Leaving Jericho, one quickly feels the effort the bus makes to go from about 850 below sea level to what will be 2550 feet above sea level, depending on what part of Jerusalem one is actually in. Regardless of where one lives in Israel, he or she would certainly “ascend” if they were going to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is not the highest point in Israel, that honor goes to Mount Hermon, however my impression is that it is certainly one the highest. Psalms 120-134 are called “Psalms of Ascent” for the very reason that these were recited as one ascended to the Holy City.
I was excited for Tracee because I remembered very clearly the excitement I felt the very first time I went up to Jerusalem. It had been a very holy moment for me when Judah and I first “went up to” Jerusalem in 2005.
One sees neighborhoods on both the east and west side of the road and then finally after going around a turn the Old City comes in to view with the temple mount and all the churches in and around the Mount of Olives and the Old City. Even modern constructions in Jerusalem have a very unique architecture. Jerusalem is actually built on many hills; (Psalm 121) and valleys. It is spread out and even without the large cement dividing wall between east and west Jerusalem the architectural differences speak reference to the respective Jewish and Arab neighborhoods. One goes from country to city very quickly in Jerusalem, at least approaching from the east as we did coming from Jericho. We did stop at a check point outside of the city and Israeli army guards boarded the bus and very nicely walked through the bus checking us out.
Our plan was to go straight to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, but we were not sure we would be able to do so as the day before there had been some rock throwing protesters in that area and tours are usually diverted away from trouble spots. Nevertheless, by the time we arrived on the Mount, it was clear that all was quiet and Yoni had known earlier that it would be ok.
There is a view from the Mt. of Olives across the Kadar Valley that is absolutely breathtaking: one can gaze across the valley to the Temple Mount with the Al Asqa mosque and Dome of the Rock on top, then drift closer to the many churches that dot the Mount of Olives including the gold plated Orthodox church, etc. and finally one is captured by hundreds of white stone above-ground tombs that make up the old Jewish cemetery on the Mt. of Olives. Of course that description does no justice to the beauty that is the view of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives, yet breath taking it is!
Jerusalem: built up and torn down countless times, place of Religion and war; claimed by East and West; called the place of peace (salem is a form of shalom); yet the place where The Final Battle will be fought…Holy City…beloved by our LORD Jesus…it is beyond my understanding. She is now deep, deep, deep in my heart and under my skin! I recall while writing this…pray for the peace of Jerusalem…pray that it will be as its’ name means!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
"The Judean Wilderness"
After we left our Jericho area lunch stop we moved on up towards Jerusalem, but we stopped on the side of the road about ¾ of the way to Jerusalem. Yoni wanted to show us a canyon and talk to us about the wilderness. He warned us that where we stopped would appear barren but that after stepping off the bus there would almost immediately be a band of Bedouins trying to sell us trinkets. Yoni brings all his groups to this location and perhaps a few more guides do also, although it is not a usual tourist stop, therefore the Bedouins have taken advantage of this. PUFF! Sure enough, where there was just barren country side, immediately a donkey, camel and 4 or 5 Bedouin men of all ages appeared. Almost eerie really…. These Bedouin were apparently part of a group called the Tabare Bedouin and are one of the oldest Bedouin groups dating back at least 2000 years. Bedouin actually prefer the wilderness as their living environment. The Israeli government has made some overtures to these folks to build them towns or some permanent housing and apparently all offers have been refused.
So we trekked up a little rise and then went down a sheep’s path about 50 yards and Yoni had us sit on the side of the path looking north in a canyon: “This is the Parat Canyon, it separates Ephraim from Benjamin, and goes west- east all the way to Amman, Jordan. Parat means ‘fruitful ‘and there is a spring up the canyon called En Parat, or ‘fruitful spring’. One has to know where the water sources are or they could die in this wilderness one day without water.” Indeed, there was an impressive canyon or valley that sharply fell from where we sat. Some later said they had a hard time concentrating on what Yoni was saying because he was so close to the edge and they worried about him falling down into the canyon. Apparently it was somewhere in this huge canyon that God told Jeremiah to bury a linen garment and then later to dig it up.(Jeremiah 13)
While we sat listening to Yoni, he read us the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10. Yoni made the point that if one man could die in one day without water, how much more vulnerable to death would a wounded and beaten man be. The dangers of the wilderness were well known to all peoples during Jesus time, yet religious men walked around a hurting man essentially assuring his death by not assisting him. Yoni made the point that the roads were not wide as they usually were sheep trails that became roads with high traffic, and that the men talked about in the parable would have to literally go out of their way to avoid the wounded man! Obviously then, this was not just a parable about being a good neighbor, rather Jesus was also making the point that we may hold in our own hands the life or death of another person. This is even truer if we think about the spiritual death or life we may offer or withhold.
As we sat looking at the view and taking in all that Yoni was sharing, we could appreciate a little better how the hills of the Judean Wilderness are lined with many, many paths that are parallel to each other. Almost like cords running alongside the mountain sides endlessly for miles and miles. These were narrow paths. “Narrow” is the way that leads to life…these paths were made by centuries of sheep grazing. The paths are narrow but they lead from home to the pasture and back again. Psalm 23 talks about paths of righteousness…these may be narrow, but they take us from home to where we find life.
The Judean Wilderness…death is around the corner if one doesn’t have water or know the water sources, yet paths are all over the place that lead somewhere to safety. No big signs point the way or neon lights flashing directions…just paths…paths that lead to Righteousness. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me.”
So we trekked up a little rise and then went down a sheep’s path about 50 yards and Yoni had us sit on the side of the path looking north in a canyon: “This is the Parat Canyon, it separates Ephraim from Benjamin, and goes west- east all the way to Amman, Jordan. Parat means ‘fruitful ‘and there is a spring up the canyon called En Parat, or ‘fruitful spring’. One has to know where the water sources are or they could die in this wilderness one day without water.” Indeed, there was an impressive canyon or valley that sharply fell from where we sat. Some later said they had a hard time concentrating on what Yoni was saying because he was so close to the edge and they worried about him falling down into the canyon. Apparently it was somewhere in this huge canyon that God told Jeremiah to bury a linen garment and then later to dig it up.(Jeremiah 13)
While we sat listening to Yoni, he read us the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10. Yoni made the point that if one man could die in one day without water, how much more vulnerable to death would a wounded and beaten man be. The dangers of the wilderness were well known to all peoples during Jesus time, yet religious men walked around a hurting man essentially assuring his death by not assisting him. Yoni made the point that the roads were not wide as they usually were sheep trails that became roads with high traffic, and that the men talked about in the parable would have to literally go out of their way to avoid the wounded man! Obviously then, this was not just a parable about being a good neighbor, rather Jesus was also making the point that we may hold in our own hands the life or death of another person. This is even truer if we think about the spiritual death or life we may offer or withhold.
As we sat looking at the view and taking in all that Yoni was sharing, we could appreciate a little better how the hills of the Judean Wilderness are lined with many, many paths that are parallel to each other. Almost like cords running alongside the mountain sides endlessly for miles and miles. These were narrow paths. “Narrow” is the way that leads to life…these paths were made by centuries of sheep grazing. The paths are narrow but they lead from home to the pasture and back again. Psalm 23 talks about paths of righteousness…these may be narrow, but they take us from home to where we find life.
The Judean Wilderness…death is around the corner if one doesn’t have water or know the water sources, yet paths are all over the place that lead somewhere to safety. No big signs point the way or neon lights flashing directions…just paths…paths that lead to Righteousness. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me.”
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
"On to Jericho and Modern Day Walls"
We never did give our bus a name, but after we toured Beit Shean we jumped on “Old Faithful” and headed to Jerusalem. From Beit Shean, we headed south towards Jericho, and for the first time entered territory under the Palestinian Authority’s jurisdiction as we neared Jericho. We went through a check point without slowing down much as the real security issue is Palestinians going back into Israeli controlled areas. Nevertheless, we headed to Jericho for lunch on the outskirts of the city. Geographically, Jericho is below sea level and frequently is one of the hottest places on earth outside of the usual “hot spots”. This factoid being something I had learned as a kid in 7th grade or something like that and I mention this because all the way down from Beit Shean we saw unusually green landscapes. March is the end of the short rainy season in Israel and Yoni had mentioned something about a very wet season and thus the green hue to the otherwise and brown Jordan Valley Basin. Oh, one can see hundreds of green fields from drip irrigation, but this was rain supported greenery and I just couldn’t stop staring at the very pretty green hills along the way!
The Palestinian Authority has jurisdiction over Jericho and as a result it has been isolated by the Israeli government to the point that tourists are not allowed to visit and a new highway has been built to bypass the city. Therefore we were only able to see the outskirts of Jericho as we drove around it to our lunch stop. Our lunch stop did have a bit of a view of Jericho and it was even close enough that we could hear many noises clearly. Some heard a few “pop-pops” and later we found out that there had been some protests there and tear gas has been used or something like that. Our stop was very much a tourists stop but pleasant nonetheless, what with the camels waiting nearby for tourists to ride on, the little shops and western grade restrooms. I discovered some very good ice-cream and at the time didn’t even notice that dairy was allowed to be served with meat making it technically a non-kosher eating place. That could have been the Arab influence, I don’t know.
Jericho, considered the oldest city on earth and yet Scripture indicates very clearly that it was to remain destroyed. Jericho was mentioned frequently in the New Testament and is the location of such stories as the ones about Zacheus and the blind man. Jesus passed through Jericho on his last trip to Jerusalem. I mean Jericho is one talked about place in Scripture. Today it is isolated from tourists and most non-Palestinians.
There are some new walls around Jericho…I just don’t know what they mean. Something is going on spiritually also, I don’t know what that is exactly either…but something simmers….
The Palestinian Authority has jurisdiction over Jericho and as a result it has been isolated by the Israeli government to the point that tourists are not allowed to visit and a new highway has been built to bypass the city. Therefore we were only able to see the outskirts of Jericho as we drove around it to our lunch stop. Our lunch stop did have a bit of a view of Jericho and it was even close enough that we could hear many noises clearly. Some heard a few “pop-pops” and later we found out that there had been some protests there and tear gas has been used or something like that. Our stop was very much a tourists stop but pleasant nonetheless, what with the camels waiting nearby for tourists to ride on, the little shops and western grade restrooms. I discovered some very good ice-cream and at the time didn’t even notice that dairy was allowed to be served with meat making it technically a non-kosher eating place. That could have been the Arab influence, I don’t know.
Jericho, considered the oldest city on earth and yet Scripture indicates very clearly that it was to remain destroyed. Jericho was mentioned frequently in the New Testament and is the location of such stories as the ones about Zacheus and the blind man. Jesus passed through Jericho on his last trip to Jerusalem. I mean Jericho is one talked about place in Scripture. Today it is isolated from tourists and most non-Palestinians.
There are some new walls around Jericho…I just don’t know what they mean. Something is going on spiritually also, I don’t know what that is exactly either…but something simmers….
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
"Beit Shean"
Beit Shean is located about 20 miles from the Sea of Galilee, but I think it took more like 45 minutes to drive there because of the terrain. In a nutshell, Beit Shean was the most extensively excavated site we went to, outside of Jerusalem. In Biblical times this was known for being the area near where Gideon gathered with his army and then pursued the Midianites.
What we toured however was the ancient city of Sythopolis, which was very pagan and culturally Greco-Roman. The ancient city of was founded by Scythians. These were a Cossack like people living near modern day Russia. Alexander the Great bought their services as excellent soldiers and then rewarded them with land in what is now Beit Shean. Hence the very strong Greek influence on the old city. As we toured the site the large pillars, “Cardo”or Main Boulevard, houses, amphitheater, etc were very, very impressive no doubt. But for me it just lacked a bit of meaning outside pure history. Nevertheless, Beit Shean/Sythopolis would have been the largest most important city in the northeastern part of Israel for centuries. Located in the junction of the Jordan and Hadar Valleys, it was a very fertile area and thus agriculturally prosperous. It also maintained a central location on the eastern trade route from the coast to Damascus. You would have to Google Beit Shean and look at all the images to really appreciate how large a city it was and all the amazing excavation that has been done in the last few years. It really is amazing.
Modern Beit Shean was founded by Moroccan Jews in the early 1950’s, making the modern city very young. Modern Beit Shean is gorgeous with a lot of red tile roofs and white washed walls giving it a very Mediterranean look. I could live here very easily as far as the modern city is concerned. Climate, location near the Galilee and all would make this a good place to send Henry on a mission trip….
Another clash of modern an ancient history: the hill above Beit Shean has a dead tree that is a actually a prop from some scenes from the movie “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Not really a movie I would recommend…
I would easily go back to Beit Shean and tour it again and again as an example of Greco-Roman architecture and all that, but where I would go to feel a touch of Jesus or simply be in awe without a tour guide would be any number of places in Israel other than Beit Shean.
What we toured however was the ancient city of Sythopolis, which was very pagan and culturally Greco-Roman. The ancient city of was founded by Scythians. These were a Cossack like people living near modern day Russia. Alexander the Great bought their services as excellent soldiers and then rewarded them with land in what is now Beit Shean. Hence the very strong Greek influence on the old city. As we toured the site the large pillars, “Cardo”or Main Boulevard, houses, amphitheater, etc were very, very impressive no doubt. But for me it just lacked a bit of meaning outside pure history. Nevertheless, Beit Shean/Sythopolis would have been the largest most important city in the northeastern part of Israel for centuries. Located in the junction of the Jordan and Hadar Valleys, it was a very fertile area and thus agriculturally prosperous. It also maintained a central location on the eastern trade route from the coast to Damascus. You would have to Google Beit Shean and look at all the images to really appreciate how large a city it was and all the amazing excavation that has been done in the last few years. It really is amazing.
