A PERSONAL LETTER
FROM MARK LEVITT
Dear fellow ZLMer,
PLEASE CHECK OUT: the following two-minute television commercial, “The Lightest Electric Road Bike — New Scott Addict.” See: https://youtu.be/EgaX0rjsDYY. Or enjoy the synopsis below and watch the video afterward; it’s entertaining enough to replay.
THE TELEVISION COMMERCIAL
The Opening
The scene opens with Tom Kristensen asleep in bed, alternating between two dramatic dreams. A former Danish race car driver, Tom holds the record for the most wins at 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now 53, he remains a rugged man with a husky, affable voice. TomKristensen.com details his championships that made him a modern-day legend.
Tom also happens to be an avid bicyclist. Research shows that “sitting” has become the new “smoking,” with inactivity the killer. So, hats off to Tom for inspiring riders with his video endorsement of e-biking (electric-assist biking).
Two Dreams
In the first of his two contrasting dreams, Tom roars down a mountain road on a racing bike while a sports announcer narrates his progress. Then a clock loudly ticks and a crow crows just as the camera zooms in on an isolated, white chapel beneath stormy clouds, the setting of Tom’s other dream.
We hear Tom’s distinctive Danish accent and now see him through a confessional screen, across from his priest. “Bless me father, for I have sinned. For years I resisted, told myself it wasn’t for me, that I would never touch it, that I ….”
“Calm down, my son,” the priest interrupts. “What’s the matter?” a friend insisted.
Tom continues. “I tried it out, just this once — not for long.” The camera switches back to the aerial view of Tom cycling through winding, downhill turns at breakneck speeds. “And it was fantastic,” he confesses.
“Go on!” the priest prods, curious about what vice Tom is about to unveil.
“I thought there’d be no way I’d like it …,” Tom adds.
Suddenly, a cuckoo clock bird screams, “Cuckoo! [That’s] cuckoo!” refuting the notion that anyone could dislike the pleasure Tom is divulging.
“… that it would slow me down or weaken me somehow. And now I’m hooked on it. I’m ashamed! Please, father, I beg you!”
“My son: I appreciate your honesty,” replies the padre. “We all know how hard you’ve been training. But to be absolved of your sin, you must go back to your roots. Do ten hill climbs — the hard way!”
Getting Hooked
Suddenly Tom’s alarm clock sounds; he wakes up. After retrieving his bike from his workshop, he’s helmeted and dressed up for that day’s intense workout. “Ten hill climbs?” Tom rhetorically asks as he defiantly faces the camera. “Maybe tomorrow. Today I’ll do twenty!”
The commercial by Scott Sports is promoting their Addict line of electric-assisted road bikes, an apparent wink at cyclists who joke about being addicted to biking. Tom, as you’ll recall, confessed that he was hooked.
OUR OWN ADDICTIONS
In the October 2020 Personal Letter, Sarah Liberman related her own victory over sugar addiction. Living near Caesarea, she wrote candidly about “the ‘sickness’ of wealth,” how gluttony appears to be “a sin without sermons,” and warned about “allowing ‘things’ to take control.” While food and exercise are gifts from above, they can eclipse our focus on God when taken to excess. Bible reading and prayer are immunizations and antidotes to help us abide by the wisdom of “moderation in all things.” As Paul wrote:
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
(1 Cor. 6:12 KJV)
DON’T BREAK THE LAW (of Physics)
To be clear, I came upon Tom’s ad while researching a competing brand of e-bike. I ride 29 miles per day, weather permitting, in order to circumnavigate White Rock Lake in northeast Dallas. At age 60 and averaging 15 mph, I was sorely tempted by the prospect of going faster, saving time, and no longer getting dusted by riders half my age.
Imagine a little devil on my shoulder whispering in my ear, holding a three-pronged pitchfork and prodding, “Why not have some extra fun? … You’ll be getting the same exercise benefits with less effort!” Sanctification helps Believers (“Believers” is short for “believers in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah”) discern the sort of pushy rhetoric that Yeshua heard after fasting for forty days and nights: “… command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4:1–11).
Meditation over a few laws of physics eventually led me to realize that an e-bike would more than double the risks of my daily rides — even if I didn’t go anywhere near the bike’s top speed of 28 mph. Rather than assert that e-bikes are of the devil or that no one should ever own one, I see them as analogous to other potential pitfalls for us mortals. Like college loans and reverse mortgages, e-bikes can be appropriate in certain instances, but only after exhausting other options.
