a Father/Daughter relationship. So just believe that God is, that He sent His Son to be our sacrifice for sin, as the Lamb of God. His blood purchased our redemption.

Would you really feel okay, standing before the King of the Universe, with those thousands of words you are speaking, or those pages and pages of written words?

Yes, we deserve to become ‘undone’ when we rely on our minds to gain glory for ourselves and totally reject the God who formed us, and breathed life into us!

The quest for knowledge was Eve’s downfall. Her desire was to become like a god. To be as a god, and to surpass her husband. She should have considered satan. Or, being alone, considered him with her heart and spirit, not her mind. Eve got her information from serpent who had a charming way about him. Not ‘ugly.’ No, warning. She did not recognize the evil right before her. Neither do we sometimes, when our desires override and interfere with God’s plans for our lives. Our lives can be changed drastically, when we are lured off-course.

It is an insult to God to reject His knowledge, and want our ‘own’ thoughts, not His. A very unwise choice to reject God’s wisdom and direction for our lives.

If we were to write a ‘thesis,’ it should be written on the ‘Love of God.’ The giving to mankind of His son – who gave His blood and very life. For us.

Search for Him with your HEART. There are good thoughts, good knowledge.

It was said of Abraham: ‘He considered not his own body. He did not accept his own thinking about whether he could have a son as the fruit of his loins. If he had ‘considered’ then he would not have trusted God, nor believed that a son would be born to him. But it did come to pass because he chose to believe God’s word. We should get and believe information from the Spirit. Not from human reasoning.

A familiar quote is ‘the mind is the battleground.’ So true. It wars against our spirit, for sure. Competition for control. God’s information, by the Holy Spirit, can bypass the human mind, and go directly to your heart – directly to your spirit – and keep you on course.

Even at Dale Carnegie they told us to ‘talk from the heart,’ from your own experiences. Not to make up things, and not to quote from someone’s book! If you talk from the heart, you will reach your audience. I tried it and it was true. I was scared, but afterwards was glad that I did it.

So, take off your masks, forget you are so smart, and just sit down at Jesus’ feet, and tell Him that you love Him. Tell Him your heartaches. He will understand. Remember, the mind is at enmity with God. It will always try to interfere with the fabulous things that He has in store for us. And to rob us of those special moments with Him. On the mountaintop, or down in the valley.

Shalom.

– Mary Beebe 

‘Warrior Boot Camp’ hosted at the Lodge

by Cindy Reed

Now this is what this place is supposed to look and sound like!”

I turned around to find Mama Rose smiling and her eyes twinkling. The Lodge was milling with kids who were anxiously awaiting lunch time. The Warrior Boot Camp was having no problem making their presence known to the kitchen crew.

Twelve years ago, my mother Joyce Lyons and I rounded up the kids on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and began the Warrior Boot Camp. It started with 20 children and reached over 60 by 2009. Because the first group of children did not want to quit coming to camp when they reached 13-years-old, the next step was to provide another camp for teens. (This led to mentoring a weekly youth group in their daily walk with the Lord. This group meets on Sunday evening at the Cass Lake Elementary School and is growing in numbers and spiritual growth.)

We had an awesome time with many lives changed by the power of the Risen Savior!

 

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Bemidji skate-board outreach

Brian Sumner, a professional skate-boarder and Christian believer, was featured at an exposition in Bemidji in early May which we helped organize and sponsor. The outreach attracted about 240 people, including 35 skaters who responded to Sumner’s strong witness – and embraced their Lord and Savior!Planning for the event began last Fall by a “steering committee” of several local churches and fellowships and focused on young skate-boarders who live only for their sport and are outside the reach of routine youth evangelism. Many are virtually homeless. Please pray for aggressive follow-up for these newly-saved souls.

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About two-dozen teens from a Russian/American church in Minneapolis, along with and several adults, visited Ben Israel for a few days this summer, studied and prayed and enjoyed our beautiful north woods – AND roasted marshmallows. We continue to grow closer to this special congregation which has blessed us beyond measure, giving freely of their time, labor, materials and, best of all, their treasured fellowship during several visits in recent months.

A note from Brother Yuriy

On behalf of Revelation Church, I would like to thank you for your hospitality and allowing us to use your facilities. The youth had at a wonderful time and were left with unforgettable memories. It was great to have your staff join our group and make our experience more enjoyable. I am thankful for the Zumba lesson, which left me not only with sore muscles, but also with newfound appreciation for Latin dance. We especially enjoyed the evening by the bonfire when the youth showed their talents and used the time for fellowship and getting to know each other. The Church’s staff found it very convenient to have the cafeteria, meeting area, and sleeping quarters all in the same building.

Thank you again for your hospitality. God Bless.

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Beloved Intercessors:

We meet again as one on the printed page. Praise the Lord!

While considering prayerfully the letter, the Spirit of the Lord gave this thought, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” Psalm 91:1, Amp. Bible

Continuing to give thanks for you and your prayers for us here in Ben Israel.

Seemingly the God of all grace makes clear, your dwelling in His secret place and remaining fixed in prayer with our Great Intercessor (the Lord, Christ Jesus) as He gives needed answers to the Ministry, Community, and everyday activities.

What a divine blessing as we continue to cry out together as one voice, expecting these great and mighty things for His names sake and glory. We are giving thanks daily as the Holy Spirit makes us aware, the unfolding of the Father’s eternal purposes and plans in prayer and His word, as He brings us to the finish line.

I would like to encourage you through a word a brother sent me this week: “Keep pressing on!” (Phil. 3: 10-14)

Praying blessings on you daily. “Having done all to stand, keep standing.”

Remaining your sister in prayer with much thanksgiving from my heart to yours.

Do not forget your emails and phone calls are important to us. Keep them coming.

– Mama Rose

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Dear Friends of Ben Israel,

Greetings from the House of Obed.

Time passes very fast. I have just returned from a trip home to Denmark to visit my family there. We had a special time together. (I am grateful to my sister for paying most of the expenses).

I had forgotten how beautiful Denmark is in the summer. I am making a short visit to another beautiful place and people very dear to me – Israel and the West Bank. A few of my girlfriends are going along. We will spend most of our time with people on the West Bank so they can meet for the first time meet people whom they have helped over the years. We are much excited, and I pray we will be a blessing to them, as it will be an unforgettable time.

I think it will be my last trip there. I am doing okay. Even so, I thank God every day for life. Life is a treasure and a gift I think many take for granted.

In April I turned 70 – a number three years ago I thought I would not make (but here I am and looking forward to 73!). All the kids and grandkids came home to celebrate with me. It was a joy to have everyone together, a dream come true. My kids and grandkids are my Number One joy here on earth, and I thank God for them.

Thank you for your prayers for all of us. Much love and may God bless you.

– Inger Hava

(Above photo taken in earlier visit to the West Bank)

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The BI blogs…

Stay up-to-date with the activities and exhortations from the Ben Israel Fellowship, as well as reflect upon some poignant morsels from the messages and writings of Art Katz at:

http://benisraelblog.blogspot.com  and  http://essentiallyartkatz.com

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Ben Israel Ministries, 43237 Cass Line Road, Laporte MN  56461

Telephone:  (218) 335-2562