Modern Beit Shean was founded by Moroccan Jews in the early 1950’s, making the modern city very young. Modern Beit Shean is gorgeous with a lot of red tile roofs and white washed walls giving it a very Mediterranean look. I could live here very easily as far as the modern city is concerned. Climate, location near the Galilee and all would make this a good place to send Henry on a mission trip….
Another clash of modern an ancient history: the hill above Beit Shean has a dead tree that is a actually a prop from some scenes from the movie “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Not really a movie I would recommend…
I would easily go back to Beit Shean and tour it again and again as an example of Greco-Roman architecture and all that, but where I would go to feel a touch of Jesus or simply be in awe without a tour guide would be any number of places in Israel other than Beit Shean.
Monday, May 24, 2010
"Leaving Galilee"
(Matthew 5:1-20; Mark 5)
As we pulled out of the Hotel Ramot just above the Sea of Galilee, I really felt sad. This had been a really cool hotel, with amazing day trips and interesting near misses with breaking kosher laws. I had felt spoiled both from the hotel staff and from all that we had seen and talked about. Some of the best conversations with each other and with Yoni were after supper in the sitting area. We gave Rebekah a hard time because she was the only one without an iPhone. (Or so it seemed). We talked about this later on, how special this place was to us, but I wonder how it compared to other memories now that we have been home a while.
Thanks to Yoni I didn’t get to wallow in nostalgia very long as our first stop was only 10 minutes out from the hotel at a “wide spot” in the road just above the Sea of Galilee. This area is known as Kursi on present day maps, and is one of the best places by topography where the story of Jesus encountering the demonized man called “Legion”, may have taken place. “The area of the Gadarenes”, could be many places if you look at places that could fit that name or root syllables of that name. The topography limits where this story could have occurred because of all the areas “in the Decapolis”; only one spot slopes closely to the shore before it stops a small cliff. Many of the other areas have cliffs high above even the road we were on, or didn’t even make it to the shore.
What I didn’t know was that pigs were used for pagan sacrifices of many different kinds, just as temple prostitution was very common, so apparently was the sacrifice of pigs in different rituals of the time among the pagans. One of the reasons Jesus was asked to leave the region was with the pigs drowning and the demonized man healed, the religion of the area took a big hit, as it were.
One interesting example of a clash we saw often between modern history and biblical history was the mine field we parked next to while we learned about Jesus and the man called Legion. If this was where pigs ran off into the water, then modern pigs would likely set off mines if they got past the barbed wire fence with its’ yellow sign of warning. Ironically the field was covered with very pretty yellow wild flowers. There was also a bunker close where we stopped, both Syrian placed and dating back to before the 1967 war.
As I remembered all of this for the blog, it occurred to me…I wonder if Jesus goes back to places that hold a special place in His heart, just like I would do. When we were stopped by the road learning all this, was Jesus remembering when it all really happened? Did Jesus see again the look on the man’s face after a legion of demons left and he was healed? I kinda think he does stuff like that….
As we pulled out of the Hotel Ramot just above the Sea of Galilee, I really felt sad. This had been a really cool hotel, with amazing day trips and interesting near misses with breaking kosher laws. I had felt spoiled both from the hotel staff and from all that we had seen and talked about. Some of the best conversations with each other and with Yoni were after supper in the sitting area. We gave Rebekah a hard time because she was the only one without an iPhone. (Or so it seemed). We talked about this later on, how special this place was to us, but I wonder how it compared to other memories now that we have been home a while.
Thanks to Yoni I didn’t get to wallow in nostalgia very long as our first stop was only 10 minutes out from the hotel at a “wide spot” in the road just above the Sea of Galilee. This area is known as Kursi on present day maps, and is one of the best places by topography where the story of Jesus encountering the demonized man called “Legion”, may have taken place. “The area of the Gadarenes”, could be many places if you look at places that could fit that name or root syllables of that name. The topography limits where this story could have occurred because of all the areas “in the Decapolis”; only one spot slopes closely to the shore before it stops a small cliff. Many of the other areas have cliffs high above even the road we were on, or didn’t even make it to the shore.
What I didn’t know was that pigs were used for pagan sacrifices of many different kinds, just as temple prostitution was very common, so apparently was the sacrifice of pigs in different rituals of the time among the pagans. One of the reasons Jesus was asked to leave the region was with the pigs drowning and the demonized man healed, the religion of the area took a big hit, as it were.
One interesting example of a clash we saw often between modern history and biblical history was the mine field we parked next to while we learned about Jesus and the man called Legion. If this was where pigs ran off into the water, then modern pigs would likely set off mines if they got past the barbed wire fence with its’ yellow sign of warning. Ironically the field was covered with very pretty yellow wild flowers. There was also a bunker close where we stopped, both Syrian placed and dating back to before the 1967 war.
As I remembered all of this for the blog, it occurred to me…I wonder if Jesus goes back to places that hold a special place in His heart, just like I would do. When we were stopped by the road learning all this, was Jesus remembering when it all really happened? Did Jesus see again the look on the man’s face after a legion of demons left and he was healed? I kinda think he does stuff like that….
Friday, May 21, 2010
“Bomb shelters, Bunkers and Bullet Holes”
I had never seen an active bomb shelter before we visited the Wilsons in Haifa our first day in Israel. Oh, there was a bomb shelter in our hotel in Acco for sure, I just didn’t get to see it. It was located in the basement floor of the hotel. We had been to the Messianic congregations in Nazareth, Kiryat Yam and Haifa that morning, and then went to meet to Wilsons who are from Abilene and work with Operation Mobilization; an evangelical ministry to Jews around the world. They have a “real” bomb shelter that we toured and Mary Wilson explained was qualified for ordinary and gas containing missiles. Mary explained the two heavy doors with steel and cement frames, steel doors, inner room, outer decontamination room, shower, vents, supplies, bedding, etc. I don’t remember what the others in the group thought but for me the fascination of being in a “real” bomb shelter was tempered by the realization that I would never comprehend having a bomb shelter unless I lived in Israel. This same eire feeling recurred when I explored the bomb shelter in our hotel in Jerusalem. This hotel had at least two shelters on each floor. These had a few mattresses up against the walls but not much else.
The day we went to Hazor, Dan, Banias, etc., as I mentioned we visited the old Syrian bunker over run and captured by the Israeli army in 1967. Imagine a 55 gallon drum turned on its side, but large enough to walk through and that is essentially what the bunker felt like. However, this bunker was on top of a hill, 4000 feet above sea level where it is cold at night. Stark, Cold, Bare, vulnerable is how it felt to me…all the more so as I imagined scared Syrian soldiers chained to the metal.
Bullet holes were easily seen around the Jaffa Gate when we walked by it when we were in Jerusalem. This location was where the Israeli paratroopers’ swarmed the gate and modern 1967 weapons were used to overtake this ancient gate. Bullet holes could be seen easily around the gate; the proverbial “riddled with bullet holes” comes to mind.
The bomb shelters really have me thinking…they are made with the expectation that someday they will have to be used to preserve life. Much of north Israel spent a significant time in bomb shelters in 2006 during the war with Lebanon, especially our friends in Akko and Haifa. Indeed Eitan mentioned in late 2006 that much work needed to be done on the shelters in Haifa due to the time spent in them. Our friends Eitan, Connie, Avi, Hannah, Guy, Tali, Leon, etc. just to name a few spent a lot of time in bomb shelters.
Bomb shelters, bunkers and bullets are part of wars,and while I never felt danger while in Israel, there were always signs of past conflicts: minefields, old tanks, old army bases, fences, road crossings, etc.
A Biblical word for bomb shelter might be fortress, stronghold and of course refuge. We are in a war RIGHT NOW and there is only ONE Shelter, ONE Fortress, ONE Refuge. That is the good news…the bad news would be if that is ALL God was for us. Imagine going to Israel and staying 2 weeks in a bomb shelter and not exploring Israel. Doesn’t make sense…same with God…He wants us to explore all that He is. Much more could be said about all this...but bomb shelters, bunkers and bullet holes is a good start.
The day we went to Hazor, Dan, Banias, etc., as I mentioned we visited the old Syrian bunker over run and captured by the Israeli army in 1967. Imagine a 55 gallon drum turned on its side, but large enough to walk through and that is essentially what the bunker felt like. However, this bunker was on top of a hill, 4000 feet above sea level where it is cold at night. Stark, Cold, Bare, vulnerable is how it felt to me…all the more so as I imagined scared Syrian soldiers chained to the metal.
Bullet holes were easily seen around the Jaffa Gate when we walked by it when we were in Jerusalem. This location was where the Israeli paratroopers’ swarmed the gate and modern 1967 weapons were used to overtake this ancient gate. Bullet holes could be seen easily around the gate; the proverbial “riddled with bullet holes” comes to mind.
The bomb shelters really have me thinking…they are made with the expectation that someday they will have to be used to preserve life. Much of north Israel spent a significant time in bomb shelters in 2006 during the war with Lebanon, especially our friends in Akko and Haifa. Indeed Eitan mentioned in late 2006 that much work needed to be done on the shelters in Haifa due to the time spent in them. Our friends Eitan, Connie, Avi, Hannah, Guy, Tali, Leon, etc. just to name a few spent a lot of time in bomb shelters.
Bomb shelters, bunkers and bullets are part of wars,and while I never felt danger while in Israel, there were always signs of past conflicts: minefields, old tanks, old army bases, fences, road crossings, etc.
A Biblical word for bomb shelter might be fortress, stronghold and of course refuge. We are in a war RIGHT NOW and there is only ONE Shelter, ONE Fortress, ONE Refuge. That is the good news…the bad news would be if that is ALL God was for us. Imagine going to Israel and staying 2 weeks in a bomb shelter and not exploring Israel. Doesn’t make sense…same with God…He wants us to explore all that He is. Much more could be said about all this...but bomb shelters, bunkers and bullet holes is a good start.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
"Golan Heights"
After we basked in the Banias experience we went a little bit further in the bus to a gorgeous waterfall. Technically I believe we were still in Banias, but this place was breathtaking for at least two reasons. As you hiked down and back from the waterfall the hike was enough to make you short of breath if you were as out of shape as I am; but more to the point is the power with which the waterfall at Banias flows and the tropical appearance of the area. One could slip a photo of the Banias waterfall into a National Geographic article on the “waterfalls in the tropics” and no one would be the wiser. I had to assume that Jesus would want to visit places like this on his trips, that the disciples would ask him; “teacher when we are up near Caesarea Philippi may we go by the waterfall…Thomas doesn’t believe it’s there…”
Although it seemed disconnected from the theme of the day (Paganism, I guess was the theme…) we went a little further to Nimrods’ fortress. I know the ladies in our group enjoyed this entire day, but in retrospect it was a guy kind of day, what with Ashtoreth poles, huge caves, and waterfalls and now a huge fortress called Nimrod’s Fortress. It sits on top of a hill like ice-cream does on a cone, very visible and impressive. Over 630 yards long the fortress has been attributed to Crusaders but was probably built by the early Turks and is made all of stone. Even the huge archways, window arches, and arrow-shooting “slits” were of hewn stone. Whoever controlled this fortress controlled the crossroads from Syria to Israel, southern Lebanon to Syria and north Jordan to Lebanon. When Yoni told us we “only’ had 45 minutes to explore the fortress I thought he was being facetious but it took every bit of the 45 min just to check out the main parts of the fortress. This is most certainly a place where pictures describe a place better than words.
Lastly we ascended a small mountain to an old Syrian lookout lost to Israel in the 1967 war. This was sobering, at least for me, in that the bunker we toured was all steel, old, and tube-like and I could imagine the Syrian soldiers chained to the steel by their own officers so to not be allowed to retreat when the Israelis overtook the site.(Yoni had told us this story as we went up to the bunker) At the same time, the view north-ward from this point was breathtaking! Lebanon to the northwest and Syria to the northeast; both sworn enemies of the LORD’S chosen…Pretty schizophrenic really.
Amazing day…
Although it seemed disconnected from the theme of the day (Paganism, I guess was the theme…) we went a little further to Nimrods’ fortress. I know the ladies in our group enjoyed this entire day, but in retrospect it was a guy kind of day, what with Ashtoreth poles, huge caves, and waterfalls and now a huge fortress called Nimrod’s Fortress. It sits on top of a hill like ice-cream does on a cone, very visible and impressive. Over 630 yards long the fortress has been attributed to Crusaders but was probably built by the early Turks and is made all of stone. Even the huge archways, window arches, and arrow-shooting “slits” were of hewn stone. Whoever controlled this fortress controlled the crossroads from Syria to Israel, southern Lebanon to Syria and north Jordan to Lebanon. When Yoni told us we “only’ had 45 minutes to explore the fortress I thought he was being facetious but it took every bit of the 45 min just to check out the main parts of the fortress. This is most certainly a place where pictures describe a place better than words.
Lastly we ascended a small mountain to an old Syrian lookout lost to Israel in the 1967 war. This was sobering, at least for me, in that the bunker we toured was all steel, old, and tube-like and I could imagine the Syrian soldiers chained to the steel by their own officers so to not be allowed to retreat when the Israelis overtook the site.(Yoni had told us this story as we went up to the bunker) At the same time, the view north-ward from this point was breathtaking! Lebanon to the northwest and Syria to the northeast; both sworn enemies of the LORD’S chosen…Pretty schizophrenic really.