DON’T BREAK THE LAW (of Spending)
Just as speeding up your ride is dangerous, turbocharging your spending with credit holds perils. Options that may be wise for a responsible steward could be poison for a pushover — perhaps an impulsive or undisciplined Believer. Moderate debt can be good medicine, but who wants to overdose? Slowing down a bit, whether it’s our spending or lifestyles, gives us more time for reading and prayer. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psa. 46:10) — timely Scripture for when you and I are well advised to shelter in place.
Weaker riders or those coping with excessive hills, for instance, could benefit from an e-bike’s occasional assistance if they don’t mind more maintenance and will, or even can, resist the temptation to impersonate Wile E. Coyote on an Acme rocket. For cyclists who already ride faster than the average 12 mph, adding an electric motor could be tempting fate by giving the devil a ride. Excessive speed, whatever you’re riding or driving, is too often a contributing factor in accidents — and their consequences.
College Loans
Speaking of college loans, the five-minute video at https://youtu.be/PE66HEZBZYE dramatizes how millions of families unwittingly gave the devil a ride when taking on excessive debt that never goes away, not even with bankruptcy. As of 2017, 42 million Americans had a total of $1.3 trillion in school loans. One in four borrowers is behind, and over 8 million are in default. If you know anyone who might cosign on a college loan and tangle with Sallie Mae, please suggest that they watch this cautionary tale, perhaps beginning at the 3:35 mark.
Reverse Morgages
Reverse mortgages are another type of potentially perilous debt that can hammer family net worth. Despite high upfront costs and treacherous gotchas, however, sometimes no better alternative exists for consumers without heirs (or heirs unable to assist). To investigate the potential pitfalls of reverse mortgages, see:
1) “The Dark Side of Reverse Mortgages” by stewardship advice columnist Scott Burns at www.dallasnews.com/business/2016/07/15/the-dark-side-of-reverse-mortgages/,
2) “How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work?” at https://www.daveramsey.com/askdave/home-buying-and-selling/how-does-areverse-mortgage-work, and
3) “Reverse Mortgages are Scams” (an eight-minute video) at https://youtu.be/rxVeWO9K5oo,
the latter two by Dave Ramsey.
Never Give the Devil a Ride
Here’s a bulletin board item from the May 2016 Levitt Letter:
When the devil says, “Let’s make a deal,” let the hands of Jesus take the wheel! Enjoy the 3½-minute music video: https://youtu.be/kZxVYy30Fhs
From the Land Whar…
… the grass grows Blue: “Never Give the Devil a Ride.” Soulful singer Brad Davis rhythmically beseeches:
When you’re on the road to nowhere, with a million miles to go,
and you’re lookin’ for someone to share the ride;
and you see “him” in your headlights, waitin’ for some weary soul.
And he’s standin’ with temptation by his side,
Never give the devil a ride.
He’ll be in that driver’s seat, as soon as he’s inside.
ZOLA TOURS UPDATE
Please reread this excerpt from the January 2021 Levitt Letter:
In 2020, for the first time in four decades, we missed filming Holy Land television footage and hosting our spring and fall study tours. The setbacks and inconveniences caused by COVID-19 have forced us to adapt (which we’ve done rather well) and primed us to be especially grateful when we return to Israel this fall.
Thank the Lord for Capernaum Village. Near Dallas, it has been a wonderful location for dramatic re-enactments of Biblical events. PTL, despite the pandemic, we’ve successfully kept our two new national television networks — TBN on Thursdays and TCT on Sundays. We’ve been blessed by Sarah Liberman, our Sabra on the ground in Israel, whose Personal Letter messages began last July, and for Tony’s incredible Ecclesiastes study that resumed in the August 2020 Levitt Letter.
SARAH WILL RETURN
Speaking of Sarah, she will resume writing this Personal Letter next month. Born and reared in Israel and totally embracing both Testaments in all facets of her life may make her as Jewish as you can get. Between you and me, she accepted zero pay for her writing until the pandemic torpedoed most all of her Bible teaching and singing gigs.
As you probably know, the Levitt Letter is our free, monthly, 36-page news magazine. It shamelessly (read: proudly) extols the virtues of Israel as the only land ever decreed by God to be gifted to His Chosen People. This ministry has nothing negative to report about Israel, warts and all. Israel is the Apple of our eye as well as God’s (Zech. 2:8). That puts our organization on His team and vice versa. What could be more basic or fulfilling? Whoever understands Gen. 12:3 (“And I will bless them that bless thee …”) will readily recognize God’s consistent blessings on this ministry’s efforts.
Each Personal Letter is theoretically a fund appeal. As you have seen over the months and years, ZLM’s fund appeals often get lost among the abundant Bible teaching. This tendency results in more readers being edified while the few continue supporting us. You who do uphold our ministry, however, see decade after decade ZLM staffers’ devotion to teaching the Bible and sharing Yeshua. Thanks for staying with us.
