The nineteenth century New England poet Emily Dickinson began her brief poem with this quip:

“I’m nobody; who are you?”

So many of us can identify with Miss Dickinson’s self-recognition, noting that there are seemingly disadvantages being “a somebody,” of whom there are far fewer than “the nobodies,” though sometimes we might like to try it for ourselves!

The Gospels introduce us to twelve men who could certainly be considered “nobodies,” but who were used in extraordinary ways after meeting Jesus and being called and prepared by Him.

In this next series of six studies we will consider six of the twelve apostles, the ones to whom there has been given little attention, but who must be included in the group of “nobodies” mightily used as Jesus’ human instruments to “build His Church.”

And in this there is great encouragement for all of us “nobodies” as we move into a series entitled, “Six REALLY Ordinary Men: The Overlooked Half of the Apostles,” with this first study we call “Getting To Know the Nobodies.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

At a time when so many nations and individuals are turning away from Israel and vilifying the Jewish state and the Jewish people, it is both remarkable and refreshing to hear from those who continue to have “a heart for Israel.” Such a one is Paul Valerio, an American Gentile who, along with his young wife Traci, decided to visit Israel for three weeks and ended up living and working there for eighteen years!

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Paul during a few days with us in Pennsylvania as a stop between his home in Georgia and a visit with family (and running in a half-marathon) in Connecticut where he grew up.

With each of us enjoying a cup of coffee and a bagel with a “shmear” of cream cheese, I asked Paul to share how he and Traci surprisingly ended up in Israel and to describe the development of his deep interest in, and love for, Israel and the Jewish people which continues to this day. I also asked him to share from his heart his concern and hope for both the Jewish State and its citizens.

I believe you will be blessed and challenged as you listen in on this conversation which is this next Bagel-side Chat in an episode with the intriguing title, “Three Weeks, Two Back-Packs, Plus Eighteen Years.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

Over these past months at various times you have been invited to join me, Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship, for an informal conversation about matters related to Israel, the Jewish people, and how they fit into God’s plan and purpose for the world as revealed in His Word, the Bible.

Loosely modeled after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR’s) “Fireside Chats” in his radio addresses to the American people from 1933 to 1944 during the Great Depression and World War II, these talks have a “Jewish flavor” (read that “Bagel-side”) to them.

In this eleventh “Bagel-side Chat” I focus on the example of the Ten Boom Family in the Netherlands during the terrible time of the Holocaust and its connection to what lies ahead for the Jewish people as foretold by the Old Testament prophets and Jesus Himself in the Olivet Discourse.

In this present time when so many nations and individuals have turned against the State of Israel and the Jewish people, it is especially important to ponder how Jesus would have us respond in practical ways to the circumstances and needs of “His brethren.”

So, settle in with a beverage and a bagel with a “shmear” for this eleventh “Bagel-side Chat” entitled, “Corrie’s Tree and Me.”

Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message. If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners. Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.