Amazing day…
Monday, May 17, 2010
"Banias/Caeseria Philippi"
So what do you say about a day that is so full of wonders that it holds something new and amazing at every turn? Mostly you take a lot of pictures and try to write down every single feeling and impression that you have. I did a lot of picture taking but not as much note taking as I wish I had done in retrospect.
We arrived near Banias/Caesarea Philippi at noon after our stop at Hazor and as our group considered food an important thing…we quickly went to the local eating establishment, only a stones’ throw away from the ruins. This lunch place, like so many we ate in while in Israel, was a local version of fast food…for tourists. The usual choice of Falafel, Shwarma and Schnitzel was offered and orders taken. This restaurant, I believe, was owned by an Israeli Druze. None of the three entrees were the best we had had, but hunger is its own spice, as they say.
Our guide, Yoni, taught us that King Jeroboam of Israel was worried that all of Israel would join Judah again if they started going to worship in Jerusalem again. To prevent this, Jeroboam set up worship centers; one in Bethel and one in Dan (I Kings 12:25). His excuse was that the 3 week round trip from North Israel up to Jerusalem for the 3 feasts was too great a hardship. (Attendance by the head of each household was compulsory). This was contrary to God’s instruction as clearly specified in the Torah. Worship at these two places quickly became pagan worship to Baal and Ashtoreth. Dan had actually been a center of pagan worship for centuries prior to that, even extending to the Greek and Roman empires and beyond.
What we saw in this place was a cave, a very huge cave large enough to park at least two pairs of 18 wheelers on top of each other and is very deep. Before an earthquake diverted some of the water that came out of the cave, it is said that a very, very large amount of water rushed out from the cave that is in solid rock. Just beneath the cave were pools of water and a large amount of foliage everywhere.
This water was believed to come from the underworld as it was very cool and Hades (the underworld) was thought to be a very cold and dark place. The god Pan; the half-man and half-goat creature; was god of the underworld as well as god of mischief and pandemonium. Pan was said to be rather mean in his mischief and from his activities we get the concept of “panic, panicking, etc.” Part of what Pan is said to have fomented was severe sexual immorality. His very appearance gave the image of bestiality…. This cave was therefore named after Pan as being the gate to the underworld. Panias eventually degraded to Banias due to an Arab pronunciation. However, during the Roman Empire Banias was renamed in honor of the emperor and thus became known as Caesarea Philippi during Jesus’ times. By Jesus’ times the area in and around the cave had multiple temples and niches carved into the rock. Horrible, horrible pagan activity was said to occur in this location. There was a temple to everything as it were and this entire worship center was very close to the main road from Damascus to the Galilee and Jezreel Valley. Most of the pagan worship centered on female and male temple prostitution!!
Just to the side of the huge cave is a small area with sitting stones and there we had a powerful time of worship. Very powerful, as we meditated and tried to imagine Jesus asking his disciples’ “who do the people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-20) I tried to imagine how Jesus felt when Peter answered correctly…did He think “finally!”…or did He think “I knew they were getting it.”….or if there was a long discussion before Peter even confessed Jesus as Messiah.
It doesn’t really matter…it still comes down to answering that question for ourselves and then living out the answer. Who do we say Jesus is? God is dealing with me on that very issue right now. I shall never forget that afternoon…I told God I wanted to die to some worldly things and that I wanted to be as far away from the pagan in my life as I could. I told Him I really wanted to know Him as Messiah…not Elijah, Elisha or some other holy person…I just want to know my Father as my Father, my Savior as Messiah and to be full of the Holy Spirit. What do you want?
We arrived near Banias/Caesarea Philippi at noon after our stop at Hazor and as our group considered food an important thing…we quickly went to the local eating establishment, only a stones’ throw away from the ruins. This lunch place, like so many we ate in while in Israel, was a local version of fast food…for tourists. The usual choice of Falafel, Shwarma and Schnitzel was offered and orders taken. This restaurant, I believe, was owned by an Israeli Druze. None of the three entrees were the best we had had, but hunger is its own spice, as they say.
Our guide, Yoni, taught us that King Jeroboam of Israel was worried that all of Israel would join Judah again if they started going to worship in Jerusalem again. To prevent this, Jeroboam set up worship centers; one in Bethel and one in Dan (I Kings 12:25). His excuse was that the 3 week round trip from North Israel up to Jerusalem for the 3 feasts was too great a hardship. (Attendance by the head of each household was compulsory). This was contrary to God’s instruction as clearly specified in the Torah. Worship at these two places quickly became pagan worship to Baal and Ashtoreth. Dan had actually been a center of pagan worship for centuries prior to that, even extending to the Greek and Roman empires and beyond.
What we saw in this place was a cave, a very huge cave large enough to park at least two pairs of 18 wheelers on top of each other and is very deep. Before an earthquake diverted some of the water that came out of the cave, it is said that a very, very large amount of water rushed out from the cave that is in solid rock. Just beneath the cave were pools of water and a large amount of foliage everywhere.
This water was believed to come from the underworld as it was very cool and Hades (the underworld) was thought to be a very cold and dark place. The god Pan; the half-man and half-goat creature; was god of the underworld as well as god of mischief and pandemonium. Pan was said to be rather mean in his mischief and from his activities we get the concept of “panic, panicking, etc.” Part of what Pan is said to have fomented was severe sexual immorality. His very appearance gave the image of bestiality…. This cave was therefore named after Pan as being the gate to the underworld. Panias eventually degraded to Banias due to an Arab pronunciation. However, during the Roman Empire Banias was renamed in honor of the emperor and thus became known as Caesarea Philippi during Jesus’ times. By Jesus’ times the area in and around the cave had multiple temples and niches carved into the rock. Horrible, horrible pagan activity was said to occur in this location. There was a temple to everything as it were and this entire worship center was very close to the main road from Damascus to the Galilee and Jezreel Valley. Most of the pagan worship centered on female and male temple prostitution!!
Just to the side of the huge cave is a small area with sitting stones and there we had a powerful time of worship. Very powerful, as we meditated and tried to imagine Jesus asking his disciples’ “who do the people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-20) I tried to imagine how Jesus felt when Peter answered correctly…did He think “finally!”…or did He think “I knew they were getting it.”….or if there was a long discussion before Peter even confessed Jesus as Messiah.
It doesn’t really matter…it still comes down to answering that question for ourselves and then living out the answer. Who do we say Jesus is? God is dealing with me on that very issue right now. I shall never forget that afternoon…I told God I wanted to die to some worldly things and that I wanted to be as far away from the pagan in my life as I could. I told Him I really wanted to know Him as Messiah…not Elijah, Elisha or some other holy person…I just want to know my Father as my Father, my Savior as Messiah and to be full of the Holy Spirit. What do you want?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
"Dan Nature Reserve"
I must say this was one of my favorite days in Israel. We left Hazor and went north along the Jordan River into the Hula Valley all the while ascending in altitude. Amazing place! There exists there the Hula Lake and all you have to do is Google Hula and one will see amazing pictures of lush green fields and a gorgeous lake. It turns out that this was an area that for centuries was swamp land. The Jews in the late 1800 to early 1900’s drained the swamp with Eucalyptus trees and drainage ditches resulting in a valley with very fertile soil and high productivity
.
We drove through Kyriat Shmona, or “village of eight”; so named after 8 soldiers from this area killed during the 1948 War of Independence. This was the same town that was so heavily damaged during the 2006 war with Lebanon. I would live in this town for the charm and beauty it held. Red tile roofs, parks, neat streets, very heavy Jewish Orthodox community and the beauty of the surrounding valley. Yes, I would live there at a drop of a hat. I am scanning their classifieds looking for PA jobs…. (He said with a smile on his face…)Nevertheless, I would really live there today and can begin to see the reason this was called the “land of milk and honey”.
Our next stop however was the Dan Nature Reserve. Our guide took us on a short hike along rushing streams, under trees, over rocks, into a sort of thicket of trees, plants, flowers, of all kinds: pine, root trees, the majority of which I never did know the name of. It was a cool fresh day full of “look at that…Yoni…what is that red flower…did you see that rock back there…wow…oh…geez…take a picture of that tree…”. Pictures do not do justice to the Nature Reserve. At some points it reminded me of being in Colorado in the summer. Full, lush, green, streams of water, thick foliage…who would have thought of Israel this way?
Going through the Hula Valley, Kyriat Shmona and the Dan Nature Reserve didn’t really unveil a great spiritual revelation as much as it was simply a sense of God saying to me:"I have something really cool that I created and that I want to show you"; then I can hear Him say: “I did good didn’t I? Just like I said in Scripture ‘it is good’”. It is indeed!!
.
We drove through Kyriat Shmona, or “village of eight”; so named after 8 soldiers from this area killed during the 1948 War of Independence. This was the same town that was so heavily damaged during the 2006 war with Lebanon. I would live in this town for the charm and beauty it held. Red tile roofs, parks, neat streets, very heavy Jewish Orthodox community and the beauty of the surrounding valley. Yes, I would live there at a drop of a hat. I am scanning their classifieds looking for PA jobs…. (He said with a smile on his face…)Nevertheless, I would really live there today and can begin to see the reason this was called the “land of milk and honey”.
Our next stop however was the Dan Nature Reserve. Our guide took us on a short hike along rushing streams, under trees, over rocks, into a sort of thicket of trees, plants, flowers, of all kinds: pine, root trees, the majority of which I never did know the name of. It was a cool fresh day full of “look at that…Yoni…what is that red flower…did you see that rock back there…wow…oh…geez…take a picture of that tree…”. Pictures do not do justice to the Nature Reserve. At some points it reminded me of being in Colorado in the summer. Full, lush, green, streams of water, thick foliage…who would have thought of Israel this way?
Going through the Hula Valley, Kyriat Shmona and the Dan Nature Reserve didn’t really unveil a great spiritual revelation as much as it was simply a sense of God saying to me:"I have something really cool that I created and that I want to show you"; then I can hear Him say: “I did good didn’t I? Just like I said in Scripture ‘it is good’”. It is indeed!!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
"Upper Jordan"
One of the fun things about Yoni our guide was how well he tied where we were and what we were seeing to scripture. As we left Hazor and kept north we entered the ancient tribal area of Dan. As Yoni explained; although originally assigned a small area on the plains of what is now Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport; the people of Dan undertook a large migration north to the area of the Hula Valley and foothills of Mt. Hermon. Among the many reasons for doing so was the severe snake infestation in the coastal plains. These snakes were vipers and very deadly therefore the Danitis were seriously affected by this infestation. In fact this was such an issue that one of the symbols for the tribe of Dan is a viper. The saying “From Dan to Beersheba” described the most northern and southern boundaries of Israel during much of its existence.
Dan is also what gives the Jordan River its name. Jor-Dan mean simply “the Dan descends” and refers to the many springs that flow out of the Mt. Hermon area that combine to make the Jordan River. The Jordan flowed year round in old times and did not “disappoint”. In Job 6:15 it says: “But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams”. The Hebrew for intermittent is the same word that means disappointing. The word is “nachel” which in Arabic is “wadi” and thus describes the “draw” that is mostly dry and occasionally floods with water after a rain.
Jeremiah 17:13 says that God is not a “nachel/wadi” or disappointing stream rather He is “…the LORD, the spring of living water”. God is a stream that flows regardless of the rainfall as it were.
Yoni then shared some of his personal testimony about learning the trust God; the Faithful Stream and read from Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail”. AMEN!!
Dan is also what gives the Jordan River its name. Jor-Dan mean simply “the Dan descends” and refers to the many springs that flow out of the Mt. Hermon area that combine to make the Jordan River. The Jordan flowed year round in old times and did not “disappoint”. In Job 6:15 it says: “But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams”. The Hebrew for intermittent is the same word that means disappointing. The word is “nachel” which in Arabic is “wadi” and thus describes the “draw” that is mostly dry and occasionally floods with water after a rain.
Jeremiah 17:13 says that God is not a “nachel/wadi” or disappointing stream rather He is “…the LORD, the spring of living water”. God is a stream that flows regardless of the rainfall as it were.
Yoni then shared some of his personal testimony about learning the trust God; the Faithful Stream and read from Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail”. AMEN!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
"Northern Israel: Hazor and the Ashteroth pole"
(Read Joshua 11:10 and Judges 4:2)
Wednesday March the 17th we left for a day-long trip up to northern Israel stopping first at Tel Hazor. The archeological remains at Hazor are extensive and some of the ruins date back to 350 BC. Hazor is mentioned in the Old Testament as the place from which King Jenin came down to the Jezreel plains and harassed the Hebrew people and for which crisis Deborah was raised up by God. The Hebrew general Barak (means lightning) on Deborah’s ordered defeated the commander Sisera near Mount Tabor.
Centuries later King Solomon used this same site to establish a garrison of cavalry with extensive stables, the remains of which are seen today. The Majority of the cut stone seen in the excavations today may be from King Jeroboam II and his time of prosperity.
The city sat up on the side of a hill with a great view back down towards the Sea of Galilee and west. I remember being a bit overwhelmed by all the ruins as they all seemed to be waist high walls of rock, and because we had so much to see that day, we didn’t really spend a lot of time there. Our guide did want to point out the Old Testament connections and also show us an Ashtoreth pole of some kind. It was clearly phallic, hewn out of stone and only 2-2 .5 feet high. I think we were stuck by how small the pole was, but clearly there were many kinds of Ashtoreth poles over the years.