In His service,
Mark Levitt
P.S. “Under the CARES Act, beginning in 2020, individuals who do not itemize deductions may deduct up to $300 in charitable cash contributions. The limit applies regardless of marital status. This universal charitable deduction is an above-the-line deduction and is deducted from the taxpayer’s income prior to calculating adjusted gross income. And it is taken in addition to the standard deduction.”
Source: http://www.ecfa.org/Documents/News/ ECFA_CARES_Act_Document.pdf 
A Note from David and Kirsten Hart
Many of us in the past few months have “agreed to disagree.” However, I see worldwide gratitude that 2020 is over. A fresh new year sounds wonderful! Was every day of 2020 exhausting and depressing? Not at all. In fact, our family celebrated the birth of our newest grandson, Ty David Hart on May 14. That was a glorious day!
In the midst of confusing and trying times, God provides continuing joy, peace, and the underlying assurance that He is ultimately in control. Regardless of what we see and hear around us, and despite many walking though rough days due to Covid-19, we have reason to be hopeful. The pandemic aspect of 2020 has been incredibly harsh. If you have lost a loved one this year, our hearts go out to you and your family.
After the disappointment of seeing both spring and fall 2020 tours canceled, we’ve now learned that our Spring Tour 2021 would have faced the same Covid travel restrictions. It breaks our hearts to be postponed yet again. Yet I have to remind myself that no one else is able to tour Israel, either.
Zola Tours: We’re Ready
I foresee a celebration when we can once again enter the Promised Land. We’d love for you to be there with us as we tread where the Creator of the Universe resided in human form. To celebrate with us, contact our tour manager Sandra at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or get more information at levitt.com/tours.
The exact details of our tour this fall are still evolving. Uncertainties with cruises are leading us to suspend our popular Greek extension and Mediterranean cruise. However, Zola Tours may develop alternative options for our traditional Israel pilgrimage. Walking and worshiping where our Lord did is sure to enhance your spiritual walk … and bless Israel in the process.
Economic uncertainty in Greece related to the coronavirus prevents us from visiting Greece on our Fall 2021 Tour.
| Deluxe (Israel only) | Oct. 18–28 | prices TBD |
| Grand Petra (Israel & Petra) | Oct. 18–31 | prices TBD |
Speaking of blessing Israel, you may not realize that our ministry maintains a Good News Benevolence Fund that enables ZLM to offer assistance to folks-in-need who are associated with the ministry. Examples include staffers’ personal emergencies and sustenance for Israeli tour guides and bus drivers. We not only travel to Israel; we also publicize sister ministries there and, since Zola’s heyday, periodically assist our Israeli allies during lean years.
Our Jewish Roots TV programs in January
Our Jewish Roots finished 2020 in decent shape, prepared to hit the ground running in 2021. Not being able to tape our Bible teachings in Israel hasn’t slowed production of new television programs. We do whatever it takes to continue airing fresh content with insight into the strong Jewish roots of Christianity for all of our viewers.
Because of your financial support, we are able to bring you these programs in January. Our current season of unrest cries out for a series about peace. Sar Shalom: Prince of Peace, which was filmed in Israel, explores what it means to walk in the footsteps of Israel’s Messiah. Jeff Seif’s passage-bypassage exposition of Yeshua’s principal teachings comes to life through dramatic re-enactments produced in Israel and performed by Israelis.
- Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–16)
- We consider the “Beatitudes” and Jesus/Yeshua’s exhortation that Believers be “salt” and “light.”
- Crimes of the Heart (Matthew 5:17–30)
- We contemplate how Jesus/Yeshua fulfills the Torah, murder begins in the heart, and adultery begins with desire.
- The Law Brought to Life (Matthew 5:31–42)
- Yeshua speaks of human bonds like divorce and marriage, and explains how to be gracious even toward the ungracious.
- Models of Behavior (Matthew 5:43–6:15)
- Yeshua teaches how to deal with enemies and emphasizes doing good to please God rather than men, and how to pray.
- Eternal Investments (Matthew 6:16–23)
- Fasting pays dividends; laying up treasures on Earth alone does not. Generosity brings moral health.
Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! —
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6),
David & Kirsten
P.S. We’re all familiar with the term “every vote counts.” Well, every dollar counts too, and each donation to our ministry is used to spread the Gospel through our television program, www.levitt.com, and print and social media. Let’s make 2021 the year when, no matter what the world’s economy looks like, this ministry expands and grows in ways we never dreamed possible. Thanks in advance for your gifts.
Zola Levitt Ministries is ECFA approved and has Charity Navigator’s top rating of 4 stars.
