(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!
Friday, April 30, 2010
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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