It seems silly to me that humans would worship a 2 foot tall phallic shaped stone, but I REALLY am coming to believe that much of what I watched on TV was just as bad. Perhaps what I watched was not as obviously pagan as a phallic symbol is, but it is just as pagan.
LORD help me tear down the things in my life that would raise themselves above You.
Wednesday March the 17th we left for a day-long trip up to northern Israel stopping first at Tel Hazor. The archeological remains at Hazor are extensive and some of the ruins date back to 350 BC. Hazor is mentioned in the Old Testament as the place from which King Jenin came down to the Jezreel plains and harassed the Hebrew people and for which crisis Deborah was raised up by God. The Hebrew general Barak (means lightning) on Deborah’s ordered defeated the commander Sisera near Mount Tabor.
Centuries later King Solomon used this same site to establish a garrison of cavalry with extensive stables, the remains of which are seen today. The Majority of the cut stone seen in the excavations today may be from King Jeroboam II and his time of prosperity.
The city sat up on the side of a hill with a great view back down towards the Sea of Galilee and west. I remember being a bit overwhelmed by all the ruins as they all seemed to be waist high walls of rock, and because we had so much to see that day, we didn’t really spend a lot of time there. Our guide did want to point out the Old Testament connections and also show us an Ashtoreth pole of some kind. It was clearly phallic, hewn out of stone and only 2-2 .5 feet high. I think we were stuck by how small the pole was, but clearly there were many kinds of Ashtoreth poles over the years.
It seems silly to me that humans would worship a 2 foot tall phallic shaped stone, but I REALLY am coming to believe that much of what I watched on TV was just as bad. Perhaps what I watched was not as obviously pagan as a phallic symbol is, but it is just as pagan.
LORD help me tear down the things in my life that would raise themselves above You.
Friday, May 7, 2010
"Yardenit"
The last thing we did on March the 16th was go to Yardenit. This is the location on the Jordan River as it just runs out from the Galilee. Yardenit is where most people get baptized if they do so in the Jordan. There is no doubt it has become a very commercialized place, but something really cool happened anyway. We had been told there were changing rooms, and for a small fee, robes would be given out to us, but that these were very, very sheer and we should dress accordingly under the robes. We were also warned about our stuff being stolen and that we should give our clothes and cameras to someone to watch. Thus, most of us changed into our robes, got our clothes, cameras, passports and other valuables and took them down to the area we were assigned. As I recall, we also had an appointment time for our group, just one more sign of the commercialization of the area.
When we all gathered in our assigned area and instructions had been given, we had a time of worship and prayer. We then proceeded with the baptism. “The water is cold! Is that one of those fishy-things David McQueen told us about that I am feeling? What the heck…that was slippery…” Those were some of the very first and very un-spiritual thoughts I think we all must have had. In addition to all this, people from all over the world stop and stare to see how “we” got baptized. To say there were a lot of distractions would be an understatement!
Nevertheless, we each got into position, stated our name, name of home church, and why we were being baptized. That is when it got heavenly: it came down to who we were, what we wanted to be and why we wanted to share this very public act. There were many testimonies and I don’t really remember them much…but He does. I do remember weeping, I remember being touched by the testimonies, I do remember Andy helping baptize Renee, I do remember how special we all felt, I remember the four pastors from four different churches standing in the water next to each other; and how the tourist part of the whole deal disappeared. I remember more when I look at the pictures.
There is way more that could be said about Yardenit, like the way other people got baptized and other rituals we saw, but it’s what happened in the heart that was really cool. The physical part of the water is long gone, but the spiritual part is ongoing. Isn’t that what we believe? I am still discovering all that really happened and this blog is just part of His touch on me that afternoon.
PS: The cold water is why later we wanted hot coffee and almost broke kosher!!
When we all gathered in our assigned area and instructions had been given, we had a time of worship and prayer. We then proceeded with the baptism. “The water is cold! Is that one of those fishy-things David McQueen told us about that I am feeling? What the heck…that was slippery…” Those were some of the very first and very un-spiritual thoughts I think we all must have had. In addition to all this, people from all over the world stop and stare to see how “we” got baptized. To say there were a lot of distractions would be an understatement!
Nevertheless, we each got into position, stated our name, name of home church, and why we were being baptized. That is when it got heavenly: it came down to who we were, what we wanted to be and why we wanted to share this very public act. There were many testimonies and I don’t really remember them much…but He does. I do remember weeping, I remember being touched by the testimonies, I do remember Andy helping baptize Renee, I do remember how special we all felt, I remember the four pastors from four different churches standing in the water next to each other; and how the tourist part of the whole deal disappeared. I remember more when I look at the pictures.
There is way more that could be said about Yardenit, like the way other people got baptized and other rituals we saw, but it’s what happened in the heart that was really cool. The physical part of the water is long gone, but the spiritual part is ongoing. Isn’t that what we believe? I am still discovering all that really happened and this blog is just part of His touch on me that afternoon.
PS: The cold water is why later we wanted hot coffee and almost broke kosher!!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
"Woe to You...or Oy'"
We talked about Korazin, one of the towns that Jesus said “woe to you” to, in Matthew chapter 11. As Yoni explained, we generally assume Jesus was cursing these cities for their lack of response to His ministry. I must say I was surprised at my sense of relief at Yoni’s explanation. Almost as if I had been worried about these cities for all my life…I know that sounds strange, but being in Israel healed a lot of things even if small misconceptions.
So it turns out that if Jesus had really cursed these towns they would have dried up quickly almost like the fig tree. When Korazin was excavated in modern times, 10 olive presses were found. Usually one olive press sufficed for 200 people. This seemed to confirm the history that Korazin was a large prosperous farming community that actually thrived for 1800 years in one type of settlement or another. That certainly doesn’t seem like a cursed town.
In Hebrew the term Oy’ was used where we read “woe”, and this is more an exclamation than a curse. The better term would be “beware” along with an exclamation similar to “Oh my goodness”. Woe is a warning and not a curse. It is a warning to repent. Repentance in the Hebrew context means “return to your father”.
Our LORD Jesus never came to curse anything but to break all curses, He never wrote off anything or anybody, but desired to write things back into God’s plan. Capernaum, Bethsaida and Korazin would have gone the way of Sodom and Gomorrah if Jesus cursed them.
It is easy to buy a line from satan that God will write us off after we mess up for the millionth tim;, when God the Father actually says: “return to Me and My ways”. So I tell myself: “Henry it really is that easy, never forget! “. Today is the National Day of Prayer: let’s ALL return to the Father!!!
So it turns out that if Jesus had really cursed these towns they would have dried up quickly almost like the fig tree. When Korazin was excavated in modern times, 10 olive presses were found. Usually one olive press sufficed for 200 people. This seemed to confirm the history that Korazin was a large prosperous farming community that actually thrived for 1800 years in one type of settlement or another. That certainly doesn’t seem like a cursed town.
In Hebrew the term Oy’ was used where we read “woe”, and this is more an exclamation than a curse. The better term would be “beware” along with an exclamation similar to “Oh my goodness”. Woe is a warning and not a curse. It is a warning to repent. Repentance in the Hebrew context means “return to your father”.
Our LORD Jesus never came to curse anything but to break all curses, He never wrote off anything or anybody, but desired to write things back into God’s plan. Capernaum, Bethsaida and Korazin would have gone the way of Sodom and Gomorrah if Jesus cursed them.
It is easy to buy a line from satan that God will write us off after we mess up for the millionth tim;, when God the Father actually says: “return to Me and My ways”. So I tell myself: “Henry it really is that easy, never forget! “. Today is the National Day of Prayer: let’s ALL return to the Father!!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
"Kosher"
(Exodus 23:19b)
It was at the hotel Ramot Gilead that some of us got in trouble for unknowingly breaking the kosher laws. I am pretty sure none of us did anything intentionally…except maybe Karen. Our first night at the hotel we had super on the east side of the dining room away from the scenic windows. I don’t think any of us noticed the absence of dairy products as there was so much food to be had. The next day for breakfast some in our group; the guilty shall remain anonymous; Ben, Ashley, Brennan, Karen, Ray, Rebekah, and Tammy just to name a few; sat in the same area of the dining room we sat the night before. The servers quickly moved us to where the place settings were and we thought that was the only issue: place settings. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our breakfast, which was abundant and included cheese and plenty of milk for our coffee. That evening we arrived back a bit early and were cold and tired and bought coffee with milk down at the bar. The stairs to the dining area were opened and Karen and I took our delicious cups of coffee up to the dining area but were told in no uncertain term we could not bring these in to dine. What the heck?
Apparently there are three principles that guide a rabbi’s thinking and his life: 1) be cautious in judgment, 2) raise up many disciples and 3) Make a fence around the Torah. These three principles are taken very seriously in rabbinic thought. This third principle led rabbi’s to make rules that would prevent the Torah commands from being broken. Sometimes rules were added to rules that were added to rules so that the original Scripture would be observed. Therefore when in Exodus 23:19b it says not to cook a young goat in its mothers’ milk, “making a fence around the Torah”; ultimately became don’t mix meat and dairy, then don’t serve them on the same plate, then don’t use the same cookware for dairy and meat and ultimately, don’t even eat them at the same meal!
When we switched sides the first time we might have used the wrong silverware, when we brought coffee and cream to supper we were in danger of mixing diary and meat and of violating kosher laws. “Gentile kosher law breaker” (GKLB) is not how I wanted to be known at that hotel…but I came pretty close.
In all honestly we talked about that a lot during the trip because it is so foreign to our lifestyle, yet in Jewish life it is practiced and taken so seriously that rabbi’s are known to make surprise visits to hotels and if kosher is being violated, the hotel’s kosher certificate is revoked and essentially the hotel is ruined. Big deal this kosher stuff.
It is very tempting to think of all of this as silly unless one remembers the original principle: build a fence around the Torah. A modern version might be; don’t let the Bible become diluted in meaning. It is the principle for which I left the denomination I grew up in for 41 years. I felt like the authority of Scripture wasn’t being practiced nor enforced in key areas of life and indeed some folks nationally essentially said the Bible was irrelevant to modern life!
So I will still drink coffee with cream and eat meat; as a gentile I am free from those laws, but I will try harder not to sit on the fence and come on down on the side of Scripture in everything I do. May not get there, but I’m going to try…what about you?
It was at the hotel Ramot Gilead that some of us got in trouble for unknowingly breaking the kosher laws. I am pretty sure none of us did anything intentionally…except maybe Karen. Our first night at the hotel we had super on the east side of the dining room away from the scenic windows. I don’t think any of us noticed the absence of dairy products as there was so much food to be had. The next day for breakfast some in our group; the guilty shall remain anonymous; Ben, Ashley, Brennan, Karen, Ray, Rebekah, and Tammy just to name a few; sat in the same area of the dining room we sat the night before. The servers quickly moved us to where the place settings were and we thought that was the only issue: place settings. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our breakfast, which was abundant and included cheese and plenty of milk for our coffee. That evening we arrived back a bit early and were cold and tired and bought coffee with milk down at the bar. The stairs to the dining area were opened and Karen and I took our delicious cups of coffee up to the dining area but were told in no uncertain term we could not bring these in to dine. What the heck?
Apparently there are three principles that guide a rabbi’s thinking and his life: 1) be cautious in judgment, 2) raise up many disciples and 3) Make a fence around the Torah. These three principles are taken very seriously in rabbinic thought. This third principle led rabbi’s to make rules that would prevent the Torah commands from being broken. Sometimes rules were added to rules that were added to rules so that the original Scripture would be observed. Therefore when in Exodus 23:19b it says not to cook a young goat in its mothers’ milk, “making a fence around the Torah”; ultimately became don’t mix meat and dairy, then don’t serve them on the same plate, then don’t use the same cookware for dairy and meat and ultimately, don’t even eat them at the same meal!
When we switched sides the first time we might have used the wrong silverware, when we brought coffee and cream to supper we were in danger of mixing diary and meat and of violating kosher laws. “Gentile kosher law breaker” (GKLB) is not how I wanted to be known at that hotel…but I came pretty close.
In all honestly we talked about that a lot during the trip because it is so foreign to our lifestyle, yet in Jewish life it is practiced and taken so seriously that rabbi’s are known to make surprise visits to hotels and if kosher is being violated, the hotel’s kosher certificate is revoked and essentially the hotel is ruined. Big deal this kosher stuff.
It is very tempting to think of all of this as silly unless one remembers the original principle: build a fence around the Torah. A modern version might be; don’t let the Bible become diluted in meaning. It is the principle for which I left the denomination I grew up in for 41 years. I felt like the authority of Scripture wasn’t being practiced nor enforced in key areas of life and indeed some folks nationally essentially said the Bible was irrelevant to modern life!
So I will still drink coffee with cream and eat meat; as a gentile I am free from those laws, but I will try harder not to sit on the fence and come on down on the side of Scripture in everything I do. May not get there, but I’m going to try…what about you?
Monday, May 3, 2010
"Ramot Galilee"
The hotel on the Galilee that we stayed in was perhaps my favorite. It was nice and fancy but not ornate. It was located up the hillside from the shoreline and if the Galilee was a clock, at about the 2 o’clock position. Trees, bushes, flowers of all types literally surrounded the area! It had 4 different levels with rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, lobby sitting area on the 3rd floor and dining area on the 4th floor. The rooms had been recently remodeled and had been given an oriental theme using bamboo, glass and wood floors.
After meals, supper especially, we tended to gather in the sitting area that overlooked the Sea of Galilee. There was a nice balcony and the sitting area was surrounded with windows in a semi-circular fashion with hardly a bad view to be had in the house. Despite the haze from the “heat wave”, dust from the southwest brought in by ocean wind currents, the view was amazing. The lights of Tiberias twinkled liked diamonds across the Galilee at night! Amazing…sweet…breathtaking.
The best part was the fellowship during these times in the sitting area. Usually we were full, tired but rather jolly in mood. Most of us were iPhone in hand…or at least laptops, getting on Facebook, checking email at the same time sharing impressions of the day, laughing and drinking some really good coffee.
This fellowship was the best part of the day. You see, for one we could relive the impressions of the day which made the experience more real-I mean how can you really take in being where Jesus was 2000 years ago-“did you hear Yoni say that ‘woe’ meant beware and not ‘be cursed?’ “ Ya and what was that yellow sign by the road; oh, a mind field warning…how weird is that…orange blossoms…is that what we are smelling?” “Do you really think that was Peter’s mother-in-law’s house?” “Hey how much is the coffee…do they have Pepsi Max?’ On and on the fellowship went on those nights over the Galilee. Fellowship. Fellowship is community and community is what we are all about in Jesus.
Well, that got me thinking about what Jesus and the disciples did at night after all the craziness of the day: “did you see those all that left over food after we fed the people? What does He mean ‘Son of Man giving Himself? I can’t believe that lady touched the Master…but I’m glad she did…where is she now? How come no one says anything when Judas takes money from the bag-we all know he does it! Next time I’ m gonna get out of the boat too, like Peter did…”
I’m convinced that was the best part of the day for Jesus too, the fellowship I mean. That is true in the present day also.
After meals, supper especially, we tended to gather in the sitting area that overlooked the Sea of Galilee. There was a nice balcony and the sitting area was surrounded with windows in a semi-circular fashion with hardly a bad view to be had in the house. Despite the haze from the “heat wave”, dust from the southwest brought in by ocean wind currents, the view was amazing. The lights of Tiberias twinkled liked diamonds across the Galilee at night! Amazing…sweet…breathtaking.
The best part was the fellowship during these times in the sitting area. Usually we were full, tired but rather jolly in mood. Most of us were iPhone in hand…or at least laptops, getting on Facebook, checking email at the same time sharing impressions of the day, laughing and drinking some really good coffee.
This fellowship was the best part of the day. You see, for one we could relive the impressions of the day which made the experience more real-I mean how can you really take in being where Jesus was 2000 years ago-“did you hear Yoni say that ‘woe’ meant beware and not ‘be cursed?’ “ Ya and what was that yellow sign by the road; oh, a mind field warning…how weird is that…orange blossoms…is that what we are smelling?” “Do you really think that was Peter’s mother-in-law’s house?” “Hey how much is the coffee…do they have Pepsi Max?’ On and on the fellowship went on those nights over the Galilee. Fellowship. Fellowship is community and community is what we are all about in Jesus.
Well, that got me thinking about what Jesus and the disciples did at night after all the craziness of the day: “did you see those all that left over food after we fed the people? What does He mean ‘Son of Man giving Himself? I can’t believe that lady touched the Master…but I’m glad she did…where is she now? How come no one says anything when Judas takes money from the bag-we all know he does it! Next time I’ m gonna get out of the boat too, like Peter did…”
I’m convinced that was the best part of the day for Jesus too, the fellowship I mean. That is true in the present day also.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
"Capernaum"
Matthew 4:12-17
Capernaum (Kafe Nauhm or town of Nahum) is in the tribal area of Naphtali but borders very closely the area of Issachar. Matthew 4 says “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-…’”
Capernaum is unique for many reasons, not the least of which is that here is simply where Jesus spent so much time. From a tourist standpoint the most important places to see are the Church of Peter‘s Primacy, the synagogue and a house described as being Peter’s mother-in-law’s house.
The Church of Peter‘s Primacy is where some believe Jesus cooked fish for breakfast and “reinstated” Peter. The Catholic Church owns some land on the Galilean shore where they think this event took place. It is a gorgeous place with green lawns, tall shade trees of many kinds, flowers and a small chapel constructed from a volcanic stone. I found myself wanting to do justice to the memory of Jesus’ time, as I took in the sights and sounds. I followed the group to the lake shore. Everyone was quiet or speaking in low voices. Brennan was kneeling, Tammy was taking pictures, Mike was holding a few stones, David McQueen was looking up at the hillside, Scott and Tim were speaking quietly, Susan was praying, and everyone seemed to be in deep personal reflection.
I guess that is when it hit me, and I was overwhelmed with a sense that Peter needed to know he was ok with Jesus more than Jesus needed to ask Peter if he loved Him. Reinstating and recommissioning is what Jesus’ death and resurrection were all about! New Covenant, newness, new life, new ANYTHING is what it’s about.
From my journal written that moment: “overwhelmed…w a sense of God’s Mercy! I am forgiven, like Peter, and reinstated and recomissioned! Thank you Yeshua!”
Capernaum (Kafe Nauhm or town of Nahum) is in the tribal area of Naphtali but borders very closely the area of Issachar. Matthew 4 says “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-…’”
Capernaum is unique for many reasons, not the least of which is that here is simply where Jesus spent so much time. From a tourist standpoint the most important places to see are the Church of Peter‘s Primacy, the synagogue and a house described as being Peter’s mother-in-law’s house.
The Church of Peter‘s Primacy is where some believe Jesus cooked fish for breakfast and “reinstated” Peter. The Catholic Church owns some land on the Galilean shore where they think this event took place. It is a gorgeous place with green lawns, tall shade trees of many kinds, flowers and a small chapel constructed from a volcanic stone. I found myself wanting to do justice to the memory of Jesus’ time, as I took in the sights and sounds. I followed the group to the lake shore. Everyone was quiet or speaking in low voices. Brennan was kneeling, Tammy was taking pictures, Mike was holding a few stones, David McQueen was looking up at the hillside, Scott and Tim were speaking quietly, Susan was praying, and everyone seemed to be in deep personal reflection.
I guess that is when it hit me, and I was overwhelmed with a sense that Peter needed to know he was ok with Jesus more than Jesus needed to ask Peter if he loved Him. Reinstating and recommissioning is what Jesus’ death and resurrection were all about! New Covenant, newness, new life, new ANYTHING is what it’s about.
From my journal written that moment: “overwhelmed…w a sense of God’s Mercy! I am forgiven, like Peter, and reinstated and recomissioned! Thank you Yeshua!”
Friday, April 30, 2010
"Wings"
(Numbers 15:37-40; Malachi 4:2)
While we sat under the shade on the church grounds of the Church of Peter’s Primacy we received a little lecture on the tallit.
In Numbers 15:37-40 the Hebrew people were instructed to make tassels on the corners of their garments with blue cord: “you will have these tassels to look upon and so remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes”. The Hebrew people did so to the garments worn beneath the outer robe. Additionally, prayer shawls were made that Jews cover themselves with while they are praying. These shawls and undergarment prayer aprons are called tallit and some have fringes that are called tzitzit. Tephillot means prayers in Hebrew and interestingly enough “praises’ comes from the same root word techillim. These tassels were tied in knots to represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament. These tassels were the ones Jesus criticized the Pharisees making so long and large as if the bigger “reminder” made them holier.
Here is where it gets cool….all these tassels are tied to the corners of the garments and the corners are called WINGS…did you read the passage in Malachi? It is too cool: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Jews believe that God doesn’t command anything that He doesn’t demonstrate also; so they have a picture of God with tassels and wings on His robe like a prayer shawl.
Simply put, we are under His wings, meaning we are under His robe, under the prayer garment, next to His body. It doesn’t get any better, any closer, any more protected or…any holier.
God, I need to know this morning that You are with me and I am in You. Thank you!
While we sat under the shade on the church grounds of the Church of Peter’s Primacy we received a little lecture on the tallit.
In Numbers 15:37-40 the Hebrew people were instructed to make tassels on the corners of their garments with blue cord: “you will have these tassels to look upon and so remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes”. The Hebrew people did so to the garments worn beneath the outer robe. Additionally, prayer shawls were made that Jews cover themselves with while they are praying. These shawls and undergarment prayer aprons are called tallit and some have fringes that are called tzitzit. Tephillot means prayers in Hebrew and interestingly enough “praises’ comes from the same root word techillim. These tassels were tied in knots to represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament. These tassels were the ones Jesus criticized the Pharisees making so long and large as if the bigger “reminder” made them holier.
Here is where it gets cool….all these tassels are tied to the corners of the garments and the corners are called WINGS…did you read the passage in Malachi? It is too cool: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Jews believe that God doesn’t command anything that He doesn’t demonstrate also; so they have a picture of God with tassels and wings on His robe like a prayer shawl.
Simply put, we are under His wings, meaning we are under His robe, under the prayer garment, next to His body. It doesn’t get any better, any closer, any more protected or…any holier.
God, I need to know this morning that You are with me and I am in You. Thank you!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
"Desperate Enough"
(Read Luke 8:43-49)
The 16th of March we spent touring the Galilean shore and hillsides. Everything was unusually green due to the recent rainy season, and as our guide Yoni said, almost subtropical. Not really the context we imagine for Jesus in that area; but perhaps more realistic for that month. That time of the month…Yoni took us to Luke 8 to explain a little more about the lady that never got out of that time of the month as it were; a lady that had been subject to bleeding for 12 years! Levitical law prevented women in menstruation from touching others due to being unclean. A woman in menstruation would never touch a man much less a rabbi or priest! The woman in Luke 8 does just that, she not only touches a man in her unclean state; she touches a rabbi in a large crowd and not only that; she touches the Son of Man in her unclean state.
The hem of the robe: it is very likely, Yoni explained, that the woman touched Jesus’ prayer garment. As an observant Jew, Jesus would have worn at all times his prayer garment which according to law had four tassels on the four corners of the garment. These tassels were tied in knots with spaces in between that represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament.
I have a new heroine in the lady in Luke 8! As a physician assistant this story breaks my heart like few others! A woman who has had uterine bleeding for 12 years; obviously no cure was given her; and she becomes desperate enough to break the religious law of the day to touch the very Giver of the Law on an intimate part of his clothing that actually symbolizes the laws that would keep her away from her Healer. The best part in my view is that Jesus knew IMMEDIATELY that power had flown out of him and upon finding the recipient of His power and the need for His healing says:” daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace”, (emphasis mine).
Subtropical climate…beautiful day on the Galilee…friends…new sites…walking where Jesus walked…learning about Jesus…these are memories I will treasure forever. This morning however, my prayer is that I will never get in the way of someone’s healing because of Religion or Protocol. In fact, let’s ALL RUSH TO TOUCH HIS GARMENT AND RECEIVE HEALING!
The 16th of March we spent touring the Galilean shore and hillsides. Everything was unusually green due to the recent rainy season, and as our guide Yoni said, almost subtropical. Not really the context we imagine for Jesus in that area; but perhaps more realistic for that month. That time of the month…Yoni took us to Luke 8 to explain a little more about the lady that never got out of that time of the month as it were; a lady that had been subject to bleeding for 12 years! Levitical law prevented women in menstruation from touching others due to being unclean. A woman in menstruation would never touch a man much less a rabbi or priest! The woman in Luke 8 does just that, she not only touches a man in her unclean state; she touches a rabbi in a large crowd and not only that; she touches the Son of Man in her unclean state.
The hem of the robe: it is very likely, Yoni explained, that the woman touched Jesus’ prayer garment. As an observant Jew, Jesus would have worn at all times his prayer garment which according to law had four tassels on the four corners of the garment. These tassels were tied in knots with spaces in between that represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament.
I have a new heroine in the lady in Luke 8! As a physician assistant this story breaks my heart like few others! A woman who has had uterine bleeding for 12 years; obviously no cure was given her; and she becomes desperate enough to break the religious law of the day to touch the very Giver of the Law on an intimate part of his clothing that actually symbolizes the laws that would keep her away from her Healer. The best part in my view is that Jesus knew IMMEDIATELY that power had flown out of him and upon finding the recipient of His power and the need for His healing says:” daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace”, (emphasis mine).
Subtropical climate…beautiful day on the Galilee…friends…new sites…walking where Jesus walked…learning about Jesus…these are memories I will treasure forever. This morning however, my prayer is that I will never get in the way of someone’s healing because of Religion or Protocol. In fact, let’s ALL RUSH TO TOUCH HIS GARMENT AND RECEIVE HEALING!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
"Sheroot'eem" (bathrooms)
March 15 was our first day of many that held the pattern of going to sites, break for lunch at a local eating establishment and get back on the bus to go see more sites, pray and intercede. After Mt. Carmel and before we actually hit Tzippori we stopped for lunch on the lower slope of Mt. Carmel for lunch. This location remains a hit with me because of the best Falafel it served and because Tracee and I discovered the Israeli custom of the common bathroom. These were no common unisex bathrooms, rather large areas with a common washing area, sink, mirror and such; and only an angle of wall to prevent one sex from more fully appreciating the other sex’s endeavors. There were stalls to provide visual privacy but not much auditory privacy, as it were. Tracee commented that she was not used to going to the bathroom with business men, much less pastors and worship leaders!
As Americans we value our privacy for many things besides going to the bathroom. I sincerely don’t know why “privacy” is held as a value as high as it is when that is not the case in most of the world. Do we value privacy because we also are wealthy as a society?
I don’t have a prayer or deep thought this morning…but I wonder what value Jesus put on privacy other than the appropriate modest dress and all. How did large groups of 5,000 eating fish and bread deal with bathroom issues? There certainly are plenty of rocks and boulders in Israel…and what do you do when you are fishing all night in the middle of the Galilee? I really don’t know but that sometimes life is about the very practical and not always the heavenly. So be it.
As Americans we value our privacy for many things besides going to the bathroom. I sincerely don’t know why “privacy” is held as a value as high as it is when that is not the case in most of the world. Do we value privacy because we also are wealthy as a society?
I don’t have a prayer or deep thought this morning…but I wonder what value Jesus put on privacy other than the appropriate modest dress and all. How did large groups of 5,000 eating fish and bread deal with bathroom issues? There certainly are plenty of rocks and boulders in Israel…and what do you do when you are fishing all night in the middle of the Galilee? I really don’t know but that sometimes life is about the very practical and not always the heavenly. So be it.
Monday, April 26, 2010
"Tzippori"
I looked and I looked but Tzippori is not mentioned in the Bible at all that I could find. We went to Tzippori after our stop at Mt. Carmel on our way to the Sea of Galilee. Tzippori is actually an amazing place to consider. It is located about 3-4 miles from Nazareth as the crow flies, it was the largest town in the Galilee area during Jesus’ time with probably 21,000 inhabitants and boasted among other things a very nice amphitheater.
We toured a first century house that is known for its’ elaborate floor mosaics. Indeed the floors of at least two large rooms were covered in beautiful mosaics; one room better preserved than the other. In this better preserved mosaic are many intricate designs and one is known as the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee”. Google Tzippori and that is one of the first things you will see. This kind of mosaic work suggested to modern researchers that Tzippori was a city with at least one very wealthy neighborhood, and perhaps entirely wealthy. Their wealth came from, among other reasons, being on one of the major trade routes from Syria on beyond.
In this setting of mosaics and fancy ruins Yoni our guide explained that “carpenter” is a mistranslation. That Jesus and Joseph were builders, including stone masons, is probably more accurate. In Galilee, stones and rock were the main building ingredients and wood was used for furniture, etc.
What if Jesus worked in houses that were opulent, what if Jesus saw that his customers weren’t made happy by the latest mosaic design brought in from Rome, what if Jesus saw locals go into debt, cheat or steal to preserve a lifestyle? What if his heart broke when He saw the contrast between the designs of His Father and the reality of people in Tzippori? What if He wanted to preach, work miracles and show these gentiles that God was real…only to hear God say: “First to the Jew then to the Gentile my Son”? What if Tzippori and all that it WAS NOT, in kingdom value is why Jesus said more about money than any other topic?
I don’t know if Jesus had these thoughts while He worked in Tzippori, but He certainly has me asking me some very big questions about my lifestyle RIGHT NOW. I do know one thing: I don’t want to be known for my lifestyle; good or bad, but for my life in Him.
We toured a first century house that is known for its’ elaborate floor mosaics. Indeed the floors of at least two large rooms were covered in beautiful mosaics; one room better preserved than the other. In this better preserved mosaic are many intricate designs and one is known as the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee”. Google Tzippori and that is one of the first things you will see. This kind of mosaic work suggested to modern researchers that Tzippori was a city with at least one very wealthy neighborhood, and perhaps entirely wealthy. Their wealth came from, among other reasons, being on one of the major trade routes from Syria on beyond.
In this setting of mosaics and fancy ruins Yoni our guide explained that “carpenter” is a mistranslation. That Jesus and Joseph were builders, including stone masons, is probably more accurate. In Galilee, stones and rock were the main building ingredients and wood was used for furniture, etc.
What if Jesus worked in houses that were opulent, what if Jesus saw that his customers weren’t made happy by the latest mosaic design brought in from Rome, what if Jesus saw locals go into debt, cheat or steal to preserve a lifestyle? What if his heart broke when He saw the contrast between the designs of His Father and the reality of people in Tzippori? What if He wanted to preach, work miracles and show these gentiles that God was real…only to hear God say: “First to the Jew then to the Gentile my Son”? What if Tzippori and all that it WAS NOT, in kingdom value is why Jesus said more about money than any other topic?
I don’t know if Jesus had these thoughts while He worked in Tzippori, but He certainly has me asking me some very big questions about my lifestyle RIGHT NOW. I do know one thing: I don’t want to be known for my lifestyle; good or bad, but for my life in Him.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Mount Carmel
Mt. Carmel is not so much a mount, as it is a ridge coming up from the shores of the Mediterranean in the Haifa Bay, inward into the Jezreel Valley. It is more like a gentle mesa than a hill. We visited the Carmelite Monastery located there, and from the roof top of the monastery we were able to see the Mediterranean Sea, the Jezreel Valley, the Galilean hills, and the foothills of Mt. Hermon, just to name a few sites. It was amazing to imagine Elijah on this place, defeating demonic forces with prayer, praise and sacrifice.
In Rabbinic tradition Elijah’s life is summarized in the word “fire”! Elijah called down fire from heaven to earth and in a chariot of fire he left earth for Heaven.
On this place our group prayed and worshipped and prophetic words were spoken; no balls of fire…no heavenly chariots…no dramatic defeat of satan, just worship and praise. Oh, sweet worship and a united spirit were present that moment! As I think back on that moment I am both touched with nostalgia for the moment and also with a question in my mind: did our prayer and worship make a difference? Then God reminded me…we were faithful…just like the prophets that didn’t kneel down to Jezebel and Ahab were counted as faithful, so we were simply faithful. We went to Israel to pray for the land and people; not to call down fire, stop or start rain, nor to tuck our robes in our belt and run down to Jezreel as Elijah did. Faithfulness, obedience for the moment and God did the rest.
Dear God, help me to obey. Help me to keep it simple and just obey you.
In Rabbinic tradition Elijah’s life is summarized in the word “fire”! Elijah called down fire from heaven to earth and in a chariot of fire he left earth for Heaven.
On this place our group prayed and worshipped and prophetic words were spoken; no balls of fire…no heavenly chariots…no dramatic defeat of satan, just worship and praise. Oh, sweet worship and a united spirit were present that moment! As I think back on that moment I am both touched with nostalgia for the moment and also with a question in my mind: did our prayer and worship make a difference? Then God reminded me…we were faithful…just like the prophets that didn’t kneel down to Jezebel and Ahab were counted as faithful, so we were simply faithful. We went to Israel to pray for the land and people; not to call down fire, stop or start rain, nor to tuck our robes in our belt and run down to Jezreel as Elijah did. Faithfulness, obedience for the moment and God did the rest.
Dear God, help me to obey. Help me to keep it simple and just obey you.
Friday, April 23, 2010
"Remembrance of Jacob"
Read Hosea 10:12
On the way from Akko to Caesarea Maritime we passed through the small city of Yokne’am. This is Hebrew for “Remembrance of Jacob”. In the 1880’s, the wealthy French banker Baron Rothschild began donating money to projects in Israel. Among these projects was the development south of Mount Carmel of land for Jewish immigrants. Rothschild donated money, sent grape varietals from France, built a wine bottling plant and provided cash and technology to dig wells in the then barren land for irrigation of vineyards. This same area had swampy land that was drained for cultivation. This particular endeavor has resulted in the most prestigious vineyards in Israel. Apparently more wine is produced and exported from this area than any other area in Israel.
Baron Rothschild named the town after his son Jacob or Ya’kov. Therefore Yokne’am: remembrance of Jacob.
This uncultivated, swampy land that, with attention, became a grape and wine region, named as a memorial to a son, has now become immensely productive. That is my life: barren, and sometimes swampy land, originally, attended to by my Father… and by Faith, I declare, it will bear immensely productive fruit. I too have been made a remembrance to the Father according to Isaiah 56; I have been written in the palm of His hand as a memorial.
Just a thought: what condition is the soil of your life?
Father, dig, drain, build…just do what You have to do to make me fruitful like your Son.
On the way from Akko to Caesarea Maritime we passed through the small city of Yokne’am. This is Hebrew for “Remembrance of Jacob”. In the 1880’s, the wealthy French banker Baron Rothschild began donating money to projects in Israel. Among these projects was the development south of Mount Carmel of land for Jewish immigrants. Rothschild donated money, sent grape varietals from France, built a wine bottling plant and provided cash and technology to dig wells in the then barren land for irrigation of vineyards. This same area had swampy land that was drained for cultivation. This particular endeavor has resulted in the most prestigious vineyards in Israel. Apparently more wine is produced and exported from this area than any other area in Israel.
Baron Rothschild named the town after his son Jacob or Ya’kov. Therefore Yokne’am: remembrance of Jacob.
This uncultivated, swampy land that, with attention, became a grape and wine region, named as a memorial to a son, has now become immensely productive. That is my life: barren, and sometimes swampy land, originally, attended to by my Father… and by Faith, I declare, it will bear immensely productive fruit. I too have been made a remembrance to the Father according to Isaiah 56; I have been written in the palm of His hand as a memorial.
Just a thought: what condition is the soil of your life?
Father, dig, drain, build…just do what You have to do to make me fruitful like your Son.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"Caesarea Maritime"
This place, whose very name smacks of everything Roman, was actually built by a Jew with Arabic background, and became an important place in the early Church. We really didn’t see anything Christian or Jewish in the ruins today, as every ruin screams of the Roman Empire. It is noteworthy that Herod the Great built this major port where natural harbor and water source did not exist. Both had to be forged out of nature. It turns out that Herod the Great had some Jewish background, was also of Arab descent; but grew up and was trained in Rome. To the Jew he was not the real thing, but to Rome he was Roman enough to be ruler over Palestine.
The amphitheater, hippodrome, palace, aqueduct and harbor ruins are impressive for what men 2000 years ago were able to accomplish. Very impressive indeed, and I am even pretty sure I took many pictures when we were there.
However, I can’t get out of my mind the irony that today Caesarea Maritime to the modern Israeli is known for its’ RUINS, wealthy neighborhoods and fancy golf course. GOLF? Golf in the area where Phillip ministered, where Paul was kept prisoner, where the Gospel of Matthew was translated into Greek from Hebrew, where in AD 198 an important council of early believers met …. GOLF? It is easy to see what time did to the port and who knows what time will do to a golf course, but out of the work of those early believers came something so lasting, so permanent, so enduring it is mind boggling: the Church. God is so faithful to His church and people Israel that 2000 years after Herod lived, built, and then died; and Rome as an empire is no more, the Church is greater than ever! The Gospel has been preached to all nations and to all but a few ethnic peoples over the word!
The sobering thought is that only 1.5% of all Israeli Jews believe Yeshua is the Messiah. There is still some critical work to be done in Israel. For this reason we go and support Israel; that all our Jewish brothers and sisters may come to believe in Yeshua as Messiah!
(Another mind bender: my pastor David Ray; a lover of Jesus and Jews, a few years ago played golf on the course at Caesarea Maritime! Chew on that for a while…a pastor…golf…where Paul was…where Rome killed believers…where a gospel was translated….where wealthy Israeli’s live….)
Jesus, don’t let me judge things by the ruins of the day; but rather by the power of your promises. Amen.
The amphitheater, hippodrome, palace, aqueduct and harbor ruins are impressive for what men 2000 years ago were able to accomplish. Very impressive indeed, and I am even pretty sure I took many pictures when we were there.
However, I can’t get out of my mind the irony that today Caesarea Maritime to the modern Israeli is known for its’ RUINS, wealthy neighborhoods and fancy golf course. GOLF? Golf in the area where Phillip ministered, where Paul was kept prisoner, where the Gospel of Matthew was translated into Greek from Hebrew, where in AD 198 an important council of early believers met …. GOLF? It is easy to see what time did to the port and who knows what time will do to a golf course, but out of the work of those early believers came something so lasting, so permanent, so enduring it is mind boggling: the Church. God is so faithful to His church and people Israel that 2000 years after Herod lived, built, and then died; and Rome as an empire is no more, the Church is greater than ever! The Gospel has been preached to all nations and to all but a few ethnic peoples over the word!
The sobering thought is that only 1.5% of all Israeli Jews believe Yeshua is the Messiah. There is still some critical work to be done in Israel. For this reason we go and support Israel; that all our Jewish brothers and sisters may come to believe in Yeshua as Messiah!
(Another mind bender: my pastor David Ray; a lover of Jesus and Jews, a few years ago played golf on the course at Caesarea Maritime! Chew on that for a while…a pastor…golf…where Paul was…where Rome killed believers…where a gospel was translated….where wealthy Israeli’s live….)
Jesus, don’t let me judge things by the ruins of the day; but rather by the power of your promises. Amen.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
"Mealtimes"
I have written down in my journal for March 14th that breakfast was “awesome”. I know what I meant was the food: breads, cheeses, coffee, jams, eggs, fresh veggies, fresh fruits, delicious orange juice and did I mention coffee? The coffee was really, really good! I had to stop and think of those foods and what was “awesome” because what stood out from my journal are the names of the people we sat with that morning. We sat at a rather large table, usually big enough for 12 people: Amy, Debbie, Roger, Bonnie, Karen, Ray and of course Tracee; we had a time of special fellowship over breakfast. That is what I remember and miss now almost a month later. “Did you see the two buttons on the toilet, what are they for?” “I think one is for when you pee and the other is….you know…yeah…when you need more water.” “Bwahahaha, yeah, you are probably right.” “Did you sleep well…?” “I love the beds, but we will be in a new hotel tonight…” “What the heck is that on your plate…? Are you really going to eat that…? Oh, is that what humus is…looks different than at HEB…why don’t I see any bacon…just kidding!”
On and on sharing discoveries, hearing peoples’ impressions, co-discovering foods, and sometimes just asking bluntly: ”what do you do again?” “When is your baby due?” “ Which church do you attend?”, etc. So much fellowship happened over mealtimes. I don’t know what happens over mealtimes and how sharing food and visiting is such a special time that results in bonding. I just don’t know the details, but I love the result. It was fun imagining Jesus sharing meals with His disciples and laughing and joking…did Peter eat fish eyes? or did Jesus always bless the food or did one of the 12 sometimes bless the food? What was that food that Jesus said He had, that the disciples’ were not aware of, in John 4?
“Got to be on the bus in 10 minutes so we better get going! How do you pronounce where we are going today?” "Is that the Maritime or the Phillipi one"?
Jesus, I want fellowship. I want bonding. I want to be closer to those who also want to be closer to You. Help me stay plugged into the body.
On and on sharing discoveries, hearing peoples’ impressions, co-discovering foods, and sometimes just asking bluntly: ”what do you do again?” “When is your baby due?” “ Which church do you attend?”, etc. So much fellowship happened over mealtimes. I don’t know what happens over mealtimes and how sharing food and visiting is such a special time that results in bonding. I just don’t know the details, but I love the result. It was fun imagining Jesus sharing meals with His disciples and laughing and joking…did Peter eat fish eyes? or did Jesus always bless the food or did one of the 12 sometimes bless the food? What was that food that Jesus said He had, that the disciples’ were not aware of, in John 4?
“Got to be on the bus in 10 minutes so we better get going! How do you pronounce where we are going today?” "Is that the Maritime or the Phillipi one"?
Jesus, I want fellowship. I want bonding. I want to be closer to those who also want to be closer to You. Help me stay plugged into the body.
Monday, April 19, 2010
"Akko"
After Shabbat services at Tents of Mercy, Saturday March the 13, we went to the Old City of Akko to have a time of prayer and intercession for the city and Israel. We met our hosts for the afternoon; Bill and Patty and went to one of the old 18th century ramparts. We walked up, past old cannons aimed outside the walls, gathered in a blanket of yellow wildflowers and began to sing and worship. “We praise a lot”, Bill told us, “Because praise weakens the enemy so much”.
For me it was almost too much to take in: the blanket of yellow wildflower waving in the breeze, Rusty up on the wall praising with outstretched arms and looking like he was touching God by the look on his face, cannons, perfect weather….”Oh, I know that song, but it’s in Hebrew…wonder if the Turks really expected to defeat Napoleon…Rusty better by careful up there…maybe I can sneak a pic of Amy in those flowers over there… …Bonnie better be careful in those shoes…God, I am overcome… I am back in Israel, I am really back… what is going on here…I feel You so closely but it’s almost too much!”
I could only thank God for the moment I was in and remembered a small prayer I had said when I left Israel last time:”Lord, I want to come back to Israel someday!”Immediately and so very clearly I heard God tell me; “you could have been more specific”. I knew what God meant; I had thrown up a generic prayer that He had nonetheless answered, when I could have asked to come back very, very soon. I really believe God was teaching me that the Land of Israel is so, very, very special to Him that praying to be able to visit there is so much different than praying for a vacation to the Bahamas. I had a sense that like any proud father, God also enjoys showing off His Holy Land. “You love this land don’t you Father, You really love this land!”
On this day, I ask you Father God to give me the very love for Israel and Your Chosen Ones that You have!
For me it was almost too much to take in: the blanket of yellow wildflower waving in the breeze, Rusty up on the wall praising with outstretched arms and looking like he was touching God by the look on his face, cannons, perfect weather….”Oh, I know that song, but it’s in Hebrew…wonder if the Turks really expected to defeat Napoleon…Rusty better by careful up there…maybe I can sneak a pic of Amy in those flowers over there… …Bonnie better be careful in those shoes…God, I am overcome… I am back in Israel, I am really back… what is going on here…I feel You so closely but it’s almost too much!”
I could only thank God for the moment I was in and remembered a small prayer I had said when I left Israel last time:”Lord, I want to come back to Israel someday!”Immediately and so very clearly I heard God tell me; “you could have been more specific”. I knew what God meant; I had thrown up a generic prayer that He had nonetheless answered, when I could have asked to come back very, very soon. I really believe God was teaching me that the Land of Israel is so, very, very special to Him that praying to be able to visit there is so much different than praying for a vacation to the Bahamas. I had a sense that like any proud father, God also enjoys showing off His Holy Land. “You love this land don’t you Father, You really love this land!”
On this day, I ask you Father God to give me the very love for Israel and Your Chosen Ones that You have!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
"Katzir Asher" (Read Judges 1:31; Mark 10:29:31)
Our first Friday night in Israel we attended Shabbat evening services at the Messianic congregation in Akko. Katzir Asher means ‘harvest of Asher’. This has at least a couple meanings in that Akko is part of the tribal area of Asher and is famous in part for never being conquered by Joshua. Throughout history Akko was overcome only a very few times. Even Napoleon was repelled at Akko during his attempted conquest of the Holy Lands. It is made up mostly of Arabs and the Jews that do live in Akko have enjoyed very good relationships with the Arabs over most of history. Harvest of Asher was a church plant of Tents of Mercy. It began as a social services outreach by working with a school for the blind that was of special interest to the then mayor and his wife. Because of this favor, the leadership was allowed to establish a home church.
The founders included Guy Cohen, a young man of Moroccan descent and of the priestly family of Cohen. His father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., were all Rabbi’s. Guy was expected to follow suit but had a rather dramatic encounter with Yeshua HaMessiach. (Jesus the Messiah) and left rabbinical school. Because of this he was disowned and shunned by his family. Establishing a Messianic congregation in Akko has been very, very difficult. The opposition has come from the Ultra-Orthodox Jews and not Arabs! In fact Katzir Asher is the first congregation of believers EVER in history that we know of. (Crusaders hardly count)
Think about this for a moment: the land that Joshua didn’t conquer, that was home to pagan religions like Baal and Asherah, almost unconquerable by the mightiest armies in history, was planted through helping a municipal service to the blind, is run by a man of Jewish priestly ancestry and is being watered by complete personal sacrifice. No need to overstate things here…that is the way it is! The next day we prayed for Akko on its’ ancient walls; we prayed for complete salvation of Jew and Arab; we prayed for Guy and the leaders to be anointed for their calling, we prayed….but I don’t think I realized the significance of what was being prayed for at the time. What a privilege to be a small part of this miracle!
God…once again I am humbled at the thought of my brothers and sisters in Akko, by what they are doing and all that they continue to sacrifice! Give them favor with all the peoples of the city may all of Akko see Your Holy Face!
The founders included Guy Cohen, a young man of Moroccan descent and of the priestly family of Cohen. His father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., were all Rabbi’s. Guy was expected to follow suit but had a rather dramatic encounter with Yeshua HaMessiach. (Jesus the Messiah) and left rabbinical school. Because of this he was disowned and shunned by his family. Establishing a Messianic congregation in Akko has been very, very difficult. The opposition has come from the Ultra-Orthodox Jews and not Arabs! In fact Katzir Asher is the first congregation of believers EVER in history that we know of. (Crusaders hardly count)
Think about this for a moment: the land that Joshua didn’t conquer, that was home to pagan religions like Baal and Asherah, almost unconquerable by the mightiest armies in history, was planted through helping a municipal service to the blind, is run by a man of Jewish priestly ancestry and is being watered by complete personal sacrifice. No need to overstate things here…that is the way it is! The next day we prayed for Akko on its’ ancient walls; we prayed for complete salvation of Jew and Arab; we prayed for Guy and the leaders to be anointed for their calling, we prayed….but I don’t think I realized the significance of what was being prayed for at the time. What a privilege to be a small part of this miracle!
God…once again I am humbled at the thought of my brothers and sisters in Akko, by what they are doing and all that they continue to sacrifice! Give them favor with all the peoples of the city may all of Akko see Your Holy Face!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Nazareth (Read Luke 4:14-30)
Nazareth was not the largest or most significant town of the area when Jesus was growing up there. We were told that Tzippori, just 6 miles or so west was much larger, wealthier and of better reputation. The saying: “can anything good come from Nazareth”, was probably well deserved.
Presently Nazareth is primarily Arab and semi-industrial. Although I enjoyed our short time there, I admit nothing really stood out in my mind about the town except the local Messianic congregation we visited and it reminded me of some of the larger towns in Bolivia. That is until Eitan explained that the root word for Nazareth is ‘netzer’, which means ‘spout’ or ‘root’. A common term used by Israelis for believers in Christ is ‘Netzereem’ or little sprouts. Interesting that people that don’t believe in Yeshua, call us essentially ‘little sprouts’. I would love it if people would look at me and see a little Jesus or “mini-me Jesus”. I am afraid more often than not people see a “little knucklehead” instead of Jesus. The Messianic congregation we visited there is called Netzer HaGalil, or Sprout of The Galilee. It is very small but has an amazing ministry through their soup kitchen. What is called a kitchen is more like a counter with cooking implements. Yet out of this small kitchen are produced 1500-1800 HOT MEALS a month! Meals that may be the only real food some folks get for a while until their situation improves. Two thousand years ago The Bread of Life lived in a town of poor reputation and today that same town with similar reputation has a little ‘sprout’ that is giving bread for life and telling those that will listen about the Real Root and the Bread that truly satisfies all hunger! Humbling, amazing…I think I have changed my mind about that place….
Jesus, I really didn’t like the town you grew up in, but I like what is happening there through your Spirit. Forgive me if I judge things by superficial standards and not by the potential of the sprout.
Presently Nazareth is primarily Arab and semi-industrial. Although I enjoyed our short time there, I admit nothing really stood out in my mind about the town except the local Messianic congregation we visited and it reminded me of some of the larger towns in Bolivia. That is until Eitan explained that the root word for Nazareth is ‘netzer’, which means ‘spout’ or ‘root’. A common term used by Israelis for believers in Christ is ‘Netzereem’ or little sprouts. Interesting that people that don’t believe in Yeshua, call us essentially ‘little sprouts’. I would love it if people would look at me and see a little Jesus or “mini-me Jesus”. I am afraid more often than not people see a “little knucklehead” instead of Jesus. The Messianic congregation we visited there is called Netzer HaGalil, or Sprout of The Galilee. It is very small but has an amazing ministry through their soup kitchen. What is called a kitchen is more like a counter with cooking implements. Yet out of this small kitchen are produced 1500-1800 HOT MEALS a month! Meals that may be the only real food some folks get for a while until their situation improves. Two thousand years ago The Bread of Life lived in a town of poor reputation and today that same town with similar reputation has a little ‘sprout’ that is giving bread for life and telling those that will listen about the Real Root and the Bread that truly satisfies all hunger! Humbling, amazing…I think I have changed my mind about that place….
Jesus, I really didn’t like the town you grew up in, but I like what is happening there through your Spirit. Forgive me if I judge things by superficial standards and not by the potential of the sprout.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Eucalyptus Tress
Read Isaiah 55:12
Eitan and then Yoni, our tour guide, explained the presence of all the Eucalyptus trees by the side of the road. These non-native trees were brought in from Australia for their ability to lower the water table in soil. They were planted in the swamps and along with drainage canals, members of the early farm co-ops (affectionately known as Kibbutz) successfully drained many swamps. These swamps became very productive farm lands. We also heard the story of the famous Israeli spy Eli Cohen that was very successful in infiltrating the Syrian government circles. He gave the advice that if Syrians would plant Eucalyptus trees around the troop outpost on the Golan Heights, they would have shade in the summer and wood to use for heating in the winter. This advice was followed and many such trees were planted. The spy was eventually discovered and killed, but when the war of 1967 began, all the Israeli forces had to do was aim for the groups of Eucalyptus trees and indeed the Syrians were quickly routed. Trees that were non-native to Israel have since become a story line in the history of their nation. In Israel trees are a big deal.
Eucalyptus trees don’t usually have a good reputation, they do lower water tables and their wood is too hard to use in carpentry, I should know…I lived around them all my life (they were common in Bolivia, where I grew up). As I wrote in my journal about this, I felt the spirit teach me:”Henry, I will use anything I want to, if it will accomplish My Will. I will transform swampy lives into productive ones; I will drain sin; I will import new methods to enable My Followers; I will point out the enemy clearly and it will be defeated.”
Holy Spirit, take away all the swampy sin in my life. It’s that simple. LORD, I want to be soil that bears a huge harvest.
Eitan and then Yoni, our tour guide, explained the presence of all the Eucalyptus trees by the side of the road. These non-native trees were brought in from Australia for their ability to lower the water table in soil. They were planted in the swamps and along with drainage canals, members of the early farm co-ops (affectionately known as Kibbutz) successfully drained many swamps. These swamps became very productive farm lands. We also heard the story of the famous Israeli spy Eli Cohen that was very successful in infiltrating the Syrian government circles. He gave the advice that if Syrians would plant Eucalyptus trees around the troop outpost on the Golan Heights, they would have shade in the summer and wood to use for heating in the winter. This advice was followed and many such trees were planted. The spy was eventually discovered and killed, but when the war of 1967 began, all the Israeli forces had to do was aim for the groups of Eucalyptus trees and indeed the Syrians were quickly routed. Trees that were non-native to Israel have since become a story line in the history of their nation. In Israel trees are a big deal.
Eucalyptus trees don’t usually have a good reputation, they do lower water tables and their wood is too hard to use in carpentry, I should know…I lived around them all my life (they were common in Bolivia, where I grew up). As I wrote in my journal about this, I felt the spirit teach me:”Henry, I will use anything I want to, if it will accomplish My Will. I will transform swampy lives into productive ones; I will drain sin; I will import new methods to enable My Followers; I will point out the enemy clearly and it will be defeated.”
Holy Spirit, take away all the swampy sin in my life. It’s that simple. LORD, I want to be soil that bears a huge harvest.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Ezekiel 36
We were blessed that Eitan was able to be our “guide” for the day as this is one very busy, busy man. Eitan started us out thinking about Ezekiel 36 and how Sovereign LORD is used 14 times in Ezekiel 36, as He instructs Ezekiel to prophesy about the restoration of Israel. “Has this been fulfilled?” Eitan asked, then telling us that only half of the world’s Jewish population is in Israel. One way of hearing what Eitan said is that this prophecy wasn’t fulfilled with the return of the Exiles with Ezra and Nehemiah, but is IN THE PROCESS of being fulfilled!! Not someday, not 5000 years ago, not somewhere in space, deep underground, or another dimension…but RIGHT NOW in Israel, with our friends on ground zero as it were…it is being fulfilled NOW. What a faith turbo charger thing to consider!
Ezekiel 36:8 says “But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.” The mountains have been there for centuries, the trees now number over 20 million (20,000,000) and I saw branches and fruit everywhere! I could smell orange blossoms out of the back of our hotel room on the Galilee…! Banana groves of all things are everywhere there can be drip irrigation. Are you kidding me? I better fully get that our God is the Sovereign LORD and move with Him and His people or be left watching the rocks cry out in praise!
God, don’t let me put you in a box, tear down my small view of you, anoint me with Your Spirit to fully understand Your love for Your land and people Israel. Give me prophetic vision to see the great moves of Your will under way right now! Be my Sovereign LORD in my walk and not just my talk!
Ezekiel 36:8 says “But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.” The mountains have been there for centuries, the trees now number over 20 million (20,000,000) and I saw branches and fruit everywhere! I could smell orange blossoms out of the back of our hotel room on the Galilee…! Banana groves of all things are everywhere there can be drip irrigation. Are you kidding me? I better fully get that our God is the Sovereign LORD and move with Him and His people or be left watching the rocks cry out in praise!
God, don’t let me put you in a box, tear down my small view of you, anoint me with Your Spirit to fully understand Your love for Your land and people Israel. Give me prophetic vision to see the great moves of Your will under way right now! Be my Sovereign LORD in my walk and not just my talk!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
"The Torah"-Read John 14:16,26
When we were gathered in the sanctuary listening to Eitan, someone asked him about the “ark” that houses the Torah Scroll. He went and opened the ark and brought out the Torah scroll and laid it on a table to teach us more about Torah. I was struck but not surprised at how lovingly and gently Eitan held, placed and unwrapped the Torah for us to look. “It can take up to a year to hand copy the Torah. They are usually written on sheep skin material. They can be of ornate or simple materials and cost from $6000 to $30,000 to purchase. Their production is very labor intensive”. When the first building that T. of Mercy met in was firebombed the only thing unharmed was the ark with the Torah and even the white curtain over the Torah was left unstained! No mere symbolism here. God’s Word IS living and sharper than a two sided firebomb.
The Torah is read with a “Yad”, a nice long instrument with a hand in the “pointer” position at the end. Yad is hand in Hebrew. God gives us His hand or Holy Spirit as it were to help read His word! How cool is that I thought, a Holy Pointer to help me read and understand His Word. I really need that every day! The one souvenir that Tracee really wanted from Israel was a Yad which was very appropriate as much as she reads the Bible.
Holy Spirit, I really need your Yad when I read Your Word! Please, oh please point Your Word out to me every day as I read it.
The Torah is read with a “Yad”, a nice long instrument with a hand in the “pointer” position at the end. Yad is hand in Hebrew. God gives us His hand or Holy Spirit as it were to help read His word! How cool is that I thought, a Holy Pointer to help me read and understand His Word. I really need that every day! The one souvenir that Tracee really wanted from Israel was a Yad which was very appropriate as much as she reads the Bible.
Holy Spirit, I really need your Yad when I read Your Word! Please, oh please point Your Word out to me every day as I read it.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Avi's Heart
When Avi Shalom shared with us during that Friday morning in the Tents of Mercy; he shared about the challenge it was to minister in a congregation made up of many cultures and many languages. Tents of Mercy started out with mostly Russian folks, but quickly had Ethiopian, American, European and many other nationalities represented in their body. “We continually ask ourselves what does it mean to be a spiritually renewed group”, Avi shared. “We are trying to focus on our Jewish commonalities and less on the differences of cultures”. Russians have a strong sense of community but due to the Communist era, they don’t always have a strong entrepreneurial sense. Other groups are the opposite and then for every generalization there are exceptions of course. Then one of the Tents of Mercy daughter congregations has an outreach to Holocaust survivors! What a challenge! Focusing on the common things; for them the common Jewish heritage, that makes a strong, authentic and spiritually renewed body! However…not letting the Gospel of Messiah be watered down.
In Abilene it is less striking but no different. There are those of us with a strong church background, some with no church background, with wrong teachings, with no teachings, with a vision for God taking over Abilene, some trying to survive life! Not the same international flavor of Israel, but still we have a challenge. To be authentic and real is more than a “tolerance”, there has to be transformation.
That is my prayer today that I will let God transform me in a real way that conforms me to His Son, but that doesn’t lose the “Henry-ness” that He created in me and that I become more and more part of what God is doing in Israel!
In Abilene it is less striking but no different. There are those of us with a strong church background, some with no church background, with wrong teachings, with no teachings, with a vision for God taking over Abilene, some trying to survive life! Not the same international flavor of Israel, but still we have a challenge. To be authentic and real is more than a “tolerance”, there has to be transformation.
That is my prayer today that I will let God transform me in a real way that conforms me to His Son, but that doesn’t lose the “Henry-ness” that He created in me and that I become more and more part of what God is doing in Israel!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Avi Shalom Tekelheimenot
Avi Shalom left Ethiopia to make “Alyiah” or “ascent” [to move to Israel permanently] to Israel when he was 17 to experience being a Jew in the Land of Israel. Avi, I think, served in the military and then went to university as well. Being somewhat discouraged with the secular life of Israel he came to question God and his life at the time. On a field trip to the Sea of Galilee, Yeshua revealed Himself to Avi as the One True and Only Messiah. I am sure I over simplified a holy encounter, but nevertheless, Avi has never been the same since. Avi is an Ethiopian born, Jewish derived, Israeli transformed citizen married to an American born daughter of a Russian- last -named “hippie to rabbi” guy named Eitan Shiskov. Avi Shalom married Hannah Shishkov and is Eitan’s son-in-law! Eitan Shishkov as you may recall is the founder of Tents of Mercy.But more importantly, Avi is co-heirs with Yeshua in the Kingdom of God.
That makes Avi and and me brothers in Yeshua! Do you know how blessed that makes me? Also wouldn’t you like to have PEACE as your middle name? "Henry Shalom Robinson". I like the sound of what that could mean. Maybe we could all just be called sons and daughters of Righteousness.Oh, that's right we are that already. "Henry son of Righteousness…"; even better.
My prayer today is that I will live in the community that is Yeshua/Jesus and not worry about labels, backgrounds, names, “handles”, denominations and just be a child of the kingdom of Righteousness.
PS: God was already answering my prayer...I was actually looking for friends from the Israel trip in my church yesterday...It just seems like we should all be in one place worshiping the One God we love. Hmmm.
That makes Avi and and me brothers in Yeshua! Do you know how blessed that makes me? Also wouldn’t you like to have PEACE as your middle name? "Henry Shalom Robinson". I like the sound of what that could mean. Maybe we could all just be called sons and daughters of Righteousness.Oh, that's right we are that already. "Henry son of Righteousness…"; even better.
My prayer today is that I will live in the community that is Yeshua/Jesus and not worry about labels, backgrounds, names, “handles”, denominations and just be a child of the kingdom of Righteousness.
PS: God was already answering my prayer...I was actually looking for friends from the Israel trip in my church yesterday...It just seems like we should all be in one place worshiping the One God we love. Hmmm.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
DAY 2-April 11,'10 “Eitan’s Advice”
Haifa Bay region. The first full day in Israel we went to visit the Tents of Mercy building to see the storehouse where items are given from, the newish youth area, and especially to visit with Eitan Shiskov and Avi Shalom Tekelheimot (spell check going nuts!) Eitan is the founder and apostle of the Tents of Mercy network of congregations and Avi is the senior pastor at Tents of Mercy. As we sat in the cool sanctuary, Eitan shared many things but then wanted to give us some travel tips on our stay in Israel: 1) Have open hearts, eyes and ears. 2) Ask God what He wants to tell you, “dialogue” with Him; make it conversational. 3) Journal, write things down as they are hot. 4) Pray. Thank God for the experience even as you intercede for the land. 5) Consult maps; see where you are going and what it is called. 6) Care for each other, be family, and be community.
“It seems that those 6 tips can be used for life” I heard God tell me plainly when I was reviewing my journal. “The Bible is the map of course and My Word is part of our dialogue. But Eitan was right…sometimes you need to just listen and learn. Oh, Eitan’s emphasis on community is also correct.” Straight forward but deep….
So I am praying that God will show me how to live in life like Eitan told us to travel in Israel. That is my prayer for today.
Haifa Bay region. The first full day in Israel we went to visit the Tents of Mercy building to see the storehouse where items are given from, the newish youth area, and especially to visit with Eitan Shiskov and Avi Shalom Tekelheimot (spell check going nuts!) Eitan is the founder and apostle of the Tents of Mercy network of congregations and Avi is the senior pastor at Tents of Mercy. As we sat in the cool sanctuary, Eitan shared many things but then wanted to give us some travel tips on our stay in Israel: 1) Have open hearts, eyes and ears. 2) Ask God what He wants to tell you, “dialogue” with Him; make it conversational. 3) Journal, write things down as they are hot. 4) Pray. Thank God for the experience even as you intercede for the land. 5) Consult maps; see where you are going and what it is called. 6) Care for each other, be family, and be community.
“It seems that those 6 tips can be used for life” I heard God tell me plainly when I was reviewing my journal. “The Bible is the map of course and My Word is part of our dialogue. But Eitan was right…sometimes you need to just listen and learn. Oh, Eitan’s emphasis on community is also correct.” Straight forward but deep….
So I am praying that God will show me how to live in life like Eitan told us to travel in Israel. That is my prayer for today.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Lessons From Israel
Introduction
Although I had been to Israel before in 2005 with my church group and son Judah; this trip 5 years later was almost as if I had never been there before! Tracee and I learned so much and the experience was so full of the Holy Spirit’s presence I have not been able to let go of it. It comes up in conversations daily, in my Bible reading, on FaceBook, with my patients and my journal grows with thoughts and notes. After reading my friend Bob Hamp’s blog I felt the Holy Spirit say something like “you can do this with your trip to Israel…I want you to do this with your trip to Israel just like you did the 70 day Nazirite study guide”. It is that simple. I don’t know how long it is going to last because I don’t know all that the Holy Spirit is going to pull and write.
Day 1- April 10 2010-“Be Prepared” (be prepared in season and in out)
There is a Scripture that basically says “you don’t build a building without knowing what your supply requirements will be…” and going on a trip is no different. Prepare, keep preparing and be prepared the whole trip was pretty much what we heard during the orientation meetings prior to leaving. Passport requirements, money payments, dates were the early things to prepare for then came knowing about the electricity in Israel, adaptors, special needs for curling irons and hairdryers…”they tend to blow more easily there”; exchange rates , baggage limitation and finally departure and airline information! “Hey Tracee we get to go on a 777!” That probably meant more to me than Tracee but hey…be prepared right?
However, the most important preparation was getting to know everyone and going from 45 individuals to one group with one heart for Israel. Our initial worship times seemed artificial at first and as Tracee and I were late add-ons, getting to know names was initially hard. Renee Booe and Tammy Fogle stood out but “what was that guys’ name that is an elder at New Hope and also a police officer? No, I don’t think his wife is going but…” I would soon see that Holy Spirit was moving to bring the group so close that the very first time we worshipped in Israel, on the walls of Akko with some folks named Bill and Patty, God’s presence was thick and heavy and beautiful…! We had been prepared well by our pastors in the group!
It seemed to come down to this: 1)listen to others that have traveled the journey before me, 2)read, learn, ask as much as I could before embarking on the trip; 3) know the itinerary well but be ready for changes; 4) when I have done all I can do, give the journey to the LORD. “Works for life”, God seemed to tell me… I guess it really does.
Oh my God, I really want to be prepared for the next season in my life…LORD; I really want to trust you completely! Help me bridge the gap from where I am to total trust in You!
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